VESPASIAN: Previously on Those About To Die...
People of the greatest city on Earth, let the games begin!
(GRUNTS AND LAUGHS)
Your husband fights well, he will win the wooden sword.
CALA: What's this about?
-GUARD: She is now the property of Rome. -CALA: No! Please!
KWAME: What is this?
I've enrolled myself in the the Ludus.
The navigator arrives in Ostia this afternoon.
Kill him, here and now.
BERENICE: I have something of the utmost importance to give to the Emperor Titus.
It seems, today, we fight alone.
There's no telling what they'll pit us against. An army. Animals.
We'll go back to back.
Let's see how many we can take with us.
(CLANGS)
(VIGGO EXHALES)
Thank you.
For what you have taught me, Northman.
No.
Thank you, my Numidian brother.
Today, we live together, or we die together.
Fire and ice.
Brother, you seem agitated.
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
My only concern is that the Inaugural Games are perfect.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, perhaps the cool air of Ostia will calm you.
-Ostia? -TITUS: Yes.
A navigator waits for us there after we finish this day of games.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
GUARD: Soldier! Go get the Praetorians. Move.
Soldier, keep everybody back! Get back!
I said get back!
Soldier, keep them away. I don't want anybody near here, understand?
Except for Praetorians. Move it!
-(GUARD CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY) -(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(OPENING THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
(WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)
Come with me.
CALA: Please, please, just tell me why you are taking her.
No women at this gate.
No, no, please. I'm her mother.
I need to know what this is about.
-Fuck off! -(GUARD LAUGHS)
How dare you talk to me like this?
GUARD: Go away!
-CALA: I'm her mother, I won't leave without her. -Leave!
CALA: You can't arrest people like that!
(SHOUTING AND CLAMORING)
GUARD: You bastards!
(FANFARE PLAYING)
Citizens of Rome! We present you...
-a warrior pair. -(ALL CHEERING)
-Come on! -CROWD: (CHANTING) Kwame! Kwame!
VIGGO: Instead of gladiators, we are to die at the hands of Roman legionnaires.
As did my father.
Good. A warrior's death.
TUCCIAN: Two gladiators having fought back to back,
as savage Achilles, and sensuous Patroclus,
fast friends bonded in life and death.
Viggo, the Northman!
(CROWD CHEERING)
And Kwame, the Lion Killer!
(CROWD CHEERING)
-Come on Kwame! -Come on Kwame!
After 11 victories, today,
Viggo fights
the Great...
-Kwame! -(CROWD CHEERING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Killer of the invincible Flamma!
These two, the greatest of all gladiators,
will, for your pleasure,
fight each other now,
-to the death! -(CROWD CHEERING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
TUCCIAN: Gladiators.
-Engage! -(CROWD CHEERING)
Kwame. Be strong, brother, be strong.
I have your back.
Come!
Fight! Fight!
CROWD: Fight! Fight!
(BOOING)
You're a monster. They've taken my daughter!
Where have they taken her?
Where?
(CLAMORING)
I've paid my ticket!
Come on, fight!
-Fight, fight, fight! -Fight, fight, fight!
This is part of the entertainment?
I expected this.
TUCCIAN: Citizens of Rome, I present to you...
Jula!
Little sister of the Lion Killer, Kwame!
Jula!
TUCCIAN: A slave. The property of Rome.
And the son of the Northman, Viggo.
Seven years old, and the light of his father's eye.
No. No.
TUCCIAN: What better encouragement to fight, brave gladiators,
but to save the lives of your family?
Who will die?
And who will live?
(CROWD CHEERING)
(SOBS)
(CRYING) No.
Did you devise this entertainment?
Brother.
Was this your idea?
-Yes. -Oh, well,
then the goddess Discordia lives within you.
Only a devious mind could conjure such a thing.
(CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)
My friend, I have no choice but to kill you.
Please forgive me.
If you succeed, no forgiveness is needed.
The blame will lie with these ravening wolves...
Bastard children of Romulus.
Kwame!
(CROWD CHEERING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(CHEERING)
Hey, girl! Where's that woman?
MANILIUS: Tenax.
He works with the Aedile Ludi. Where do I find him?
GUARD: Tenax, he's somewhere inside.
Split up, find him, kill him.
It's time to tie up loose ends.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSES WHINNYING)
So there is nothing I can say.
You're certain about leaving?
(WHISTLES)
(WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)
I would so love to take you with me.
But you know what they do to horse thieves.
Elia, it's Jula!
-They've taken her to the amphitheatre! -What?
They're using her to force her brother to fight his best friend.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(WOMEN EXCLAIMING)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(PANTING)
No!
-(GRUNTS) -(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(GASPING)
Strangely compelling to watch two supposedly loyal friends...
(GRUNTS)
...could call them family,
fighting to the death.
Don't you think, brother?
(GUARDS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
-Don't! -(GASPS)
Here.
GUARD: Hey, you can't leave your fucking horse here.
(YELLS)
Oh!
(CHEERING)
CROWD: Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
(SOBS)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
Stop! Stop!
Is that your son?
There.
(SOBBING)
(GRUNTING)
-Get up! Get up! -Get up!
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(ALL GASP)
Da!
(YELLS IN PAIN)
(CROWD APPLAUDING)
(APPLAUDING AND CHEERING DIES DOWN)
KWAME: (ECHOING) Viggo
has fought bravely.
Let him live.
Live!
(CHANTING) Live! Live! Live!
Let him live
to fight for you again!
(CHANTING) Live! Live! Live!
KWAME: Give him quarter!
(CHANTING) Live! Live! Live! Live!
(CHANTING CONTINUES)
I have a decision to make, brother.
Mercy or death? What's it to be?
Mercy.
Perhaps not today.
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
-No! -No!
-No, no! What? -What?
No!
(VIGGO PANTING)
It's all right, son.
It's all right.
You will rest with the Gods,
and visit me in my dreams.
Please. Please do what you can
to keep my son alive.
I will. I will.
(CROWD EXCLAIMING)
-(ALL EXCLAIMING) -(CRIES)
(KWAME YELLING)
(PANTING)
The house of death.
I will have no more of this.
(SOBBING)
CROWD: (CHANTING) Wooden sword! Wooden sword!
DOMITIAN: Brother.
(CHANTING CONTINUES) Wooden sword! Wooden sword!
(CROWD CHEERING)
CROWD: (IN DISTANCE) Wooden sword! Wooden sword!
(CHANTING DIES DOWN)
(ECHOING) These games,
our city,
our empire,
celebrates its most important virtue.
Martial valor,
and duty to Rome.
With his victory today,
let this gladiator
celebrate freedom!
(CROWD CHEERING)
-Kwame! Kwame! Kwame! -Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
CROWD: Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
Free her.
(CROWD CHEERING)
(CHEERING DIES DOWN)
This gladiator
has earned the right
to live in his freedom
however he sees fit!
Let his gesture
stay!
(CROWD CHEERING)
Take it.
(CROWD CHEERING)
You are free now.
You are free.
Jula.
Are you okay?
Thank you.
KWAME: Go.
ELIA: Come.
Thank you.
CROWD: (CHANTING) Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
(CRYING)
Take her to Tenax's apartment and wait for me there.
We need to talk.
Go. Go.
CROWD: (CHANTING) Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!
(CHANTING CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)
What's wrong?
I bear your child.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because I was afraid it would make you leave.
Jula.
I'm not going anywhere.
(CROWD CHEERING)
GUARD: Our escort to Ostia has mounted already, Lord.
Very well. Brother,
we have business in Ostia to attend to.
I think it would be best if I stayed.
Your Emperor
commands it.
The Northman's son, kill him.
You heard me. Kill him.
Kill the boy!
-Ahren! No! No! -(WOMEN SCREAMING)
No!
No! No! No!
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(VIGGO'S WIFE SCREAMING)
(YELLS)
TITUS: Brother!
(PANTS AND YELLS)
And with this,
the first day of the Inaugural Games closes.
(CRYING)
(INTENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Who did this?
GUARD: We don't know, Caesar.
Nobody saw what happened.
This is your handiwork.
No.
Take her to the palace.
GUARD: Yes, my lord. You heard him.
To Ostia.
(CRIES)
(PANTING)
You filthy, betraying shit.
There is no betrayal.
Only survival.
You're a gambler. You simply lost.
Domitian will die by his brother's hand,
you will die by my sword here.
And our little arrangement will die along with you.
(CHUCKLES) Survival.
And the 10 million sesterces.
(CHUCKLES) We all have expenses.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(MANILIUS GRUNTS)
(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)
(WHITE LION ROARING WEAKLY)
-(GROWLING) -(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
Tenax!
-(YELLING) -(GRUNTS)
(GAGS)
(PANTING)
Never pit a soldier against a street fighter.
(MANILIUS THUDS)
(WHITE LION GROWLING)
You betrayed me.
You lied.
Betrayed, perhaps, but I never lied to you.
I've killed a man for far less.
I'm sure you have.
(WHITE LION GROWLING)
(GROWLING)
Hug the wall.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
-(YELLS) -(GROWLING)
I'll deal with you later.
(CROWD GASPING AND CLAMORING)
(YELLS)
KWAME: Everyone, get back!
No, no! No, no, no, no, no!
What have you done?
I had to.
I don't understand you.
You never did.
(GROWLING)
How much did Manilius say he was going to pay?
We have orders to kill you.
How much?
A hundred thousand, each.
I paid him 10 million.
Come with me, and you can share all of that.
The die is cast.
Hey!
-(WHITE LION SNARLING) -(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
(MAN SCREAMING)
(YELLING)
(BOTH YELLING)
KWAME: I will lure it away. Protect mother.
Come!
(WHITE LION SNARLING)
(INHALES)
(YELLING)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(ALL GASPING)
(YELLS)
(WHITE LION ROARS)
(KWAME GRUNTING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WHITE LION GROWLS)
(KWAME YELLING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(PANTING)
We are one,
you and I... (GULPS)
(COUGHS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY) ...children from Apedemak.
Let us curse these Romans,
and make them suffer!
(HORSES WHINNY)
How long did you lay at anchor off Corsica?
Three weeks.
PORTO: Upon whose order?
Your family will be protected if you tell the truth.
Domitian Flavianus.
I saw his orders and followed them.
Get him out of here.
Now I am twice the fool.
Firstly, for trusting you.
Secondly, after that trust had gone,
for thinking I could control you.
He should die.
Here and now.
No, no, he will.
But...
in public.
Throw him from the Tarpeian Rock after conviction in the Senate.
(HORSES WHINNYING)
(GUARD YELLS)
(MEN YELLING AND GRUNTING)
PORTO: Emperor, get back, behind me!
(YELLING AND GRUNTING)
PORTO: Forgive me, Lord Titus.
I failed you.
(EXHALES SLOWLY)
DOMITIAN: Oh, brother, the fates toy with the threads of life.
Bind him.
Time to cut that soiled thread short, I think.
-You think assassination will save you? -Well, it's a start.
You play Morta, will you, and kill me yourself?
I thought I might.
Brother.
Little brother,
hide your fears and hide your tears.
Do you remember what I told you?
You are no soldier.
That in the moment you'd be unable to kill anybody.
What makes you think you can do it now?
-You underestimate me. -Do I?
Whatever he said he'll pay you, I'll pay you ten times as much.
-He's lying. -Am I?
I swear by Saturn, you'll have all you desire.
Anything. It's yours.
Whatever he paid you, it will be nothing compared to this.
DOMITIAN: Do not listen to him.
TITUS: He cannot have witnesses to this evil.
-DOMITIAN: Shut up! -TITUS: Oh, no.
Listen to me!
Your General!
Your Emperor!
You fools, do you not understand?
He will kill you all.
Kneel.
(SPITS)
Kneel.
Kneel!
My brother is just a child.
He's just a weak, petulant little child.
So consider this.
Who's more likely to let you live?
I'm a soldier just like you.
I'm a hard man, but I'm a just man.
And I'm an honorable man. Look at him.
Look at him!
It's the fear that drives him.
Who can you trust more? That fear will be your death!
Shut up. Do not listen to him.
My brother's right, yes, do not listen to me.
Listen to your heart.
Think of your families.
Think of those you love.
And above all else,
think of our beloved Rome!
Who is the greater guardian of this city?
Me?
Or this vile,
desperate, weak,
despicable worm?
(GASPING)
Look, brother.
Bitter tears.
-Can you taste them? -(GASPING)
From the humiliation and cruelty I suffered at your hand.
Well, now you can choke on them.
Look, brother, here come the fates.
Snip.
(CHOKING)
Well done.
TENAX: I live to serve you.
Caesar.
Continue to serve me well, and I will let you live.
Now leave.
I'll speak to Tenax under four eyes.
See me now, Father?
I am the ruler you should've chosen.
Your greatest show yet. His bulging eyes.
Almost as entertaining as watching traitors be eaten by crocodiles.
You will make an excellent Aedile Ludi.
You honor me.
Now clean up this mess.
My brother died of natural causes.
Poisoned by spoiled fish or something.
Ride ahead. Have the Senate assemble.
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSES WHINNYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
My brother
is dead.
(SENATE GASPING)
Some will say he was killed.
But that is a lie.
I have heard my brother has promised a portion of the income
from our Flavian Amphitheatre to be given to the four...
No.
The five factions.
This arrangement is no more.
The Flavian Amphitheatre belongs to the people of Rome.
To confirm my brother died of natural causes,
his body will be brought here to the Senate,
where each of you will see there is not a mark
on him.
I have been told my brother died from bad food.
A tragedy.
There are some who think me ill-suited to be Emperor.
Indeed,
there are some of you who think yourselves better suited for the curule throne than I.
Disabuse this notion.
Now.
May the fate of your Consul Marsus
and his co-conspirators in our Flavian amphitheatre
tell of how futile such attempts are.
(EXHALES)
Now, rise
to acclaim your new Emperor.
ALL: Hail Caesar.
GUARD: Orders?
Secure the armory, the treasury, and the palace.
Inform the legions.
GUARD: A detail of guards for you?
At a distance. I wish to be alone.
GUARD: Yes, my lord.
How will you provide for her?
I am riding for the blues.
I am their lead charioteer now.
Hmm. And when you are killed?
We drivers have a club for that.
We save for...
Well, just in case.
Do you love him?
Yes.
I do, Mother.
(SIGHS) Love.
A weak basis for marriage.
But it will do for now.
Thank you.
RUFUS: Tenax wants you to come.
Take good care of her, or you will answer to me.
And to the Gods of Numidia.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(DOOR SQUEAKS)
CALA: Your new home?
TENAX: Scorpus isn't using it.
Anyway, he hated it.
He preferred brothels.
Domitian, our new emperor, has made me Aedile Ludi.
You know what that means?
Julius Caesar himself
served as Aedile during his rise.
A deserved prize.
For putting a new emperor on the throne.
(SCOFFS) Now we both know that,
but it's not to be said out loud.
Especially to Domitian.
You understand that I need to kill you, don't you?
CALA: I understand that you believe that.
No surprise, then.
I expected you to try and bargain your way out of this.
It's only through dumb luck that I'm alive.
Had that scroll reached Titus,
I would be dead, and Domitian as well.
Then you should thank your Roman god, Fortuna.
I do.
I take no pleasure in killing you.
But you've given me no choice.
I betrayed you.
But did I ever lie to you?
You are from the gutter,
your money,
your betting, your allies,
all your allegiances, your very being,
all reek of the sewer.
But you live on the Esquiline Hill now.
You need someone honest to manage what you leave behind.
Without an endless flow of money,
all this will fall apart,
and the senators will roll with laughter
as they kick you back to the gutter.
Why should I trust you?
Who else?
For my children,
I will betray you in a second.
But beyond that, I will never lie to you.
I never have.
Who else can offer you that?
You terrify me.
Good.
You know where to find me.
TENAX: I killed an emperor,
but the reward was to become Aedile Ludi.
This was only a first step in my journey.
At some point, I will travel to Syracuse,
to find out if I'm truly a patrician,
as Ursus told me.
Maybe this will come with some land I would inherit.
We will see.
I need to be watchful of Domitian.
He's like a petulant child.
Cruel,
and an unpredictable schemer and killer.
Hopefully,
I will be able to control him.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Let the games begin.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)