Original subtitles

[thunder]

[ominous instrumental music]

[guitar music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[crowd chattering]

Morning Doreen.

Morning Harry.

Did you hear about Eddie?

He's joined up, driving ambulances.

[man outside] Oi!

Don't touch!

-Can I have a ride please? -Not likely.

-[kid] Please sir! -Alright, maybe just one.

-Who's first? -Me, sir!

[kid] Me next!

Are you really a soldier?

[man] What do you reckon?

[door opens]

[footsteps]

Even Eddie Holts volunteered.

My turn next.

We're in a sorry state

if it came down to you, Harry Lambert.

[cicada chirping]

[piano music]

[church bells]

-No entry without your ID card -Someone stole it from me.

-Why are you wearing army shoes? -No, these are my boots.

You're lying, you're a deserter, take him to the inspector.

I'm not lying, they’re my boots.

Hurry up, idiot, he’s getting away. A deserter!

Watch out!

A deserter!

[whistles]

[footsteps]

[chickens]

[panting]

[nature sounds]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music]

[piano music]

Come on, girls! Come on, my beauties.

Madame!

Madame!

-No alarm. -I don’t have anything.

I'm Australian, ally.

I don’t have any money, please.

Please.

Police.

If they catch me they will shoot me.

[whistles]

[slams door]

Madame.

Madame.

Scare, scare. Madame.

Madame Jacotot. She lives alone...

-Are you sure? -Yes.

-Let me question her, okay? -Okay, fine.

So we agree, I'll ask the questions.

I don’t want you making any mistakes this time, okay?

[closes door]

-Madame. -Good afternoon.

We are looking for a man, Madame.

A hoodlum. Have you seen anyone?

A hoodlum?

A deserter.

They live in the woods and come out at night to steal food.

Have you seen anyone, Madame?

We think he came here.

No, I haven’t seen anyone.

Do you live alone, Madame?

What are you doing?

This is Tiger.

Named after Prime Minister Clemenceau.

-I'll tell you if I see anyone. -Thank you, Madame.

It’s reassuring to know that you're there protecting us.

Madame.

Hey! Australia!

The police are gone.

[lights match]

[record playing]

You think we'll ever get there?

I'm in no hurry to get myself shot.

Yeah.

We can't go back without seeing the show, can we?

Wouldn't be right.

He is dancing like a duck.

-What's wrong with him? -Cracked up.

Shell shot.

I'd rather shoot myself than come back like that.

You're not shooting anybody.

It's not our job.

[crowd chattering]

Come over here and grab this one for us please.

Liven up boys, could be your lucky day.

Leftenant Davis on approach.

We on the move?

Attention!

At ease.

You will have heard that other service companies

have been asked to provide men for the ford areas.

As part of the Spring offensive.

There will be some of you fellas

who will undoubtedly feel slighted,

that hadn't been overlooked

for such a brave duty.

They will envy you.

As I do.

[throws up]

[church bells]

[sizzling]

Madame.

Madame.

Madame...

Madame.

I love... Harry.

Harry.

Harry Lambert.

I love... Harry Lambert.

Excuse me.

[door opens]

Eat.

Thank you.

Come.

[footsteps]

[opens door]

[unlocks door]

[female voice] You're all thumbs.

There. That presentable?

I'm proud of you.

I'm proud of you.

I'm only baking bread.

Don't go doing anything foolish.

[bell music]

Are you okay?

Are you okay?

Sure. Why?

-Hello, Charlotte. -Hello.

[factory noises]

-Mrs. Bizot. -I'm working.

Mrs. Bizot, the police would like to talk to you.

Clothilde!

[struggling]

Let me go... let me go!

-What did she do? -This war is a disaster!

We are all sleepwalkers going straight to our death!

-Back to work! -Let me go.

They found the man she was hiding. In her bed.

-Naked? -No!

Stop it, that’s not true, it was her nephew.

Close family.

-You know who tipped them off? -No.

Father Vallier.

-Oh no. -Yes!

Colombe, I'm still a taker for your goose if that’s okay?

Of course.

[giggling]

Colombe, a word.

Good evening, ladies.

Good evening.

What will happen to her?

She’ll get ten years, maybe.

He was a deserter.

And the young man?

Just tell me who you want to replace Bizot.

Someone with no family.

[door opens]

I thought you'd be gone.

I have to travel by night.

Night.

It's too dangerous otherwise.

[thunder]

And I wanted to say thank you.

Wait until the rain stops.

Wait until the rain... the rain... stops.

Rain...

[wind blowing]

[door slams]

Here.

[storm]

Harry.

They can't send us out the line, can they?

They can't do that.

We're service caught on infantry.

Baker core.

You lot will only be good

if a fucking currant bun attacks us.

Well if you had done your job better we wouldn't have to,

-would we? -Don't worry.

You won't get anywhere near the front, lad.

[screams]

[wistful music]

[birds chirping]

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Thank you, Madame.

My name is Colombe. Colombe.

Thank you, Colombe.

Wait.

Wait.

These were my son’s.

I have clothes. For you.

-For you. -Me?

Here. Clothes.

They’re too short. Up here.

Turn, turn around.

That’s good. Go. Go.

Sir! Take this!

I have to teach you something every important.

I am a farm worker from Poland.

-Repeat. I am... I am... -Oh.

-I am... -I am...

-A worker... -A walker...

-A worker... -A worker...

-A farm worker... -A farm worker...

-From Poland. -From Poland.

-Again. I am... -I am...

-A worker... -A worker. A farm worker.

-From Poland. -From Poland.

-Again! -I am a...

-A worker... -A farm worker from Poland.

For the police. The police.

Colombe!

Go via the woods. Via the woods. Not the village.

No, the woods.

Thank you.

Quick, quick!

-Colombe! -Isabelle.

-Hello. -Hello.

-Can we come in? -Yes. Yes, of course.

Do you want your goose?

I have to wait until Jacques gets his pay.

How is your husband?

Well, I haven’t received a letter for six weeks.

The mail takes time.

That’s what everyone says.

No Louis, don’t go in there!

I don’t want the cat to get out. The geese are laying.

Come and sit down!

I'll make you a cup of chicory.

Thank you.

You know the Charcot’s house was broken into.

Hoodlums.

That’s terrible.

Our men are at war, while others steal from us.

Yes, this war is a disaster In so many ways.

You mustn’t talk like that!

It’s dangerous!

Stop! What are you doing here?

Ahh...

I am, from Poland.

A what?

Worker... from Poland.

Who do you work for?

I know who you are! You’ve come here to steal!

This is my land! Go on, get out of here!

Get out of here!

Get out!

Stop!

Who’s replacing Mrs. Bizot in the team?

They haven’t decided.

Well... I could work on the shop floor.

I work fast. I don’t complain and we need money.

No, it’s too dangerous.

Yes, it’s dangerous, but isn't life more dangerous now?

For everyone?

I've been living without Jacques for three years now.

Isn’t that dangerous enough?

It’s not the same thing.

Why not?

Because you have a son.

Time to go, Louis, give that back. Now!

-Oh, he can keep it. -No, Colombe.

It’s a copy of Captain Bleriot’s plane.

He crossed the Channel in it.

It belonged to my little boy. You'll take care of it.

The mail is always slow.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Don’t forget me, Colombe.

I tried. There were hunters.

Dogs. Woof woof!

No more going outside! You stay in the house!

It’s too dangerous. Do you understand?

Did I hurt you?

Oh. No.

What's burning?

3 minutes

I'm a baker.

What?

Baker.

Toilet?

No, that's an oven.

Bread. A bread?

Baker.

Yes. Baker. I think.

No army. No soldier, Colombe.

I am not a soldier.

You're a baker!

Cheers!

Cheers.

One.

Two.

Three, four...

Five, six, seven,

eight, nine, ten.

Jack.

Queen.

Jack, queen.

-King. -King.

Ace.

-Arse? -Ace.

Ace.

-You know how to play Rummy? -Rummy?

-Rummy. -Rummy.

Ten.

Two, three. We turn one over.

And that’s the pile.

Ace.

I win.

This is you.

The Queen.

You. Where is the King?

Where?

Your husband?

I'm sorry.

What about you? Where is your queen?

I never married. I have no one.

Why not?

I just missed my chance.

You're young and strong.

Why don’t you have a wife?

[woman gasping]

[man moaning]

Stop.

Colombe, stop.

Sorry.

No. No.

It's not you. I've never done this before.

I don't know.

I've never done this before.

Are you a virgin?

Are you a virgin?

-I'm sorry. -I'm sorry.

[soft happy music]

[laughs nervously]

[panting]

[man grunting]

[panting heavily]

I'm sorry.

[both laughing]

Isabelle.

Did you get the clock?

Let’s go.

[glass clinking]

What have you done?

I did nothing. I thought it was the police.

Colombe, I'm sorry.

What are you looking for?

Was it money?

Go away.

Here.

I have money, I can give you money.

I don’t want your money!

It was my son’s.

My son’s! The jack.

-The jack? -My son, yes.

My son.

He's cross?

His cross, yes. He took it to the front with him, for luck.

He’s a soldier like you.

A soldier.

He ran away.

He was scared. Like you.

I don't understand.

My son!

He ran away!

He came back to the house.

“Save me, mama, save me.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

And I told him to go back.

I would rather he went to the front than to gaol!

He listened to me...

He trusted me.

He went back.

They sent him to Verdun.

I'm sorry.

[woman weeps]

[wistful piano music]

[factory sounds]

Colombe Jacotot.

Did you tell one of your coworkers that this war is a disaster?

That’s defeatism, Mrs. Jacotot.

It could be dangerous for you.

Tell me... how is your husband?

If you hear from him, let us know.

Can I go back to work?

There are rewards for people who find deserters.

[birds chirping]

Shall we play?

[bottles clinking]

One, two, three, four...

Ten...

What are all these hearts?

Do you think this is a love story?

Oh look.

Do you think this is a love story?

What's wrong?

That’s not what this is. It can’t be that.

Colombe...

It’s not possible.

You're completely mad, it’s not possible.

I won't fail you again.

[wistful music]

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Harry?

Harry?

Harry?

Harry?

Are you hungry?

Hungry?

No.

A pear.

It’s for you.

Pear.

Pear.

Pear.

Pear.

It's a pear.

Pear.

Pear.

Pear.

-A pear to quench the thirst. -A pear to quench the thirst.

[guitar music]

[kissing]

[panting]

[panting]

[satisfied moans]

[birds chirping]

[happy piano music]

[ducks calling out]

Good morning, Céleste. Good morning, Augustine.

Good morning, Séverine.

I need the boys.

[chicks chirping]

Girl.

How do you know?

Try it.

-Boy? -Boy.

-Boy? -Boy.

Girl.

Boy, boy, boy...

[laughing]

Girl, girl, girl...

[laughing]

Girl, girl, girl.

[happy laughter]

[ducks quaking]

Colombe?

[laughter continues]

Colombe!

[hushes]

I was sexing the geese.

Is someone in there?

Someone there?

No, nobody’s there, it’s...

it’s the geese, they’re on edge today, I don't know why.

Louis told me he saw a man...

swimming in your pond.

A man? Swimming in my pond?

It’s too cold for that.

Take all the flowers you want.

I'll go see why they’re so noisy.

Swimming. You idiot.

Come here!

They are a bit on edge today.

Maybe they know why you’ve come.

-Okay? -Yes.

[coins]

[groans]

Thank you.

Come on, Louis, let’s go.

They’ll come someday.

What will I tell them?

I'll have to say that I don’t know you.

How will I be able to say that now?

[door rustling]

[ominous music]

[grunts]

[hens clucking]

[exhales deeply]

[ominous music]

God!

Go to the house!

Go on, my beauties... Go on, girls, go on!

[ducks quaking]

Colombe!

Come with me.

He’s just a local old fool. There. He’s harmless.

Go on!

Go on, undress him.

Harry! Undress and wash him!

I'll lift you a bit.

There, that’s good. There.

Careful.

That’s good.

[spitting]

Colombe.

He’s waking up.

He mustn’t see you.

It’s too dangerous here.

Do you understand?

God, I wish I had the words to say how grateful I am.

I wish I--

You don’t owe me anything.

My husband never loved me.

He thought I was ugly and useless.

But you...

you made me feel...

beautiful.

Go on.

[door opens]

[cicadas chirping]

[solemn music]

[footsteps]

[unlocks door]

[opens door]

-Private Harold Lambert. -I know who you are, Lambert.

Relax, private.

They've asked me to assist you.

You're a lawyer, sir?

No, I am in charge of transports.

There are no lawyers available

but you need someone to speak for you

and that, it seems, is me.

You've done this before, sir?

Twice.

Did you win?

Yes, but that was a drunk and disorderly.

It's not your sort.

Now someone hid you.

What's her name?

I don't know what you mean, sir.

I fell in with some lads.

They shoved me about whenever the police showed their faces.

For over a month?

Bloody good lads.

You're gonna have to give me more than that

if you want my help.

That's the truth, sir.

That's bullshit.

This isn't a matter of docking your pay.

You face a prison term. You're in deep shit, son.

Now who hid you?

[keys rustling]

It's not her fault.

It was all me.

This isn't simply a matter of desertion anymore.

It's communicating with the enemy.

Madame J...

was a traitor.

That can't be.

French police have had their eye on her for years.

Her husband comes from Alsace.

He went back there during the war.

in the German territory.

The French believe he's a German spy

and his wife has been feeding him information.

Why do you think she risked her life like that, Harry?

She was using you.

There is no reason to believe

that private Lambert was involved in anything

madame J or her husband are alleged to have done, sir.

In fact,

private Lambert strenuously denies

Liam J was ever mentioned

at any time he was in the house.

He assumed he was dead.

-I'd like to say something. -Harry.

Madame J was a grieving widow.

I knew I could take advantage of her.

So I fooled her into hiding me, saying I was in fear of my life.

She had no one to protect her. It was easy.

You knew of this, captain Foster?

No sir.

I wish to make amends for what I've done.

Oh, you'll make amends, lad.

My word you will.

Do you speak French, sir?

Is that a joke?

I need help writing a letter.

I need to know she's alright.

You're a fool, Lambert, a bloody fool.

Will you help me?

I don't know who else to ask.

[gate creaks]

[gate locks]

[panting]

My dad was in the Boer war.

Oh, god help me.

If the English don't shoot me, he bloody will.

You Lambert?

Captain Foster.

[instrumental music]

Despite his good character, the issue remains.

Private Lambert deserted his post,

and when apprehended was dressed in civilian clothing.

Clearly demonstrating his desire not to return.

But more seriously, whilst absent,

he consorted with a known traitor.

The war is at a critical stage.

Only strict discipline

in full accordance with our practices,

and traditions of the British army,

will allow us to achieve victory.

For this reason,

it is the decision of this panel

to recommend the severest penalty

allowable.

Death... by firing squad.

They come for you at dawn.

That's why I am not sleeping.

I'll do anything.

You get boys to do it, don’t you.

And the bastards can't shoot straight.

The officers has to finish us off.

[door unlocks]

[door unlocks]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Hurry up you blokes, it's as cold as an aunt's tit.

Captain Humphrey, this is private Harold Lambert.

Captain Humphrey has worked for the adjutant general.

In you get.

Now private,

good news is...

the Australian government doesn't want the death penalty.

However,

plenty over here that do.

They're trying to blame any disciplinary from us

we might have, on the fact that we won't shoot our own men.

Seems they're asking us to draw a line in the sand.

Unfortunately for you, private Lambert,

you can well become that line.

This woman... J.

A woman of her experience...

Quite beguiling, I'd imagine.

Perhaps a fellow might find himself

easily tricked by such a woman.

Not entirely in control of himself.

Would you agree with that, captain?

It is possible, sir.

Indeed, and such a clarification may well be enough

to sway the adjutant general's decision.

Push that line right away from you, eh Harry.

I won't.

-Why? -Madame J is entirely innocent.

Well...

It's a pity the frogs don't see that one.

They sentenced her last week.

Saint Lazare. Worst kind of place, I'm afraid.

Gave her five years hard labor.

They've returned these.

No letters, I'm afraid.

It's too late to save her, private.

Then what the bloody hell does it matter

what you say about her now?

For Christ's sake, Harry!

Save yourself!

He's a bloody idiot.

[door unlocks]

I don't get you.

You were happy enough to save your own skin once.

I didn't run because I was scared.

I just couldn't be part of it.

Why'd you join up?

Not to kill anybody.

[door locks]

The war's over, Harry.

Pending a dishonorable discharge you're free.

[distant singing]

Come on.

You've been given a life, Harry.

Don't waste it.

[crowd singing]

[suspenseful music]

Good morning.

How are you? I'm well.

What has he come for, what is he doing here?

I'm too old, I don’t want him to see me like this.

He says he will go back to Australia if you don’t see him this time.

You look well.

I learned French.

Who asked you to do that?

When I came to your home ...

I was scared.

I was ashamed.

And you...

you gave me...

everything.

Now...

I know running away is the best thing I've ever done in my life.

Harry...

I have nothing to offer you.

You are my life, Colombe.

I want to make a home with you.

I love you.

I love you.

[happy music]

[birds chirping]

[hammering]

[peaceful music]

I'm scared.

Me too.

[happy instrumental music]

[ending music]