Original subtitles

THE BUTCHER

To the inhabitants of Tremolat, Périgord

Oh shit!

Hurry up now!

Odette, go put the Périgueux sauce in the soup tureen

It's very good

You'd better mind your own business and get on with your work!

And where do we put these?

Oh, come on! You only think about yourselves around here! Give me a break!

Oh, you keep saying the same thing over and over again. Ridiculous!

Great temper!

Do you like it?

I hope it's your best beef, Popaul!

I killed it myself last week. If it's not good I'll cut my tongue out!

We'll eat it with sauce!

Bring that over here, I'll cut it!

Here

Wait till you taste this one

Is this alright?

Thank you

Why are you laughing?

Nothing!

It looks good so I'm happy

Not like in the army

When they did have a bit of good meat, which wasn't often the case,

they still found a way to cook it like leather

Dear friends, as father of the bride, I will make a speech

I won't make it too long because I don't want to say anything stupid

And my son-in-law knows a thing or two about the subject

That's the problem with marrying your daughter to a teacher

The father-in-law has to watch his French

Still, I know enough to say how this marriage pleases me...

...because I'm very fond of young Léon

He taught our youngest to read and write...

...he's a local lad and I'm sure he'll make my girl happy

You can be sure of that, old man!

Come here, let me give you a kiss

Now kiss each other

I got it!

Funny things, weddings

Don't you think that weddings are funny?

Well, yes, it's joyous. Everyone has a good time

- Things turn sour afterwards - Not always

Some of my army pals got married

Of course, they weren't at home!

Don't be evasive

They weren't there

Well no

I could do with a little champagne

Mademoiselle Hélène, may I drink champagne?

Ask your mother

She told me to ask you and that I can if you say so

- All right, drink; do you like it? - I don't know, I've never tasted it

Here, try it

So?

Not bad

- Say, you accept responsibility - Yes, I like that

He likes you

I hope so!

I'm telling you, he likes you

Well, I like them, too

A song!

By popular request, I shall sing you a song

The Little Isle of Capri

With me!

-Yes ! -No it's fine

Why won't you dance the waltz?

Why don't we dance the waltz?

- You dance very well but I'm stiff as a board - You're not so bad

I haven't danced much in fifteen years

The people are nice here, much nicer than elsewhere

Why did you join the army, then?

I could've gone without it, only...

...among all these nice people, there was one who wasn't: my father

My father was a real dirtbag

- How long have you lived here? - Ten years; I knew your father well

Wasn't he a real swine?

He was a butcher

He wasn't even a good one; he killed badly and chopped meat anyhow

Weddings... my mother may have been happy on her wedding day...

...but what she went through after, poor thing

- Why did you never come back? - To see the old man? No, thank you

I came back for my mother's funeral seven years ago

I was on holiday in Paris then

You holiday there, Parisians holiday here; that's logical

That's logical!

I'd liked to have seen you there

I wouldn't have minded; I'd have been a nurse

We had good times, but...

The rice was good, wasn't it?

The rice was all right, but the rice fields were treacherous

Yeah

- You smoke in the street? - Yes. Are you shocked?

No, but it's unusual to see a woman smoke in the street

It's more hygienic than smoking indoors

Yes, that's logical

You're fond of logic, aren't you?

Well, I was fifteen years in the army

The army makes you appreciate two things you haven't got:

logic and liberty

-Do you live above the school? -Yes

- How long have you been headmistress? - Three years

You're young for a headmistress

It's because I am very well-behaved

Are you fond of meat?

Yes

I ask because if I get a good animal some time...

...I could bring you some good pieces: escalopes, roasts, butcher's cuts

You know, some animals are better than others. We know that

What a dream... a butcher to choose your meat for you

How wonderful

While I think of it... do you have to learn to be a butcher?

In theory, yes... and that's what's funny

Since I was a butcher with my father, they made me one in the army, too

I've always been a butcher. Butcher for the army: in Algeria, in Indo-China...

A butcher

There was plenty of work, those grunts can really chow down

Yes, that's logical

Well, here you are; I'll go home now

Goodbye, Popaul. Thank you for seeing me home

Goodbye, Mademoiselle Hélène

- You look fed up, Léon - I'd rather have stayed at home

Not tired of married life yet?

God no, not already

I hope you'll be very happy

You'll see how nice it is to go home to your little wife after work

I'm going home to lunch

That's a good idea

Come on, kids, you've had five minutes extra break in honor of Monsieur Hamel's wedding

Get in line, everyone

Are you deaf, you two? Are you deaf?

Riri says that his father told him that the postman said...

...a dead woman has been found in Saint-Alver woods

What on earth are you talking about? Come on, go inside

He breathed an air of grandeur... comma...

... of grandeur

...a majestic resolution... comma...

...a certain profundity...

...by which...

...even the most vulgar mind...

...must be impressed

...impressed

Period

Honoré de Balzac... I'll write the name for you

Do you know who Balzac was?

A writer

Yes

He was a nineteenth century novelist...

...who tried to portray the society of his time as a whole

But I'll tell you about that later. I will read the dictation back to you

Hearing the door of her room open suddenly, Hélène...

No, don't laugh

Hélène rose from the divan on which she was resting, but she saw the marquis...

...and gave a cry of surprise

She was so changed that it took a father's eyes to recognize her

His pale face...

...had been bronzed by the tropical sun... His pale face...

...had been bronzed by the tropical sun...

...giving him a poetic appearance

He breathed an air of grandeur, a majestic resolution, a certain profundity...

...by which even the most vulgar mind must be impressed

Come in

-I don't want to disturb you -It's fine

I know I shouldn't call in school hours, if that bothers you, you should tell me

It doesn't bother me at all. What's the matter?

-I've brought you a leg of lamb -Oh, how kind

It's a special one, look

Perhaps you'll help me collect the notebooks

Start there

-I used to sit there -Oh really?

Were you a good pupil, at least?

I was fine at French and history, but...

...sink and train problems, not so much

I have to say, our teacher wasn't nearly as nice as you, the old hag

Her name was Vachin; cow by name and cow by nature

- You mustn't insult my colleague - Colleague or not, cow she was

You can't hear any more

Stand up

You can leave

That doesn't mean you shouldn't line up

Come on, hurry up

They'd have heard about that stuff sooner or later

Miss Vachin would never have let the butcher deliver grub during school hours

-Have you got a fridge? -Yes

So goodbye, Mademoiselle Hélène

No wait, I'll go to baker's with you

Come and eat the lamb with me tonight, if you don't fear being compromised

- What's wrong? - Nothing. You took me by surprise

It would lose half its savor if I ate it alone

It's scratching my ass!

-Well, will you? -Yes, of course, with pleasure

What time shall I come?

About seven, after I've marked the notebooks

I'm not very busy these days

I do the buying and slaughtering; my assistant runs the shop

It's much calmer in the autumn, in the hunting season

Goodbye

Hello

What's the matter?

That was a policeman from Périgueux

Because there's been a crime at Saint-Alver

A crime?

The Gaillotin girl was found stabbed to death

And to think that two weeks ago Jean danced with her

But I've not seen her since

My God, who could've done that?

I expect some tramp did it

A baguette, please

I'm sorry, Mademoiselle Hélène, I was miles away

I don't know how long they're going to be prowling around here, these officers

Ah, that I couldn't tell you

It'll give us something to talk about, but still...

-Will you put it on my account? -Yes, Miss

- Am I too early? - No, I said at seven so come up, the door's open

Punctuality is the politeness of butchers

As Louis XIV said

- I've nearly finished - So I am too early

No, it will just take five minutes. Would you like a drink?

No, no, don't worry about me

It doesn't bother me

I can do without a drink; I've drunk enough in my time

Continue

I'll sit here

-Why not sit there? -No, I'm fine here

I'll be five minutes

- It must be fun to teach kids - Yes, it's a beautiful job

Can I get a cigarette?

You smoke "Gauloises" cigs?

What do you think of this?

It was so hot the air was like an overcoat

Well... is it good?

Yes, I think so too

I don't know anything about that stuff

It's done

If I put the legs of lamb in now, we could eat early, then go to the Sarlat cinema

Do you like cinema?

Yes, but I don't like war films, they're disgusting

Really?

I made war for fifteen years; you must be real stupid to think war films are a distraction

- Why did you stay in the army then? - Precisely because I was stupid

I've seen a few things... it wasn't pretty... pretty rotten

It's not a war film but a comedy tonight. Shall we start cooking?

Over there

You have to go through the ground floor to get to the kitchen?

No, it's right here

My little kitchen

How beautiful

I'm proud of my little kitchen

Did you see the police were in town all day today?

Apparently a girl was knifed at Saint-Alver

Yes, I know

They're looking everywhere... haven't found any clues

- How much does the meat weigh? - 800g. Half an hour in the oven will do

No garlic?

Never with lamb!

- Shall I make a little salad, my style? - Yes, but you're my guest, I don't want to make you work

Oh, you're teasing

Alright then

Are the eggs hard-boiled?

What sign were you born under, Popaul?

Libra, the Scales; that's why I swagger. I was born on 6th October

And you?

I'm Scorpio

What is it?

- That's a bad sign - There's no bad sign

A little lid...

Do you need anything else for your salad?

No, I have everything I need

Just a small knife, maybe

- Is that alright? - Sure

Say, I only have my van to drive to Sarlat

Doesn't look very posh

I have a Citroën 2CV

Why are you laughing?

I don't know, you must look funny in your little Tin Snail

You've never seen me drive it

- Hello, Mademoiselle Hélène - Hello Popaul

A small escalope, please

Congratulations on the examination results

Oh, you're too kind

My little brother would have failed without you

Oh no, he wouldn't have

Here they are again

Apparently they're on the trail of some tramp

The officers are here, maybe they've found a new clue

Crimes are dreadful; think of that poor girl

You know, I've seen corpses, head in the muck, cut in two, mouths gaping

Piled three or four high, kids with their eyes out

I've see old women like her from Indo-China cut to pieces

I've seen my pals rotting in the sun, eaten by vermin

Yes, war is horrible, but it's a job to be done...

...whereas a murder like this is savagery

We counted bodies by the lorry-load, so you know...

But what do I know...

How much do I owe you?

Three francs. On your account?

There they go again

Monsieur La Hire, before I forget, for the school fête's on 22nd October,

Can I come and ransack your costume collection?

Of course ! You may have whatever you like, whenever you like

- You promised I could join in! - Of course you can!

I love dressing up and playing the fool

The beef roast

- There you go - Thank you

No problem

- Goodbye - Goodbye

- And for you, Madame Tirant? - What are you giving me?

I'm giving you whatever you want

Minced beef then

- What about a nice steak? - No, I don't want that

- It would restore your teeth - Next time!

Popaul! Will you come mushrooming with us this afternoon?

Today is Thursday and I promised Charles and Lisette I would take them

- What time? - About four

I may still be working then

Join us if you can, in the wood behind the grottoes. Alright?

Mademoiselle Hélène!

Popaul!

Wait here, kids. I'll fetch Popaul

We're in the oak woods!

- How's this for a haul? - Yours is amazing!

I can sniff out mushrooms

Come and see the mushrooms Popaul's found

I have one too!

We can put them in the basket

Do you think you've done enough for one day?

I like to watch you with the children like this

Can we go and play over there?

You know, Mademoiselle Hélène, there's one thing I've noticed

School teachers are usually known by their surname

I never knew Miss Vachin's first name...

...but with you it's the opposite, we always say Mademoiselle Hélène

Everyone calls you that. What is your surname?

Davile

Hélène Davile?

Do you mind me asking?

Not at all, why shouldn't you know my surname?

May I ask you another question? But it's even more personal

Ask, anyway

You needn't answer if it bothers you

Yes, don't worry

I think I know the question; I promise I'll answer

Well, I'll take the plunge, then

Why is it you haven't a lover?

Because I don't want one, Popaul

Yes, I understand...

...but the question is: why don't you want one?

Because I had a big heartbreak ten years ago

I was deeply in love with a boy who made me very happy, was everything I wanted

Then, after some months, he had enough and just left me

Well, that...

...that made me physically ill and it took me a long time to get better

That's why I came here to teach; now I'm very happy

I don't say you're not happy, but still it's not normal

It's quite normal!

It's not difficult to do without things

But that's foul

I'm not in the least troubled, you know

I love the children as if they were my own

I'm not that convinced

And anyway...

I know what I'm doing

I find it admirable that can people meet, fall in love...

...make love and so on...

...but I don't want to take any more chances

I know that it's not always so marvelous...

...but never to make love can drive you crazy

But making love can make you mad, too

So it's irrelevant

Damn it all, if I kissed you, what would you say?

I wouldn't say anything

But I ask you not to

- The package I gave you - Yes, here it is

It's for you!

Are you giving me a present? What's the occasion?

What's the date, today?

Oh shit, it's my birthday?

Beautiful

Ah, how good

Look at your partner while turning

Charles, be serious, will you

Forward

Straight, back, side

Back, side

Smile! You're not miserable

- How handsome you are! - It doesn't take much

What are you doing? Bernadette, close your mouth

Come on

Pascal, pull your stomach in

Smile

Are you coming?

Stand up straight

Here

Not like this! That's not good!

See? That's not hard

Let's take a little bow

There you go

You must understand that instincts, feelings...

...even the intellect of Cro-Magnon man... were really human

Only his problems of subsistence differed from ours

- What does subsistence mean? - It means staying alive

He began to draw as soon as possible

Do you know what desires are called when they rise above savagery?

Aspirations

If Cro-Magnon man hadn't survived in his world, you wouldn't exist

Be careful where you walk

What if Cro-Magnon man came back today? What would he do?

I don't know. Maybe he would transform to live among us

Maybe he would die

I don't want him to die; I'm sure he was very nice

Hold hands

Has everyone brought their afternoon snack?

I've got some small pains au chocolat if anyone is still hungry

Don't go too fast

Sit down

I'd like a little pain au chocolat

It's raining?

Of course not, the sky is clear, look

It's red

It's blood! She's bleeding!

I'm scared!

Don't move; I won't be long, stay put!

Go away, Charles! Go away!

Try one more time

- Hello, Miss - You're Hélène Davile?

I'm a police officer

Sorry to bother you but I'm afraid I must ask you a few questions

Wait for me here

Périgueux called us last night and I took the night train, haven't slept a wink

Let's go in there

This your classroom?

Young for a headmistress, aren't you? They say you're a wonderful teacher

You're very liked around here

Do you mind?

Périgueux's a bit out of its depth, two crimes back-to-back like that

They've called us in to cover themselves and they're right

However, sadistic crimes are always a problem

- So you found the body? - Yes

I read your statement last night; the walk and all that, no point in going over it

The kids must have been shocked, especially the little girl who got blood on her face

I'd like to ask you...

They did the autopsy during the night; it seems she has been killed, not raped

Not raped... that's rather unusual

Usually... well, she can't have been dead long when you found her

The blood was still fresh

I wanted to know if you heard unusual noises?

...before the blood and all that? You haven't heard anything?

You didn't have the feeling that someone else was there?

- No, not at all- - Did you-

Sorry

No, go on. You were going to say something

I mean we were coming out of the caves, so naturally I didn't see or hear anything

The kids heard nothing?

No I don't think so although I haven't asked them

We'll check that later. According to you statement, you approached the body...

Riri, I told the little ones to come in, too. Monsieur Hamel may be away today

Hurry up

Little ones to the back of the class

Go to the back of the class, some here too

When there's no more room, squeeze together on the benches

Come on, hurry up

Kids, listen to me

Did any of you who were on the outing yesterday...

...hear or see anything they found unusual?

No, sir

Now don't invent anything to seem interesting, tell me the truth

They're not liars, sir

- Can we talk somewhere else now? - In the yard if you want

Charles, I leave you in charge; try to be authoritative, I won't be long

Keep quiet, like Mademoiselle Hélène said!

I congratulate you on your composure; I'm sure all this must have been terrifying

I don't want to keep you, but I'm asking you to think carefully

Have you any idea, however vague, that might put us on the track?

There's no doubt that in this area, not necessarily locally...

... around, maybe in the city...

...there's a madman at large, do you understand?

Yes, I understand but I can't help you

Between ourselves... her husband... Léon Hamel...

...could he have done it?

You can't think such a thing

If you knew what we see, if you knew human nature...

Well, I don't won't to interrupt you class any longer.

Go to your pupils and I'll stew in my own Juice

Can I make a phone call here?

I'm sorry, our line's through the post office and that's not open yet

- Very modern around here! - It's the school phone, not mine

You're living in the Middle Ages - Every modern convenience - It's the school phone, not mine

Your system dates back to Henri IV's time!

- Goodbye, Miss - Goodbye, sir

Everything's alright?

Not too squashed-up, children? I'll give you something to draw

Mademoiselle Hélène!

Mademoiselle Hélène, can I come up? I've a surprise for you

Popaul, what's the matter?

I've been to Périgueux, I have a little surprise for you. Can I come up?

Come up

Look what I got you: cherries in brandy, I hope you like it

Big ones, too; none of the rubbish they sell in bistros

Look how big they are. You like that, right?

Yes, a lot

What is it? Is something the matter?

No but I'm a little tired. Shall we taste them now?

Sit down, I'll find some dishes

This whole business is getting you down

A little bit of juice...

I think they're the best I've ever had

They're good, aren't they? What do you think?

They're great

Funny, ever since I’ve known you, this is the first time I've seen you out of sorts

I mean, funny... It's not funny but...

Don't worry, Popaul, you're too kind

I'm not completely stupid, I know you've had a shock... poor kids

And poor Hamel must be in a state

He couldn't work today

I know, so you had twice as much work

You must take a holiday. If you fall ill...

No, I'm very strong

Alright

If you could've seen how she was...

I thought of the corpses you talked about

They couldn't have been worse

Don't think about that and don't think of her like that

Picture her on her wedding day, when we became friends

She was a little tipsy, flushed...

You're tired, and now you're crying

Wipe your tears

I saw some lambs at Périgueux; lovely legs of lamb they'd make

I'm sorry, I can't help it

You know what? I'll repaint your living room, the paint is starting to peel off everywhere

Don't cry any more

It's over now

- Got a light? - That's better

But that's my lighter!

Of course it is. It works beautifully, it's not junk

Are you starting again? You're crying differently now

What shall I do? Go away?

No, please stay! I need you to stay

Just what we needed!

I loved her so much

Hello, Mademoiselle

- Hello, sir. You know Paul Thomas? - Yeah, we know each other

I had to trouble him, like everyone else. May I walk with you?

Yes of course

This is a dreadful business

A tedious case...

Nothing: not a trail, not a clue, no lead of any sort

I swear, it's not pretty

The guy's a sadist, no doubt. The same from

the Saint-Alvert case: the same wounds, no rape

If I don't stop him, he'll do it again The same sadist did both murders; the same wounds, no rape

That bodes well... If I don't stop him, he'll definitely do it again

He'll do it again two or ten times before we find him

We're not sure of finding him at all. We're going over everything with a fine-tooth comb

We're going crazy too... We interrogate and interrogate

But we can't lock people in their homes

We can't even be sure it's someone local

And the weapon... probably a flick-knife

Everyone has one in the countryside!

Here, hang this up. I have to go to Mademoiselle Hélène's

- Alright. Is it nearly finished? - Just the ceiling to do

So you'll do problem 5 on page 72

It starts with "A train leaves Orléans..."

What is it?

Trains...

Look, if I only make you do what you can already do, you'll never progress

- Good evening, I'm here to finish the ceiling - Good evening

- My place is a shambles - It'll be nice when it's finished

Well I hope so!

Yes?

- Ah, good evening, Léon - Good evening, Mademoiselle

How are you doing?

Fine

See you tomorrow

- No, tomorrow's Sunday - See you on Monday, then

See you on Monday

Poor chap

Yes, very unhappy...

Popaul, I'm going shopping in Bergerac, it will take me an hour

Charles, go upstairs to work. It better be finished when I get back

- And no talking - Of course not, Mademoiselle Hélène!

She has given me train problems again... that and sink problems...

You don't say!

Let's go

How's it going?

It's awful! Could you help me?

Poor kid

Ah, shit

What did you say?

I said shit; I've spilt paint on the carpet

You need some solvent

Yeah but I don't know where it is

Here, in the closet

Say, you know where everything is

Since last year...

...she's been giving me train problems

Where are clean rags?

In the little table drawer, between the two windows

Hey, shall I read you my problem?

If you want to but don't count on me

"A train leaves Orléans at 4.37, driving at 115km/h for the first 50km

Then at 110km/h for the rest of the drive

Another train leaves Toulouse at 2.43, driving at 65km/h for the first 80km

And at 105km/h

Then, the two trains meet at 5.45

What is the distance between Orléans and Toulouse?"

Do you know the distance between Orléans and Toulouse? That would give me an idea

Hello? Do you know the distance?

No, I never could understand those problems

- Oh, here you are I was on my way. - Already?

Well I'm almost done. I've done the first coat, now it must dry

Shall I put the ladder away?

No there's no need

- Goodbye - Goodbye, Popaul

Do you know another girl's been murdered? At Bergerac this time

Behind a carriage entrance

Didn't you hear? I said another girl's been found murdered the same way

She was found behind a carriage entrance

I'm not surprised. There was no reason for it to stop

Do you think it's going to stop all of a sudden?

That's true, you're right. Good evening Popaul, see you tomorrow

There's been another murder?

Yes. But never mind that, how about that problem?

I can't do it

Do you at least understand the principle?

No idea

Look, it's easy. You calculate the distance traveled by each train

And you add them up

Yeah but I don't care

Real smart

Come on, think

So? How's it going?

One train travelled 367 kilometers...

Must be correct

Charles, did you look for something in this drawer?

No, Popaul looked for a cloth to clean the carpet

Oh, really? Alright

- Listen, it's late, you must be tired - Tomorrow's Sunday

Anyway, you've got the hang of the problem, it's easy, right?

- You can leave - Alright

Mademoiselle Hélène!

Mademoiselle Hélène, let me in, I want to talk to you

Just for two minutes... I beg you

Just a couple of words

No! I've got a headache. Come tomorrow

No, tonight. It's important

Really, I'm not very well. Tomorrow morning... Come tomorrow morning

But it's important

Mademoiselle Hélène!

It's me

I switched off the light. I got in through the woodshed

Keep still, I have to talk to you

I saw you found the lighter

So I understood you knew it was me

When I realized I'd lost it, I tried buying another one

I spent the entire day at Périgueux to find the same one

So that you wouldn't notice anything

But that was a waste of time since you'd already found it

This is what I killed them with, this knife

I can't help myself, it's like a nightmare

I can't breathe until I've done it, until I've stuck my knife

I understand, Popaul, trust me

Don't speak, don't speak

Now, I won't dare with you like I used to

My shame is terrible

I couldn't bear to face you; I know I horrify you

And I can't bear that, you understand? I can't bear it

Mademoiselle Hélène

Mademoiselle Hélène, help me

What have you done?

Can't you see? I've killed myself. Help me

Stay where you are, don't move

Let go

Press hard. I'm going to take you to hospital

Don't tell them why; don't tell them who I am

Stop talking

Hurry

Hurry up, I'm losing all my blood

Don't talk

I must talk to you now

I spent my nights thinking of you

You didn't know but I spent nights outside the school, looking at your window

It was only you

When I saw you, when I saw your eyes...

...I forgot everything

I no longer knew who I was

I lived only for you

Don't talk, I beg you

You can't stop me

I would have liked to hold you in my arms

I would have liked to have been with you always, to love you...

...to protect you, to know you needed me

I wanted to take you to a desert island...

How long...

I have so much blood

My blood keeps flowing

I know about blood, I've seen so much...

...so much blood flowing

When you were there, there was no blood

I didn't think about blood anymore

I don't know if I can hold out

My blood keeps flowing

Once, when I was little, I fainted at the sight of blood

Have you noticed the smell of blood?

All blood has the same smell...

...the blood of animals and the blood of men

Some blood is redder than others...

...but all blood smells exactly the same

How long...

Keep quiet, we're there

Mademoiselle Hélène

Kiss me

He's dead, Mademoiselle

When the lift stopped he cried "Mademoiselle Hélène", then he died

You're tired; go home. We'll see about the details tomorrow