Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun (1977)

[bunniefuu]

This is the story of a girl
who wrote a letter to God...God replied.

Christopher!

You're just playing a joke
on me to frighten me.

Come on, stop that.

Do you think I'm naive
enough to fall for that?

Christopher.

Stop scaring me.

Christy...

Aren't you ashamed of yourself,
teasing this poor thing?

This poor thing prefers teasing me -

making me climb the highest
tree for the best apples

or pushing me into the pond.

Just because I want a kiss,
she makes a fool out of me!

- Marie!
- Christy, you can't do that!

- Marie!
- You see.

You little witch!

Catch me!

Come on, catch me!

Just you wait! What will
happen if I catch you?

Please forgive me, most gracious Father.
I thought we were alone.

So I gathered, from your behaviour.

- Where are you, Marie?
- Breaking chastity before God's servant!

Chastity?

Please, you are mistaken.
It hasn't been broken.

How would you know?
What parish do you belong to?

We belong to Veiga Baixa,
the neighbouring village.

- Who are your parents?
- I live with my mother.

- She has no husband.
- How old are you?

- 16.
- And you, my son?

I'm over 18.

Go straight home.

I will have another word with you later.

And if I find out that you seduced
her, you will be duly punished.

Because those who flout
the commandment of chastity...

But, Reverend Father, Marie is an angel.

- I'll soon be taking her up the aisle.
- I don't know anything about that.

See? She's contradicting you.

She's resisting her seducer.

Come on, Marie. Don't be foolish.

Are you going with him?

No.

I'll take you home.

I need to speak to your mother.

Directed by Jess Franco

Until this unhappy day, she had
led a godly life, Reverend Father.

Yes, but if your daughter were to die
tomorrow, she would be condemned to hell.

And you would have neglected
your Christian duties.

But, Father, what can I do?

I have to work to put
food on the table for us.

- I have been a washerwoman for 20 years.
- That is praiseworthy.

Do you distil this schnapps yourself?

Yes, Reverend Father.

You're very efficient.

Would you like a bottle, Father?

Will you let me give you
one to take with you?

Well, if you insist...

but don't think that giving me
presents will change my mind

about saving this evil-spirited child.

It is not too late to tear her soul
away from the grip of Satan.

I am counting on your consent to me
taking her on as a novice in a convent.

Thank you for your kindness, Father.

You make me feel ashamed.

The abbess of Serra d'Aires only takes
in daughters of the highest nobility.

But as her confessor,
I can put in a good word for you.

I'll persuade her to
overlook your circumstances.

What's more, she will reduce the cost
of taking your daughter into the cloister

by bringing it into line with your means.

One delicate matter. If the novice
is not accepted for any reason,

the money will go to the abbey.

Reverend Father, I am as
poor as a church mouse.

I have been honest with you.

Perhaps not entirely honest.
You must have something saved.


must bring some sort of return.

You shouldn't scrimp
on trying to save Marie.

But, Father, what can I give
you if I don't have anything?

Do you wish to continue
to tolerate her depraved life?

Do you want to leave her
to the devil's mercy?

Do you wish the power of the
Holy Inquisition on your daughter?

Please, Reverend Father, not that!
Help me! For God's sake, help!

I have 500 reales put away.
In case I ever became ill...

I wonder if 500 will suffice.

Well, at least it shows that you're
willing to contribute your mite.

How could you do this to me?

You've cast your mother into poverty.

I'm glad to get you out of my sight.

You can be sure of that,
since Christ's brides of Serra d'Aires

are neither allowed to leave the convent
nor to indulge in secular pleasures.

- Does that mean I won't see Mother?
- No. They won't be that strict.

The novices are kept away from temptation.

No man apart from me is admitted.

As you know, the spirit is
willing but the flesh is weak.

But hurry now.

God willing, we will hopefully
be on our way before nightfall.

Reverend Father,
is Serra d'Aires very far from here?

Far enough by horse and cart.

Definitely too far on foot.

Halt!

This is now your home.

It's not how I imagined it.

The abbey is famous for its architecture.

She really is a charming young thing.

- What's your name?
- Marie.

You will address me as
"Reverend High Priestess".

- I didn't know that.
- How could someone like you know?

I'm sorry.

Are you...

still a virgin?

Yes, Reverend High Priestess.

Lift up your dress, please.

I need to know if your claim
is representative of the facts.

Don't feel embarrassed
in front of Father Vincente.

He is your protector,
the disciplinarian of your young soul

and also of your body.

So lift up your skirt, please.

She's as good as a little lamb.
We'll have an easy time with her.

No, lift it up higher.

Even higher.

More.

That'll do.

- You're not wearing bloomers?
- We're poor. I don't have any.

No wonder that you tend to
have a lewd imagination.

Spread your legs now.

Come on. Wider.

You have to relax.
Don't tense your muscles.

Relax them.

You are quite willful, I can sense it.

You must be more obedient. Only then...

will we reach our goal.

Now, do you see?

Yes.

That's good.

That's right. You are untouched.

Intact.

A very tight hymen.

The virginal membrane.

I know this examination isn't pleasant,
but we are obliged to do it.

The Holy Office demands that only
pure virgins be admitted to our order.

We sacrifice our virginity
and our virtue to the Lord.

Before we put you in novice's dress,

you will go to confession
with Father Vincente.

- Josefina, take her to the cell.
- Yes, Mother.

When she has confessed her sins,

she will spend three days in
prayer in solitary confinement.

Then Father Vincente and I
will receive her again here.

...the sins that Satan has made your
servant commit, and cleanse her.

Have mercy upon us in pardoning our sins.

There she is.

Let us remember our sister.

Have mercy upon her.
May the Lord pardon her grave sins,

while she still lingers in
this world in the flesh.

Espiritus Sanctum

Now, my child, when was
your last confession?

About three months ago.

And did you forget to mention
any sins during this confession?

Yes, one. I was so ashamed.

Why were you ashamed?

I don't know. I, er...

might have done...something impure.

Did you maybe arouse forbidden desire
in that young man and touch him?

- Not just him...
- So you were also unchaste with others?

- I...
- Did you touch them?

Yes... No.

And where, my child?
Where did you touch them?

Outside, in the woods.

I mean, whereabouts on their
body did you touch them?

- I touched their lips.
- Yes...

Their lips.

And where else did you touch them?
Perhaps a bit lower down?

No.

Yes... Once, I touched a boy on his chest.

- You confess that.
- And perhaps Christopher, once.

Twice.

Confess it. How often did you
lead him into temptation?

- In spring...
- Where did you touch him? Tell me.

- I've confessed that.
- It doesn't matter.

Christopher wanted me to touch him
somewhere and I ran away in anger.

I need to know exactly.

I'd like to know every little detail.
Did you not have any bloomers on?

- Yes, I did, but he...
- Is that so?

Christopher never wanted me to do that
again, even though we were often alone.

But he said if we were married,
then I would have to do it.

What would you have to do, child?
Talk to me.

Touch the thing I didn't want to touch.

I did have to take it upon myself once,
but that was in a dream.

You need to express yourself more clearly.

If you don't confess your sins,

I won't be able to give you absolution.

No!

The poor thing. The Reverend
Father is probably beside himself.

- Continue.
- In my dream, my cousin came over.

Suddenly, he was standing
there naked. I screamed.

He put his hand over my mouth and said
if I didn't do as he said, he'd k*ll me.

He pressed my head
towards him and demanded...

That you put something in your mouth?

I couldn't refuse.

I was so scared, I nearly died.

- You didn't defend yourself?
- Not enough.

Were you... turned on by this?

I don't know what that means.

I mean, did it turn you on, physically?

Reverend Father, what's wrong?
Are you ill?

I shall pray not to have any
more shameless desires

or ideas that lead me to commit sins

and not to satisfy other
people's lust in my dreams.

- So you regret your grave sins?
- Yes.

Have you often dreamt of your cousin?

No, only once.

Aquilino left the village
to join the military.

I never saw him again.

If you had seen him,
and I don't mean in a dream,

- would you have done forbidden deeds?
- No.

Well, I have formed an opinion
about your sinful body, my child.

You shall reform your flaw
with thorns and flagellation.

Doesn't one atone for one's
sins through prayer, Father?

I am not your father,
I am your master and disciplinarian.

May the Lord acquit you of the sins
that you committed through carnal lust.

Josefina, what is that castle over there?

It's the residence of the
Cardinal Grand Inquisitor.

The castle opposite contains the
dungeons of the court of Inquisition.

You mustn't touch these habits. They've
been sanctified, as the rule demands.

The High Priestess
herself will clothe you.

Why is she called High Priestess?

You'll see. This is no ordinary place.
You'll get used to everything.

- We'll help you.
- Yes.

You needn't fear us.

- Believe me.
- Yes.

You have a child's hands.

How soft they are.

Just go in.

That's Sister Antonia. I'm Sister Joanna.

She and I are the youngest here.

- We novices must stick together.
- My name is Marie.

May I welcome you with a sisterly kiss?

Stick with me and Joanna as
long as everything's new to you.

Give me the apple, Antonia. Thanks.

We play funny games as often as we can.

You should watch.

- I'll join in.
- Great. Come here.

So, watch.

- Now it's your turn.
- It might be a sin.

It's only a game.
There's no harm in doing it.

Come on, don't be a spoilsport.

But if you're one of those who
are always worried about sin,

then you're no playmate for us
because you're too fond of women.

Come on, Marie.

What's going on here?

You've made friends straight away?

You seem to be very quick to make friends.

- It wasn't her fault.
- I doubt that.

I will talk to you later.
Leave the room now.

Go.

Take off your dress...now.

You will spend three days without a dress.

Father Vincente has imposed
thorns upon you as a penance.

If you chastise yourself,
your sinful lust and desire will pass.

I have just seen with my own eyes...

that his opinion of you
is perfectly accurate.

If you wish to please God,
you must change.

Yes, High Priestess.

Are you ashamed?

Yes.

Your first sacrifice...

I hope you will pass this minor test.

You have far more severe
ordeals ahead of you.

This is the first step on the
thorn-lined path of self-relinquishing,

the first of many
great and hard ordeals...

Yes.

...which you will determine yourself.

Yes.

You alone.

Don't.

Lord of Darkness, I have daubed
myself with the juice of a toad,

and you have ordained me as your bride.

I have danced naked in front of you
and bitten your symbol into my loin.

On the goat meadow, we have
come together, joined in the flesh.

And now you're denying me our child?

I will not bear the one
I have received from you.

- Is it you?
- Yes, High Priestess.

Thy shall be done, Lord of Hell.

You are my arbiter. You command.

Come to me.

These two have caused me to
deliver the child before it is due

by offering me an apple.

Stand by us so that we
may finish our task.

In the name of hell,
leave my body, Lucifer.

- Joanna.
- I'll be right there.

- Hurry up.
- Yes, High Priestess.

There.

Here's the powder from a child's liver.

Help me!

Satan!

Satan! The devil's child
is flowing from my loins.

I'm giving birth,

but it can't take shape because that's
what the Lord of Hell has decided.

His child.

Why can't I be a devil's mother?

I sacrificed my virginity to
him on Walpurgis Night.

Lustfully, greedily, we merged,

when he visited me in the
shape of Father Vincente.

How many times did it happen?

I'm dying.

Help me, paramours of Satan.

Help me!

Have mercy, Lord of Darkness.

Release me from this satanic sacrifice.

No. No.

Yes, Father Aquilino.

I'm coming.

But the Father...

will punish me with thorns.

No. No. No!

- She screamed loudly. I wonder why?
- We should ask her.

Father Vincente said, as soon as...
Watch out, there she is.

You need more self-discipline, Joanna.

Well, Marie, have you done penance?

- I'm in great pain.
- All the better.

You must learn to
regard pain as a triumph.

You must be ready to make sacrifices.

If only I could. I'm very weak.

I'm very simple-minded.

There are many things I don't understand.

And I'm very afraid of pain.

- One gets used to it.
- I'm not sure about that.

Only with the right attitude, of course.

High Priestess, help me achieve it.

- Please.
- I will, under one condition.

You will submit to me completely,
with obedience and discipline.

Your carnal desire and lustful
wishes must be mortified by

inflicting pain upon yourself.

Before the evening comes,

you shall drive the thorns deep
into the soles of your feet,

until they bleed and you are no longer
able to skip around so light-footedly.

Marie?

Marie, it's me.

No. Christopher.

You mustn't be here. Please go away.

- Go.
- But you'll come with me?

If they see you, I'm doomed.

I won't escape with you.

I have found peace here.

I don't believe you. You will only
find peace if you become my wife.

I'm the Lord's bride.

I can never be your wife.

I have given myself to heaven.

These are only words, Marie.

If you...

love me,

then... please go away.

- I swear to you, Antonia...
- To Satan.

I swear to Satan that this is
the loveliest of all our games.

Antonia!

Paramour of the devil.

I can see him in the shape of a goat.

Receive our obscene kisses of homage.

Lucifer.

Oh, Joanna.

Antonia.

You have served me well.

I will serve you more, and even better.

You have given to me, mistress of Satan,
and now I shall give to you.

Yes.

Get me the devil. I want to ride him.

Oh, no.

Holy Michael, Holy Gabriel, Holy Raphael,

all ye holy angels and
archangels, pray for us.

Holy Peter, Holy Paul, Holy Jacob,

Holy Demetrius, Holy Bartholomew,
all ye holy apostles, pray for us.

Deliver us, o Lord, from all sin.

Deliver us from the snares of the devil,
from hatred and all ill will.

Deliver us from the spirit of fornication.

Lord, help me.

Kneel down

and rid yourselves of
all secular thoughts.

For a few days, there has
been a girl among the novices

who has been abusing God's kindness
through grave transgressions.

Let us pray for her.

Lord, take the sinner back into your arms
who has saddened You by being unchaste.

Confess that you are a grave sinner.

I confess my grave transgressions
to the Holy Virgin Mary.

I do not know if it was the insinuations
of the devil or my own arrogance

that caused me to violate the
commandments of the church.

I pledge to Holy Mary and all the saints

that my efforts shall be without end

to return to the bosom of the church,

to the Holy Mother Church,

which is the only joy on
earth for sinners like us.

Sister Josefina,
I have a favour to ask you.

You're white as a sheet.

Sister Martina told me I should ask you
if I needed to send a letter to someone.

- Who are you sending it to?
- My mother, but nobody must know.

- It's in safe hands with me.
- Thank you.

Woe betide him who keeps secret
what he does and will not account for it.

He will be banished from the community,

whose joys he does not share,
whose trust he does not deserve.

For his secrecy conceals sin.

It says here:

"If Christopher returned,
this time, I would flee with him."

This abhorrent letter
proves your mendacity.

It also says:

"Take me back.
I am afraid of losing my soul.

"Dear mother, the sisters and the abbess
often behave in a rather strange manner.

"And Father Vincente is not the
devout man you took him for either.

"I can hardly describe
it in decent words.

He is depraved."

This letter is full of such
libelous statements.

You have only yourself to
blame for the consequences.

This disgraceful piece of paper
shall be destroyed for good.

What would have happened
if your mother had received it?

She might have died of sorrow and shame.

What if it had fallen
into the wrong hands,

the hands of the General Inquisitor?

He would have shown you what it
means to lose your soul, and more.

You shall suffer the consequences.

Perhaps sooner than you think.

Josefina,

this novice wishes to be imprisoned,

to flagellate herself and to
ponder her sins in solitude.

No, I do not wish that.

We determine your wishes.

Those who rebel against
this have not understood

that there are ways of enforcing
the statutes of this order.

Get out of my sight!

Come here.

Get in there.

O Lord, I don't know what to do.

Why don't you help me, Lord?

Well, child?

What do you request of me,
Reverend Father?

This is a moment of mercy.

The hour has come for you to
sacrifice your virginity to the order.

Today, you shall be the
centre of a great ceremony.

But first, you have to complete a
task for which I have chosen you.

This is the reason why I have come.

Ever since you confessed to me how
your cousin came to you in your dream,

I haven't found peace in prayer.

I think that you should grant me...

the same as you granted him because I
am now one of your closest confidants.

- Don't.
- You...

- Go away.
- What? Kneel down.

With him, you didn't resist so much.
You said so yourself.

I'm calling you, Lord of Hell.

Come, Lucifer.

Make me a priestess of the devil.

Make me another Lilith.

Your servant.

Hold her in readiness.

Lord of Hell, we are
sacrificing this child to you.

Her blood is fresh and pure.
We know that you desire fresh blood.

Prepare yourself to sacrifice your
virginity to the King of Kings, Sister.

Heavenly Father!

Your father in hell will introduce you
to the pleasure of being his paramour.

He will marry you, and you will
belong to him for all eternity,

with your blood, your womb, your
whole body and all your entrails.

The bat's tail and the
birds that you will eat alive

will keep your sex drive up

and you will give birth to devils...

...in the shape of newts, lizards,
snakes and disgusting worms.

Mount her in the shape of a man, Satan.

Kneel down and show your reverence
to the most illustrious of all debauchees

so that he may fill you with
sensuality and lewd desires.

May he hasten to you and take from this
child what he has always been entitled to.

Fall down,

on your knees.

She shall be yours.

Come on, Joanna.

You're the paramour of the devil now.
Heaven is closed to you forever.

You're his bride.

From now on you will enjoy forbidden
fruits together with the rest of us.

Rejoice with us that you are of the devil.

Well, have you finally calmed down?

No, how could I,
after all that's happened to me?

I've been dishonored in a disgraceful way.

What nonsense are you talking?

You're ill.

No!

- So why are you talking feverishly?
- Feverishly?

The sisters called me because you
scream and lash out day and night.

Like a demon.

You always mistake dreams
and fantasies for real experiences.

In your mind,

everything must seem so real

that you mistake phantasms for
the truth and dreams for reality.

In order to counteract this
danger more efficiently,

you will remain in solitary confinement

until you realize that
dreams can lead to lies.

- Are you implying that I dreamt all this?
- That was certainly the case.

No, that man and you did
disgraceful things to me.

She's possessed by the devil.

- God be with you, Sister.
- Do you know where Don Antonio lives?

- The mayor? Up there, up those steps.
- God be with you. Thank you.

Who's making all that noise,
as if the devil was after him?

Gently, gently, gently.

I'm on my way.

- What's the panic?
- Forgive me, mayor.

- You're not exactly gentle, Sister.
- Are you the mayor?

At your service. Antonio Fernando
Quijeros Mellor? I'm the mayor.

I'm from the convent Serra d'Aires.
I need to talk to you.

I see. Well, come on in.

What's the matter, little Sister?

- Please sit down.
- Thank you.

You're welcome. How about a little drink?
A glass of red wine?

I'd prefer a glass of Bagasso.

Very well.

I could use it.

Well, it's up to you.

- There you are, Sister.
- Thank you.

You can really put it away.
My uncle would be happy.

He's very proud of his brew.

And now tell me what's happened.

I had to flee the convent.

But why, for God's sake?

The abbess and the father
are such good people.

If only you knew what goes on there.
I must get away.

They lead a scandalous life.

The abbess makes pacts with the devil.

And the father celebrates black masses.

They lead a depraved life. They live in sin.

I'm absolutely convinced
that you're wrong.

The Reverend Father and I often drink
together. He leads a very godly life.

He's a demon.

He forces me to do things that are
so disgusting and shameless...

that I cannot talk to you about them.

They tried to convince me that I
was imagining it all, but it's real.

Believe me.

These things don't concern me.
I can't interfere with life in the convent.

Only the judges of the Holy
Inquisition can examine this.

Then lead me to them.
I'm sure they are wise and just.

And they will save the sinners' souls.

Help me. God will reward
you for helping a poor girl.

I'm not sure how to do that.
I have my doubts.

Well, we shall see.

Gee up!

- We must find her.
- Don't worry.

The witch won't escape us.

I swear.

Whoa! Slow down.

Halt!

Praise be Jesus Christ, Mother Alma.
Greetings, Father. Here we are.

- This novice came to me today.
- There's no need to explain. We know why.

My poor, lost little sheep.

It was prudent of you to
bring her back right away.

We were very worried about her.
She's a little confused.

Never do anything like that again.

I suspected as much. She wanted
to see the Inquisition judges.

If I hadn't been sensible,
we might be there now.

She was talking at me as if she
were possessed by the devil.

And the things she said about you!
So I said to myself,

"Take her to the abbess. She knows
how to handle her better than you."

And so do you, Father. You're an
expert when it comes to young souls.

It was a wise decision.

We appreciate your helpfulness.

- Well, if one can be of assistance...
- You've served us excellently.

It's your own fault.

Now we'll have to see...

if you're possessed by the devil.

What a pity.

If you don't confess it to us,

we will hand you over...

to the court of the Inquisition.

They have means to...

She must want the
Inquisition to save her soul.

Why else would she have asked
the mayor to take her there?

Isn't it possible that she intended to
denounce us there, the dangerous witch?

The witch will soon confess this to us.

But probably not until
we're torturing her.

That's the best method after all.

It makes people talk.

We'll only use it to
spare her the Inquisition

and to protect the
reputation of the order.

As soon as the witch confesses,

we can dispense with
further interrogation.

Get the t*rture instruments.

Has satan taken
possession of you?

Have you espoused Satan?

Are you possessed by the devil?

No!

The Inquisition's henchmen will
squeeze the information out of you.

No, no, no!

Show her the pincers.

Do you want to feel them
once more?

No.

Then confess that you're
possessed by the devil.

No!

.. to death by fire.

Lead her out.

Reverend Brother Crespo. Excuse me.

The Dominican Father Vincente
da Silva requests an audience.

- Tell him it is granted.
- Yes sir.

Father Vincente?
What could he have for us?

We're delighted to see
our brother here with us.

- Forgive me, Your Eminence.
- Speak frankly.

A matter of great urgency
brings me to you.

A novice from our convent is
suspected of dishonoring our faith

and being in league with the devil.

She hasn't confessed yet.

And you think we will make her confess?

I don't see any other
way of saving her soul.

It would be extremely helpful
if you could take care of her.

A heretic who is suspected
of being a paramour of the devil

should be granted the
mercy of the Inquisition.

That's true, but not
everyone approves of us.

Devout faith is often scorned.

It is becoming difficult
to execute sentences,

even if the accused has been found guilty.

The Grand Inquisitor's
power is wearing off...

.. in the battle with the secular powers.

Mother Alma! Sisters, call the abbess.

His Eminence the Inquisitor is here.

Hurry up!

Go and get the abbess
and the novice Marie.

Hurry up! Quickly!

- Call Mother Alma.
- What's the matter?

- The Inquisitor is here.
- He's come here himself?

Let's hurry.

Antonia, Martina, go and get the novice
Marie from her confinement cell.

I'll make sure she won't
even get a word in edgeways.

Your Eminence.

- Eminence?
- My child?

Thank you for coming.

In our helplessness, we really need you.

It is duty that brings me here, Mother.

Official duty.

But, it's a great pleasure for us
to see you again, as you know.

My Father.

How unfortunate.

She's barely 14 years old,
and she's already a sinner.

Please give me your blessing, my Father.

Conte de Ariano, have the carriages stop.

Stop the carriages.

Stop!

In the name of His Majesty
Prince Manuel...stop.

Are you deaf?
Stop in the name of His Majesty!

Outrageous!
They're simply carrying on.

- Who was that?
- His Eminence, the Inquisitor.

- And the girl?
- Probably a so-called witch.

- I'll put a stop to this.
- But how, Your Majesty?

Until you can prove that
witches don't exist,

the church will continue to burn them.

I shall teach them otherwise.

You are Marie Rosalia Coutinho,

and you're 14 years old?

Yes, Your Eminence.

Is it true or false that you
are possessed by the devil?

I am. It is true.

Have you had unchaste relationships with
your fellow sisters under his influence?

Yes.

I have.

Is it true or false that you have
sacrificed your virginity to Satan

and that you could be called a paramour?

Yes, Your Excellence, it is true.

I am.

You are an apostate heretic,

which is perfectly
sufficient for the sentence.

Take her back to the dungeon
until we execute her.

Before you do that, you should interrogate
the ones who were accessories to my fall -

the abbess, who calls herself
"High Priestess", and the disciplinarian.

They asked me to do evil things.

It is they who are possessed by evil.

They seduced me, violated me

and sacrificed me to him

in a sinful manner.

Are you going to listen to any
more of this, your emininence?

Slanderer!

To the dungeon with her.

Even at the stake she
will insist on her lie.

The devil's spirit is within her.
She's a perverted witch.

Reverend Abbess,

dear Brother Vincente,

There's no need for further evidence.
We've already passed judgment on her.

There is no doubt that she is guilty.

Which means that she'll be burnt
publicly as a recidivous heretic.

The accusations against you will be
dealt with in a separate trial later.

- You dare to put us on trial?
- Then I ask you to begin immediately.

- Quiet!

Keep calm, dear Brother and my dear Sister.

We don't believe the statement of a
witch who is possessed by the devil.

But the Brother Secretary
is right to request this trial.

It's in the interest of our church.

If he has overzealously
overestimated his duty in this case,

we'll find a better solution for you.

It should be possible
to convince the accused

to withdraw her false allegations
against you by signing a document.

These will then be deleted
from the transcript.

That is the common procedure, isn't it?

So I suggest you get this signature

and thus spare us a
bothersome interrogation.

No effort is wasted if you manage to bring
this sinner closer to the Lord again...

...before He delivers her
from her sins in the fire.

So, will you withdraw your allegation?

What allegation? That you violated me?

Punish her for this lie.

Tighten the chains.

Tighten them.

Tighten them.

You will sign?

Sign.

Tighten them!

What should i sign?

A retraction...

of your lies.

Lies?

What lies?

You are the ones
possessed by the devil!

Only t*rture will respond
to this defamation!

I retract!

So.

Will you sign a retraction?

I must not!

No.

I mustn't do it!

The signature...

You'll sign.

You'll retract your lies.

You will retract them!

You hear me?

Yes.

Loosen the chains.

This signature will have
brought you closer to the Lord.

The Lord will release me.

- Yes.
- Let's go, Father.

No, not yet.

The church, which grants sanctuary
to every penitent conscience,

has sentenced you through the
judges of the Holy Inquisition.

Because you are a paramour
of the devil and a heretic,

you shall be burnt at the stake, standing
upright on the place of your execution.

No. No.

O Lord, help me.

Forgive me, God.

I know You have more important
matters to attend to than me,

a sinner.

But I must write to You.

Beloved Lord, I must tell
someone who will listen to me.

The abbess of Serra d'Aires and Father
Vincente have involved me in great guilt.

I cannot believe that I am possessed
by the devil, as they say,

for I love only You, Heavenly Father.

I wish I had remained Your child because
I do not want to belong to anyone but You.

Now I will be burnt at the stake.

The agony of t*rture will be over then.

But I will go to hell, and from there
I will not be able to contact You again.

We will be separated forever.

Thus I will never see You.

My mother has often told me
that You were omnipresent.

How can You be when I am in eternal
perdition, atoning for my sins?

You are punishing me very severely,

but I shall do it out of love for You,

to prove to You that I truly love You
more than anything else in the world.

Yours, Maria Rosalia Coutinho,

a Portuguese nun who greets You
from the bottom of her heart.

The dungeons of the
Vatican, Conte de Ariano.

From the windows of his castle,
the Inquisitor sees them every day.

A man who has to judge good and
bad, true and false, mustn't dread

the sight of the acts of cruelty with
which he seeks to uncover the truth.

Was it a pigeon that just
fell on those bushes?

Unless I'm blind, it was a
piece of paper, Your Majesty.

We'll go and have a look.

A message... from heaven.

It is indeed a piece of paper, my Prince.

Read it.

"Forgive me, God, but I must
tell someone who will listen.

"The abbess of Serra d'Aires and Father
Vincente have involved me in great guilt.

"Tomorrow I will be burnt at the stake.
Heavenly Father, I love only You.

"Yours, Maria Rosalia Coutinho."

Stop! Do you want to end up
on the woodpile too?

- Are you all possessed by the devil?
- Not us, her.

Quiet now!

Make way.

Make room for His Majesty Prince
Manuel Gonzales of Portugal.

Quash the sentence immediately.

It was imposed by the Judge
of the Inquisition. Who...?

His Royal Majesty.

There must be another hearing
in the trial of Maria Rosalia Coutinho.

Furthermore, the ones who are
really guilty must be brought to trial.

The accused has confessed her guilt.

Who else is supposed to be guilty?

Those two.

Arrest them.

Who?

You failed to bring
them to trial, Eminence.

You shall do it now.

In the name of His Majesty, stop!

Halt!

You are his prisoners.