Original subtitles

"Only secrecy will guarantee your safety."

THE ENGLISH CADAVER

"Only secrecy will guarantee your safety."

Ladies, look at my instrument.

Copeau, you are too much!

The imminence of the conflict doesn't seem to bother them.

To the contrary,

the idea of revenge delights them.

A war against the English is always popular.

Despite austerity, even the people

place their hopes in it.

But you, as admiral of the fleet,

what do you think?

It will ruin the country, and without Austrian support,

the outcome is doubtful.

I would add, the Americans that we help

are nothing but English.

Madame...

Monsieur the Marquis de Ranreuil.

Sorry, I don't dance.

I would like to examine

the flute with which you want to run away.

- Goodbye. - Madame...

- Let me go. - Nicolas.

What are you doing?

Madame Cahuet de Villers was about to leave

with a flute that I would like to see.

- I will not permit you. - Stop being the policeman.

No one has taken anything illegally.

I'm embarrassed.

As is my father.

I have no idea what this is about,

but our records tell of your exploits,

and I hope to put an end to your intrigues.

Aimée. Admiral.

Don't I get a kiss?

There are many young men who dream of replacing me.

I wouldn't want to discourage them.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'll see you again soon,

either in the inn or behind bars!

The Cardinal Dubois

visited all the watering holes

The Cardinal Dubois

visited all the water holes

Wait.

Look.

You...

I beg you. Please...

You weren't robbed.

The King's police did well.

You smell of alcohol.

You're alive. Someone else wasn't as lucky.

- Where? - Over there.

- I saw some English. - "Some English"?

- James Harris. - The head of intelligence?

Here, at the foot of a cab.

- Sure? - Yes.

A man of his importance doesn't wander around at night.

Perhaps the motive can be found over there.

The façade of the For-l'Evêque.

A dagger to the heart and a rope next to the body.

A failed escape attempt.

With Harris in the neighborhood, no.

Your escapee cut through the bars,

without a trace of the very tool that enabled him to do it.

How do you explain that, Mazicourt?

We found nothing or maybe someone took it.

Or the tool was given to him.

It's well known, Monsieur de Mazicourt,

that you run a second-rate establishment

where gamblers, pimps, and actors are allowed.

Low-class prisoners.

The establishment is well known if you rescind the term second-rate.

"The escape was discovered at dawn by a watchman

"coming on duty.

"I was told, I was awakened.

"When I went out, the police were at the site."

Can you confirm that?

That's all, yes.

There's no mention anywhere of the identity of the prisoner.

Why?

You're testing our patience, Mazicourt.

Why was the man being held?

There was a letter with the royal seal

of which I was not authorized to keep a copy.

Yet, the law requires it, in order to advise the judge.

A letter from the king?

So it was a matter of importance.

Important enough to permit me to bend penitentiary rules.

Who was providing for his care?

A young officer, I'm not sure of his rank,

came to bring him his provisions,

candles and personal affairs.

Does this button correspond to the fuzzy memory

that you have of this young officer's rank?

They held long consultations of which I know nothing.

That's all I have to say.

There's no joy during festivities this year: bad weather,

not enough laborers,

poverty is eroding the country...

no remedies in sight that are better than the disease.

You asked for me, Your Majesty?

I had a flute made for my father-in-law,

the Emperor of Austria,

a confirmed music lover.

A prototype.

A flute in 3 pieces, by Keller.

The gift was announced to him by the embassy,

the gift was to celebrate the signature

of the military pact between Austria and France.

This alliance

must temper belligerent passions from England,

with whom war is imminent.

Because of the Americas,

where the Insurgents defy England's power.

Do you have any idea

of the importance of this matter, Marquis?

Somewhat.

If it has a high market value, the gift is above all

of immeasurable symbolic importance.

The flute disappeared right here, yesterday.

That's to say, no flute, no agreement?

Exactly.

Truly a diplomatic disaster.

It will be a pretext for Austria to remain neutral.

How can you be an ally

of a country unable to protect its royal apartments?

The English are not yet in my apartments, Sartine.

Our only hope is that a person of dubious motives

seeks financial gain.

There's still time to find the flute.

Do it quickly.

And remain as discrete as possible.

The flute is a real problem.

And please don't misunderstand, I'm talking about the instrument.

As for the appendage, everyone knows, alas, that...

that I still haven't produced a male heir for France.

Have you tried to make it sing,

by putting it in the mouth?

My head is exploding like the buzz of Notre-Dame.

And your heart blames your head for excessive drinking.

- You're not angry? - And you?

Why am I honored with your presence?

Problems with a flute are troubling the king.

Oh, really?

No misunderstanding.

An instrument of major diplomatic importance has been stolen.

Weren't you looking for a flute under Cahuet's skirt?

Exactly.

Without your intervention, I would have found it.

You know who took it. Take it back.

From someone shielded by the queen, who has hidden it?

I'll find it, Madame, and you'll help me.

Me, play a police officer? You're joking, Nicolas?

I'm not joking at all.

Are you already leaving, Nicolas?

Don't worry, Marquis,

he is not a suitor for my daughter.

In front of you

is the ensign of a ship, Emmanuel de Rivoux,

a young officer who ensures the liaison

between the admiralty and Minister of the Navy, Monsieur de Sartine.

This model

is in the recent naval riflemen units

Sartine has bestowed upon the fleet.

He raises them like Prussians, which guarantees

an obedience and loyalty of stubborn barbarity

that we find in certain dogs.

The description betrays little sympathy.

I'm just old-fashioned.

I don't appreciate those who kill in cold blood

in the name of exact science.

In the king's name, is it really homicide?

Is it true you came upon an escapee

from For-l'Evêque?

News sometimes travels faster than the facts, I see.

But it's true, a very troubling escape, indeed.

The dead man,

held at gunpoint for unclear reasons

and whose identity remains unknown,

seems, in flight, to have fallen

in a street where all the street lights were out.

A dagger appears, it stabs the man's heart,

while English extremists abound in the streets.

And in the deceased's hand,

a button from a French navy military tunic.

There you go, that's it.

It's important to emphasize

that the only witness to evoke the presence of the English

and of James Harris

was found on site reeking of alcohol.

That's enough, Pierre.

- You're being familiar. - I wasn't drunk.

Yes...

It would be nice, before decay sets in,

to sketch our anonymous victim,

and send it to those who may have known him.

Lavalée.

He painted Mrs. Bourdeau at our wedding.

In Arranet's quarters, I met a very curious bird.

Could you obtain information on a certain Emmanuel de Rivoux,

ensign of a vessel,

and provide me with a report rapidly?

Was this button missing from his tunic?

No, but a button can be re-sewn,

and he could have several jackets.

Leave nothing to chance. He's one of Sartine's men.

The object was stolen 2 days ago from the king's apartments.

"A piccolo flute from Keller."

Damn! It's worth its weight in gold.

Even more than that.

The French-Austrian alliance against the English

depends on this instrument.

That's all? A flute?

Shouldn't the king take care of his own?

He's been married 7 years.

- Pierre... - 7 years and no child.

I had one per year for 5 years running.

Not everyone is you.

Yet, it's not so difficult.

Let's get back to the flute.

It's in the hands of Lady Cahuet de Villers.

She's looking to resell it.

Discretely circulate the description of this flute

and make it be known to any fencers

that holding or reselling it will lead to the gallows.

What need to mix little gifts and treaties of military alliance

when the country is on the cusp of war?

What a crazy affair!

How futile are adult affairs.

Am I right?

Madame,

I've come to excuse myself.

But for what, my lady?

Last night, my friend, the Marquis de Ranreuil,

was very indelicate.

I can't forgive him.

But as hostess,

I can only ask you to forgive me.

No sooner said than done.

So are you angry with this Ranreuil?

I'm over it, Madame. This stupid story about a flute...

How dare he accuse a friend of the queen?

Do you know that Copeau borrowed it

as a joke at the king's apartments?

He thought it to be a gift to seal the alliance with Austria.

I hope that Copeau put it back.

I think he did so.

He would be crazy to keep it.

- A little English tea? - With pleasure.

While we still have some.

Why is your pretty face familiar to me, Miss?

What do you want, young man?

You're very kind.

I'm just a little older,

and by calling you "young man," I'm still a man.

I won't forget it if I live long enough.

I'm from the king's police force and I'd like to ask you a favor.

"Policeman," "a favor"...

You have very strange manners.

Normally, the cops take everything and leave nothing.

I think we're done for today. You may go.

What kind of favor may I do for you?

The portrait of an individual.

My good friend, Inspector Bourdeau

has a very nice portrait that you did of his wife.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I could not refuse

the friend of my good friend, Inspector Bourdeau.

We need a portrait that's in no way flattering,

as real as possible, so that we can

make an engraving and reproduce multiple copies.

See you tomorrow.

Her name is La Freluche and no one knows her origin.

Grace, innocence.

As if she came out of the blue.

The intruder was a policeman.

The Marquis de Ranreuil, otherwise known as Nicolas le Floch.

Your little escapee was expected.

The French killed the defector.

For sure.

The escape failed. Too bad.

If it was homicide, it was because they knew.

And if they knew,

could it be that your cover be exposed?

I don't think so.

The other night, they saw only you.

In no way should you be suspected.

Meaning what?

That whatever they know or don't know,

it's imperative to get rid of Nicolas Le Floch.

- Who is it? - The police officer. He came.

He left soon after with the painter.

And the girl?

She left.

Don't let him out of your sight.

He was stabbed in the heart,

in the shape of a cross, with a dagger.

I know that, my friend.

Most of his bones are broken.

Your escapee died from his fall.

And yet, they nailed him to the ground,

like a butterfly to a cork.

The blow's force and determination

betrays a sentiment of hatred, some fanatical rage.

There's evidence of passion.

Have you analyzed the rope?

- Not yet. - Do it.

The resemblance is striking.

- You're a master. - You flatter me.

How much do we owe you?

In exchange for payment, I'll keep the charcoal sketch.

The sketches are only sketches.

From a layman's point of view, they are well done.

- May I? - Of course.

Go and make copies of it.

Here.

- You can't eat paper. - Thank you.

Beautifully combed wool.

Perhaps we could gather some information from it.

Have it examined by an expert, like your tailor, Vachon.

As for concerns Monsieur de Rivoux,

the sailor is a soldier, but a man too.

He's hanging around the goddaughter of Lalande, the clockmaker,

a certain Agnès Guinguet.

Here's a little detail that will make you happy.

"Promoted to the rank of ship ensign

"at the personal discretion of the Minister,

"Antoine, Raymond, Jean, Gualbert,

"Gabriel de Sartine"...

That's enough!

That's enough! That's enough!

A war is looming up before us!

A war, a real war. Do you hear me?

Time is of the essence and France needs a fleet!

And you, all the while,

you quibble, you mince words.

"My escapee" here, "my escapee" there.

"Who murdered my escapee?"

Because you mince words.

Who is my escapee, Sir?

Are you still insisting?

How am I supposed to tell you?

Return the body, the watch

and personal effects!

He didn't have a watch.

Ah?

There was no escapee, Nicolas. There wasn't one.

Tell me who it was and the motive for the killing.

- And perhaps I would consent... - "Perhaps I would consent"?

Tell me I'm dreaming!

Tell me life is beauty, that I've lost my mind!

I'm going to make it very clear.

I prohibit you, I forbid you,

I don't want you to go any further!

I don't care about your police work.

I don't care about your duty...

Your police duties are a crock of shit.

There was no murder at For-l'Evêque.

There never has been.

You were dreaming, I was dreaming, we were all dreaming.

It's over.

Monsieur, Minister of the Navy,

I happen to have a fine portrait, which will soon be all over Paris.

A father, a mother, a neighbor,

someone will remember this man and come tell us about him.

So, I will know.

And thus, I will continue.

That seems very nice. Who...

Lavalée.

A great artist.

Here's what I'm doing with...

your portrait.

Show out the gentleman.

His Majesty is waiting for the return of his flute.

- Have you forgotten? - Not at all.

Don't bother. I know my way.

Nicolas!

Don't you understand?

It's a terrible war that's coming,

with processions for the dead and oceans of suffering.

One thing prevails in our thoughts.

The state of the nation.

Did you hear?

The rascal will not be easy to convince.

It'd be easier to convince the sun to rise in the West.

What we have to do is cover our tracks,

all our tracks.

Let's hope the notion of "tracks"

does not reach the ears of the Marquis de Ranreuil.

Madame, he calls me careless and frivolous.

Yet, if you only knew, we were very young

when we married, the King and I.

We were so young, almost children.

We knew nothing about the court life of France.

Who can claim to know anything about court life?

Very early, I had to recognize the cunning and duplicity of people,

the wickedness.

At home, I was not used to human wickedness.

I was told that I should mistrust you, like the pest.

It's nothing but jealousy. You entertain me.

The subject is a bit indecent,

but the engravings are exquisite.

In particular...

Does His Majesty talk to you about the war?

No. He doesn't want to darken my thoughts.

I know he would like to count on my father's support.

But all of that bores me.

You're right, Your Majesty.

I have a wonderful gift for you.

A very beautiful instrument made by Keller in Strasbourg.

A flute?

But what would I do with it? I play the harp.

Perhaps you could pawn it.

Knowing it comes from you,

no one would hesitate to pay a handsome price,

and you could gamble at leisure.

I can take care of everything.

Pawn it? Why not?

What do I have to lose,

since I'm told that I'm the queen.

Lady Cahuet will deny she has the flute, but she has it,

given she can't get rid of it.

And if the Austrian ambassador, who is coming, learns of the theft,

we will have lost a war that has not yet begun.

This is over my head. Excuse me if I don't get involved.

To get back to serious matters,

do you know that at Vachon's, a simple coat

costs more than a worker makes in a lifetime?

We didn't invent the world.

Yes. But nonetheless, we're part of it.

Is this English fabric?

Yes. But we cannot formally conclude

that the man was English.

Problems between our 2 countries don't hinder commerce.

Money talks first.

Given Sartine's tone of voice,

and his determination to tear up the drawing,

I'm sure he knows the stranger.

He also seems extremely interested

in a watch that the dead man was wearing.

Nonetheless,

his outcry seemed to result from real sincerity.

He asked me not to persist in our investigation.

In the higher interests of the realm, I presume.

I find myself almost inclined to give in.

The Marquis de Ranreuil is looking under the armor.

Leave Ranreuil alone. It's a war that is coming.

The state of the Nation. Nice excuse for the world's powers.

Commissioner, you are requested at the prison.

Are you crazy?

- Seize him. - Leave me alone!

You, scram. Scram, I said.

Isn't it good policy to conclude

it was a clever suicide?

All the sketches and copies of the deceased have been seized,

on orders of the king.

Sartine lost no time.

Such an artist...

If someone's silencing witnesses, there's reason to fear for his life.

He'd be here, in a pool of blood.

Perhaps they didn't find him.

I have doubts. He had a model here.

We must find the lady to whom this note is addressed.

Is there a name?

"My friend," "my love," "my sweet," and signed "SFP."

On the other hand,

this button and this cameo

point in the direction of that naval officer,

Emmanuel de Rivoux.

Come in, my friend.

Can we make another portrait of the deceased?

Alas, no.

Decay is making him unrecognizable now.

I understand your disappointment.

I conducted a new examination of the body.

A callus on the right hand intrigued me.

A callus like those on workers practicing a trade of precision.

Look.

- Gold? - Gold filings.

Under his fingernails and in the folds of his skin.

Your man was a watchmaker.

Excuse the intrusion, Your Majesty.

I wish to address the watchmaker.

Majesty, you are not obliged to answer.

I have the body of a watchmaker,

English perhaps, and it concerns me.

La Borde, help the Marquis de Ranreuil

and show him what Sartine hides

in the habitual confusion of his eloquent silence.

Go on, la Borde. Speak.

We are seated far from indiscrete ears.

What do you know on the topic of longitude?

I mean... in naval terms.

With latitude, it's essential

so that the captain can determine his position at sea with precision.

We've know about latitude since the Phoenicians.

But calculating longitude is the subject of a fierce rivalry

between us and the English.

Imagine the importance of longitude

in the context of combat, which is imminent.

To determine longitude with precision,

you need watches as precise as possible,

synchronized so that each vessel

is in the right position at the same time.

To prepare for war is often to win the war.

That's why a talented watchmaker

is a major issue between belligerent nations.

You've got the big picture, Ranreuil.

As for how to deal with it, talk to Monsieur de Sartine.

What about the damn flute? Time is of the essence.

Making progress, Your Majesty. Have no doubt.

The Minister charged me to keep you out.

You're stopping me from entering?

As a purely speculative matter,

if your master ordered you to make someone disappear,

a painter of renown,

a young woman

or the warden of a prison,

what would you do?

I'll let you judge the relevance of the question.

Perfect answer.

We serve the same master. No hard feelings, Ensign.

I did hear some turmoil in the wings.

I asked for a naval project made of cardboard.

Light, flexible,

seaworthy,

easy to repair.

In addition, less costly when one considers the price of wood.

Surely, but to make cardboard,

you need wood.

Ah, damn... yes.

I just saw the king.

His Majesty made the Count de la Borde aware of the secret.

Oh, damn!

Light and flexible.

I know about the question of longitude.

And so?

Stop, Commissioner. You've got me surrounded.

What do you want now?

The name of the escapee.

His first and last names, why he was incarcerated.

And if you know, the motive and the author of his murder.

You'll get nothing!

I've promised myself to maintain the greatest calm.

And it's costing me.

Stop, de Rivoux!

But...

You'll get nothing.

Nothing at all.

Too bad.

Perhaps Admiral Arranet can enlighten me.

I'll have the tunics of his officers checked

to see if this button is missing.

Most likely, it will have been replaced.

Or maybe not.

Where did you get this from?

The cold fingers of the murdered man, whose identity

you are concealing from me.

Look among your men, too.

Who knows, perhaps someone forgot

to report a minor detail to you.

Look on the other side of the door.

I seem to recognize his face

on this medallion found at Lavalée's studio.

A resemblance, isn't there?

For my sake,

how can a light, flexible cardboard boat,

withstand the recoil of cannon fire

without sinking?

Explain, de Rivoux! Explain!

I sent for you because I've conducted research

on the sheets used for the escapee's rope.

Well?

It proves they were soaked in a solution of lye

which corroded the fibers.

It was inevitable that it would break.

Killed twice in a manner of speaking.

By the fall and by the dagger.

Someone was upset with our apprentice spy.

Or wanted him to remain silent.

What is Nicolas doing?

Are you a gambler, Marquis?

Not in the least, Your Majesty.

My God! How bored you must be!

I need your help.

Not long ago, a person I know

offered me an object of great value.

An object she suggested that I pawn,

all, you understand, under the greatest secrecy.

Do you believe in secrets, Monsieur de Ranreuil?

I practice it more often than I should,

bit I hardly believe in secrets.

It's no secret that I gamble.

I play and I lose. I'm always coming up short.

A very pathetic queen, aren't I?

No, Your Majesty.

You're a child thrown into this hodgepodge of deceitful beings

that we call the court.

You are still young.

It's true there's a dark spot in your eyes,

a streak of wisdom beyond your years.

Perhaps it is because you are are a police officer.

Let's talk straight.

Shortly after, I was the victim of blackmail.

It's a serious matter.

Not that serious.

I'm being asked to lend money for fraudulent transactions

aimed at gambling on some influence peddling.

They've even offered me a share.

Otherwise?

They king will find out and I don't want to be disparaging to him.

The object is a flute.

A flute from Keller, in Strasbourg?

This flute is intended for your father

to seal a treaty of military alliance between Austria

and the French kingdom?

My father, my husband... I could never admit it to them.

I'm asking you to put an end to this, Marquis,

in utmost secrecy.

Is Monsieur de Fersen still not here?

Send for him. I'm tired of waiting. Go now!

If you'll excuse me...

Go, Marquis. Do your best.

Go!

Kill him!

Subtitles: Eclair Media