Original subtitles

I was 8 years old when this story begins.

My parents, Martin and Marie Ferral,

were sharecroppers at a place called Combenègre,

close to the Barade forest in Périgord.

They worked hard for little profit.

The farm was small. Half of the revenue or more...

returned to the owner, Count de Nansac.

He was a noble émigré, restored in his privileges by King Louis XVIII,

and known far and wide for the scale of his wealth...

as for the hardness of his character.

His guards and manager Laborie...

levied tax with such dishonesty...

that we wouldn't have anything to eat if my father wasn't poaching at night.

This Christmas 1819, at the annual division of the harvest,

the Count and Laborie stole more from us than usual.

Of all the tenants, only my father stood up.

They then drove us from the farm.

Laborie hated us.

He was a scoundrel who used his position to abuse women.

He had defiled Jeannette, our neighbour's daughter.

My mother resisted him, something he didn't forget.

One morning Laborie and a guard barged into Combenègre.

They ordered my father to leave...

under a law prohibiting any sharecropper to own a hunting dog.

My father refused.

Laborie killed our dog...

and the bullet wounded my mother.

My father, wild with anger, took his rifle and killed Laborie.

He fled into the forest.

The Count ordered a search by his guards...

and requisitioned all the peasants.

2nd Episode "The Night of Candlemas"

Well?

We found nothing.

I requisitioned you to find him.

He can only be in the forest.

Yes, Mr. Count.

- Get going! - You too, Mascret.

He's a criminal, an outlaw!

He's trying to get away. Shoot him!

That night I couldn't sleep.

I kept thinking about my father.

The police were looking for him.

They had stayed there all day with their big swords...

and their big black boots.

They had tormented my mother.

If only my father had been here!

Where was he tonight?

He would be cold in the forest...

and scared.

Oh no! He was never scared.

Mom!

Yes.

Where's Dad?

He's well hidden.

Don't worry.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Sleep!

Who is it?

It's me...

Jean,

the coal-man.

My God!

Martissou is at my house, in Foucaudie.

At your house?

Oh, my God, thank you!

- Did you see him? - Yes.

But won't he be caught?

They can't catch him.

Don't worry, Marie.

That's what I came to tell you.

- And is he okay? - Yes.

He must be cold.

Take this.

Oh, no.

No. Keep it, Marie.

He lacks nothing.

Tell him we're fine, Jean.

That we are brave.

He knows.

And he told me to tell you that he'll be back.

He shouldn't!

He'll be back?

Yes. One night.

He shouldn't come back!

That'll be difficult.

It's me who asks him.

I want to see him more than anything.

But he shouldn't come. They'll catch him!

I'll tell him.

Well...

It's almost dawn now. I have to go.

Tell us where he is.

- That'll save us the wait. - I don't know.

You do know. Tell us!

No. And if I knew, I wouldn't tell you!

You are insolent for a murderer's wife.

Listen...

In your own interest...

if you know something, you have to tell us!

Will he come back?

Tonight?

- We have been assured! - You have been deceived.

All right...

You've asked for it. We'll surround the house.

And from now on, you're forbidden to go out!

Understand?

And the kid too!

Go! Get inside.

Come on! Get inside!

Do you understand, eh?

A trap...

The Count said so. We have to trap him.

How many are we?

Four, brigadier.

A trap with four?

That's not much, eh?

Well...

You come with me.

It's safer.

You go with him.

- You are with two. - Yes, sergeant.

- It's not much. - Especially for surrounding the house.

Obviously.

Well...

Go a little further. That way, you'll see the house from farther away.

Come on, hop to it!

Remember...

Stay out of sight.

Okay, brigadier.

You come with me.

"A trap", said the policeman,

for my father who wanted to see us!

What if he was coming tonight?

If that were true?

The gendarmes were still there...

and I got more and more scared.

I had to do something.

My mother, exhausted by all these trials, had dozed off.

I knew my father was with Jean at Foucaudie.

Oh, chief... Look!

You won't shoot woodcocks, right?

Yes, okay...

Hey!

Do you think he'll come?

You're faster than me now.

Yes.

I'm going.

Jean!

Yes?

Are you sure they're okay?

I'm sure.

They are brave. Your wife is admirable.

Much more reasonable than you.

I've got to go.

- No. - But they are alone!

I said no!

I'm going to Saint-Michel. They're expecting me today.

No nonsense!

If you move, you'll get caught.

Don't forget that the Count offered two gold coins...

to whom would denounce you.

I know.

Till later.

Till later.

Dad!

Dad!

There was a place where I knew he would often hunt...

near the druid's stone. Perhaps there?

Dad!

Jacquou!

Dad!

My son!

I knew you would be here.

But listen to me. They've set a trap.

The gendarmes...

If you come, they'll catch you.

They're there...

Yes, but I'm begging you, don't come.

But how did you get here?

I ran away.

And your mother?

She doesn't want you to come.

- Does she know you're here? - No.

Is she okay?

Yes, but I'm begging you Dad, don't come.

Look what I brought you.

To defend yourself.

My little one...

No, you keep it. It's yours.

I'm giving it to you.

- To me? - Yes.

Thank you!

It's you who'll use it now.

Listen to me Jacquou.

You're gonna listen to me, right?

Huh?

You know, with this bounty thing,

I'm in danger here.

Jean told me to go to Paris.

Are you leaving?

Yes. Please understand. Paris is big. No one will find me there.

And you'll soon come join me.

- When? - Very quickly.

So you're gonna tell Mom...

that at Candlemas I'll go to Mïon.

That night there'll be no risk.

Tell her to come at 10 pm.

I'll leave that same night.

No! I'm begging you, don't go.

My little one...

Don't cry. I don't want you to cry.

You see, I'm here, right?

I'm proud of you, you know.

But please understand, I must leave.

So you...

You'll continue as you've already started.

You'll replace me during my absence.

And you'll help your mother well.

Agreed?

- So, do you promise? - I promise.

You see, I'm leaving happy...

because now...

I know you're a man, my Jacquou.

Where have you been, damn kid?

Answer, animal!

- Get off me! - You know where your father is.

You went to warn him, eh?

Answer or I'll put you in jail!

Here!

If you tell me where he is,

I'll give you 15 sous.

Leave him!

- Forget it. The kid's worthless! - But no!

What are you doing here?

He won't come now! We can leave!

Go! We can go!

You'll get it coming to you!

♫ Song in Patois ♫

- I'll go get them. - Yes. Come back soon.

- They'll be here soon. - Yes.

You'll be in Paris in two days.

Yes.

- Do you think it'll work out? - Of course.

Do you remember the day of the search?

A man found me.

I didn't know him.

- And he said nothing. - You see!

Here... This is for you.

If you don't eat, I'll tell Marie.

You won't have to.

Your pancakes look great!

Mïon, how can I thank you?

Send me a souvenir from Paris.

I brought them birds and a hare. If you could...

- I'll sell them. - I’ll bring them the money.

Thanks, Pierre.

Don't move, you're caught.

Please let him go!

- Don't arrest him! - He didn't do anything.

Martissou! I thought I did the best.

It's my fault. Forgive me.

No Mïon. I've been sold, that's all.

It lasted a month. It's fine!

What are you doing here?

Did you sell me, Jansou?

And that for a piece of land!

You're scum, Jansou! Scum!

Those who made you do that are even more guilty than you.

Martissou, I'm sorry! I didn't know, they scared me.

Forgive me Martissou!

Martissou!

Dad! Dad!

Dad! Dad!

Dad!

I will never forget. Never.

I had just turned eight.

- Hello! - Hello!

Well Fongrave! I thought you were in Paris.

I'm back.

- And are you going to plead? - Yes.

And against you, Mr. Prosecutor.

- The murderer of the manager? - Yes. Martin Ferral.

My dear man, you're brave!

I would've refused in your place.

I asked the barrister to be officially appointed.

Oh, well, good luck!

Thanks.

What do you want?

Martin Ferral,

- I came... - Who are you?

I am master Fongrave, lawyer.

Lawyer?

Yes. Your lawyer, if you wish.

I don't want a lawyer.

Ferral, listen to me.

I understand your distrust. It's not the judge who sent me.

- It's me who volunteered. - What for?

Like you I suffer from injustice,

from the misery I see every day.

And because of this, I want to defend you.

And win.

Leave me alone.

Nothing can be done.

You shouldn't say that.

You must never capitulate. You have to fight till the end.

What? Don't you understand that there is nothing left to do?

We're sent to the galleys for stealing a button, so I...

Ferral, calm down.

Listen to me.

I'm your friend.

Do you believe me?

And do you think that I believe in you?

When I heard what you'd done,

I understood.

I approved of it.

You must be properly defended!

I regret nothing.

If I had to, I'd do it again.

I would.

Martin Ferral,

I want to save you.

My wife, my son...

They are alone.

Where are they?

Tell me, they haven't harmed them?

No. They did nothing to them.

Don't be afraid.

Ferral...

Will you help me?

Yes.

Come on, quick! Hurry!

Jansou didn't come to replace us.

He showed his regret by going hunting for us.

Okay. Ready?

Now let's see the animals.

Four sheep.

You already owed us two.

You've got two left.

But Martissou gave the share at Christmas.

Nothing shows in the ledger.

He brought you 2.

You're dreaming, right? You'd still rob us?

I take the 2 due sheep.

You'll have two left.

Now let's share.

I take one.

That leaves you one.

You also owe a sack of wheat.

You returned half a bag of flour.

That'll be 40 francs.

I'll take the last sheep and we're even. Now go!

And thank the Count's generosity.

I should seize your furniture to pay me.

But I won't go any further.

Come on, you guys!

What are you waiting for to move in?

Where were we going? I didn't know.

Pierre had found us shelter.

The people we met, looked at us with compassion.

They knew we were going like this,

alone, without my father.

We were now approaching Barade Forest.

Pierre wanted us to get out of the Count's land...

so that we would be safer.

We passed by the large chestnut...

of which my father had often spoken to me.

We were getting deeper and deeper into the forest.

I was thinking of nothing.

I could hear Pierre’s voice...

and the noise of the jolting cart,

which was leading us up the hill.

We were in the remotest part of the forest.

We had left the Count's land.

Gently. Easy, easy...

The evening came.

It felt like we were at the end of the world.

The wind had risen.

We arrived in a large clearing.

That's it.

We've arrived.

This was the only shelter belonging to nobody...

that Pierre could find.

I had a heavy heart.

What a sinister house!

What poor ruins! But we had nothing we could pay with.

It will do.

It's not the best, but still it's better than nothing.

Thanks, Pierre.

- Some water? - Yes, please.

A drink to friendship.

I knew that when Pierre was gone,

we were going to stay all alone in this old house

and I was scared.

Goodbye, Marie.

I'll come back to see you.

Goodbye, Pierre.

Goodbye, Jacquou.

Goodbye.

Bye.

In the meantime...

Good luck!

I almost blamed her for accepting the misfortune in silence.

Come on... Let's go in.

Jacquou...

I'll light a fire, you'll get me some wood.

Jacquou, what's wrong?

What is it?

Look at me, Jacquou, I'm begging you.

For your father!

I didn't want to blame my mother.

I felt how much she suffered. I loved her so much...

I had to be with her.

I beg your pardon, mother.

It's over.

It's over.

Sorry.

It's over.

Yes.

Really?

Really, Mom.

Here, you can eat these chestnuts.

I've nothing to cook.

But I'm not hungry.

I want to help you.

Never mind. I'll do well alone. You rest.

No, it'll be faster with two.

We'll clean up together.

Yes.

I did my best to help tidy the house.

There was much to do.

We worked until dark.

Mom!

Don't be afraid, Jacquou.

Don't be afraid.

Sleep. I'm here.

It was my first night in the tilery.

Jacquou.

Mom.

Jacquou...

I have to find work, so I must go.

Now be good, will you?

Remember what Dad said.

Yes.

Don't be scared.

No.

I made you some soup.

I'll be back soon.

Are you sure you won't be scared?

Your father will be proud of you.

I won't be long.

I wasn't very reassured,

alone in this big rundown house.

What was outside? I saw a patch of sky...

through the broken rafters.

Not knowing where I was increased my anxiety.

I had to see!

I had to know.

Maybe I would have less fear.

A new determination was pushing me out.

Our house was in an abandoned hamlet,

an old tilery,

on the edge of an old path...

which had ceased to be used long ago.

The seeds brought by the wind had sprouted here and there...

in the holes and cracks of the walls.

All this combined had a look of ruin...

and desolation that gripped my heart.

I stayed there for part of the day,

while outside the wind was still blowing.

After a few hours, I don't remember, the wind calmed down.

The knife that my father had given me...

I was ashamed because I had been afraid.

Yet he had told me I had to be a man.

He wasn't afraid when he went out.

I had to honour my father.

Yes. I had to have courage.

During the night a tree had been brought down by lightning.

I don't know what came over me.

Everything became suddenly normal again.

Fear had abandoned me...

and I felt happy.

I gathered my composure from the forest I knew well.

I felt free.

The sun had appeared.

It was nice.

How good it felt!

Suddenly, fear and panic seized me.

I was ashamed. I cried all alone...

waiting for my mother. Such was my 1st day at the tilery.

Jacquou!

Were you scared?

I've been thinking of you all day.

I've left you all alone.

Tomorrow I'll take you with me.

The next day my mother took me with her.

We had left very early in the morning.

We went by roads and through fields to find work.

We were hopeful,

but the roads were long with few farms.

Could you give me work, sir?

No, there's no work. I don't need you.

Heavy work doesn't scare me.

It's Winter. We don't need anyone.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

We didn't lose hope.

So we walked for two days, going from farm to farm.

But everywhere it was the same answer:

"It's Winter."

On the third day they told us about Garrigue.

We went there. There, maybe...

I'm looking for work, Madame, by the day.

I wish. We can just make it on our own.

But only for a few days.

You know, we are so poor.

All these people didn't know what had happened to us,

otherwise surely they would've helped us.

Thanks.

Why didn't my mother tell them?

- Goodbye, madame. - Good luck.

We went on.

For 4 days already we had wandered in the mud and rain.

Madam, we're looking for work.

Where can we find it?

I don't know. Check at Puypautier.

Thanks.

Puypautier.

It was a nice big farm.

They said the farmer was rich and nice.

It was our last hope.

Hello.

Hello.

What do you want?

I'm looking for work.

I'm a servant here. The boss is out.

Not worth the wait. There's no work.

I can do anything.

I tell you that there is nothing!

- Well, who are you? - Marie Ferral.

The wife of Martissou!

Holy Mary! What are you waiting for? I told you to go away!

Bye.

What is it?

Nothing.

What do you want?

She's looking for work. There's none here. She's leaving.

- Are you looking for work? - Yes.

Who are you?

Martissou's wife, from Combenègre.

Why did you say that there's no work?

We're short of staff.

There's a lot of work.

- But... - Quiet! Are you afraid of heavy work?

No, sir.

Well. You've got plenty of things to do here.

I'll hire you.

The job was for my cousin Guilhem.

Listen, your cousin is in military service for one more year.

We'll see after a year.

I'll give you 8 sous a day, plus food.

Thanks.

Come tomorrow.

If I could ask you...

You can always ask!

If Jacquou could come with me,

you would pay me less because you'd feed him.

Good. Bring him. He'll play with your daughter. Right, Lina?

Good. I'll give you... Instead of giving you 8 sous, I'll give you...

Let's say, 5 sous.

Is that okay?

Thanks.

See you tomorrow.

Till tomorrow.

Why did you say there's no work?

What does it matter.

The next day my mother started her work.

I didn't dare to move in this house which I didn't know.

And I stayed there, watching.

That was Lina. She looked kind.

Hello.

- Hello. - Do you want to play?

Go on. Go and have fun.

Come on!

Okay, now you've gotta catch me!

Just then it seemed to me...

that I'd always known her.

Lina!

Lina!

Lina!

Lina!

- Ooh! - You scared me!

I scared you!

Now we'll go see the bunnies, okay?

Let's go.

Look how pretty they are.

Oh, you're naughty, you bit me! You're not nice to me.

Just for that, I won't bring you bread in the morning.

I was thinking about my father.

I was having fun and he was in jail.

What's wrong, Jacquou?

Nothing.

If something's wrong, you should tell me.

- No. I'm just fine. - So you're not sad.

No.

Where is your father?

At Périgueux.

- Is he in prison? - Yes.

Did he do something bad?

No. My father hasn't done anything bad.

- Then why is he in prison? - Because they made a mistake.

Wicked people locked him up.

Really?

But you'll see, my father will soon be released.

And Spring came.

Catch me!

I'll catch you!

- You won't catch me! - You're running too fast!

We were still at the Géral's...

and I was with Lina all day.

Got you!

There. It'll soon be clean.

What if we put a duckling in the bucket?

- No. We gotta work. - Really?

Lina, Jacquou, lunch!

- We're coming! - Yes. I'll be first.

Come on, calm down! Jacquou, now look!

Children, what did you do today?

I've cleaned the pond.

- Very good, my boy. And you? - Me too.

Well, you should do this every day.

This plate is not clean.

Sorry.

Mathive was mean to my mother. That made me sad.

I didn't understand why and I resented her.

But Lina was so nice,

and Mathive made nice soup.

The weeks passed.

Haymaking time had come.

Hey!

- Is Ferral Marie here? - That's me!

Say, it's not easy to find you!

I've been looking for you for 2 days!

I have a letter from the mayor of Bars.

My mother just stood there,

as if petrified.

A letter from the mayor of Bars? What could it be?

It was certainly about my father.

What were they going to do to him?

Maybe they'd recognized his innocence.

Would he come back?

Here...

Okay. Well, then...

Goodbye.

Maybe it's about your father.

Can't you read?

- No. - Let me.

This is a subpoena for the trial of your husband.

The trial takes place in 15 days.

You have to go.

- What will happen? - Nothing bad, perhaps.

Many rich people are against us. And they are well-connected.

There are numerous witnesses.

Laborie was a scamp in everybody's eyes.

But will they dare testify?

But they must! That's only fair.

If they are sharecroppers, they'll be afraid.

The Count of Nansac will do everything to have Martissou convicted.

But nothing says it'll happen.

And for that you have to fight.

- And that you have courage. - Do I have to work alone?

Do you think they pay you to do nothing?

The day came, we set out on the main road.

My mother had tightened 3 F in sous in her bundle.

I carried the bag, that my father had left me, with some provisions.

My mother wanted to make a detour to Mïon's family, our only friends.

Were they summoned too?

That's to say...

Did you get the summons?

We received a letter from the lawyer.

Yes, but...

That's not an official letter.

But after all he asked us to come.

So I'll see you there.

Of course.

Okay...

See you soon.

- Goodbye, Marie. - We're going.

Goodbye, Marie.

Will they be there as well?

They won't.

Why?

We can't blame them.

And heavyhearted we took...

the long white road going to Périgueux.

We rarely stopped.

We slept in ditches under the trees.

Fortunately it was Summer.

I was so tired by the march...

that I had a hard time waking up.

Jacquou!

You must wake up.

Did you sleep well?

Yes.

Here. Have some bread.

We'll get there soon.

Get there soon...

We'd already walked for 4 days.

I never thought Périgueux was that far.

I remember so many times...

that I wanted to take this road with my father.

My dad whom I would soon see...

Come. It won't be long now.

Most of the time we walked in silence. We hardly spoke to each other.

My mother was worried about what could happen to my father.

It was Count Nansac in his carriage.

He too was going to the trial, to hurt us again.

And I felt overcome by hatred,

an unknown and violent hatred.

It was never to leave me.

Subtitles by Subransu, editing by Oliverio