0:01:18 > 0:01:22- We admired your work in Masseto. - I'm flattered.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27But Florence is a big city. Will your style work here?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Fear works anywhere.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Very good.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Ten thousand florins. That's a lot of money.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39One thousand for you,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43nine thousand to buy weapons. The nastier the better.
0:01:47 > 0:01:48What do you want them for?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51I could tell you, but then I really would have to kill you.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06How am I supposed to paint her if she never looks up?
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Great picture for the groom, the faceless bride.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13She's such a misery guts. I feel sorry for him.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18As I said, I have a church mural to complete out of town,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20but my apprentices will do a fine job.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- And they're cheap.- The rest of you,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25hurry up and get your things. You're working with me.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Fine job? She hasn't got a face.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- Mi scusi, Signore. We need to get the Signorina to look up.- Do we?
0:02:38 > 0:02:44Signore, please! It's our fault, we weren't clear in our instruction.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50The payment, Signore. Half now and half upon completion.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Would you step this way?
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- You can't seriously be marrying that man?- Tomaso.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- Leave it.- This is the 1460s. You can marry who you like.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Leave me alone and finish your painting.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Attenzione, imbecille.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Mac? You all right?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Do you know him?
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Never seen him before in my life.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- Look, you go in. I'll be back in a while.- OK.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10She can't marry him! He's old and hideous and hateful.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13A big fat toad.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- A big fat bullying toad. - But it's who her father's chosen.
0:04:16 > 0:04:22Oh, right, so that's OK, is it? We just have to marry any old thing,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24however gross they are. What we want doesn't matter.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28You have to accept the wishes of your parents. What?!
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Oh, because of her arranged marriage thingy.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35She's right. No-one should have to marry him. He's evil.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38His name is Lucio Zangari.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41New in town, but famous in a village called Masseto.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43He lends money and when people can't repay him,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46does terrible things to them and their homes.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48If people borrow money, they should pay it back.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53He beats them, takes everything they own, torches their houses.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Is that how things work at your daddy's bank, Lorenzo?
0:04:56 > 0:05:00I don't want to work for him. I don't want to paint that girl.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Petronella Conti. Her father owed him money,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06so Lucio made him an offer - your daughter or prison.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- Her dad sold her to Lucio?!- No.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13The father chose prison, but Petronella insisted on the marriage.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- To save her father.- Mm-hm. - So we have to save her.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- How?- We have to get the money, pay Lucio back. Then she'll be free.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- Look, we shouldn't interfere. - Leo? What if it was me?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Tom's right. We can't ignore this. We have to stop him.- I agree.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38But you lot have to stay out of it. He's dangerous. I'll deal with him.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- On your own? - You seem to know a lot about him.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Are you sure you don't know him?
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- I told you, no. - Then what's in it for you?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Oh, you know me, damsel in distress and all that.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- I live to serve others.- You're not doing it alone, Mac, no way.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54We're in this together, right?
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Lorenzo?
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- Course.- We're going to free Petronella.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- And we're going to make him give back all the money he's taken. Si?- Si.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Have you got a plan?- No.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09But we can invent one.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- That's the one.- Mm-hm.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32THEY CLEAR THEIR THROATS
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Look, a perfect gold bar.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Good, isn't it? Shall I help with the painting now?
0:06:49 > 0:06:53You're doing such a fantastic job, why not stick with the gold bars?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Wow. Can't believe you can do this from memory.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Make the eyes a slightly steelier blue, a bit more cobalt.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13So...sorry, just explain it again. We're going to trick Lucio
0:07:13 > 0:07:17out of his money, by making him think we can turn lead into gold.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Erm...forgot what it's called.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20- Alchemy?- Alchemy.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Hang on, what's with all the forged paintings?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25We need to soften him up, reel him in,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28make him feel he's missed out on a get-rich-quick scheme.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Then when the next one comes, he'll grab it.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34But we can't let him get close - he'd tell the difference.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37So we need a real gold bar for the alchemy part.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Good luck with that! - LORENZO SNIGGERS
0:07:45 > 0:07:49You know what to do? Make it look like you don't want him to see them.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50Yeah, we know. We're not stupid.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Presto! They're coming.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- So I'll see you outside the gallery. Phase two.- All right.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Smile, you're getting married.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Should be on your knees with gratitude, girl.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I'm rescuing you from your loser of a father.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Two pictures the same!
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Yeah. Practice pieces.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Copying the work of great masters in order to improve.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Signorina's portrait will be finished tomorrow.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25Well, it better be! The wedding's at noon and I want it there.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Very classy to have a portrait of your bride.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I want the whole of Florence to see what sort of man I am.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36That'll give them something to look forward to.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Just get it finished.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Smile!
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Excuse me, I-I was wondering if you could help us?
0:09:03 > 0:09:08I'm Lorenzo de' Medici. Oh, don't worry about all that, my good man.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- My friend is an artist... - Buon giorno.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12..who my family have commissioned
0:09:12 > 0:09:15to do a series of paintings on ancient kings of Rome.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It would be a real help if we had a real-life model.
0:09:17 > 0:09:24- You, Signore, have a very noble and indeed a very...- King-like!- ..face.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Would you mind posing whilst my friend draws a few little sketches?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Well, er, make it quick.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You would make a great Tarquinius Priscus.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39He was the fifth king, you know.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03No, don't move! Don't move.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09I've so nearly captured that magnificent nose. Very impressive.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14In a bit more profile...
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Eccellente. Finito.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Thank you very much. You've been ever so helpful.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Give the man one of the portraits to show him our gratitude.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32You never know, might be worth a fortune one day!
0:10:43 > 0:10:45That was incredible!
0:10:45 > 0:10:48We stole a painting! When are we putting it back?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Soon, really soon, Lorenzo.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Lucio wants the picture at the wedding.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- If I paint really slowly, I might delay it.- I wish you could stop it.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Maybe we can.- You know, I wasn't always such a misery guts.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- No-one said you were.- I used to make Papa laugh all the time.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Once I hid his boots in... - DOOR OPENS
0:11:13 > 0:11:16The whole of Florence is talking about a stolen painting -
0:11:16 > 0:11:18a masterpiece, the one you did copies of.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23No, you must be mistaken, that was a different painting.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Don't lie to me, boy. I want a copy...
0:11:26 > 0:11:28to sell as the original.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36You're too late. That's what my boss does. I gave him the copies.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- Old Viddochio?- Verrocchio. - Whatever.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- No, my real boss. Niccolo Depornado. - I want to meet him
0:11:44 > 0:11:46and you're going to take me.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- No. No way. He would kill me. - And I'll kill you if you don't.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Be careful of the brocade on the doublet. It snags very easily.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Your mama's away in the country with the servants, yes?- Yes.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14So it's just your dad to keep out of the way.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Any chance you can get him to show you round the bank?
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Oh, good idea. Papa wants me to take an interest in the family business.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Good. While you're there you can pinch me a gold bar.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Living with that pig, day in, day out.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I couldn't do it. I know I couldn't do it.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- Well, I love my father. - So do I. That's not what I'm saying.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I deserve a life, don't I? My own life.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I mean, girls...like you...deserve to live your own lives,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49make your own choices.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
0:13:00 > 0:13:08- Master Zangari, Signore.- Incantato. But I don't remember inviting you.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- I know what your game is. - I can't think what you mean.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Don't give me that lah-di-dah act, just because you got all this.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17You're a crook.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21You're selling forgeries of the stolen painting to art collectors.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Very fine people. - Who think it's real.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I want in.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32You want my silence, you give me a copy.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38I'm a respected and enormously wealthy member of Florence's elite.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And you are?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Well, who are you exactly?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46I've got money. I've got connections.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51The point is, is anyone likely to believe such a story?
0:13:51 > 0:13:56The point is, are you willing to take that risk?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Well, that's the last one...
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and it's sold,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06which leaves us with a bit of a stand-off.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10All right.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14I'll take a gold bar.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I'm delighted you're taking an interest in the bank, Lorenzo.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31Erm, it's about time I learned. In a few years I may well be running it.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Indeed. Well, maybe you should know a little about its illustrious history.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39In 1397, our ancestor, Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42moved the headquarters of his bank to Florence.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Give him a gold bar.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50It's not like we'll miss one.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Are you forging gold as well as the paintings?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- The gold isn't forged.- What then?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Maybe I just have the Midas touch.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05We now have branches in all the major cities
0:15:05 > 0:15:08and we operate a general ledger system.
0:15:08 > 0:15:14There's a master book, if you will, in which we, erm...in which we...
0:15:14 > 0:15:17In which we...erm... Would you excuse me for a moment, Lorenzo?
0:15:31 > 0:15:38- What are you doing? - Em...holding a gold bar.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Feeling the weight. Letting it inspire me.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47It's worth 5,000 florins. Does that make it seem heavier?
0:15:49 > 0:15:54Erm...no, it weighs as much as it always did.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55Spoken like a Medici!
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Thank you, Papa.- Take it, keep it under your pillow.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Learn the weight, the smell, the texture.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Real gold smells. Did you know that?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- Come on. Andiamo. - Where are we going?- Home.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Already? But I was so enjoying the story...
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You need lots of money to make this kind of gold.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20It's way out of your league.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I told you, I have plenty of money.
0:16:23 > 0:16:2610,000 florins. See?
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- I'm impressed.- So you should be.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32You leave me no choice.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34There's a scientist.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35She takes molten lead
0:16:35 > 0:16:39and passes it over a stone called lapis philosophorum.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- Turns lead into gold.- Alchemy?
0:16:41 > 0:16:42Exactly.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I thought it was impossible.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The stone is expensive and rare,
0:16:58 > 0:17:03but each stone can make 30, even 40 gold bars.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Our buyer for the painting, he's here.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09You need to buy one of the stones
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- for the alchemist to do her magic. - I told you, no problem.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Master, the BUYER is at the gates.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19My boy will show you to the alchemist this evening. Now,
0:17:19 > 0:17:20if you don't mind?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- We're home!- Lorenzo, why are you shouting?- Just excited to be back.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34No need to shout about it.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- Shut those doors, Lorenzo. - Yes, Father.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- GOLD BAR CLANGS TO THE FLOOR - Ow!
0:17:59 > 0:18:01For pity's sake, boy. I tell you to learn its value
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and the first thing you do is drop it!
0:18:03 > 0:18:08- My toe, Father, my poor toe! - Let's see.- Oh...
0:18:21 > 0:18:22- Oooh, ow!- Oh, don't be such a baby.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27It's not broken. You'll live.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38The plate sits deep in the barrel.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- And you put the clay mould full of lead here, OK?- Mm-hm.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46And then the plate will spin
0:18:46 > 0:18:49and the clay mould with the gold in it will be on top.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52We really are turning lead into gold.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Right, I'll do the jokes.
0:18:53 > 0:18:59Whatever happens, we can't lose this gold bar.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02What gold bar?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Ah-ha-ha-ha!
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Grazie, Grazie.- Very good.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11THEY LAUGH
0:19:15 > 0:19:21An exact quantity of lead is heated into liquid.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01LIQUID BUBBLES AND HISSES
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's... It's pure gold!
0:20:36 > 0:20:38HE LAUGHS
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- Here, make some more.- I can't.
0:20:45 > 0:20:52This lapis philosophorum is small
0:20:52 > 0:20:58- and its properties are worn away now.- So how do I get a stone?
0:21:04 > 0:21:08If you have ten thousand florins, my supplier can deliver tomorrow.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13All right. But you just make sure it's a big stone.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- I thought we could use this for the lapis.- No, it has to be this one.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Oh, OK, but I don't know why. Mine's much shinier...
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Just do as I say, Lorenzo! - All right, keep your hair on!
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- But can we at least take the stolen painting back now?- No, not yet.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36It might come in useful.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Market place, just before noon.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58Man in the bright red jacket.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16You look miserable. Why?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20You're going up in the world. You're marrying me.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Ah, the happy couple.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30I believe a final payment is due.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51That's me robbed.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55You, be at the church by noon.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Wait! You forgot the painting!
0:22:57 > 0:22:59She can bring it. I've got business.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- But it has to be you!- Why?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Well, because...
0:23:05 > 0:23:06It's heavy and...
0:23:06 > 0:23:07erm...
0:23:07 > 0:23:13And if Lucio Zangari were to be seen by the priest,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15or the grand people of Florence,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19making his bride carry her own portrait to her own wedding,
0:23:19 > 0:23:20what would they think?
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Don't you ever question me again!
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- You look vile.- Well, thanks very... - DOOR OPENS
0:23:51 > 0:23:52Is this him?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55He has the stone, yes.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- He's a bit young. - It's a young science.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02If my age prevents you completing the transaction, so be it.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08- No, no, no. I want that stone. - And I want ten thousand florins.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27HE CHUCKLES
0:24:28 > 0:24:31I'll be back tonight.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- I think we just did it. - Ten thousand florins.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05I can explain! This is not the painting I commissioned!
0:25:05 > 0:25:07I commissioned a painting of my wife!
0:26:04 > 0:26:07It's done. He's been arrested.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08For theft.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Oh, I get it! That's why we hung on to the stolen painting.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Ding, ding! Give that man a bar of gold!
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- What will happen to him?- Tried, imprisoned, banished. Who cares?
0:26:19 > 0:26:21He's not got enough money to buy his way out.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26- And speaking of money... - Of course, there you go.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- It's all yours. - I can't thank you enough.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- That money will rebuild lives, homes...- Sure will!
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Eight thousand florins goes a long way.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Actually, Petronella... it's TEN thousand.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47MAC CLEARS HIS THROAT
0:26:48 > 0:26:50So it is.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Eight, ten, sounds the same when you say it quickly.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56THEY LAUGH
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I don't know what to say. I think you might have saved my life.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02It's worth saving.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I wish I was more like you. I've never met anyone as good, as brave.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I'm not brave. Not really.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15We all do extraordinary things for what we love. Especially you.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19Sacrificing who you are for your love of painting.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- How did you know?- Don't worry.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Papa!
0:27:49 > 0:27:56# The door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us
0:27:56 > 0:28:02# Footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound, torn up... #
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:05 > 0:28:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk