The Affair of the Necklace

Napoleon wrote that military blunders and domestic catastrophes...

...fanned the flames of the French Revolution.

But the coup de grace was a palace scandal...

...involving a woman of nobility denied, a member of the royals...

...and the most magnificent string of jewels in all of Europe.

This notorious intrigue came to be known as...

...I'Affaire du Collier.

Jeanne de la Motte-Valois.

We have assembled to bring judgment on you and the other defendants...

...as instructed by His Majesty, Louis XVI.

Before reading the record of your interrogation...

...do you care to make remarks to this judging body?

I do.

If I reached for anything that shone brilliantly...

...it was the vision of a home denied me...

...and a sense of peace I have never known.

In the eyes of God...

...and the world...

...I wanted my life to be as it should have been.

The name Valois first became known to me many years ago.

Retraced five generations, it was said...

...you would come upon a king.

From this lineage, there would emerge one whom I...

...and all of France would come to know...

...Jeanne Saint-Remy de Valois.

Jeanne.

Darnell Valois was a reformist.

A champion of the common folk.

The Valois name was associated with the resistance...

...an association one could ill afford in those tumultuous days.

Who are they, Father?

- Bring him out! - No!

The monarchy believed the Valois name would be buried...

...with the young girl's father.

But the monarchy would prove to be wrong.

That winter, her mother's broken heart gave out.

And in an instant, Jeanne was an orphan.

And I would cross paths with that damaged young woman...

...many years hence.

Jeanne grew up alone and accomplished it quickly.

Vowing to restore honor to the Valois name...

...she set her sights on the one person she felt could make it right...

...the queen of all France, Marie-Antoinette.

The queen is in fine voice tonight. The role of temptress suits her.

No doubt it is a role our Antoinette has played before.

Who might that little tart belong to?

She goes by the name la Motte...

...countess, no less. Claims to be of the house of Valois.

- What is to be gained by that? - Perhaps, simply, it is the truth.

What a novel approach.

I'm told she owes her position to a marriage of convenience.

Her husband comes and goes as he pleases.

- With whomever he pleases. - The poor dear.

Her dress walks the cusp of fashion. Two seasons ago.

Her eyes, though.

Very exciting.

Be mindful of whom you came with tonight.

As if it were possible to forget.

- Champagne, madame? - No, thank you.

Brava, Majesty!

- Majesty. - Majesty.

- It was an evening of triumph, yes? - Your Majesty.

There's no need to worship at my feet.

I've only had a faint. You need not revive me from the dead.

In my years of service to the Crown...

...I'd watched them come and go.

You again?

I've told you to keep your distance from Her Majesty.

Ambitious aristocrats trouncing one another...

...to gain royal favor.

Forgive me. I was overcome by the strain of an important matter.

But she was different.

- One I feel the queen should hear. - You and all the rest.

I've sought an audience, but I'm turned away.

Her Majesty does not care to know you.

I will hear that from her own lips.

Minister Breteuil, this is not worthy of your attention.

Allow me to attend to the countess.

See that you do.

Step aside, please.

I am Retaux de Villette...

...your escort by command.

Ladies and gentlemen, the queen of tarts, Antoinette!

Antoinette and Madame Campan Together they did sup

Taking turns they deeply drank From each other's loving cup

In the hay she passed the day With Bonnervilles and Frank

How do you think? 'Too too, ' we cry

With a wink she did reply

It never works, you know.

Little ploys to garner the queen's attention.

What's on the paper you were eager to press into her regal palm?

Has this claim of heritage been authenticated?

The king's minister of titles refuses to see me. But I know the truth.

My father's estate was usurped by the royal family.

- I wish to petition for its return. - By accosting Antoinette?

No. Being a woman, the queen will be more sympathetic to my situation.

Once she learns of the injustice my family has endured, she will...

Please forgive me, countess.

It is so fresh, new...

...and naive.

It is remarkable how quickly you've made yourself tiresome.

De la Motte?

I knew a Nicolas de la Motte in the cavalry.

- Thank you. - Though, at the time, he was no count.

Though it's not uncommon to buy such titles.

What you suggest is insulting.

It's less attractive coming from a common gigolo.

Well, I fancy myself quite uncommon in that respect.

You've come too far! The count has a temper. If I call out, he'll come.

And do what?

Separate you from the beloved tools of your trade.

How disagreeable.

He's back, then?

I saw him a week ago in Rambouillet.

Strange, though, he seemed ensconced with an actress from the Comedie.

You inserted yourself in this. How do you propose to take your leave?

- Have you any suggestions? - Find a use for yourself.

Quickly.

At court, to obtain your desires, you must know what others desire.

- And you have such knowledge? - It's my second greatest talent.

The countess' entry into court coincided with another...

...significant arrival.

It was an amazing extravagance.

A glorious tribute...

...to the vanity of man.

This is the culmination of my life.

Its combined weight is no less than 2,800 carats.

Well, Monsieur Bohmer, it is a marvel.

Thank you.

Bassenge and I have put our souls into it.

And every livre you possess, I'll wager.

We incurred some debt purchasing the stones.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding a buyer.

Our hope has always been that it would find its place with you.

How curious!

It was suggested to me that it was destined for Madame du Barry.

See to her needs.

- Madame du Barry? - That trollop...

...my husband's grandfather maintained.

Well, l...

I pray the whispers are mere court gossip.

Otherwise, du Barry's banishment would find you without a buyer.

If you would permit, we are...

...foggy on the exact order of events.

If Her Majesty would...

...try the necklace on?

Perhaps...

It is a phenomenon.

Still, I decline.

We are the appointed jewelers to Her Majesty.

Our reputations will be shattered if we seek buyers.

I did not commission the necklace. I do not wish to acquire it.

- I need explain myself no further. - L...

Shh! No, no. Shh!

- Your Majesty. - Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Majesty.

You handled that well.

- I know not to speak. - A lot of help...

He won't see me. I've tried. Why should today be different?

Because the minister of titles' aunt...

...is an acquaintance.

I am aware of your presence.

I can hear you thinking.

Thank you for seeing me.

You don't know how long I've waited for this opportunity.

Please tell me. Have you considered my petition?

It is unusual for you to come on your own behalf.

In my experience, women don't possess the temperament for negotiations.

It is more appropriate to discuss this with the Count de la Motte.

The count is in Rambouillet.

In any event, it's my lineage I wish to have authenticated.

It is my family's home I wish returned.

Your petition places me in a difficult position.

Your father was prone to stirring up parliament.

He spoke out against poverty and tyranny.

He was a treacherous liar.

He only wanted to better the world. If there were more like him...

- Forgive me. - He railed against the monarchy.

That will never be tolerated.

You know the importance of a God-given name...

...and a home in which it can flourish.

It defines us.

No doubt your request comes from the heart.

- But there are higher considerations. - I implore you!

If I have no legacy to pass on, the name of Valois dies with me.

In the eyes of the royal family, that would not be unfavorable.

This royal office...

...will not grant your petition.

It never will.

I can't accomplish what I came to do.

Proper channels be damned.

The royal family had been well aware of this meeting.

By crushing her hopes, they sought to end the Valois legacy...

...and all that it stood for.

It's really quite simple.

To influence the minister of titles, you must first have influence.

Hence, lesson one, the benefactor.

Perfect. The Marquis de Favras.

A most generous man with a most generous appetite. For young men.

The Comte de Blonde, keeper of the royal seals.