Original subtitles

One can prevent mildew

by spraying with copper sulfate.

There are 2 classic solutions used,

one from Bordeaux, the other from Burgundy.

Burgundy being a region in France

which is reputed for its wine.

Three sprayings a year are required.

The first when the shoots reach

two or three centimetres long,

the second just before or after the flowering,

and the third a month later.

The treatment is preventative

and must not be neglected.

Gentlemen, I'll finish my speech on mildew prevention.

I remind you that as in previous years,

airplanes and flyers will be placed

at your disposal to remind the farmers that mildew,

a disease that destroys vines, appeared simultaneously

with that other ideological disease which has devastated men.

But the Chief of Police will develop this point.

Any similarity to actual persons or events is deliberate

As the Under-secretary of Agriculture said,

3 treatments are necessary.

An ideological illness is like mildew

and requires preventive measures.

Like mildew,

it is due to septic germs

and various parasitic agents.

So the treatment of men with appropriate solutions

is indispensable.

The 1 st stage occurs in the schools

where, if you'll pardon the metaphor,

the sprouts are still very young.

The 2nd treatment

occurs when they begin to bloom

as college students or young workers.

The draft is the best time

to spray and save the sacred tree of national liberty

from the disease of ideological mildew.

Air-dropped leaflets are telling

our peasants of a new kind

of ideological mildew beginning to ravage our land.

This new variety

is spreading insidiously.

It's a sly enemy

pushing us away from God and the Crown.

It's against this enemy

that our action is aimed.

Don't take notes! It's all in our pamphlet.

With the outbreak of isms,

Iike socialism, anarchism, imperialism or communism,

sunspots start to multiply on the face of the golden orb.

God refuses to enlighten the Reds!

Scientists forecast an increase in sunspots

due to the arrival of the beatniks

and pacifists from certain countries

such as ltaly, France and Scandinavia!

As head of Law and Order here in the north,

I wish to tell you, who are high civil servants,

we must preserve

the healthy elements of our society

and heal those that are ill.

Tonight the enemy's holding a meeting on our city.

But we are not an ism!

We are a democracy!

We won't forbid the meeting.

Nor will we forbid

the opposition from demonstrating!

With these healthy anti-bodies,

we must fight all diseases

of both the vine as well as Society!

That's all I have to say.

Bear it in mind during the days to come!

- Having lunch? - Rapidly!

I'll take you to your plane.

- Thank you! - It's my pleasure!

Tell my wife I'll pick her up this evening.

An excursion for the Bolsho� ballerinas!

From Moscow?

The Bolsho� Ballet is here for 4 days. They open tonight.

- Stay over! You can sit in my box. - I must return to the capital.

Ah, the capital! The palace!

The Palace thinks well of you!

What if one of them chose freedom here?

Like that famous dancer...

No, none of that!

For freedom they pick London or the US where the money's stable!

We have enough hot-heads in town! Enough problems!

Stop! Take that down!

No permit's needed for a meeting indoors!

I don't want any trouble! Get a permit to use the hall!

Do as I say!

Bring me your permit!

Or meet elsewhere! Take it down!

How can we find another hall now

and tell 3 or 4 thousand people about it?

- It's a rally! - You signed the receipt!

Now it's unsigned! Here's your check!

I'll pay you compensation!

You got threats!

I don't know what you mean!

You don't cancel a rental unless you're pressured!

- You lawyers are... - Bozini, you're an honest man.

Who's behind all this? Why?

I don't want you in my hall, that's why!

If you don't like it, lump it!

There must be a reason!

My father died today! OK?

I'd gladly let you see it

but the city inspector came by.

When?

Yesterday. The seats must be specially set.

We can set 'em up this afternoon.

No, fastened to the floor! It'll take a week at least.

Since when!

We cancel or meet in the street!

And without a permit! That'd mean instigators and cops!

We won't find a hall. They'll all refuse!

I say we have to cancel it.

He'd never agree!

We cancel it and go quietly off to bed

or better yet, to the Bolsho� opening!

And we take him there too? And send his audience there?

- You got a hall? - The Bolsho�!

A plot on the doc's life!

- Says who? - My wife.

Who told you? None of my business?

What'll we tell the police? Don't hang up!

She won't say. The guy didn't know the doctor's due today.

This is George Pirou. You must tell us who...

Certainly not!

I trust him. He didn't know about tonight's meeting.

He overheard a discussion.

He won't tell you. Me neither!

He's had enough trouble! He has a family!

Now they know!

Now you know. So do something!

It's for you.

I know, darling. See you later!

What do we do?

Call the Red Cross!

Attorney-Gen.!

It's all quite vague. An anonymous witness.

An overheard conversation!

Maybe it's a hoax or a chronic liar!

Like those who phone there's a bomb in a plane...

Who'd want to kill your president?

Marie, open the door!

Shall we go?

I'll call the Head of Security.

He'll provide protection, unofficially!

We've no basis for any action!

Yes, I'm interested in the Paris Commune!

- I'm late! - You'll come to the theatre tonight?

As for a hall, I can do nothing.

The colonel!

Property rights can't be infringed upon,

even though some may want to change that!

- Yes, Papa? - Niki, see to our guest.

In 2 seconds!

He's a fine magistrate!

He's out? Give me his duty officer.

You know about tonight? Not the Bolsho�!

Yes! The Doctor's life has been threatened.

- No, but he's due to arrive... - Shortly.

He'll arrive shortly.

No... on the phone.

Like you say...

Tell the Col. I phoned.

"All quite vague"... "No basis for any action".

The Doctor'll be mad when he hears we asked those puppets for help.

- Puppets? - Of the USA!

What can they have to do with it!

Always blame the USA! Even if you're wrong!

Cut it out! You're not always funny!

There they are!

The police?

They've tailed me for 3 days.

Everything's set?

No. We lost our hall and no one knows it!

They want to sabotage the meeting.

Who can fix it?

Only the Head of Security. We'll see him after lunch.

Let's go now!

Then, to the hotel.

Your life's been threatened. A guy overheard some talk about it.

- We'll ask the cops... - For nothing!

Just for a hall, that's all!

This hall does not meet safety regulations.

It was in use 2 weeks ago!

Here's the report.

- It has no emergency exit! - It never did!

With a normal show

there's no danger.

Your rally might excite people.

It's in no way dangerous!

I've no reason to hinder your meeting.

My decision is based

on reports.

I'm neutral in this affair.

Then why're we being tailed?

For your safety! The Minister of lnterior ordered us

to protect your committee members from any possible extremists.

Whom you are using!

Other halls meet the safety requirements,

Iike the Employees' Union Hall opposite your hotel.

You simply cross the square! I'm neutral in this affair!

Alright, Col.

There, on the 1 st floor! Not room

for over 200 people!

We'll look stupid! In a city of 500,000, only 200 would hear you.

The rest'll be outside.

Ask the Col. to let us hang loudspeakers from the trees.

Permit or not, people'll be here!

We'll go now...

...and try to alert people.

Print posters with the rally's change of address!

Manuel, come discuss my speech!

George, you too!

I'll hold on.

Hello, darling! How are you?

Fine... yes.

Problems with the hall as usual!

Why should there be any fights?

Why any fights?

Yes, tomorrow.

George sends a kiss.

Till tomorrow, darling!

The kids?

Fine, but I don't see them enough.

Helen?

We're not always eye to eye but it's not serious.

They say a hungry bear

won't dance!

The bears are going to read that!

Your pen!

Go!

Hold your meetings in Russia!

We'd rather stay here!

Do as you're told!

Hey, you!

What's the idea!

- Never mind! - Better than the Bolsho�?

- I only came to please you. - Your dancers are old-hat.

Except when one chooses freedom!

And the Warsaw Pact?!

We're against the bomb, Russian or American!

Disarmament!

Long live the Bomb!

You could sell 'em to the "Daily Worker"!

No more NATO bases!

Calm down! No fighting! No provocation!

Ya just ease 'em away! Ya don't push!

Leave 'em alone!

Calm down!

Don't provoke 'em!

Mr Lawyer!

Start now! There's no more room up there!

Squeeze 'em in!

Get the speakers.

Ready?

I'll get 'em!

Go on in!

Let 'em in!

- So that's it! - What?

The new opposition! Women go for him!

Communist?

Never! He's anti-foreign!

Next elections, he'll win!

Good-looking!

Ex-Olympic champ, doc, college prof and honest politician!

Perfection!

He's at the Bolsho�!

- He must cancel it! - We back down!

To avoid provoking the crowd.

The students could maintain order.

- A free-for-all! - You and your non-violence!

We must respect the law!

The law of the jungle!

They stuck us in that hall. It's a trap!

Set by whom?

The ClA! We want the foreign bases to be dismantled!

You think too much! There are some stubborn extremists...

The threats?

It's not the 1 st time. We've all taken risks.

They're all at the Bolsho�!

Keep trying.

The police must face their responsibility.

We're going to our rally.

Rotten politicians!

We'll put ya in your graves!

We'll kill ya all!

Stay outside!

- And you? - I'm a mason.

OK, let's go.

They hit me.

Why?

Why do our ideas

provoke such violence?

Why don't they like peace?

Why don't they attack other organisations?

The answer is simple.

The others are nationalists, used by the government

and don't upset our Judas allies who betray us...

General, they're getting out of hand!

I'll have the loudspeakers cut off!

It'd excite the others.

Don't do that!

Where's the Chief of Police?

I was told he's here!

Really? He must be over there!

We lack hospitals and doctors

but half the budget goes for military expenditures.

He's the one!

A cannon is fired

and a teacher's monthly salary goes up in smoke!

That's why they can't

bear us or our meetings

and use hired thugs to jeer and attack us!

Around the world. too many soldiers are ready to fire

on anything moving toward progress.

He's your guy?

- You sure? - I think.

An Olympic champ?

Stop!

Finish him off!

Shit! It's not him!

- I told ya it wasn't! - They said it was!

Take off!

I'll go around to avoid the cops.

Tomatoes out of season! They cost a fortune!

Fix your muffler!

I can't even make the monthly payments!

Shit! The cops!

But our fight is theirs too!

We live in a weak and corrupt society

where it's every man for himself.

It's blocked off here too! Hide!

Even imagination is suspect

yet it's needed to solve world problems.

The stockpile of A-bombs is equal

to 1 ton of dynamite per person on earth.

Horny again?

Yeah!

They want to prevent us from reaching

the obvious political conclusions based on these simple truths.

But we will speak out!

We serve the people and the people need the truth.

Send them back to the Bolsho�!

The truth is the start of powerful. united action.

Get those hoodlums out of here!

Down with the police state!

No more foreign bases!

Inspector!

Chief!

What're you waiting for?

Watch out!

Throw him off!

It's my cousin. He fell off!

By his feet!

I saw you hit him!

- What? - What's going on?

I hit the brake and my cousin fell off.

- He's bleeding and needs care. - Your papers!

Just a moment...

Here they are!

He's bleeding! He needs care!

He hit him with a club!

See? It's nothing!

This is nothing?

- He tried to kill him! - Dummy!

- My truck? - lt'll be OK.

Call in for a patrol car.

Sure, call the station!

Stay there!

Look...

I'm goin'. Pretend to try and stop me.

I can't explain but I gotta go! Just play dead!

One move and I'll slug you!

What time is it? I got a date I can't miss!

The regime can't change that!

All the Russians want is to live like Americans!

Quick, sir, it's serious!

Come with me!

The Attorney-General!

We'll talk later.

And the ballet? I had to miss it!

Why wasn't I told?

During the performance? How?

- What is it? - A stupid traffic accident!

The culprit?

We'll have him soon.

- The victim? - The hospitaI'll tell us.

I'll go there in your car.

Certainly!

Have the papers heard about it?

I doubt it.

I must call the Ministry!

Editorial room!

What on earth's wrong?

There was a demonstration. We taught the bastards a lesson!

They hold a meeting? Well, we can demonstrate too!

It's like a biological reaction.

Society's healthy elements, the anti-bodies...

We beat the hell out of 'em!

What do you want from me?

Write...

...that I was there and beat 'em up!

What for?

So my pals'll know!

OK, if you want. Get fixed up at the hospital

so they'll know both sides were hurt!

Go now and I'll put your name in the lead!

We warned you but you said it was a hoax

- or a crackpot! - Please!

This attempted killing is your responsibility!

The police has proof it was an accident.

Go easy! We need their help! Such unfounded accusations!

They're blind... or worse... accomplices!

They've no proof!

Assassination?

I was there taking pictures.

You got the truck?

No, I missed it! The cops chased us away.

Such cynicism! They'll use the incident politically!

- Surely! - They know how to make martyrs!

Death-lovers!

Let's hope he doesn't die.

That would suit them!

The brain is damaged in 2 or 3 spots. We're operating.

His heart is fighting hard

but it's too soon to say.

- But you must! - He can't hear you.

You realise the political aspect?

But the other victim is out of danger.

Other victim?

Senator Pirou. He was found in the street.

It's serious but he's alright.

2 senators hurt! Such incompetent police!

I must phone the Minister in private!

His wife knows?

I don't eavesdrop!

I'm sure!

When's she coming?

Tomorrow, 1 st plane.

Tomorrow is today!

It's for my paper.

What did she say?

Nothing. I heard her breathing.

Then she said Will he live?

The director couldn't answer.

And she said So they finally did it!

Were you there?

I'm a reporter...

I'm afraid the police bungled it! I wanted no one hurt!

2 senators hurt... 1 critically!

We have the culprit!

Where? I want to see him!

He's in the canteen.

- The canteen! - The cells are in poor condition.

No electricity! So we use them for storage.

The Minister says this is serious and a political catastrophe.

If the papers knew he's in a canteen...!

The Minister wants to be kept fully informed.

No handcuffs!

- His son? - No, a street pedlar.

- Was he alone? - No, 2 of them.

We have the end man's address.

It seems he slept through the accident.

He gave himself up?

He was arrested for drunken driving. You'll get a report.

Breathe!

- No alcohol! - It's the stew.

Mutton stew kills all smells.

What have you been doing?

I made the stew!

He made it? And you hid this from me!

I didn't know. I found out later.

You weren't told? Since when?

Since about 1 0:30 p.m.

That's harboring a criminal!

You knew about it, Col.?

I knew but...

...I hadn't had time to tell the General.

Then you arrived.

The Gen. said we didn't have the culprit

and I couldn't contradict him.

Fine!

I'll take his statement myself.

Get the 2nd culprit!

Eat!

They're at the presses!

Now what? You wear glasses now?

It's a disguise. Take my name off the list. The guy's dyin'!

What's that to you?

Nothing! It was an accident! 2 drunks in a pickup truck!

If my name's in the paper, I'll be questioned!

I'll remove it!

Are you free now?

No, I can't. I'm busy.

You'll have to go.

That way!

No one is to move!

What do they want?

To start trouble. We refuse!

But how do you explain it's always ours who are killed?

- He's alive! - Clinically he's dead! Why dream?

Clinically dead!

The brain's destroyed but the heart's beating!

It won't quit!

One word and they'll tear up the town!

Why hold them back? I wonder if we've any will to fight.

He had! That's why they killed him! Not us!

Come on!

It's all I could find.

The papers! The cops put the blame on us!

Coffee?

"The broadcasting of the speech was a provocation.

"The anti-national tone

"of the attack on foreign policy aroused the crowd at once.

"Hence the violence.

"The police handled the situation efficiently

"yet 1 3 policemen were injured in the course of duty."

So said the Gen. to the Press!

We must answer that!

Yes, and stress the pacifist nature of our rally.

We had permission...

So the cops could do a better job on us!

But we have no proof!

Nothing valid!

We can only deplore the police's passiveness.

Later we'll underline all the contradictions.

Why not call the Red Cross or the Rights of Man Commission?

You're making a cry-baby defense!

We must attack and expose those responsible!

- Take up arms in the streets?! - Why not?

Anything goes?

We can consider...

Nothing at all! It must be legal!

- We've been legal for years! - This is no time to change!

It's our only way!

Or the affair could backfire!

Aren't you ashamed? He's dying in there!

We've no case against them!

And the threats on his life?

He too ignored them!

But that was yesterday!

Will your guy talk now?

Statement to the Press?

I doubt it. He was scared then of reprisals.

- And now, even more so! - Try! Can you find him?

Not before noon.

We'll have to be careful.

We're being watched.

It's them!

But they're protecting us! We're as safe as the doctor!

What was your reaction to the news?

The US President sent you a telegram?

Saying what?

Happily wed?

Was he threatened?

You'll let the Reds exploit this?

Was it an attempted assassination?

Why'd you send for a British surgeon?

Did you want a divorce?

Was it an accident?

They're operating... for the 3rd time.

Here's the hospital director!

Your husband's had an accident.

I knew your husband. We were at school together.

I wanted to go to his peace marathon

but it was forbidden.

It's serious but he'll make it.

Prof. Dodd from London is here.

He's one of England's best surgeons.

Want to tell them the truth? They'll live the truth later.

The fall broke the dome of the skull

and no doubt the brain has been affected.

The shock was very violent causing an explosion inside the skull

Iike an earthquake.

I can't evaluate the aftereffects

of the concussion, even if the operation succeeds.

The 3rd operation has just begun.

His heart is the only positive factor.

We've massaged and used adrenaline

and its resistance is amazing.

It's beating regularly...

Come in.

Gen. Missou.

A stupid accident! I'm deeply sorry...

Head of the Police...

We have the culprit.

Attorney-Gen.

My sympathies...

The inquest judge...

Well...

...certain areas of the brain have been affected

but the lesions can't be defined.

But the surgeons are optimistic.

We must await the end of the 3rd operation.

Your husband's heart is exceptional.

If it holds, he'll live!

We have every hope...

The capital is on the phone. The Ministry!

They'll try to use his wife! They'll use people's emotions!

The files!

Their committee secretary.

I want r�sum�s on each.

Details of their private lives and jobs too!

For this evening!

The injured senator.

The other lawyer.

And his? Have it?

It just came.

Any love affairs?

I don't know, but there must be!

Break his halo! Does he get along with his wife?

- Watching her? - Like the others, General.

- 2 of our men... - I don't want to know that!

They met this morning, picked up his wife

then separated.

Some took his wife to the clinic. As for this one...

He took a statement

to the Press. You have a copy.

Then he saw some university students.

Students!

Call our students!

That one's a mad dog! He wants to make the most of it!

- A Jew! - Only half.

They think they're superior even to other Jews!

- The Att.-Gen.! - Good!

Stay on him night and day!

We were expecting you!

- The 2nd culprit? - We have him.

He turned himself in.

Come into my office!

Please sit down.

He's boss now, officially.

So you're to give him your initial findings

and then follow his instructions.

- My deputy'll keep me posted. - The Col.'s men have checked...

Can I see the 2nd culprit?

Whenever you want to!

It seems he was asleep on the truck, dead drunk.

So he's innocent, if it all checks out.

Their whereabouts earlier?

The driver's statement and photo.

They'd been drinking at the Chinaman's bar.

We have Chinese tradesmen in town?

The owner was in the Korean War and now he's called the Chinaman.

He backs them up.

I'll read his statement.

"l, Bertrand... alias the Chinaman... etc... bar owner... etc...

"do state that on 22 May of this year,

"Yago and Vago came into my bar at 7 p.m.

"and stayed until 1 0 p.m.

"They were drinking Pernod."

It's not allowed, Madam.

1 3th witness, a docker...

"l saw Yago and Vago drinking Pernod all evening.

"They left at 1 0 p.m. drunk.

"The Chinaman said Not in the Kamikaze!"

Kamikaze?

The pickup truck. It's Japanese made.

You'd think we're in the Far East!

I think it's clear.

Though we lack some details on the culprits,

- it's obviously an accident. - I agree.

Besides, the Minister phoned and wants this settled very quickly

to cut short political speculation abroad.

I think the prosecutor must make a statement

about the accident today and say the culprits are caught

and accused of drunken driving and assault and battery.

And wilful flight.

Naturally!

And the man who took him to the clinic?

It's for you.

He just died.

That doesn't change the statement.

Instead of "assault and battery",

say "manslaughter".

Go away, Shoula.

I'll wait for you.

Who are you?

An admirer of your husband. A reporter.

No photos!

Only a few questions! The public has a right to know!

Was it an accident? Or not at all?

Yesterday his life was threatened. Did you know?

You expected it?

You said So they finally did it!

What did I say?

To the hospital director

you said So they finally did it! Who're they?

Go away!

The culprits have been arrested. You thought of them?

Go away!

They know already?

Yes, and it's only beginning!

Unmask the killers!

The police is an accomplice!

Wait, I don't understand! The fall didn't kill him?

Not at all. The skull fracture

was due to a blow struck on the head.

That's our conclusion. The fall caused minor bruises.

You're sure?

A blow? You mean by the truck?

The truck hit his body. It wasn't serious.

The death blow hit his skull

and was made by an instrument

such as a club, an iron bar or a gun butt.

But no one's mentioned a weapon.

Continue, Doctor.

The skull fracture can only be due to a weapon that struck from above.

That's the sole condition that causes symmetrical lesions on the brain

touching the subjacent area and the area opposite the wound.

An autopsy showed the lesions,

the right cerebral hemorrhage

and the fracture of the left temple.

In the case of a shock

due to a fall on a hard surface like the street,

such lesions couldn't exist.

Why didn't you tell us sooner?

Yesterday!

Mr Deputy, he was still alive!

We needed an autopsy.

Time for other tests would've shown the same facts.

Another hypothesis is if the truck dragged him,

his skull could've hit the curb.

It's a fact that he was hit in the middle of the street.

Then a fall couldn't cause such lesions.

- A phone? - Next door.

Yago was driving.

The 2nd man was drunk and couldn't have been so precise.

A demonstrator.

Their story's odd.

- Know them well? - Very well!

Political?

Maybe.

- Communists? - Not if they work here!

The opposition?

One never knows.

The General, please.

I wanted to see you to clarify a few points.

It all seems clear enough to me!

A new fact has come up.

It's stuffy in here!

You saw the accident?

How did it happen?

In what respect?

When the truck arrived, what happened?

The Col. and I were there

when he walked out waving to the crowd.

They didn't applaud him either!

He didn't see the truck zigzagging toward him

and he was hit!

The Col.'s men ran after the truck. 2 men drew their guns

but, due to the crowd, they didn't fire.

The truck zigzagged

and finally got away!

The police cleared the square

and helped put the victim into a VW to go to the hospital.

No trace of the VW driver?

Not yet but he must be a friend of theirs.

He helped them at once.

When the victim was run over, could his head

have hit the curb?

No, it occurred in the square!

- You're sure? - Positive!

But what's this new fact?

The autopsy says he was killed by a club.

A club? Why did the doctors do an autopsy?

It's the legal procedure.

Yesterday it was all settled! Now you'll foul us up...

A new witness. He claims he has proof

the senator was assassinated.

He'll be here today at 2 p.m.

There you are! An assassination! Soon they'll say it was a plot!

I saw him! He's drunk!

He nearly fell in front of the truck!

What happened? You saw it?

Yes, he slipped and fell.

Anybody here?

Anybody here?

I'm the Chief of Police.

I was on my way to testify and as I walked along...

You fell and hit your head.

You suffer from epilepsy?

Someone hit me! I was on my way to testify

the senator was assassinated!

It was no accident! Yago told me so himself!

I was gonna testify!

But someone hit me on the head... from a truck... with a club...

...to keep me quiet. They tried to kill me!

I don't know who told you to say this, or why.

I don't want to know.

We can forget all this. Let's say you were influenced.

You're almost one of the family. Your cousin's a policeman,

brother-in-law's got a government job. Forget all this.

They're coming!

If you need anything, come and see me.

I'll drop by again.

I'm a bachelor and live with my ma.

- Profession? - I got a varnish shop.

You know Yago?

Sure! He makes deliveries for me!

The other 2 I don't know. The killing...

The accident.

...was the day I phoned Yago

about a delivery.

Varnished coffins! And I can't even pay off my Kamikaze!

Come back this afternoon.

I'll be busy.

- Tonight then. - I'm busy too.

I'm gonna make a real big mistake. It'll be a murder.

Next day I learned he'd killed the senator.

Yago told you all that?

You belong to the party?

I never belonged to any party! I like soccer!

What is this? The Gen. says I'm epileptic!

- General? - The Chief of Police!

- He was here? - Just before you came.

But I'm no epileptic and never belonged to any party!

- Go on about Yago. - That's all. He left.

He's the lucky one!

What about the delivery?

I tried to set him straight but he does as he pleases.

Who told you to call the inquest judge?

No one! I saw Yago's picture in the papers!

On the front page, like a Minister!

- Jealous? - You made up this tale.

No, someone advised him.

Even Ma was against it!

She said to keep quiet!

- Come and eat. - He killed him.

- Who? - A senator.

- In the government? - No, a leftist!

He did right! What's it to you?

His picture too!

- Eat and let 'em kill each other! - Not hungry!

Later my sister came.

So you wanna be a big shot?

Just doin' my duty.

Your duty's to see to your family!

I always have! Ya got an idiot who sees to you!

Don't call my husband an idiot!

Ya think they'll give ya a medal.

I came anyway. Or I would've if they hadn't slugged me!

You didn't fall?

I'd have to be an acrobat to land on my head!

You can sign a statement later if you still want to.

Of course! I'm not crazy!

1 st witness for the prosecution? They lost no time!

Tomorrow you'll have 1 0, then 1 5.

They'll say Yago did this or that... anything!

Vague, worthless statements

that'll create unrest! They sent him

and beat him up to turn a witness into a martyr!

They left him hospitalised

yet able to talk!

You admit I was beaten and didn't fall?

You realise what perjury means?

It's not perjury! I wanted to help, but if I'd known...

Told ya so! Why'd ya get involved? Weren't ya alright at home?

Eat!

Suppose you say you slipped on an orange peel?

I didn't slip!

Why're ya so pigheaded? Listen to me for once!

The 1 st and last time!

- Like always! - Really the last time!

Say you slipped and we got no troubles. You won't go to prison.

I'll send others to prison! I got 'em!

Yago and his picture!

Who sent ya? The cops or your daughter?

Yes, it's me! Ya wanna ruin my home?

Mama, leave!

Leave us alone!

- Don't argue! - Go outside!

Ya hate me 'cause I've succeeded in life!

You and your husband hate me!

Never mind him! You've caused him enough trouble!

Ya wanna ruin my life!

When Papa died, I hoped you'd take his place.

I needed protection. You neglected me and never took me anywhere!

You preferred soccer... and slobs like Yago! See what it's got ya!

Prison, maybe... for perjury!

And my husband'll lose his job!

Come here... Listen!

You hear a guy's gonna be killed. Ya don't believe it.

Then ya hear he's dead. Would you tell the cops?

That's all I did, to help them.

Help who?

To help the cops find the murderer.

You're helping the others!

What do you want?

Your mother sent me. I'm a reporter.

I'll tell you what truly happened 'cause you print just anything!

Sure?

He wasn't hit. Either he slipped or felt dizzy and fell

or else leftists hit him to create trouble.

So say the police!

They say he's crazy but can't prove it. Can you?

- No, I can't! - Then why try?

I never said that! He's stubborn as a mule!

He never changes his mind!

If he doesn't, the inquest'll continue!

What if he is crazy? And had epilepsy as a baby?

Tell him you and your husband are rightwingers

and how ya got your jobs!

Yes, I do belong!

The cop!

- She woke him. - Sleeping?

Pictures?

For the Press?

That's no good!

But that way people'll see you were slugged

to keep you from saying something important. See?

They'll beat me again?

They won't dare! You're famous now!

But the Press must talk about you!

Tell me who saw you here... your sister, the judge...

The General! He can't stand me!

I wanted to help and got a cold shoulder!

They asked if I was a Commie!

- Are you? - No! I only like soccer!

We'll be on the front page for a week!

Sorry!

Who was it?

I know him!

And you're a cardiac case?

It's an old fracture!

Name and profession?

Any convictions?

- 4 times. - 4!

Yes, 4! Carrying arms illegally,

public outrage, theft... and rape.

Rape?

Not really! I was counselor at a boy scout camp.

Why were you in the hospital?

The Head of Security put him there. My client has a weak heart.

The police doctor certified it.

I know but why the plaster cast

and a cane like a club?

It's 'cause of an old fracture. I was broke when it happened.

I needed X-rays and 1 0 days in bed. 2 days of no work

and I starve! It was a rich man's fracture!

The rich get a cold. A week in bed!

For the poor, a fracture means work or the grave!

So I had it seen to while I was in the hospital!

Where were you that night?

At the Chinaman's with Yago till 1 0.

You see Yago often?

We're friends and cousins.

Was he drunk?

Yago drinks a lot!

The Chinaman told him not to take the Kamikaze.

I got in back and fell asleep.

The shock and the yells woke me.

I thought we were in a ditch but we were still going!

Then a guy leaped onto the Kamikaze as lithe and fierce as a tiger.

He grabbed me and threw me off! In the street!

He leaped like...?

- A tiger. - Before that?

Lithe and fierce.

Yago used the same words.

Yet he didn't see him.

A simple coincidence! They haven't met since the accident.

The police can swear to it.

Continue!

I was in the street and almost got run over!

Then?

I went home.

Next day when I read the papers,

I went to the cops who put me in hospital.

There he got lost in the halls and met that reporter...

...by accident.

That agrees with the other testimony.

Yet one phrase makes me wonder.

It could change my investigation.

You're a Red!

You and Yago too!

Something you said makes me think so.

"The rich get a cold. A week in bed!

"For the poor, a fracture means work or the grave."

You gave yourself away.

I hate the communists!

Words! I want proof!

Only a Red would say such a thing.

I belong to an anti-communist group.

Yago too!

What one?

CROC! Christian Royalist Organisation on Communism!

You created a storm!

Vago's jailed for collusion and that means premeditation!

The judge believed you and found out...

Vago and Yago belong to a secret society!

- Secret? - Yes, the CROC!

Anybody knows that!

The cops use 'em to keep order at parades!

You've nothing to fear now.

But in a year I'll be forgotten.

No one can touch you.

Know anyone who'd show me CROC members?

I'd pay.

- Sure, it's them! - So help me!

Know anyone?

Yes.

But don't say I told ya!

It's Dumas!

He was born in Russia.

CROC's got a hold on him 'cause of trouble with his brother.

He'd like to get to Germany,

so if you can get him a passport...

I can get one through my newspaper.

- Pictures? - Here.

I've kept my promise.

Now it's your turn.

Don't like it?

Sure!

The questions?

Does CROC meet regularly?

Where?

At a guy's place on the edge of town.

Are there many of you?

Sometimes.

- What goes on? - The boss talks.

Religion and the monarchy are the 2 pillars of our eternal land

and Western Christian civilisation.

If ya don't listen, ya get no work.

What else?

In Russia a worker can't strike or believe in God

or have his own house and garden.

He's crushed by a totalitarian regime.

You agree?

I even read it in the papers. The individual belongs to the State.

Yago went to the meetings?

Always. They'd talk about capitalists.

No more capitalists or workers or Left or Right.

A unified people is what we need!

We need a clean sweep!

Starting with the intellectual scum!

The bookstore next door!

He'd talk about political youth groups.

What'd he say?

Unite the youth...

And give them a common ideal!

Abroad, some say "Make love, not war!"

We say "Make war

"on corruption and on liberalism

"and on indiscriminate liberty!"

I say OK, but I don't give a damn.

And Yago?

He agrees 'cause he wants to pay off his Kamikaze.

Now he'll be able to. Easy!

He killed the senator?

You said no accusations!

No, I'm paying!

Never!

But you can point 'em out to me for some photos!

That's what you wanted?

The 3 on the pickup...

The butcher's involved.

The fat guy owns the bar where we meet.

The barber.

The mechanic and the 2 in black.

- In khaki... - Him?

An ex-boxer who lived in the US a while.

In the yard, the boss... an officer during the German occupation.

The fig seller, a loud mouth, always up in front for the rough stuff!

Some figs, please.

He sells his blood and gets a good price in case of emergencies.

He got rich selling one of his eyes to an American.

He doesn't attend meetings anymore.

His sight's bad so he sells blood.

Not him?

Him?

Them?

No?

It looks like him...

He hit me twice!

Even in the ambulance!

Write that in the margin!

Publish it in your paper!

Sign the caption!

Publish it!

But not in your paper! In a big daily paper!

For more readers...

- And money! - Money!

In my paper tomorrow! I'll give the inquest judge my photos.

Don't you want to be efficient?

In a local leftist paper, no one'll see it!

In mine, it's sensational news!

Ya recognised me?

Ya dishonored me!

Ya made me out to be a gangster!

I wasn't at that demonstration! I got nothin' to do with politics!

Politics are a lot of crap!

Let him be!

Leave!

I'm the judge.

Well?

I'm on the front page!

Mr Pirou says I hit him at the demonstration!

I wasn't there! I got witnesses!

Politics are a lot of crap!

I was at the market with my figs!

Your picture's in what paper?

I forget! It arrives

from the capital at 1 0:00!

I can't read... very easy.

The news vendor showed it to me and read it to me!

At the market they think I'm a hoodlum!

I wanted an explanation, man to man!

From the capital?

Still recognise me?

I said, what paper?

The papers that arrive from the capital at 1 0:00.

This morning they didn't. The mail plane was fogged in.

Who told you to say all this?

Yes...

I hit him.

But...

...I had to! Somebody forced me to!

Who? His name?

I can't tell you. He's too big!

Too important! I can't!

He told me about it.

Barone, your picture's in one of the capital's papers!

Mine?

One that arrives at 1 0! So at 1 0:45

you go see Pirou at the hospital.

Raise hell! Say you're innocent!

Scream and shout!

Reporters'll be there. Now tell me again?

I rush to the hospital...

Get outta here!

...to see Pirou.

But tell me his name!

I can't! He's too big!

Alright. Follow me, please.

I'm innocent! I only wanted to testify!

It's all leftwing politics!

This important man...

He helped you?

Yes, in my work and for my birds.

They wake the neighbors. I was gonna have to move!

But my birds are pretty! You should see 'em, Judge!

He helped me in my work too.

My market permit and all that.

The day of the accident you saw him?

Yes, Jimmy said "The head's downstairs."

He was in his car.

Get in!

You know it's tonight?

Impossible!

I got some figs due in!

They gotta be uncrated.

To sell them, you need a stand?

I got one.

And you need a permit?

I got one.

But for how much longer?

- 6 months. - And who renews permits?

He does?

Yes.

Then he dropped us off.

Do a good job tonight. I'm counting on you.

You'll get a permanent permit and maybe a new house, for your birds!

I said "Colonel, I'll do my best."

The police colonel?

Yes!

Let's start at the beginning.

Can you come in, Deputy?

Prolonging the inquest

gives the opposition fuel for subversive action.

- You've sided with them? - It's not a prolongation.

It's a totally new case.

Some points are awkward but the case is clear!

On the contrary.

We began with an accident and 2 drunks...

Some ice, dear!

Their testimony coincides in detail.

Confirmed by the Chinaman!

Next day, the autopsy says death was due to a blow by a club.

A 2nd autopsy will say no,

and a confirmation'll disprove the initial autopsy!

I'd had no time

to examine this new theory

when a witness says it was an assassination.

Based on a vague discussion!

On his way to see me, the witness is clubbed

- and is still in the hospital! - What do you mean?

I'm only stating facts.

Then comes the reporter. He's not a militant and that's important!

I learn Yago and Vago belong to CROC,

the Christian Royalist...

I know, I know...

...along with the assailant of the 2nd senator

and most of those at the demonstration.

It seems the police know and use them as auxiliaries

to maintain order for state visits.

That's yet to be proven,

Iike the fact that the Police Col.

drove this man to the demonstration.

Really!

He wouldn't be involved with such a person!

Not openly! No one'll believe it!

My conclusion is this:

As a case of drunken driving, it's simple

but impossible.

If we accept the premeditated act of a group

aided or simply abetted by the police,

it all becomes clear and fits together.

This is serious! I must phone the Minister!

I favor the accident theory.

Premeditated, if you wish by 2 drunken fanatics.

Yes, you don't smoke!

You must settle this quickly!

The country, even the whole world is watching and waiting.

Our country's honor is at stake!

Don't bother with these fools!

Your future lies before you! This case can either make...

...or break your career!

Trust in my experience!

My group is authorised by the State.

We are honest citizens, healthy elements of Society,

anti-bodies in the fight against infection.

We want to protect

Western Christian civilisation. But it is a moral struggle.

No members of my group were at the demonstration.

Where were you that night?

I was at the Dockers' Union.

Alibi confirmed.

I was playing cards with my dentist.

Confirmed.

I'm a baker. I slept till midnight at my shop!

Alibi confirmed.

I was at the Chinaman's.

Confirmed.

At the Chinaman's.

Confirmed.

I played cards with my dentist.

Confirmed.

That's not you at the demonstration?

It does look like me.

Indicted for perjury...

...along with those who confirmed his alibi!

Plus obstructing justice!

Take him away!

Witness 27 has died of a heart attack.

He owned the CROC meeting hall.

Earlier you stated Yago

hit you with a club

Iike a police billy-club.

- Do you maintain that? - Yes, Judge.

The Att.-Gen. says he phoned you

that the senator's life had been threatened.

Your superiors

never got his message.

Yes, I forgot to tell them.

That's a serious error!

I'll answer to my superiors, not to you, Judge.

That morning, you were warned of death threats

against the senator.

Who told you about them?

A colleague's wife. She can't tell us the name.

She'll have to.

The man says I can tell you. He's waiting in the hall.

Bring him in.

His name's Coste.

- On the assassination day... - The incident!

...he came to my office

to tell me of a conversation.

But he'll tell it to you better.

Don't mention me in the papers. Not my name!

Why? Isn't your story true?

Yes, but I want no trouble.

If you do, come see me.

Wait in the hall, please.

Name and profession?

Ilya Coste, deliveryman.

On the assassination day...

Day of the incident! An assassination's not yet proven.

The day of the incident was rainy...

I work myself to death

and the bank gets half of what I earn!

Someone's calling you!

Again!

Which one?

That one!

Go on!

I heard Yago say...

- If it rains? - So?

- We'll skid! - It won't!

It won't rain! But I got payments due!

We'll cover you.

All the payments!

The varnisher phoned!

He wants ya this afternoon to deliver some coffins!

It's a good sign! See you tonight!

Then he came over.

I'll buy you a drink!

As he sat down I saw the club.

What's that for?

Tonight! A delivery job that'll take care of a lot!

What kind?

A delivery into hell!

A senator from the capital.

A dirty job!

No one knows.

If they do, it'll be by you!

Later, the same man came back.

He's different in civvies.

You knew him?

I'd asked for a truck permit.

Every 6 months I went to him about it. He was always in uniform.

But why pick Yago?

He's the best driver in town.

You should see him with his Kamikaze.

He has a political record.

He was in the communist underground in the war

- then deported to the islands. - His testimony...

...is suspect, of course. I wouldn't use it.

Never mind.

They want to eliminate all troublesome witnesses!

They just tried to get me!

What?

Attempted murder! Just now! The plot continues!

And will continue!

I don't need your advice!

This involves the top brass!

The police's their toy!

And cops haven't the possibility

to commit such a murder without being protected!

The guilty ones are in the government or at the palace

where the General is head of the guards.

And the palace

takes orders from abroad!

One more word

and I'll charge you with defamation of the State!

This isn't a rally!

What happened?

They tried to kill me! They knew I had important info for you.

So a car tried to run me down on my way here!

Any witnesses?

Here are 3 honest, God-fearing housewives

who'll testify, plus a park guardian, a war vet with medals!

What's this information?

The police own the VW...

That took him away to the hospital?

But no cops were allowed in the car to finish him off,

so the driver took the longest route. I know!

I was there!

But the car belongs to one of your friends!

He must be a friend! He helped them at once!

Who told you such a tale?

The car disappeared! No trace of it at the hospital!

The page was torn out of the registry!

Don't you find that odd?

I think you did it to add grist to your mill!

Is this the car?

Yes.

Find the owner of this car!

If you wish to wash...

Thanks, I'm alright.

Sit down.

Tell me what you know.

But I warn you, you risk indictment for perjury.

Go ahead.

The car was waiting there, hidden by the police.

And when the truck came?

He came forward.

Inspector!

Chief!

He wanted the General to clear the square.

Come on!

What're you waiting for?

I saw the truck arrive.

Watch out!

The man in back was standing up? Did he hit him?

I dunno. It happened too fast.

And then?

He fell to his knees.

His knees?

His head hit the pavement?

No. he was on his knees

surrounded by the demonstrators.

The police did nothing.

Which demonstrators?

Impossible to say.

We pulled him free. Then he collapsed.

A VW arrived

from where, I don 't know. ,

Finally,, the cops intervened and tried to get into the car.

Come on!

Get to the hospital!

Get going!

Faster! Honk your horn!

Is it broken?

Turn right!

This way avoids traffic!

He did it to waste time. Then, he hit another car! ,

Keep going!

I need a damage report!

A man's hurt! It's a matter of life or death!

OK, go on!

He did it on purpose!

And the cops would've killed him in the car!

On purpose?

I did my best! They were upset, I can understand that.

No one noticed me at the hospital.

I'd rented the car for an afternoon date

and was on my way home.

Roadblocks were up.

I must not have noticed the police.

At the hospital I washed the seats of the blood.

You said "I'm a part-time chauffeur".

But you're a serviceman!

- I'm doing my military service. - What branch?

As a policeman.

You're a police chauffeur!

What section?

One close to the General.

How close?

Personal.

Since when?

1 year.

The General's driver for 1 year.

You were at the scene of the murder by accident.

Shall I write "murder"?

You said "murder".

Do you know who has arrived?

The Nat'l. Att.-Gen.!

Leave us alone.

The Nat'l. Att.-Gen. has come to talk to you...

...totally incognito.

Yes, he's here.

I'll bring my files at once.

So it's you... Sit down.

You're ready to indict the Chief of Police?

It's inevitable.

My friend, only Divine Will is inevitable!

Proof is overwhelming, sir.

Proof? Hearsay!

So-called proof by so-called pacifists

who want to create a hero!

That's certain, sir, but police complicity

with the demonstrators is certain.

Those 2 men circled in red are plain-clothes men.

They admit being in the demonstration.

We also know the Police Chief met Yago that day

plus other demonstrators.

The General said he didn't know the driver of the VW.

But he's the General's personal chauffeur!

I won't mention the police's passiveness.

Then comes the intimidation of witnesses.

Vago is hospitalised secretly with a police medical certificate.

He's found near the room of a major witness, with a club!

Then there's Yago's club during the demonstration.

Several witnesses saw it. It disappeared when he was arrested.

But the agent admitted rewriting his report.

You shouldn't mention the club in your report.

But it's done, sir!

I'm the Police Chief General!

At ease!

Don't worry. You did your duty.

You've been a policeman how long?

6 years.

Just rewrite your report.

Ah! The Att.Gen.!

And then you arrived, sir.

He couldn't lie. On the contrary! His confession'll cost him a lot.

There is a case for indictment,

but not enough for a jury to condemn the police.

The jury'll do its duty. I've done mine.

You'll discredit the police and the court

who will be blamed for absolving them.

As if it's not enough our country's been invaded

by long-haired atheists and addicts.

Now you want to cast doubts on our armed forces,

the sole healthy elements in our country.

We dream of a renewal

of a land with no parties, left nor right,

obedient to God.

You want to ruin it.

Listen...

I have a proposal for you.

I understand your scruples.

They honor you.

My idea should suit you and the government and the palace.

We'll divide the case in 3. 1 st, the trial of the 2 criminals.

Let justice be done!

2nd, the police authorities.

Their negligence is evident

but can't be tried by a circuit court.

It's strictly an administrative matter.

3rd, an action against the rally organisers.

They and their loudspeakers are responsible for the ensuing violence.

An old rule of thumb is to always look for those

who benefit from a crime.

The Minister of Justice thought you're a Leftist.

I formally denied it.

Here's a list of helpful witnesses.

It seems no one wanted to kill the senator. Just intimidate him.

I trust I've convinced you

to save the honor of the forces of law and order.

But you're the sole master of your conscience, after God.

I won't be disgraced!

Indict me and I'll commit suicide!

Dishonor is unbearable!

My blood'll be on your hands!

Name and profession?

You must answer.

Sign your statement.

You are indicted for premeditated murder.

The law allows 24 hours

to superior officers before their imprisonment.

To avoid the reporters, use that door.

You're indicted for premeditated murder.

It's unbearable!

You've no right!

I've been thrown to the hounds!

Name and profession?

You're indicted for premeditated murder.

Sit down.

For me there's no choice! Either I'm cleared

or I'll commit suicide!

Name and profession?

It's routine, General!

What did you do that day?

I was to attend the Bolsho� Ballet.

Not out of love for the dance! I'm not one of those perverts!

But it was a chance to spot some Reds.

The day of the assassination

you were told his life was threatened.

No one told me about it! I'm sure it was only a tactic

to justify any incidents.

My men couldn't stop the truck

but a man leaped on the rear platform,

Iithe and fierce as a tiger.

I know no one in that organisation.

I've had no contacts with this... CROC.

You're seen here at a banquet you gave for them.

To thank them for keeping order during a state visit.

Is he a Red? Why's he after me?

His father was police chief.

The photo's phony! It's not proof!

You're indicted for premeditated murder!

Are you a martyr like Dreyfus?

Dreyfus was guilty!

Helen! They're all indicted, even the General!

The judge didn't back down!

Helen, it's like he was still alive!

It's a real revolution!

The government'll fall and extremists'll be wiped out!

Elections'll be a landslide!

THE TRlAL

The Deputy was not at the trial.

He died of a heart attack, according to the coroner.

7 other witnesses died before the trial.

A car accident,

a gas explosion,

a suicide, a drowning,

a work accident, a 2nd car accident

and a heart attack while driving.

"Foul play is doubted" says the new Chief of Police.

Vago was sentenced

to 8 years in a farm prison where 1 year equals 2 years.

Yago got 1 1 years of the same.

1 0 months for disturbing the peace.

1 year with a possibility of paying it off.

The 4 indicted officers only received administrative reprimands.

Yet the government had to resign.

After the trial, the Leftists seemed certain to win the elections.

Prior to the elections, the army seized power and dismissed the judge.

Senator George Pirou died in a police car of a clot on the brain,

said police officers.

Deported to the islands.

During questioning, fell from the 7th floor

trying to escape, said the police.

3 years for revealing official documents.

Also. the military regime banned

Iong hair,, mini-skirts.

Sophocles,, Tolstoy. Euripides.

Russian-style toasts. strikes.

Aristophanes. Ionesco,

Sartre, Albee. Pinter. ,

freedom of the Press. sociology,

Beckett. Dostoyevsky,

modern music,, pop music. new math

and the letter "Z" which means "He is alive " in ancient Greek.

Subtitles: Jaib Warner

Subtitling: ECLAlR VlDEO