('LEONARDO' THEME TUNE) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021 - 'I've spent my entire life seeking to get closer to God's truth through beauty ` 'attempting to map and understand the features of human anatomy 'as surely as if they were a mathematical equation.' - (CROWD CHATTERS) - 'I have studied countless faces, attempting to see not just how they look, but who they are,...' - (CROWD SHOUTS) - '...to find in God's truth my own. 'I have glimpsed God's beauty in fleeting moments, and I'm convinced it lives in all. 'But I still have not found it in me.' - What are you doing? - Reading Leonardo's journals. - He knew the antidote to the poison. He could have saved Caterina's life. What more proof do you need? Perhaps you are afraid, Stefano; afraid to be the man who executes the great Leonardo da Vinci. - My fear is executing an innocent man, and I still lack one of the two witnesses who saw her die. - Not any more. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - You were seen breaking into Leonardo's studio. - (CHUCKLES) 'Man walks through door'; that's certainly a serious crime (!) - Giacomo, that's your name? We've been looking for you. - (SIGHS) I go by lots of names. Some people call me Salai ` 'Little Devil.' (CHUCKLES) - You worked for Leonardo? You were there the day that Caterina died. That makes you my new friend. - (CHUCKLES) I've got a lot of friends. Always room for one more, Officer. - Did he kill her? - She burned his paintings, so I shouldn't be surprised. - Why did she burn his paintings? - She didn't say. - Then why aren't you surprised? - (SIGHS) I learned many things from Leonardo. But the first thing I learned is that art always comes before people. (HOOVES THUD, HORSE WHINNIES ECHO) - (WHINNIES, SNORTS) (SLOW APPLAUSE) - You're a fine equestrian, Your Excellency. - Ah, Leonardo. Tell me about your father. - (HORSE HUFFS) - He's a notary by trade? - Um... Well, yes, Your Excellency. He works in Florence. - But what will he leave behind? An artist as a son, of course, but... A man should have a legacy. - Excuse me, My Lord. - My own father's long dead. I wish to make him immortal. - You wish to commission a painting? - I want to raise a statue to him. It needs to be heroic, on horseback. Well, you're an artist, but you're also an engineer. There's no finer choice. Come now. You wanted a commission. You're still unsure of me. You've witnessed the brutality of court politics first-hand, but... you need to work. I want you to start at once. 'I'll fund a studio and apartments.' - TOMMASO: Start unloading those boxes. - 'I want to see your designs in seven days.' - Be careful with those pigments. - 'Bring glory to the house of Sforza, 'and you'll bring glory to yourself.' (PENSIVE MUSIC) (HEAVY THUD) (PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES) - CATERINA: I haven't seen you for weeks. You must be wondering why. Bernardo expects me to behave a certain way. - You walked away from me. - We have responsibilities. We're not the same people any more. - Who are you, Leonardo, if you're not an artist? - TOMMASO: It's incredible, Leonardo ` your own studio at last. - (SIGHS DEEPLY) - Isn't it wonderful? (HORSE WHINNIES, HOOVES CLATTER) - Whoa! - Marco! Giulio! (LAUGHS) It's so good to see you both. - It's good to see you too. So why did you send for us? What's the job? - It's a major new commission, and he needs his favourite assistants. - (SCOFFS) He didn't ask for us, did he? - He did. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - It was your idea, Tommaso. - No, it wasn't. - It was your idea, Tommaso. - (LAUGHTER) - (SIGHS) - Yes, that one goes there. And that one there too. Come on. (OBJECT THUDS) Marco and Giulio have arrived. What's wrong? - There are so many great equestrian statues in other towns ` Verrocchio in Venice, Donatello in Padua. This needs to be better. - Listen, I know this is difficult for you,... after everything that's happened. But I'm sure you're going to make something spectacular. Your genius will be recognised at last. (HORSE WHINNIES, ECHOING) - I need to get back to the stables. (EXHALES HEAVILY) (INTRIGUING MUSIC) - What's happening? - I'm leaving Milan, returning to Venice. - Alone? - (BERNARDO SCOFFS) - Why? Bernardo, talk to me, please. - (SIGHS) Leonardo. I saw you with him. - Bernardo, I care for you. I really do. You've given me everything. I'm a different person because of you. - You'll never look at me the way you look at him. We both deserve better. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Goodbye, Caterina. (SOMBRE MUSIC) - (HORSE SNORTS) (THUNDER RUMBLES) - (BREATHES HEAVILY) (WIND WHISTLES, THUNDER CONTINUES) - (GRUNTS SOFTLY) (SNORTS) (THUNDER BOOMS, LIGHTNING CRACKS) (GRUNTS) (WHINNIES) (THUNDERCLAP) (WHINNIES) (MAJESTIC MUSIC) (NEIGHS, ECHOING) - Shh. - (SNORTS) - Shh. - (GRUNTS) - Shh. - LUDOVICO: Bring glory to the house of Sforza, and you'll bring glory to yourself. - (SNORTS SOFTLY) (DYNAMIC CHORAL MUSIC) - (WHINNIES SOFTLY) (MUSIC BUILDS) - Do you want me to order marble from the quarry? - No, I don't want to be confined by the material. I want to create it from nothing, fashion it from my own imagination. Oh, hello. We will build it in wood and clay and then cast it in bronze. - But that will make it so much harder. - And we need a forge for that. - Fine. I'll design one. There are no limits, gentlemen. - It's nice to be back. (PENSIVE PIANO MUSIC) (MUSIC SWELLS) - Something's wrong. (SIGHS DEEPLY) (THUNDER RUMBLES) - (HORSE NEIGHS) - I think I've chosen the wrong image. Il Moro said it should be heroic. It should be rearing up, see? - No one's ever done it before. - There's too much burden on the back legs. - It will never support the weight of the bronze. - What about... an enemy... (PENCIL SCRATCHES) ...underfoot, trampled ` here. Then it would be connected to the ground. - Maestro, we've been working for hours on this. - We need to finish it this week. We'll sleep when we're done. (INDUSTRIOUS MUSIC) - (KNOCKS ON DOOR) - Oh, Your Excellency. - Good morning. What are you making? More theatrics? - (CHUCKLES) No. This will be a statue of your grandfather on horseback, see? - Well, why doesn't it have a mane? Or a rider? - It will. This is only a maquette. So next we finish it in clay, and then we make a cast, and then we forge it in bronze. - (CHUCKLES) Sounds very complicated. - Well, all creation is complicated, Your Excellency. Remember that mechanical bird that delighted you so much? - I saw a real bird hatch from its egg and fly away. - Oh. - I saw it from my window, and that only took a moment. - God is fortunate. He can rely on miracles. (BREATHES HEAVILY) We must rely on hessian and clay and wood. Ah, forgive me, Your Excellency. We... We must continue here. - You have work to do. Of course. Of course. - Yeah, thank you. (SOFT MUSIC) - Returned to Venice? - Yes, Your Grace. - And left you all alone? - Yes. However, I would like to remain at court. I've grown very attached to Milan, if it's all right, Your Grace. - You know, women are often condemned to a life lived in the shadows. - Men can elevate us with a word. - And destroy us in a single moment. Yes. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Caterina, I've grown to like you. You are so clever and entertaining. - Thank you. - Your origins are humble, I've always known that, but you seem more at home here than any of my gentlewomen. - Oh. - (BOTH CHUCKLE SOFTLY) - Ludovico! It's necessary for me to ask my husband for his approval. - Yes, of course. Darling. The Venetian's mistress... wants to remain here, with us. - Well, is not the moon surrounded by stars? Of course you should have someone beautiful to attend you, my love. - Your Grace? - Excuse me. - So, it seems you are approved. - (CHUCKLES) Thank you, Your Grace. - A hundred, maybe more. - All in open defiance of me? The attempt on my life has put mischief in men's minds. - Your own courtiers will soon have the power to move against you. They say that` - I know what they say! I'm a caretaker. I've no real claim for the title. - Gian Galeazzo will soon come of age, and he will rule the duchy... - Milan would fall if it were in his hands. Gian Galeazzo is just a sickly child. - Yes, Your Excellency, but as long as your nephew is in this city, he has the love and support of the people. - What are you suggesting? If anything were to happen to him it would never be with my blessing. - 'If', Your Lordship? (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - Maestro, is this yours? - No. Hm. (SOMBRE MUSIC) - Perhaps it belongs to the boy. Shall we return it? - No, I'll do it, thank you. Bring in the model. - Take this off. Hold this with your right hand. Yes. And feet. That's it. (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) - Relax your arm a little. Relax a little more. You're` You're trying too hard. Just relax. - How do you expect me to relax when you're barking at me like that? (CHUCKLES) - Don't smile. - How do you want me to look? - I want you to look grave, like a warrior. - Like the saddle has made my ass sore? (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - I thought you said you'd modelled before. - I have. I'm always stripping off for money. - (SIGHS DEEPLY) Where are you from? Where's your family? - My mother died when she gave birth to me. - And your father? - Handy with his fists. Got away from him as soon as I was old enough to feed myself. - (SIGHS) Take a rest. What's your name? - What would you like it to be? Giacomo. - WHISPERS: Giacomo. And where do you live? - Different places. I've got residences all over the city ` a summer palace, a winter retreat. - Those are bite marks on your feet. Have you been sleeping in the streets? - Via del Pontaccio. You get a better class of vagrant. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Everything is just a joke to you. - And apparently you think everything is desperately serious. - (SIGHS) It's late. We begin again tomorrow. Tonight you can sleep here. - Whatever you want. You're paying. - The bed's in there, in the scullery. - You don't have family either? What about friends? You're the famous court artist. Why is this place so empty? (SIGHS SOFTLY) Goodnight, lonely man. (BELL TOLLS) - Giacomo? Wake up. We need to get to work. - Good morning. What's happened? - The model. He's taken everything; the paper, the supplies, my notebook, all my designs ` everything! - (CROWD CHATTERS) - I'll go that way. - (CHICKEN CLUCKS) - Hey, stop! Giacomo! Stop! Move, move! - (WOMEN EXCLAIM) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - No, no. (STAMMERS) - Hey! He's my client, boys! What were you thinking of, coming here? - I wouldn't have come if you hadn't stolen from me. Now, where's the notebook? Give it to me. And the parchment. - In my stomach. - In your what? - Fresh bread from the market. I sold it. - That paper was worth a fortune. - It was a very nice loaf ` seeded. - I'm not joking! - Neither am I. You can afford more paper, but I can't afford to go another day without a meal, you understand? - I understand. Well, thank you for the rescue. I won't be needing you again. - Is that all I get for saving you? A thank you? - You've had the paper. - That's your payment. - I want something better. - How about a boot up your arse, then? - That's one option, certainly. How about a job? - (SCOFFS) A job? - (CHUCKLES) You artists always have people living and working at your studio. - Do you have any idea the dedication it takes to become an artist? - I want to be an artist. - You're insufferable. - (CHUCKLES) Sorry, long word. - Unbearable. - Ah, (CHUCKLES) could have guessed. - No, no, no, no! You're out of your damn mind. - He's keen. He's willing to learn. - Two hours ago, you wanted him crucified. - (EXCLAIMS) He's down on his luck. Everyone deserves a chance. - Leonardo, we're in the middle of a major commission. We have no time, and we don't need any distractions. - Giacomo! Come in here. You remember Tommaso, my first apprentice? You follow him, he'll teach you everything you need to know. - Give them back to me. - What? - I saw you take them. Now give them back, unless you want your hands broken. - (INHALES) (POIGNANT MUSIC) - BOY: Hello. - Your Grace. - Who are you? I've seen your face. - (CHUCKLES) I am Caterina. - You were at court with the Venetian. You're friends with Leonardo. - Yes. (CHUCKLES) Do you like Leonardo? - I like learning things. He knows everything about everything. And he created an amazing spectacle just to entertain me. - True. - No one's ever done that for me. I don't get a lot of company. - But you must have friends? - Dukes don't have friends; only subjects. - Well, now you have one. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Me. - Gian Galeazzo, leave us, please. (SIGHS) So, Caterina. You received our gifts. - Yes. Thank you so much, Your Grace. They're beautiful. - You'll dine with His Excellency tonight. Alone. - Sorry, without you there? - A man of power has certain demands that he makes on the world. I'm offering you the chance to keep a life to which you've become accustomed. I know my husband. My life is easier when he's most contented. Just remember. (BREATHES SHAKILY) I alone have his heart. Oh. Wear the black one. He will prefer it. (EMOTIONAL MUSIC) (KNOCKS ON DOOR) - So, this is the famous commission? It looks, um... like lumps of wood and canvas. - (CHUCKLES) It isn't finished yet. - Nothing you do is ever finished. - Have you come here to tease me? - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) No. (INHALES) It'll all turn to magic in your hands. I know it. - Right now, I just need to finish it in time. - Leonardo, I need to talk to you about something. Bernardo's gone. - I can't be distracted, not right now. - He left Milan, and I've been invited to stay. Are you listening to me? - What? - (SCOFFS) Sorry, I'd forgotten. People's feelings are just a distraction. - This is my first major commission! I can't just drop everything when you come calling with gossip. - No, I see that. Sorry to have barged in (!) Leonardo. The boy, the young duke, he told me how much he admires you. - Why are you telling me this? - Because no one should be alone, especially a child. - (SIGHS) (SIGHS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) - Come in. - Your Excellency. We never finished our discussion. Art, drawing ` we both share the same passion. I was thinking perhaps we could take lessons, here at your apartment. - (CHUCKLES) Which one of us would be the teacher, and which the student? - (BOTH CHUCKLE) (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) - (SIGHS) (SNIFFLES) (CUTLERY SCRAPES, DOOR CLANKS, CREAKS) (DOOR THUDS CLOSED) - (INHALES) - Thank you for my new wardrobe. You're very generous, Your Grace. - Well, I like owning beautiful things. (CHEWS) (SWALLOWS) You're very sad. Why are you alone, hm? If you've given your heart to somebody, why doesn't he keep it safe? Hm? Has the man you love turned his back on you? WHISPERS: I know what you are. Little girl from the country, filled with dreams, wants a better life. You're struggling... (CHEWS) to understand why my wife would want you here. Love is sacrifice. - (CHUCKLES DRYLY) - Oh. You don't agree. - It sounds like the sort of thing a man might tell his wife, or his mistress. Never himself. (CHALICE THUDS) - It's your choice, of course. - Of course. But there really is no choice at all, is there? (POIGNANT MUSIC) - (PANTS) Your Excellency. (BREATHES HEAVILY) (SIGHS) - I asked you to glorify my name. And you bring me this. I wanted you to show me the power of your dreams, Leonardo da Vinci. - I'm sorry you do not care for it, Your Excellency. We worked very hard to capture every detail. - YELLS: I don't want reality! I want myth and legends! You think any of us have any power on this earth? Do you? Power on earth... - (SIGHS) - ...is fleeting. I expected you to reach up and grasp the heavens for me. - No, no, Your Excellency, please. (BREATHES HEAVILY) This version... is simply the model. The finished version will be eight times bigger than this one. - WHISPERS: Eight times?! - Is that... even possible? - Oh, yes. Yes, come. Let me show you. If you lie down here ` Tommaso, cloak. There we go. A horse turns a man into a giant. (BREATHES HEAVILY) We will also require a giant furnace, Bigger than anyone has ever constructed. I believe we can do this, Your Excellency. (BREATHES HEAVILY) Of course, we will require eight times the amount of bronze. - You will have everything you need. Ha! Make me a miracle. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - Eight times? - It was a huge success, then. I always knew it would be. (BIRDSONG) - Madonna. - Yes? - Your Grace. You eat all alone up here? - They say I'm not old enough to receive company. - Then I'll be your guest. (CHUCKLES) We are friends, after all. - Please, come in. - Thank you. - (CHUCKLES) - May I? - Sure. Some wine? - Please. (CHUCKLES) (WINE POURS) Thank you. It's beautiful. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - You're very talented. - I saw one hatch, then fly away from my window. - (CHUCKLES) - Wish I was so lucky. - I'm sorry that you're so unhappy. - I don't mean to sound spoiled. They bring me everything I need. - Mm. - But I'll rule this city when I'm older. (SWALLOWS) My uncle says I need to stay alone for my own safety. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - Your Grace. What is going on here? - Just having some wine. - Please, let me help you with the wine. (JUG CLATTERS) Oh! I'm so sorry, Your Grace. I'll have a servant clean it up. (CLAPS) Now, Probably best you leave. - Very well, but I'll be back soon. (FOREBODING MUSIC) (METAL CLANGS DISTANTLY) - (SIGHS) - What's the problem, Maestro? - Every imperfection seems huge. My mistakes amplified eight times over. How do you make a beast if you can't see inside it? - Who says you can't? Let me introduce you to some people. (KNOCK ON DOOR) - Nice to meet you. (CURIOUS MUSIC) - You see? I told you you wouldn't regret hiring me. - Yes, yes, you've been very helpful. I'm glad you came here. (EXHALES) - First apprentice? - Don't push your luck. - (LAUGHTER) - Here, let me have some of his leftover wine, please. - Uh, this is only for the young Duke. I'll bring you some of your own, Madonna. - Thank you. - You see this one here? Now, he's a kite. - (KITE CALLS) - How can you tell? - You see his tail, his curves, like... Show me what you've done here. We need more of a curve. - Yes. - See his wingspan? - Right. - Look how big that is. - How does he fly without flapping his wings? - He just rides the current. Almost like fingers at the end of his wings, you see. - Mm. - Let's try that again. See, everything has a perfect proportion. You should read Vitruvius, the architect who spoke about how beauty is governed by mathematical principles. That's good. That's it. A little straighter, though. Studying anatomy is very important. Your hand is shaking. You feeling all right? - Fine. Just tired. - Tired? - (BREATHES SHAKILY) - Hey. What's wrong with you? - (PANTS) - Hey. Guards! Guards! Hurry. - I can't see. I can't see. - Go. Go. Take him upstairs. - I can't see. I can't see. CRIES: I can't see. I can't see. I can't see! I can't see! Help me. - Your Grace! - I can't see. Help me! (SOBS) Help me! Calm down. - Calm down! - Help me! - The doctor is here. - Help me, please. (CRIES) - Hurry! - Please, I can't see. Help. - Here. Here we are. - (CRIES, SCREAMS) Don't leave me! I can't see! - Here we go. - I can't see! - They say he has a fever. - And you believe them? - No. - Leonardo. Say it. - (SIGHS) - Say it. - I think he's been poisoned. - He's kept prisoner in his chamber. - All his food and drink is brought to him. And when I tried to drink some of the boy's wine, Sanseverino knocked it away from my hand. We have to do something. - I know. (DOG BARKS, OWL HOOTS) - Sir? - I'm here to see Gian Galeazzo. - He is sick. He's not seeing anyone. - I'm his teacher. We have a lesson. - Sorry. No exceptions, by order of Sanseverino. - (SCOFFS, SIGHS DEEPLY) (BREATHES DEEPLY) (DARK MUSIC) (DOOR OPENS, SQUEAKS) (DOOR CLANKS SHUT) (DOOR CREAKS) - (BREATHES SHAKILY) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (GRUNTS) (DOOR CLOSES) - WHISPERS: Gian Galeazzo? - (BREATHES HEAVILY) - Gian Galeazzo, wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Come with me. Come with me. Come on. I'm going to take you away where I can help you. Come. (PANTS, GRUNTS) Yes. PANTS: Here we go. Come on. Walk. That's it. Sit down. (GRUNTS) Come on. Wake up. Breathe. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Gian Galeazzo, wake up. Come on. (PANTS) Help! Help, someone! SHOUTS: Help! Somebody help! Please, help! (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH, DOOR OPENS) - Help! (PANTS) He's not breathing! - Get the physician at once! - He's not breathing! Hurry up! - (PANTS) - Here. - How did you get in here? - LUDOVICO: What is going on? - He's not breathing. - Move away. (FOREBODING MUSIC) - I'm sorry. - (SOBS) No. (SNIFFLES, CRIES) - (SIGHS DEEPLY) You were right. (SNIFFLES) No one should be alone. (SNIFFLES, SIGHS) - (SIGHS, SNIFFLES) We have to go. We can't stay here. We have to go, please. We should have left after they killed the actor. It's one thing to execute a man who tries to murder you, but to poison a helpless child... (BREATHES SHAKILY) It's... What? Say something. - SOFTLY: I can't go. - What? - I can't leave. I have the commission. - (SNIFFLES) Leonardo, he is a killer. - We don't know that. - We know` No` - We don't know that he's responsible. - How can you be a part of this, anyway? - (WHIMPERS) - Bringing glory to the family that can murder a child! - I can't begin again from nothing. - No. - Surely you understand. It's taken me so long to get this far! - I can't believe I'm hearing this! - If I walk out now, I'll be nothing! (SNIFFLES) If I walk out now, I'll be no one. (SOBS SOFTLY, SIGHS) Who am I if I'm not an artist? (BREATHES SHAKILY) - (SIGHS SOFTLY) - (SIGHS DEEPLY) Caterina. - Ambition has destroyed... the man that I loved. (BREATH TREMBLES) - Please, listen, I` - Don't follow me. It's over. - (SIGHS) (SNIFFLES, SOBS SOFTLY) (SOMBRE MUSIC) - So they parted ways. - If they'd stayed apart, Caterina might still be alive. - What do you mean by that? - Some relationships are destined to end in tragedy. - And you? - What about me? - A thief. A street rat. - (CHUCKLES) - There isn't much you wouldn't do for money. You could have been his accomplice in the murder. - Then lock me up. I know nothing about poison, and I had no reason to kill her. (SIGHS) He's beguiled you, hasn't he? Did he ask you about the colour of the sky? (CHUCKLES) I wish all the jailers I've had were as gullible. Leonardo's going to hang for murder. Stop wasting your time. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - You let him go? What did he say? - He wants me to think Leonardo's guilty. - So? What more do you need? - He's lying. (DRAMATIC MUSIC SOARS) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021