Original subtitles

War rages on. The Prussians and Austrians...

... have inflicted heavy defeats on French troops

August 10, 1792: French troops, with the citizens of Paris...

... attack the Tuileries Palace

The royal family flees to the National Assembly ; the King is removed from power

August 13, 1792 - The King and his family are imprisoned in the Temple...

... by order of Paris's Insurrectional Council

The French Revolution : "Years of Terror"

August 13, 1792

Come, Marie-Th�r�se

Smile, dear

Now sir, you're going where you belong : behind bars

I hope at least they'll put us in the same area where the Comte d'Artois--

No talking !

Don't raise your voice !

He raised his voice to me !

How dare you !

Don't touch her !

Where are you taking her ?

- I protest, sir ! - Naturally, Mr. Veto

What you have to say is no longer of any importance

Cl�ry ! You here ?

Your Majesty... I begged them to let me stay

You've already done more than your duty for me

Never a moment's peace !

Robespierre is in his room

I'll take you up

How can you work in this racket ?

It's over, Maxime. The King has been removed from power

There is a provisional council of six ministers

Danton is Justice Minister

Over ?

We may be just at the beginning, Camille

Lafayette's Headquarters

I've searched my conscience, and can find no comfort

I cannot accept the legality of this government

In Paris they call me a traitor for my opinions

Me, Lafayette !

If by refusing to serve these men, who have destroyed everything...

... by striking at the Crown and the constitution, I am a traitor

Then so be it

Let slander triumph

I have no place here

As for you, follow your conscience

I have no intention of influencing you

Lafayette has deserted, Sire

The Prussians have taken Longwy

It seems nothing can stop them

In two weeks they'll be in Paris, and you'll be free

I'm leaving for Amiens tomorrow !

This government will not leave Paris

This government will not cower in fear

This government will stand and fight and win

No matter how, no matter the cost

Every man must fight, with every gun, sword or pike

And those who dare to show fear, will know an even worse terror

If we have 30,000 traitors, they must be arrested tomorrow

To beat our enemies we must demonstrate daring, more daring and even more daring

To save France !

Fabre, take these death sentences from Camille and put them on the list

Why haven't I received reports from the Special Committee in Nevers and Tours ?

Mercy for my son !

My husband is innocent !

Come on, time for bed ; leave Uncle Maxime alone

He's very funny... the way babies are

Especially when he wakes us up at 1:00 in the morning...

...and 2:00 and 4:30 !

Won't you say goodnight to your son ?

I know what you're feeling, Camille...

... but we can't wage war with a knife in our backs

But these are our own people

Our people don't want to go backwards

Our people know that we must win this war at any cost

The enemies in our midst are triumphant tonight

The Prussians have taken Verdun

The aristocrats, priests, traitors, plotters in our prisons...

... all await the arrival of their foreign masters

This will be the signal to rise up and join the forces of the King of Prussia !

Death to the traitors !

They've broken into all the prisons in Paris

They're slaughtering anyone suspected of supporting the King

This isn't a Revolution anymore !

It's a mockery of everything we've tried to change

Are you listening ?

Yes, I'm listening

- Then do something ! - Do what ?

Do you think I control these people ? Do you think anyone can ?

You are the Minister !

You want the Minister to give orders that won't be carried out ?

You want me to send in troops, who'll turn around and join in the slaughter ?

Is that your plan, to show who's in charge here ?

If you're not responsible, then who is ?

I don't know.

But the wise man know when he's powerless... and he keeps his mouth shut

Especially if he wants people to listen to him again, and believe me, I do

I do

Save me !

The horror of it ! The horror !

You have to do something

Talk to me

This can't go on

Everything's going wrong

This isn't what we wanted

God bless the King

God bless Mama

God bless the Princess de Lamballes

God bless Princess Elisabeth

How do you like your friend Lamballes ?

True, what happened is an outrage, an insult to the Revolution

And to everyone here

But we're at war

And today those in France who've conspired against us...

... are shaking with terror

Today, we have no enemies at our backs

It's an advantage I don't want to waste

Today our army can face the Prussians...

... without fear of the King's friends in Paris

Valmy, September 20, 1792

On this memorable day, the National Assembly...

... elected by all the people of France, meets for the first time

I put to the vote the motion of Citizen Collot-d'Herbois...

... proclaiming that the monarchy in France is abolished

The motion is carried !

I move that the new Constitution of the Republic...

... be put to the French people as a whole for their approval

The motion is carried

I move--

Please, Citizen, come to the lectern

I can say what I wish to say from here

I ask that from today, all public documents...

... be dated from Year One of the French Republic

I've observed you. I admire you

But I'm concerned

You're a leader ; right now you're leader of the revolutionary republic

At the same time, you have contacts with the most conservative members

It's understandable

As Mirabeau used to say, the hard thing is not to start a revolution...

... but to know when it's gone far enough

We all try to find a proper balance

Frankly, Georges, as a friend I must warn you

You're rich, powerful, and popular

It's a dangerous situation

The rich are afraid of your power and popularity...

... and will try to bring you down

The poor forgive your wealth...

... but only if you use it to bring the Revolution to its just, natural conclusion

"A just and natural conclusion"

The death of the King

Is that what you want ?

I don't wish to harm either the King or his family ; what good would it do ?

But the war is not over

We could reach a point where it's impossible...

... to save both the King and the Revolution

In that case, one must choose

We need to know how we'll choose, if it comes to that

Don't you agree ?

Your hat

- Is everything alright ? - He's right

He's always right

It's just that I'd like to break his neck

Don't worry, I won't

Unless I have to

I request the floor

Your name, Citizen ?

Saint-Just. From the Department of the Aisne

Take the lectern, Citizen Saint-Just

I, like most of you, would joyfully give my life for this Republic

I, like most of you, stand against all enemies who threaten this Republic

I, like all of you, know the name and face of this enemy

I, like none here, am ready to strike at this enemy

As long as he lives, Louis Capet will be a rallying symbol for the traitors...

... who remain hidden among us

And for all enemies abroad who wait the moment to crush us

In the name of all we've accomplished, we cannot weaken

We cannot hesitate

We do both, as long as the heir...

... of a long line of tyrants remains alive and in our power

Citizens, a king is not an ordinary man

He's a rebel - a usurper of the rights of other men

A king must reign--

Or die

Well done, Charles. Very nice writing - and reading !

Send the child away

May I know why ?

These gentlemen wish to speak to you

Go and play ; we'll continue later

What can I do for you gentlemen ?

My name is Chambon, Mayor of Paris

I'm here to tell you that the Convention has decided to put you on trial

On what charge ?

You'll be properly informed in due course

You may choose your counsel

Before and during the trial you are forbidden all contact with your family

Surely you're not going to prevent me from seeing my children !

If you insist, you may see your children

But then they will be forbidden to see their mother or aunt

A difficult choice

In fact, I have no choice

So be it

You've taken everything

It's natural that now you take my children

I am in your power, gentlemen

Just tell me what you want from me

Be seated

The National Convention, by the authority granted it by the French people...

...hereby charges Louis Capet with the following crimes :

Attempted corruption of deputies, starting with Mirabeau

Attempted flight

Massacre of the Champs de Mars

After your return from Varennes, French blood was shed on the Champs de Mars

A letter proves there was a criminal conspircy between you and Lafayette

What do you say ?

I knew nothing about the unfortunate events on the Champs de Mars

As to this letter, I have no knowledge of it

But it's in your handwriting

I don't remember writing it !

Your brothers have rallied emigr�s to fight against France

You didn't denounce them

I denounced their actions as soon as I learned of them

After making sure you wouldn't interfere with their plans

You're entitled to your opinion

It's been proved that you encouraged regiments to desert

Never, sir

You vetoed measures against dissident priests

As the Constitution gave me the right

Why did you double the Swiss Guard at the beginning of August ?

The palace was in danger ; I was a legitimate authority

It was my duty to take defensive measures

On August 10, you caused French blood to be shed

No, it wasn't me

Did you have an armoury built at the Tuileries...

He knows it's hopeless, but he's brave. I admire him

Quick, I hear the guard !

What does he say ?

He's well... The trial is going slowly

We mustn't hold out much hope

Louis, we've heard your attorney's appeal for clemency

Before we give our verdict...

...have you anything to add in your defence ?

Yes, sir

This may be the last time I address you

My conscience is clear

But what wounds my heart more than everything else...

... is to be accused of having shed the blood of the people

I have so loved the French people...

... and thought I had given such proof of that love...

I never could have imagined...

... I would have to face such accusations

That's all I have to say

Carnot

Following the principle that all men are equal before the law...

... I vote for death

Collot d'Herbois

Death, within 24 hours

Vergniaud

Death. But I move that sentence be suspended

Lindet

He who hesitates to strike a tyrant does not deserve the name of republican

I vote for death

Marat

Death

Saint-Just

The Republic must not show weakness. Death

Brissot

Death. With suspended sentence

Robespierre

I am pitiless toward oppressors, because I pity the oppressed

Death

Desmoulins

I vote for death

Danton

Death

May God support me to the end

I'm ready

You can't see anything with the shutters closed

Leave them closed

Leave the whole house closed

Something is happening today that you shouldn't see

Citizen--

Tell me what to do, sir

Remove your coat and cravat

That's not necessary

I die innocent of all the crimes of which I am accused

I forgive those guilty of my death

And I pray God that the blood you shed may never be required of France

Take care of these

Antoine !

- Georges-- - Where's Gabrielle ?

Gabrielle died 3 days ago

Be brave, Georges

It was very sudden

We don't know what happened

We're here for you

I'm sorry to bring up sad memories

I know it's a difficult time for you

I understand

You wrote me a very nice letter

It helped a lot

I'm always better when I have time to think before speaking

As you've noticed

You should speak more from your heart, and think a little less

The fact is, we're facing food riots here...

... rebellions in the west, and the war is going badly

We thought we'd crushed the opposition

But it's back, like an incurable illness

Men who accepted the Revolution, or at least recognized...

... that change was necessary have now turned against it

They want a respectable revolution

A moderate government

We have to face it, Georges

The moderates are now our enemies

So we face it. The question is, how ?

Exceptional times require exceptional measures

In a time of mortal danger, the ordinary legal processes no longer fit

No one respects the law more than I, as you know

But if the law can't do what it was meant to do--

Summary justice

Is that what you want ?

What I want is a new Revolutionary Tribunal

They already call us dictators

This will give them reason to

We have no choice

At least until we have things in hand

You know I'm right

You're always right

You're the only one who can persuade the members who are opposed

We have to work together Georges

We can do it

See ? You speak with your heart and you've convinced me

No, Heaven help us !

It'll be the Spanish Inquisition, but a thousand times worse

The September Massacres will start again

But this time it'll be with government sanction

Not at all

The September Massacres happened because the people feared...

... the Revolution was helpless before its enemies

And no control over the people who chose to act like wild animals

It was a mockery of the noble ideals of our Revolution

I agree with you

But this will prove that the Revolution can legally judge our enemies

Including those who wish to take the law into their own hands

It's the only way to prevent random slaughter instead of encouraging it

I'm counting on you

Strike back ! I demand 100,000 heads !

Let 100,000 heads fall ! Paralyze our enemies with horror !

I'll support your tribunal, if your first act is to haul him up...

... before he does any more damage

Agreed

Danton has had Marat arrested !

Name, age, occupation, place of birth

Marat was acquitted

Of course

Danton knew he would be

No Revolutionary Tribunal will convict a revolutionary

But now we have the Tribunal

Get out !

Don't try to intimidate me !

Brissot ! What are you doing in my office ?

If you think you can trick me and the Girondins like that--

You're wrong !

Your friend Dumouriez has defected to the Austrians

You protected him - you're a traitor !

And as everyone knows - a thief !

Get out !

Get rid of all this, Dominique

They won't be so easy to get rid of next time

Look after him

I'll be back

Shall I continue the reading we started yesterday ?

I've forgotten it

Alright, then I'll start over

It's a waste of time

I can't concentrate

You must try, my dear

Make an effort - for the children

What do you want me to do ?

Talk of hope ? Lie to them ?

Yes. If you have to

Leave him alone !

The boy's education will be handled by Citizen Simon

The Council has decided ; we are carrying out its orders

We'll make a good Cordelier out of you !

Excellent, Camille !

You haven't lost your touch

That'll take care of things

It's very good of you

Slander ! And a lie !

It's not a lie, nor slander

The words are Camille's, but I recognize the ideas

Brissot and the Girondins want a federal republic on Swiss or American lines

They only believe in compromise

Our great French Republic must be one and indivisible

What do you want me to do ?

Nothing

Keep out of it, as I will

And let the Paris Commune do its job

You've already made us allies

Now you're making us conspirators

I warn you : I'm not like you

And I never will be

I know you've taken bribes

How could I not ?

I know your enemies' accusations are true

But do you hear me condemn you for it ?

What about you ?

You've never taken anything ?

Never ?

You could have

Often

How can I trust a man who doesn't want anything ?

You can trust me to tell the truth

At least, as I see it

And right now, the people of Paris - your people...

... not Brissot and the moderates - are your best friends

That's why it's best for you not to get in their way

Or yours ?

You just said I don't want anything

Not for yourself. But that makes you more dangerous

You want what's right for all of us

I want Brissot's head

Then I'll go along with you

Let us in !

Death to the traitors !

I'm H�rault de Seychelles, President of the Convention

By what authority do you bring your troops here ?

On the orders of the Paris Commune

The Convention orders you to withdraw

Not until we've arrested the 22 traitors protected by this Convention

We want the traitors !

These men were elected--

To your places ! Forward !

Silence !

I hope our colleagues will be reassured about their liberty

They went out to meet the people...

... and they saw that the people mean them no harm

Where does this mean ?

The Paris Commune has denounced 22 traitors who sit among us

I demand their immediate arrest

Give Couthon a cup of blood - he's thirsty !

I see here Chaumette and H�bert, representing the Paris Commune

The Convention should treat them with respect and attention

I ask them to give us the names of those they've denounced

You wouldn't dare !

I demand this list be read at once

And the arrest of all those named

What are you waiting for ?

The names !

Listen, citizens !

The Convention is dominated by madmen and criminals

Harsh words, but what else can you call someone like Marat ?

He'd cut off 100,000 heads as easily as say Good morning

These men threaten to turn the country into a huge charnel house

The great majority of honest people must rise up and take back power...

... before it's too late

Go see who it is

What do you want ?

I'm Citizeness Corday. I want to see Marat

Impossible. He's sick - he can't see anyone

I've come from Caen. I have information about a Girondin plot

- I must see him - I told you, he's sick

Who is it, Simonne ?

It's a woman from Caen

She says she has news about the Girondins

Send her in

He's very weak. Only 5 minutes, alright ?

You've come from Caen ?

Yes. I have much to tell you

I know - Caen is a nest of traitors

How many federalist deputies have taken refuge there ?

Eighteen

Here are their names

They'll soon be dead

In this stone urn is the heart of the great Marat

It will remain here always in his memory

It is the heart of a great man

A heart that filled all traitors with fear

And it was a traitor's hand that tore him from the people's love

But I promise you, his people, his friends...

... that the cause he fought for will survive

I've personally requested the Convention build granaries...

... to protect grain from speculators and all those who'd starve the people...

... for their own profit

Congratulations, Maxime, I've very happy for you

- Thank you - Congratulations, Robespierre

You're taking it very calmly

Frankly, I'm as happy to leave the Committee for Public Safety...

... as it is to be rid of me

Robespierre is better at handling boredom than I am

What now ?

I'll go fishing

I should have done it long ago

Do you think you'll come back ?

Not unless I have to

Come and see me

Good

October 15, 1793

Go on !

Who provided the coach you and your family rode in to Varennes ?

A foreigner

What nationality ?

Swedish

Monsieur Fersen, who lived at rue du Bac, Paris ?

- Yes - What ?

Yes

Bring in the witness H�bert

Name, age, occupation

H�bert, Jacques Ren�; 36

Journalist and deputy attorney for the Paris Commune

Testify before the nation without hatred or fear

Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth ?

I do

Give your testimony

The facts I have to state are of a delicate nature

But they must be made public

The Commune wished the young Capet to receive a proper republican education

He was entrusted to an excellent Cordelier, Citizen Simon

We have a deposition from Simon, that he caught the child...

... engaged in indecent and harmful acts

He asked the boy who had taught him this shameful behavior

The child said his mother and aunt

Continue

Before the Mayor and Paris and Attorney to the Commune the child testified...

... that he was made to sleep with these two women

And in their bed they committed acts of debauchery

Accused, how do you respond ?

I will not respond

I will not respond !

Because Nature itself recoils from such an accusation !

I appeal to all the mothers here

I appeal to you

Antoinette, have you any reason why sentence should not be passed on you ?

The Tribunal unanimously condemns Marie Antoinette...

... widow of Louis Capet to death

According to the law, her possessions are forfeited to the State

This sentence to be carried out at the Place de la R�volution

And that it be printed and posted in all parts of the Republic

Thank you, Rosalie. Thank you for everything

It's time, Citizeness

Forgive me, sir

Courage, Madame

Perhaps I'm afraid of not understanding

It's this fear that disturbs my sleep

I appeal to the noblest instincts of the people...

... and I'm betrayed

Because I don't understand the people

No one inspires greater respect than you

But they still resist the Revolution

By the thousands

There's a royalist army in the Vend�e

More than an army - an entire populace

Is it possible for a people to be traitors ?

They don't understand

There is much they need to be taught

And yet I've learned something

If Virtue is to triumph...

... it must be accompanied by Terror

Since Virtue is flawless...

... the flaw must be in man

But I can't believe it

Yet I must

To save the Revolution

This law is clear

We know our enemies :

Those among us who still hope that we lose this war

But they will no longer laugh at us, saying that we can't prove their treason

It's simple : let's force them to prove their innocence

All those who can't bring tangible proof of their work for the Revolution...

... will be automatically liable to arrest

We propose to enlarge the role of the Revolutionary Tribunal

Right now, only one session sits regularly

We propose to add 3 more...

... to help carry out this important patriotic work

In sum : Terror is the order of the day

And Virtue, Citizen

Virtue, without which Terror is deadly

Terror, without which Virtue is powerless

Married by a dissident priest !

You want to get me guillotined ! Little minx !

As far as I'm concerned, the Revolution is over

My life is here, with you and my children

And you'll give me more

Leave politics to the fools who are good at it

Camille Desmoulins : I'm a friend of Citizen Robespierre

No one has been convicted without good reason

People are in jail because they once said Hello to a dissident priest

They said something nice about Mirabeau, or have family abroad

You can be so naive, Camille

Need I remind you that we're still at war ?

Our army has exterminated thousands in the Vend�e

An entire people !

Traitors and rebels

We're strangling Liberty in its cradle

If we falter now...

... all that we've built will crumble like a house of cards

Maybe we've built nothing

Just a dream

It frightens me

No one can talk to him

He's cut himself off from everyone except his friends on the Committee

He sees enemies everywhere

The situation is insane and getting worse

I'll miss all this

Taking it for a stroll ?

It never stops

Around the Place de la R�volution they complain about the smell of blood

The Bastille, same thing

People say it bring down property values

They've moved it 4 times ; always the same problem

It'll end up back where it started

I'll want your report tomorrow

Yes, Citizen

Danton is back

With Desmoulins

I hardly recognize this place

It's become a den of faction, lies and insanity

Outside, I see churches desecrated

Prisons full of poor devils...

... whose only crime is not being fanatics

Is this the Republic we wanted to create ?

I propose as an emergency measure...

... that the Convention create a Committee of Clemency

To examine the lists of all these suspects being held...

... and determine if there is just cause for keeping them in prison

"When the Republic is fighting for its life what does Danton propose ?

"Nothing more than to give way to corruption

"Corruption which has already made him rich"

- You can't print that ! - Why not ?

If Danton thinks he can just come back and take over, he's wrong

We'll use every weapon against him

Including the truth

Little Horace has grown !

Louise is adorable - congratulations

I'm happy that you like her

Did you see this ?

No

"This refuse, this waste product of the human intestines--

"This excrement, this infected heap of lying filth--"

Only H�bert would take an entire page to cover me with shit

But we'll give him an answer

To work, Camille

Don't underestimate him

Even Robespierre is careful with H�bert

Yes...

Neither H�bert nor Danton will stop until one of them is eliminated

Which one should we support ?

I accuse Danton of being a thief

A thief and a profiteer !

And of having betrayed the Revolution !

Where's your proof ?

Why prove what we all know ?

I propose a 12-man committee...

... to examine the accusations against me

Trust a thief to hide behind the law !

Traitor !

May I have the floor ?

We're listening, Citizen

A committee to examine the career and integrity of Citizen Danton

It's an interesting idea

I'm personally in favor it it

It's said that England and Austria are not the true enemies of the Republic

It's said that our worst enemy is Danton

It's said that Danton wishes to destroy the Republic...

... and re-establish the monarchy with himself as the ruler

A terrible crime, if true

And Danton stands accused

But if you accuse Danton, Citizens...

Danton, who has served this Republic better than any of us...

... then you must accuse me too

And I say that these accusations are as false and fraudulent...

...as the liars and hypocrites who make them !

And I, Robespierre, denounce and condemn them

It's good to see you again

We've missed you

Not everyone, it seems

Thanks for what you said

We're all endangered by lunatics like H�bert

We won't stand by while the inmates take over the asylum

We should meet - we have to talk

I hear you've remarried. I'm very happy for you

I'll introduce you to her

I hope so. Give my love to Lucie and little Horace

Thank you, Maxime

He's finally come to his senses

I was afraid it was too late, but if you can work together--

Everything will be fine

People of Paris !

You are starving and you are being lied to

They call me a fanatic because I call for death for profiteers...

... and enemies of the Revolution

But how can one be moderate in pursuit of Liberty ?

People of Paris !

We have one weapon which Robespierre and Danton's friends can't rob us of

Insurrection !

Why did you side with Danton against H�bert at the Jacobin Club ?

Why did you defend Danton against H�bert ?

One's as bad as the other

Couthon's right

We have to arrest them both

If we do that, we risk uniting them

Then the Committee will lose its majority in the Convention

We need Danton as an ally to deal with H�bert

Afterwards--

Let's vote on the arrest of H�bert. All in favor ?

- What is it ? - Ren� H�bert ?

You're under arrest

Whose order ?

Citizen Fouquier-Tinville, Public Prosecutor

On what charge ?

Conspiracy to restore the monarchy

The monarchy ?

What's wrong ?

H�bert's arrest

H�bert represented a threat

Maxime only did what I've been begging him to do for months

But calling him a monarchist ?

If the truth can be twisted as easily as that...

... then no one is safe

Neither you nor Georges

We must judge Maxime by his deeds, not his words

He needs Georges as an ally, not an enemy

I have work to do

Don't worry

Everything will be fine

Desmoulins is running wild

His calls for clemency are an attack on the Committee itself

We can't let it pass

It's Danton's voice

Camille is too easily led

Those who oppose Terror have no desire for Virtue

It's a crime against the Republic

Camille must be saved

He must be made to see that he's wrong

A word of warning, Citizen

If you didn't have powerful friends, you'd be dead by now

My God ! What happened ?

Why did they do it ?

I don't understand

He's my oldest friend

He was kind enough to warn me

I told you not to trust Maxime

It's so cowardly

You're right, Lucie

None of us should take Robespierre for granted

You must be very careful, Camille

"True love for the country cannot exist where there is neither love...

"... nor pity for one's fellow countrymen

"Only a soul dried up and withered by self-adulation"

How could he ? Someone I've tried so hard to protect

It's a challenge to you. Everyone knows it

It's not a question of my own pride

It's not just an attack on you, but also the Committee

Against everything we've worked for

I know

I understand

Just upstairs

My friends, we have an unexpected guest

Good evening

A pleasure, as always

May I give you a lift, Citizen ?

I prefer to walk

Excellent idea

You're right, as always

You'll be glad to know Camille is recovering

- Recovering ? - Yes, from the beating

Beating ?

A warning against opposing your policies too vigorously

- You accuse me of-- - Of warning him

As a friend

- I know nothing about it - My mistake

I think we should say goodnight

What happened between us ?

We wanted the same things

We never wanted the same things

Liberty, justice, equality ?

Words !

You've never understood that unless we're guided by the virtue of the people--

The virtue of the people ?

Bloodless abstractions !

You think that everyone is as corrupt as yourself

Your idea of virtue is absolute obedience to Maximilien Robespierre

This is pointless

Goodnight

Let me tell you what you're doing to this country with your bloody virtue

It's what I do to my wife at night, only she loves it

And doesn't have to be held down screaming with threats of the guillotine

Your reputation as a coarse, vulgar brute is well deserved

What about yours ?

You have no balls, Robespierre. You're a eunuch

Out of my way

Well, how did it go ?

I could have been more diplomatic

It's intolerable that the Committee fears this man !

Danton has a lot of supporters

You know it, Citizen

Danton thinks he's too strong to be attacked

If we're clumsy, he'll be right

Surprise is our best - maybe our only - weapon

I think we all agree that Danton's arrest...

...involves Camille Desmoulins' as well

It's inevitable

We agree on this point ?

I accept the will of the Committee

You're giving them your head on a silver platter !

You can't !

My head is more solidly attached than you suppose

- For your wife's sake-- - No, don't

All I care about is that Danton stays alive

And able to keep fighting

There have been too many battles already

And useless deaths

I don't want to add any more

What are you going to do ?

If they arrest me, they have to try me

If there's a trial, I promise you this :

They'll be the losers and I'll prove it

From the defendant's bench

After that, I'll go back to the country...

... and I'll go fishing

Who'd choose to waste his life in politics...

...when he could spend it fishing all day ?

What fools we can be !

Take your hands off her !

First group goes with me. The others, station yourselves around the house

Wait outside

I'll be back soon

I'm the happiest man in France

What are you waiting for ? Come on !

Step aside

Please, Maxime, listen to me !

How could you do this to Camille ? Your oldest friend ?

How can you forget what you've meant to each other ?

Please, Maxime !

You're godfather to our child ! Listen to me !

Silence, or I'll clear the courtroom !

You might have a little trouble with that

I remind the accused of the respect due this court !

And I remind the Citizen President of the respect due to Justice !

None of the accused was properly informed of the charges against him

From this bench I will confront my accusers, before the people

And when I've finished...

... I'll be happy to plead for clemency before you pass sentence on them

But for now...

... I demand to be heard

You are accused of taking money from fanatical conspirators against Liberty

I have never been bought

I have no price

No one can afford Danton

I challenge my accusers to produce their proof that I was bought...

... so I can throw it in their teeth

Going badly

The jury was hand-picked

But if they're afraid they'll be torn apart by the mob, they'll acquit

Of course I was in league with Mirabeau

In order to prevent his blunders

I knew what I was doing

I've never let avarice or ambition dominate me

True, I knew them both--

We've been intimate

Both, on occasion, have been my mistress

But never my master !

Go by the back way

Get this to Herman, but be discreet

What could be the motive for these attacks and lies ?

The accused will confine himself to his own defense

You're accused of having protected and favored the monarchy

It's a lie !

The monarchy ? Say that again, to my face !

Danton, a monarchist ?

The hearing is adjourned

We must retire to examine fresh evidence

What evidence ? There is no evidence !

Return the prisoners to their cells

You can't silence us !

Death to the tyrant !

Death to the tyrant !

Death to the tyrant !

Down with Robespierre !

We never should have risked a public trial

We had no choice

He mustn't win

At any cost

He won't

I have here a deposition regarding a conspiracy between Desmoulins'wife...

... and some aristocrats to free her husband and Danton

It's all we need to act

Any comments ?

I'll be brief

This is such a blatant forgery, no one could believe it

Let me remind you that if Danton is acquitted...

... he'll make a clean sweep of the Committee

And replace it with another one full of his partisans

If it's according to the law

Our duty is to follow the law and accept it

Citizen Robespierre, you have always been the most devoted to the Constitution

What do you think ?

If Danton wins, this Republic...

... that has survived the attacks of all the monarchies of Europe...

... will be destroyed from within, by corruption

We have no other choice

Accept the testimony Saint-Just has brought us

The testimony !

I move the Committee announce the existence of a conspiracy...

... to free Danton and his accomplices

And this testimony standing as proof of guilt...

... the prisoners are barred from publicly defending themselves

All in favor of Saint-Just's motion ?

The motion is passed

Be good

Why ? She's done nothing wrong !

They're going to murder my wife !

She's innocent, but they're going to murder her !

This is a parody of justice

When a government sinks to this level...

...it shows its moral bankruptcy to the whole world !

He's right !

Has the jury heard enough evidence ?

Yes, Citizen President

A lie !

You've heard nothing

This is Robespierre's doing - remember !

A scaffold is waiting for Robespierre

Take them away !

The law requires the jury to deliver its verdict before the accused

In view of the accused's behavior...

... I move this be settled in their absence

The Assistant Prosecutor's motion is accepted !

There would have been no Revolution without me

There would have been no Republic without me

You're not leading me to my death ; I will live forever

The world will look at us and ask what sort of men we were

Let them not say that we were no better than those we overthrew

We are all going to die

I know this court : I created it

And I ask forgiveness of God and man

It was not intended to be the scourge of mankind...

... but a last defense against madness, brutality and fear

Instead, it's become the murderer of conscience

And let it be known to those who come to judge us...

... that this is not what I wanted

If I speak today, it's to defend what we've created...

... for all that we've achieved

And not to save my life

We have broken the tyranny of privilege

We have cut the root of corruption...

... by abolishing those powers no man has the right to wield

We ended the monopoly of birth and wealth in all the great offices of the State

In our churches, our armies...

... all this vast complex of arteries and veins...

... that feed this magnificent body which is France

We've declared the humblest man is equal to the greatest

And we've offered to slaves the liberty we won for ourselves

We entrust to the world...

... the task of building the future on the hope we kindled

This is more than a victory in battle

More than the swords, cannons and cavalry of Europe

And this inspiration... this vision for all men everywhere...

... this longing, this thirst can never be stifled

We will not have lived in vain

Goodbye, brother

Sanson, take this lock of hair

It's my wife's. Send it to her mother

Show my head to the people

It's worth seeing

Now !

I was only a little boy when I met Jean-Jacques Rousseau

And we talked about God, fate...

... man's need to reach for something higher than himself

God knows, I've been a bad Catholic

But I've never wavered in my conviction...

... that there is some great Power watching over us

Protecting the innocent

Blessing the virtuous

Condeming the wicked

Men cannot live without such a belief

And should not even try

June 8, 1794

People of France, beloved Republic

By this Tree of Liberty, I declare that never has the world offered its Creator...

... a spectacle more worthy of Him...

... than the sight of Paris today...

... on this day of homage to His greatness

Here, beneath His gaze...

- What's going on ? - Oh, he's still talking

Wake me when he's done

... and your souls are but a breath of wind...

... passing into nothingness after death

- He thinks he's the Pope ! - Or God

The true priest of the Supreme Being is Nature

His temple is the universe

His religion is Virtue

And yours is Murder !

The Revolution has been a transition--

The Revolution has been a transition--

... a transition from the Reign of Crime to the Reign of Justice

To express the devotion of the French people to the Supreme Being...

... we reject the false god of atheism

And we welcome the sublime goddess of Reason

Kiss her for me !

Only the Supreme Being has the power to bring fear and remorse...

...into the hearts of oppressors and tyrants !

You should know, Robespierre !

Weaklings ! You don't understand a thing

The Law of Prairial was introduced to punish a few traitors in the Convention

You've executed more people in the last 2 months than in the last 2 years !

- I've executed ? - Yes, you !

Your justice ! Your law !

Your lack of justice !

Do you want to see more trials like Danton's ?

There are no more trials ! Just executions !

That's a lie !

You've placed your own handpicked men in all the key posts !

Another lie !

We've won a great victory at Fleurus

My enemies no doubt will use it against me

Like everything else

Everything will be fine

There's no one I can trust...

... except for you

My friends

My dear friends

Only you

You are my true family

It's time we took responsibility into our own hands

There is no more excuse for Robespierre's rotten tribunals...

... or his dictatorial airs

May I suggest we wait until Citizen Robespierre is with us before criti--

We've carried out Citizien Robespierre's commands for far too long

Robespierre is a member of this Committee, nothing more

Like you. And you !

Robespierre is not the Republic

Are you turning into a moderate, Lindet ?

Compared to you, a mad dog would be a moderate

Compared to you and Robespierre, the executioner is an angel of mercy

You'll regret those words

The only thing I regret is not saying it sooner

This is an insult !

Robespierre is the best among us

Except he's never among us anymore

Go see him

Tell the dictator this Committee is no longer his lapdog

- It's Robespierre ! - He looks ill !

I'll go warn the Committee

Citizen President, may I have the floor ?

Robespierre has just arrived

I, who was born a slave to Liberty, am called a tyrant

I, who have lived a martyr to the Republic, am called a dictator

Why ? Who spreads these lies ?

Who deliberately says them to deceive you ?

They say "The war is won, and all is well"

This is a lie

He's just started

- The law and Revolutionary Tribunal... - We have to do it today; now or never

... are instruments of tyranny

They're all that stand between Virtue and its murderers

Citizens, I was born to fight against crime, not preside over it

Hurry, hurry !

We can divide citizens into two parts :

Those in whose heart burns the sacred fire...

... of Justice, Liberty and Peace...

... without which revolution is nothing more...

... than the destruction of a lesser crime by a greater

And those whose hearts are empty...

... governed by bestial forces of greed and fear...

... ambition and corruption

There are those on the Committee who counsel despair

And I tell you openly, there are those here in the Convention who support it

I've come here to expose a vast conspiracy

One moment, Citizen

The Committee must be purged and its authority given to the Convention

Citizen ! I demand that you name those you refer to

This is not the time

This is a slander against the Committee, and the members of this Convention

Robespierre must name those he accuses

The names !

We want the names !

I stand by my proposal

You're a coward !

Let my attackers prepare hemlock for me now

I will drink it in this sacred place

Why go on living when truth and lies are indivisible ?

Everyone here would prefer to die...

... rather than go on living beneath a Tyrant's lash

Death to the tyrant !

I demand the floor !

You've no right to speak, Robespierre !

I demand the floor !

It is to those with virtue I appeal !

Not the false! The corrupt!

False ! Outcast from society !

Quick !

Danton's blood is choking you !

Get back ! These are the seats of good men you've murdered !

I move a decree of accusation against Robespierre--

Couthon--

And Saint-Just !

I put to the motion to the vote

All those in favor, raise your hand

Passed !

We must hold the H�tel de Ville no matter what

It must be a fortress

And above all, we must appeal to the Army

Don't worry, we'll protect you

They've taken refuge in the H�tel de Ville

The Paris Commune is in revolt against us

They must be executed without trial !

Show some guts there !

Where are you going ?

Long live the Republic !

Barras is in command and will take the H�tel de Ville

By force if necessary

- Good luck, commander - Thank you

My God. Our soldiers must fight men wearing the same uniform

Make a note : we must close the gates to the city...

... shut down all newspapers, arrest all journalists...

... and issue arrest warrants for the leaders of the Convention

Bring anything you can find ! Barricade the doors !

A direct appeal to the Army : it's our only chance

Here they come !

At least we achieved something

We have broken the tyranny of privilege

Cut the root of corruption by abolishing the power no man has a right to wield

We've ended the monopoly of birth and wealth...

... in all the great offices of the State

In our churches, our armies...

... in every part of this magnificent body which is France

We've declared the humblest man is equal to the greatest

And we've offered to slaves the liberty we won for ourselves

We entrust to the world the task of building the future...

... on the hope we kindled

This is more than a victory in battle

More than the swords, cannons and cavalry of Europe

And this inspiration... this vision for all men everywhere...

... this longing, this thirst for Liberty...

... no one will ever be able to extinguish

Our lives will not have been pointless

We will not have lived in vain