Original subtitles

THE ELUSIVE CORPORAL

By invading France, the German Army causes

the defense system of the French Army to crumble.

The numerical superiority of German Aviation

leaves little doubt as to the outcome of the war.

Panic is spreading around the civilian population

who is now fleeing.

This is Radio Berlin,

June 22, 1940.

The victory of our Third Reich is complete.

The Fuhrer has accepted the armistice requested by French headquarters.

Both parties met

in the very railway carriage

where the World War I armistice was signed.

Where are you going?

I'm going home.

You are crazy. Go back to camp.

- But it's the armistice. - Yes, the armistice. Very good.

Don't talk, go back to camp.

But the war is over. We're no longer enemies, guys.

Go, back to camp!

What about my cows? What's going to happen to them?

My assistant broke his leg and my wife's all alone.

Go back to the camp!

But... my cows.

But the armistice has been signed. What about my cows?

Oh my God.

Come on, move it!

Come on.

Move it!

WE SHALL CONQUER BECAUSE WE'RE THE STRONGEST.

Hey, you! Let's go!

- Nice weather, huh? - You're kidding me?

I'm looking for someone. Do you know the Corporal?

- Which corporal? - There's only one.

I'm sure he's vacationing somewhere in this rainy place.

Don't move so much, you'll fuck up our tent!

Fuck! I knew it.

When you have to sleep in shit, you stay put. Everybody knows that.

When you start feeling comfortable in shit, you're not too far from the end!

- Ballochet! - Careful!

Glory to the losers! Let's not trample the French Army.

Ballochet!

My old Ballochet!

What's he doing here?

Are you alone? Where are our Free Corps buddies?

There's no Free Corps. Everything's lost.

We're alive, so it isn't so bad. Especially since heroic deaths...

- Are a thing of the past. - I've noticed for some time

that honor and glory go to the survivors, not the dead.

Since you know everything, do you know when we'll be released?

Imagine I'm Hitler...

it's highly improbable, since we don't have the same training.

If I were Hitler and I had two million French prisoners,

and I wouldn't let them go. Not a single one.

Man...

- When it's pouring... - We can't go on like this.

You know what the cook told me?

They'll let the Breton go, and Brittany will gain its independence.

Are you from Brittany?

My great-grandmother was from Saint-Malo.

The cook pulled your leg. Electricians will be released first.

- Are you an electrician? - Can't you tell?

Farmers will go first. And my cow needs me.

No, orphan machine operators with four children will go first.

- You a machine operator? - No, and I'm not an orphan.

Are you putting me on?

My dear friend, here's the truth.

Here's the truth, the only truth.

During a ball given by the King of England,

Roosevelt said to Hitler...

- "My dear Adolf... - "If you don't immediately set

all the French prisoners free, I'll declare war on you."

- They're on first-name basis? - For sure, buddy!

- It's not official, of course. - Ballochet has summed it up well:

our rulers are pulling our legs.

They talk over Champagne while we're sitting in shit!

What are we to do, Corporal?

It's always been that way, and it always will.

- So let's just wait... - Wait for what, for whom? Where?

- I don't know, but... - No, Papa, believe me:

we'll have to get out of our own mess.

# China night, a night for love #

# A night for pleasure and tenderness #

# It all seems like a dream until the sun comes up #

# China night, a night for love. #

I don't think it's a smart move. We could all get shot in the ass!

- Like during the Free Corps patrols. - Indeed!

He almost got us all killed because he wanted to pick strawberries!

But those strawberries were delicious, Papa.

- They tasted like friendship. - Years of blood and mud.

We should wait for Spring, believe me, Corporal.

We'll pick strawberries in Rue du Pic. Much safer.

You think so? Hitler won't release us.

- How do you know? - Ballochet said so.

- Of course, Ballochet! - In any case, I've got to scram!

- Barbed wire depresses me. - The commander's gloves depress me.

- Green knit gloves. - If I wore green knit gloves

- to read the meters... - Housewives would make fun of me.

The gas man's witty now! I'm getting tired of your little duet!

You don't have to join us.

But what would I do without you?

- So let's scram now. - Why get us in trouble

- when they signed the armistice? - I never signed anything!

Corporal! Listen...

I think we can go over the wall over there.

They even put sand there.

- There are guards outside. - It's a stupid idea.

- Let's forget about it. - I've lost my glasses.

- Let's go! - How about Ballochet?

Hey, Ballochet! Hurry up!

- I can't find my glasses. - Corporal! Look!

Don't move!

Smile, Corporal.

- I'll never forgive myself for this. - If you'd helped him out,

he would have got caught with us and he's be sitting in this cage.

I know, but in my haste, I betrayed him.

Listen to me.

I didn't tell you, because I didn't want to hurt your feelings,

but Ballochet betrayed himself.

His glasses...

- he lost them on purpose. - How can you say such crap?

Ballochet is not a wimp! Are you nuts or what?

You've never understood him anyways.

- I'm too stupid. - Indeed!

This is Radio Berlin.

The German Army is celebrating its victory in Paris.

Left... three, four!

# Hi-di-hi-do-hi-da... #

# Hi-di-hi-do-hi-da #

# Hi-di, Hi-do, Hi-da... #

Nice voices, huh?

They can even carry a tune. How depressing...

They'll never make us laugh as much as they're pissing us off.

They're not making me laugh, and they're not pissing me off either.

Get going.

Let's move!

Move it, let's go!

Please don't push!

- Corporal! - Here! Hurry up!

Don't push!

Would you mind giving me your spot?

- What for? - They're my buddies.

If you'd like.

- Is that spot open? - If you want.

Don't mess with my stuff.

After three days in a train, I appreciated that shower.

It was a little too hot for my taste. I like my showers cold.

- Are you nuts? - I'm athletic.

I box, wrestle, do some pole vaulting...

Do you make a lot of money being such an acrobat?

I'm an amateur.

My real job is in insurance.

I didn't take a shower.

The guard had his back turned, and I pretended like I was drying myself off.

I'm a redneck, but I'm not dumb.

Athleticism requires a good hygiene.

Look at this.

Where's my cheese grater?

- # China night, a night for love... # - Enough!

- So you sing too? - I've got quite a voice!

And I've got amazing feet. I'm telling you!

My feet are extraordinary. And in my trade, it's everything.

But I have to bathe them three times a day to avoid swelling.

- You an athlete too? - No, I'm a waiter.

Do you know Bertrand's, behind the Opera?

That's where I work.

The money good at Bertrand's?

It depends on the season.

I don't know how they can keep going without me.

Tuesday is my day off and some of my clients don't show up that day.

They want to be waited on by me only.

"Lefty, bring me my drink!"

"Lefty"?

- That's how they call me. - Because you're...

It's quite a responsibility.

You bet.

You see,

electricity is not just technical.

It's also artistic.

For instance, how do you choose a switch button?

You have to make sure it matches the deco.

What are they gonna do with us now?

They'll make us work.

It's quite inconvenient to be the losers.

It messes up our habits.

Attention!

Sergeants.

NCOs...

Continue!

Gentlemen, dear colleagues,

you should understand we are friends.

All of this is temporary,

but the war against England gives us no choice

but to be very prudent.

We are counting on your help

to keep order amongst the French prisoners.

Warrant officer Mede.

You can count on us, Lieutenant.

I would like for you to choose

a volunteer who will help your colleague

maintain order and cleanliness here.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Attention!

We must realize we've been fooled!

They said they were brutes, but I've met nothing but nice people.

- We must accept it. - Shut up!

Turn left!

March!

What are you doing? Let's go!

Move it!

Go!

Let's go!

Move it!

Faster!

Turn left!

Line up!

Straighten up!

Sergeant Blaskow, delivering 50 men.

I want to welcome you

to the camp.

But beware...

anyone trying to escape will be shot.

Understand?!

You are not to speak to civilians.

Understand?!

You are not to sleep with German women.

If you were to disobey, you would be severely punished

and sent to a fortress in Poland.

Understand?! Is that understood?

You are here to work

and help build a new Europe.

Work! Work! Work...

Work! Work! Work!

Speed it up! You call that working?

Pick up the speed!

Let's go, you lazy bums!

Have you gone insane?!

What are you doing?!

Work! Work! Wake up!

Let's go!

Can't you do that faster?!

This is truly pathetic!

Move it!

Let's go!

Take my spot, will you? I'm going to the bathroom.

Don't break the hole!

- Are you coming? - Okay.

Hey, you. Where are you going?

Latrine.

Where is your comrade?

He went to the latrine.

The French are always in the latrines.

I will go and check.

Hey, foreman.

Don't worry about it.

Have some chocolate.

Open up!

This is outrageous!

Open the door!

This is unbelievable.

Outrageous!

You better get lost! Idiot!

There!

- What are you doing? - Working.

Get down from there!

What's the nature of your illness?

Laryngitis.

Do you think he's really sick?

His coughing is rather odd. Doesn't sound genuine.

Skivers are the French Army's real illness.

"Skivers"?

- Those who pretend to be sick. - Tell me about it!

We have the same problem.

Our German order hasn't helped

eradicate that bad habit.

How about you? What's the nature of your illness?

They're all alike.

In the French army, they'd only get four days.

Not in jail, though.

What can I do?

In the German Army,

I can give the captain the reason for punishment,

and he can give them eight days!

Motive is everything. That's the secret.

With a good motive, the colonel can take over.

He's allowed 15 days, including eight in jail.

Just like us!

Of course, the prisoner doesn't get to keep his undershirt

- and he gets only one cover. - Of course!

Cells are never heated!

- In the winter, they get bronchitis. - So do ours!

In spite of that, they always do it again.

So do ours!

Corporal, stand at attention!

I got laryngitis. I'm doing a steam treatment.

If you'll excuse me.

- It's a real epidemic! - How odd.

How about you? Laryngitis?

Wisdom teeth.

Surprising.

Hippolyte,

we must send this man to a dentist in town.

More of them in barrack number one need to go.

You should drive them there.

I don't live very far.

Sure, Otto.

At ease!

I can't believe it!

They'll eat till they burst while I get my teeth pulled!

Don't you worry, we'll be gone by then.

The Germans don't have good psychology, but they make excellent chemists.

- Corporal? - Huh?

I have to tell you something.

Do tell.

I'm not leaving with you.

Lefty will go with you.

I've already told him.

You need a pin.

Two, you mean?

Guillaume, can I buy two pins from you?

- No pins, but I got rubber bands. - I'll take them. They'll do.

- They're with my cheese grater. - Hurry.

Where is it?

There it is.

- Don't rush me. - Come on, hurry!

- Hold it. Hold it. - Give it to me.

- That'll be three cigarettes. - I'll pay you soon, with the rest I owe you.

I'd like to see them first, 'cause I know you Parisians...

- Freaking redneck! - # Attention, attention! #

# The mountain man, the mountain man! #

# Attention, attention! The mountain man has come! #

- Hurry! - Hide those pants!

Caruso, Planpin, here!

Act natural.

Stand at attention!

What's the matter?

- Where's the Corporal? - I'm here, sir.

Please volunteer two men to unplug the sinks.

Yes, sir.

At ease.

How creative... "stand at attention!"

He couldn't believe it!

I'll go get Lefty.

I forgot to say...

You forgot to say what?

Nothing.

- Are you on vacation, redneck? - Quit it, Parisian!

I'll get a head cold. Dummy.

When the client comes to Bertrand's,

he's looking for a certain ambiance, a certain style.

Like, how do you hold a tray?

A tray?

I don't own a tray.

When you work at a respected cafe like Bertrand's,

you hold your tray with your left hand, like so,

slightly titled towards the back.

Here. "Excuse me, ma'am. Sir."

Here, give it a try.

'Scuse me, ma'am, 'scuse me... 'scuse me...

I'm gonna drop the whole thing!

See? I told you you had to have skills...

style, savoir-faire.

They're thinking of having women do our job!

Women waiters!

At the local joint, okay, but at Bertrand's...

That's why I'm going to scram!

It's no easier at home.

My wife's found a discharged soldier who's working for food.

- She cheating on you? - I couldn't care less,

as long as she takes care of the cows.

They're quite liberal in your village!

- You think I'm an asshole, right? - Of course not.

- Everybody has their opinions. - Try to understand why I won't go.

It's not out of fear...

even though it's part of it.

I'm just scared of going back to Paris.

We'd just go back to our respective lives:

the rich with the rich, and the bums with the bums.

So in the end, I wouldn't see you anymore.

It's different here.

A friend's a friend, no matter what he does as a civilian.

The soup here is water,

but we eat it together.

I promise that we'll still eat soup together in Paris.

The only difference will be that it'll be more nutritious!

Together?

You really think so, Corporal?

Lunch!

I'm coming with you.

Let's go, Guillaume!

Guillaume!

- So you agree? - I always keep my word.

Let me go, guys. It's my turn now.

- It's my turn! - Hands off! I'm doing the serving.

I'm eating Corporal and Lefty's soup!

- Is that right, Papa? - Only if it all works out.

What if it doesn't?

If it doesn't, you'll only lose some soup, while the Corporal...

The CorporaI'll still have one hole to shit with...

- I'm going to smash your face in! - Come on, let it go!

What's the matter with him?

The French always have to fight.

- A strange nation. - Yes.

Would you like some soup?

Thank you.

Careful, it's hot.

- Good, isn't it? - Yes.

- Good soup. - Very nice.

What are you waiting for?

Yes, you're right.

- Bon appetite. - Thanks.

Nice guy.

The soup is not bad either.

Things are not too bad.

I hope it will stay that way.

What year were you born?

1910.

Good God, you may have to go into battle.

My health is not good enough.

Plus, I have three children, and a fourth one on the way.

May God have mercy on you.

It's you and me, Guillaume.

- Work for your soup. - Okay.

Don't hit too hard, okay?

Of course not, sweetie.

And as you said, you'll still have one hole to shit with.

Here! Take that!

I'll destroy you!

You won't recognize yourself!

See what the redneck can do!

Motherfucker!

Go back to your cows!

They'll smell you coming from afar!

Motherfucker! Asshole!

What?

You're done.

Done?

We're done!

All done!

It's over.

Don't cry. You'll see him again.

Me, cry? Do you think I'm crying?

Your turn.

As you were.

I.D. please.

Say, we could hide in the bathroom.

They check them too.

If that old bag hadn't been there, we could have hidden under the seats.

I.D. please.

Follow me.

This time, we'll really get laryngitis.

Maybe someone is in there.

I.D.

Look at that.

- What a beautiful girl. - Should we wait for her?

Nonsense, we still have to check four more cars.

Miss, I'll return your I.D. if we can rendezvous later.

(woman laughing)

Come in, quick!

- They're gone. - So you're not a woman.

- No, I'm escaping, just like you. - Is this your first try?

My third. I've become a pro at this.

The hardest part is the border.

Of course, you don't have any ID.

- Do you? - I'm covered. Look.

Hold on. Look at this.

No offense, but she looks better than you.

She's a friend from the factory.

I've never got the courage to bag her because of the fortress thing.

When they check ID, I hide in the bathroom

and I slip my ID under the door so they can't see me.

Wait. I got an idea. Hold on.

I'll be back with proper ID in a minute.

I.D.!

I.D., let's go.

Move it!

Wait a second!

Where is your I.D.?

All we need to do is avoid the check point at the center of the platform.

To do that, we can go through the cafeteria and exit in the street.

That way, we go around the station and go back on the train farther up.

Actually, just follow me.

Could you tell me where the restrooms are?

- Yes. - Please hold her for a minute.

Let's go.

I'll meet you at the cafeteria.

Beer, please.

You're a prisoner, right?

- Does it show? - I'm used to them.

Are you trying to exit through the street and go around the station?

Unfortunately, there's a new guard.

Maybe I can make a deal with him.

You can always try. He's not a bad chap.

Hold it there. You can't go.

- Why? - Why? Why?

- Don't play with me. - Please let me through.

Of course, "let me through."

What about me?

I don't want to end up like the other guy.

I'd lose my job. I have a family to support.

So I'll just push you out of the way, and since you're old and unarmed,

- you won't be able to stop me. - Hello.

Thanks.

Goodbye.

- Let me go. - If you go through, I'll scream.

For my own safety.

Let me see your papers! Quickly!

March!

One, two, one, two...

Move it!

Down! Up!

Down! Up!

A little exercise!

Faster!

Do I have to kick you in your ass?

March!

One, two...

Now, the duck walk!

Up!

Here we go! One, two...

This is Berlin.

Willing to put an end to the Soviets' provocations,

the Fuhrer has ordered the invasion of Russia.

The operation has been launched.

Our troops are faced with little resistance,

which will make for a short campaign

that will no doubt strengthen the road to the victory of Democratic Socialism.

- Is the sergeant in there? - Go ahead.

- May I sit? - Have a seat.

Tired?

- War, you understand? - Yes.

Corporal!

- Are you ill? - Just worn out.

I got two months' disciplinary camp.

What are you doing at the stalag?

I left our little group for the hospital.

And here I am.

You found yourself a cushy job?

The Sonder-Fuhrer is crazy about music...

Wagner, Beethoven.

I sang "China Night" to him:

he was floored.

He made me first tenor at the Stalag Theater.

Ballochet's also found himself a cushy job.

Ballochet?

He's an interpreter at the triage office.

What's funny is, he doesn't speak German.

Goodbye.

Let's go.

I'll come visit you!

This man is supposed to work here.

You have a total of 30 men.

This constant red tape.

No smoking while you work.

Go trade this in for schnapps!

Quick!

You've been through hell.

And then some.

So you didn't escape?

What for?

What are you cooking in there?

Bean stew.

A friend of mine works at the post office.

He sometimes give me packages sent by a German in love to his Gretchen.

It's recycling.

I'll find you a cushy job in an office.

Freedom isn't necessarily found outside the barbed wire.

In Paris, I'm nothing but a slave. Even more so than I am here.

A slave to my habits, my ideas.

A slave to the stupidity that rules the world.

You have to stir, or the stew sticks to the pan.

I'm telling you, they're all assholes wherever they are!

I've built myself a dungeon

above the insects fighting in vain.

I'm no longer like them.

I've come out victorious...

and I'm treating you to dinner.

It's hot.

It's hot.

It's good.

Caruso, wake up!

Two aces.

Two pair.

I got...

three of a kind.

What kind?

Kings.

All right.

More vermouth.

The guy at the post office is pulling my leg.

He knows damn well I don't like this brand.

Let's pray that he sends the right stuff next time.

Corporal, you're quite witty.

This is a good one, right?

If the dentist doesn't give me a shot right away, I'll kick his ass!

This way, please.

You speak French? Where did you learn it?

At school.

You still have a slight accent, but I could give you lessons.

How nice of you.

This way.

- Please sit down. - Can I go first?

- I'm in great pain. - One moment, please.

- Please come in. - I'm going first!

Take off your coat.

Thanks.

Open your mouth.

Where does it hurt?

One moment, please.

Are you comfortable?

My mother has to perform a "roost" canal.

- "Root" canal. - Root canal.

Here you are.

She has to give you a "shoot."

A "shot."

A shot.

Where are you going?

Ich big joker. Nicht sick.

You on list. You see dentist.

I'm telling you I'm fine. I'm not sick.

You put name on list.

This is London.

One more time, German Aviation has bombed London

and some damage was done to residential areas.

Rescue services responded to emergencies as usual.

- Hello, Erika. - Hello, Corporal.

- Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler.

- I brought your book back. - You can pick another one.

- Please come in. - My buddy here is in pain.

Go ahead. I can wait five minutes.

- Hello. - Hello, madam.

Today is the last time.

Yes, today's our last visit.

I don't give a damn.

I don't give a damn!

How ladies in Paris? So-so?

I don't give a damn!

Goodbye, ma'am.

I couldn't thank you enough.

Don't mention it.

- Goodbye, miss. - Goodbye, sir.

Quickly, please.

Corporal, how about your book?

Choose it well, since it'll be your last memory of me.

Ronsard.

Couldn't have picked a better one.

"See, Mignonne, hath not the Rose,

That this morning did unclose..."

"Her purple mantle to the light,

- Has lost..." - "Lost."

It's old French. "Lost..."

"Lost, before the day be dead..."

"The glory of her raiment red,

Her color, bright as yours is bright?"

It's a beautiful poem.

I like Ronsard.

It's funny...

when I'm near you,

I think of the sun,

of the birds,

of a cozy fireplace.

The other soldier told me you had escaped.

I love a man who won't be enslaved.

Stop.

- What's on the menu today? - My friend could only get foie gras.

I wish I had a nice salad and some champagne to go with it.

- Champagne?! - How can you have foie gras without it?

Ballochet...

for the first time, I really see you.

What's wrong?

You don't like foie gras?

You're getting thick. All this is good business for you, huh?

Answer me.

Answer me!

Bye, guys!

Attention!

Where is the interpreter?

Colonel, that's the man.

Interpreter, ask your people to line up.

Get your mob to line up!

Where are you off to, Corporal?

- I've been sent to the agro sector. - Crap!

Here, take this corned beef. Came straight from Chicago.

No, thanks.

Bye, then.

- Where are you coming from? - From the stalag.

- How is it here? - Not too bad. We have plenty to eat.

- Wasn't my question. - Where are you coming from?

- From the stalag. - Where are you from?

Paris.

Here comes a Parisian! He's going to beat us at cards!

I sleep here, got it?

Come.

You sleep here. I'll get you for dinner.

- How is your fever? - Still the same.

I'll take you to the hospital, if it doesn't go down.

Yeah, I got it.

You can blabber all you want.

Corporal?

Corporal?

Guillaume. You must be happy here.

I don't feel well.

- What's wrong? - It's my wife.

She left with her discharged soldier.

A real whore!

She thinks with her ass.

Cheating on a prisoner, what a shame.

Maybe she was longing for you.

She had our cows!

Now some stranger is taking care of them.

He's costing me a fortune and he's probably robbing me.

I can't take it anymore. I'm leaving tonight.

- I'm going home. - You can't escape with a fever.

I couldn't care less about my fever.

- Do you own a suit? - I own two.

You know me, I like to be ready for anything.

If you want one, you can buy it from me.

Guillaume?

My cheese grater.

Don't think I'd leave it here.

Well, bye, guys.

- Have a safe trip. - Bye.

You can't leave with this!

I'd rather stay than leave my suitcase here.

- You don't want to see your cows? - I do, but with my suitcase.

My cheese grater!

Down! March!

March!

Up!

A little exercise! One, two...

Down!

Ballochet?

Conjugate the verb "to humiliate" in the passive form.

Why did they send you here?

Because I abandoned my dungeon.

Up! A little exercise!

47...

48...

49...

50.

Next!

What a delightful smell.

Originally, our job was to defend Poland...

What's going on here?

Only one man working?

Are you not able or not willing? Let's go!

Ballochet, it's your turn.

I regret to say that I prefer to handle my own refuse.

So you'll have to wait.

Don't stand around like that. Get to work!

Get your hands dirty.

It won't hurt you, you perfumed French.

Lazy people. Get moving!

Slave?

- Latrine. - Go on, go.

You should know, peasant, that in France we don't do that on command.

Yes, all right.

Corporal, please join me for this feast.

Quickly.

Education is a beautiful thing.

Did-did-did you see how-how he talks to them?

- He's important. - "He's important."

Ah, you make me laugh. I'll show you something.

Say, fathead, I'm going to the latrine.

What? Latrines? No latrines, work.

Corporal...

now that we're face to face,

I have to make a confession.

A painful confession.

When you and Papa jumped the wall, back in France...

my glasses...

I lost them on purpose.

I know.

I'm a nothing.

I'm brave only when it comes to reading meters.

The thing is, like most French people, I love heroes.

When I was still a kid,

I wanted to be a fighter pilot,

a knight in the skies.

Can you picture me

in a fighter, going after the Krauts...

with my glasses on?

So I built myself a dungeon,

my only pride.

Courage suits the common herd.

I'm a nothing,

Corporal.

Have a good night, Corporal.

- I'm going out. - Where to?

Having lost everything, I'm on the quest for human dignity.

Stop that nonsense and go to bed.

I'm serious.

On this rare occasion,

dreams can merge with reality;,

a gratuitous act can become practical...

and allow Don Quixote to reunite with Sancho Panza.

Goodbye, Corporal.

Do you want to leave?

Cut your own wrists, it'll be cleaner.

Don't you trust me, Corporal?

You don't stand a chance!

Wait until we're out of disciplinary camp and we'll leave together.

My character can only leave alone.

Gentlemen, I wanted to bid you goodbye.

I'll be gone in a few minutes.

You talk the talk, but how are you going to open the door?

- This should do. - How-how ab-bout the barbed wire?

How will you cu-cut it?

This isn't the latest technology, but it should do the job.

How about the guards, with their flashlights and their guns?

Pure misunderstanding.

Wave the French flag, while you're at it!

Don't you see my motto written in golden letters:

"The Gas Company never leaks anything."

Let me remind you I'm a gas man.

Dear companions of my German travels,

farewell.

Ballochet!

Don't fear, Corporal. I've got a plan, the best of all,

which consists in having none.

I'll meet you at the Gobelins.

Gentlemen, your candle's bugging me.

Your buddy's in the courtyard.

- How-how long to get-get... - To the barbed wire?

I'd say 25 seconds tops,

plus 30 seconds to cut it.

One, two, three,

four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine,

10, 11, 12,

13, 14, 15...

- He's walking along the shack. - 16, 17, 18,

- 19, 20... - They can see him now.

21, 22, 23,

- 24, 25. - He's at the door, cutting the barbed wire.

Keep counting, you idiot!

One, two, three,

four, five, six.

I didn't count, but I think it's been two minutes.

Yeah! He made it!

Sub-b-b-way employees

won't be wearing uniforms any lon-g-ger.

l-l-I think it's a mi-mi-stake.

Tick-ticket-puncher seems like an ea-easy job,

but-but-but you need authority.

I'll tell you something:

I'm sick and tired of uniforms.

And I'd rather be a bum than work in the subway.

No kidding.

You can't breathe in the subway.

And what, you punch holes all day?

You-you-you dig holes here-here. What's the diff-fference?

In-in the subway, you-you have to assert yourself.

During ru-rush hours,

pe-people walk all over you!

No wonder your record skips!

You-you think you're sm-smart?

I don't care, I never buy a ticket!

I'm telling you, I travel for free!

That'll shut you up!

I just say I'm on the wrong platform and there I go!

- No, no... - Yes, yes...

l-l-I don't think so,

be-because my co-colleague...

- you know? - What?

We-well, if we drop the uniform

but keep our hats,

it'd be s-stylish,

like yacht owners.

You'd look more like a towboat deckhand!

You-you-you

should have stayed with the commando.

We-we were happier without you-you.

Shut up!

What if the mother answers the door?

Then you'll be in pain and she'll pull one of your teeth.

This is no time for joking!

The door.

The door...

Come in.

We need civilian clothes.

Can you spare some?

Yes. Come this way.

Wait for me here.

Are you-you-you...

Sure of this broad?

I told you she's a friend of mine.

She's a friend.

There probably is a woman in Paris who'll have her whole life to look at you.

I have this moment only.

This is not the subway!

- Hey, it's working! - No kidding!

Police. Your papers.

They forgot the wreath.

Why does this man have a wreath?

Mama, I want to play with the wreath.

The man will take you to war, if you don't quiet down.

Yes, Mama, I want to go to war.

You have to grow up first.

And if you don't behave, you will never grow up.

Isn't that right, miss?

Would you like a cigarette?

Are you going to Paris?

Yes, I'm the secretary of the general staff.

We were lucky.

Your tickets, please.

Thank you.

I.D., please.

Your papers, please.

Never mind. I understand.

All right.

Settle down already, and go to sleep.

May I?

Be careful.

Sorry, it slipped from my hands.

Excuse me.

When it's cold outside, you have to warm up inside.

Would you like some?

- Mama, I want some. - That'll be the day.

Why don't you let him have a sip?

It's very healthy.

He'll fall asleep much faster, and we will have some peace.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

You're a bad example for a German!

My dear Miss Backhaus,

you look a little sick today.

Love has made you sick?

Who would have thought?

Have a little schnapps.

- Have a little. - Be quiet.

Sorry. I didn't see.

My sympathy.

Have a little. Helps with all of life's sorrows.

Never after eating.

French people!

I love French people! I know Paris!

The City of Lights!

And French women

have the most beautiful legs in the world.

- You agree, right? - Yes, I agree.

So have a drink with me!

French people are my friends!

I'm no tourist in Paris, you know?

I don't go to the Moulin Rouge or the Folies Bergeres.

I travel off the beaten track, if you know what I mean.

# I call you my little bourgeoise #

# My Tonkinese girl. #

Do stay.

Stay with me, my friends. I want to talk about Paris.

Have a drink, my friends.

- Let me see your papers! - Leave these guys alone.

They are my friends. Everything is okay.

Let me see your I.D.

You better watch it.

I'm probably a better German than you.

Long live France!

Long live the Eiffel Tower!

Where are you going?

You seem to be in a hurry.

Cheers.

There is no use!

No escaping now!

The most beautiful sound in the world!

It's all around us!

Look.

So we're still far from the border.

- Are you French? - I am.

We've escaped from a camp. How far's the border?

It's right there, behind that hill.

You're still here? You never considered leaving?

- What for? - I don't know.

To go back to the land of your grand-parents.

My grand-parents didn't have any land.

In France, I'm a farm worker.

- I work other people's land. - And what do you do here?

For the first time in my life, I own something.

Her husband was killed in Russia.

When that stupid war is over, we'll get married.

My land and my wife are in Paris,

so that's where I'm going.

As for me, I'm just going with the flow.

My home is where my buddy is.

When you reach the woods,

take the path on the left

so as to avoid the checkpoint.

Bye.

- Good luck. - Thank you.

Do you have anything to eat?

We have an apple left.

Give them our breakfast.

Thank you.

She's a friend of mine.

I'm telling you she's a friend.

Here we are.

What do you mean?

It's time to say goodbye.

I have a friend who lives near Bercy, and you're going the opposite direction.

They're expecting you at home.

Well...

it's only a figure of speech.

They've never stopped expecting you.

Goodbye, Corporal.

I'll see you soon.

See you soon.

Say...

once you've gone back

to the person waiting for you,

once you've spent some time with her

to get re-acquainted,

will you go on with the fight?

Paris is beautiful.

I can breathe here.

Well, it smells like heating oil. Look, there's a tugboat.

It smells like Paris.

I get it. So it's not over?

Things have just started.

The sight of swastikas depresses me.

So we'll see each other again, Corporal!

So I'll see you soon!

See you soon, Papa.

THE END