All language subtitles for 1957 Retour de manivelle

THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE TAG

You must be mad!
There's something wrong with you!

Why don't you get lost?

Sorry to have delayed you.

That was close!

- Thank you.
- It's nothing.

Nothing, indeed!

- Perhaps you can help me find my car.
- OK, but what kind of car is it?

A Cadillac!

A white one.

You really think yeu can drive?

It's easier than walking.

Feel free to commit suicide.

You're right, son.
Come on.

You didn't know about that, eh?

Photo-electric cell.

They used to have footmen.

It was more decorative.

Here, take that - the key.

To open the main door.

Not easy sometimes.

It's there.

Where's the light switch?

Down, Horace!

Sit down, son.

Let's drink to your
rescuing me!

After all,
you saved my life.

Forget about it.

What else have we got
to talk about?

- You like Scotch whisky?
- Yes, once in a while. For a toast.

Good.

You're sociable.

You live here alone?

Alone?

You're an optimist, too.

Say, that's beautiful!

Isn't it?

Yeah, so nice
to have good taste.

No, having money is nice.

How much would you say?

- I don't know.
- You don't know...

- 'Course not.
- But you'd like to know.

But I...

I'd like to know when you started
thinking I was worth all this.

Before or after you pulled me
out from under those car wheels?

Was it a rescue

or an investment?

What could it change?

Actually,
all things considered,

I think it's after.

What's with you?

You're not the first drunk
I've driven home.

I've heard the hiccups and fancy
talk before but the others were polite.

They were right.

I'm sorry.

I used to get
as drunk as a Lord,

now I get as drunk
as an Indian.

Excuse me.

Tell me...

what do you do in life?

I'm available.

- How much do you make?
- About 10,000 a week.

What can one do with that?

One drinks, smokes,
goes to the cinema.

One doesn't eat, of course.

60,000 a month, with bed and board.
Would that be all right?

- Doing what?
- Like tonight.

Stop you from being
run over by cars?

- Drive them.
- A chauffeur.

You don't like the word?
Let's call it secretary.

It sounds better for everyone.

Hélène!

Where are you?

Hélène! If you don't open up,
you know what I can do!

- Madame needs me?
- No.

That's precisely
what I came to tell you.

My husband and I have
just talked about you.

You saved his life,
so he says.

I'm very grateful to you.

Thank you.

Don't.
I've come to dismiss you.

I hate telling you so,
but we really don't need a chauffeur.

My husband agrees with me.

But he hired me.

He's changed his mind.

He's always been moody.

But he's not ungrateful.

He told me to give you
these 50,000 francs.

He feels he owes you that much.

- He's very kind.
- It's quite natural.

But don't you think it would be
much more natural

for M. Fréminger
to tell me so himself

tomorrow morning?

As you wish.
There was a chauffeur here before.

A chambermaid,
a cook and a caretaker too.

- I could have guessed.
- What you can't guess is why they left.

Because they didn't
get their wages.

You won't get any either.

The first bus comes at six.
A piece of advice:

don't miss it.

I had a visitor last night.

- My wife?
- Yes.

You said you spent
a good night.

She gave me this
on your behalf.

As a final payment.

Keep it.

And add this check.

- Six month wages in advance.
- But you needn't, Monsieur.

I do.
And I have a good reason for it.

Take it.

And...

if you cashed it right now,
that would be good.

- Is M. Marco here yet?
- Yes, Monsieur.

They're having a meeting.

- All of them?
- All of them.

They didn't ask for me?

No, Monsieur.

- Mlle Rosine?
- Good morning, M. Fréminger.

Good morning.
No phone call?

No, Monsieur.
Well, mean...

! was told to pass all your incoming
calls through to M. Babin.

All right.
Thank you.

INCOMING POST

READ POST

ONGOING CASES

You're still here?

I thought
I told you to leave.

- Am I mistaken?
- No.

But you also told me that my wages
wouldn't be paid, and you were wrong.

I got six months in advance.

With what I gave you,
you got seven.

Yes indeed.

And you'll agree with me that
from the way things are going,

I have no reason to leave.

Unless Madame doesn't like me.

If Madame didn't like you,

rest assured that
she would have told you.

And I told you to leave.

But it comes
to the same thing.

Not quite.

It could even mean
the opposite.

- Is he nasty?
- He is like me.

Some people he likes,
some he dislikes.

You're going out?

No, I just got changed.
No reason. Why?

Because I don't like
driving at night.

- Where do you want me to drive you?
- Anywhere.

I want to be
anywhere but here.

- I can't stand it anymore.
- If Madame...

Stop addressing me in the third person,
you don't know how to do it.

I knew you were not made
to be a driver.

Shall we go and have a drink?

- Fred's. You know it?
- Yes.

- You're not interested?
- No.

I want peace and quiet.

Wind.
Cool water.

What if we went for a swim?

I haven't got my bathing suit.

Neither have I.

Is it a problem?

Go and wait for me
by the sea.

I'll meet you there.

Well, you're here!

You came at the right moment.
Monsieur wants to go for a ride.

- For wind and cold water!
- To go to the casino.

I was about to drive him there,
but since you're here...

and you're paid
to do it, after all.

Go into the garage.

I wanted to see
how far she'd go.

Now I know.

Horace!

Bitch!

Is it an insult?

Bitch!

Don't use up the word.
You might want it later.

It was always said to me
as a word of love.

It's not spelled like that?

It is.

Please, my dear Babin.
Act like my place was yours.

You've been waiting a long time
for this moment, haven't you?

More than a year.
A long time.

I must say that you've done everything
you could to have me...

- how can I say?
- To have you fired.

Yes.
Three times I think.

Two!
Don't apologise.

Apologise...

Well, Babin...

You really are what I've always
thought you were:

a moron!

Do you know that
just for that,

I could sweep you away,
you and everyone here.

You could sing, my children,
sing in a loud voice.

- Please...
- Don't, Babin.

I might want to...

But, lucky for you,

I'm tired.

I was wrong to drink
during meals.

It's embarrassing, isn't it, to have
a drunkard represent you?

- Rather, yes.
- Yes.

Well, we can't all be morphine addicts
like our dear chairman,

faeces eaters like...

any one.

Or, very simply,

pederasts like our distinguished
General Secretary.

We all smell bad,
Babin, very bad.

But not only of oil,
beetroot,

pharmaceuticals.

And you

smell even worse than I.

You'll go further.

- You flatter me.
- No.

You will be perfect.

What would sometimes
offend my nostrils

won't offend yours.

I leave debts,

you leave bad smells.

I won't show you out.

M. Fréminger...

What now?

I only wanted to tell you

that I'm sorry
you're leaving.

And that I'm not
the only one.

Here, Monsieur.

Goodbye, Monsieur.

Put those on the hearse.
Come on!

- Did you cash your check?
- Yes, Monsieur.

You did the right thing.

We need to talk.
Come into my study.

- Sit down.
- Thanks.

May I smoke too?

Unless it inconveniences you.

Stay!

I asked him to be present
during our conversation.

Our last conversation.

You're leaving?
Charming.

You'd rather let me
sort things out with your creditors.

You will have
to sort things out,

but much more than you think.

And not only with my creditors.

In a few minutes,

I'll do what you've hoped for
for months.

I'll put a bullet in my brain.

Don't say that sort
of thing, Monsieur.

If this sort of conversation
bothers you...

If I were you, I'd avoid being
unpleasant with this lad.

In a few hours, you will probably
have to sleep with him.

It doesn't matter at all, son.
I shall be dead.

That detail would not stop him.
He thinks of nothing else.

But, dear, no man has ever
thought of anything else

when looking at you.

You inspire a very
beautiful love,

which you actually
make very well,

but which you never share.

In killing myself,

I shall bequeath
a center piece to you,

my body.

A body which could possibly
weigh 300 million

or no more

than its weight
in muscles and bones.

It will depend on you.

I must say

that I didn't make
things easy for you.

I wrote the insurance yesterday
to have the suicide clause removed.

Starting from today.

You've got no more
than a few hours

to make my suicide
look like murder.

Only a few hours.

It's a trap, of course,

but it's a golden trap,

garnished with
a 300 million bait.

300 million is not
the only possible prize:

you might also win
twenty years behind bars.

Nice, isn't it?

You can tell me more about
your death some other time.

It's very interesting
but I've got other things to do.

I'm sorry, I like you

but you'll have to find
another chauffeur.

Your conversations are
too much for me.

Good bye, M. Fréminger.

Go and see.

What will you do?

I don't know, call a doctor,
tell the police.

In any case, for the doctor,

it's a bit late.

As for the police,

isn't it a little too early?

"You'll have a few hours to make my
suicide look like murder. " He said so.

That's what we'll do.

- We? You think...
- I don't think anything.

All I know is that I won't let those
300 million get away. Never.

All my life I've been a thing,

that people can buy,
that they use.

I've had enough.

I've always had enough.

Those millions are mine,
get it?

I've paid for them in advance,

I'd pick them up anywhere.

I must find...

Leave me alone.

I will, no need to tell me.

I'm leaving.

I knew it.

And I won't try to stop you.

And it's simpler this way.

I tried to fight,
hoping I'd be happy some day.

It's not possible.

I'm too small
and too lonely.

- Listen, I...
- Don't say anything.

You'd take my courage away.

I'll leave Horace with you.
He's a nice dog, you'll see.

Tomorrow, on the dressing table,
you'll find a letter for the police.

I wouldn't want you to be
charged with two murders.

Definitely not.

Goodbye!

Where are you?

Where are you?
Answer me!

I'm here.

Come.

There we are!

Temporarily,
time doesn't count.

We'll choose the day
and time of his death.

Come on, help me.

Take the bottles away,
I'll finish cleaning up.

- Answer it!
- There's no need.

Usually at this time, he sleeps off
his whisky and I sleep.

It's no time to change habits.

You know what you said
to me last night?

- That I loved you.
- Yeah!

Was it what you felt?

Hello? The 760-82,
Primus Agency.

Mme Fréminger speaking.

Yes, very well.
Thank you.

Tell me... I'd like a house maid
to come this morning.

Yes.

Well, send me what you've got.
I'm sure it will do.

Thank you.

You must be crazy.

I don't think so.

You'll understand later.

I won't ask you for your references.
I'm sure they're very good.

Well... I've only worked
two months.

At least, you didn't stay long
enough to get bad habits.

- You can do some cooking, can't you?
- Yes, Madame, a little.

You won't be responsible for laundry
or ironing, we send everything out.

You certainly know how to serve
at table, prepare a tray.

- I think I can learn.
- You will.

Everything will be all right.

Well, you're hired
and you start right now.

- But... can I go and get my suitcase?
- Of course!

- What's your name?
- Jeanne Bélet.

Well, Jeanne, see you later.

What do you think of her?

I'm understanding, am I not?
I could have hired the old one.

- Young or old, you know, I have
no use for her. - That's true.

I'm not asking you
to marry her

but...

it might be a good thing
to tell her about it.

I'll say what you want.

But I don't like being taken
for a dog on a leash.

So it's time you get to the point
because I also have my say here.

Of course, darling.

She must only be made to believe
that Éric is alive.

That she believes
that he hides in his bedroom.

That she's ready to swear it
to the police on her mother's head.

Sincere false witnesses
are useful, believe me.

As Éric used to say,
they're the best.

When you phoned the agency,
why didn't you ask

for a mad woman.

She can become one.

It depends on you.

Tonight, the way to my room
will be through hers.

I'll wait for you.

So, you're settled in,
you like your room?

Yes, Madame.

Don't think you're isolated,
if you're fearful,

as the chauffeur's room
is next to yours.

- He seems nice.
- He is.

At dinner, we have
a light meal. I mean...

I have a light meal.

Tonight, make me an omelet and salad.
The greens are in the cellar.

Yes, Madame.
For how many, the omelet?

Four.

I mean three, but as if
there were four of us.

While I think of it,
tell Robert to go get tobacco for...

Just tell him tobacco.
He knows.

Yes, Madame.

What does Madame
drink with food?

Mineral water. And you should
open 3 bottles of beer too.

If I may,
I'd rather drink water.

That's no problem.
Robert drinks water too.

No more beer then?

Yes.

I...

Listen, dear, you'll discover
the truth sooner or later.

I'm not a good liar.

Well...

How can I explain?

My husband is
a business man

and he's just met
serious difficulties

and he wants everyone to believe
he's gone away for some time.

I tried to make you
believe in it

and I...
I'm so clumsy.

He's here, in his room.

If it were known, he'd be
hunted mercilessly.

Reporters, creditors...

The state he's in!

It would never end.

Dear girl,

what I have just told you
is very serious.

- I'll ask you...
- You can count on me.

I'm quite sure of it.

Thank you.

Someone is coming up.
Can you see who it is?

Before I forget, Madame told me
to remind you about the tobacco.

- What tobacco?
- As if you didn't know...

- Who is it?
- Bost, our whisky supplier.

He might well go up
to Éric's room.

I've told you Monsieur is away.
Believe me.

I only believe my own eyes.
And I saw his car in the garage.

- I've just driven it in.
- I've never seen you before.

- Who are you?
- The new chauffeur.

Great! Cleaned out,
crippled with debts,

they hire a new maid
and a new chauffeur.

Admirable!
I haven't got a chauffeur.

But... neither have I.

And you dare
make fun of me.

But I warn you about your 400.
You have them?

Your boss hasn't got them either
but I want to see him all the same.

If only to hear a new fib.

- If you're here about an invoice,
I can take it. - Yeah, sure!

Give us your name,
we'll write.

Let me say, young man,
that my name is Bost.

Not Mr Nobody.

I was told ten times that he was away
but today, I'm going to check.

Do go and check, dear man.

Don't stop the gentleman, Robert.

- I'm embarrassed, Madame.
- Embarrassed but vehement.

My husband's gone on a trip.
But if you won't take my word...

- Madame, please.
- What is it about? You look worried.

- A problem?
- Well...

An invoice.
The same one actually.

See for yourself.

390,000 francs!

- You're that short on money?
- I'm not that short.

I haven't got my handbag.

Robert, have you got
some change?

Come now, you didn't spend
300,000 on a suit, did you?

Thank you.

Take it!

Should I talk to my husband?

Come now, Bost,
no false modesty between us.

If you're really short of money,
we could help you.

But...

Madame, accept my apologies.

I was the victim of gossips,
of horrible dirt about you.

M. Fréminger has found
a new job?

You've heard of Europetrol?

Europetrol?

- What are you doing?
- I'm tidying up.

The table was
giving me trouble.

- This cold room can't have been...
- Indeed. For a long time.

We don't entertain any more and
the small refrigerator is enough.

It's my fault. I should have told you
to spare you the trouble.

I should also have told you

never to touch
my husband's bottles.

If he happened to come down,
he'd make a big thing out of it.

Put all this as it was.
I'll send Robert to help.

- He went out.
- Yes.

Yes, that's right.
Well, I'll help you myself.

- Madame shouldn't.
- Yes, of course.

It's only natural.
Don't you help me too?

- Yes, of course.
- So...

Come on, drink this.

Why don't you make her drink too?
It would help.

Because, in my opinion,
she won't go along with it.

I went along, didn't I?

She may not have
the same reasons.

She may have other ones.

You didn't notice how she watched you,
listened to you?

You say lunchtime,
she's hungry.

When you say you're thirsty,
her throat is dry.

If you say it's warm,
she'll take off her blouse.

- She was born to be in love.
- Why don't you say it outright: a fool?

Because women always
support one another.

It's time to go.

Join me later.

You want me to undress
while waiting for you?

- I should slap you like the worst...
- Be sensible.

I told you I'd wait for you.

Go!

Excuse me. I came to say good
night, neighbour to neighbour.

Madame might not be pleased.

It's extraordinary how people with taste
give character to things.

This bedroom was plain and...

It isn't any more.

"The Ice Sea Seen
from Montenvers. "

Nice picture!

An aviator?

- Your brother?
- My fiancé. He was killed in combat.

- Was he nice?
- Yes. Clever too.

He wanted to fly
commercial planes.

He said aviation
was the future.

When all's said and done...

You must have suffered a lot.

Cried a lot.

You most certainly cried a lot.

- A lot.
- Yeah.

I'm sure that even now,
looking at his picture...

thinking about

certain summer nights,
certain dance refrains.

I may have reopened a wound.

Forgive me.

You like reading, don't you?

Yes, especially when
there are drawings.

Makes you see things better.

- It avoids descriptions.
- It's more like it is in life.

- Not that life is always fun.
- Come on!

Young and pretty like you are.

You are young and pretty.

I must not be
the first man to say it.

They always tell me.

I mean, each time.

Hélène!
The cold room is unplugged.

- Since when?
- How would I know?

You could have started with that.

Shit!

I'm almost sure it was still
plugged in after dinner.

Almost! You think that'll be
enough to pull through this?

You're right.

Help me!

- What will you do?
- Shut up, will you?

You're afraid?
Well, be afraid!

Watch the garage.

No problem! But tell your girlfriend
to leave the plugs alone.

By the way,

- how is she?
- Very good.

I was horrible.

"Certain summer nights,
certain dance refrains. "

What?

I thought you were perfect.

I was wondering if you were
going to cry with her.

Don't make that face!

You're upset?

You're wrong!

I was listening because
I needed to be reassured.

And I am.

You will be soon.

The crime will take
place tomorrow.

Well...
The so-called crime.

By constantly thinking about it,
I've found a way.

- Tomorrow, you'll take the car.
- No way!

You'd rather speak
about it upstairs?

No.

- No?
- No.

You're getting whimsical,
my love.

That will do, don't worry.

That's it, I found it!

- I found what Madame asked
me for. - We shall see.

Jeanne, go and
do the shopping.

This way, you'll meet the shopkeepers.
They'll be pleased.

- What shall I buy? - You choose.
Prepare a good meal.

I'm starving.
Aren't you?

The fresh air didn't
give you appetite?

I don't know if I've got appetite
but you've got guts.

It's not the right time
to lack guts. So?

- I've found it.
- Far away?

With my walking back,
one hour.

Well, it will do.
But we mustn't be disturbed.

Maybe we should send
the girl to the cinema.

She'll see a movie but here.

I told you we needed a witness.
I'll explain later.

- And for transportation?
- I'll explain too.

You must be in the kitchen
when Jeanne finishes tidying up.

It's nice of you to help me.

We'll be alone together sooner.

What if I told you that I think
about tonight all day long?

Of the time when
we'd be together.

Time drags, you know.

Love is strange.

Yesterday after you'd left,
I dreamed of you.

I even dreamed
that we got married.

Married?

Aren't dreams funny?

Very good.
You're really a gem.

But you must be exhausted.
Leave all this and have a bath.

- You deserve it. Go on!
- Thank you, Madame.

While I think of it. Monsieur is worried.
Have you had the Rolls serviced?

The Rolls?
But I didn't know that...

I'll take care of it tomorrow.

The bottles!

- I'll shut the door.
- It's done.

Turn the light off.

- Let's take him back.
- Quiet! Don't move!

I'm sorry,
the water heater has stopped.

- I hope I didn't break it.
- Don't worry!

It cuts off automatically
when water turns into steam.

It only needs adjusting.

There you are!
Problem solved.

Thank you, Madame.
I'm sorry.

Quiet, Horace!
Go to bed! Go to bed!

If he doesn't stop,
I'll knock him down.

Don't ever try that.

Horace!
Horace!

Where is she now?

- There she is!
- Keep going, I'll deal with her.

I'm very clumsy.
There's nail varnish everywhere.

It's nothing.
I'll clean it up.

Well... did you find it?

- No, though I've looked at them all.
- Never mind, give me this one.

Take her away now.

And don't forget to leave
the light on in her room.

The night is so sweet,
everything is so quiet.

I feel happy, you know.

Life is strange!

If I hadn't registered at the job
center, we'd never have met.

I'd never have met
Madame either.

She can be nice.

I've never had
an employer like her.

And neither have I.

- What's that?
- Madame wants you.

Oh, bother.
It felt so good.

What if I pretended
I was asleep?

So that she comes here
and finds us together?

You've got strange ideas!

You're right.
I'll go.

- You'll stay here, won't you?
- Of course.

Yes!

- Madame rang for me?
- Poor girl, you must be very sleepy.

I'm living the hardest hour
in my whole life.

A moment when I should be
courageous enough to remain alone.

But I am not.
I can't.

- Can I do something to help?
- No, nothing.

Yes... Stay with me
for a little while.

Go and get some aspirin
from the bathroom.

I'm sorry. You're so young
to be involved in all this.

I'm young but I know
how life is.

Nothing's worse
than loneliness.

Yes, my sweet.

There won't be a fourth
meal to prepare.

Monsieur?

Monsieur.

When shall I see him again?

God knows.

I can say that I've had my share
of misfortune and sorrows too.

But things always work
themselves out in the end.

Monsieur will come back.

- When one has a wife like Madame...
- You're sweet.

Go to bed now.
You were nice to keep me company.

I think I'll be able
to sleep now.

Someone's waiting for you,
isn't it?

Go to him quickly.

Good night, Madame.

Say, you've been
smoking a lot.

I had to do something!

What did she want?

- She was sad.
- Yeah?

Monsieur's gone.

- That's what I heard.
- I saw him.

You did?

Come in!

A gendarme's asking for you.
He says it's urgent.

He is downstairs.

I apologise, Madame.
Mme Fréminger?

- Yes. What is it about?
- About an accident, Madame.

An accident which occurred
to your husband's car.

A Rolls-Royce, number...

- 719 BU 06. Is that right?
- Yes.

Would you follow me, Madame,
to the site of the accident?

Jeanne, my jacket, please.

You know more.
Tell me, please.

I can only tell you that the car
was found down on the rocks.

Oh, my God!

I really don't understand.

If your husband had been thrust out,
he would be on the rocks.

If he wasn't,
he should be in the car.

And if he'd gone for help,
you would have been told.

- Mme Fréminger, I suppose.
- Yes.

Inspector Plantavin,
of the second mobile brigade.

Inspector, even if what you've
got to tell me is terrible,

- please tell me.
- Tell you what?

Your husband's car had been parked
for a while before he made the jump,

or rather before
he was made to jump.

There's no track
of skidding or braking.

What can I say that
you don't already know?

Inspector, I admire
your composure

but unfortunately,
if you were in my place...

I wouldn't worry at all,

you'll probably receive a letter
from Switzerland or Italy, saying

"I am feeling fine, give my regards
to my creditors, " signed Fréminger.

No?

You can drive her home.

They can't stop the investigation.
It doesn't make sense.

They will find him.
They must!

If they don't look for him,
they won't find him.

If you'd left him
on the roadside,

instead of trying to be smart...
But it was too simple.

- Why didn't you do it?
- I'm sorry I didn't.

Of course, it's my fault,
I'm a fool...

- I found this one, Madame.
- Thank you.

"Did Fréminger have
money problems? "

"The police think the business man
might have fled to Italy. "

They think... If I were to do it
again, they wouldn't think...

It must be done again.
It can still be corrected.

- You know what to do?
- Go back there,

move him to where he can
be seen, get caught,

they'll charge me with murder
and you'll cash your check.

But no one's stopping you.

I told you stake outs
are useful.

I knew he was dead.

The dog led me to him.

It wasn't an accident,
was it?

No. He was killed.

- It's awful!
- A bullet in the head.

I'm sorry, Madame,

but because of new developments
in the investigation,

I'll have to go to your house
and question everyone there.

- I understand.
- Please...

Let's try to go over
the events again.

It never does harm.

You're saying that M. Fréminger
had been on a trip for several days.

A business trip?

When did you see him
for the last time?

Take Mme Fréminger and this
man out and stay with them.

Sit down, my dear.

Your mistress sleeps with the chauffeur.
And they offed the husband.

Indeed. With today's youth,
cuckolds don't die in their beds.

Come on,
tell me what happened.

- It's not true.
- What's not true?

Robert isn't sleeping
with Madame.

How do you know?

- You're his mistress?
- Yes.

- Since when?
- I was hired two days ago.

- Bravo! You waste no time.
- We're in love.

Of course. You're not sleeping
with the boss too, are you?

What, oh?

I've already told you that
he wasn't here.

Listen, girl, I don't care about your
love stories, I don't make the beds.

But as for lying,
you're too young.

When you say that your boss was
away, you're lying. It shows.

False witness, accessory to murder,
the investigating magistrate'll like it.

- The investigating magistrate?
- You'll find out who he is soon enough.

And about prison too.

Madame made me promise
not to tell anyone.

She's so nice.

Every one's nice,
my sweet.

She made you promise
not to say what?

That Monsieur was here.

In his bedroom.

When did he leave?

Yesterday night.
At about ten.

I saw him go out.

I was with Madame.

And where was
the chauffeur then?

In my bedroom.

I joined him afterwards.

Go to bed now.
Come on.

I'd like to know
who's lying in this house.

Why did you tell everybody that
your husband was on a trip?

You're going to say:
"Because he was on a trip. "

Why has your maid just told me
that he left yesterday night?

- You'll answer that she's lying.
- But... I've still said nothing.

- Excuse me.
- I'm listening, Madame.

I might as well
tell the truth now.

He's spent three days
locked up in his room.

Like a plague-stricken man.

So the truth is that M. Fréminger
left this house yesterday night, right?

To go where?

He had planned something in Yugoslavia.
I was to go there later.

He didn't mention
an appointment?

He wasn't supposed
to meet any one?

He said nothing to me.

All right.
You must need some rest.

You're free to go.

With your permission,
we'll have a look -

a quick look at your
husband's papers.

You never know,
we might find a clue.

- Say, you...
- Yeah...

I didn't know you'd given up
art paintings.

- It shows you don't know everything.
- Of course.

But there's one thing I know,

it's that you're
still a womaniser.

I've just seen the maid.
Well, congratulations!

Mind you, I'd rather have
the woman of the house.

In every way.

But don't you feel
she would be above your means?

In every way.

Nice of you to remind me
but you're right,

never become a police officer.

60,000 a month, work day and
night. That's not wages.

But let's be fair,

it's not a job either.

Those bastards are cheeky
these days.

He's right to make fun of us.
That's what cops, the military,

and clergymen are made for.

But he's wrong to laugh.

Never be the first to laugh.

- You're not thirsty?
- No, I'm sleepy.

Give me some
of their stuff there.

Oh, bloody hell!

Go get the Fréminger woman.

I'm sorry, Madame, to test your
strength in these painful days,

especially about
a small detail,

small but one you forgot
to mention.

Didn't you know that upon your
husband's death, you'd get 300 million?

You're disturbing me for this?

To ask me such
a stupid question?

Of course I knew.

Why did you hide it from me?

I didn't hide it;
you didn't ask me.

Another question, if I may.

For a 300 million insurance,

the yearly premium
must be quite high.

Quite, yes.

Do you think your husband
could have afforded to go on paying?

I suppose so,
I don't know.

Let's say that he couldn't,

the insurance would be cancelled.

Yes.

Don't you think it's a motive
for murder?

No. The yearly premium
is about 2 million.

My mink coat is worth 3,
my car 4,

and my jewels much more.

I could have paid
the premiums for 20 years.

20 years, it adds up to 40 million,
that's a fair amount.

So is 300 million.

If you can get it.

It implied that your husband
should die before you.

If you look at statistics,
men...

My husband was
19 years older than I.

Look at the statistics.

You'll now ask me
if I was jealous.

Don't waste your time,
I wasn't.

I'm really sorry
to disappoint you.

But I had no reason
to kill poor Éric.

No reason?

Would you come into
the other room, please?

No reason?

Then why did you try
to kill yourself in Athens?

During that little
three-way trip

with his American chairman?

And Florence?

Beautiful city, Florence.

Especially with a collector

who doesn't like to keep
masterpieces for his exclusive use?

You loved him then?

Yes.

You see that what I said
was not so stupid.

Being treated in such a way
by a man whom you love...

People have killed
for lesser reasons.

Any jury would absolve you.

And they would be right.

I'd like to be your
defence counsel.

Thank you for
the generous offer

but I won't need it.
I didn't kill my husband.

That I've thought of it,

it's true.

The only trouble
is that I didn't.

And I must count on you

to know who did.

But that's more difficult
than psychoanalysis.

She could say it more kindly
but it holds together.

What if we suppose that
Fréminger killed himself?

If I had a house like this, I wouldn't
shoot myself at night in the woods.

And we would have
found the gun.

Then who?
Her?

She'd be nicer to me.

- Want to know what I think, boss?
- Shoot!

I feel pity for men who marry
women of that sort.

I knew you'd say
something stupid.

I caught this man prowling
about the premises.

You didn't catch me
and I wasn't prowling about.

I am...

I mean... I was a friend
of Éric Fréminger.

Poor Éric! I've just learnt
the awful news.

How did it happen?

Inspector Plantavin of
the second Mobile Brigade.

Charles Babin,
business man, 43,

Albert the First Boulevard,
Monte Carlo.

That's Fréminger's
office's address.

Yes, yes, he was our
authorised representative.

He had just resigned
for health reasons.

Did he know of some danger
and did he want to spare us?

We'll never know
since our poor friend...

Mme Fréminger must still be
in an indescribable state.

Indescribable.

You came to offer
your condolences?

Yes, exactly.

You were a close friend?

Not really close, no.

I would see poor Éric
mainly at the office.

If you could wait a moment.

- The door opposite?
- No, that one.

- You mean I don't...
- No, you get out.

- Mme Fréminger doesn't want
to see you. - But...

Is it true that you're one
of Fréminger's executioners?

No, I mean
a moral executioner.

Fréminger was a friend. I admired
him before I came to pity him.

Poor and dear Fréminger.

A very capable man
but destroyed by alcohol.

His activity was taking
a disastrous turn

and for a long time,
I've defended him but...

You fired him!

I joined up with the majority.

You came here
to look for what?

How can I explain, Inspector?
It's a delicate matter.

M. Fréminger often
worked at home.

He would take papers, files
from the office.

We first thought
it was private papers

but since then,

we've noticed that
some documents were missing.

Accounting documents.

Internal accounting,
of no interest.

But which could be
used wrongly.

Tax inspectors
are so finicky.

It would only take someone
with bad intentions.

To blackmail you.

That's why, if by any chance,
when searching

you found some of these documents
you could give them to us.

In order to avoid
any indiscretion.

Be assured that we would
show our gratitude.

For what it is worth.
I have no doubt.

- Thank you.
- Of course,

no need to mention our conversation
in your report.

I'll mention it
only briefly, M. Babin.

Attempt at corruption.

Please...

What do you make
of this, Léon?

I'd say something
stupid again.

A little riddle.

Number one, Fréminger has compromising
documents in his possession.

Number two,
Babin fears blackmail.

Number one and number two
make an appointment.

Who killed number one?

- Number two.
- Bravo!

But number one came empty-handed.
He died for nothing.

Number two now tries
to get to number three.

Get number three!

Get Mme Fréminger.

The inspector is a fool.

- A stubborn fool though!
- All the better!

He's on the wrong track.

He's convinced that Éric was killed
by his former associates.

That's good news.

He's also convinced that
I'm next on their list.

That makes it easy.

Watch the road.

Don't worry, I won't leave the game
with the cards I hold.

What we need now is a nice little
assault, a classic one,

concealed clumsily.

The inspector will be ecstatic.
This is what he is waiting for.

He'll bring me face to face
with the one he suspects.

And I might recognise him.

Oh, by the way,
you'll phone Babin,

so that he's nearby.

You'll tell him that you can't
tell him who you are

but that you can get hold
of Éric's papers.

He'll most certainly come.

With a bit of luck,
he'll get caught.

In any case, he won't have
any alibi for that time.

Then, the gun Éric was killed with
will be found in the vicinity,

without any fingerprints,
of course.

M. Babin always wears gloves.

You want to send him
to the guillotine.

- Of course not. Trust me!
- Evidently.

I'll ask for the jury's clemency
in Court.

The victim's widow
is always listened to.

Provided that they like my
hairdo that day,

he'll get twenty years.
At the most.

And believe me,
he's deserved it for some time.

You're not hoping the police
will make him confess, are you?

It's happened before.

What bothers you
about it all?

All of it.

Yours is the easy part.
You hit whereas I'll be hit.

And you'll have
a perfect alibi.

After dinner, you'll take Jeanne
to the "Petit Casino"

and at 11 o'clock sharp

you'll do what it takes to...

Chauffeur, not too rusty
from too much driving?

- He dances really well.
- He also makes the others dance.

Remember, at Fred's, those parties?
You were great at the piano.

You play the piano?
He didn't even tell me.

I can't say everything.

Could you dance with her?
Because, I, the waltz, you know...

Don't behave too well.
I'll try my luck at roulette.

EMERGENCY EXIT

- It's all finalised.
- So?

This is what I'll tell
the police tomorrow:

I was driving back home when
suddenly I felt I had a flat tire.

It's all right.
I've done it.

I got down,

I saw a light there,
on the construction site.

Come.
Come!

I thought I'd find a night watchman
there who could help change tires.

I opened the door,

I went inside...

Come in!

I had hardly stepped inside

when someone struck me
violently on my head.

Hit me!

And don't forget
to lose the gun.

Hit me!

What are you waiting for?

Harder!

You must stun me.

Don't you understand?
You must knock me down.

I can't.

I won't be able to.

Don't you understand that
I love you, goddammit?

You love me!
Ah, you love me!

But what's with you all
loving me?

Do you ask me if I love you?

If I love your ugly faces,
your wanting sex?

You fool!

If you could know,
you'd kill me.

What did you think?

That I'd become your property?

I never was.

Neither yours
nor anyone else's.

You've only shared my bed,
all of you!

A wide bed.
Empty!

But now it's over.

Never again!

Not you, not anyone!

Never!

Never, hear me?

Free...

I'll go and find him.
Or he'll lose everything he's got.

With me, I don't think
he can be lucky gambling.

- Did you win?
- Yes.

- A lot?
- Not bad.

- Shall we dance?
- Not any more.

- Why?
- I want to be alone with you.

Let's go back?

Darling, what's going on?
What's going on?

Mme Fréminger
didn't come back.

After what the cops said yesterday,
I start worrying.

What were they saying?

That those who killed Fréminger
might go after her now.

- You think so?
- Yeah.

I'll drive down to Nice. If I don't
find her, I'll go to the police.

Hélène!

Hélène!

BORDER
10 KM

Turn left.
We're going home.

We need to talk.

And you want me to believe
that when I talked to you in the car

you were on your way
to tell the police.

The Italian police,
no doubt!

You're positive that you saw him
in the street after 11?

Absolutely sure.

I was going home,
I heard gunshots,

and two minutes later, I saw him
walking very fast towards Nice.

All right.

Well? You still say you danced
with him all evening?

Yes.

Well... except for one dance.

Except for one dance?

He's only left me for 10 minutes
to go gambling.

To go gambling?
At about what time?

It must have been about 11.

We came back afterwards.

Good.
I have enough.

It's done, boss.
We've got him.

He left the girl for 10 minutes,
pretending he would gamble.

And it happens to have been at 11,
when the gunshots were heard.

That's what you
call gambling?

That's the gun the dog
was killed with.

- Fréminger was killed with it too.
- What time was the dog killed?

Eleven.

Well?

Why did you kill Fréminger?

I didn't kill him.

Go get the girl.

Come here!

There's something wrong
with your story.

You're sure you saw your boss
go out the night he died?

- Yes.
- All right. Let's admit it.

And you're sure you stayed with
your mistress afterwards?

- Yes.
- For how long?

About one hour.

All right. But what has he been
doing during that hour?

- He was waiting for me in the room.
- How do you know?

- I could see the light.
- And could you see him?

No...
But he was waiting for me.

- The ashtray was full of cigarette butts.
- Stop it! All right, I get it!

I hope that you understand too.

Let me ask my question again:

Why did you kill Fréminger?

I tell you once more
that I didn't kill him.

I had just saved his life
so why would I have killed him?

Tell me, why?

You go and sit down.

Excuse me but there's
an English gentleman here

- from the Lloyds Insurance Company.
- Show him in.

- You want me to...
- No, don't. We'll send him away.

Excuse me, gentlemen.
I'm from the Lloyd's Insurance Company.

- I'm coming from London.
- I quite understand, my poor man,

but you came here
for nothing.

Mme Fréminger is dead.

I'm sorry to hear this.
But my mission doesn't concern her.

Our customer wrote to us
the day before he died

to change the beneficiary
of his policy.

The new beneficiary is
one Robert Montillon.

But it can't be!
I swear that I didn't know.

That you didn't know what,
M. Robert Montillon?

It's really too stupid.

All the more stupid that no one
will get the insurance money.

- Fréminger killed himself.
- Not that again!

That would not change our
obligations in any way.

But hadn't Fréminger cancelled
the suicide clause?

He didn't write anything
about that.

You knew the insurance policy.
Bravo!

Yes.
From Fréminger himself.

It was what gave
Hélène the idea to...

Hélène?
You call her Hélène now?

She was your mistress?

You killed her.

Yes.

It was an accident.

So now we have a suicide
and an accident.

Two times nothing!

Well, all you have to do is transfer
300 million to this deserving young man.

And we go away,
wishing him the best.

Why did you hit her
before killing her?

- I didn't want to. She made me.
- She asked you?

- Yeah.
- You're damn obliging.

The dog asked you
to shoot him too.

The problem with you is
that you're too nice.

You don't know
how to say no.

But don't worry:

when we ask the jury
for your head,

they won't say no either.

Take him away.

She was the one you loved,
wasn't she?

Yes.

Why did he kill her?

He just told you.

THE PART OF THE POLICEMAN
WAS PLAYED BY

English subtitles: cinephage & nottsforest