Original subtitles

- Can I have it back? - What will you give me?

- I'll say thank you. - Here.

- Do you live here? - Yes.

- They fought the war here? - Oh, everywhere.

Dick!

- You must be following me. - Yes, sir.

- I'm going to sleep there. - Oh.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

Look. They'll need to be tired to sleep there.

THE DOMINICI AFFAIR

Keep moving, gentlemen, please.

Keep moving.

Don't touch that. Come on.

Hey, kid. Here.

- We've been waiting 4 hours. - Yes, I know.

That's no excuse for this bedlam.

What a mess!

- You let people come? - What else could we do?

Get them on the other side.

Move on, now.

Clear the road, everyone.

Come on, go to the other side, please.

They didn't come to steal, at any rate.

Do me an inventory.

Thank you. Who's he?

That's the guy. And his wife's on the other side.

Sir!

This is what I found this morning.

A weapon of war.

One in front of the car and the other here.

This was next to the cartridges.

Two unfired rounds.

Shot singly. The shooter didn't know how it worked.

That's interesting.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

You might find my fingerprints on the door.

Why is that?

I was here. The lock was jammed.

A gendarme couldn't get out. I helped him.

Who are you?

Gustave Dominici.

I live there.

I took the bloodstains on the road. They were no good.

But the one at this well is amazing.

Excuse me, sir.

What do we do with the heel print?

Let's go.

Didn't we tell him to clear off?

No. Nobody told me anything.

Are you taking the rise? The grandson from the farm.

It's unusable. It's not worth a picture.

Commissioner, the girl's over here.

I'll find this bastard. He'll pay for this.

I covered her up.

Why?

The gendarmes asked me. The ants were beginning to eat her.

- Who are you? - I live here.

Grand'Terre is mine.

- How many of them live there? - They're all over the place.

This whole area.

From there,

they must have seen it.

Here. Look at this.

Hey, Commissioner!

- Hey! - Commissioner!

A Rock-Ola.

You arrived late, but things are well under way.

Commissioner, we found this under the girl's head.

The murder weapon.

And it'll talk.

Pastis, Doctor?

Give me some water.

Yes, but not in my horse's basin.

He won't drink if he smells blood.

I asked for water. It's not that hard.

I've just seen something horrible.

A lovely little girl, her skull turned to mush.

The strange thing was her feet.

All clean, white, intact.

She wasn't killed where she was found.

She was carried.

- You think it was poachers? - Maybe.

That's what Gustave thought.

Impossible.

If they didn't see it, they heard it.

A light?

If you're here for information,

we saw nothing. It was dark. - And heard nothing?

Yes. I heard gunshots.

It was around 1 o'clock. It woke me.

The dog barked.

Look.

- Ever seen one? - No. Never.

- Who does the washing here? - What?

Who does the washing?

You want some washing done?

- The eldest sister does it. - And you?

I do mine, my husband's and my boy's.

Germaine comes for mine. She washes it at home.

She brings it wet and dries it here?

Are you mad? It's dried and ironed.

And those trousers?

- Where? - Behind you.

Oh. You'll have to ask Gustave.

You know this weapon?

Never seen it before.

Are those your trousers?

- What trousers? - I only see one pair.

No. I wear overalls. My father wears velvet.

No. Forget it.

We'll go to the hospital. I want to know what the autopsy finds.

...camping on the roadside.

Sir Jack Drummond, his wife and daughter.

He played a major role in the last war

as a scientist and dietician. He was shot,

as was his wife. Their daughter, 10,

was beaten with a rifle butt.

The motive may have been theft, villainy

or the work of a prowler.

Unbelievably, the holidaymakers chose to sleep

beside a main road, on a bend, on gravel.

If that choice was down to luck, it's a simple case.

But if it wasn't...

I'm off to bed. Goodnight.

Goodnight, Gaston.

August 5, 1952 1st day of the investigation

Never seen it.

Why do you ask me that?

Aren't you Yvette Dominici's father?

So what?

We don't know that weapon.

My father has an old Gras rifle,

but he doesn't poach now. Not that he didn't.

Thank you, Mrs Caillat.

Well, do you know it?

No, I don't.

We'd have given up any guns long ago.

Grand'Terre was once called Grand'Scare.

No Jerry would venture in there.

- Even we feared it. - Why?

Some places are like that.

But it was used by all the networks.

- The old man was the head? - He didn't care much.

- It was our letterbox. - So the old man knew everything.

He always has done.

Some people are like that, they keep it all in.

All over this place, men fell from the sky,

with guns and other things.

Now they're all there, buried under the trees.

You're not interested?

You should be. I'm saying this to help you.

You'll get to like this later.

It's good.

A lot of machine guns fell here in the Occupation.

You're digging up old business, Commissioner.

- With 3 fresh corpses. - Those guns,

we all got them here. And we shared them out,

even if we weren't on the same side.

I know. You were hunting Germans.

And bumping each other off.

That was our business.

You mean you were doing business.

With the money parachuted in here,

you bought bars and groceries in Marseilles.

Not me, at any rate.

We stayed poor here.

- So you don't know it. - No.

Mayor, you know that if there are guns hanging around,

we'll turn a blind eye for a few days but... they must be given up.

The law is no joke.

If I knew anything, I'd tell you.

I went to bed early that night and got up at 5am.

I've never seen that gun, and I should know.

You ran the air drops for the FTP in Mirabeau?

Yes. And I'm proud of it.

I'm the secretary for my party section.

You know, if I had trafficked in the money,

supplies and weapons that rained down on us,

they'd have sacked me.

We'd get English Stens, but never American ones.

But this gun dates from the Resistance.

If you're looking to nick me, you may well,

but only for poaching. I've no other vices.

Especially boar.

It's a smell I have to follow.

I always put a leg by for the priest.

- Paul... - Here's Clovis Dominici.

How many Dominicis are there?

I'm the eldest son. I hear you saw my sisters.

He has to see everybody.

We're friends. We think the same. We've never hidden anything.

Wait, Clovis.

Recognise this?

Whose is it?

Tell me, quickly. Quickly.

I don't know it.

You just fell to your knees.

I'm used to working on my knees on the railway.

Damn! They killed Napoleon.

Anyone home?

Just coming!

- What's all this mess? - Just a routine search.

You don't care, do you? What a job.

You wander around, you eat well and you collect.

Herding goats isn't bad either.

Plus you peer into folks' lives, you rummage.

What are you after? Would I ruin everything

for 2 women undressing at the end of my field?

Clear off.

- Where's Gustave? - In bed.

What's he got?

- A certificate. - Where is it?

I hear you're not feeling so good, Gustave.

"Needs lots of moral tranquillity."

With all these journalists and these gendarmes...

You can throw the journalists out.

Come and see me tomorrow at 8am.

I advise you to be on your feet.

You want to catch us out, but you won't.

Go on, clear off.

Another hour and I'd have died in there.

Come on, let's go.

Smile. That's it.

You want to be a star. That'll be marvellous.

You'll be in the papers. Look at the camera.

Don't move. There.

You know who you look like?

A young Spencer Tracy. Know him?

Never mind. Look at me. Don't move.

There. Like that.

You know, your wife...

...is terrific. That's it. Look at me.

Smile, now. That's the ticket.

They're Gustave's mates.

They'll never leave us alone.

- It's just like '44. - Hush.

Remember Mercadier, 2 years ago. He sounded like you.

Branded a collaborator, ended up in a ditch.

We've already told him.

Roure didn't ask you to come and see the rock fall at dawn.

Never. And he'll confirm that.

Faustin Roure, please.

Mr Roure...

did you give Gustave formal instructions

to go to the railway this morning?

No. Gustave came on the evening of the 4th

to say rocks had fallen on the line,

but that he'd cleared them for the evening train.

- That was at my wife's cafe. - Thank you.

So you went of your own free will, at dawn, to the railway

and found the child's body.

You must have misunderstood.

Yes. Probably.

In 4 hours, you've talked for 15 minutes.

I can only repeat I've got nothing to say.

When you heard the shots, didn't you go to the window?

If a guy had been posted near the farm, he'd have shot me.

But you're no weakling.

I stand behind what I said to the gendarmes.

There were gunshots at 1am.

Father's clock chimed just after the last shot.

Right.

What about the girl's parents?

Yes. I reckon it was they who killed her.

It's the kind of thing that happens!

Indeed. We've seen it all.

Can I go?

Clear off.

Please!

A few details, Commissioner.

Do you have any news?

I asked a few questions. That's all.

Well?

- Look at me. - What did he say?

- I've nothing to say! - You have. Say it.

Here, Gustave. Don't move. There.

- What did he ask you? - I have nothing to say!

"500,000 francs reward to any person

"giving information leading to the arrest of the Drummonds' murderer

August 15, 1952 11th day of the investigation

Here for a change of air, Mr Dominici?

We've nothing to hide or cry for. Come on, Gustave.

- He's quite a dancer. - When he's performing.

That's what she wants. She has a cool head.

Are you the Commissioner?

My wife and I want to shake your hand.

- Sir. - We took our holiday to come here.

We listen to you on the radio. You'll get him.

The bastard.

- The Dominicis aren't to blame. - They are,

and it's something strange.

Ease up on the fiction. The Commissioner won't sleep.

- 2 beers, please. - Maybe,

but a mystery surrounds the Dominici clan.

Read La Marseillaise and L'Humanite. They're for Gustave.

"Above all suspicion." The Dominicis are left-wingers.

That's to shut your mouth.

Nothing's done unless we all decide.

I'd like to see you with the cops.

Shut up.

This business'll be like the rest.

You know what happens to those who talk too much?

One day they don't talk anymore.

Very clever.

You think you're smart because you write in papers.

Bunch of shit stirrers!

You don't care about the crime.

The minute some other rubbish happens elsewhere,

you'll go and enjoy yourselves there, bothering folk who work.

But here at least, you'll leave us alone.

Give me your hand. I know what you're after.

- No, thanks. - OK, clear off.

Know what I think?

He's the one that did it.

Trying your luck?

- No. Thank you, sir. - Heard the latest?

- A Marseilles joke? - No. British.

Scotland Yard wants in.

"Wrap it up in 3 days", they say.

Solve this case for us and you'll get a basket.

- Of flowers? - Yes.

And a big bonus in it.

The Legion d'honneur and promotion to senior commissioner.

I'd rather have a good lead.

COMMISSIONER

- Does your dad often play with guns? - Yes.

- Have you ever seen this one? - No.

But my husband got the others from the maquis.

So they're attacking us.

It's me they want.

It's about politics, isn't it?

The Stens were the maquis. OK.

Everyone likes to keep souvenirs, but...

holding on to war weapons can get you in trouble.

In your case, serious trouble.

If they want to make trouble, they will, believe me.

- They'd prosecute? - Depends on the prosecutor.

By the way, on the night of the crime,

there was a meeting at Grand'Terre.

I'm sure you didn't just talk politics.

Dad is thinking.

You steal electricity too?

I'll ignore all these trifles.

You're basically honest.

Will you help us?

I'd love to.

October 17, 1952 74th day of the investigation

Magistrate's Court

What am I supposed to do with you?

For the fifth time, Gustave Dominici, answer.

Call Maillet.

Mr Maillet!

- Maillet is a liar. - What did Gustave Dominici say

about little Elizabeth Drummond on the morning of the crime?

That she'd moved an arm. She was purring.

You said: "She's purring." Clovis can tell you too.

Well?

I saw some white in the grass.

I heard a noise. I went over.

I saw the little girl.

Her left arm moved. She even purred.

You did nothing? You didn't call for help?

I told my wife and my mother.

But you didn't help?

- I didn't want to. - Why?

I was scared. I didn't want to leave my fingerprints.

So you knew it wasn't an accident.

- No, I didn't know. - Yes, you did,

but you preferred to let this moaning child die,

and didn't even fetch her a glass of water.

You didn't want to do anything for the poor child?

Take her in your arms? Anything?

You didn't even call a doctor.

I did do something. I called the gendarmes.

Is it his fault the gendarmes took 2 hours to come

and the police 4 hours?

It's in the report.

How is it that the gendarmes found the girl's body

with her arms crossed,

when you saw her still moving an arm?

I don't know.

On one hand, rigour, on the other, impunity.

What about Maillet's favourable treatment?

He's glad to tell on others if he's not bothered,

despite the machine guns at home.

Your Honour, I call upon your infinite generosity.

Our client must be acquitted.

Given that it was your duty to immediately call a doctor,

that you failed in the French tradition

of fraternal charity,

despite the absence of a criminal record

and taking into account your family situation,

I sentence you to 2 months' imprisonment.

I don't get it.

Gustave's been convicted. But what about the killer?

You say nothing, but Yvette blames me

because she's pregnant.

Who'd hold her legs if she had her baby at the Barths'?

She'll have her baby here.

Clovis will come and help with the animals.

I know what you think, but Maillet did what he could.

What he had to. No more.

From tomorrow, you'll sleep here.

Yes, Father.

And you'll have your child here, Yvette.

It'll be a fine baby.

Who said it'd all work out?

Where are those who said they'd help?

- Father, it takes time. - I don't have much left.

Gustave is in prison, but not for a crime.

To your return, Gustave.

To your return, Gustave!

We can't let him pay for the trial.

That's a fine idea, Barth. Marie, the tureen.

Come on.

- Nothing, Germaine? - No. I'm not paying for others.

You blame me for saying you were an easy lay?

- Go on. - Come on, Germaine.

Zeze...

Put in for your mother.

My, you look gloomy, Clovis!

Hey, Clovis. 2 months inside and you win a tureen!

Come in.

You again? You can't have much to do.

Don't get angry, Grandpa.

I was just passing.

How's it going? What's the news?

Now leave us alone. We've paid.

Do we have to move away to get peace?

I just called to drink your health.

Right, Marie, give him a glass, quick.

Thanks. Your health.

To truth.

November 12, 1953 465th day of the investigation

In 10 minutes, block route 96...

I thought we'd thrown you out.

Divert the cars. I want no pedestrians or journalists!

Cut Grand'Terre off from the world.

"Thrown out". 10 years of my life to get that bastard.

If they think I'm leaving it...

The judge wants to talk to you.

Excuse me.

Let's be clear, Commissioner. When you bring me someone,

make sure he doesn't retract in front of me.

What's going on? We've seen no one for a week.

Even your father hasn't been, Yvette.

- Come back to piss me off? - Be polite,

or I'll charge you with obstruction.

I can't even speak now.

You can. Give us some information.

- What information? - About the crime.

Whoever did it was much cleverer than you.

- I'll get whoever did it. - If you do, we'll have a party.

And roll together under the table.

Yes, son.

Gustave Dominici, come with us.

- Well? - He wasn't there.

- Where was he? - Behind the car's bonnet.

Thank you, Mr Olivier.

Go behind the car's bonnet.

- What for? - For a photo.

You saw a blanket and camp beds.

Right.

Put the blanket where you saw it.

Take it.

Get on with it!

Perpendicular to the car?

You're sure it was perpendicular?

At 7am, Mr Ricard saw the body parallel to the car.

Also at 7am, Faustin Roure and Clovis saw the body

parallel to the car. - I'm sure.

The body was alongside the car, rolled in a blanket.

At 7:30, the gendarmes found the body here,

this time perpendicular.

You know what that means?

That you'll come with us to the courts.

I'll question you there.

Don't cry, Marie.

But they're taking my little boy. My baby.

If they keep him, I'll go. It's better if it's me.

Gustave re-arrested November 12, 1953

I'm fed up. I won't spend another night alone.

- I dreamed Gustave had died. - Don't worry.

Gustave is my flesh. He's solid.

- And I'm here. - Gaston...

- Isn't this over yet? - We want your daughter-in-law.

- Please come down. - No need, she's listening.

The English woman and girl came the evening of August 4.

They did not.

They came for water. Your nephew says so.

He's lying.

They had a canvas bucket.

What canvas bucket?

- Your husband says so. - I doubt that.

You told Germaine.

What cheek! I stayed in all day.

I'd have seen them.

If you like, they came. Now go.

I'm still the master here.

Hello. Where's Gaston?

- Have you heard? - Heard what?

Gustave told the judge

he went out 3 times the night of the crime.

If he did, then they hit him.

Not the judge, Grandpa.

That's the news, if you're interested.

Interested... You'll be wanting me to thank you next!

I don't need anyone for news.

I've always known everything.

Then why not say something?

Because I'm listening.

LAW COURTS

Come in.

Where's Gustave?

Gustave's doing very well.

Maybe, but I don't know that.

Sit down, Mr Dominici.

- Here? - Yes.

This is a minister's chair.

We're not here to talk about chairs or the weather.

Your sons Clovis and Gustave are here.

- What did they say? - They answered my questions,

just as you will.

How long will this farce go on for?

Speak to me with respect.

You're right.

The rifle-butt splinter

by the girl's head... You gave it to the gendarmes?

- I did. - Liar.

- What's got into him? - Then all gendarmes lie.

- It can happen. - Enough!

I'm not deaf.

These are nice books. Worth something.

That's enough now.

You're getting on my nerves. I'm off.

Stay here!

Show respect for this place.

The splinter was found by the gravediggers.

You just covered up the body.

Yes. The ants were going to eat her.

Right. And the Englishwomen went to your place for water

the night of the crime.

Your grandson, Zeze Perrin, confirmed it.

- You believe that loony? - Loony?

If you questioned him, you must have seen that.

One last time,

what did you do the night of August 4, 1952?

Commissioner, do you remember what you did?

Some bastard killed a child.

And I know who it was.

It was you.

What are you on about?

That's what your sons told me next door.

- The villains said that? - Yes.

You want to read their statements?

You're trying to trick me, but you won't.

Put that there.

You'll spend the night in this chair.

It's a good chair.

Your father confessed to being the murderer?

Yes.

My father told my brother.

"I bumped off the English."

He mentioned the gun?

Yes. But I thought it was his Gras rifle.

Yet you recognised the gun.

You fell to your knees.

When I saw the rifle, I went into shock.

I thought of the crime.

Such a horrible crime.

Then why think of your father's Gras?

Because that's the only gun he has.

You're lying. I don't believe you.

OK. I'll tell you the truth now.

When the Commissioner showed me the gun,

I recognised the rifle which I'd already seen

in the shed on the farm.

That night I went to Grand'Terre.

The gun wasn't in its place.

I immediately thought it was the murder weapon.

And I also thought...

that it was Gustave who had used it.

I'd never thought it could have been my father.

As I left the shed, I saw Gustave.

I said: "Did you notice that gun isn't there anymore?"

He told me that he'd noticed it too.

I asked him

if it was he who had used it.

He said: "No. It wasn't me."

I left it at that, but a doubt remained,

until my father told me he'd done it.

When Gustave left prison, we were cutting wood in the hills

near Saint-Pons,

and I was thinking about it.

So I asked Gustave

if he knew it was Father who had shot the English.

He said he did.

You kept the secret between you?

Yes. Father told us to say nothing.

Even to our wives.

And our other brothers.

Do you hate your father?

- Why do you ask me that? - No reason.

We'll need to see you again.

You can have a hotel room for tonight.

- Where's my brother? - I'm keeping him at court.

I'd rather stay with him.

Come along.

It had to come to this.

It wasn't a life anymore.

Now all we can do is wait.

You think it's best for everyone?

Yes. We have to stick together like glue.

To save Grand'Terre, we had to spill the beans.

And anyway...

they won't guillotine him.

Cross-examination in the law courts...

It's legal.

Please, gentlemen...

Well?

Gustave and Clovis accuse their father of the triple murder.

We're questioning Gaston Dominici.

We still have no explanation

of the crime's motive.

According to his sons,

Gaston Dominici killed Sir Jack Drummond first,

then Lady Drummond and little Elizabeth.

- What has he said? - I can say no more.

I've nothing else to say. Don't insist. Thank you.

Yes. You've got it. Yes. Gaston. Gaston Dominici.

That's right. The father. The sons accuse him.

That's all for now. I'll call you back.

Time for coffee, Grandpa.

Dry bread and canned milk. You'll be the death of me.

- Oh, you're here already. - Yes.

- Sleep well? - No.

- But you were in a bed. - Yes,

but I was going over all your lies.

Here. Read the news.

Gustave and Clovis accuse father of murdering the Drummonds

The villains. The bastards!

Fetch them and I'll spit in their faces.

They're the murderers.

I didn't know my father, but I was born out of love.

I'd have gone to hell for my father.

And they denounce me. I disown them.

I sired pigs.

Go and fetch the vultures.

I'll do that.

I'm listening.

Father, one night, when Gustave was in prison,

we were alone in the kitchen.

You said you shot the English.

- He'd been drinking. - I don't remember saying that.

You did, Father. You said: "I killed 3 of them.

"If I had to kill another, I would."

You may go.

Tell me what you said

when you were sitting there, in that seat.

In the morning...

when my father went out, I came down and asked him:

"Did you hear gunshots?"

And... he said:

"Yes. It was me shooting."

I said: "At what?"

He said: "The English."

Thank you, Mr Gustave.

Come.

I said I'd catch the bastard.

I never told Clovis or Gustave that I'd killed them.

- You heard them. - I don't understand.

I didn't get up that night.

I've come to stand guard, sir.

Don't talk about the case

and don't say the word "murderer".

If he talks, remember what he says and call me.

- Come to keep me company? - Yes, sir.

You look like a good lad.

- Haven't you eaten? - No. I'm not hungry.

My feet hurt.

I'm sick of this business. Dominici this, Dominici that...

It's enough to spoil your appetite.

You don't care. You're young.

At my age, I'd be better off in my bed.

"Our father killed them"

You can't see a thing in here.

Just look at us. It reminds me of something.

In your job, you don't look after yourself, you guard others.

I've always looked after myself, even when working for others.

When I bought my land,

after work, it all needed clearing.

I repaired the house, which was in ruins.

When the shutters and doors were painted green,

guess what I did.

- I don't know, sir. - I went and got my wife.

Marie had known others.

When she was at Grand'Terre, it looked bigger.

If you've something to say, say it.

They'll take age into account.

I'm the one who keeps accounts.

Maybe the crime was an accident.

You got it right, kid. An accident.

Yes. An accident.

They took me for a prowler. They attacked, so I fired.

The sparks really flew.

- Tell the Commissioner. - Not on your life.

He's annoyed me for too long.

He won't know. Not through me, anyway.

Go and fetch the judge so he can take it down.

Come here.

The crime was an accident.

- Wasn't it about sex? - You're right.

It was about sex. You got it in one.

They already knew. It's in all the papers.

I talked to the women the day before.

The girl was playing ball.

There's nothing stronger than love, I've always known that.

If you'd seen the Englishwoman...

She undressed under the blackberry bush.

I went over, but she wasn't afraid.

I had a word in her ear, and she said OK.

I caressed her, she lay down and I screwed her.

She asked for more. She liked it.

But we made a noise and woke the husband.

He jumped on me. As I was holding the rifle,

he took the end of the rifle...

The shot went off.

I'm telling you

because the others are meddlesome priests.

The bloke ran off. I shot, but they were all shouting.

I had to silence them.

Sign here.

No.

Sign and we'll leave you alone.

- No, because I'm innocent. - Come on, hurry.

You'll get your wine. We'll send for your dog.

Will I keep Grand'Terre?

Yes. You'll have everything.

Good.

As I'm the oldest, I have to sacrifice myself.

- I'll sign, but I'm innocent. - Then don't sign.

My dear sir, if you only knew.

If I don't sign, something dreadful will happen to Grand'Terre.

You win. I've just committed a sin of love.

Yes, he's here. I'll put him on.

Sir! A call from Paris.

Hello?

Yes. It's going well, sir.

But it's not Gustave, it's the old man.

- Who? - Old man Dominici.

This case has gone on too long.

The English are on our back. The chancellery is upset.

End it. You have a culprit, lock him up.

We've a culprit, but no motive or evidence.

What do you have, then?

- A profound conviction. - That'll do.

- That's the main thing. - Yes, but I want covering.

- Sorry? - I want covering.

That goes without saying, old chap.

Well done again. Goodnight.

Thank you, sir.

- Bastards! - What did you make them drink?

You're all bastards!

Look at that. What cowards!

- Bastards! - Bunch of cowards!

This has gone far enough!

No, I won't shut up.

You think you're the strongest, judge?

It may take 10 of us, or 30...

But we'll get our father out. Bastard! Filth!

- Scum! - Let us out!

So where was that gun?

Take him away.

No. This way.

Show me where the gun was.

Take him away.

Where was the gun?

Tell me where you want it to be.

- You know. - No. It was just to please you.

Take him away.

Come on. You can come out.

That's where I fucked the Englishwoman.

Hold me by the throat.

Take the end.

This is where I killed the Englishman.

And the woman?

Here too. It only took one shot.

And little Elizabeth?

- Here. - No.

No. It wasn't here. She ran.

You want me to run?

Release him.

You, be Elizabeth. Run.

Go on.

- Scared you, didn't I? - Don't do it again.

And you, stick to him now.

Bastard. Lout!

Bloody killer. You were holding the gun!

Take him away!

Keep a low profile, Maillet.

What about my dog?

- You ever see dogs in prison? - You promised.

Patience, Marie. I'm off to the Isle of Elba.

Leave that alone.

Go on, drive, son. Fast. I like going fast.

What's it to be? Do we charge him?

Obviously.

See you tonight at my office?

- Can I call his lawyer? - Yes. Do.

We've been with you for months, but can I ask you...

- No. - It's been good for me.

I'm off tonight. My paper's headline tomorrow

is "Murderer arrested." You're stars. Bravo.

So the old man's guilty, obviously.

But I'm not convinced. He's had one over on us.

I wouldn't like to judge this.

It doesn't fit.

He didn't know the bodies' positions.

He reloads the gun badly.

He says he shot the Englishman's hand. Wrong.

- He said one bullet for the woman... - It was 3.

He says he hit the girl from behind, but she was face on.

She wasn't hit where he said.

She was carried. The doctor is positive.

What's this? Keep your nose out!

- It's our job. - What was Gustave doing here?

And the empty film canister near the car?

Look, that's enough.

Don't tell me 3 people died for a Kodak!

- There's one thing I can't swallow. - What?

The old guy can't have screwed her.

The autopsy stated there was no sex act.

You can bin the confession.

Don't get carried away. You're still young.

I prefer stupid confessions to none at all. Drive on.

End of police investigation Monday, November 16, 1953

Sit up straight.

Turn and face the court.

I'm not ashamed.

A triple murder makes you laugh?

Wednesday, November 17, 1954

Just answer the questions.

Marie, when I came back, tell them

if my pants were soaked in blood.

I'd have washed them if they were.

Were there any bloodstains?

No. Clean and dry, as always.

I've never been convicted.

I've never faced a judge. I'm innocent.

But you, your Honour, think I'm guilty.

It doesn't matter what I think.

That's obvious!

Yes. Right.

Dominici...

What about the accusation your sons have made?

Your sons.

- It would be foul if it was false. - You can say that again.

The night of the crime, you went out. You were afraid.

What?

It's in the report. Why? Explain yourself.

- You're asking too much. - It's quite simple.

You went to the end of the field, towards the camping foreigners.

Through annoyance or curiosity, to drive them away...

Perhaps you'd drunk too much.

It seems you drink 4 litres of wine a day.

Depends on the weather and meals. But I'm not a drunkard.

The experts are positive

that when Lady Drummond was shot,

she was neither bent nor kneeling.

Was she standing up or lying down?

I was lying down.

So you do remember.

Yes. But I didn't get up.

I heard shots. I thought it was poachers.

I went out at 3:30 with my goats

and when I returned at 8am, my Yvette told me everything.

Everything?

You shouldn't mock honest people.

So a child can have her head stoved in

and it leaves you unmoved? - No, it doesn't.

I was thinking about the rock fall on the railway.

If I hadn't seen to that, there'd be more than 3 dead.

I'm concerned with 3 bodies and your confession.

What I said, I said, but I didn't do it.

This family is stricken by an illness.

I feel fine.

Your grandson too. Look at him, always smiling.

You said, Dominici:

"I don't know about my grandson. He's a show-off."

It's possible that he's the murderer.

He'd be out poaching all night with Gustave.

Then maybe Gustave's the culprit.

He could be. They were always together.

Did you have doubts about one or both?

I don't know.

Call Roger Perrin.

Tell me. I want to understand.

That night, you were with your uncle in the alfalfa,

under the blackberry bush, near the campers who died.

Then you said you weren't, then you were...

Well?

- I lied. - Why?

- I don't know. - Please tell the truth.

I shall.

You did, then said the opposite.

- Because I lied again. - Why?

I don't know.

Silence!

You have exhausted the patience of the court.

No murder suspect has ever been better treated.

But be warned.

So you said it but didn't do it.

But Clovis fell to his knees before the gun.

- Arrest him, then. - You're accusing him?

I don't know if it was him, but it wasn't me.

If that's a guilty face,

I'll never believe a face again.

But this case is all about death.

4th Hearing

I beg you.

For a child's memory, tell the truth.

Are you sacrificing yourself?

I am a poor wretch.

Gustave Dominici, step forward.

My own son accuses me.

Not anymore. He retracted.

Gustave, tell the jurors what you know.

On my way to check on the damage caused by the rock fall,

I found the girl's body around 5am.

No. I forgot.

Around 1:10, I heard gunshots,

5 or 6,

then muffled cries...

and my dog, barking.

- That's all I know. - No! Please carry on.

It seemed to me

that the little girl's left arm moved.

I didn't tell anyone.

From then on, I've been harassed.

So I started telling lies.

What lies?

The police accused me of lots of things.

They wanted a result, they said.

They even hit me.

They wanted me to accuse my father.

I'm here to tell the truth. My father isn't guilty.

Even the judge wanted to believe my lies.

My brother Clovis showed me a plan

so I'd remember where the gun was supposed to be.

That gun's never been at Grand'Terre.

My father isn't the culprit.

I didn't get up that night. I saw nothing.

- I'll read your confession. - No point.

It's just lies. I lied all the time.

My brother Clovis forced me to say that,

after his statement.

Gustave Dominici,

I've never met a witness as vile as you.

With terrifying detail,

you accused your father of murder.

Now you claim you made that story up

to please the police and the judge.

The jurors listening to you will appreciate that.

Has the defence any questions?

No, your Honour.

He'd have to be mad to have any hope now.

Gustave, I loved you. You put me in this dock.

You disown me and commit a mortal sin.

You know very well I'm innocent. Look at him.

He leaves the fields unworked.

Leave the harvests out of it.

But we need harvests. He knows we do.

The gun knows where it was and who was holding it.

Tell us, Gustave.

Who was with you in the alfalfa? Tell us now.

- I wasn't there. - Tell the truth. Be honourable.

Father, you're innocent.

I'm not asking that, just tell the truth.

Say who was with you when you heard shouts.

Tell us, for God's sake!

The hearing is adjourned.

7th Hearing

LAW COURTS

Smile, grandma.

You got off lightly! Your father...

will be guillotined.

Violent incidents at Dominici trial

"My father is innocent!"

I'm talking to you, Gaston Dominici.

I'm listening, your Honour. Say it again.

77, married, 9 children.

- And 16 grandchildren. - All the more reason.

You were strict and hard on them.

No. But you know,

if I'm not strict with my children, who will be?

You're known to be brutal.

So are you, when bothered.

You threw stones at the dog.

- He stole my food. - Psychiatrists say you're normal.

But I'm not mad!

But you're hard.

You delivered your wife's babies 9 times unaided.

- No. Only 3 times. - The manners of a savage.

We're far from anywhere. She'd have died.

And a gentleman. Were you reserved in matters of chivalry?

What?

How did you get on with women?

- I had my wife. - Was that enough?

Oh. I understand. Well...

Were you happy with him?

I never wanted for anything.

You, the eldest son, Clovis Dominici, step forward.

He's another fine bastard.

Let me speak.

Let me speak for myself. I won't claim I'm anyone else.

I've listened to you, now listen to me.

As you're family, you don't have to take an oath.

So they can say what they like.

He's always plotted against me.

What about the family honour?

And you, after what you did?

Poaching by day and night.

- You said you were guilty! - Isn't accusing your father

shameful, you hypocrite?

You have something on your conscience. I don't.

Listen to me, Clovis Dominici.

This investigation has shown

that you have not lied about the case.

I think you're an honest man and a good father.

Clovis Dominici, I implore you to tell the truth.

Do you solemnly maintain your statement?

Is your father the killer?

Yes. He's the killer.

Not true, you lying bastard! He plotted all this.

You said we should accuse Father!

That's not true. Gustave, you accused me first.

Yes, because you went back on what you said.

So did you! 4 times it was white, 4 times black.

A family of compulsive liars. The father, the sons,

the sons-in-law, the friends... And the rest.

So we're all lying?

8th Hearing

Oh, yes.

Yvette Dominici, did your husband Gustave go out that night?

Yes. To see.

- That's what you told the judge. - Out of love.

Love... So you all like each other.

The judge told me: "Say what he says or he'll be in trouble."

- Unbelievable. - I thought:

"They have one innocent man, they might take another."

The judge helped us say: "Father did the shooting."

So we said that, but it's not true.

- You betrayed us all! - You coward!

- Scum. - Traitor!

Rubbish!

- Ruffian! - You're the traitor!

See that gentleman?

Clovis, I'll tell them. The gun's yours, I know it.

You set all this up. I know.

Gustave, tell the truth and I'll forgive you.

Say what you saw.

I saw nothing.

Gustave, you and your brother are lying witnesses.

I'm your elder sister. You're accusing Father wrongly.

- I told the truth. - That's not true!

Father often said: "They killed 3 of them."

No. "I killed 3 of them."

No. "They." "They killed 3 of them.

"I'll kill the 4th." The 4th was Paul Maillet.

I'm paying for someone else.

You've nothing more to say?

Thank you, madam.

PRESIDING JUDGE

"Is he deaf?"

Call the next witness. Paul Maillet.

Mr Paul Maillet.

I so swear.

You came forward to testify.

Dishonour affected my honour.

They call him "the railway grass".

I see you've been expelled from your party.

What have you against the defendant?

When Gustave was arrested for non-assistance,

Mr Dominici pretended to aim at me.

Not a bit! I just did this.

Here. Maillet, look at me.

You're dishonest. You plotted this with Clovis.

- Don't insult a witness. - He's talking rubbish.

I'm telling you, Paul. I'm innocent.

You needed a culprit, so they got together,

Clovis, Gustave, Maillet and the rest,

to save someone else, and I was brought here.

So speak, instead of playing hide and seek.

I haven't played that in a long time. I've nothing to do with this case.

I have doubts about my grandson,

but I wonder what Gustave was doing there.

And as he wasn't alone, we can ask Maillet.

And let's ask Clovis if the gun is his,

because he lent it to Zeze Perrin, to go hunting.

He prepared it, repaired it, greased it.

The experts said so.

So did I, but you weren't interested.

If you're wrongly accused and know the truth,

then help justice. - Has it helped me?

- Are you here to save Gustave? - Not at all.

The police drove me mad:

"We'll have his neck. You're in no danger."

I had a terrible night. I didn't know what I was saying.

I'd have said anything. So I came out with rubbish.

I wasn't myself that night.

I was taken like a sheep in a sheepfold.

Your Honour...

Yes, jury foreman?

Your Honour,

my colleagues and I want this finished tonight.

The prosecution must sum up.

It's the speeches. I'm off.

- They'll acquit him. - Want to bet?

If I lose, then there's no justice.

9th Hearing

The defendant will rise.

Have you anything to say?

I just want to say that I've been in prison

for a year in someone else's place and I don't want that,

because I'm not the murderer you seek.

- You have nothing to add? - No.

I declare the debates closed.

The questions the jury will have to answer

are those on the charge sheet.

First question:

"Is Gaston Dominici guilty of the murder

"of Sir Jack Drummond?"

Second question: "If so, was there premeditation?"

Third question:

"Is Gaston Dominici guilty of the murder of Lady Drummond?"

Fourth question: "If so, was there premeditation?"

Fifth question:

"Is Gaston Dominici guilty of the murder of Elizabeth Drummond?"

Sixth question: "If so, was there premeditation?"

Seventh question:

"Were the murders concomitant?"

I shall read you article 353.

"The law does not require judges to explain

"the means by which their opinion was formed,

"and does not prescribe rules

"which attach any particular weight

"to the sufficiency of evidence.

"It recommends reflection, silence and contemplation,

"that they may search their conscience

"for the impressions left by the evidence

"shown against the defendant and in his defence.

"The law asks them this question only,

"which encapsulates the extent of their duties:

"'Are you absolutely convinced?'"

Guards, take the defendant away.

The court will retire for deliberation.

The hearing is adjourned.

11th Hearing

This is no time to crack up. It's what they want.

I wouldn't mind them saying I killed 3 or 4.

But saying that I killed that girl,

it's just not true.

WHEN LOVE CONQUERS

Court will rise.

Guards, bring in the defendant.

The jury and the court answered yes to the 7 questions posed

in the majority.

There are no mitigating circumstances.

Given the verdict, Gaston Dominici is sentenced to death.

The head shall be severed from the body.

Now I really don't get it.

Sunday, November 28, 1954

the gun that could say everything but said nothing.

It's alone, very much alone, as the sole evidence,

for the odd thing about this trial

was that this man was convicted without evidence,

on nothing but words.

"My father said..." "My brother said..."

"My father told my brother..."

That's how the verdict came about,

striking down a man

who, I'm convinced, was innocent,

as were the makers of this film.

And we are not alone.

The justice minister at the time must have felt troubled

when he ordered a new investigation 2 weeks later.

Judge Coty must have felt troubled

when, in 1957,

he commuted the death sentence to a life sentence.

As did General de Gaulle, who, in 1960,

released Gaston Dominici.

This man was tried in these conditions.

Yet nobody wanted to convict an innocent man.

Nobody in this trial did anything but his duty.

Yet such things do happen.

It gives us food for thought.

The conclusion of this debate is that of a man

whom I defended in Crown Court,

who was acquitted after being sentenced

to 18 years' imprisonment at the previous trial.

He added but a few words: "I wish only one thing.

"May what happened to me serve as a lesson

"to others as well as to me "