TSAR'S DAUGHTER MARIE（1）

FADE IN:

EXT. STREETS -- MOSCOW -- MAY 14, 1896 -- DAY

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SUPEROVER: MAY 14, 1896, CORONATION OF NICHOLAS II

The KREMLIN COMPLEX of palaces, cathedrals and other magnificent buildings are covered in the mist. The imperial EAGLES look strikingly impressive on the pinnacles of the watchtowers.

INT. DRESSING ROOM -- PALACE -- KREMLIN -- DAY

A LADY-IN-WAITING buries herself in arranging the EMPRESS' ERMINE. A NEEDLE hidden in the ermine pricks her fingers. Horror stricken, she withdraws her hands and sucks her fingers. Looking at the drops of her BLOOD on the ermine, the lady-in-waiting appears dizzy and collapses.

INT. HALL -- ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL -- KREMLIN -- DAY

CANDLES are lit. CHERUBIC SONGS echo. The traditional CROWNING ceremony is in progress.

During the rite, NICHOLAS II, the solemn and devoted EMPEROR, twenty-eight, with light brown hair and deep blue eyes, of average height and solid built, takes the CROWN from the metropolitan BISHOP'S hands and places it on his own head.

ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA, the German-style grim-faced EMPRESS, twenty-four, with golden hair and blue-gray eyes, slightly taller than her husband, goes down on her knees to the Emperor, a diamond CROWN glistening on her head.

MARIE FEODOROVNA, the cheerful DOWAGER EMPRESS, nods and smiles gracefully. She kisses Nicholas four times tenderly and brushes Alexandra's cheek with two kisses.

The diamond-studded CHAIN, a decoration of the empire, falls from the Emperor's shoulders, clattering on the floor. While paying attention to the falling chain, the Emperor drops his SCEPTER carelessly.

The ATTENDEES observe the scene in silence, looking at each other, astounded by such portents. With tranquil composure, the Dowager Empress smiles her equanimity. The ceremony continues.

NICHOLAS

...In devoting all my strength on behalf of the welfare of my people, I shall defend the principles of autocracy as unswervingly as my deceased father...

EXT. KHODYNKA MEADOW -- DAY

Some miles away from the Kremlin, in front of a gaudy reviewing PAVILION, ordinary PEOPLE assemble at an open-air fete, awaiting the appearance of the imperial couple.

People gather to receive the new Tsar's bounties of food and the commemorative tin mugs and plates with the imperial EAGLE and MONOGRAM.

People push their way through the crowds in front of them and try to reach the supply of free refreshments and presents apparently inadequate to meet the demand.

NOISE roars and deafens. People press in and fall on the ground, their heads trampled over and ribs fractured. Tumultuous people bump into each other and begin a hand-to-hand fighting.

The POLICEMEN, whistling and wrestling, fail to control the melee. In commotion, thousands of people are injured or crushed to death.

The CORPSES are hastily removed out of sight under the pavilion and conveyed by CARTS. The trace of catastrophe has been cleared away as the NATIONAL ANTHEM blares and the sovereign's gorgeous CARRIAGES approach.

Nicholas and Alexandra present in the pavilion, accompanied by imperial officers and European aristocracy. The orchestra plays a CANTATA. Bedecked people surround the pavilion and sing HYMN.

INT. BALLROOM -- FRENCH EMBASSY -- NIGHT

At the ball, Nicholas and Alexandra, arrayed in their royal robes, lead the dancing to the RUSSIAN COURT MUSIC.

Gracefully and stately, Alexandra shows her feminine power to make Nicholas look weak and dominated. She patronizes a chilly smile to the curious and admiring attendees, and then closes her narrow lips tightly.

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