Original subtitles

Don't do that !

You'll make us go up in smoke !

Get off !

Hands up, filth !

There was enough in the cellars to wipe out a kilometre radius.

As I understand it, we owe a debt of gratitude to this young Milicien.

He did it to save his skin.

I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you were no longer FFI Chief.

That you were no longer anything. It's me... !

who asked my friend Anselme to come.

His experience will be very useful to us.

We have serious questions to resolve.

Indeed.

Starting with these Milicien sons of bitches.

No question of transferring them to Besan�on.

I gave them my word.

You were wrong.

We have armed guys, who won't let them out of the school.

Alive, I mean.

Is it your guys that sabotaged the trucks ?

No comment.

You threaten the representative of the Provisional Government ?

I want the hide of these filth.

And I've the Villeneuve R�sistants with me.

I confirm that. Not me !

I'm a R�sistant and disagree.

You put yourself outside the law, Anselme.

If justice is outside the law, then fuck the law.

Please Messieurs, can we seek a solution together ?

Do we have new trucks ?

Nothing for tonight.

Good !

If we can't transfer the Miliciens, we'll have to do something here.

Do what ?

A Court Martial. I don't see any alternative.

It's one more thing to confuse us.

With the right to condemn to death ?

Obviously.

But you promised them a fair trial, in Besan�on, in a few months.

The context has changed.

It's you who'll lead the court, I suppose.

I'm the Pr�fet, I can't even take part.

On the other hand, it's for me to appoint the 3 Judges.

And I propose that you preside over this Court Martial.

And that would be when ? Very quickly. Today, if possible.

The time's come to assume your responsibilities, Anselme.

You want to judge... well then judge.

You'll find it's not so simple.

Very well. I'm in.

And who are you thinking of as Prosecutor ?

Does the CDL have a suggestion ?

I'm ready to take on this task.

The record is crystal clear.

Well then, you're the Prosecutor.

You see, I'm doing better than you thought.

For the other two Judges I... No. It's for me to appoint judges.

Antoine, you seem inevitable.

Me ? He's a little young to be a Judge.

For me, he's legitimate.

I agree. Very good.

Finally there should be a woman.

The General wants their place in the R�sistance to be enshrined.

A woman ?

Since Marie's no longer here, I can't think of one.

There's Suzanne Richard. Who ?

We don't know her.

She's just the first R�sistant in Villeneuve. November 40.

Ah, I was away at the time.

Good, excepting my countermand, the hearing is fixed for 16h.

Next item.

We're not spending all day on the Miliciens.

I've prepared a list of notorious collaborators. Ah, listen...

We all agree on taking care of collaborators and we will...

but that's not how we'll rebuild France.

Yet it's the top priority.

No ! The priority is food, health and lodging.

We're ready to take it on. We ? Who's we ?

Well, us... the CDL.

Very well.

I appoint you Commissioner for Food and Lodging.

Wait ! I suggest you set up quickly in the school.

You'll have to get help. It'll go fine.

And a Ball ?

We'll have the Ball ! This evening !

I've put up handwritten posters, and 3 cyclists are going round the town.

Ernest, it's up to you to find music.

It's beautiful, right ?

Yes, it's beautiful.

Ah, we've been well and truly tricked, eh !

And that's your fault, scum.

Limp rag !

Go, coward ! OK, Xavier, leave it alone.

You'd have let me do it, right ?

At first, maybe...

But, frankly, what would it serve to blow us all up ?

Because we'll be there...

like fish on a market slab.

But not completely dead.

Have we a chance at a Court Martial, Chief ?

You, maybe. That's enough !

For me, it's over.

You...

I don't know.

A Court Martial here...

It will have to be played carefully.

The youngest... those who haven't killed, yes.

Yes, they have a chance.

And you think we'll have the right to counsel ? Of course !

I'm not sure it would have much value.

When we tried Maquisards, the lawyers....

Do you remember, in February ?

The Commie trials at Moissay ?

When they realized the benches they were sitting on, were their coffins...

Those guys faces !

There was even one who pissed himself.

Well had a laugh, anyway, right ?

When we sang 'The Internationale'.

The guys didn't believe it. We'd learned the words all night.

Stand up, damned of the Earth !

Stand up, prisoners of starvation !

Reason thunders in its crater.

This is the eruption of the end.

It was a good time.

You're afraid of death, Chief ?

Well...

I'd rather live a little longer, like everyone.

But no.

The wheel of fortune has turned.

I accept that.

Myself, I'm not a believer.

There's nothing left.

I'll be nothing.

Fat chance ! Only you will save your skin, garbage ! Shut up !

I'm one of those who've killed, Xavier.

After the leader, I'll be the first to get it.

Unlike you, who despite your playing Big Bad Wolf, never did anything except blowhard and threaten.

I've only a few hours to live, a few days...

Can't I live without hearing your crap all the time ?

I'll want to confess, Chief.

We're going to ask for it.

Don't worry, they'll want that.

Will the Bolsheviks give us that ?

B�riot is a Gaullist. We'll get our Cur�.

Chief...

how's it possible that God...

that God isn't with us ?

Why do you say that ?

Well, we lost.

Perhaps it's a proof that... that God sends us.

What are you doing ?

He tried to blow everyone up. He'll be tried separately.

By a Military Tribunal.

Ah, a Court all to myself !

I'm the lucky one, guys, right ? Shut up. let's go!

This is the final struggle

Let us group together, and tomorrow

The Internationale

Will be the human race.

Ah good, I finally found you.

Is it to you I owe my promotion to Judge ? No.

Really ?

Prior to taking a bullet, De Kervern convinced you women's place was in the kitchen.

Don't you like cooking ? Oh yes, I adore it.

I do a great haricot de mouton. Well, I did when there were sheep.

I'll make you one if you want. Ah, stop making me hungry.

Surprise ! Chocolate !

Yes... A Yank NCO gave it to me.

His name's Jimmy.

He wanted to have lunch with me. I told him I wasn't free.

Indeed, you're not free.

We're guarding Miliciens until the Court Martial.

Really ? Mmm.

I want to drop by G�rard, to settle accounts with Christine.

Hmm, you know... I believe that after betraying us...

Well, I don't think she stayed around.

You're right, that bitch had to invent a lie before sodding off.

Well, anyway, we'll send out a warrant. She's not getting away with it.

Shall we go ?

Antoine ?

Don't you feel it weird, to be a Judge ? Yes !

You realize that ignoring the majority, we decide for ourselves.

If we agree.

Why ? It's death for those with blood on their hands and prison for the others, right ?

I... I don't know.

We're not supposed to judge before the hearing.

That's true.

Do we really have to go there right away ?

They're expecting us for the guard relief.

I should have said yes to Jimmy.

We have a whole life ahead of us. No ?

Well no, life is short, you know.

Come on.

Is this OK ? Is this all you've for lanterns, Maxime ?

Well, they're all we found, Monsieur le Directeur....

sorry, Monsieur le Pr�fet.

Well, I'm still Headmaster, you know.

Anyway, for now. And a good thing too.

And the music ?

Well, Pierre Andr�'s coming with his accordion.

And his sister. Does she beat time ?

No, she sings ! Well, I hope.

She won the Conservatory prize.

What's more, a true R�sistant.

She was courier of the Notre-Dame network.

Well then, she's the ideal singer.

Say, as soon as possible you need to issue orders for petrol...

requisition of lodgings...

and Police powers.

For petrol... only vehicles authorized by us. Will you make me a list ?

Here's one.

Very good.

Add Edmond, CDL President, for me; otherwise he'll have his nose out of joint.

Or some other thing like that !

But... he has no car ! Exactly.

It costs nothing to add it. But it pays off ! Plan B.

For housing requisitions, we need a list of notorious Collaborators...

those who are on the run. That will free up dozens of houses.

There's also the deported Jews.

They often have beautiful apartments.

But still... they're going to return.

At least we hope so.

Yes, of course, but not right away.

The Jewish camps are in the east; in Germany, in Poland

It will be months from now before they return.

And our greatest needs are going to be the days and weeks ahead.

No. All the same. No, no, no.

Let me have the Collabos. Then we'll see.

The lanterns higher, Maxime.

But the wires won't be long enough, Monsieur le Direct...

Monsieur le... Monsieur B�riot.

You sort it out, huh. What's being done about the Police ?

The Commissariats are empty.

The FFI (or worse the FTP) are swanning around claiming fanciful authorities.

I'm even told of Patriotic Militias...

who are arresting supposed Collabos.

For now we're obliged to depend on the CDL.

Alas.

Prepare a note to Edmond.

I need a dozen armed guys with GPRF armbands.

But I insist on GPRF, not FFI or CDL or whatever.

You called for me ?

Yes. Who is sick ?

No one ! Well, lots of people.. But it's not for that.

Thank you, Victor.

Don't forget to invite the US Liaison Officer to the Ball. It's very important.

It's already done and he's coming.

He's great. He was my secretary in Algiers.

I'm tired, Monsieur B�riot. What can I do for you ?

You're aware that...

the Miliciens will be tried by Court Martial ?

It's one of the rumours of the moment.

The three Judges and the Prosecutor have been appointed, the hearing must begin at 16h.

And so ? They need a lawyer.

You can't be serious ! You're the only one who can do it.

I mean who can do it well.

I'm not a lawyer and I loathe the Milice.

Can you explain this to me ? Larcher !

Nearly everyone wants their hide, we're on the verge of lynch law.

That's why I'm forced to set up this emergency Court Martial. But I want a real trial.

Equitable, democratic.

You're a humanist, a good man.

You've proved, since June 40, your sense...

of the public interest.

They'll crap on my life, because in a crisis I wanted to limit the damage !

You supported Vichy, then you withdrew. You're the right man to defend them.

But I don't want to defend or attack anyone.

Don't you understand ?

Help me restore the rule of law in Villeneuve.

I don't like the Miliciens either, but they should have the right to be defended.

Of the 15, well, half haven't done much. But I couldn't care less !

"To hell with them" to use an expression which flourishes these days.

Am I clear enough ?

I thought you were more generous than that.

The war changes a man, Monsieur B�riot.

From a shy Headmaster, it makes...

a Pr�fet who requisitions apartments...

And what did it make of you ?

An alone and tired man. Now if you'll excuse me.

Alone ! Do you know that Hortense was arrested ?

When ? With Muller.

I don't know where he is, but she'll be transferred here shortly.

You're offering me a bargain. Is that it ? A bargain !

The freedom of Hortense against my participation...

in this travesty of justice ?

Not at all. Besides, I can't guarantee Hortense's freedom.

She'll inevitably be judged.

And Lucienne ?

I beg your pardon ?

While we're palavering, she's habouring...

a German officer in one of your bedrooms up there.

She'll be judged, too ? Be quiet !

Explain to me why Hortense would be more guilty than Lucienne.

Because Heinrich Muller has higher rank than Kurt ?

Very good. We've spoken plain. I like that.

I can easily simplify Hortense's problems.

A light sentence, perhaps even nothing, against me asking you for just a few hours.

To defend the men, defend a principle, that of the new-found democracy.

You'll even be able to defend your own choices before the Villeneuvois.

It's not the end of the world, anyway.

So, then, you saw Kurt.

He was a patient like any other.

Has he a chance to recover ?

It would be better if he didn't come through it !

I said that to your wife, but I don't think I was heard.

Well, Larcher, I need an answer about the trial.

You guarantee me that, at worst, Hortense will suffer a light sentence ?

National Indignity, and a suspended prison sentence at worst. I guarantee it.

She has no blood on her hands.

If you don't keep your word, B�riot...

I swear I'll instantly shout the name of your new tenant throughout Villeneuve.

You have my word.

You've only a few hours to prepare the Miliciens defence. You should go see them.

I'm looking for food for my son.

That's a good idea.

Can you can help me ?

No.

But aren't you looking after food supplies ?

Come back tomorrow, or the day after.

My son's hungry now ! You can see that we've nothing.

Who does the Food Commission feed ?

Are you resident in Villeneuve ? No.

I'm Jewish, Belgian...

a refugee in France, arrested by the Boches...

and I just escaped death at Seurre station.

Which makes me sympathetic to you.

But our Committees only deal with citizens resident in Villeneuve.

If I were such, you'd give food to my son ?

No, but...

I'd have you fill in an Aid Application Form.

Do we have the Forms ?

A Comrade's in process of copying them by hand.

However, we have Membership Forms.

I...

possibly a way...

to help you find food.

What do you think of the Communist Party ?

Nothing special.

Do you know that... there are many Jews in the Party ?

My problem is to know if there are a lot of milkmen.

If you join...

you can make an appeal for solidarity between comrades.

In plain words ?

Is there a Comrade who has cows or goats, and does the black market ?

I think you have a bad attitude.

Give me milk and I'll join immediately.

You're obviously too base minded, to join in our combat.

My darling.

I'll find you something to eat, I assure you.

I don't understand.

I'm telling you not to worry. It will come by itself.

Just don't think about it.

Don't you want me ? But no.

We've a whole life ahead of us.

Just now you said life was short.

Not at this point.

We just need a little time for you to relax. That's all, don't worry.

You took your time ! We've been here 10 hours.

Sorry ! A Summit Meeting.

At the very top ! Well almost.

I'd like to go piss.

I think I'm not the only one.

That's not allowed for.

Hey, we're not going to let them do it here !

Why not. It suits them fine.

The slime in the slime. No, no question !

First it's undignified.

Then, if it stinks, we all smell it.

You'll stay here while we accompany those who need it.

They're Miliciens, Antoine. They're human beings.

I say that because they're dangerous.

Well, I'll accompany them one by one.

And you stand here with Suzanne.

Get over here.

That must make you laugh. Me being your prisoner today.

No.

I often think of the day when we argued in the forest.

When I left the Maquis.

One life, comes down to very little.

Entering the Milice, wasn't coincidence. Almost.

And you killed two children by coincidence ?

I was there in the barn.

I saw everything.

So you must have seen that I didn't want to do it.

When I searched...

the little girl's bedroom.

I saw you in the closet. I said nothing.

Listen, I'm a Judge at the Court Martial.

I can't discuss your case.

I saved your life, that day, Antoine.

You, your girl...

and the people you were hiding with.

The toilets are there. Hurry up.

What are you doing !

I told you to stay home with Mamm�.

While you risk your life ?

Who do you take me for ? Genevieve you can do nothing for me now.

Help you prepare your defence. Find a lawyer.

But you must think of yourself, for Christ's sake.

If they learn we're related, it's you who'll have problems.

What are you up to ?

It's a long time.

OK. Can't I just have two minutes !

Ten of you want to go, and I've other things to do.

All right, I'm coming. Two seconds.

Mamm� says she's ready to put up all Pap�'s inheritance to pay for a lawyer.

The best. The lawyer's appointed, it's Larcher.

Anyway, I'm not defendable.

Don't say that, it's not true.

It's true.

You may have made mistakes...

but we all make mistakes.

We just need... I killed two children Genevieve.

A brother and sister.

Lucette and Morland.

I killed them.

With my pistol.

That's not possible !

The little girl took her brother in her arms...

She looked at me right to the end.

When I close my eyes, I...

I see them.

It's not true.

You're inventing it !

You're saying that to...

Thank Mamm�, and...

forget me.

Lucienne it's Jules. I'd like to talk to you.

No, I want to talk to you.

Hello Kurt. Do you recognize me ?

Are you in pain ?

Is this what you want ?

Pencil.

Well, it's not necessary...

it's me who's sorry to see you in this state.

Now that the war's over...

here anyway

You must help me...

to die.

You know very well I can't do that.

What are you doing here ?

I was looking for you.

I remind you I'm in my own home.

Our home.

Let's just say my home and your home.

Can I talk to you for two minutes ? In private.

Now ?

As I told you, I'm in a hurry. I've a lot of things to do.

Rest now.

I'll be two minutes.

He was doing better until just now.

Now I feel he's very tired.

He must rest. Lucienne, what you do with Kurt doesn't interest me.

Really.

But I learn now, that Larcher knows.

Who else ?

No-one.

Do what you like with your private life. But I'll not let you hurt my career.

I'm won't harm you in any way, Jules.

I want to become Mayor of Villeneuve, Lucienne.

It's important to me and, I believe, for Villeneuve.

I'm sure you'll make a good Mayor. Thank you for your confidence.

But our situation can't go on forever.

Do you understand ?

As soon as Kurt recovers, he'll leave.

And you ?

I didn't want to talk about that now.

For now, can I count on you to help me in the physical organization of the school ?

Obviously.

So, find where the Xmas garlands are hidden, and the stock of chairs. They're needed for the old folk.

If you need me, I'll be in the ballroom.

Next person.

It's amazing to run into you again like this !

You don't remember me ?

We were here with all the others in the school, in July 42.

You were with your Maman.

Ah yes, I remember.

Your wife ?

Sorry. I didn't want to...

What's your name ? Sophie.

And what's he called ?

David.

Where's his father ?

Really, Sophie. We don't ask people things that way.

How do we ask then ?

And... did you stay hidden in Villeneuve all this time ?

No.

We arrived here by chance.

And where do you intend to go now ?

I don't know.

But you must have family somewhere ? No.

No family, no friends, no past.

No future either, I suppose.

How you can say that, with what you have on your knees.

I'm not even able to find him food.

I could help you, if you want.

You're kind. But, no obligation, you know ?

There's never "no obligation".

Sometimes there are miracles.

You see, me...

after my escape from here, in '42...

I was arrested with Sophie,...

the next day, on the outskirts of Villeneuve.

They took us to the central Commissariat. Marchetti was there...

The Chief of Police here .

He wasn't a bleeding-heart...

it's him who organized the arrests of the Jews, in '42.

It seems that today, they call him "The Butcher of Villeneuve."

We had pretty lousy false papers...

and I told myself he'd know right away, who I was.

I thought I was finished.

Well, I mean that he'd send us back to the school with the others.

Well, just imagine, no...

he talked to me about God...

And he let us go.

He even gave us tips for getting into Switzerland.

Since then, almost every day, I wonder...

why he did that.

Well, I think it was a miracle.

It's been a long time since I believed in miracles.

I still believe in them... otherwise we wouldn't be here.

There must be a meaning to it all.

A meaning ! Yes.

I believe God sees everything we do.

So, it's even worse than I thought.

You don't believe in God ?

I'd believe in it, if it rained milk.

There's a guy in the black market, in the street behind the school.

I don't know if he has milk...

and obviously, it takes money.

Thank you for the information.

In any case, I wish you good luck.

To you, and Sophie.

I wish you good luck too... Rita...

it's Rita, isn't it ? Yes.

That's it.

Pierre Andr�, a musician friend.

And his sister, Mathilde.

Jules B�riot. Delighted Madame.

So it's you who are helping our fellow citizens dance on this historic day.

Thank you, really. Well, the pleasure's all mine.

What are you going to sing for us ?

Some pre-war melodies, waltzes, javas, the...

And most important, of course...

It's .. it's... it's...

it's... it's... I can't find the words.

Thank you.

We feel this is...

a liberation !

Mathilde is justly in high demand at Lib�ration Balls.

If I dare say so, we get raves.

This has ben set up by the Fifth Column. Think of something.

Excuse me, Madame, but I'm told you're a great R�sistant.

Yes, I directed the female couriers of the Notre-Dame network.

Thirty women who obeyed me without question.

Then you can't sing tonight Madame.

Why not ? Orders are strict.

No great R�sistants on stage.

The risk of attack is too great.

At Moissay, a network Chief was devoured by dogs trained by the Milice.

In full conference, on the platform.

A carnage...

it seems they only left...

the right shin.

Oh my God !

The right shin...

Oh, what a shame.

What a shame, I was really looking forward to it Madame.

Well yes, me too.

Maybe next year ?

When there's no more danger. OK.

You're a hero.

But we still have no music. We don't have Mathilde, that's something.

Say...

You've got to urgently find me a working phone.

I absolutely have to reach the Republican Commissioner in Dijon.

They don't even know we're trying the Miliciens by Court Martial.

Collabo !

Let him go !

Let him go.

Let go of Monsieur Servier, Raoul. He's not a Monsieur, he's a Collabo !

Here... here, I signed an agreement with the President of the CDL.

I'll make you eat your agreement ! Please !

Go get his shoe.

No parleying. Judge him !

This agreement, clearly signed by the boss of the CDL guarantees him a humane and fair treatment.

I endorse this. Let him go.

If we don't monitor him, he'll take off.

If I'd wanted to leave, I'd have left weeks ago.

I stand by my actions.

I'm ready to be tried, but not treated in this manner.

The Vichy Police weren't particularly gentle, Monsieur Servier, if I remember correctly.

That dirty cop, Marchetti, killed my mother. Well...

It wasn't my fault.

There's an answer which was, perhaps, a little fast.

Come on, take him back home... without any violence.

Let him have food and tranquility. He'll be tried.

Dirty Collabo !

You swear it ? I swear it. Go, take him.

It's imperative CDL gives us men for a Police Force This is impossible.

At the moment, Edmond makes out he has no-one.

They're all taken. Who knows, to what.

He's flim-flamming. Putting pressure on us just before the trial.

I've got butterflies in my stomach.

Me too.

I should never have accepted.

Excuse me. Pardon Mesdames et Messieurs. Pardon.

Please. Go ask them to be silent. Please.

Silence !

Silence in the room.

Monsieur le Pr�fet B�riot will speak.

I thought in a democracy, the judiciary were independent of the politicians !

That's what written in this thing, anyway.

You're absolutely right.

General de Gaulle's very attached to this independence.

I'm speaking, only because the hearing isn't yet open.

I just wish to tell you, how this trial...

the first in the new-found freedom of Villeneuve.

is important.

The people who are on these benches, are charged with very serious offences...

Three indisputable Judges are here to try them.

A prosecutor will arraign them, and a lawyer will defend them.

Larcher Collabo ! Please ! Please ! Please !

I ask you all to exercise restraint.

It's me who appointed Monsieur Larcher, who is worthy of his position.

And I ask you to respect him. Which means respecting the rights of the defence.

It's thus that the Republic...

driven from France for 4 years, re-establishes itself.

I confess to thinking...

that at this hearing about to start, I'm moved as when witnessing a birth...

or rather a rebirth, that of democracy.

And by virtue of the independence of powers, emphasized by Monsieur le Pr�sident...

I leave you.

Long live the Republic, long live France.

It's done, the phone call's in 20 minutes.

I declare that the Court Martial hearing is open.

Monsieur le Procureur proceed to read the indictment.

Thank you Monsieur le Pr�sident.

Excuse me.

You've not given the civil status of the accused.

It's an obligation under French law.

I was coming to that.

This is a somewhat special case.

Fourteen accused...

who've all committed the same crimes.

Horrible crimes...

unforgivable.

Monsieur le President !

Monsieur le President...

it's up to you to maintain order in this court...

if you want us to continue to believe it is one.

Order !

The sooner we finish, the better it will be.

We all think the same thing...

but until the verdict, shut up !

Resume.

He's the Prosecutor, but that one's the Master !

Listen guys ! Are you deaf or what ?

Shut up ! Or we'll finish the trial without the public !

The first one to jaw...

I'll throw him out myself. With a big kick in the arse. Understood ?

As for you, you don't have the floor now.

Only your lawyer can speak.

Go on.

So we have 14 accused...

who have all committed the same crime.

An obvious crime, as I'll demonstrate.

I thus propose, to save time and...

because we lack the means for a long trial...

to try these 14 accused as a homogeneous group...

without going into details of who did what.

But, that's contrary to the principle of individualization of sentences !

The basis of French law.

For me, that's all gibberish.

Explain yourself.

Ah, your democracy is beautiful.

You ! Shut up !

I'm a man of the people, not a professional Judge.

You'll have to get used to how the people express themselves.

So, your famous principle. What is it ?

Individualization of sentences.

We judge a man on what he actually did. He individually...

together with his history, past and circumstances.

We don't judge, at the same time and in the same way, Alain Blanchon, Milice leader for three years...

and Victor Mariani, who's been in the Milice 15 days. He's done no more than don a uniform !

What do you think ?

He's obviously right.

But we can't start on a detailed trial, as in Assize Court, it would take days.

No, no. The elements of such a trial require planning.

It's in the Instructions.

But I remind you that we don't know how to detain or feed them.

So it requires a quick decision. Yes, but we can't judge them all together.

It would be shameful.

We still need to find a way so it doesn't take too long.

We're not going complicate life to infinity, eh !

Please ! Please.

We could do with a few kicks in the arse, huh !

Right...

We'll study the cases of the accused... one by one.

But I limit each case to 15 minutes maximum.

It's a scandal !

Listen ! It's written in this thing...

that the President of the court shall decide procedure.

So I'm deciding !

If you're not happy, then resign !

And I'll appoint a lawyer from the public gallery.

Very well. Let's continue.

Perfect.

It's 4:20pm.

The Accused: Alain Blanchon

Born the 23rd of March, 1899.

Stand up.

Monsieur le Procureur.

Monsieur...

You've committed dozens of crimes.

I've committed no crime.

You don't have the floor.

You address me, I reply.

Monsieur le President ! Go on. Don't complicate things, give us your argument.

You've committed no crime ?

The Third of March '44...

execution of 6 Maquisards...

their eyes gouged out.

One was buried alive.

May the Second...

murder by drowning of Gilles Derain and his wife.

Hands tied behind their backs with iron wire.

June the Ninth...

Six Jews machine-gunned by the side of a road...

The Miliciens wrote on a card...

"Kosher deli in stock"

before dumping the bodies.

August the Third...

Martine Simon was raped, and her skull smashed in Seurre.

I wasn't there.

So as to the others, you were there.

And two days ago...

the massacre of the Vernet family.

But...

for all these horrors it would be difficult to prove exactly what your part was.

And since you're vexing me with individualization of sentences...

I'm going to focus on your most recent crime.

which stupefied every Villeneuvois.

The hanging of ten hostages...

including Marie Germain, Departmental Chief of the FFI.

I took no part in the decision for that action by the Germans.

But you were there !

Indeed.

It's useless to deny it. Lots of people in this room saw you.

Monsieur Blanchon doesn't deny it.

He says he isn't responsible for this act.

Which was decided, as I recall, by a German SS officer.

So why was Monsieur Blanchon there ?

Was it by chance ?

Was he out for a walk ?

No !

Well, Monsieur Blanchon, the court is listening.

Why were you, and 10 of your men, found keeping order for the hanging ?

My men were there because I'd given the order.

And you ?

Schneider, the SS commander, ordered me.

So we don't need 15 minutes.

Monsieur Blanchon has just admitted in a high and clear voice...

the crime of 'Intelligence with the Enemy'.

Which, under article 75 of the Penal Code, is punishable by death...

which penalty I demand without a shadow of doubt.

On behalf of the French people, I rest my case.

Monsieur Larcher

Monsieur le Procureur...

if I truly understand...

you consider the fact of having obeyed a German officer...

deserves the death penalty.

It's obvious.

Read Article 75 again.

Well, I remind you that it was Mar�chal Petain, Head of State...

who at Montoire...

in October '40...

initiated the policy of Collaboration with Germany.

And asked all officials to follow him on this path.

Where are you coming from ?

The fact that...

all police officers ..

all officials...

all judges...

all the mayors of France...

were enjoined to Collaborate with German officers.

Sometimes to obey them.

Do I understand that they all deserve the death penalty ?

I didn't say that.

And for good reason.

The truth is that...

the country will undertake...

when minds are a little calmer...

the trial of Collaboration.

Which means the trial of the Mar�chal.

The Mar�chal is a traitor to our country.

That's your opinion.

But as long as this isn't settled by a tribunal...

you can't blame an official...

for having obeyed the Head of State. That's what we ask of an official.

You can't today...

without a serious investigation...

prove the personal participation of Monsieur Blanchon in a particular act.

And you can't blame him for having obeyed the Germans...

since he obeyed the Head of State.

I therefore ask the Judges...

to declare themselves incompetent.

And remand Monsieur Blanchon to a later trial.

You're connected to Dijon for no more than two minutes.

Two minutes ! Impossible, I need longer.

You'll be cut off after two minutes, Monsieur.

No, really... You've already wasted ten seconds.

B�riot ? Commissaire Lanzac

Speaking. I'm glad to get hold of you.

I feel a bit isolated here.

So tell me, how's it going in Villeneuve ?

Oh ! It's crazier than a sack of ferrets.

No resources...

fires to fight in every corner, and no-one to keep order.

Perfect. All routine then !

Yes, if you want to call it that.

Are the Communists strong over there ?

The Pr�sident of the CDL is one of them. Yes...

It's like that in two-thirds of the D�partement.

We mustn't leave you overwhelmed.

Give them some bones to gnaw.

In that respect, I've fixed something up. Perfect.

And the purge ?

Well, we've just started. I've detained 14 Miliciens.

Oh, good work !

Pursuant to the July order...

I've set up a Court Martial, which is in session now.

A Court Martial !

Yes, but rest assured, it's been set up quite democratically.

I don't give a damn !

I want these 14 Miliciens in front of a firing squad within 24 hours.

But really...

I can't prejudge the verdict... B�riot !

In the towns they still hold, the Miliciens and Boches are murdering our comrades in prisons.

We must send them a clear message.

"Stop cleansing in this way, or we'll do the same to you."

But really... So you tell your Court Frigging Martial...

I want 14 death sentences and 14 executions, when it's all over.

Tomorrow.

But the independence of the judiciary...

Is a great and beautiful idea.

But if you want to stay on as Pr�fet...

liquidate these filth for me. Never mind the method.

That's an order, B�riot. Is that clear ?

Subtitles by Rod Clarke Whitby, Ont. November 2015