Original subtitles

THE LAW

Based On The Novel By Roger Vailland

Adapted For The Screen...

And Directed By JULES DASSIN

Stupid bird.

Luigi!

Still here.

That pigeon is really stupid.

He could go anywhere he wanted.

If you had wings, would you stay in this town?

"Fly away, little bird, far, far away."

Hey, pigeon...

why do you stay?

Because every once in a while someone throws some crumbs his way.

Like they throw some work our way.

Go on, pigeon.

Fly away.

- What are you looking at? - Nothing.

- Lucrezia-- - Go take your quinine.

I love her.

I love him.

Hello, girls. Working, I see.

Good! Doesn't Dad get a kiss?

Did you have a nice SieSta, Inspector?

Very nice, Giuseppina. I had a dream about you.

- Was it a beautiful dream? - Very.

- Giuseppina had beautiful breasts. - Attilio!

She did! Beautiful breasts.

Like yours-- almost.

Attilio!

- Cooling off, Inspector? - That's right.

Is it the heat or Mariette that gets your husband worked up?

Is it jealousy or virginity that makes your girl friend so envious?

When a girl sings like that...

it's cruel to keep men locked up.

Lucciano.

At your service, boss!

I bet our four prisoners are having a hard time, poor devils.

Yeah, that would wake the sleeping beast in any man.

Damn, damn, damn!

Sing, Mariette, Sing.

You lucky baStardS over there get to See her!

Thank God.

And being locked up only makeS it worSe!

Let me just touch you, Mariette.

-Just touch. - Go touch my sister!

I know...

you'd prefer the engineer.

Look.

He's come to receive his orders.

If he should get any ideas--

Like you!

I like you when you're feisty.

Are those boots clean yet? Don Cesar is waiting.

I see you're hanging around her again.

- And you! Are you done flirting? - Who's flirting?

- Look at this dress! - That's enough.

If you'd show your husband a little more, he wouldn't go looking elsewhere.

Slut!

And you-- I'll cut your hands off one of these days!

Are you girls trying to give me a heart attack? Is that what you want?

- Keeping Don Cesar waiting! - Women!

You're too loud.

You're always so loud.

Come here.

Too loud.

Tonio...

I've told you, my right-hand man is not to be seen in shirtsleeves.

Right away, Don Cesar.

Good day. I have an appointment.

Allow me to introduce myself: Enrico Tosso.

Please forgive me for disturbing you, Don Cesar.

No, forgive me for receiving you like this.

I'm going hunting.

But I am at your service.

What beautiful things you have here!

Really?

- May I? - Be my guest.

Extraordinary.

You think so?

Authentic Greek ruins...

but people around here call them old pieces of junk.

I really didn't expect...

to find gems like this here.

Why not? This is precisely where you would find them.

They were all found in the marshes around here...

but you probably didn't know we were colonized by the Greeks.

I'm sorry. I didn't know.

Even the people around here aren't aware of it...

so a man like you, from the north--

I admit it's not my specialty.

- I'm an agricultural engineer. - I know, I know.

You're here to change the look of the land--

I'll change the people's lives, at any rate.

When we've drained the swamps, that will be the end of malaria.

The swamps?

You won't touch them. They belong to me.

They're beautiful.

That's where I hunt.

It's not my decision to make.

You will receive official notice.

Official notice?

Young man, do you know what I do with those?

I can imagine.

But I've come to discuss an entirely different matter with you.

Always at your service.

I need a maid.

If you don't have any objection...

Mariette?

In your words, sir...

the decision is not mine to make.

My people are free.

A word of advice:

People around here play a very informative game...

called "the game of the law."

Take a stroll down to the caf� this evening...

and watch them play this game.

Try to understand its meaning.

You want to change this land.

See first whether you can change our men.

Good day, sir.

Tonio, my guns!

I don't want to be anyone's servant!

I'm willing to pay up to 1 1 ,000 lira.

- She'll do it. - Elvira!

You say you'll pay 1 2,000 lira? She'll start Monday.

- Mama, I won't go! - For 1 2,000 lira, you'll go!

Does that include going to bed with him?

Look at the three madames!

- Excuse my husband-- it's the malaria. - Get out of my way!

If I were you, I'd be careful, sir.

Southern girls aren't wet behind the ears.

Neither are northern men.

What I'm looking for is a maid.

Fine!

Go ahead. Take her!

Take her with you. In eight days...

there'll be a hundred witnesses to testify you dishonored her.

Then you'll be trapped, sir...

and you'll pay dearly...

or you'll marry her and take on the ball and chain!

"Forewarned is forearmed"!

Good day.

If Mariette wants to work...

have her come by on Monday.

If not...

I'll find somebody else.

Bravo! Madam turns up her nose at 1 1 ,000 lira!

1 2,000-- he'd pay 1 2,000!

Twelve, twenty, forty -- no!

Listen to me.

Come with me, child.

Listen, Mariette.

I'm your mother, after all...

and I'm only thinking of your future.

No, Mama, you'd sell me like a chair or a broom.

Just like you sold Martha and Elvira--

- So? Is it so bad here with Don Cesar? - No, Elvira, it's fine.

But we're like Don Cesar's chair, his broom....

his cow!

And when he says, "Time for bed," everyone jumps.

She's gone mad!

No, she's got a boyfriend and won't admit it.

- Who is it? - You'd refuse a man with an education?

Don't you know what he's done? He's invented a new breed of goat.

Fine. Let him sleep with his goats!

Come back here, you little bitch!

You're gonna get a good beating!

Slut!

After you.

It's a shame you don't want to come with me.

But I do.

But in there you said you didn't want to be anyone's servant.

- No, I don't. - I don't understand. What do you want?

A ring.

Listen, do as Tonio says:

witnesses and a shotgun wedding.

I want to get married, but not like that.

Surely, it can't be difficult for you to find a husband--

- I haven't looked. - Don Cesar holds you back, the old--

- Not a word about Don Cesar! - You stand up for him?

Yes.

You think he has some right over you?

- Of course. - Then stay with him.

No, he's too agile for me.

I think--

I think I'd prefer to marry you.

Why me?

I loved the way you told Don Cesar...

"You will receive official notice."

That's beautiful.

And you're handsome yourself.

You have strange manners for a local girl.

Me, the town disgrace...

or so the priest tells me every day.

Don Cesar is the only one who thinks I'm a decent girl.

And are you?

Yes, though I'm not too happy about it.

- But I'll wait for you. - Here I am.

But no wedding ring, eh?

- All in good time. - Do you have a dowry?

Like I said, all in good time.

- Don Cesar. - All right.

I'll have work in my vineyard Thursday.

- You and you. - Thank you, Don Cesar.

Some want to drink on Thursday without playing "the law" first.

- I wonder who'll have her. - Stupid question.

- The engineer? - No. The old man.

What has to be, has to be. Myself, I believe in tradition.

I give you one minute.

Inspector!

What is it?

They've stolen the patrolman's motorcycle.

- Good Lord, why me? - Come down, quick!

Did they steal the patrolman as well?

No, Inspector.

Too bad! That would be one less idiot!

What a crew!

And to think I could have been an inspector in Naples!

Look at this bathing suit. It's a gem.

She is a married woman with children.

She will not swim in public.

Take that off!

Tyrant!

When the two of you are quite finished arguing--

- When I see the way he treats you-- - He's a husband.

It's better to have one like him than none at all...

isn't it?

- No. - You didn't say no yesterday.

That was yesterday.

Just a kiss.

Will you allow your wife to go swimming with me?

You want to make me look ridiculous, huh?

Me? Why?

Are you too ashamed to allow your wife to be seen?

Little bitch!

I'll wait for you tonight after the dance.

- Will you be there? - Who knows?

Good day, ma'am. Will we see you at the dance tonight?

Yes.

Good day, Mr. Brigante.

- Hey! - Excuse me, Mr. Brigante.

You're not drinking, my boy.

Hello, Father.

- I'm not thirsty, Father. - Good day, Counsel.

Please, I'm not yet a--

Be quiet, Pizzaccio.

You know our young lawyer here doesn't want people to call him that.

"The ocean has its pearls, the heavens their stars...

and my heart has its love."

- Isn't that beautiful? - Pure poetry.

- Good day. - Good day.

That blonde is a little bit of heaven.

You think she's a true blonde?

The judge brought her all the way from Venice. She could be the real thing.

Real or not, when I think that pint-sized judge has her every day--

- Maybe once a week, you mean. - Good day, Inspector.

Attilio! Will you have a drink?

This isn't the moment for it, believe me.

Where are you going?

- I don't have time, Matteo. - Affairs of state?

Someone stole the motorcycle belonging to my idiot of a patrolman.

Was it the boys?

- The patrolman's motorcycle. - They left the license plate.

Listen, don't make a fuss about it. Let me take care of it.

All right, but it has to be by tonight.

All right. Thanks.

Listen, do you need your apartment tonight?

Giuseppina?

My lips are sealed.

My boy.

Here.

- Have a good time tonight. - Thanks.

Good-bye, Counsel.

A goat doeSn't feel a Shred of Shame

A goat conductS

ltS love affairS in the public eye

With hornS dropped low it enterS the Stable--

Hey, squirts!

On your way home from the beach?

I see your hair is still wet.

So you couldn't have been loafing around somewhere else, right?

- Swiss! - The Swiss spare no expense!

Excuse me, sir. Where's the hotel, please?

Straight ahead. All the modern conveniences.

Why all the decorations? Is there a festival going on?

You bet. The fair will be held tonight.

A big dance, with a jazz band you couldn't even find in New York.

I see we've arrived just in time. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Tell me, fellows...

how long would it take you to take apart a car like that?

To what?

Give it some thought.

You can tell me while we take a little walk.

- My mother's calling me-- - He said we're going to take a walk.

- Shall I come with you? - No.

- Let's go, boys. - Over here's a nicer route.

Really? Well, we're going this way. Let's go.

- What about you? - I hurt my foot.

"I hurt my foot." Get going!

You see that? It's Brigante with his pack.

That's not Brigante with his pack.

It's Plato with his disciples.

- Play-who? - You don't know him.

A very old Greek man.

Greeks are known as good cheaters...

but that's Brigante, believe me.

You see how life is?

There's twelve of you and only one of me...

but when I say, "Let's go for a walk," we go for a walk.

And when I say, "We'll go this way," we go this way.

And why?

Why?

Because everywhere, and at every time...

there's a boss and then there are the others.

The others are subject to the law...

while the boss makes the law.

And he's in control.

We made up a song about you.

- Don't be angry, Mr. Brigante. - Let's hear it.

Come on!

He'S tall

He'S handSome

He haS a Scar on hiS cheek

He haS a Son

But with the ladieS

They're like lambS and he'S the wolf

He runS the only game in town

He giveS otherS a free rein

AS long aS he retainS control

He controlS the produce vendorS

Who pay him

The produce buyerS

Who pay him

The thieveS

Who pay him

He'S in control

I'm glad to see you can be clever on occasion...

because, just between us...

the stunt you pulled with the motorcycle wasn't very smart.

Hey, chief!

Don't touch that!

- Don't get all worked up, Mariette. - Bastard!

Careful, it's sharp!

The butcher, the baker

The candleStick maker

- Hello. - Hi.

No, it wasn't very smart, 'cause we all know it was you.

Put that back together right away and return it to me tonight.

I'll take care of the rest of it.

Go on, Balbo.

All right, boys, clear out.

You work for the police now?

When I deal with the police, I use one of these.

You still doing these small jobs?

You pinch 20 lira and you still have to split it.

Pathetic!

I offered you something better.

Did you think about what I told you?

I think of nothing else.

"Think about it."

I like you, Brigante.

You're a real man.

But you won't have me.

I'll give you anything you want.

Anything?

Your house? Your land?

Your son's inheritance?

Is that all?

You see?

I need to think about it a little more.

ln town, She'S the king

ln town, She makeS the law

-She'S the one - Who

Marie... Marie...

Mariette

- Date of birth? - August 1 1 th.

Here you go, sir-- a lion.

Hello, Mariette. I'm a lion, and you're a virgin.

Thank you.

Your mother and sisters are looking for you.

They'll wait.

And the last ticket is for Tonio.

Just 50 lira.

Fifty lira and you win two bottles of wine.

- Great, I'm thirsty. - Your number is seven.

Fifty lire, two bottles of wine, and the game begins.

Come on-- seven.

Come on.

Rabbit!

Go to seven.

I'm thirsty. Number seven.

Go on.

Don't look at me, you idiot-- number seven.

It's seven.

Another game coming up.

Fifty lira, two bottles of wine.

Betting your money on a rabbit-- you gotta be an idiot.

Here you go.

- Still thinking about it? - Still thinking.

Don't take too long.

It's not in a girl's best interest to let too much time go by.

Thanks. I'll think about it.

You want her, huh?

I'm not sure I want her...

but I will have her.

- Evening, Mariette. - Hello.

Not bad.

Would you do me a favor?

You name it.

Steal Brigante's knife.

For me.

All right.

Women! What we wouldn't do for them.

- I'm counting on you. - All right.

Throwing your money down the drain?

I get my paycheck Monday.

- You look good in blue. - You don't look bad yourself.

- Shall we dance? - No.

- Why? - I want it too much.

It's dangerous.

Papa, are you going to play games or come and dance?

Mama, let me pay this nice lady and then we'll go dance.

Here you are, madam...

and the rest is for you.

Thank you.

- Shall we dance? - Isn't it dangerous anymore?

Yes, even more so.

Allow me to buy your tickets.

We're always happy to welcome visitors.

Please, Inspector, permit me.

Three, please.

- Then how about a drink later? - Gladly.

When I dance with a girl, I like her to look at me.

- I'm looking at you. - I wouldn't say that.

You're wrong. I only have eyes for you.

Did you see Lucrezia? Who does she think she is?

- Where did she get that dress? - Don't you recognize it?

It's her blue dress that she dyed black.

You think so? I wouldn't have chosen black.

Of course. She wants to look like a widow.

Do you still want to learn the game of the law? This is the time.

- Yes, but I-- - Go ahead.

I have something to take care of too.

I took the liberty-- it's so warm.

That's kind of you, but I don't like ice cream. However, my wife--

Well, just this once.

- Good catch today? - Nothing.

- You'll be our eyes tomorrow. - All right.

We're counting on you. Good night.

What does he mean, "You'll be our eyes"?

You know how they fish out at the trabucco.

They claim I can see through the water better than they can.

Excuse me.

Will you excuse me for a minute?

- Do you feel ill? - No. I'll be right back.

This is a beautiful style.

I guarantee you'll have Marilyn Monroe's bust in this suit.

- How much? - Eight thousand lira.

Mind you, not all men like that.

Small breasts can be very nice too.

Eight thousand lira!

Allow me to buy it for you. It would give me great pleasure.

Come on in. I've got your size, ready to wear.

Hey, Tonio!

Go to hell.

Go to hell.

You've come at the right moment.

The northerner wants to learn the game of the law.

Every game needs a victim...

and tonight I have a feeling that will be Tonio.

What if I'm the boss?

Then you'll make the law.

Justo, bring the wine.

- What do we do first? - First, put 30 lira on the table.

- Are you playing? - No, I'll watch.

Come on, I'll lend you 30 lira.

All right. The wine's paid for. We'll see who gets to drink it.

Ready? Roll the dice. Pick any number you want.

Ready, set, go!

Why is he counting?

To figure out who'll be the boss for the game.

Twenty-two fingers, there are six of us...

6 times 3 is 1 8, 1 9... 20... 21 ... 22.

- Pizzaccio is the boss. - I'm the boss, Tonio.

Sorry, my friend.

Now I have to choose my deputy.

Let's see.

- Okay, okay, we know who you'll choose. - What if I choose Tonio?

Fine. Make your play.

If I choose Tonio...

maybe he'd be grateful.

His sister-in-law is beautiful. Maybe he'd get her for me.

Would you let me have Mariette?

- Is this joking part of the game? - This iS the game.

We're very refined here.

We don't just play for the wine, as they do in Naples or Rome.

We play for pleasure.

The boss can do anything.

He can say anything that comes to him-- even the truth.

He can use flattery or humiliation.

Nothing is sacred.

What about the others?

The others take it.

Look at Tonio.

Silent, impassive.

Well played, Tonio.

I see. So who's going to be the deputy?

But I have to think carefully, because he's the one who will have her.

You'll pass Mariette on to me, won't you?

- After me. - Good.

- I make you my deputy. - What a surprise.

Ready?

Each of us chooses whoever he likes, okay?

Perhaps. Who do you like?

I was thinking of Tonio.

- Tonio? - Yes.

I don't know why, but that makes me sad.

Well, then, let's drink it ourselves.

Now...

who'll drink the king's wine?

- Fit for a king. - Isn't it?

- Would you like some? - Yes, you've made me thirsty.

You have to say, "May I drink, deputy?"

Deputy, may I drink?

Just a moment.

What do you think, boss?

- He's an idiot. - You think so?

He thinks he'll have Mariette.

Forgive him. He doesn't yet know how to play.

He's from the north.

You see?

You mustn't encourage idiots.

May I drink, deputy?

- Are you thirsty? - I'm thirsty.

- On Tonio's head? - On Tonio's head.

He said it!

What a player that Tonio is!

You know what's he's thinking right now?

He's thinking about everything he'll say to me...

if he's boss in the next round-- but will he be?

To your health, Tonio.

Would you like a drink?

He doesn't drink, but he plays a tough game.

He knows how to take it.

- Should we tell him or not? - Martha?

Tonio's wife.

- It's a friend's duty to tell him. - What if it's not true?

What if it is true?

Let's tell him.

The gossips say that when Martha was 1 6 years old...

Don Cesar thought she was very sweet...

and he told her that so often that he finally got her pregnant.

He was 68 years old.

A real bull.

Then it was a matter of finding a chump to marry her.

The chump arrived on the scene...

and that's how he became Don Cesar's right-hand man.

At least, that's what the gossips say.

But who believes them?

Cheers.

Justo, fill 'er up.

You're not playing "the law" down there, are you?

But that's illegal.

Exactly.

Ready, set, go.

"I love you. I'll meet you tomorrow at the trabucco. "

- Another dance, Mama? - The baby fell asleep.

- Give him here. I'll put him to bed. - He's very sweet.

I'll put him to bed and then come back and waltz with you.

- All right? - All right.

Hi, Mariette.

What about my knife?

We'll get it now. Let's go.

- Who's the boss? - Pizzaccio, for the second time.

Then I know who is deputy for the second time.

If the young fellow keeps mouthing off, I'll pull down his pants...

and whip his hide.

I'd like to see you try!

Watch out!

Now I've wasted the perfectly good wine someone was dying to drink.

This glass is for Tonio-- if he gives the right answer.

Tell me, Tonio...

who makes the law here?

You do-- here.

"Here" where?

In the game.

Who makes the law in Porto Manacore?

Not you. Don Cesar does.

You promise to drink everything I give you?

- All of it? - Yes.

Go ahead. You made a promise.

Here, this is for you. Drink.

Who lays down the law in all Porto Manacore?

Matteo Brigante.

Drink.

Since you made me wait for the answer...

you have to drink and pour at the same time.

If you stop pouring, you stop drinking.

Understood?

Tonio drinkS

He never StopS

Good, Tonio Bravo, Tonio

He waS thirSty

Drink the whole carafe

I lied.

It's not you.

It's Don Cesar.

Ladies and gentlemen, stay calm. It's nothing at all.

It's just a kid's prank.

- What about the baby? - I'll get him, Mama.

Let the music play!

- It's you. - Matteo Brigante's knife.

- Thank you. You're a genius. - So I've been told.

What's going on with the lights?

They'll come back on.

Stop, thief! Stop, thief!

I've been robbed! Half a million lira!

Women, come back inside.

Close that window.

Someone stole 500,000 lira from a tourist.

Let them look for it...

quietly.

Quietly.

Elvira.

Elvira...

bedtime.

You were out traipsing around, weren't you?

Mademoiselle traipses around, but she won't go out with the engineer.

Who were you hanging around with?

Marlon Brando!

I'll give you Marlon Brando!

Go ahead and try!

Quick, tie her to the table!

Now...

are you going to work for the engineer tomorrow?

- You will obey. - I will not be a servant!

She doesn't cry out. She's a proud one.

Go ahead, get your revenge in advance. You're scared, aren't you?

How you wish I'd go away!

You see the day coming when Don Cesar says, "Come to bed, Mariette"...

because he's tired of you.

Just like he got tired of Martha! Just like he got tired of--

Vipers!

- Get out! - Stay out of this.

Or don't I have a right to discipline my daughter?

I said get out.

Since when do women make the law around here?

Go, the old man's getting anxious.

And you go to bed.

Go!

Now, Mariette...

you'll have to let me--

Tonio, I love you.

You know I love you.

I'm leaving, Tonio...

and I'll never set foot here again!

Good morning.

Tonio, you feeling better?

- Hey, not through there. - Watch out!

Hey, you're late this morning. We were getting worried.

Yeah, we thought you got some work at the engineer's place.

Stay where you are,Judge. Good morning, beautiful lady.

You are ravishing! Are you going on a trip?

My wife's going to check out the summer camp. Any news on the theft?

We'll find them. I've got eyes everywhere.

He provoked these poor bastards, flashing half a million lira around!

Careful,Judge. If my men hear you, they'll say you're a socialist!

We'll finally see what color they are under all that grime.

You're not teaching us anything new. We were doing this before you were born.

Are you going to invent a new breed of sheep too?

I'd like to invent a new breed of women!

- What would they be like? - Sweet, gentle, submissive.

Just like sheep. There's lots of them in these parts.

Tonio told me you left for good last night. Is that true?

- Yes. - So where do you sleep now?

If you really want to know, follow me.

Are you telling the truth?

I always tell the truth. That's why no one believes me.

For example...

you don't believe me when I say I want to marry you.

I'm starting to.

- What are you doing? - Come on, get in.

Please.

- And now what? - Nothing.

Put your hands on the wheel...

and look straight ahead.

It's as if we're man and wife.

But I'm not your wife.

- You know Don Cesar's orchards? - Where the fountain is?

Yes. That's where I sleep.

Perhaps you'll bring me something to eat this evening.

Don't bother.

Go, little one, and bring me all the fish in the ocean.

Francesco, you're out there to keep an eye on the sea.

Heave-ho! Come on, men!

Here. Take this.

Come on, men!

It's a real fish stew!

I saw you on the trabucco...

silhouetted against the sky.

Was it a good catch?

Not bad.

Once I saw them pull in 600 pounds with one cast of the net.

You're hot. You were running.

I would give up everything for you.

Tell me the future.

What will our life be like?

Will you make me laugh?

Will you play the guitar for me?

When you play the guitar, I see your veins swell.

I love it when you lower your eyes like that.

What?

Quick, tell me what you're thinking.

We're alone together for the first time, but in this filthy grotto.

It's the most beautiful grotto in the world.

You'll kiss me for the first time here.

I thought about that all night.

Tell me the future.

How will we live?

Alone?

Just the two of us.

You'll help me forget everything: this emptiness, this ugliness.

The horror of waking to feel his body next to mine.

I hate it!

I hate everything about this place.

There's only you.

It's wonderful...

how much I love you.

You like that house?

What's so special about it?

Mariette's in there.

- Wait for me on the beach. - Aren't you afraid of Don Cesar?

On the beach, I said.

Recognize your knife?

- Is it deep? - Now you've got a cross.

Matteo Brigante will bear his cross.

You should go wash that in the spring.

You branded me.

If you were a man, you'd be dead.

You're too rich.

Rich people don't kill on a whim.

Careful, it's sharp.

Get out of here!

- She's getting bigger up top! - Yeah, all it takes is 8,000 lira.

Anna!

The inspector's wife in a bathing suit!

Something has definitely changed in Porto Manacore.

It seems Giuseppina lays down the law for the inspector.

Did you see the inspector's wife?

That girl!

I was expecting that.

Look.

Did you get a good look?

Good.

Now go into town...

and warn everyone in the caf�s, in the plaza, everywhere.

Make sure everybody knows but nobody opens their trap.

Not one word. Not one question.

Not one smile.

I'll meet you in 1 5 minutes.

Go on, get out of here.

What are you doing in my son's changing room?

Your cheek--

Is there something on my cheek?

So she's got something up here...

and elsewhere.

Is there something in the envelope too?

"My darling--"

"By the time Giuseppina delivers this letter--"

"Only 1 7 hours until we're together again forever."

Signed "L."

Lucia? Luisa?

The judge's wife?

I know nothing. She asked me to deliver this letter.

I swear I didn't know what was in it!

The kid does well for himself.

"Only 1 7 hours until we're together--"

9:00 in the morning, the bus to Foggia.

Listen to me carefully, Giuseppina.

If you say one word--

one word, you hear?--

you won't get a chance to say another.

Understand?

Now, go get your suntan.

The doctor was in there a long time.

Well, it was a serious attack.

Nico, you think Don Cesar is mortal?

No, but God may have been distracted for a moment.

For which Don Cesar will never forgive him.

- How's the old man, Tonio? - Fine.

- What's wrong with him? - Nothing.

He's fine. Nothing was wrong.

And the doctor never came.

Why do people imagine things?

It's like the wine you don't drink, or the cross on Brigante's cheek...

that isn't there.

Papa, look at his cheek--

A vermouth.

You know, Don Cesar's not doing so well.

Really? How sad.

My love

HaS gone

Are you going to stay there all night?

Am I bothering you?

I'd like to put out the light. The bus leaves early.

Don Cesar is sitting in his chair at the window. He's ill.

Ayoung man sings on the caf� terrace.

Francesco listens to him on his balcony.

Do you really want to go see your sister tomorrow?

I have to.

What if I took you to the music festival in Florence instead?

It's too late.

Have you never loved me?

- Yes. - When?

Never.

I know you detest me...

though I've given you everything, taught you everything.

- I was wrong. - Yes, you were wrong.

You taught me too much.

When I didn't know anything at all, I could still believe in you.

Where's the young judge who wanted to change the world?

A wretched little judge in a wretched little town.

I've bungled everything.

You take me in your arms out of kindness, out of pity.

Sleep now.

- Lucrezia, don't go. - Sleep.

Leave it.

You have to eat.

Where is Mariette?

She's gone.

She's hiding. Find her.

What are you looking at like that?

I love the way you eat.

Most men eat like pigs.

But not you.

No one has ever paid me so many compliments.

I'm a handsome devil, I eat like a prince.

Do you really believe it, or are you just fishing for that wedding ring?

Both.

Listen, Mariette.

I'm going to talk, and you're going to listen without saying a word!

- Not a word. - Here it is.

My father-- like every father-- had more children than he could provide for...

and, like every father, he wanted me to have the education he never had.

I worked hard...

and I got my diploma in agricultural engineering.

Not a word.

They sent me here, and I like it.

I like it a lot.

It's useful work...

and I find it incredibly interesting.

I want to be a success. I don't want to consider other options.

I don't want to borrow money to get set up...

and then borrow money to pay back what I owe.

Of course, I'm a--

I'm a healthy, red-blooded male.

Look, when I asked you to work for me, I didn't have any ulterior motives.

Not a one.

I don't want to kid you...

but you're a pretty girl, and I'm healthy--

healthy and red-blooded.

I went to college.

I mean--

Mariette, what are you doing?

Making your bed.

Some things you just don't do unless you're in love.

- And since you don't love me-- - No, I didn't say that.

Then you do love me?

What I'm trying to say...

is that love is more complicated than that.

I know.

A man I hated tried to take me by force once.

Who? When?

It was a long time ago.

I thought of it when you said love is more complicated than that.

I could have killed that man to keep him from touching me.

But, at the same time, I wanted him to hold me tight.

- Do you understand? - Yes.

Please, stay with me.

Stay with me.

I can't marry you.

Yes, you can.

But I don't care.

I can't. I can't.

Until tomorrow. It will be a long day.

Until tomorrow.

Just a moment.

This visit you said you had to make-- that wasn't true.

Yes, it's true.

Where are you going?

I told you.

Where did you get the money for the trip?

This isn't yours.

I wanted to see you become a lawyer...

not a pimp.

I advise you to cancel this trip, son.

This is your father speaking.

Fine.

After all, you're old enough to decide for yourself.

Maybe that kind of life suits you.

Wait!

You're cross-eyed.

- I love you. - You swear?

I swear.

If you could, would you marry me?

- Yes, if I could. - You swear?

I swear.

Are you asleep?

- You swear? - I swear.

- What are you doing? - Don't move!

- Are you making another bed? - Yes. Come here.

Don't move.

- Close your eyes. - What are you--

Close your eyes!

We're rich.

We're rich, and we're getting married!

Mariette, where did you get this money?

The Swiss. It was you?

Yes. Here is my dowry, Mr. Engineer.

I'm a girl with a dowry!

Mariette, this money is stolen!

Just from the Swiss people.

All the same!

It's Balbo.

-Hey, Balbo, what's up? -Don Cesar is sick. He's asking for you.

I'm on my way.

I have to go. Don Cesar is sick, and he's asking for me.

I demand you return this money immediately.

You're joking!

You have no sense of right and wrong.

There are certain moral rules.

Moral? What's more moral?

That the Swiss should own a car the size of a house...

or that I should have a husband?

If that husband is me, you'll return that money.

- When pigs fly! - You'll do as I tell you!

I do as I please!

You love me!

- Are you going to take that money back? - I love you.

- How is he? - Hasn't Mariette--

Go in, Mariette.

Is that Greek?

No, it's not Greek.

What is it?

An acrobat.

That'll do, Tonio.

Close the window.

Where were you?

In the cabin at the orchards.

What were you doing there?

Making love.

With whom?

- The engineer. - I see.

That young man doesn't lose any time making progress.

You're on fire. Are you sick?

Do you love me, Mariette?

Yes...

I love you.

Don't look at me.

I'm the one who stole the Swiss man's wallet.

Don't look at me. I hid it in the cabin.

Brigante showed up, and tried to--

It was you who branded him?

- Yes. - Good.

Did you sneak the wallet into his coat pocket? Tonio saw it.

Brigante's going to turn you in.

No, not Brigante.

Tonio told the judge.

With Brigante arrested...

you'll have to turn yourself in.

Give me the money, Mariette.

I'll tell the judge one of my men found it in the marshes.

He won't question my word.

Fine.

Now, get me something to write with.

I'm going to leave you my house. It's worth far more than that.

And what would I want with your house?

You're going to die...

and I'm not going to live here with those women.

And no one's rich enough to buy it from me.

- I have an idea. - What is it?

If you leave me your house...

that means it belongs to me.

I'll sell it back to you...

for 500,000 lira, and the house is yours...

and I turn in the money.

You're a devil, Mariette.

And just where do you think I can get 500,000 lira?

I like you, Mariette.

I like you.

Go get the judge for me.

I wish I could have taught you about love.

- Is Mariette here? - What has she done now?

You'll know soon enough. How is Don Cesar?

Fine. In fact, he was just asking for you,Judge.

Very good. These gentlemen will accompany me.

Just a minute-- I'll ask him.

- Did Mariette do something serious? - Could be.

The judge is here...

and Brigante and the inspector are with him.

- Take me into the big room. - You can't be serious.

You want me to receive them in my bedroom?

Go ahead.

- Good day. - Good day, Don Cesar.

Tonio, bring some wine.

Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to have you here in my house.

- Be seated. - How do you feel, Don Cesar?

Wonderful.

But, speaking of my health,Judge, if anything were to happen to me...

the state would inherit my collection.

Since they will not appreciate it, may I ask you to watch over it?

It would be an honor, Don Cesar.

I regret that I must broach an unpleasant subject.

Mr. Brigante claims--

- You see this wallet-- - Ah, here we go.

Please drink to my health, my friends.

I could certainly use it.

May I drink?

You have to ask the boss.

- May I drink, boss? - You have to ask the deputy.

Who is the deputy?

I'd like to see how she plays "the law."

Mariette, may I drink?

Thank you.

This wallet was found in Matteo Brigante's coat pocket.

But Mr. Brigante assures us he never saw it before.

This was the judge's idea...

and it's made me thirsty.

May I drink?

Don't you want your boss's advice?

Yes.

Mr. Brigante, it appears you have your eye on my position.

You're counting on becoming the king among bosses.

You know there's one condition to becoming king:

you must feel like a king.

You did something I admire:

You traveled the whole province, forbidding everybody...

to ask you about the scar on your cheek.

You behaved like a king.

Why?

Because a king never allows anybody to question him-- ever!

I know.

You know nothing about the affair with the wallet.

Now, then, allow no one to ask you questions.

-Listen, Don Cesar-- -Likewise, I, too, will tolerate none...

not of me, nor of any person in my house.

Very well, then.

Pardon me, Don Cesar, Mariette.

- Let's go. - Take these off!

- Mr. Brigante, the law obliges me-- - What law?

I know the law as well as you do. My son is a lawyer, you know...

and he could teach you a thing or two...

though he's practically ignorant on the subject himself.

I feel like setting you straight regarding certain persons' behavior--

- I forbid you! - You will not forbid me--

Gentlemen!

You will not shout in my house.

I've lived here for 3 5 years with my windows closed...

so I wouldn't have to hear your vulgarity echoing in the streets.

And I don't intend to listen to it today.

Forgive me, Don Cesar, but I must add--

What? Did you say something?

I didn't hear anything.

It's funny-- I see your lips move...

but I hear nothing.

When you open your mouth, I hear a deafening roar...

as if all the betrayed husbands in the land cried out at the same time.

You disgrace your profession, sir.

As for you,Judge--

I would prefer certain words not be spoken between us.

I understand you very well...

but the fact is a robbery has taken place.

Sir, you would be right in pressing the issue...

if the stolen goods were not right here.

But they are.

One of my men found it buried in the marshes.

I'd like to question the man who made this fortunate discovery.

He asked me not to reveal his identity.

I gave my word.

Now, gentlemen, I'm a little tired.

Please show these gentlemen out.

We'll need to speak.

Judge...

stay a moment.

Give the judge that vase.

What vase, Don Cesar?

The one you love.

Go get my drops.

Take this humble vase,Judge. It's 2,000 years old.

Look at it from time to time...

and you'll be reminded of the futility of resentment.

I knew she would end up running off with Francesco.

But I told myself, "If she's not happy, she'll return."

Women who leave...

never return.

I think it would best if you didn't go back home...

just yet.

Your husband knows.

This way.

An apartment.

A light.

You smoke?

Is this little act over now?

I understand my son...

but he's a squirt.

Twenty-two years old. A slap or two and he obeys his dad.

He's not what you need.

And what do I need?

Just a moment.

You want to punish me...

humiliate me...

lay down the law for me.

There are those who control...

and those who obey.

But you are a beautiful woman.

Very beautiful.

May I have a drink?

Cognac?

Yes, cognac.

To Brigante & Son.

Turn out the light.

A nice double bill.

And here's Mr. Brigante with the inspector.

Brigante looks awful. I wonder how he's pulling this off.

Some smooth talk here, a few condolences there.

"What a dreadful accident, my dear judge."

- Did the judge go along with it? - Did he have a choice?

Make room for me.

Did you cry for Don Cesar, Tonio?

His death didn't bother you, then?

I'm here.

This guy is not only going to clean up the marshes now.

He's going to live in Don Cesar's house too.

You think he'll sleep in his bed too?

Mariette will take care of that.

Wait!

There's one man who won't be laying down the law anymore.

Washed up!

And that too!

Mariette, you wayward girl!

Don Cesar's not even in the ground yet and you're already traipsing around!

What would you charge for a beautiful wedding mass, Father?

You'll have to go to confession first!

- That will be a long one! - I'm used to it!

- You'll have to confess to the robbery. - What robbery, darling?

- The Swiss, my love. - Oh, that?

That was a loan.

He has his money...

he has his car the size of a house...

and I have--

- You're so-- - I'm handsome.

Here's your pay-- now get out of here!

Come on, boys, it's on me!

- Who's gonna be the boss? - There won't be any!