[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
[BIRDS FLYING]
Ambassador?
Officer Giraldi.
Did you read my statement?
-I did. -Then you know everything.
I...[BREATHING]
-I saw Leonardo kill her. -BERNARDO: Poor Caterina.
With respect, you've saw her die from poison.
You didn't actually see Leonardo administer it.
You don't believe he's guilty?
You said in your statement that she wrote to you,
asking to see you the very day she died.
-Yes. -Did she say why?
No.
STEFANO: You had not seen her in years. Yet you came.
I thought of her many times over those years.
I know how the three of you met. What I don't know is why you parted.
[SIGHS]
It was love, of course.
BERNARDO: Love is the poisoner of reason.
[SWALLOWS CHIRPING]
LEONARDO: No image.
Not even the very smallest enters the eye without being turned upside down .
TOMMASO: You're turning on a worrying shade of crimson.
No.
Yes.
People are staring.
Not at us.
GUARD: Make way for the Duke Regent!
TOMMASO: You see? If Ludovico Sforza saw you like that,
he'd think you quite mad.
That extra flow of blood has helped me think of ways to captivate him.
But you said... He already offered you his patronage.
I refused him.
-You did what? -I turned him down.
And he said he never makes the same offer twice.
And you didn't think to mention this before we left Florence?
No.
We could have gone to Mantua. Or Naples.
[PEOPLE LAUGHING AND SINGING LOUD]
How long are you going to be angry with me?
It's going to last a while, I think.
[LAUGHTER]
Well, now it's for the greater good. I'm sorry for that.
-Forgive us. Forgive us. -Please don't apologize.
I'll take care of this. Go get yourself a drink.
I'm sorry, gentlemen.
"Desole".
Liar.
No, no, no... Ehm...
"Actor". It's pronounced "actor" where I come from.
Let's go back to Florence.
There's no future for me in Florence.
I don't like it here.
[SINGING IN ITALIAN]
There are more soldiers than there are women.
Exactly.
[MAN SINGING]
What is this?
A war machine.
Oh, splendid idea.
[MAN SINGING]
TOMMASO: Except... you're not a military engineer.
Who says I'm not?
[MAN CONTINUES SINGING IN ITALIAN]
[PEOPLE LAUGHING]
[BELLS RINGING, DOOR OPENING]
-Are you the artist? -Yes. I am.
His Excellency will see you.
Thank you.
CHAMBERLAIN: The Duke Regent will receive you in his private chambers.
When you meet his Excellency you are to bow with suitable deference.
Too deep is considered vulgar, too shallow an insult.
You must not initiate conversation with his Excellency.
Do not make eye contact unless addressed.
If you're fortunate enough to be introduced to Lady Beatrice,
you must bow reverently, but not as deeply as to His Excellency.
You are to refer to her only as "My Lady" or "Madonna".
[CHAMBERLAIN CLEARS HIS VOICE]
This way.
Just stay still one more second.
Good boy. Good boy!
Your Excellency? Leonardo da Vinci.
Your Lordship.
Do you think this collar flatters him?
Hm. I believe it's a man's duty to make everything around him beautiful.
Surely you agree.
Beauty and truth, yes.
Oh, come. We both know the truth needs decorating to be palatable.
What brings you to Milan?
I was pretty clear last time we spoke,
so I know you can't be here to beg my patronage.
Well...
That was when you approached me as an artist, Your Lordship.
Today... I come before you as an engineer.
I have ideas here
for defenses for your city.
If you'd like to take a look.
First, we have our...
This is a mechanism for pushing siege ladders away from walls.
And we have some more, well...
This here is a mobile cannon.
It protects the people inside with a
an armor on the outside.
You're dressing the truth. You've no passion for war.
You've ruined your reputation in Florence, and now you're trying your luck with me.
Besides, I've all the defenses I need.
Your Lordship, you're right.
I don't have a passion for war.
But I do have a passion for art.
And paintings.
And... forgive me for saying, sir.
But what you do not possess is a true work of art.
I don't mean these, but something so beautiful
that all the world would marvel.
Now, I know you said you don't offer second chances,
but I swear to you, if you do...
I will deliver such a masterpiece.
It's all I've wished to accomplish.
Lady Beatrice would like your opinion on tonight's masque, my Lord.
LUDOVICO: Very good.
Come.
Your Grace.
Ladies and gentlemen! A morality in praise of chastity!
CHAMBERLAIN: Music.
[LYRE MUSIC]
[SINGING]
[CONTINUES SINGING]
[IN ITALIAN] "Brava". [LAUGHS]
BEATRICE: Thank you, my love. I promise tonight will be even more spectacular.
-LUDOVICO: I'm sure. -With nymphs and buffoni...
LUDOVICO: And tell me about the unicorns.
BEATRICE: Fantastic!
WOMAN: I seemed to have lost my asp...
You have not seen 'em anywhere, have you?
-Caterina? -Ta-da.
You know... Watching your face during that rehearsal
was the best fun I've had in weeks.
What do you do in a palace?
What are you doing in Milan?
Bernardo's here for trade deals. And you... working for Ll Moro.
I'm not here on Ludovico's invitation.
I'm here because I've nowhere else to go.
I didn't get an offer from Il Moro.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because you were so happy.
I didn't want to spoil it.
-I missed you so much. -I missed you, too.
Messer Leonardo! So good to see you again.
And you, Ambassador Bembo.
Sanseverino, you are in the presence of a great artist.
Then I am honored to meet you.
Sanseverino is responsible for the safety of the Duke Regent.
-There you are, Caterina. -Your Excellency.
Darling, you're going to be a divine Cleopatra.
-Thank you, Your grace. -We shall become dear friends, I know it.
Your Lordship, I wondered...
I've just been discussing you with my wife.
And as it turns out, we do have a commission for you.
-One of great importance. -Yes.
A troupe of actors have come here to perform
Poliziano's "La Fabula di Orfeo".
For our nephew, who's a rather sad young man.
He's insufferably miserable.
BEATRICE: He's in great need of cheer.
A dazzling spectacle would be just the thing.
You can design the production. Hm?
Well, you've seen the masque. Take your lead from that.
I don't understand.
Our next entertainment, of course.
I'm so excited you're going to design it for us.
An opportunity for you to prove yourself worthy of my patronage.
I wish I shared Il Moro's passion for masques.
But I'm afraid I do not have an artist's soul.
Masques are not art.
Oh.
Who was that?
The Duke of Milan.
BEATRICE: Orpheus played his lyre so beautifully.
Even the birds were enchanted.
But his greatest love was his wife, Eurydice.
When Eurydice died, he went to beg Hades for her return.
Hades agreed, but on one condition.
He must not look upon her until they'd left the Underworld.
Sorry, gentlemen. Desole.
But he did, and Eurydice vanished forever.
[CLAPPING HANDS]
WALLA: Bravo! Well done, everybody!
-DEO: Here comes our new designer. -Bravo!
THIERRY: I know exactly what you need! A good glass of wine.
I'd like it very much.
-Yes. -So...
When can we talk about your plans?
We plan... only to sing.
Yes, but... what about scenery and the stage?
Build me one of wooden planks, if you must.
And trees, yeah. Paint me some trees, whichever ones you like.
Not willows, though. They're far too gloomy.
-Trees, right. -That's all. Look.
That's all I require from Il Moro's... lapdog.
LEONARDO: Have I told you about Thierry? The leader of the actors' troop?
The "vain braggart who means to sabotage your every effort"?
You may have mentioned him once or a hundred times.
I should be studying.
I should be discussing the mysteries of nature and people.
Not painting baubles for tomfools.
Stop torturing yourself.
These theatricals are an audition, that's all.
If you give him more of the spectacle he wants,
he'll reward you, Leonardo, he said so himself.
Well, what if he doesn't? What will I do?
I'm not like you, Caterina.
I don't know how to... live.
You have a gift for it.
It's not true. You can breathe life into anything.
You gave me life.
You gave me wings to fly out of the gutter.
I had no idea how exhausting court life is.
Last week I attended three dances, a fete and two banquets.
And you taught me how to play chess.
Check.
Masks and fireworks, that's what you need.
It's what everyone does.
I'll hardly impress with "what everyone does".
Why didn't I protest?
And I stood there gawping at Ludovico, like a...
Startled fish.
[SIGHS]
This is not the end of your story.
Believe me.
I think that's checkmate.
Where is Antonio?
I gave him the night off. He was exhausted.
You will soon grow accustomed to servants.
Well, I hope not.
The Doge of Venice will be unimpressed when your report fails to arrive,
because you were making love to your mistress.
Only because the Doge of Venice has not met my mistress.
What is... [GASPS]
The blue sapphires are from Persia, and the diamonds,
polished by Lodewyk van Bercken himself.
-I can't accept this. No. -I insist.
You will wear it as a favor to me.
On one condition.
You will ask Il Moro to take Leonardo off this entertainment
and commission a painting from him instead.
He'll listen to you.
This is hardly my business.
Leonardo's gifts are worth more than dressing ponies as unicorns.
You know that.
Please.
-Please. -Yes.
Yes!
I'm truly grateful, and so will he be. Thank you. Thank you.
-Madonna. -No, thank you.
-Please. -Alright.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
"For every mortal thing... time stops."
For every mortal thing time stops.
BERNARDO: Your Excellency, I'm intrigued to know
why you assigned Messer Leonardo to a theatrical entertainment.
Your judgement is superlative, of course.
But it strikes me as a trifling commission
for an artist who shows such an exceptional talent.
-I see. -See what, exactly?
Idle gossip is beneath us, of course, but...
Even I've heard talk of how the...
"wild stag of Venice" has finally been captured.
And by such a low born creature.
BERNARDO: Any stag worth his salt would give an antler
to be caught by a ravishing creature.
And now she has you doing her bidding on her lover's behalf.
It is the lovely Caterina
who asked you to speak with me on this matter, is it not?
No, Messer Leonardo is not--
You are aware they regularly frequent a tavern by night, unchaperoned?
I have nothing but admiration for you.
Personally, I couldn't tolerate that a softling
could better satisfy my mistress than me.
I'm teasing you. I'm teasing you.
Why are you here?
Me?
Well, the Chamberlain insisted that I be here.
So... I'm here.
I love these. Almonds... they're my favorite.
THIERRY: How are you?
-No, no... -No, don't touch that.
-Why? -You want to lose a finger?
That's... That's not what I asked for.
I need to make this theatrical.
The most spectacular ever seen in Milan.
My future depends on it. Could you please leave?
I'm not sure one angel in the whole of heaven counts as spectacular.
Won't he be lonely?
It's your reputation at stake, too. Don't you care?
About what? About what men like Ludovico think?
What do they know of music and art?
You're fortunate then.
I can't afford to paint without his patronage.
Give that to me, please.
-You want this? -Give it to me.
Take it. What?
Take it!
Move, move!
What dark secrets have you, Maestro da Vinci?
-Just let me have a look. -Give it to me.
Just a minute.
"S'il vous plait."
See?
THIERRY: Wait...
You... Lapdog, you did all this?
Do people know?
How many drawings are there?
I've never seen machines like these.
Balance wheels.
My father, he was a clockmaker.
Make Orpheus your world.
Bring it to life.
I'll need more time.
You have a month.
We can help.
Yes?
Yes.
Oh, forgive me. Thank you, Francesca.
Does the artist have what we need?
BOY: What's your name?
Leonardo da Vinci.
Please, leave us.
Do you know who I am?
Yes, Your Excellency.
"The poor little boy shut away by his uncle."
That's what they say, isn't it?
Please, take a seat.
Tell me, Leonardo da Vinci, what do you think of hunting?
I don't care for it.
My uncle says it will make a man of me.
He doesn't realize I'm already one.
I don't need to kill birds to prove it.
How could anyone be so cruel?
What is your favorite of all the birds?
I think mine is the pelican.
Did you know the pelican has great love for its young?
And when it finds them in the nest dead from a snake bite,
it pierces itself to the heart,
and bathes them in blood till they return to life.
-I like pigeons. -[CHUCKLES]
I feel sorry for them.
They're so unremarkable.
Yes, the pigeon does get a hard time, doesn't it?
And of course, the pigeon is also the symbol for ingratitude.
For when it's old enough to no longer need to be fed,
it begins to fight with its father.
And that struggle doesn't end until the young one drives the older one out.
Your Excellency, I didn't mean to cause offence.
My uncle was burdened
when my mother didn't want me.
But I've no intention of... "driving him out".
I wish he'd be Duke instead of me.
If he felt burdened
why would he organize an entertainment for you?
Entertainment?
One that will truly astonish you.
How do you know?
-He engaged me to design it. -Really?
[LAUGHING]
THIERRY: What about masks and fireworks?
No.
I've never seen a man so clenched like a fist.
I just can't find the truth in this.
It's just a thrill, a diversion, a taste of pleasure.
There for a moment... and gone.
What does it matter?
It matters because art lifts us up.
It transcends and gives meaning to our lives.
-That's why it matters. -No. There's no meaning.
We are here for a moment... and gone. That's all.
Theatricals are about the moment. The now.
If you can unlock yourself long enough to see that,
you might even enjoy it.
-Let go. -I cannot.
Let go.
Come with me.
Did you know the mayfly only lives for one day?
Dante, Deo, you ready?
THIERRY: This
is going to be fun.
[SCREAMS]
THIERRY: Relax! Relax! Stop panicking!
Let go! Let go!
Let go and enjoy yourself!
You're flying!
You're flying, my friend!
You're flying!
THIERRY: You're flying! You're flying!
LEONARDO: You were wrong!
If a mayfly lives for only one day, then that day is not meaningless!
It must mean everything!
The flying worked then...
I didn't hear you when you said it, but when you said "Make Orfeo your world"
I must be the creator of a world within a world.
We must utilize the same four elements the gods do:
air, earth, water and fire.
An artist must observe like a scientist, but create with fantasy,
and that story takes place in heaven and hell
where one must effortlessly become the other,
for they are both sides of our nature, good and evil.
Just as God created us.
The audience must not merely see this, but they must feel it!
The stench of demon breath.
The kiss of an angel.
The heart break of a man losing his one true love.
The audience must feel it all.
Caterina.
It's so good to see you again.
Why are you here in Milan?
-I'm... -You lied to me.
Yes. But Leonardo knows what I did.
And he's forgiven me.
His heart is softer than mine.
If you hurt him again, in any way...
Why would I?
-My own success depends upon his. -Right.
Remember that.
BERNARDO: You're getting good at this game.
I don't just mean chess.
Turns out wealthy people are no different from those in the streets of Florence.
They just have finer clothes.
It's good that you're spending time with the ladies of the court.
Far more suitable company than Messer Leonardo.
He's been far too busy to see me.
But I'm sure that will change once the theatrical's over.
I have no doubt.
Would you mind wearing something particularly fetching tonight?
-Fetching? -Um-hmm.
I'd like your help to get in Il Moro's good graces.
All right.
Don't be too agreeable, though. I've known men like Ludovico.
They push just to see how far you'll bend,
and if you don't stand up for yourself, they'll never respect you.
I'm sorry.
I say too much.
I'll stop if it displeases you.
It doesn't.
Not in the least.
In fact, you please very much.
Listen, I didn't want to mention it until I was certain,
but I think someone's been stealing from us.
-Leonardo? -What?
When?
Yesterday, perhaps day before. I'm not sure.
We've been at the palace so much, it's hard to say.
-I'll see to it. -Maestro.
-Maestro Leonardo. -What is it?
Well, I just need a word.
I can't be long. I have this dinner later.
Don't go.
What?
Just don't go.
What are you talking about? I have to go. It's with Il Moro.
Yeah. You're right, you should.
Anyway, I'm not good to be around the night before production, so...
You've only yourself to blame.
There wouldn't be a production if you hadn't inspired me, so...
Thank you.
It's funny.
Remember the first time I met you?
[THIERRY LAUGHS]
What are you laughing at?
Tell me.
"I can't find the truth in this."
-Remember that? -That was a good impersonation.
It wasn't, but...
Well, you know me. I'm a man of many faces.
Anyway, what... What I wanted to tell you is...
What?
Come to France with me.
I'll be late.
Megastomo?
Here, boy!
Good boy. Here, here.
Good boy. Come.
[OVERLAPPING VOICES]
[INDISTINCT]
[DOG BARKING]
Come on here.
Come on.
LUDOVICO: Good boy.
Thirteen is the age of manhood.
Which means it is time for you to stop concentrating on the arts
and turn your attention towards politics.
[INDISTINCT]
Wouldn't you agree, Messer Leonardo?
Oh, I... I apologize.
Caterina was warning me there is pheasant in this, and I don't eat birds.
Or any animals, for what matters.
My body will not be a tomb for other creatures.
I've never heard that before.
I like the idea.
Although, I'd rather hear about the theatricals.
Do tell us more.
You will be amazed. There's a machine, which can...
I think Leonardo would rather it be a surprise.
Oh, come now...
There will be plenty of time.
I...
[GASPING]
-I should... -Darling?
I...
-You... -Uncle?
-Don't touch him! -Stand back, I told you!
I need a pestle, charcoal, turmeric, salt and milk from the kitchen, please!
Take the Duke!
Guards, hold of the dog! Do not touch him with your bare hands!
What's happening? Tell me!
I think someone has laced the dog's fur with a deadly poison.
I know of an antidote, but it does not always succeed.
The ingredients are here, they're here. Lay them down.
BEATRICE: My God! My love! My love!
Go, go, quickly! Quickly, Leonardo! My love...
You don't look well either.
[WHEEZING]
Have mercy! I beg you, please!
Sanseverino, please!
Please, save him.
BEATRICE: Breath!
[GASPING]
Now we wait.
[DOOR OPENING]
What's happening?
I still haven't heard anything.
The physician was in there all night.
LEONARDO: I hope I did enough.
[BELLS RINGING]
Maestro?
Il Moro has woken. And he wishes to thank you.
-Please. -Yes.
Messer Leonardo. You saved my husband's life.
If you hadn't been here, with the right antidote,
at precisely the right moment...
How does an artist
come to know the antidote for poisons?
Many pigments artists use the poisons.
I studied their toxic qualities,
and concocted antidotes to counter them,
but that coppery pigment that was used last night,
that "composition of death"
that's hard to come by in Milan.
I've seen it in Florence, but... not here.
[COUGHS]
Leonardo? The theatricals,
they will go ahead as planned.
Yes, Your Lordship.
Do you think I'm a traitor?
I know how desperate you are for Il Moro's patronage.
How you disapproved of the task he gave you.
And how creative you are.
I had nothing to do with that.
Listen to me. I did see something yesterday.
I saw a man speaking to the Chamberlain,
and I didn't see what he looked like.
He could have been a con-conspirator, he looked suspicious.
He had a gold lion-headed medallion on his boots.
Thank you.
[DOOR CLOSING]
[OVERLAPPING VOICES]
He looks anxious. I'm going to speak to him.
You are not.
What?
You're not to see him anymore.
Why?
I will not be made a fool of.
Bernardo, you can't command me to.
If you are no longer happy with our "arrangement", just say the word.
You are free to return to the streets of Florence.
[APPLAUDING]
-Something terrible happened. -I heard.
You heard?
Well... They think it's me. What am I going to do?
Hey. Forget them.
This is your moment.
LEONARDO: What if it doesn't work? What if I'm nothing?
You are.
You are a god.
TOMMASO: Leonardo. Leonardo!
What? What?
TOMMASO: It's time to start. Are they ready?
-Are you ready? -Yes. -Yes, we are.
Smoke!
-Now! The river! -Water!
[MUSIC]
This way. This way. Go, go, go.
[LYRE MUSIC]
BEATRICE: Orpheus played his lyre so beautifully.
Even the birds were enchanted.
[APPLAUSE]
[SINGING]
BEATRICE: But his greatest love was his wife, Eurydice.
When Eurydice died, Orpheus went to beg Hades,
God of the dead, for her return.
Fire! Fire!
Fire!
[GASPS]
Cogs!
BEATRICE: Hades agreed. But on one condition.
Orpheus must not look upon her
until they'd left the Underworld.
But he did.
And Eurydice vanished forever.
[SCREAMING]
This
is a public display
of the fate that awaits all traitors.
I want you to take that message
to all Milan!
Take them out.
Everybody out!
Stop! That way, Madonna.
The actor was using you to gain favor in the court
to get close to Il Moro.
He was part of a plan orchestrated in the name of King Louis of France.
Your tip about the medallion confirmed the culprit.
I am indebted to you for the information.
His treachery must have been deeply painful for you.
I too was taken in.
We're only human.
Try not to blame yourself.
Love... is the poisoner of reason.
BERNARDO: Love is... the poisoner of reason.
Meeting him was...
... was her tragedy.
You haven't explained, Ambassador.
How can you be so certain Leonardo was responsible?
If my word is not sufficient, let's look at your precious facts.
"Composition of death". The poison that nearly killed Ludovico.
BERNARDO: It was the same poison used to kill Caterina.
-Coincidence, perhaps? -You're missing my point.
If Leonardo knew how to save Ludovico,
why didn't he save her?
Her salvation was in his hands.
[CLOSING TUNE PLAYING]