Original subtitles

To summarise: Prudence and Belisaire Beresford are married,..

..they have one daughter,..

..two adorable grandchildren,..

..and they will live happily ever after.

Things have not turned out the way I expected !

Very profound, but hardly new.

I am bored. I am so very bored.

I am in a deep, dark vault.

You have buried me alive.

When they open my coffin,..

..they will see the scratches on the lid..

where I wore my fingers down to stumps..

..fighting to get out. - What's the matter with you ?

Oh, nothing ! Nothing happens, that's all.

I can't take any more of this humdrum existence.

And I suppose you are fully content ?

Colonel Beresford,..

..former head of the Secret Service,..

..man of mystery, of missions impossible...

Don't you ache anymore for excitement ?

For romantic adventure ?

Imagine the thrill..

..of hearing a knock at the door, to go to open it..

..and see a dead man stagger in !

If he was dead, he wouldn't be staggering.

But yes, they always stagger before they die.

Then they fall - uttering enigmatic words, like :..

..''The Spotted Leopard... Argh... !''

I don't think I like dead men who stagger about.

Oh, that'll be Meals on Wheels !

What are you doing ?

Can you smell something ?

< No, nothing.

Can't you smell that odour ?

< An odour - of what ? - Of... I'm not sure...

Of old age.

< Old age ? - Yes, exactly that. Old age.

Thank you very much. -< No - no...

It isn't you, it's me.

For some time, I've felt old age creeping up on me.

Me, I feel nothing.

You feel nothing. One feels nothing. -< When you've quite finished..

..conjugating the verb "to feel"... -< But we're not old !

Not old ? Aren't we pensioners ?

When you retired, it ruined my life.

It was you who wanted a vacation. - To take holidays - precisely.

Anyway, don't take any notice of me.

How are things, George ?

I'm burning the dead leaves. Anything else?

That's fine.

I don't believe I've seen you like this before.

It's been churning around in my mind for a long time.

Why not buy a new hat ? - I already have lots !

So what if you have 40,..

..another might do the trick. Let's go.

I have 44; and the hats all resemble each other.

Even though there are subtle differences between them.

I would love something exciting to happen to us.

It would us both good.

If only a fairy-godmother would appear...

Conductor...

What is wrong ?

A woman was being strangled in the train that overtook us.

I saw it all.

Tell me calmly exactly what you saw.

I was asleep...

The other train overtook us...

And I saw the back of a man - strangling a woman.

Strangling a woman ? - Yes.

Like in the book you are reading ?

Exactly the same !

Well, then...

Rudi, did you see anything strange on the 4:50 express ?

No, why ?

Nothing, forget it.

I would like to know what you intend to do.

I am not a policeman. But, if it will reassure you,..

..I will make out an incident report.

An incident ?

It was a crime !

Aunt Babette !

Prudence, I have been witness to a crime !

A crime ? - Yes, a crime !

No, no, not a thing !

No mention of a corpse.

You don't believe I invented it ? - Of course not !

You make me feel better.

That conductor, he didn't believe me.

But I gave him a clear statement of what I saw.

An ordinary attacker would have fled..

..and left the body.

So, it was premeditated, or a crime of passion...

Jealousy, anger - and the man strangles...

But I don't see what he did with the body.

Ah ! He threw it from the window.

He hid it in a suitcase.

What sort of killer walks around with a body in a suitcase ?

It would be noticed.

One more, for the road ?

As far as I'm concerned, he threw it from the window.

< Or the corpse staggered off !

Your assassin was burly ? -< Yes.

< At least it seemed so to me.

< Big enough, mainly brown.

I only saw his back.

And the unfortunate victim, so. Argh !

She wore red gloves !

< It... was horrible. -< You must have..

..dreamt it, or witnessed a domestic dispute..

..less tragic than you imagined.

Less tragic ?! It was a crime ! I saw it with my own eyes.

< I am disappointed ! Your Belisaire is..

..like the rest of them. He doesn't believe me.

And this happened somewhere beyond Andelieux ?

Yes.

I remember the place. There was a curve..

..that rocked me in my seat.

And our train went through the station at Andelieux..

..ten minutes later. There you are, Belisaire !

< I shall need absolute peace of mind..

..during my trip abroad.

< Where are you going to hunt, this time ? - In Guiana.

The Zigoeunus Thomasus moth. The male.

It is the most graceful moth within the Amazon region...

< Why are you ironing your kilt ?

For my reunion in Glasgow.

You know, the Society of the Oval Thistle.

Have you forgotten I'm leaving the day after tomorrow ?

Then you must devote yourself to ironing your pleats.

What are you doing ?

Drop this nonsense of Aunt Babette's ''crime'' !

You've forgotten that crime is our business.

It is obvious that your aunt was mistaken.

Commissioner Richard searched everywhere.

Trains, stations, hospitals, morgues. No sign of a body.

No-one reported missing.

The train that overtook..

..Babette's must have been the 4:50..

..that stops at Aigrefonds.

Then, the railway track..

..follows the county boundary for some distance...

But then, there actually is a curve.

And then ?

The assassin threw the body out the window.

< Frankly, that's what you want to have happened !

An accomplice, hidden in the thicket..

..bundles the victim into his black van..

..and dumps everything into the lake.

There is no lake around there.

You believe only what you can see, my poor man.

That is why you are led astray so often.

''I remember the place. There was a curve..

''..that rocked me in my seat.

''And our train went through the station at Andelieux.''

< I believe I've found it.

Close to the curve, there is a queer property, isolated.

Ideal for disposing of a body.

This is an obsession.

I have an intuition that Babette was right.

Don't talk to me about intuition.

She doesn't have the imagination to invent such a story.

Then perhaps it was a hallucination.

Aunt Babette is alright in the head.

She is a world authority on butterflies.

She doesn't invent them. She catches them, and names them.

She wants to do the same with the killer, and I will help her.

One doesn't hunt a killer like a butterfly.

No. It's the same. One traps them and - shlack - one pins them.

''Shlack'' ! I don't understand.

That's because you don't listen !

Have a good time with your friends of the Oval Thistle.

We won't be drinking water. Have no doubt !

Bye. Have a safe trip !

Look at the Scotsman !

They don't wear anything under their kilts, you know.

How did I manage to do this ?

Can we help you ?

Your hat.

I wonder who..

..that girl might be ? - She could be the new maid..

..up at ''La Vall�e aux Loups''.

None of them last very long.

< Old Man Charpentier sees to that.

< That poor girl...

With all the snow out there..

..she won't be catching a bus.

There won't be a bus today. Can I take you somewhere ?

What luck you were there !

I am sure they would have all left me to freeze on the spot.

Your seats are heated ?

No-no, it's the motor you feel.

They are all dogs in that place.

Like my employer, M. Charpentier.

He's a dog ? - A rat !

Rich beyond belief, but you'd never know it, the rat !

Always in the corridors, waiting to stare at me !

You know, staring...

Staring, how ? I can't tell you.

He sends shivers down my spine.

Fact is, Old Man Charpentier frightens everyone.

What do you do in the house of this old man ?

Everything. Washing-up, dusting, shopping, making beds.

All by yourself ? No, there is Mme. Clairin.

But the place is so large, it really needs an army.

Does he live there alone ?

No, with his poor daughter and a gardener.

The worst thing is the kitchen.

It's like something out of the Middle Ages.

You've been there a long time ?

Seven weeks. I don't want to stay a moment longer.

Come in. I will fetch Mademoiselle.

The new domestic is here.

< Send her into my office. - Very well, Mademoiselle.

Come, she will see you now.

You are the 13th this year. Superstitious ?

Bonjour, I am Emma Charpentier.

You are a good cook ?

You have references ? No, none.

That is quite unusual.

For the most part, they are of little value.

They never say why one left a place.

Very true. What day would you prefer as a rest day ?

I am very flexible. Since the death of my dear husband...

My time is my own.

Very well. Let me show you your room.

I need more than a kitchen maid.

Mme. Clairin isn't here every day.

My grandfather, he built the house. A fantastic man.

But very strict. The damage was done by my father..

..in a fit of anger. He refuses to let anyone repair it.

My father is a difficult man.

He keeps a close eye on expenses, and can be... difficult.

- I am used to..

..the habits of the elderly.

To begin with, things will be easy. There are four of us.

Myself, my niece on vacation, her schoolfriend, and...

Emma !

..my father. But my brothers will be arriving for Christmas.

Emma !

These costings for Christmas. You wish to bankrupt me ?

Who is that, over there ?

The new kitchen maid I spoke to you about.

Come, come ! Let's see you, come here !

What is your name, little one ? Prudence Beresford.

She's got good arms.

Well then...

Remember two things : I abhor waste..

..and a squire is not necessarily rich.

I live here because I want to, not because I have the means.

Now go ! Don't bother me further.

Don't forget that a good cod does as well as a turbot.

I am sorry.

Emma !

Come here, Emma !

Excuse me.

I must go. Your room is at the top - on the left.

The key is in the door.

My own children have become my enemies !

< Tell that idiot of a doctor that last medicine..

< ..is no good at all !

< Are you sure ? -< Of course !

Who is there ?

You must be the niece... of Mlle. Charpentier.

Yes, I am Alexie Charpentier.

And you, you are Mary Poppins ! - Ah ! Mary Poppins !

You aren't my idea of a maid working for my grandfather.

You aren't my idea of the niece of Mlle. Charpentier.

Mme. Clairin is waiting for you in the kitchen.

Then let me change, and I'll be right there.

I'll wait for you on the landing.

Emma !

Always he shouts after my aunt. Yet she's the only one who loves him.

Don't the others love him ? - They are like vultures.

They are waiting for him to die.

Who are the vultures ? - My uncles.

Uncle Raphael. He is weird. A banker, and a gambler.

He lives in Lyon, with his wife.

He likes only money and drugs.

Uncle Augustin lives on an island.

He has abandoned sculpting to spend his time hunting.

The more he kills, the better he likes it.

And who looks after you ? - My father.

My mother is dead. The family consider him..

..a failure. They call him ''Frederick the layabout''

But I don't care. He is a good guitarist.

It's through there.

And there was Uncle Edmond, who died in the War.

We're nearly there, come along.

She's already had a tipple.

A little one for the road,..

..Mme. Clairin ? - Weather as it is, it helps.

I've been waiting for you.

I'll show you where the things are.

It won't take a moment.

In the scullery, there is everything you need for lunch.

The stove is burning well. I lit it..

..this morning. You need to keep it stoked up.

It can get cold in the house.

I have made some coffee.

So, there you are. Goodbye !

Take care, grandfather hates..

..getting his meals late. Lunch is at noon, Mme. Poppins.

Come on, or we'll be late !

< Now who's imagining things ? -< Papa, you exaggerate.

< I know what I'm talking about. My sickness, two weeks ago,..

..your brothers had something to do with that.

What will you suggest next ?

< It was only indigestion.

< Now sit back and calm yourself.

< You talk to me about indigestion !

Even your precious Dr. Lagarde was suspicious.

But you forget one thing.

Misers always die last.

The dumb waiter doesn't work.

The lead weights have fallen off.

Can it be repaired ? - I don't think so.

Let us help you. There are only 30 seconds to midday.

Mme. Poppins, Valerie, my best friend.

Enchanted. Away you go. I'll follow.

This is good, the soup.

It is good, really good, the soup.

''A sharp curve...''

Yes ? < Prudence Beresford !

Finally ! Where are you ?

Figure it out for yourself...

Where are you ?

You haven't launched yourself into that ridiculous mystery..

..of the railway murder ?

I have discovered a sudden passion for snow-shoes.

I am practising on them.

< What ? - Yes, I've never dared confess,..

..but I have long dreamed of...

..walking alone in the snow, wearing snow-shoes.

When are you coming back ?

I'll be back...

I'll be back... I don't know.

Make it within 5 days, it's Christmas !

Marie-Christine and her family will be spending it with us.

Is it Christmas already ?

But yes ! It comes round once a year.

How could I forget ?

Christmas, another chance to enjoy the grandchildren !

You are enjoying yourselves.

We are off to the museum. - The museum ?

The red house, where grandfather keeps his treasures.

It's beyond the rock over there.

Come on, it's through here !

This way.

< Oh ! It's freezing in here !

Remember to lock up, because of the wild boar.

You are not allowed here. This is the squire's museum.

Sit !!

*This is the answerphone of Babette Boutiti.

*I am hunting butterflies in Guiana.

*Leave your message after the ''pop''.

*Pop !

Aunt Babette, I have just discovered..

..the body of a strangled woman..

..wearing a fur coat, with a red glove..

..in a large sarcophagus.

There you are. I will tell you more when you return.

Good, that's all for now.

Belisaire !

Rotten sod !

Is it still Christmas ?

I've never seen that woman before, I'm certain.

Are you alright ? You look very pale, Emma.

It will pass. I'm okay, thank you.

There we are. Now breathe slowly.

Thank you for being here, Francois.

Whenever you need me.

Breathe slowly.

< Inspector Blache,..

..Dr Lagarde. - Hello.

Doctor.

This is unbelievable !

The sarcophagus is from the 18th dynasty !

I bought it more than 50 years ago !

Now it's in pieces !

All because a stupid creature decided to be killed inside !

It is appalling.

M. Charpentier, go back to the chateau.

Give him a whisky, I will meet with you later.

Many of my elderly patients..

..play the invalid to oppress their relatives.

Inspector, who discovered the body ?

The new employee.

You went to the ''museum''..

..and forced the lid off the sarcophagus.

Yes.

For what reason ? - I was looking for a body.

A body ? So you knew there was one there ?

Yes, of course. - Furthermore, I will explain.

It all started with Aunt Babette before she left to hunt butterflies...

I cannot tell you. Stone dead !

And that made me...

You expect me to swallow that ? - You can check.

My aunt made a statement to the railway authorities in Andelieux.

Your name, if you please ?

Mme. Beresford. The Widow Beresford.

Perhaps you are related to Colonel Beresford ?

It is a common name. There are plenty in this region.

Excuse me, I would like to get back to work.

I'm sorry, I should have recognised Mme. Beresford.

But I saw her for a very short time.

She said she was there to practise using snow-shoes !

I'll give her snow-shoes, just you see !

What'd you say ? - Nothing. Speaking to myself.

She must stop this farce ! - She could be of help to us.

If you accompany me, you'll have to use another name.

And why ?

To protect her. There has been a murder there.

And I forgot to tell you...

Mme. Prudence is passing herself off as a widow.

Mme. Prudence, a widow ?!

Ha-ha-ha ! Fancy her thinking of that one !

Enough. I suggest we talk indoors.

The death happened when ? - Pathologist says 2 weeks ago.

But, according to your aunt, she was killed on 28 November..

..on the Morgan-Bellefond express train.

Then the corpse was dragged to and hidden in the sarcophagus.

But what led the killer to open the sarcophagus ?

''You believe only what you see.''

''That is why you are led astray so often.''

''Use your imagination.''

There is no evidence any of the Charpentiers are involved.

"Except that I found the body on their property.''

< Colonel ?

Colonel, Colonel... - Yes... as I was saying...

I was listening to you. What do you know about them ?

You will meet them. They are all at the chateau...

A lovers' quarrel turned out badly. And there you are !

I will speak to Inspector Blavache.

- Blache, Monsieur.

I will tell Blavache none of us have ever seen this woman.

And you will all say the same.

Are you sure, father ?

Perhaps she was one of Raphael's little friends.

That's some joke, that is !

That must be Dr Lagarde. Let him in.

Still looking for the fountain of youth, father ?

That isn't funny, Augustin.

Lean on me, father.

I will outlast all of you..

..just to protect my property from your predatory grasp.

The police..

..will soon be here to interrogate you.

You'd better prepare your alibis !

Why did you open the sarcophagus ?

I saw the cover had been lifted recently.

I was overcome with curiosity.

I have always been a frustrated archaeologist.

What more can you tell us ?

I was, how shall I say,... overcome by the smell.

That sickly smell of death.

That's all. I don't wish to go into details.

Isn't it horrifying ?! That poor woman coming here to die.

< Forget it. We didn't know her.

She came here by chance. - How do you know ?

If it really was by chance, why is Emma..

..so troubled ? -< Why are you surprised..

..that a murder should trouble her ?

He thinks like an artist.

Why do you always prod people as if they were animals ?

That is enough !

This is not the time for bickering!

< The police believe the crime took place on 28 November.

< How did they learn that so fast ? -< It's not the 19th Century.

< That's not much to brag about.

< Friday the 28th. It was the day Emma invited us here.

< So what ? -< By that night, we were all here.

< And ? -< It will interest the police.

< What about the theory of a lovers' quarrel ?

< Not the 1st time Papa's museum was used as a meeting place.

< Lovers meeting in Papa's museum ?!

I have a problem imagining that..

..it's like the inside of a glacier during Winter.

Your daughter is lovely.

She, and her friend, are are excited by this crime.

It's their age.

Papa, the Inspector is here with another gentleman.

Our new employee, Mme. Beresford, recently arrived.

The Widow Beresford, I presume ?

Pardon me, I have a terrible cold.

We need you to attend the police station.

One of my officers will accompany you, if you are well enough.

Ask for me, my name is ''Colonel Snowshoe'' !

Good, we would first like..

..to interrogate your brothers.

You are wasting your time, Inspector.

If that woman had ever stayed here, my father or I..

..would have recognised her.

< Everything seems to suggest..

from around here.

< She was a stranger. - A Russian ?

< Girls, this is not a conversation for your ears.

Mme. Beresford, conduct the gentlemen upstairs.

Very well.

I am going to see my father.

Gentlemen, I will show the way.

So, I am dead, am I?

Francois !

Your father is in good form. The murder has envigorated him.

What is it, Emma ?

What is wrong ?

I think there is a criminal in the family.

Why do you think that ?

Because of Martina,..

..my brother Edmond's wife, who was meant to come here.

Ah yes, is there any news ? - No, that's just it.

The police think that the victim comes from the East.

And you think the dead woman might be Martina ? - Yes.

I am frightened of telling the police about this.

Have you spoken to your brothers ? No, I can't judge their reaction.

Emma, I know you.

If you don't speak of your fears, you will make yourself sick.

Then I should go to the police ? - Yes.

Gentlemen, this way.

May I take your coat ?

Never during an enquiry.

Thank you, madam. - I shall stay.

You will leave, madam.

You stinker !

Without me, you are nothing.

Nothing ! Nothing at all !

A moment, let me think. When did you arrive ?

A little over three weeks ago to see my father.

You live away from here ? - Yes, I spend my time in Paris.

I stayed here for two days, at the end of November.

< She was killed, when ? -< End of November.

You are married ? Your wife..

..is not here with you ?

She hates Winter in France.

< Do you come here often ?

< From time to time, to see my sister.

The last time, when was that ? - Three weeks ago.

The end of November ?

Yes, end of November.

How do you get on with your father ?

None of his children get on with my father.

Even Emma has problems. He is such a skinflint.

It was my grandfather's fault.

Why ?

He hated Papa, and took his revenge in his Will.

Emma, my brothers and I share ownership of the fortune.

He only retains the right to live here.

He cannot sell anything, decide anything, and it drives him crazy !

You come here often ? - Sometimes, with my daughter.

< Why were you all gathered here at the end of November ?

No reason. It was just a family get-together.

Where everyone hates each other...

Police enter my house without asking the head of family !

Who is the head here ?

< Answer me !

< Answer me !

< You are, but we wanted to avoid tiring you.

Dr Lagarde..

..said... - Him. If I listened to him,..

..I would never get out of bed.

The prescription he signed, gave me indigestion for 3 weeks !

He almost..

..poisoned me !

I must admit that was when we still had the old cook.

This new one, here now, she is a pearl !

Well rounded.. like an eclair !

< Rounded like an eclair ? - Ssh !

Haven't you noticed ? - I haven't got that near.

Well, then...

What are your assumptions about this case ?

It's a little early to talk about assumptions,..

..especially since we don't yet know who the woman was.

A stranger, it seems.

Perhaps a conquest of my son, Augustin.

He says he didn't recognise her.

That means nothing. It's got him jittery.

My sons are all cowards, and liars,..

..a bunch of vultures who are waiting for my death.

I'm starting to feel very ill. Emma !

I must have a lie-down.

He doesn't feel much love for his children !

He hasn't forgiven them for disinheriting him.

Au revoir, Colonel.

What is that ?

Belisaire, don't be an idiot !

I didn't see anything !

Come on, open the boot !

I am dead. A dead man can't open boots for his widow.

I said it on the spur of the moment, I was joking.

The fact you said it makes it other than a joke.

Alright, I said it. Now open the boot ! Belisaire !

The soon-to-be widower Belisaire !

Come on ! Oh, this can't be happening !

Belisaire...

You are offended because I was right. It's as simple as that.

Belisaire, enough is enough, let me out.

Let me out !

What has happened ?

The Spotted Leopard !

Belisaire ?

You found the body, and completed your mission.

Now, you can return home.

Why ?

I'm tired of seeing my wife disguised as a kitchen maid !

As to your other activities, I hold my tongue.

Always cooking for others, but never for me.

You forget my chicken in salt. - That was ten years ago.

And, most important, I must repeat - Christmas is here..

The children want to hear the chiming of the bells.

Comes from their Swiss side, without a doubt.

I'd like to take a look at the autopsy photos.

This is a dancer. - Pardon ?

The victim was a dancer. Look at her feet.

See if any dancers recognise her, but not classical.

Why not classical ?

A classical dancer's feet would show more punishment.

Impressive, Holmes. - Elementary, my dear Watson.

Now, there is no question of me being taken off the case.

Nor away from the fancy men who gather round you.

Oh ! You are jealous ?

I think that's sweet !

Well, now, my dear Colonel Beresford,...

..while this was delightful, I must return to my kitchen.

You forget one thing :..

having found the body puts you in a difficult position.

You are my number one suspect. I must hold you in custody.

I will notify your employer.

In custody - throughout the night ?

Yes. But not in a police cell.

You always yield to temptation !

Especially when driven by envy.

Ah, there you are.

You free from police custody ? How was it ?

It was fine. But I never thought I'd be held like that.

What is this place ? - My old workshop.

Nothing has been finished here for two years.

You abandoned it just on a whim ?

No. I felt the need to see some Mediterranean light.

You will wait for me ?

What is it this time ?

< I must talk with you. -< Have you heard anything ?

< I think that the victim might be Martina.

Martina ? - Her telegram was so weird.

After she'd already written that she was coming.

I should tell the police. - It's nothing to do with them.

< I am worried. I don't know what to do.

Just say nothing. Do nothing.

I was told you have a fondness for painting women.

No. I don't paint women, I acquire them.

It is the sea I paint. The stones, the light.

But not people. - No, not people.

They are too complicated. - Mm...

I don't understand why a woman like you is here.

What do you want me to say ?

Say nothing at all.

So many prejudices, for an artist !

Do you like making beds, working in the kitchen ?

Well enough. Cooking requires imagination..

..and the rest of it satisfies my taste for order.

I would like to paint your portrait, one day.

There she is ! A spy ! Grab her !

A SPY !

Tie her to the pole ! Dirty spy ! Quickly !

SPY !

Aim for the heart !

Die ! Die, you bitch !

Aim !

Fire !

Thank you for coming.

Excuse me, I am moved...

because I haven't entered here since the death of Edmond.

He wrote to me, just before his death.

He had met a Russian woman, Martina. They were getting married.

I learnt of his death just after receiving the letter.

I didn't know what became of this Martina.

I only knew her first name, and I forgot about her.

But, a few weeks ago, I received a letter from Lyon..

..signed Martina Charpentier.

''... I hope this letter does not distress you.

''I don't even know if Edmond told you of our marriage.

''After his death, I found it too hard to write to you.

''I have rebuilt my life, but my situation has changed.

''I am writing to you because of my son.

''He is your brother's child. I don't have the means to raise him.

''I am spending a few weeks in France.

''May we meet up ? I don't want to cause you pain.''

I loved Edmond very much.

He was my favourite brother. Then, the idea he had a son...

I invited this woman to our house, for the end of November.

So she could meet the family ? - Yes, that's right.

I just wanted them all to meet her.

Augustin didn't take the matter seriously.

Raphael was very sceptical.

Frederick was the only one to believe it, with me.

Then what happened ?

The day when she was expected, I received a telegram.

''Sorry. Problems. Have to leave...''

And then, nothing more.

So, when you told me this woman..

..was foreign, I thought..

..that perhaps it was her.

And, since then, the thought has obsessed me.

With regard to strangers,..

..what do you make of this Mme. Beresford ?

Prudence ?

I've not given her any thought, have you ?

< She is an efficient woman and certainly highly intelligent.

And your brothers ?

Your father ?

They are all of one mind. She has bewitched them all.

My God, I will strangle her ! - Pardon me ?

< Oh, nothing. Don't torment yourself. We will soon..

..clear this matter up. You were right to talk to me.

What are you going to do ?

Check the whereabouts of the three brothers..

..and go through the entire house with a fine tooth comb.

I have an idea that she might be a dancer...

It was my idea, Belisaire !

To be fair, Prudence had the idea of asking among dancers..

..to find the solution.

Distribute photos of the victim.

Hop it ! You've no right here. Out !

Lieut. Margaret Brown !

From the intelligence service to here !

This could be anyone.

One of your dancers hasn't suddenly disappeared ?

Colonel, the girls here come and go like the wind.

Did one of them leave... around the end of November ?

Anna Karenine. - A Russian ?

Yes, maybe Polish. Here, it's the Foreign Legion.

Anna Karenine. She left here at the end of November.

She said she wanted to be reconciled with her husband.

She went to meet with him somewhere in the country.

She worked with you, how long ?

Six weeks, almost. Just an ordinary girl.

She said she was going on a cruise with an Englishman.

In any event, it was just a story.

I think she was Polish.

And Catholic : she never missed Mass.

That's a point.

Only the Polish still believe.

She was still a liar.

I don't agree.

The policemen from the other day want to interrogate you.

Pardon ?

THEY WANT TO INTERROGATE YOU !

Please excuse me.

Your orange juice is in the kitchen.

Where did you get Mme. Beresford ? From an agency ?

No. A friend of a former maid told her..

..that we had a place free. -< So, you engaged..

..a stranger who barely arrived..

..before digging up a corpse !

Why don't you stop picking on your sister ?

< Look here, medical man, you've got a fine cheek..

..you're the one who told Emma to talk to the police.

Don't be so insulting. - Now the police are holding us.

< They think we are responsible for Martina's disappearance.

< If she is the dead woman...

I'm going to see your father.

The cake was delicious. - Mme. Beresford baked it.

The number of recipes I have remembered !

It's like skiing, one never forgets.

I doubt this will help to advance the investigation.

But you have forgotten one fundamental thing.

Oh yes ? What's that ? - My birthday.

I don't know what to think. It's the 1st time you've forgotten.

Is it the 22nd ?

The 22nd of December, the birth of Belisaire Beresford.

Oh sweet Jesus !

You will have to accompany me to the police station, madam.

Very well, monsieur. I will get my coat.

Any news, M. Snowshoe ? - Patience, patience.

The little ones are charming. - Very.

I want to manufacture a few false clues for them.

I don't understand. - I will leave a note, like..

..''Martina, if you wish to live, stay away from the chateau.''

Why would you do that ?

The poor things, they ferret around and remain empty-handed.

A clue would..

..place them in danger.

You do realise a murderer is perhaps in there ?

Monsieur, this is Huguette, one of Margaret Brown's dancers.

I have received a card from Anna.

Anna Karenine ? -*From Saint-Barth'.

When did she post it ?

The date-stamp... Wait...

14 or 17 December, it's not very clear.

17 December ? -*It was true about the Englishman.

Exit Anna Karenine.

A dancer has received a card from her in the West Indies.

So, we come back to Martina Charpentier.

The widow who didn't show up.

Everything points to the Charpentier children..

..deciding not to split their inheritance..

..with the new heir.

Let's find out which of them profits most from the crime.

As long as Old Man Charpentier lives, no-one will benefit.

I wonder if Dr. Lagarde ever suspected..

..that someone attempted to kill the old man ?

His symptoms were the same as poisoning with arsenic.

We know that a number of people would be interested in...

What shall we say...

Hastening his demise.

Mm... But the poisoner, after he had failed,..

..would have increased the dose. But he didn't.

Yes, that doesn't make sense. Curious !

You've been their doctor, how long ?

M. Charpentier was my first patient after my arrival,..

..following the death of my wife.

Is something wrong ?

I'm the only one without an alibi. That worries me.

Raphael was able to provide a detailed timetable.

Augustin was, of course, with a girl.

Why do you say ''of course'' ?

He is a womaniser, haven't you noticed ?

Beneath his air of being an artist, he has no feelings.

Apart from Emma, he doesn't like people. - What were you doing, that day ?

The passage of my days don't interest me any.

< What is there worth remembering ?

It seems to me you should try to remember.

I don't much like looking back.

It is good having you here.

You are cheerful, joyful. You are always singing.

Especially when I am cooking.

Meals are like plants.

They are better with a song.

For me, cooking is rather like jazz.

Beef on a string, where you mix raw and cooked meat,..

..is rather like mouthing a trumpet.

The way it boils !

As for oysters, as the Martyr tells us,..

..they are like the first Christians, eaten by lions,..

..only a requiem will do !

You enliven the kitchen. You remind me of my wife.

She spread joy everywhere, and was not intimidated by my father.

In fact, she got on well with him.

But not you ?

He is obsessed with money.

He is sitting on a pile of gold without being able to touch it.

Name of God ! They even run between your feet.

Do you enjoy hunting ? - No, only killing.

You've been running. - Yes...

You have red cheeks, I like that a lot.

What ? Madam prefers older men, perhaps ?

Your younger brothers are not bad. Excuse me.

Colonel Snowshoe, we have found a clue.

It is proof that Martina was coming here.

That proves she was the woman in the sarcophagus, doesn't it ?

It's possible. Where did you find this ?

In the laundry room. We wore gloves, for the fingerprints.

You have done well.

Remember to relax your fingers.

You need to press the tip of your finger, but not so it hurts.

Monsieur Snowshoe...

Softly.

Without touching the other fingers.

I have come to see your sister, but first I have a question..

..to ask madam.

I am in the way.

But we'll resume later. You have real potential.

Don't look so disapproving.

I have the right to learn the guitar, even with a nice man.

A masterpiece of forgery, I tip my hat to you !

But the situation is already complicated enough as it is.

I have never seen this envelope, where did you find it ?

You didn't write this ? - But, no.

I don't understand.

Do you recognise this envelope ?

Yes. It's the letter that I sent.

You have found Martina ?

This envelope was found here.

You think the woman in the sarcophagus really is.. Martina ?

It seems probable.

It looks as if you are leaving us.

Are your interrogations finished ?

Yes. For the moment.

He has found out something, that one.

What was he sniffing around for ?

Why tell him about Martina ?

Yes. Washing our dirty linen like that.

You should be thanking me, actually.

And why ?

The police would find it suspicious if no-one spoke..

..now the dead woman seems really to be Martina.

What now ?

The installation is antiquated.

I would never have thought it of you.

You are trying to ruin me ?

Reassure yourself, M. Charpentier, it will cost you almost nothing.

What do you call ''nothing'' ? Name the price ! Name it !

Is that true ?!

You're not saying it just to soft-soap me ?

I swear it. On a cross of wood, a cross of iron.

Oh ! How did you do it ?

You are an angel, a pearl !

A fairy ! - Oh !

Oh ! Please !

You smell of good garlic ! What a woman !

What a waist ! What hips ! What a chest !

Mme. Beresford,...

This evening, you will dine with us.

It's gone again !

You will sit next to me.

You do not look or act like a domestic, Mme. Beresford.

Who are you ? Where do you come from ?

You discover a dead body on your arrival..

and the police hold us.

< I have been watching you closely.

And I will continue to do so.

But what were you doing there ?

I wanted to surprise you, and it went wrong.

Give me some light.

Yes. Wait a bit.

I didn't want to miss our Christmas tradition.

I have hurt you !

Where is it, the champagne ? Ah !

Colonel Beresford ! Mm...

Some facts don't hold together.

What's that, Prudence ?

1, the envelope addressed to Martina was found here.

2, the Martina we found was about 20 years old.

And 3, the body has the feet of a dancer.

And our dancer is in the West Indies with her Englishman.

We were given a false clue, and we ran with it !

< Mademoiselle Prudence !

Yes, I'm coming, I'm coming !

Merry Christmas, my dear.

Give big hugs to the little ones for me.

Will you do me up ?

Thank you. How do I look ?

Now you can creep out as secretly as you came in.

The jewel suits you so well, my dear Mme. Beresford.

Dear Mme. Beresford. - Oh, not again !

It looks like Mother's brooch.

You're right, actually.

It does resemble it, yes.

I wonder !

Excuse me.

Excuse me. An urgent case, I must leave you.

A shame, I will accompany you. - Thank you.

This is good, the soup.

Ah, main course ! The capon !...

Are your suitcases ready ? Not the pyjamas yet.

What time is your mother getting here tomorrow ?

At ten o'clock.

skiing at Sils Maria !

< Oh, what a mess !

< I will miss you, Mme. Poppins.

< Will you go there for your holiday ?

What is wrong, Valerie ? - I don't know.

Where do you feel bad ? - In my stomach.

It doesn't feel right.

What is happening ?

Go and lay down.

What is this ? I will get help.

I am sick !

Lay down, I'll be back.

Mlle. Charpentier,..

..the little ones are sick.

Are you not well ? No.

I... I'll be back.

They are all out of trouble. We must identify what happened.

You are the only one unaffected. Did you eat everything ?

Yes, apart from the Yule log, I've never liked it.

I didn't drink any of the champagne.

Is there anything left ?

No, they left nothing. They even sucked the bones.

Apart from the candied fruits and the carcase of the capon,..

..there is nothing left. I also washed the dishes.

My God ! Do you think it's arsenic ?

How do you know ?

Yes, there's a good chance that it is.

The killer may be among them, pretending to be sick.

Could you tell the difference between true sickness and fake ?

I don't think so, no.

I'll call for a nurse. She should be here by 8 o'clock.

I will prepare something for each of them.

I will be back to see how they are.

While I'm away, keep your eyes open.

Especially on Emma. - Yes, count on me.

I never thought I'd have to work on Christmas Day !

It's Mlle. Emma I feel sorry for.

I said to Mme. Beresford that the lobsters were worthless.

But she replied : ''No, the lobsters are very fresh.''

Who can say, with all the pollutants thrown in the sea.

In any case, I wouldn't eat them.

All of them could have been taken.

I am Mme. Valois, the mother of Valerie.

You've come to collect her ?

I wouldn't let your daughter come here any more.

Mme. Valois, I will take you to Valerie.

The house has suffered from a bout of food poisoning..

..but Valerie is doing well.

Both she and Alexie are ready to leave. Follow me.

Ah ! My little girl !

What happened to you ?

I must tell you. Alexie's papa had a brother..

..who is dead, and his wife...

Get Emma to send the nurse away, her charges will ruin me !

That would mean I would have to take care of you myself.

And I cannot be everywhere at the same time.

Why can't Emma help you ?

She is confined to her bed.

And the others ? - The same.

But they are all doing well. They are resting.

What is that ? - Some bouillon and biscuits.

Take it away. I want meat.

The doctor has forbidden that for the moment.

The doctor is an ass, I am well. Bring me meat !

May I see Alexie's father ?

Unfortunately, he is sick...

My daughter told me about the woman in the sarcophagus.

I have to speak to someone in the family.

I will ask Mlle. Emma.

Tell her that it's about Martina Petrovna.

Martina Petrovna ?

You have heard of Martina ?

It's likely she is the woman found in the sarcophagus.

That just isn't possible. - How so ?

Because I am Martina Petrovna.

I met Edmond in Damascus.

We were together for a while, But then came the split-up.

I was sent to Belgrade.

There I met Valerie's father, who was posted down there.

A Frenchman, like Edmond.

You know...

I have never forgotten your brother, and...

When I learnt that, at boarding school,..

..my daughter had become friends with your niece,..

..you cannot know how much I was moved by this coincidence.

I even thought of writing to you.

And then, I said to myself, what good to stir up the past ?

But when my daughter told me about the body found here,..

..I wanted to warn you. - Thank you so much.

She is so charming.

So, who was it wrote to me using her name ?

Some crook, who then backed away from his deception.

What is it, Mme. Beresford ?

It is.. your brother, Augustin.

What about Augustin ? I thought his condition...

My brother is dead,..

..do I read you right ?

I thought he was stronger. Clearly I was wrong.

You don't seem very upset.

Tears for the dead, no thank you !

You are much too sentimental. You could become irksome.

What's this I hear ? Augustin has breathed his last ?

M. Charpentier, please return to your bed.

No need, I have never felt better.

So, is it true ? Is he really dead ?

The one who was the most anxious to inherit.

So much for the artist ! One down, two to go !

How can you say that ?

Just you see, I will bury them all !

Misfortune never comes alone.

Now I can speak out, and tell you about these beauties !

Do you want to hear ? - No.

What is this ? Are you smoking, now ?

These people, Belisaire, they are like wolves.

No, not wolves, jackals.

Sorry to hear of your brother. - Alright.

Madame is home ? - She is waiting for you.

< God ! Camembert and everything ?

Raphael, you look utterly dreadful !

You... look resplendent. Been out amusing yourself ?

Absolutely everyone is in Mauritius now. God !

But you've already spent a month there.

Surely not ? A whole month ? - Yes.

Oh well, as you say ! God !

And money is rather tight, for the present at least.

In New York, I fell in with this crazy woman called Hermeline.

She told the entire table that they had found..

..the body of a woman at Vall�e-aux-Loups,...

It was just so embarrassing.

But it is true.

Really! Who was she, this woman ?

A woman from the East, apparently.

A woman from the East !

God ! I don't feel so good.

It won't keep me from my bed.

Me too. I am completely jet-lagged.

I almost forgot...

This is for you.

You have brought me back a gift ?

No, it arrived this afternoon by Chronopost.

''Continue the treatment for three days.

''Two tablets in the evening before bed.''

Lagarde told me to stop. - You must have misunderstood.

In any case, it can't do you any harm.

You're right, it can't do any harm.

Raphael, God, I'm freezing !

I suspected Augustin, and he is dead.

I suspected Raphael, and he is dead.

I dare not say I suspect Frederic, it might kill him.

As for Emma...

No, let's get back on the track of the dancer.

From the start of this case,..

..we concentrated on Martina Charpentier,..

..because of the faked letter we were shown,..

..let's admit it, with heads bowed in shame.

We must find the identity of this Anna Karenine.

I believe that will lead us to the killer.

The murder is linked to the Charpentier family..

..but not in the way we've considered so far.

Don't you think so ?

I understood nothing that you said.

Ah well. Me, I have a plan.

Yes sir, I have a plan.

But I don't think I'll tell you what it is.

Well, okay. It involves Aunt Babette.

With Aunt Babette ? - Yes, with her.

< This is the limit !

First, you don't believe me, and take me for mad.

Now, you ask me to do something embarrassing.

Why should I go and take tea with strangers, and..

..then pretend to feel ill ?

I tell you, I don't like it !

I detest this sort of joke.

This is not about comedy, but about murder.

Prudence just asks you to follow her instructions.

Aunt Babette ! No !

Well then, if I've understood her instructions,..

..I engage in a pleasant conversation with these toffs...

And suddenly...

Suddenly, I have a small problem.

I use some pretext, er, I'll invent something,..

..in order to leave the room.

And then ? - You return to the room.

I return, when ? - At the signal.

Ah, there'll be a signal ? - Mm...

And I can show them my Zigoeunus ?

''Zigoeunus Thomasus moth,

''..North Sinnamary, French Guiana, 28 December 2007''

It is a male. Beautiful, isn't he ?

It is the highlight of my entire career.

The male lives only for a few hours.

Immediately after having ''met'' the female,..

..he dies.

That is why he is so rare and difficult to capture.

But there are several techniques : the picket line,..

..the zigzag chase.

Keep it up.

They are capricious creatures, sensitive to fragrances :..

..the patchouli, the honeysuckle...

Chanel number 5...

The most important thing for the catch is for the hunter..

..to conceal his shadow.

But I am talking too much...

And I'm not telling you what a wonderful home you have !

Something for now.

Oh, how delicious ! Red mullet on toast.

Quite a change to your diet in the Amazon !

You might say so !

But, that said, ants in pate are not so bad.

They crack pleasantly on the tooth.

And it's very economic.

Do you have the recipe ?

Now.

Mm ! This is delicious.

Would you like some fresh air ? - On the contrary.

You look very pale !

I am sorry. I must excuse myself for a few moments.

Where is it ?

Through there.

Thank you, Francois, for coming.

You look much better. You have got back..

..some of your colour.

What is wrong here ?

Stay calm. - Blockage in my throat !

Let me take a look. Open your mouth.

Calm yourself. Turn towards me.

Tilt your head.

It's him !

The man on the train !

No, no. Say nothing more.

You didn't think..

..that a witness saw you strangle that woman.

My aunt, Babette Boutiti, saw you.

She was on the train..

..that ran beside your own.

Suddenly, she saw...

Mme. Beresford, I know you have been..

..overworked recently, but now,..

..you must be delirious. - No, not at all !

Why would I strangle a woman unknown to me ?

Unknown ?

This woman, on the contrary,..

..you knew very well.

She was your wife.

He wanted to marry you, but he was already married..

..to Anna Stravinska, known as Anna Karenine.

A dancer who refused him a divorce.

I thought he was a widower.

And I thought you were a widow.

Not a widow, not a domestic, not a cook.

And this is my last service.

Emma, you talked to him about Edmond ?

And that was when he got an idea.

He wrote to you a letter, and signed it ''Martina'',..

..killed his wife, and hid the body in the sarcophagus,..

..and, thanks to that letter, we were led astray,..

..and the body was identified as that of Martina.

< And so, the family was implicated in the murder,..

..while he prepared for his next step.

< He planned to kill all your brothers, and incriminate..

..the one who remained :..

..your father.

So that you would be very rich by the time he married you.

If it had been me who died on Christmas night, his plan..

..would have fallen apart. But I was too strong.

He gave you a small dose of arsenic.

Just enough to give you stomach pains.

< The next day, the nurse, without knowing it,..

..gave Augustin the fatal dosage prepared by the doctor.

Then it was only necessary to send Raphael his dosage..

What a bastard ! -< You should thank him !

You owe him a debt of gratitude.

All he brought me was trouble.

A sarcophagus in pieces...

And all the rest !

You, your fortune has frankly doubled !

They love their money, this family.

I have avoided Christmas with the family !

They are they still here.

They said they were leaving !

Perhaps they decided to stay for New Year's.

Are there now ten of them ?

No, just the two.

And two can make this row ?

Aunt Babette doesn't know how lucky she is.

Nothing but butterflies, while living in a tent.

Camping in the wild !

I am parched !

Belisaire, wake up.

Open your eyes.

And tell me what you see.

Millions and millions of stars.

And what do you make of them ?

That there are millions of galaxies..

..and billions of planets.

That Saturn is part of Leo.

That the time is approximately..

..a quarter past three.

That it should be a nice day tomorrow.

I see that God is all-powerful..

..and that we are small and insignificant in the Universe.

And you, Prudence, what do you see ?

My poor Belisaire, I see you are a proper nitwit !

Me, I see that we are finally free.

English subtitles : David Blake (2015)