Original subtitles

CERTAIN FLAWS IN THIS PRINT

COULD NOT BE REMOVED DURING RESTORATION.

WOODEN CROSSES

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

IN THE NEWS TODAY

"The government asks this noble nation to remain calm

and not be carried away by unjustified emotion."

They'll return our five billion.

We were here first!

RECRUITING OFFICE Lieutenant, we want to go!

We want to go! Three cheers for the army!

GENERAL CONSCRIPTION

THE MAYOR OF THE 8TH ARRONDISSEMENT ANNOUNCES

A GENERAL CONSCRIPTION ON AUGUST 2ND.

Time to open up!

- Give me my sausage. - We'll tell the police.

He'd open in a flash if the Krauts came knocking!

Look at the rookies!

What's your rush? The war's over!

You men go that way.

You others, this way.

Just a minute!

Selling funeral wreaths now?

I make a better profit than on groceries!

Reinforcfements, boys.

Fifth Squadron?

I'm Corporal Bréval.

You got a good deal.

They're good as new.

What's your name?

Gilbert Demachy, enlistee.

Another one who thinks he's tough!

Careful what you wish for!

Shut your mouth, you big coward!

Don't judge the whole squadron by him.

That's Bouffioux, our cook.

Never washes, so he can't get any dirtier.

That's Fouillard, our very own dandy.

Amel's the serious one, the grandpa to the company.

Belin's crafty and sings like a nightingale.

Hello, kid.

Cuby here's a lot meaner than he looks.

Vairon here's from your hometown.

A real gentleman.

Hey, old nut! How the hell did we end up here?

Hey, you clodhoppers! Lemoine!

He's not as slow as he looks.

Broucke here doesn't know the meaning of fear.

And finally Lagny, the captain's liaison. - What about me?

Don't I deserve an introduction?

You'll hear this one crowing a lot.

Sulphart, company loudmouth.

Look who's talking.

Still, if I were boss here,

I'd skip the introductions and give this rookie some tips.

Listen to him.

Isn't he cute in his little cap?

Come here, kid.

That's better already.

My God, that's heavy! You got rocks in there?

No, cartridges.

They're safer in my haversack in case we're attacked.

Attacked!

Send out the dogs! This man's mad!

You may never even fire a shot.

My poor boy, the fighting's over.

You're too late.

You should've been there for the Marne retreat.

I'd have loved to join earlier and be part of a victory.

He's some little fighter!

Well, I'll tell you the tale.

We went two weeks without pay after Charleroi.

At the last minute, they tossed us each 15 sous.

If you hear guys talking about the Marne, tell them this:

The winners got 15 sous each out of that little adventure!

Bravo, Sulphart! Well said for a drunkard!

I didn't know. I thought we were going to fight.

You're breaking my heart. Someone has to look out for you.

I offer you my aid and protection.

- I'd like that. - Poor sap. Careful what you wish for.

You're too good a target. Let's blacken your things up a bit.

Save your song and dance until he's settled in.

Shut up, hayseed!

Let's blacken that mess kit up too. Come with me.

If you should want to buy us a round, just say the word.

- Sure. - Pass those flasks.

- Get whatever you want. - Thanks, pal.

Bring back the change!

They're not dishonest, just thirsty.

- What a showoff! - Ah, can it.

Just set your stuff -

Take my place. - I don't want to put you out.

Don't worry. We're not short on floor space.

Hand me that sack and the rest of your gear.

We'll get you settled in like a little prince.

There - you're all moved in!

Wine's here! Cheers!

Come on. Let's have a drink.

Save some for us!

They're very funny. I knew it'd be more fun than the barracks.

Don't be so sure. It's not always like this.

Here.

Tobacco? - No, thanks.

What line of work were you in?

I was finishing law school.

You? - Pastry chef.

Married, with one little girl.

That's what makes this so hard.

The party goes on!

I saw a plum tree heavy with fruit

Fair weather's here

Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts

Fair weather's here for lovers

I threw my sticfk up to knocfk down some plums

As happy as cfould be to have so many

Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts

Fair weather's here for lovers

Our student's having a rough time. That'll teach him.

They have it easy back home.

Give me your gun. One more won't make a difference.

Returning from Montmartre to Paris

I saw a plum tree heavy with fruit

Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts

Fair weather's here for lovers

Pass it on: Watch out for the wires.

Slow down up there. We're losing them.

Pass it on: Slow down. We're losing them.

Gun in hand, head down.

Don't bother. You're going back upstairs.

- What? - You and Lemoine are on first watch.

Sure, always the same necks on the line.

- The complaint window's closed. - Some squadron!

- You're nuts to take your shoes off. - Why?

- We're on alert. - Don't worry. I'll go in my socks.

I just want some sleep.

Nobody'd better bother me!

Everybody shut up!

Good night, my friends.

She hasn't written in two weeks.

It's never been this long.

It's driving me crazy!

Hey, Vairon.

Do they treat you well when you go on leave?

They don't poke us with pitchforks. That's about all I can say.

What's that stench?

Smells like a barber shop.

Our buddy here smells like a dame!

Think we'll see more battle?

To hell with battle. I've got lice to deal with.

You're right there.

Lice, cops and profiteers: They're the worst.

At least you can kill the lice.

You old rascal!

Time for some target practice.

They're not attacking! Don't bug 'em now!

Just keeping my gun warm.

Who fired that shot?

Sergeant Morache is coming! Now you've done it.

Let him come.

Did you fire that shot?

I want to know who it was.

You again, Sulphart?

- Silence. I gave orders. - It's the first time -

No discussion. You'll be punished.

Fine, we won't kill the Krauts.

But what the heck are we doing here then?

Bréval, it's time for patrol. What are you waiting for?

Yes, Sergeant.

Any volunteers?

I'll go. Gilbert Demachy.

I'll go with you. Vairon.

I could use the fresh air.

You'll go with Sergeant Berthier up to the Germans' barbed wire

to see if their post is still manned.

No shots are to be fired.

Follow me, boys.

Get down!

Demachy, come with me.

The rest of you, stay here.

Go!

Alert! Attack!

Hurry up, boys!

- Where's my gun? - Where are my shoes?

Hold your fire! Our patrol's coming back!

Artillery's firing short, sir!

Contact artillery. Tell them to advance their line of fire!

There they are!

One of ours! Sergeant Berthier!

Did everyone make it back?

All but one: Vairon.

Poor Vairon. He was with us from the start.

You couldn't bring him back?

No, he was killed instantly. Chest blown to bits.

I told you those 75s were firing too close.

Those guys in artillery!

Our hides don't mean much to 'em!

- The blood! - Weren't ready for that, were you?

Bréval!

What is it?

- They're digging down there! - What?

- They're laying a mine. - You crazy?

Listen.

Shut that guy up!

Lemoine!

- What? - Shut up!

No doubt about it. They're digging a mine.

Someone's digging. That's for sure.

- Inform the sergeant. - I'll go.

Morache and Berthier are coming with an officer from engineering.

- Where is it? - Right here.

You're right. We should have expected this.

They blew up a post last month.

What do we do?

I'll notify the commandant.

I'll get our instructions.

What about us? Do we have to stay here?

Of course.

We can't abandon Mount Calvary, can we?

No need to worry. They've got a long way to go.

There's no danger.

Right?

You never know.

Fine. We get it.

We're done for.

No, boys, they just started digging.

- Want some, Sulphart? - No, thanks. I prefer wine.

Cut me a slice. I've still got my appetite.

Those bastards work even at night!

Here's the soup.

Quick.

Here you go, boys.

And here's a flask of hooch. - Not bad.

And your mail.

The soup's still hot.

You're in an awful hurry.

I'd stay if those were my orders.

Not even half full for boys facing death.

If I save this hide, I swear the newspapers will hear about this.

Laying it on thick for the missus?

Cut the jokes. This isn't the time.

"...tender kisses. Your Suzy"

The pounding stopped. They're setting the explosives.

This is it.

They're gonna blow us up. - Stay put!

We all go together, my friend.

- It started again! - They're still digging!

We're saved!

I knew it wasn't ready!

Those scoundrels won't get us!

Dig away, bastards! We don't care!

We don't give a damn!

- Shut up! - We'll be dead before you blow us up!

I don't give a damn!

It doesn't matter.

Tomorrow is a long way off.

Good God! We've been here two days and two nights.

- How about some target practice? - Good idea.

I'll send up a flare.

Don't despair, boys. We'll be relieved tomorrow.

If we're still here!

What time is it now?

4:00.

We won't be relieved until 9:00 at the earliest.

Night falls late these days.

They'll take their time, trust me!

At least this guy's happy.

Don't wake him up.

What time is it?

9:07.

Relief's here!

Hurry up!

Get that pack on, and hurry.

Get those packs on, and hurry it up!

Let 'em out first. You can settle in later.

- They're laying a mine? - Yes.

We're done for.

No, you'll make it. We did.

- See? Never give up hope. - We're not out yet.

Rotten luck if they blow us up now!

- Let me by. - Hey, I'm standing here.

So long and good luck, boys.

Move it!

How many of them were there?

Eleven, and four gunners.

Forward marcfh!

If you want to make me a happy man

Marguerite, Marguerite

If you want to make me a happy man

Marguerite, give me your heart

- A can of sardines! - I'm all out!

Don't touch!

Camembert is 32 francs. Too much? Fine!

How much is the sausage?

Get your filthy hands off my goods.

- Give me those peas. - Where's my sausage?

That's my sausage, ratface. Give me those peas.

He cut in front of everyone!

- Sausage? - Yes. Gilbert, you pay.

You're a bright lad, but you don't make enough noise.

You have to shout, no matter what.

It's the only way to get your due.

See? It's like I said: You forget everything.

No service if you keep it up, you swine!

- Hey, over here! - Mother's milk for old-timers!

- This is against regulations. - Relax. I'm in good with the general.

It burns me up that they made Morache a lieutenant!

- He never did a thing. - Don't try to understand.

He'll work us like dogs!

Starting tomorrow morning, full inspection!

Some way to spend a day off!

I can hear him yelling now!

Company...

left!

Forward... march!

Company, march!

Port arms! First Company!

Come on, move it!

Sergeant Berthier, up front!

Fall in behind me in two rows!

Third Squadron!

Move it!

Are you men asleep?

Are you?

At ease.

Attention! At ease.

Attention!

I don't want to see any torn trousers.

His shoes are dirty. These men are disgusting, Morache.

Make sure they're clean.

You know, lice aren't all that bad.

They suck out what ails you.

Take my little brother:

Lice cured his meningitis.

No more free lunch for this one!

The nastiest are the red lice, the army lice.

The ones with the Iron Cross?

It's great having nothing to do.

What are you thinking about, Sulphart?

When I was called up from the factory,

I left my uniforms and tools at the local bistro.

"Set them aside," I said. "I'll be back for them

on my way home from Berlin."

You'll get them back.

I say the war will be over in three months.

And I spent all my leave in the brig.

No use complaining. We're treated like dirt.

If Morache tells you to kiss his ass,

you've no choice but to help him pull down his pants.

This is a republic, right? Everyone should be equal.

What's equality mean, Sulphart?

It means you can tell anyone to go to hell!

Mail, boys.

Broucke.

Demachy.

Sulphart.

Belin.

Lemoine.

Demachy again.

Bourel... Boural?

Sure it's not Bréval?

Her handwriting's so bad, I wouldn't be surprised.

No, it's for a guy in the Second Company.

A package for Amel,

and a letter for Vairon.

Let me have that.

Protect us, O Lady of the Dogfaces.

We accept it all:

Guard duty in the rain,

sleepless nights, days with no bread.

At least let us live.

That's all we ask:

To go on living...

or at least to never lose faith...

to continue to hope despite everything...

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Feast your eyes on those curves!

Calm down. That's for the officers.

Golden and sweet, good enough to eat!

Hold me back or I'll do something stupid.

Third Squadron, over here for handouts.

What handouts?

Let's go see.

Hurry it up. Who doesn't have a knife?

Come on! It's a good deal!

I'm giving them away!

Grip the knife firmly.

One stab and it's done!

Let me try.

I'll show you how it's done. Get back, kid.

There!

Still gonna complain that my meat is tough?

What of it? You're not a cook anymore.

- No more cushy jobs for you. - The trenches will show you!

Here's one for you.

What do I need this for? Back home I'm a bookseller!

They told me to pass out knives, so I pass out knives!

If they said umbrellas, I'd pass out umbrellas!

Where are you going, little lambs?

To the slaughterhouse!

Add feathers and you could pass for a bird!

The ladies like it. I'm keeping it.

Let's go!

They're passing out helmets, knives, cigars -

something's fishy.

Time to slip off to the seaside.

- It's not the season. - I wasn't planning on swimming.

They say this is the last big push. Have you heard that?

That's just artillery spouting off.

I'm confident we'll break through.

Me too. I have every hope.

What a laugh!

You think the Krauts are gonna stand by and watch?

If only we could be sure they treated prisoners well.

Sounds like we're in for stormy weather!

I say it's over before it even starts. They know we're attacfking.

Get ready! Grenadiers in front!

Gilbert, you got my home address?

This is for France, my friends.

Make it good.

We have to take that village back.

It's ours!

Everyone ready?

- After you, Lieutenant. - Why? Are you afraid?

Me? I'll be the first in line.

Morache is getting cold feet.

Oh, no, he'll go, even if it's tougher than court-martialing them.

First group, advance!

Forward!

Forward, men!

Hello? We can't hear anything.

The village will be tough to capture. It's swarming with machine guns.

They're a good regiment. They'll get through.

Get down!

Keep close to the walls!

They've broken through the first line. They're continuing to advance.

Good work! You're brave men! My thanks, boys.

Let's break through their third line!

Third Squadron, on my command!

The captain's dead!

Come on, boys!

Dear God!

IT WENT ON FOR TEN DAYS

TEN DAYS

TEN DAYS

- Where's Sulphart? - Don't worry. He took cover.

- He may be wounded. - Doesn't he wish!

Let's use him as a parapet.

Yeah, better than nothing until our turn comes.

Sulphart, you out there?

When they sight this ridge, we're done for!

Here come the Krauts!

Aim lower! Ground level!

It's starting again!

- You hit? - No.

Poor guy's dead.

He asked me to write to his mother.

Just a little further and their post is ours!

Keep advancing?

He's lost his mind!

Forward!

Wait a second.

Good God, it really is a cemetery!

We've gotta get organized. They'll counterattack for sure.

No noise. They're right on the other side.

Don't worry. We're not about to start singing.

Killed defending a cemetery -

that's too much.

They'll bury us alive to save time.

This is just the right length.

Good news, Gilbert?

"...I danced so much that I broke a heel..."

Sure.

What are you singing?

The mass for the dead.

Bouffioux, anything left in your flask?

Afraid to show your face, tub of lard!

Not a drop to drink all day. I'll die!

Gilbert will buy us buckets of wine on leave.

We'll dunk our heads in like horses at the trough.

Look.

My tongue's dry as plaster.

If the corporal would just do his job!

I'm gonna tell him.

Give me your flasks.

Hurry up.

Listen, Bréval.

No one has water. You've gotta to send someone to the well.

- Whose turn is it? - Not mine!

I just came in from grenade duty.

- So you won't go? - When it's my turn, I will.

Very well. I'll go myself.

Hey, Bréval's hit!

- Bréval's dead! - Where?

- By the well. - Dear God! Trying to get water?

- I'm going. - You crazy? You'll get killed too!

- Where's Bréval? - By the well.

Come on. It's not all bad.

Now they have to evacuate you.

No, it's all over.

I'm not crying for myself

but for my little girl.

Don't talk. It'll wear you out.

It doesn't matter now.

Gilbert...

swear you'll do something for me.

Go see my wife and tell her

what she did was wrong.

It hurt me real bad.

What's going on?

She has to know.

Tell her

I cursed her name before I died,

that I spit in her face...

her and that other guy.

I'm asking you, in God's name!

Make sure everyone knows

she was living it up while I was dying at the front!

The bitch!

No, don't.

For my little girl's sake, don't do it.

Tell my wife

she has to behave herself now.

That this was my dying request.

And tell her...

that I forgive her.

They're attacking!

Help!

They're slaughtering us!

Oh, yes, you'll get your cfross

It might be bronze It might be wood

But you'll get your cfross

If not the Croix de guerre then a wooden cfross

Ain't you got any happier songs?

Shut up! I wrote that for the guys to sing on leave.

- Who wants brandy? - Shove your brandy!

If not the Croix de guerre then a wooden cfross

You weren't so cocky last night in the cemetery.

I was sure we'd all die.

Was it tough, boys?

This is all that's left of the company.

That wasn't a battle - it was a massacre.

I disagree.

- What? - I'd call it a victory.

He's flipped his lid.

I mean it. I consider it a victory

because I made it out alive.

I gave orders to assemble!

- Morache! - He's worse than the plague!

No sign of him last night. - Berthier did all the work.

Sergeants, hurry and line up your men.

We're parading in the village. The general's waiting.

What?

A parade? They've gotta be kidding!

- We're dead as it is. - It's to see who's not dead yet.

Well, I'm not going.

Lieutenant, they can't make us parade in this condition.

Yes, the general wants to see us.

Reinforcements have arrived.

We have to show them we're not little girls.

We're barely hanging on.

Come now, just a bit more. You can rest later.

Get those packs on!

This is too much.

They'll squeeze every last drop out of us.

Line up in the road in rows of four!

Fix bayonets! Right shoulder arms!

Get in step! March!

Attention!

Present arms!

Present arms!

We're the ones who saved the town!

We saved the town!

Will lots of guys go on leave today?

Maybe ten percent. Colon went to ask.

Ten percent? You're kidding. We'll never get out of here.

- Shame on you! - Wait till you've suffered like us!

You can argue later! Third Section, First Squadron!

Present!

Here's some guys back from leave.

Hey, Lemoine, what did you bring us to drink?

- The 25 days flew by! - Bet you had time to hoe your beets!

Bet you'd like a sip of this Calvados from back home!

Don't get mad, hayseed.

Here's my corkscrew. Pop that cork!

- What's new at home? - They're holding up.

The war could last seven years and the theaters would still be full!

And when's the war gonna end?

No one cares about the war anymore but old biddies with sons at the front.

Sulphart!

Gilbert, old buddy!

I saw your parents! I'll tell you all about it!

They were so nice!

I saw them last Sunday. They asked me to stay for lunch.

What a feast!

And the wine!

I told them all about our life in the trencfhes, the rain, the mud,

and how rotten Moracfhe is.

I told them about the last attacfk and the town we cfaptured.

They don't know mucfh about the war.

They were very interested,

but they just don't understand.

They wouldn't believe that you could have lice.

Listen, Gilbert, that little maid of yours -

She's awful nice.

I tried to get a date, but nothing doing.

Next time. I'm going on leave tonight. I'll talk to her.

It's your turn? Lucky devil!

But what about us?

We're stuck here!

Look at this.

A steady stream of wounded since this morning.

Seems things aren't going well.

You men going on leave, let's go!

I'm coming! Where are my sacks?

I got back just in time to say good-bye.

Good-bye, my friend.

Hear that attack? Time to clear out!

Looks like reinforcements.

They're welcoming us back.

Hurry it up, boys!

- Corporals! - Present, sir.

Assemble your men in the square in 30 minutes.

- What about us? - Who?

- We're going on leave. - All leaves are canceled.

Keep to the right!

Keep to the right!

And the party goes on.

Slow down up front.

We can't keep up. - Tough!

Quiet!

Quiet! Pass it down.

They coming to relieve us?

Are the Krauts far?

Don't know anymore. It's been four days of attack and counterattack.

Water!

- Who's that? - One of ours.

Two men got killed already trying to bring him in.

If you can do anything...

This place is sturdy! Let 'em fire all they want!

Sturdy or not, they're really shelling.

Is someone still up there?

A reduced guard.

That's not enough. Send someone up.

Bouffioux, your turn.

Me? I can hardly see. I can't be a lookout.

Enough. You can snivel about it later.

I told you I can't see a thing!

I'll find you some glasses. Get ready.

- Corporal! - He said to get ready.

This is too much! I can't even see!

Your whining makes me sick.

I'll take your place.

Lemoine!

Don't worry, pal. My time's not up yet.

Well, it didn't miss by much.

Fat bastard.

We're safe here, with 12 feet of earth above us.

But we have to go outside tomorrow.

Are we really attacking at dawn?

Seems that way.

Lemoine!

Well?

Another lookout.

I guess it's my turn.

Water!

I'm with the Seventh Regiment.

Don't leave me out here, boys.

I have a mother.

I have a mother.

I have a mother.

Don't leave me out here.

Where's the captain?

Very well. We're all staying here.

Too bad.

No hiding in the craters! We have to break through now!

I'm hit! I'm wounded, boys.

Get to first aid, quick!

Another one!

Forward!

- We have to cut off two fingers. - Go ahead. I'm no pianist.

I hope Gilbert makes it back.

That hurts.

Oh, the pain.

- Medic! - Get down!

Hey, buddy!

Over here! I'm hit!

God, I swear I won't move...

but just make it stop hurting.

When it gets dark, the medics will come.

I gotta stay conscious until then.

I gotta wait for nightfall.

They won't see me on the ground like this.

They'll leave me to die.

I don't want...

It hurts!

The pain!

Help! Get me out of here!

Hurry up, boys!

Come on, boys! It's so dark!

Hey, medicfs!

No, I won't!

I can't fall asleep.

I can't.

Returning from Montmartre

From Montmartre to Paris

I saw a plum tree

Heavy with fruit

Fair weather's here

Fair weather's here, tra-la-la

Fair weather's here as long as it lasts

Fair weather's here for lovers

Fair weather's here

As long as it lasts

Translation by JOHN GUDELJ and LYNN MASSEY for SUBTEXT SUBTITLING