Mitridate, King of Pontus (1991)

Mitridate,a great Middle Eastern ruler, has been reported killed in battle, and Sifare and Farnace, his two sons, have come to see to affairs of state. Sifare is wrapping up a briefing in the office of Arbate, the governor of Ninfea. Aspasia, Mitridate’s young fiancée, enters. She finds herself caught between her secret love for Sifare and the unwelcome advances of his brother, Farnace, who is believed to be in collusion with the infidel enemy.

Farnace and Sifare quarrel but are interrupted by Arbate who tells them that their father is alive and has, in fact, landed on the shores of the town with Farnace’s fiancée, Ismene, an East Indian princess. The two brothers agree to a truce, each believing that his perspective on events is best for the country.

Farnace confers with Marzio, an enemy spy, who assures Farnace of a position in the conquering government. Mitridate has been driven back by the Italian peacekeeping force to the southwestern shores of Saudi Arabia. Upon seeing his sons he insists on a quick marriage between Farnace and Ismene. Further consultation with Arbate reveals that Farnace has been pursuing Mitridate’s own fiancée, Aspasia, and conspiring with the enemy while Sifare has remained loyal. The news of Farnace’s treachery is the last defeat for Mitridate. He orders Arbate to keep an eye on Farnace. Relieved at the loyalty of one son, he vows bloody vengeance on the other.

Mitridate,a great Middle Eastern ruler, has been reported killed in battle, and Sifare and Farnace, his two sons, have come to see to affairs of state. Sifare is wrapping up a briefing in the office of Arbate, the governor of Ninfea. Aspasia, Mitridate’s young fiancée, enters. She finds herself caught between her secret love for Sifare and the unwelcome advances of his brother, Farnace, who is believed to be in collusion with the infidel enemy.

Farnace and Sifare quarrel but are interrupted by Arbate who tells them that their father is alive and has, in fact, landed on the shores of the town with Farnace’s fiancée, Ismene, an East Indian princess. The two brothers agree to a truce, each believing that his perspective on events is best for the country.

Farnace confers with Marzio, an enemy spy, who assures Farnace of a position in the conquering government. Mitridate has been driven back by the Italian peacekeeping force to the southwestern shores of Saudi Arabia. Upon seeing his sons he insists on a quick marriage between Farnace and Ismene. Further consultation with Arbate reveals that Farnace has been pursuing Mitridate’s own fiancée, Aspasia, and conspiring with the enemy while Sifare has remained loyal. The news of Farnace’s treachery is the last defeat for Mitridate. He orders Arbate to keep an eye on Farnace. Relieved at the loyalty of one son, he vows bloody vengeance on the other.

In a courtyard Mitridate, brooding over the impending execution of his two sons, is interrupted by Ismene following Aspasia who has tried to hang herself. Ismene pleads with Mitridate to forgive the two lovers as she has forgiven Farnace.

Mitridate offers Aspasia one final chance if she will honor her marriage contract and marry him, but she adamantly refuses as Arbate announces that they are being invaded by the enemy. Mitridate sets off to face the infidels. A moment later a soldier brings Aspasia poison, a gift from Mitridate. On his way to fight loyally beside his father, Sifare arrives in time to save her.

Farnace, in prison, is freed by Marzio and his troops, but is informed that, far from becoming the healing ruler he hoped to be, he will be a governor for the allies—a mere puppet. He realizes that he has forsaken his father and his country for nothing. In order to purge himself of guilt and earn his father’s forgiveness, he decides to fight beside Mitridate.

At the harbor of Ninfea, Mitridate has thrown himself on his sword, considering this an honorable alternative to falling into hands of the enemy. In his final moments, he begs Aspasia’s forgiveness and blesses her union with Sifare. He is relieved to discover that Farnace has been responsible for the destruction of the enemy’s fleet. As their father dies, the two brothers join with Ismene, Aspasia, and Arbate in condemning peace, vowing to fight the enemy until death.