Original subtitles

Have you told Edmond?

This is between us three, the judges.

The less people in the know, the better.

I'm sorry, but we have to tell the president. It's a principle.

You can't ask us to fix a trial, as if we were a special section.

You were talking about the rebirth of the Republic

and democracy.

We're still at war, Antoine. We're not fixing, we're fighting.

Not with the arms of dictatorship.

It's the only way. It would have helped us in 1940.

I don't care as long as the militiamen are executed.

Have you forgot

they were experts in fixing trials?

Is it an eye for an eye in De Gaulle's Republic?

- We do the same? - No.

This would be even worse.

The Milice used to act barefaced.

And it still does, that's the reason why we have to do this.

They're still killing prisoners, partisans of the Resistance, Jews.

Will killing 14 militiamen solve anything?

They've been defeated. They'll probably learn nothing.

We must obey our commissioner.

I don't know.

Honestly...

Right. We don't have all day.

If it makes you uneasy, just step aside.

He'll find replacements.

I would rather avoid that.

Make up your mind.

I like democracy too.

But their dirty tricks must be punished.

Otherwise, we'll argue endlessly.

Think of Marcel.

Think of Marie.

They liked democracy, too,

and they loved life.

Right.

I'm going to ask you, then.

Will you vote in favor of the execution?

Will you swear to never tell anyone?

Yes, but we must tell Edmond. I guarantee he'll keep it shut.

Alright.

You can count on me.

Antoine?

Two out of three yeses. You have your verdict.

Don't leave me alone.

Very well. I'll do what you ask.

We will examine a couple more cases,

and we will finish tomorrow.

The verdict will be given in the morning.

And the execution?

Right after the hearing. Let's say... at 1 or 2 PM.

A French Town

My son, I don't want to rush you, but I still

have other confessions to hear.

Father...

is carrying out orders a sin?

What do you think?

If I knew,

I wouldn't have to confess.

I think you asked to make a confession

because you know.

Orders concern the Justice of men.

But when the time of the judgment comes,

you're alone with your conscience,

alone with God.

I have killed...

Go on, my son.

This is the time.

I killed two children.

Why did you do that?

I carried out orders.

The orders of my godfather.

Didn't you know it was wrong?

I did.

Without a doubt?

Yes. I knew.

Then why did you do it?

I didn't have a father.

My godfather is...

Was...

A man must obey his father or his godfather.

If it were that simple, you wouldn't be in such pain.

You are in pain, aren't you?

- All the time. - That's good.

Your pain means you're human.

And God will see that.

You have sinned, yes. Tremendously.

I wouldn't know what penance to give you.

But your pain and your confession

open the way of forgiveness.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.

Go in peace and face the Justice of men.

- Mr. Schwartz. - Mr. Prefect.

It's been a long time.

What brings you here?

You have done a remarkable job in the Resistance.

Congratulations.

Will I receive a medal?

Not today. I need some wood.

Wood?

- This is a sawmill. - Yes.

I need boards. 84, to be exact.

- What kind of wood? - Any kind. It needs to be sturdy.

I can have pine for next week.

- I need them tomorrow. - Tomorrow?

Before 10 AM. My secretary will pick them up in a truck.

What are they for?

For a wall that's about to fall down in the school.

Dimensions?

So, 28 boards...

of 2 m x 40 cm.

And 28 boards of 2 m x 60 cm.

And 28 small rectangles of 40 x 60 cm.

That is...

A really strange wall.

I don't take care of the details.

But you're placing the orders.

What do you want the small pieces for?

That won't hold anything up.

I'm not a carpenter, Mr. Schwartz.

- It's a really strange order. - Can you do it or not?

- How are you paying? - GPRF cash vouchers.

That won't be possible. I need fuel.

5 liters of gas per board. 500 liters.

I am short of gas.

Find it.

A special order requires a special payment.

- And the greatest of discretion. - Of course.

I wouldn't like a rumor to spread about a wall collapsing

at the school.

I'll be as quiet as the grave. On one condition.

- Go on. - Jeannine.

- Well? - How do you see her situation?

- She will be sentenced. - Well, that's a problem.

She used to make equipment for the Germans.

- Do you want your boards? - Not at any price.

What if people knew you'd ordered 14 coffins before the verdict?

Jeannine helped the Resistance in 1943.

She informed on a collaborator who was going to turn everybody in.

That should help you clean her record.

- I'll see what I can do. - That's not enough.

You're head of the commission. I want your word.

No proceedings. A small fine at the most. Understood?

You have my word.

Tell your secretary to come before 10 AM.

With the fuel, of course.

- It's been a pleasure. - Likewise.

- Did you hear? - I don't trust him.

He gave his word.

The word of a man who orders coffins before a verdict?

- He wants his boards. - Clearly.

But then he'll unleash his dogs.

A scandal is the last thing he wants.

- He needs scapegoats. - He will find others.

- Your life's not at risk. - Poor Jeannine.

Poor innocent victim.

- That's how you talk to me? - I didn't force you to come.

I'm tired of you playing the victim.

You walk over everybody and you don't care.

You've badmouthed the Jews,

you've honored the traitors and now you come here crying?

The wheel turns, Jeannine.

Don't come here whining. Go to your father's.

I'm not whining.

It's just that I'm scared.

I want to live.

Do you understand? I want to live.

That's exactly why I managed to get you a new life. So take it,

and stop pissing me off.

Long live the Prefect! Long live Mr. Bériot!

No, no.

Don't celebrate me.

Celebrate the Republic.

Bravo. Thank you.

- Mr. Prefect. - Was this your idea?

Popularity never hurts.

That's not popularity, it's entertainment.

When does the ball begin?

We can't wait to dance.

Soon. The Republic is young.

Give it some time to get organized.

What's this miracle?

I found it in the sub-prefecture.

Seems like Servier was a connoisseur.

Have you tried it?

Ah, this is a grand cru!

A Christmas gift from the SS apparently.

Remind me to decorate Servier.

Before we start,

I invite you to drink to the Republic's health!

Long live the Republic! Long live

the Prefect!

Come on, drink! No, no.

No, please, don't do that.

We're a republic now, madam. Go ahead.

Sir? I need to talk to you in private.

Alright. Excuse me.

Mr. Prefect, thank you.

How did it go with Schwartz?

The order will be ready at 10 AM, but we need to find fuel.

We haven't talked about the execution.

How do we do it, with who and when?

I don't know. We'll see about that tomorrow.

What about the music?

We have an accordion.

I thought about the TSF.

Radio Liberté broadcasts dancing music at night.

- Excellent idea. - Provided it works.

We can always sing.

- Now the bad news... - Yes.

Bridgewater, our Yankee contact.

He's waiting outside and he's not happy.

Major Bridgewater, Mr. Bériot, the Prefect.

I know. My French will do.

Good. Thank you for accepting our invitation.

I don't care about your ball.

- OK. - There's no order in Villeneuve.

People are bothered.

"Patriotic squads" are arresting citizens

without an order. The stores are plundered.

- De Gaulle promised order. - We'll keep the promise.

We need time.

We'll report all the incidents that we witness,

and that will have an effect on our army.

By the way, can I count on you to get us some gas?

The rule of law must be re-established as soon as possible.

Sure you don't want to try our wine?

It's a good one.

We're at war.

My division loses 10 men every day.

I don't feel like celebrating. I want order.

Find him a nice girl so that he leaves us alone.

The tall guy with brown hair? No problem.

What do you think about those squads? I thought it was a rumor.

A dozen people, heavily armed.

- Bolsheviks? - I don't think so.

Edmond is as annoyed as you are.

We need a police force. Are there any officers left?

They're either missing, dead, or on the run.

Except for this inspector...

- Inspector Loriot. - Ah, yes. I know him.

A late partisan?

No. According to the purge commission,

he's just a regular cop who does his job.

Ah! You succeeded!

Did Loriot torture or kill partisans?

Not that we know.

Did he arrest Jews?

Excuse me.

All the cops arrested Jews in 1942.

If we take that into account...

Find him and bring him to me.

Maurice!

Wait! This one's for me. No. It's my turn.

I'm tired of this trial.

Why did you accept Bériot's deal?

He seemed to need an immediate answer.

- Are you mad at me? - No.

- Do you dance? - Not really.

I'll teach you.

- My sister tried once, but... - Family's not made for dancing.

Look at me.

- Put your hands on my hips. - What?

- Your hands on my hips. - Huh?

- This is dancing? - What?

- How was your trip? - I thought I would never make it.

Did you manage to find some milk?

- Yes. - Not too expensive?

The normal price, given the context.

I wanted to bring Sophie to the Liberation ball.

I don't like loud music.

This is a one-time opportunity.

I don't want to go.

- What about you? Do you want to? - I beg your pardon?

Dance. Do you want to dance?

No. That's very kind of you, but...

You say "no" too fast.

Sophie can take care of David.

- Right, Sophie? - Of course.

No.

We're survivors, Rita. This is the Liberation.

We have the right to celebrate. We must celebrate.

I'm sure you're a very good dancer

and you like dancing.

Come on!

A dance only lasts 5 minutes.

- Take care, Sophie. - You too.

They don't even listen to us at the trial.

It's as if everything was already decided.

That's how it seems.

Some of us will be let off.

You stand a chance.

- I don't think I deserve it. - Don't say that.

In this chaos, you have to take your chance.

Bravo!

Tom is a lieutenant and he loves France.

- But he's wearing a wedding band. - He is. So what?

I don't dance with married men.

- This is the Liberation. - I won't dance with a married man.

We're still at war, Solange, and you're on a mission.

You have to dance for France.

Alright. I'll do it.

What did he say?

He's going through a divorce.

I'll leave you.

No. Solange.

What is it?

Nothing. That girl reminds me of someone.

You're looking at girls while dancing with me?

- I shouldn't do that? - No, you shouldn't.

- A token. - Really?

Tell me you love me.

It's an order. Doesn't count.

It's not an order, it's a token.

OK, well, I love you.

Goddamn it!

Oh, this is too bad!

Don't blame me!

What's the matter with the music? It was so nice.

Calm down! Calm down!

Take it easy.

Is it serious, doctor?

We'll fix it.

Félix!

Your instrument. Do you know Tout ça fait d'excellents Français?

Affirmative!

While we wait for the TSF to come back on air, I will sing.

It's the only song I know.

Don't ask me for another one.

Ratatata! The colonel was a financier

The major was a businessman

The captain was an insurance broker

And the lieutenant was the grocer

The fat guy was the usher of the Bank of France

The sergeant was a baker

The colonel was an ignorant

And the private was an annuitant

And all that makes us excellent French citizens

Excellent soldiers who march in step

They had lost the habit

But it's like riding a bicycle You never forget

Who are they?

- Hello. - Talk to them.

- That's the chief. - Take him.

You just wanted to talk.

I speak with my hands.

- Did you hang my mother? - I hanged no one.

I don't like liars.

Stop it, Raoul! He didn't do it. Marchetti did.

But you said he was there. He was, right?

Come on. This is pointless.

You have no right.

What do you know about rights? Settle the score with him.

Stop! Goddamn it!

Why did you bring us here?

They have had enough. Let's get out of here.

Let's go.

And all that makes us excellent French citizens

Excellent soldiers who march in step

Thinking that the Republic

Is still the best system down here

And all those swindlers

Who are in disagreement about politics

Now come to an agreement Whatever their fate is

They all want To be left alone

Well?

Well? How's it coming? Where are you at?

Oh, my!

You said you hated that.

Well, I didn't have a choice.

Loriot's waiting for you.

- Did you give him a rundown? - Sort of.

He's a bit fearful, so to speak.

I'll go see him.

Finding a girl for a negro...

- Inspector. - Mr. Prefect.

- Some wine? - No.

You should have some.

What would we be without good wine?

Right.

So, basically,

the Republic is willing to forget your actions in 1940-1944,

if you commit to serving her loyally.

I've always been loyal.

Can the Republic count on you?

If I can count on her.

Let's not waste time. Raise your hand.

Do you swear to serve France and all its officials?

Do you swear you haven't committed

any violent crimes? If you do, say "I swear".

I swear.

So... I won't have any trouble?

I mean, with the FTP, the patriotic squads?

I hope they will be the ones who have trouble with you.

Police must enforce the Republican law.

Go to the station tomorrow at 9.

Thank you.

Ah, problem solved!

Do you like dancing?

Yes, but never on duty.

- I don't want David to worry. - We're just starting.

Please, let's go.

I liked dancing with you, but...

Yes, you're right.

Maybe we'll dance together at some other time.

See? He's sleeping.

I think your son reminds her of her brother.

What was his name?

David.

Where are you going to sleep?

I don't know. I'll find a place.

Listen.

In my place, there are two beds with actual sheets and a screen.

With the screen, it'll be as if you had your own bedroom.

The house is clean. I mean...

Sophie and I did the housework, so it's clean now.

Yes, but... The place is not exactly big.

Do you want David to sleep in the cold?

No. But it's not that cold.

Say yes, Rita.

Just for a couple of days.

Until you find something else.

OK, alright.

Thank you.

Can you believe it?

What?

That we're free. We're actually free. It's over.

I still feel I'm going to wake up tomorrow in the Maquis.

Claude will be preparing his play

and Thierry will make his chestnut puree.

I sometimes think Marcel will get out of prison soon.

Does it bother you that I think that?

No.

It's what you think.

I take it as a gift.

You know you and I could go very far.

Christine! That bitch...

- What? - You whore!

Suzanne! Suzanne!

Help!

Suzanne! Are you mad?

She turned us in to the police!

I'm not sure it was her.

Can't you just show some support?

- Damn bitch! - You pig!

It wasn't me.

Fabien wasn't waiting for us. Marchetti was!

Women like you make me sick.

We will paint a swastika on her belly.

No, leave her.

She will go to prison. That's all she deserves.

Pick her up! Pick her up!

- Suzanne. - You're here?

- Your prefect called me in. - What?

He makes do with what he has.

I'm sorry, but she didn't do it.

How do you know that?

I took the call.

A neighbor saw you go in.

She recognized him.

Her statement is at the station, if you want to take a look.

- I'm very sorry. - Don't touch me.

I'm sorry, Gérard. It all pointed to her.

I'll come with you.

I'll say hello to Léonor while I'm at it.

No problem.

- She's going to come with us? - She apologized.

I'm packing my bags tomorrow, Gérard.

Excuse me, I was wrong. It's all my fault.

I hurt you. I'm sorry.

This is great.

- What? - This is great.

Sure, it's great.

Come with me. Come on.

What happened?

They had a fight, I think.

Who beat them up?

Anselme and Raoul.

Jesus! Do you know what being on guard is?

Anselme is the chief of the FFI. He's my chief.

The Prefect and the Republic are your chiefs!

- Get the hell out of here. - What?

Go dance and get yourself wasted!

I don't want to see you here!

Fine.

Open up.

René, you replace him.

No one enters this enclosure again. Understood?

Are you alright?

- You are worse than we are. - There is no need to exaggerate.

Here, Antoine.

Now I remember where I saw you.

That is a lousy pick-up line.

Last year,

I saw you in Maupertuis lake

with a Kraut.

You're going to inform on me?

I'm not in a denunciatory mood tonight.

- But you owe me a dance. - I don't owe you anything.

Alright, then let's say I invite you to dance.

I'm tired.

Me too, otherwise, I wouldn't dare ask you to dance.

And now, in honor of our American friends... let's swing!

The Win Hot Club from New York gave an amazing show last week

at the Tabarin club, in Paris. Long live swing!

Change the station, Maxime.

Enough of this barbaric music.

Now we're talking. This is local.

It's great. It's Pierre Dac.

Let's go outside. It's too warm in here.

What do you want now? There's nothing else to drink.

- This is the Schwartz's, isn't it? - Their workplace. So what?

Maurice says Mrs. Schwartz is hiding here.

Nonsense! Mrs. Schwartz has gone to Switzerland.

She's a sharp one.

Her cousin has a shack nearby.

He saw her turn up on her bike,

only yesterday.

Is that true?

Raymond!

Raymond!

If you're hiding that bitch Jeannine-Schwartz-Chassagne

and so on and so forth,

there will be hell to pay.

It will be...

The final struggle. Yeah!

This is the final struggle

Let us group together, and tomorrow

The Interna...

Wait, that is a Bolshevik song.

- It is? - Yeah.

Raymond! The Schwartz-Chassach woman...

That damn whore.

We will cook her with onions.

Then, we'll cut her in slices,

and we will feed those slices...

to the bats.

- There are bats here? - Doesn't matter.

- We'll get two bats. - Now?

Yes. Justice doesn't wait.

Come on, line up in front of me.

I said in front of me.

Pay attention. Change step, march!

One, two, three. One, two...

Come on, hurry up. Hurry up.

This is war. You need to obey.

One, two, three.... You go there. One, two...

Don't you think it's noisy enough?

Have you thought of Françoise?

- Did she wake up? - No. But she might.

I thought you were sleeping

next door.

I can't sleep on the couch.

If I'm tired, I can't take care of him.

That's why I get some rest here.

You're beautiful, Lucienne.

As beautiful as I remembered you.

I'm going back to bed. Good night.

- I'm still your husband. - Let me go.

This is the Liberation. I want you.

I don't.

In fact, I've never wanted you.

I thought you knew that.

There's a water jug in your room.

Wine would've been better.

- Haven't you drunk enough? - No.

There's a bottle of wine in the sideboard.

Goodnight.

It's me. It's Mr. Bériot.

And we can hear

The Nazis' complaint

It's twilight

Before the night

Subtitles: Eclair Media