Original subtitles

October 1918 in Alsace, at that time part of the German Empire,

close to the border with France.

Don't be afraid.

Do you speak French?

Who are you?

I just wanted a wash. -Without asking?

I didn't think anyone was here.

I'm just passing through.

Passing through?

Where are you going?

I have to get to Holland.

Don't worry,

I'm leaving.

Then go!

Stop right there!

Do you know her?

No.

What are you doing here?

She stabbed the ensign.

And crossed the border illegally. I'm taking her to my unit.

I don't know what happened, but I want you out of my house.

Now!

Both of you! -Then tell her to come with me.

You think she'll do that voluntarily?

It's your duty as a German to help me!

I'm an Alsatian, not a German.

And that wound needs stitches.

Quick, bolt the door!

Sit down.

Bind his leg!

Here, this will help.

You have to keep still.

Now's your chance. Go!

Are you sure?

Yes.

Jesus!

Quick, help me!

Just a moment!

Open the door!

I'm coming!

My name's Hélène. -I'm Luise.

Hello.

We're looking for a soldier who's on the run.

24 years old,

about five foot ten,

dark blonde hair,

blue eyes,

a beard.

Have you seen him, by any chance?

No, we haven't seen anyone.

That may be,

but we still have to search the place.

Anywhere that he could be hiding.

Alright.

Come inside.

They let us keep it.

Because it's sick and old and hardly produces any milk.

That's not why we're here.

Do you live here alone?

No, we live together.

May I ask...

why he ran away?

We don't know yet.

All we know is that last night

he was on guard duty.

With Ensign Lau,

who was found this morning with his own dagger in his back.

How terrible...

And you're absolutely sure it was him?

Well, he suddenly ran off.

This isn't the first case we've had.

And what will happen to him when you find him?

I'd prefer to spare you the details.

My mother died three days ago.

Let her rest in peace.

My condolences.

What did she die of, if I might ask?

I don't know, I... -Wait!

I'd like to hear it from her. -She doesn't speak Alsatian.

Why didn't you mention it?

She can't speak German, either.

Interesting...

But I'm sure she can speak French, can't she?

Hélène is from Switzerland.

From Lausanne.

She's my cousin.

And how come

you, an Alsatian, are serving in the German army here?

I'm not an Alsatian.

My parents came from Colmar.

But that was long ago.

And what is your cousin doing here?

She's been helping harvest the hay.

This late in the year? -Yes, we had a lot of rain,

and then my mother got very ill.

She was getting ready to go back to Switzerland.

There's no one here.

Have you looked thoroughly? -Yes, Captain.

Everywhere? -Yes, sir.

Up in the barn? -Yes, everywhere.

Then we'll let these two cousins say goodbye.

Good day.

Be on your guard.

A young woman like you

should be wary of straying soldiers.

I'd never kill a comrade!

She stabbed him!

Why would she do that? -He tried to molest her.

Why didn't you help her?

He's my superior.

If you don't go with him,

they'll think he killed him.

I was just defending myself. I'm not going anywhere with him.

Nowhere!

What?

I won't go anywhere with you!

Come with me.

They were my father's. They should fit.

If I put them on, it'll make me a deserter.

Aren't you already?

My name is Hermann.

Luise.

Keep your leg still and rest a while.

Where will you bury her?

On the edge of the woods.

Next to Papa.

I could help you.

No.

It's too dangerous.

The dead have nothing to fear.

And we who live are obliged to pay our last respects.

Naked came I out of my mother's womb,

and naked shall I return thither.

Jesus said unto her:

"I am the resurrection and the Life.

He who believes in Me, though he may die,

he shall live."

Amen.

Amen.

Slow down.

No one will steal it.

I had no more leeks. I hope it tastes alright.

It's very good.

You speak good French.

My father was French.

And your mother?

From round here.

So, what now?

Can't you go home?

It's too far away.

And they'd ask why I wasn't on the front.

I see.

Will you let him sleep here?

Yes, in the barn.

Why?

Where else can he go?

Besides, he has to rest his leg.

Why are you doing this?

People here help each other. Even strangers.

I'm helping you too, aren't I?

Did you watch your comrade attacking her?

I wish I could have stopped him.

Then he'd still be alive.

And I wouldn't be injured.

Get some rest. Don't move your leg.

At your command!

Luise?

I'm not the kind of man to force myself on a woman.

May the Lord be merciful

and guide us to the path of peace.

Amen

There. Over there...

Hermann?

Hermann!

You think he's gone?

No!

I don't want that!

No!

We'll leave him to sleep.

We'll decide tomorrow.

We?

Shall I stay another night?

I can't sleep in there.

I didn't think fine ladies from the city did that anymore.

You think I'm a fine lady?

A good friend taught me.

I like it. It calms me down.

My mother often used to knit as well.

Do you miss her?

Yes.

A lot.

Are your parents still alive?

I don't know.

I haven't seen them for a long time. -How come?

Did you quarrel?

You have a nice room.

What will you do in Holland?

I hope that I can be myself there.

In what sense?

You sleep naked?

Nearly always, yes.

But that's not proper.

Why not?

Don't we say, "Naked as the Lord created us"?

Jesus!

Who did this to you?

My father.

The worst thing is, he claimed

it was in the name of your God.

But it's not so bad.

I'm still alive.

Shall I blow out the candle?

I'll be right there.

Good morning, Luise.

Morning.

I'm sorry I slept upstairs in your room

without asking you.

I just wanted to lie down on a real bed for a while.

Then I fell asleep. -You were drunk.

Yes, that too.

You should have seen

how I staggered up the stairs... -Watch out.

and crawled into the room.

How's the wound?

It's bleeding again.

Stay up in the bedroom until it's healed.

I'll put on a new bandage later.

I wanted to trade those eggs in the village.

Don't think too much.

I didn't fire a single shot in my first battle.

Too many thoughts...

Until Feldmann got hit next to me.

A clean shot to the head.

Shall we pray in French?

No, thank you.

Why not?

I don't believe in God.

He's lucky he doesn't exist, your dear God.

What did you say?

How can you say such a thing?

It's just what I think.

And do you...

always say what you think?

Don't you?

What's wrong?

I want you to stay.

What are you thinking?

When Papa was alive,

the three of us often sat here.

It was their favourite spot.

Right here...

They could see it all from here: their land, their farm, their cattle.

This is where...

he asked her to be his wife.

It's nice when a couple are in love and stay together for life.

Mama never really got over his death.

She became very withdrawn.

She hardly talked anymore.

It was all so silent...

Sometimes...

I hated my father for that.

It wasn't his fault.

Yes, I know.

He was a good man.

And a good father.

Why do you think you can be yourself in Holland?

Is that still on your mind? -Yes.

There, I can love a woman without having to hide.

And maybe even spend the rest of my life with her.

At least that's what I've heard.

Shall we carry on?

What's it like in the village? Are the soldiers still there?

They're planning a major offensive.

They filled the church tower with munitions.

It's safe there, they said.

The pastor is outraged. -The pastor?

Does he know your mother's dead? -No.

Did you get any food?

There.

There's no paraffin left.

We have to use the rest sparingly.

It's still bleeding.

Yes, I don't know why.

It will get infected.

What did he say?

Why is it still bleeding? -He doesn't know.

Maybe he doesn't want to get well.

Does she think I'm lying?

You think my faith would allow that?

I was on the front a long time, and I'm still alive.

I know who to thank for that.

Do you think they're attacking the French already?

No, it'd sound different.

It's just the usual skirmishes.

Will you play chess with me?

Chess?

Yes, chess.

Come here, I'll teach you.

This is my queen. And that's my king.

The French cavalry!

Your turn.

I know you don't like me much,

but I don't mean you any harm.

I don't know about you, but where I come from

you don't talk while playing.

I'm sorry about what happened in the woods.

I couldn't help you.

Stop prattling and play.

I hope we can start afresh.

I sometimes think it was God's will.

Don't you?

A few days ago I never thought I'd be playing chess with a French woman.

And such a pretty one, too...

So, young lady...

you walked into my trap.

Check mate.

It's the first time I've seen you smile.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

No...

It suits you better.

We do not know which dawn is breaking

Over there

Carrying the unknown in its hands

We tremble before the future

Our dream

Fears the new day

Did you just make that up? -Who knows...

Do you know any poems?

No, not a single one.

Don't be shy.

Okay...

October sky, with stars adorned

A crackling fire to keep you warm

Are you sure that's a poem? -Yes, what do you think?

Is that my Bible?

It was by the bed, I thought...

I don't want you going in my parents' room.

I'm sorry.

I always had a Bible on me, but I lost it while we were on the move.

A tiny leather edition with gold pages.

It fitted perfectly in my bullet pouch.

Feldmann used to mock me:

"What use is God's word when you're out of bullets?"

Now he's six feet under.

And I'm here.

Sleep well.

"For little Luise, our greatest blessing."

Like a fine lady from the city...

Yes?

Aren't you coming out anymore?

We could play cards.

A woman in trousers... I never thought I'd see such a thing!

It was a long day. Good night.

Good night. -Thank you. Sleep well.

What are you doing?

You're afraid of what you don't know.

It's perfectly normal.

You have pretty hands.

You think so?

I think they're...

worn out.

They're very pretty.

What are you planning?

Tonight I'll go to the woods to get some dry branches.

What if someone sees you?

No one will see me. I know what I'm doing.

But it's nice that you care.

It's been a long time since anyone cared about me.

These days, family is the only thing you can rely on.

Maybe you should start your own family.

Luise...

I haven't forgotten how you helped me in my time of need.

Thank you for the cross.

I want to sleep alone tonight.

Why?

Because he's peeping...

through the door?

Or from outside,

through the shutters?

Or is he hiding in the dresser?

Or under the bed?

There he is, our German friend!

Stop it! -Come out, show yourself!

We missed you!

You and your gun and your nice uniform!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Stop it, please.

Out of the question!

I won't give up that easily.

I'll stop on one condition:

That you spend the night in my strong arms.

And what if I don't?

Then I'm afraid I'll have to force you.

Stay here.

Why did you do that?

Kill the enemy or he'll kill you.

What are you doing?

Stay here and keep you head down. Or leave.

I saw the two of you.

What do you mean?

You and Hélène.

Last night. I saw everything.

It's wrong.

It goes against nature and the will of God.

And you know it.

Shall we go?

No.

Why not?

I don't feel well.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Is it because of the fox?

I just want to be alone.

What happened? -Nothing.

Are you afraid that Hermann... -Enough questions!

I want to be alone.

That's all.

The first time the fox was here,

the Lord was trying to warn us. It was a sign.

But we didn't see it.

Warn us about what?

I think you know that.

About the sickness

that godless Frenchwoman infected you with, bringing nothing but evil.

Or did it come and kill the chickens so often before?

You think it's God's punishment?

God sees everything.

Last night I dreamed that I died.

I was lying in the woods...

and I couldn't move.

I screamed that I was dead,

and asked why no one noticed.

But no one was there

except the huge dark trees

and the stars in the sky.

Suddenly I heard your voice.

You leaned over me and touched my face.

I was so happy that you were with me.

You'll never go away with me, will you?

Will you?

Why do you ask?

You know why.

And you?

Would you stay here and help me run the farm?

Just the two of us?

Once the war is over

we can keep cows again, and pigs...

But that's not your dream.

Is it?

I wish it was,

but I can't do that.

Are you sure?

I'm absolutely certain.

Quick, hide!

Who is it?

A friend.

Good evening, mademoiselle.

Good evening.

Are you alone?

Yes.

I'm eating my supper.

I don't mean to intrude, it's just...

I just wanted to check that everything's all right.

That's very nice of you.

I'm doing fine.

What is it?

Do you want to come in?

Come in.

But this time we'll have a drink.

If you insist.

You know,

since last time, I've often wondered

how you manage all on your own.

I manage just fine.

Santé, as they say here.

To your health.

And you'll finish the harvest all on your own?

Yes.

Are there no men in the village to help?

No,

they're all gone.

Except the old ones. -Yes...

War takes your men and our comrades.

That's true.

I buried my mother alone near the woods.

All alone?

It took the whole day.

I can see you're managing well on your own.

But I'm sure someone else was sitting at the table just now.

What gives you that idea?

There's no one here.

So we're alone?

So why is your cousin's luggage still there?

Spit it out.

Where is your cousin?

Does she even come from Switzerland?

Or is she from the other side?

A French woman?

Our enemy?

That's enough!

Stop it!

Please.

I'm staying here until you tell me the truth.

You've been playing games for long enough.

Leave her alone! -Kruse?

I won't harm you.

Where is the French woman?

Good evening, madame.

Enjoy it.

It may be your last.

You know, Kruse...

I can understand you.

I've often thought of running away too.

We all just want to go home.

Four years is enough.

I don't even blame you for leaving your unit in the lurch.

But stabbing a comrade from behind in cold blood...

I can't forgive you that.

It was her who stabbed him.

Tell that to the tribunal.

For the last time,

I'll give you until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Don't let me see that wretched woman here after that.

Understood?

Understood? -Yes.

Good.

What if they kill him? -They won't.

Up to now he's managed to survive.

I'm glad, because sooner or later

he'd have taken everything.

Even you, as a woman.

Perhaps.

Yes.

Don't you think it's better this way?

How can one woman love another?

What good will come of it?

Why would God want that?

It won't lead anywhere.

It's like a sickness.

Excuse me, Luise?

What are you saying?

It's a sickness.

And without faith in God...

there is no hope of a cure.

If it's a sickness,

then we are both sick.

You're still alive!

What is it?

What happened?

Where's the captain?

If anyone asks...

he was never here.

Luise, leave him...

He's a murderer.

Just like you.

But I was only defending myself.

You would have done the same in my shoes.

What should he have done?

He would have taken him straight to the gallows.

That's where he belongs.

We always have a choice.

Exactly.

Hermann?

Come in.

I thought you were dead.

I thought so too.

When the war is over

and you go home again...

will anyone be waiting for you?

No.

Why do you ask?

Would you like someone to be waiting?

Of course.

What a question!

Every man needs a woman.

And children.

Shall we pray?

No.

I'm sorry.

It's been a long time since I kissed a woman.

Slowly... slowly.

Very slowly.

Now we are husband and wife.

It's me, Luise. Don't be scared, it's me.

Hélène.

What is it?

I want to go away with you.

Why did you change your mind?

Because I want to stay with you.

And what does your dear Lord say about it?

What does he say?

I don't know.

All I know...

is what I feel.

You were right.

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid of what I don't know.

But when I'm with you,

I'm not afraid.

It's as if it was meant to be.

I'll come with you.

Are you sure?

Absolutely certain.

Luise?

Here, for you.

Thank you.

What's going on?

We're going away.

Where to?

To Holland.

To Holland? Are you totally mad?

It's teeming with soldiers.

We'll be careful.

I won't let her drag you into ruin.

I've made my decision.

So why did you come to see me last night?

Because I wanted to.

But it's not right for me.

I want to say goodbye to my parents.

Hurry up.

You endured drought and icy winters,

bad harvests, loss of cattle and war...

But you didn't let it grind you down.

You were always there for each other.

As husband and wife.

Just as God intended it.

You probably wanted several children,

but the Lord had other plans.

And thus, little Luise was your greatest blessing.

Stop it.

You moulded Luise in your image

and wanted her to find a good man to help her run the farm.

Last night, I saw the true Luise.

And I have faith

that the Lord will bring your beloved daughter to her senses.

She is our Lieschen, after all.

What are you doing?

Go on... shoot me.

Luise!

Don't shoot!

You're still thinking too much.

Luise...

I don't mean you any harm, I just want to save you.

Don't look.

Our Father, who art in Heaven...

We do not know which dawn is breaking

Over there

Carrying the unknown in its hands

We tremble before the future

Our dream fears the new day

Do you hear that, Luise?

It's the first time in four years.

It's forbidden to ring the bells.

If they all start ringing at once

it can only mean one thing.

Our prayers have been heard.

The war is over.

I'm a free man now. And your husband, if you want.