LUX FILM PRESENTS
SILVANA MANGANO
KIRK DOUGLAS IN
ULYSSES
PRODUCED BY LUX FILM PONTI DE LAURENTIIS
SCREENWRITERS FRANCO BRUSATI, MARIO CAMERINI, ENNIO DE CONCINI
HUGH GRAY, BEN HECHT, IVO PERILLI, IRWIN SHAW
DIRECTED BY MARIO CAMERINI
CINEMATOGRAPHER HAROLD ROSSON
PRODUCED BY CARLO PONTI DINO DE LAURENTIIS
MUSIC BY ALESSANDRO CICOGNINI
THIS IS A STORY OF GODS AND MYTHICAL HEROES,
A WORLD WHERE REALITY AND SUPERNATURAL BLEND TOGETHER,
MEN AND DIVINITY FIGHT EACH OTHER.
THE POEM OF THE HERO ULYSSES THAT THE GREATEST POET HOMER
WROTE ABOUT 3000 YEARS AGO.
Come on, ladies, go now.
The day is over.
And stay in your rooms.
Don't follow what Melantho and the other handmaids do.
To satisfy the vanity of the guests,
they violated the rules of this house.
Off you go.
Eurycleia!
The sun tonight sank in the sea in a bed of turquoise clouds,
and at the last minute, a huge dark shadow
in the shape of a sail suddenly covered it.
What does that mean?
For years you've tried to read the color of the clouds,
the flight of the birds, the blood of the sacrifices
to find signs of Ulysses' return.
Don't torment yourself, Penelope.
How could I not?
When the light leaves the sky
and the night takes over, dark and quiet,
my torment and pain become more intense.
Sometimes they feel unbearable.
Do you hear them? The princes.
My suitors.
Every day, for years,
they invade my house like hungry dogs.
Every night they destroy,
drink, scream. For years.
What is going on?
Phemius is singing for them.
For 10 years, the Greeks besieged Troy.
For 10 years, in vain.
And one day...
they got tired and disappointed
and left the field.
And on the white sandy shore,
they left behind a big wooden horse.
Oh Trojans, why did you drag it
with joy, within your walls?
Didn't you know that in its hollow belly
the smart Ulysses was plotting your destruction?
Trojans, didn't you know
that you were celebrating stupidly
for the victory and the peace?
But overnight Ulysses descended
from the tall horse
and opened wide the sacred door
to the Greeks who came back in the darkness.
The Gods closed their eyes
and the walls of the city burned.
Screams of massacre,
agony of the dead.
It was a huge bloodshed for the people in Troy,
drunk and helpless.
It was a huge disaster.
But Ulysses' pride was bigger.
He reached the temple of the Neptune God,
God of the sea and defender of Troy,
and destroyed its statue.
Then Cassandra cursed Ulysses.
I curse you, Greek violators,
and I curse you three times, Ulysses.
May Neptune's anger descend on you.
You'll never find peace
and you'll die in the depth of the sea.
Stop it!
- Stop, Phemius. - The queen.
Look, Penelope is here.
- The queen. - Penelope!
We haven't seen you in months.
Sing another song.
It's too sad for me
to listen to these distant memories.
Not for us, Penelope.
- We don't live on memories. - Shut up.
Respect her pain.
If it was pain for someone who died,
it could at least turn into resignation.
And you would pick one of us.
Nobody knows anything about Ulysses.
Nobody can sing that he is dead
unless they've seen his body burning.
See, Penelope? Even the fantasies of a singer upset you.
Deeply in your heart you have a doubt.
Just as we have a certainty.
Where is Ulysses? Where is he held captive?
You promised that you would pick the date for your marriage
once done with weaving your shroud.
Yeah.
You've kept us at bay for too long
with that never-ending shroud.
The memory of Ulysses prevents me from being quick.
Pain and tears veil my eyes.
And my hands get slow.
It would be better if you smiled at one of us.
None of you...
- ...can compare to my dad. - Why are we not worth it?
We also have strength, a good spirit and a noble heart.
And your hunger is insatiable.
Do you know how many sheep you have devoured?
Half of our herd.
And you are still hungry.
You are wasting Ulysses' resources
and sullying his rooms with your parties.
It's not for you to judge, old man.
He's right!
You invaded my house
and destroyed my peace.
- You made me promise... - It's not just a promise.
This is about the future of Ithaca,
- without a king for years. - It's true.
None of you deserves it.
So we'll keep having a phantom king, a shadow.
Even your people are tired, Penelope.
My relationship with my people is none of your business.
You are nothing but foreigners on this island.
I'm still the queen!
People in Ithaca love their queen,
understand her pain
and respect her memories.
You are being too harsh with your beauty.
You are too young to sleep alone with your memories.
Ulysses is alive!
He will be back!
And that day you'll regret all the offenses.
Come on, Phemius,
clear your throat and keep singing.
Start from when Cassandra appears.
Let's hear the curse again.
- Give me a drink, Melantho! - Some wine!
Leucantho! Melantho! Everyone, go away!
You are shaming this house!
What's in your heart?
You grew up here, like the other girls!
You don't have the right to rule.
- I'm Ulysses' son. - You are an unreliable guy.
I'd only need 10 armed men
to kick you out of here.
Come here, young boy!
Come fight with half a man!
Move back!
Jump, young boy!
Telemachus, jump!
Run to your mom, boy!
Run, Telemachus, run away!
One day the shroud will be done, Penelope.
And you'll have to find a husband among those people.
None of them is worth a smile or an arm of Ulysses.
And what'll happen to my son if I married such crooks?
They'd kill him the same day of the wedding.
- Mother. - What's up, Telemachus?
What happened again?
I want to leave.
- Where? - Away from here.
I can't bear their insults and cruelty.
I want to find my father.
- You are leaving me too. - We need to stop this.
We need evidence.
I'll talk with Ulysses' old companions.
With Nestor in Pylos, with King Menelaus in Sparta.
Don't leave me alone with these people.
Do you think that my dad is alive?
Yes, Telemachus.
Tell me the truth, mother.
You don't believe it either.
You can't leave me.
You can't leave me, son!
Don't leave me, if you abandon me as well,
I haven't got anything left.
Your presence and your voice since you were a kid
have filled my loneliness.
In your face and in your eyes
I've always found Ulysses' face and eyes.
And I found the strength that sometimes I was lacking.
Stay with me, Telemachus.
If you want me to resist, don't leave me.
You have to resist, mother, you have to trust it.
It doesn't matter what I believe.
Ulysses is far away.
That's the only truth for now.
That's how the shroud grows every day
and gets undone overnight.
That's how I keep fooling those who are waiting.
And I keep waiting myself.
Ulysses!
- Nausicaa! - Oh!
Nausicaa, what are you doing?
- Where are you going? - There is a man.
Phaedra! There is a dead man here!
- Where? - Here, behind the rock.
Careful, Nausicaa, don't touch him.
He is alive.
Look, he is moving.
Where am I?
In Alcinous' realm.
I'm his daughter.
- Which part of the world? - Phaeacians's island.
It's close to Ithaca.
- Ithaca. - You don't know Ithaca?
Who are you?
What's your name?
My name...
I can't remember.
You don't even remember the name of your homeland?
I can't remember anything.
Clio, Ariacne, call Calopes.
We need to take him to the palace.
Careful, Nausicaa, he could be a God.
They say that Gods have a human shape sometimes.
I hope not.
I hope he is a man.
- So? - Alcinous, you know my ability
in handling herbs and preparing potions.
My treatments for edema are famous even in India.
Nature has no secrets for me.
I healed his body, but his mind... I'm not a God.
Did you draw any blood?
No, Aesculapius says that bloodletting is not a treatment.
It's to prove you are a doctor at the expenses of the patient.
How can you lose all your memories?
Either the Gods gave him the oblivion
or he wanted to cancel any sins or crimes
or someone.
I'm for the second option.
Father!
Father.
There he is.
May your realm be powerful and you, king, grow wiser.
My doctor says that you lost your memory.
I don't remember anything.
But you know how to greet a king.
Your elegant posture makes me think
that you've visited other kings before me.
Can you not remember?
I can't remember anything.
Nothing.
That's strange.
Whoever you are, you'll be my guest.
Prepare the banquet,
the dances and the games.
Bravo!
- Who wants to fight with him? - You go.
No, I don't want to go.
Who wants to fight with him?
Who wants to fight?
Who wants to fight with him?
Congratulations! Bravo!
One moment, my friend.
Who's this?
He is the king's guest.
You shouldn't let him fight.
If he gets hit in the head, it could be good for him.
His memory may come back.
He knows a few tricks.
Maybe he was a fighter.
Diomedes thinks he is a soldier.
- I'm a badass, huh? - We'll see.
I'm sorry.
Father, he won! He won!
Yes, Nausicaa. He won.
Why are you looking at me like this?
Because I see a woman taking the place of my baby.
A hero, huh? Have you ever seen a hero?
Agamemnon, Ajax, Ulysses.
Those were real men.
Ulysses' hands were as big as barrels.
I saw him breaking an ox's back with a punch.
This guy is not bad.
But he can't compare to heroes.
He's like a little bird under an eagle's wing.
Take the sponges.
This is the gift from the king for the victory.
Thank your king for me.
And this is my gift.
It's a rare unguent.
It smells good, doesn't it?
Just like spring.
It's made out of a secret potion, a magical one.
I got if from a woman who lives on the hill.
She said that it can heal any wounds in just one night.
And it restores your youth.
The youth?
Give me a little bit, I need it.
The youth.
This is not a boy's arm.
You are the youngest of them all here.
To me, you were born just a few days ago, on the beach.
When you opened your eyes and looked at me.
I'm going to call you Stheno, the one who is strong.
And I welcome you here.
What's wrong?
What happened?
I don't know.
It was like...
a voice...
Was it my name, Nausicaa?
Nausicaa?
Yes, maybe it was.
Loedes, 45 paces.
Eurymachus 48.
Bravo!
Is anyone doubting about my victory?
We'll see once there is a date for the wedding.
I hope we'll know soon.
The trick of the shroud is out there now.
You'll marry Melantho out of gratitude.
And I'll marry Penelope.
Go away!
What do you want to bet?
- Penelope's dowry. - Penelope's dowry?
- If she marries one of you. - Of course.
Even number, I won.
You still have the stalls and half of the herd.
I can still make up for it.
I won again! Ahah!
Oh, Penelope!
I lost all your dowry.
If you chose me, it'll be a disinterested love.
Damn spy!
You'll regret revealing the secret of the shroud.
- You vile spy! - Stop it!
Now leave!
Leave this house forever, Melantho.
- What can we do now? - Nothing.
Telemachus, your mother has to marry one of them
or we'll be dead.
- Are you so scared of dying? - I'm old anyway.
I'm concerned about your safety.
- And the one that... - Stop, Mentor.
His rage is reasonable, however useless.
Here comes another one!
They're all here, like flies on honey.
- Do you know him? - I can't see him properly.
He can ride his animals pretty well.
Antinous from Cephalonia.
The son of that worthless man.
There is no room for him,
it's too many of us for just one bed.
You take care of the cart.
- What are you doing here? - I need to talk to Penelope.
None of us has ever disrespected Penelope
to the point of going to her room.
Really? I'll be the first then.
- Where are you going? - Let me go past.
Who are you?
Answer me, I'm Ulysses' son!
Don't be afraid, Telemachus, I'll be your friend.
Hi, Penelope.
Your beauty is beyond any poet's imagination.
Who are you?
I'm Antinous, from Cephalonia.
I know that the trick of the shroud is revealed.
What are you looking for in my house?
You.
But unlike the others, I'm not here for your money.
Or to sleep under your roof for months.
I haven't crossed the sea just to look you in the eyes.
I'm here to fulfill your destiny.
How dare you talk to me like this?
Because I'm the only one who knows about your loneliness.
I know you have been a widow even before being a wife.
The phantom of Ulysses has been around this house for too long.
Now a man needs to rule it.
A man that kicks away the suitors.
That brings you back to life, Penelope.
Enough already.
You can stay as a guest if that's what you want.
That's not why I'm here, I don't need a room.
You need to decide a day to end your loneliness,
your pain, the long silence.
I need another day to think.
What difference does a day make?
You should decide now, Penelope.
With the new moon, for Apollo's games.
Telemachus! Telemachus!
Go find him, Eurycleia!
And you should go.
Go away!
The long wait is over, Penelope.
Go away, go!
- Telemachus. - What do you want?
Did you hear what he said?
Did you hear that my mother picked a date for the wedding?
Even my mother betrayed Ulysses.
We cannot give up.
- We need to do something. - What?
We are only an old lady and a young man.
We'll find someone to follow us.
Someone who still trusts Ulysses.
Who? Other women and boys like us?
Ulysses' bow.
He was the only one who could string it.
How old was my dad when he used this bow?
You're an expert with these jobs.
It's funny how a man's hands can remember
something that his mind forgot.
Are you using it for today's games?
Not sure.
Another victory will be a nice gift for your bride.
When Nausicaa was 4 years old she told her dad
that she would only marry a warrior.
- A warrior. - Maybe you are one.
It would be a nice gift for her if you remembered your name
and your adventures.
My name...
My adventures!
Day and night I'll chase the darkness.
In these cases recovery is slow and treatments are...
- Go away, Diomedes! - As you wish.
As you wish.
Being alone could be a nice therapy.
A great therapy.
Do you think he'll love the dress?
- Isn't it too simple? - Don't worry.
He loves your youth, not just what we add to it.
What a nice day for a wedding.
I hope you'll be happy as we were.
Why wouldn't I be?
Girls don't usually know the man they'll marry.
It's rare that a girl marries a man who doesn't know himself.
What else do I need to know?
If the tree is nice and the fruits are sweet,
who cares about the roots?
Oh, it's so ugly!
What if he doesn't like it?
What if I see a doubt in his eyes once at the temple?
I couldn't tolerate that. I want him to see me.
Nausicaa, where are you going?
You know that you can't.
Father, it's such an old stupid habit
that lovers stay separated the day of the wedding.
Why cannot a king change a rule just for once?
At least this time, for your daughter.
And I'm not going by myself.
Clisia, Artide! Come with me!
Okay, go with her.
Come on!
Sthenos!
- Sthenos! - He's not here.
I curse you, Greek violators,
and I curse you three times, Ulysses.
May Neptune's anger descend on you.
The third sail!
Here, here!
What are you doing with that fire?
We'll have to sacrifice to Neptune!
He helped the Trojans to build their city.
Where was he when we destroyed it?
You dared challenge a God, Ulysses...
Are you a priest or a sailor?
Back to your spots.
Come on, you!
Keep going with that rope!
Let's take the oars away.
We'll not survive!
The helm broke!
And the sail as well.
Let's throw the cargo in the sea!
- The gold? Are you crazy? - We are too heavy.
Gold, silver, statue and everything.
We fought hard to conquer the treasure of Troy.
The treasure of Troy will get us sinking in a minute.
Obey! Cargo in the water!
If you'd sacrificed to Neptune!
There's no Neptune here, just wind, water and death.
Throw the cargo in the sea!
Neptune!
Help me! The sail!
Careful, careful!
Everything in the water!
Go! Everything in the sea!
Have a great hunt, Ulysses!
We'll be back with plenty of water and food.
Get the fire ready, to sacrifice to Athena.
Shh! Silence, please.
- Go, run. - Is hunger making you blind?
There is no point in chasing it,
you'll mess up again.
Hey, look!
What a strange footprint!
- Look. - Where?
Another one!
- Footprints of a God. - A God for sure.
Or a man with big feet.
Let's not stay here, let's go back.
I see fear makes you forget about your hunger.
We'll leave once we have food for us and our companions.
Grapes, Ulysses, we got grapes!
There is plenty!
- There are sheep! - The sheep!
Come on, let's go!
- Where are we? - It's huge.
- That's milk. - Milk?
There they are!
Come on, let's go!
Here's the kid, take it!
Very good!
This cavern is for a giant.
Ulysses, look!
Very good!
Come with me.
Where are we, Ulysses?
This one is ready!
Skin it.
I don't like this place, Ulysses.
- Remember the footprint. - Don't worry.
Look at that cheese.
Keep it still.
Let's make the wine, it's better than milk!
Great, there can't be a party without wine.
Let's take as much as we can
and leave as soon as possible.
- Take care of your stomach. - But think about it.
I'll bring you some wood.
Turn it around.
Nice and grilled.
Come on, quick!
Careful with the cheese, there are hungry people waiting.
Come on, quick!
I don't understand why you are in a hurry.
You shouldn't lose something as precious as wine.
Come on, let's be quick!
Look!
Help!
Don't move!
Who are you?
Can you answer me?
You are thieves!
We are not thieves.
We are Greeks coming back home from Troy.
Oh, I see.
Welcome.
Please remember the rules of hospitality.
The laws of Jupiter.
What do I care about Jupiter's rules?
I'm Polyphemus, son of Neptune.
The son of Neptune, we are lost!
No, no. Have mercy!
No, no!
Those Greeks are pretty hard!
Such a bad meat!
No, Ulysses, where are you going?
I've got something that will make Greeks tasty.
- What is it? - Wine.
Wine? It looks like blood.
In fact it is.
It's the blood of the earth.
Why are you giving it to me?
Because it's good.
And if you like it, you'll let us go out of gratitude.
We'll see. Let me try it.
Ahhh, that's so good!
Good, what is it made of?
Grapes.
Grapes? Those red things that grow in the sun?
I like it, give me some more.
- There is none left. - How is that?
I want more.
We'll go out and get more grapes.
Come here, everyone!
We'll fill all the buckets and wineskin with wine.
Very clever, you want to go out.
You are my guests and you stay here.
I'll go get the grapes.
Stay here, don't worry.
I'll be back soon.
What are you doing? Are you crazy?
We'll never be able to move that stone, come here!
We're trapped, we're going to die.
I told you, we'll never get out of here.
- What do you want to do? - Let me do it.
Let's get this cudgel down. Help me before he comes back.
Careful, careful.
Come on! Come on!
Go, that's it!
Here, put it here.
Now lean it against the wall.
Let's sharpen the tip.
Give me the ax.
What do you want to do?
I want to get out of here.
- Are we killing him? - No.
If we kill him, nobody will move that stone.
I have a better idea.
Prepare a fire down there.
Come on, go help him.
Come on, Polites!
He's back. Put it down.
Hide it!
Leave the tip on the fire.
Here are the grapes!
Get me the wine.
Are you scared?
Okay, I'll go away.
Come here!
I said come here!
Don't be scared.
Quick, be quick.
Get some more.
Wine for Polyphemus...
the son of Neptune.
Get another one ready.
It's very good, give me some more.
Wine for Polyphemus.
More wine for our guest!
Come on, don't be scared.
Give it to me, give it.
Here's the wine.
More, more, more!
- More. - Some more wine!
Wine for Polyphemus,
the son of Neptune.
Come on, go! Come on, go! Come on, go!
Wine, wine, wine, wine!
Well done, you Greek man!
Thanks to you I know what's in the grapes.
You'll be the last one I'll eat, out of gratitude.
How are you going to eat me, raw?
Boiled, peppered or roasted?
Drowned...
in this stream of fire
that you created inside of me.
Let's be quiet.
I'm blind! I'm blind!
Damn you, traitors!
Cowards!
I'm going to kill you all!
You are worthless!
I'm here, I'm here!
Damn you!
Hey, I'm here!
Where are you?
Let's go, Ulysses!
The Gods will curse you!
Goodbye, Polyphemus!
I hope you'll remember us
and the wine we made in your cavern.
Careful, Ulysses, he can figure out where we are.
Stop being so scared.
Who's the ruler now? Neptune or Ulysses?
The powerful God
or the smart man?
Come on, blind drunken man! Scream!
Sure, fill the water with your blind rocks!
Throw another one, again!
If your father asks who got you blind,
tell him it was Ulysses, Ulysses!
The one who destroyed Troy!
The son of Laertes and king of Ithaca!
Keep rowing, lift the sail!
Come on, hurry up!
Come on, lift the sail!
Lift it.
Take it.
The lamb is overcooked.
Some water please.
There you go.
Give it to me.
There's no wind but the current is good.
- Are you happy? - Well, yes.
How about you?
I don't know, I have got two different natures.
One that likes the house, the family, the home.
The other one likes traveling,
open sea, mysterious islands, demons, giants.
I often have nostalgia for things that I've never seen.
Yes, I understand.
That's why I follow you, even if sometimes I shiver with fear.
I often do that too.
There is a strange smell.
- I can smell it. - It's quite dry.
Dusty, like dead flowers.
It's so quiet.
I can't even hear the rowing.
Look!
- The rocks of the mermaids! - The mermaids?
If we hear their songs, we'll be lost.
They'll attract us towards the rocks to destroy us.
- Let's go, Ulysses! - Let's leave, Ulysses!
Maybe it's too late.
Get the wax and plug everyone's ears.
Tell them to look away from the rocks and keep rowing.
Let's keep rowing!
That's what will save us.
Hurry up!
Don't be scared, don't look at the rocks!
Keep rowing! Put this in your ears!
What are you doing? Keep rowing!
Polites!
- What's up? - Tie me up the mast.
No matter what I say or order, don't follow it.
What do you want to do?
- I want to hear their singing. - Are you crazy?
- Tie me up the mast. - Okay, if that's what you want.
As tight as you can.
Put the wax in your ears!
You too, quick!
Tighter!
Even tighter!
Don't look up.
Don't look up, just row.
- What are you doing? - He ordered me to do that.
- Why? - I want to hear their singing.
Are you crazy? Put the wax in your ears!
- Listen to me, put it. - Do it before it's too late.
Ulysses...
Ulysses, it's me.
- Penelope! - Yes, Penelope.
Your loyal Penelope.
You're in Ithaca, your trip is over.
You're in Ithaca, Ulysses.
- Ithaca? - Yes, in Ithaca!
Everyone, stop rowing!
I've been waiting for you for a thousand nights.
Aren't you tired of the sea?
Don't you miss sleeping in your bed?
You're home, you are in Ithaca.
- In Ithaca! - Stop rowing I said!
- Stop, Ulysses. - We are in Ithaca!
Stop!
Father, it's me, Telemachus.
- Telemachus? - I'm a man now, father.
And I still don't know your face.
Stop here, father, this is your home.
Telemachus!
Stay in your realm.
It's your son Telemachus calling you.
- Release me. - Father, don't leave me.
- Release me! - Stay here, father.
Release me! Can't you hear my wife and my son?
Don't leave me!
It's over, get the wax off!
It's over, take the wax off.
Hurry, it's over!
- Get the wax off. - What did you hear?
The Gods are sardonic and have no mercy.
And their tricks are ferocious.
Ithaca seems so far away now.
I don't understand what happens, keep left.
Something very strange is happening.
The wind is blowing but the sail doesn't work.
The ship is out of control.
- It must be the current. - There is no current.
We got towards the open sea
but an unknown force is attracting us to the shore.
I've never seen anything like this. I can't control the ship.
Furl the sail, we'll go ashore.
How come? We don't know what's behind those rocks.
But it'll be interesting to find out.
Let's furl the sail!
Eurylochus!
Polites!
They left, Ulysses.
They are waiting for you in my house.
- Who are you? - Circe.
Circe, the enchantress.
Such an ugly word, how about the Goddess?
Have you changed the course of the ship?
I was alone.
- What do you want from me? - I want to help you.
Stock up your ship.
And provide you with wind to get to Ithaca.
Why would you help me?
For years men have landed on my island.
Men recognized for their beauty and for their heroism.
And each time I would feel more lonely than before.
But since the winds have brought your name to me
and the echo repeated your successes,
I've been waiting for your ship.
And for the first time, echo and wind have not lied to me.
What's wrong?
It's strange.
The same proud face.
The same gaze as Penelope.
That's strange.
Why is that?
The difference between women lies in the man's mind, right?
No, the difference is that Penelope
wouldn't let a stranger hug her.
Not even if it was Ulysses?
Hey!
Where is your mistress?
Why don't you answer? Where is Circe?
Deaf and mute.
Perfect qualities for servants here.
Did you call me, Ulysses?
I can't see you properly.
Why is it so dark?
To protect your sleep.
I don't like darkness.
I always sleep on the deck of the ship.
So I wake up with the sun every morning.
You can go.
The sun is up, you slept for long.
I haven't slept on such a soft bed in years.
- Where are my companions? - They're here, don't worry.
- I'd like to see them. - Maybe later.
There are many things that you need to see on this island.
I don't have time, I need to go.
Polites? Eurylochus?
Leodes? Craiton?
Eurylochus?
What are these pigs doing here? Go away!
Go away!
Why don't you answer?
- Where are my men? - You are kicking them.
What a witch! You took advantage of me sleeping
to turn heroes into pigs.
It was easier than you think.
You'd like to do the same with me, right?
It won't be easy.
I know you hate men.
Maybe you hate me as well.
Give me back my companions!
You don't understand that I did it to separate you.
So you can be alone.
Just like me.
Give them back, you Goddess, demon, witch or whatever.
There is no point in having you as an enemy.
Turn back into your human shape.
- Ulysses. - Ulysses?
- We were looking for you. - Where were you?
How do you feel? Are you okay?
- Sure, why? - We ate and slept.
Something is hurting here, as if I got hit.
Get onboard, we'll leave in one hour.
Ulysses can't wait to leave.
I'll send to the ship the supplies and my gifts.
Oh, thanks.
Get ready to go, don't waste time.
Be quick.
Such a beautiful woman.
Goodbye, Circe.
Thanks for making my island less lonely for one night.
- I need to go. - I know.
I said goodbye.
We need to go before the wind decreases.
The wind isn't blowing yet.
It doesn't start blowing before sunset.
Before sunset?
There's no point in leaving before that.
I don't want to kill them with a lot of rowing.
They are good men, I should be understanding.
They'll be grateful for it.
- Ulysses? - Hi, everyone.
It's been a while.
Did you receive the amphoras with the wine?
We're tired of eating, drinking and being here for no reason.
We have a family waiting for us in Ithaca.
Me too, Eurylochus. Me too.
After painting the ship we'll go.
- We don't want to wait anymore. - We lost a lot of time already.
We got a new mast, new sails.
The ship is fully stocked, let's leave now.
Did you forget that I'm the captain?
No, then come with us.
Right now?
What do you mean? It's been six months.
Six months? Has it been that long?
It felt like one day.
So, can you make a move?
Yes, sure.
Nice, huh?
I chose the color. It looks nice on you.
It's very nice.
Look, Eurylochus.
We need to use this in Ithaca.
We are leaving.
- Without you. - Sure, let's go.
One moment, you can't.
Neptune promised to sink Ulysses' ship.
There will be a terrible storm tonight.
Don't you see that she has been lying to you?
If you listen to her, we'll never leave.
Eurylochus, stop. Tell them to paint the ship.
We'll be on our way soon.
May the Gods give you the strength that you need
to lift the spell that holds you.
Goodbye.
They won't go, they are good men
but they can't cope without me.
They won't leave.
Circe!
Where are my companions? The ship is not there.
Where are they?
Look.
- Did they drown? - Yes.
They have drowned.
Dead.
They didn't listen.
They were my companions.
I abandoned them.
They abandoned you.
I abandoned them.
Eurylochus, Polites, Leocrito...
Don't be too sorry, they were not worth much.
They were simple men.
That's why I loved them.
As long as you are alive, they won't be completely gone.
Come with me, let's go back.
Ulysses!
What are you doing?
Do you really think that you can leave me?
I left you a long time ago.
Since my companions died.
Do you think that you'll travel any farther?
You can't keep me here anymore.
Listen to me.
I'll give you something to forget your petty dreams,
your miserable realm, your wife getting older.
Stay here and tonight...
Olympus will have another God: Ulysses.
- Immortal? - That's my gift.
The greatest gift a man has ever had.
No, there are greater gifts.
Be born, die,
and live like a man between the two things.
Yes, living like a man,
full of fears.
Only those who are scared know the value of courage.
The old age, the skin that deteriorates
and eventually the death.
That's the terrible legacy of men.
I accept this legacy.
I don't delude myself with dying in a battle
or falling during a storm.
It'll take way less than that.
Sudden chills,
a bit of cold at night...
and still this fragile bundle of fears
dared fighting against a God.
And it hasn't been defeated yet.
If one day people will talk about me,
it'll be with pride as I was one of them.
Their pride won't warm you up in the world of darkness.
I give you centuries of light.
I won't mind closing my eyes
when it's time.
Ask the dead how happy they are.
Agamemnon!
Ajax!
Achilles!
All my dead companions.
Achilles, still offended and upset in his face.
What face can a dead man have?
But death should not trouble you.
I'm sure you are a king in the world of the dead.
Spare me your consolations, Ulysses.
I'd rather be a slave to people with no land
than the king of the dead.
My life was short and glorious
but my death is long and heavy.
Ajax.
I'm sorry to have caused your death.
You don't know pain, only the dead know it.
Come, Ulysses. Olympus is waiting for you.
Go to Olympus with Circe.
Everyone in the world loved Agamemnon
except the woman I loved.
When I went back home, she kissed me,
and when I closed my eyes in a sigh of relief,
her mistress stuck a knife in my throat.
Stay with Circe, Ulysses.
Come!
Eurylochus!
Don't you recognize me?
I should have painted the ship that night,
instead of leaving without you.
- Did you suffer? - No.
I'm suffering now.
Come, Ulysses.
Ulysses!
- Mother! - Go away, I didn't call you!
Mother!
Are you dead?
- I died while waiting for you. - I said go away!
You've been away for too long.
- I know. - Go back to Ithaca.
Penelope is still waiting for you.
Tricks and dangers are threatening your house.
Yes, mother, I'll go back.
Mother! Mother!
Stubborn mortal,
proud of that short dream that you call life.
In love with your weaknesses and your sins,
seduced by death.
With such determination even Gods are powerless.
Go then, if that's what you want!
The sea is waiting for you.
- Here he is! - Where?
There, by the rock!
Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians!
My past came back to my mind,
I know my name and my homeland.
I'm Ulysses, son of Laertes,
King of Ithaca, destroyer of Troy.
Down there across the sea, there's my house.
My people, my son.
My wife.
I've travelled for many years,
persecuted by the anger of the Gods.
I fought against the storms,
I heard the songs of mermaids,
I was cursed.
I knew death
but now I'm here.
Still alive!
Across the sea, my land is waiting for me.
Fraternal king Alcinous, please give me
a ship to go back to Ithaca.
Ulysses, king of Ithaca and our neighbor,
we'll give you a ship
hoping that it'll take you happily to your realm.
Nausicaa.
I'll take your tears with me.
In a world of evil and hatred,
they're part of the love that I found.
So we've honored the Gods.
Apollo will be propitious to us tomorrow.
If I win the games, I'll sleep in Ulysses' bed.
And to thank the God who helps me,
I'll kill all the sheep of the island.
You were born to rule, Eurymachus.
That's why you destroy everything in one day.
I don't envy the winner.
Are you saying that being king of Ithaca is not worth it?
The future king will need to be a light sleeper.
What do you mean?
There'll be swords behind every column,
poison in each cup.
- Conspiracy at every step. - Please!
Ulysses is under the sea.
Or on some island eaten up by vultures.
- Ulysses doesn't bother me. - Who are you talking about?
- Telemachus. - He is only a guy.
Have you looked in his eyes?
What do you mean?
After the wedding,
we won't be sacrificing just goats.
Don't you think?
Huh?
Penelope!
Sorry for my audacity.
- I need to talk to you. - About what?
You are sad.
Scared, overwhelmed.
You shouldn't be.
Don't be scared.
I'll make you happy.
- You? - Of course, yes.
Don't you think I'll win tomorrow?
It'll depend on your ability.
If you win, I won't mind having someone like you.
Oh, you're finally talking like a woman who is alive.
The woman that you should be.
The woman that I love.
If you really love me, Antinous, I need a pledge from you.
A promise.
Whatever you want.
Just ask.
Save my son.
- Telemachus? - He should not die.
I promise, nobody will touch him.
I'll protect him as if he was my son.
- If I could only trust you. - You have to trust me.
And you have to trust my love.
I'll give you his custody.
Penelope!
There's a beggar who comes from the island of Phaeacians.
He wants to talk to you about Ulysses.
So many people said the same thing during the years
to have a gift in return.
Or some hospitality.
He was one of his companions during the war.
If you really knew my husband, tell me about him.
Why are you not talking?
Who are you?
I'm Ulysses' friend.
We were companions under the walls of Troy.
Many nights, while waiting for the battle,
filled with sadness, he'd talk about you.
What would he say?
"She has brown hair," he said.
"Wonderful and young."
"She has the sweetest smile
and a strange way of organizing her hair
without paying attention while she spins the wool
or while she looks at the baby sleeping."
"Sometimes she'd talk about her son Telemachus
who'd sleep in his cradle smiling."
The day where the ships left for Troy.
Sometimes he'd talk to me about the day he left.
When you were crying in his arms by the ship...
and you whispered, "I'll be here when you're back."
"When you're back."
And sometimes, while on the hostile walls of Troy,
the unknown stars were shining
and everything we loved was across the sea...
he'd talk to me about this house.
And this room where you were waiting for him.
I've waited for many years.
At the beginning, just the news of the war.
And the never-ending war.
Months at first, then years.
I spent my days wondering where he would be.
With the soldiers? Maybe there were women as well.
Beautiful women, full of life.
Maybe he forgot about me.
But Penelope is loyal.
It's so easy for Penelope to be faithful.
Then one day the news that the war was over.
And you are happy.
Everyone else gets back home.
Kings, servants, but not him.
He was the only one left.
And the waiting starts again.
And months and years again.
And years are made of a thousand hours.
Made of days, and nights.
And nights.
And you are awake in your empty bed.
And you wait.
You're right.
Maybe you cannot come back too late.
Wait!
Listen.
I was bitter but tomorrow I have to pick my new husband.
And just like a prison, I'm bound to a promise.
And I know that nobody can free me.
You can free yourself.
Me? How?
Remember the day that you married Ulysses?
His bow fired an arrow
and through the holes of 12 axes reached the target.
Yes, and I was the target.
That bow was very heavy, nobody could string it.
Only Ulysses could do it
with the help of the divine Athena.
Thank you, stranger.
There is a bed for you in the guests' room.
Anything else that you'd like?
My desire is fulfilled since I saw you and talked to you.
I wish you a restful sleep.
Thanks, Penelope.
Argos!
You recognized me.
Shh, stay calm.
Be quiet!
My old friend, we both changed.
Do you remember when we'd go hunting for a whole day?
You were always the first of the pack.
Quick on the trail, fierce with the hold.
Now you are old and can't lift your head.
But you recognized me.
Thanks to you, I feel I've come back.
Did he recognize you?
Who are you?
Telemachus.
My son!
Father!
- Father! - Shut up.
- Nobody should know it. - I can't wait.
I'll tell everyone, they'll blanch, shiver.
Don't say it till we are ready.
Why are you dressed like this?
Why do you look like a stranger in your own house?
The Gods suggested this.
As well as other things.
My mother is desperate.
- Let's go and see her. - No.
She shouldn't know either.
Till tomorrow.
Only then I'll know if she still loves Ulysses
like the day she said goodbye at the harbor in Ithaca.
- Give me a drink. - Sure, sit down.
What do you want? How did you get here?
Just like beggars, through the servants' door.
Go away, before they incite the dogs.
Let me beg these people.
Go away!
Telemachus is my friend, he'd let me do it.
Telemachus doesn't have any power anymore. Go!
Leucantho, let him.
Hey you, come here!
Come!
Give some charity to an unlucky man,
you noble, illustrious princes.
Charity for an unlucky man.
Why don't you ask your noble friend Telemachus?
He might not be around for long.
The poor were always welcome in Ulysses' house.
Ragamuffin and insolent.
You talk as if you were ruling already.
In this house, we are both guests.
Go away, you dirty pile of rags.
Charity for an unlucky man.
Go away, ragamuffin!
Are you thirsty? Here you go!
Call a servant and kick him out.
Thank you.
May the Gods reward you.
Take this and go.
You are better than the others.
Leave this place before it's too late.
What are you saying?
Are you crazy? Go away!
Till the competition is over,
I'm still the one deciding who leaves this house.
He's right, we are still his guests.
I'm happy to see you, Telemachus.
What are those axes for?
It's the queen's idea, she'll tell you more.
- Where is the queen? - Be patient, Antinous.
She is dressing up properly as a bride.
If you are in love, you are not very patient.
- True. - That's what we all think.
The queen.
May the Gods protect you.
Your beauty shines on us
like the sun in the sky.
The day has come.
And I'm ready to keep my promise.
I'll marry the winner of the games.
We've been looking forward to this moment.
I've picked a game which has long been forgotten.
This is Ulysses' bow.
I'll marry the one who can string it
and will get the arrow through the holes of the axes.
This is not part of Apollo's games.
If you're afraid to fail, you can always drop out.
I'm not scared, Penelope.
Challenge accepted.
Give me that bow.
I was the first crossing the threshold of this house
to ask to marry Penelope.
I think I should be the first one to try.
You can also be the first one to leave.
- I surrender. - Let me try.
Definitely not for me.
You are too fat.
This bow is cursed by the Gods.
Give it to me, something doesn't convince me.
Apollo offended us, he took away our strength.
How can he take away something that you don't have?
Give me that bow!
This is a trick, just like the shroud.
- It's true. - I can't accept that.
This bow is cursed by the Gods.
Remember your promise, Penelope.
Can I ask the queen permission to string this bow?
Do you dare compete with us?
I certainly can't do any worse.
- Insolent! - That's unbelievable.
Did you hear? The beggar wants to compete with us.
Penelope, would you like this ragamuffin as your husband?
Don't worry, I don't want anything. I have a wife.
If you'd like, you can try.
- You can't allow that. - He is a beggar.
- It's insulting for all of us. - What a farce!
Go away, go!
Hurry up, we've had enough of this already.
It's Ulysses!
- Ulysses! - Take the queen away!
Keep an eye on the other door.
Antinous!
You were the first among them.
The first with your pride,
first with your arrogance,
and you'll be the first who gets killed.
Here, here!
No, Eurymachus!
Eurymachus!
They betrayed us!
Telemachus!
May the Gods curse you, Ulysses!
Ulysses, have mercy!
Have mercy!
I told you, I never spare a man's life twice.
Careful, father!
Help!
Thank you, Athena.
Divine Goddess,
friend of this land.
You helped me in my wait and protected my house.
Thanks for bringing him back.
They were my enemies,
but it's terrible bringing death in my house...
- ...the day of my return. - It wasn't your fault, father.
Ask the servant to purify this court with fire
so that the revenge of the dead never gets to us.
Yes, father.
Telemachus, Felecia has died.
His revenge was fair but brutal.
The man that I hugged before the ship left
was different, he wasn't fierce.
He'd not kill. Make him change, Athena.
Bring him back to me the way he is in my memories.
Penelope!
Ulysses!
It was a long journey, full of blood.
You are finally back!
The years of our youth have passed
through the fury of the war...
...my long absence, my bewilderment,
and your loneliness.
- You are back! - Penelope!
Let's look forward to the calm of the years to come.
You are back!
- Penelope! - Ulysses!
Today Ulysses' palace, Polyphemus' rocks,
Penelope's smile, Circe's enchantments...
they are all blended in the same dust.
But the immortality that the hero refused from a Goddess
later on was given to him by a poet.
And Homer's song always lingers in the world
consecrated by the Greek genius like a God's smile.
THE END