Original subtitles

Fant�mas!

You were saying?

Fant�mas!

Good Lord!

Fant�mas.

What do you mean, Inspector?

Nothing. Nothing and everything.

You've never heard speak of him?

You're amusing, my dear Juve. Of course, I've heard.

The Beast of Gevaudan also, however...

I'm amusing aren't I?

What is it, this "Fant�mas"?

No one. But...

However someone.

But what does he do, this someone?

He terrifies.

We're out of luck.

To have to leave in such weather.

When I think that the end of Autumn was so glorious.

Yes. but we must steel ourselves.

Yes. You're right.

This Armagnac is remarkable.

Harness the horses, Julien.

With this weather, it's better to go about it in advance.

- Are your bags packed, Juve? - Yes.

No, stay.

Are you staying some time in Lot?

The shortest time possible.

Basically, I don't like the countryside.

Do the police uncover all crimes?

No! Not half.

And justice scarcely punishes a quarter.

Some criminals are enigmatic beings,

difficult to detect, too clever.

Or too intelligent to be caught.

The police are more advanced nowadays than before.

No doubt, but

criminals know how to enjoy the discoveries of science.

Fant�mas?

Yes. Fant�mas.

Even if your superiors don't believe it.

One day they will realise the obvious.

Fant�mas...

Exists.

But who is he?

Impossible to say, Princess.

He embodies himself sometimes

in the personality of a specific individual, or even known.

He can also be two people at once.

Does he act alone?

In most cases, yes.

But he can also have accomplices.

Fant�mas!

Is he not simply the devil?

No, Father.

No. He exists.

He's a living being.

But I have still to learn who hides beneath these different masks.

This is extraordinary.

How one man

can happen to commit all these crimes?

And escape all the wiles, the searches of police.

It's fascinating.

But my dear Charles,

you frighten me.

You seem to be seduced.

Indeed.

It's the saints who wear haloes,

not criminals.

My dear boy, it's getting late and you must get up early.

You're right, Godmother, I'll go to bed.

I wish you good evening.

Good luck, M. Inspector.

I'm sure one day, you will catch your Fant�mas.

Thank you, my dear Charles.

I really like this boy.

A little excited, but his mother is severely ill.

Really? I did not know.

She's in a nursing home.

She has lost her mind.

Mad?

Yes, the father disappeared, years ago in Colombia.

He was never heard from again.

The carriage is waiting, Ma'am.

The bags are packed, shall I fetch them?

Please Julien.

But, in fact, Inspector...

Why have you talked about Fant�mas

regarding the disappearance of Lord Beltham?

There's a strange fact, Father,

when I investigated

at the request of Lady Beltham who was very worried,

I discovered a visiting-card signed Fant�mas.

I'll show you.

But there's no name on this card.

You're right, Princess.

There's no name on this card, and yet...

It is the way of Fant�mas.

Even on paper, he appears, and then...

disappears.

Lord Beltham...

The former English ambassador?

Absolutely.

He went to fight in Kenya against the rebels.

His wife was a devoted...

Please Adrien, my bag.

You made me so afraid with your visiting-card,

that I'll check my lottery ticket still has the winning number.

Would it be indiscreet to ask...

how much does it amount to, your prize?

100,000 francs. All the newspapers have mentioned it.

They even published my picture.

Rest assured, I will restore your presbytery.

I didn't mean to suggest...

Mary, quickly. Thank you.

What a bore to be obliged to go to Paris

to receive that money.

Many people would like to have that kind of trouble.

My dear, go no further, you'll catch cold.

Overnight by train!

Fortunately, the inspector will be with me.

We won't have the same sleeper.

All the quieter for you to dream of Fant�mas

Madame la Marquise, it's me, Jules.

Wake up.

- I'm coming. - Wake up, it's me.

What is it, Jules?

What will you do during your holidays?

I'm not sure. My wife is expecting, you know.

I hope it's not twins.

Madame la Marquise wishes something?

No, I never take lunch.

Very good.

Talk about optimism.

- When does one arrive in Paris? - This is Juvisy, Paris in 20 minutes.

Did you sleep well?

You say that with my wife in crisis overnight.

I slept well, I have no wife.

You're lucky.

- Where are we now? - Can't you see? Juvisy.

How far from Paris?

He just told you, in 20 minutes.

Excuse me. Please.

- When will we arrive in Paris? - In 20 minutes.

- 20 minutes? - 20 minutes, yes.

Excuse me.

Anyway, of the stock market, I know nothing.

What matters is to arrive in Paris.

I asked her if she wanted her breakfast.

She did not, and then I saw her leave at Juvisy.

All right. You can go.

Gentlemen, can I dismiss the convoy?

But if M. Inspector sees no objection.

Yes, go ahead.

The motive is obvious, Judge,

The lottery ticket has disappeared,

the assassin must already have got to it.

But who could have done the deed?

Do you have any idea?

Someone who is capable of changing

their personality, their dress.

I have a wife who's about to give birth.

Don't you realize...

No, M. Juve, you will not

once more bring out your Fant�mas.

Everyone in high places as you very well know,

has had a good laugh at your story.

Fant�mas, M. Juve, does not exist.

You are wrong to laugh, Judge,

You have three years of practice, I, more than twenty.

I know Fant�mas exists.

I have often seen death up close,

dozens of criminals have sworn my death. Every day

I receive threatening letters, it matters little to me.

But Fant�mas, yes, Judge, I'm afraid because

I know that nothing, absolutely nothing will stop him.

I know his audacity is limitless.

Good morning, gentlemen.

It's about the disappearance Lord Beltham.

- Something new? - Perhaps.

I have learned that Lord Beltham was on good terms with a certain Gurn.

He'd known him in Kenya and served under him.

I thought that a search at his home...

This Gurn lives in London?

Oh no, in Paris. In the 20th arrondissement,

At 18 Rue Levert.

Mme. concierge?

M. Gurn, please.

He's gone away, it's not been long.

I would nevertheless like to see his apartment.

If you'd like to accompany me...

It's not too early. You've come to take the luggage?

Luggage? Yes, that's it, I've come for luggage.

There's no hurry at your place, eh?

15 days I've waited to remove those packages.

Gurn told me they would come a few days after his departure.

" The South of Chie Company."

South Steamship Company. That's right, yes.

Where did you put your truck?

Oh no, I'm Inspector of the South Steamship Company.

I just estimate the importance of the luggage.

I thought you were well dressed.

If you'd like to take me.

It's the first floor. Hey! Are your shoes clean?

Because I've just done the steps.

M. Gurn is often absent?

Yes, he works for a travel company.

Always leaving. I don't like it.

But it pays.

Really? Is he generous?

Very generous.

A little air wouldn't hurt.

Has he family?

M. Gurn? Oh no, he's single.

A girlfriend?

Better than a girlfriend. Certainly a society lady.

She comes in the afternoon, always veiled.

She hurries by the lodge.

It is not unusual to not get a coin.

Concierge?

I'm on the first. What do you want?

M. Gurn, does he live here?

Come on up, I'm in his room.

Another for M. Gurn, today.

He gets a lot of visits?

No, apart from the lady.

No doubt your employees.

We've come from the South Steamship Company to remove two trunks.

You're not together?

No, we're not with this gentleman. Come on.

No, sorry. Please do not remove them.

Why not? They're the trunks of M. Gurn.

Don't touch these trunks.

You should let us do our work.

Police!

Inspector Juve. Security Service.

I'll return to my lodge.

No, stay here.

Gentlemen, return to your office

and ask for your supervisor. His name?

M. Wooland.

Ask M. Wooland to come here with all the papers

relating to the shipment of M. Gurn.

No problem, the office is on the corner.

Why did you impersonate another?

For information, after all.

I'm an informer. Don't you have a record?

Alright, well then?

This M. Gurn, what's he like?

A gentleman very dark, quite tall, clean shaven like an Englishman.

No distinguishing marks.

He looks like everyone else.

Yes.

M. Gurn, you said he had a mistress.

- They went out together? - No, sir.

This lady has she spent the night here?

No sir, never.

Yes, of course.

A married woman.

I didn't say that. I never said she was married.

No, no!

Charles?

But what you doing here, my boy?

The death of your poor godmother.

Yes, it's abominable.

She was like my mother. She raised me.

I'll catch her killer.

But how did you find me here?

- I followed you. - Followed?

For a week I've shadowed you every day.

Every day? I've not noticed.

But why?

I won't leave my lodge 37 years me.

I want to become a policeman.

Listen, my boy, stay here, wait for me.

We'll talk about it.

Does M. Gurn has an accent?

No, he speaks French like you and me.

Up you get!

Lord Beltham.

How long since you last saw M. Gurn?

Two weeks.

No, three weeks.

I don't know, I...

Since then, nobody's been here.

He's quite stiff.

That's curious,

There's no smell of decomposition. The cold?

The building is heated.

A small patch here another spot.

Yes. That's the explanation.

Why the body exudes no odour.

The killer injected the veins with a solution of zinc sulfate.

Of course, there's no means of identification.

Did you know him?

Never seen him.

Yet he's up here.

I don't know. I don't know.

You can go, if we need you, we'll ring.

I'm Harry Wooland, Director of the South Steamship Company.

Inspector Juve.

Sorry for troubling you.

Sir, would you be so kind to provide me with your file

on the shipping of these trunks?

Four days ago, the 14th to be exact.

We received a letter

in which Lord Beltham invited us to take on this date

two trunks to be found at M. Gurn's.

It stated in this letter to have them sent

to Johannesburg where he would take delivery.

In what name?

Beltham.

You would certainly have learned from the newspapers

that Lord Beltham disappeared some weeks ago.

I'd heard talk of his disappearance

but it was not for me to judge his behavior.

There was no reason

to suspect anything.

I usually take care

to mind my own business.

Is my presence still needed?

Poor Lord Beltham.

A sad end to an ambassador, in a trunk.

- I've found something. - Show me.

This is a map of Lot. The part circled in red.

The chateau of Beaulieu.

It's Gurn who could have murdered your godmother.

There's no other reason to mark the location.

He went there, biding his time.

As he couldn�t do anything, he boarded the train

to accomplish his crime.

Charles, my boy,

the assassination of your aunt,

the murder of Lord Beltham,

Gurn,

Gurn is Fant�mas.

Finally a real trail.

This time, I have it, I'm sure.

And it is thanks to you, Charles.

Look, you wanted to become a police officer but,

it's all a learning process.

You should start at the bottom of the ladder.

This is what I propose:

You have the intuition, you love that which is a mystery, to the police.

You shall become a reporter.

- Reporter? - Exactly.

You'll find one of my friends, an editorial assistant

on an evening paper.

- La Capital? - That's it.

Write reports of news items, I'll furnish the information.

- Great. - Hang on.

Charles Rambert, this is not a good name.

For a journalist, you need a name that's more memorable,

with an unusual first name

and an ending that sings.

A name a bit like Fant�mas.

Yes. Fan... Fandar...

Fandor. You're going to call yourself Jerome Fandor.

Jerome Fandor. Yes, I like it.

Inspector Juve and Jerome Fandor versus Fant�mas.

The Princess has enjoyed herself?

Yes, I was at the premiere of...

"Chien Andalou".

This is a film of a certain Bu�uel.

A surrealist.

- My God, why not? - Ah, cinema!

The elevator for The Princess Danidoff.

Nadine!

Undress me and undo my hair.

A little higher.

I'm so tired.

- Do be careful. - I don't want to be hit.

On your knees, Nadine.

Ask my forgiveness or I'll dismiss you.

Forgive me, forgive me, Mistress.

That's fine.

I've finished with you. Leave me now.

I'll finish undressing you.

No, return to your room, it's getting late.

Well, I think a bath would do me good.

I'll prepare it.

Everything is ready.

Nadine?

Are you still there?

Nadine?

My poor eyes are full of you like a pool in the moonlight

I beg you on bended knees, Oh blonde that seems so dark

Apollinaire, The Melancholy Watcher.

I, too, am watching you, Madame.

What do you want? Leave or I'll cry out.

Above all, do not shout, do not move.

Or you are dead.

To ring is rather difficult.

You defend your modesty.

God, you are beautiful, Madame.

If you need money, jewelry,

take it, but leave.

Your jewelry is beautiful.

But...

Your diamond...

is of an admirable purity.

But it's too tight.

Even with soap.

There's only one thing to do.

This blade is very sharp.

And if your finger is so slim.

So fragile.

You take me for a cat burglar.

Don't you know you are beautiful enough

to inspire passions of the most violent kind?

But I don't know you.

I do.

And that's what matters.

You play an abominable game.

If I had been presented to you in a salon

or the foyer of the opera,

surely you would have noticed me less than tonight.

How did you get in here?

Ask me rather how I'll get out.

This joke has gone on long enough.

Leave, I wish it.

I wish it?

You forget to whom you speak?

It's true I didn't present myself.

Oh, Princess!

You are right to have a weapon.

Paris is very, very dangerous at night.

Really, one has no right to be so beautiful.

Take this money.

Unnecessary, Princess. Keep it as a present.

I have just won the lottery.

But then, what are you doing here?

You are a feast for the eyes, dear Madame.

Won�t you accompany your visitor?

Here's my card, I hope we shall meet again.

And now I must leave.

Count slowly to ten and after, or a little later, you shout...

'Stop him!

Stop him!

One...

two...

three...

four...

five...

Six...

Seven...

eight...

Nine...

Ten.

Stop him!

Stop him!

No, thank you.

This is the Rev. William Hope

asking for the honor to be received by you, Lady Beltham.

He arrives from your northern estate.

- The good reverend. - Tell him to come.

Why are you laughing, Lisbeth?

I suspect the Reverend has dined poorly on the express

and one should fill the house with the aroma

of tea and muffins.

The Reverend is above material things.

He gave me a sermon, last month

on the respect and esteem which is due to food.

He said: A poorly cooked pheasant

is a pheasant which has died in vain.

You are a mischief maker.

My Bible! My Bible!

Sin is past. Happy is the man...

Oh, Reverend! Enter!

I present my deepest respects, Lady Beltham.

I am delighted to see you again.

A cup of tea?

Oh, my goodness.

I dined especially poorly on the train and I confess...

Do you not think the aroma of this tea quite fine?

I was going to say.

Oh, these muffins!

A little orange marmalade?

Oh Lord!

Please ladies, a little calm.

We have work to do with the Reverend.

- Take your papers. - Yes, Lady Beltham.

The trip to Scotland went well?

Well, our farmers of Scotwell Hill

are full of courage and goodwill,

but the winter will be harsh.

Have you distributed the woolen clothing to the women and children?

Yes, we've given more than 1,200.

I hope we did not exclude from this distribution

families openly liberal.

I want charity to be equal for all.

And not just for our conservative friends.

This is a very Christian concept.

And the Glasgow Sanatorium?

Construction is almost complete.

I also made a donation at Pentonville Prison,

where I have just been named chaplain.

Very good, Reverend.

You asked me to remind you about the coal.

That we should make a free distribution.

Would you like to address tonight

that which concerns the late Lord Beltham?

You may go.

I am listening.

The death of your spouse

has very much moved the people on your estates.

The memory of Lord Beltham is not sullied by any slander?

Have no fear of that.

The people of Scotwell Hill know

that the murderer could not be found,

but that a price is on his head.

And they all wish for the police...

Oh, forgive me for reviving...

No, my dear Reverend,

you have done well.

But I am a little... tired now.

Do not abuse your strength, Milady.

We all have need of you.

I will retire and if I may,

we shall continue tomorrow.

Yes, thank you. Elizabeth, Theresa?

Please escort the Reverend.

You may then retire yourselves.

We will see the rest tomorrow.

What on earth is it? Lisbeth? Theresa?

I'm afraid.

A thief, I saw him through the window.

With the steward and gardener, they fought like mad.

Come now.

Calm down my children, calm down. Come.

It's nothing.

We made our rounds with the gardener

when we saw a man who was hiding.

We called him, he ran away.

We ran after him, when we caught him, he resisted,

There was a struggle. We beat him black and blue.

We have him. He's locked up in the linen room.

And my wife has called the police.

Why makes you think he's a thief?

You should see his clothes, and what was he doing in the garden?

What did he say?

Not much. And you know the strength of Walter.

I disapprove of brutality.

You should have questioned him before the beating.

The Gospel says: He who lives by the sword

dies by the sword.

Go and fetch Walter.

When I think I've gathered you here

and you're not safe with me.

How can one enter here so easily?

I thought the gate was repaired.

It was, he went by the boundary wall.

What does he say?

He wants to see you because you are a friend of the poor.

And that your charity was inexhaustible.

I will see him.

It's dangerous.

He may be a madman.

And if it's a trick?

After striking Lord Beltham,

Perhaps he wants an attempt on your life?

I will see him.

I will be more merciful than you.

Bring him to me here.

Obey me,

I shall go to the salon.

Come, my darling children, the excitement is over.

- Go back to bed. - Oh, no.

Rest assured, I'm in no danger.

Go on.

Go on.

Yes, enter.

I will only talk to you alone.

Alone?

What can you tell me that is so important?

You know the unfortunate.

In their distress, they do not like to humble themselves before those

who cannot understand them.

Yes.

You may go

and there's no need to stay behind the door.

Oh, Gurn. I love you, I love you.

Gurn, my life, I love you, I love you.

Come.

Fool, they could have caught you without my knowing.

Given you to the police.

Yes.

The police are on my trail.

The other night, Juve failed to catch me at the door of an inn.

He has my picture.

It was sent to all the police stations.

There's bound to be some amateur sniffing the reward.

Do you think the police know

exactly what happened?

No.

They don't know we are lovers.

We took the necessary precautions.

Were they sufficient, my love?

My husband was in no doubt.

If he hadn't surprised us,

he would still be alive.

Maud,

I only shot your husband because he was going to kill you.

If Juve arrests you, he'll make you confess.

To confess can sometimes be a trap one sets, or a weapon.

I admit,

if I left for London or America, it would be better.

Would you come with me?

Wherever you are, wherever you go,

I want to be with you. We'll meet tomorrow

at Saint-Roch.

We will prepare your flight.

My flight?

Our flight.

Lead this man to the gate,

Do him no harm either. He is free.

- Come on. - There he is.

Gurn! That's Gurn.

He is the murderer. Bring him to the Quai des Orf�vres.

I'll be right back.

Go on.

Lady Beltham. Forgive the fuss.

We were trailing Gurn some days, but he managed to escape.

Tonight your steward's wife called us.

You stayed some time

with this individual.

Why did you agree to receive him?

Compassion. I gave him alms of a few francs

to find shelter.

He has one now, don't worry. You see,

I am convinced that he is the murderer of your husband.

I'll confound him.

Would you tell me, Madam,

if you recognize the man

who is in the dock?

Yes,

I know the prisoner.

He is called... Gurn.

How do you know him?

When my husband, Lord Beltham,

was in Kenya at the time of the insurrection of the natives,

Gurn was a Sergeant in the army.

That is where we met him.

Did you see much of him at that time?

No, very little. I learned his name

by chance.

And then?

My husband and I arrived back in England

on the same steamer as Gurn.

We were first class, of course, and he was, I believe, in second.

M. Valgrand, I saw you in "Death of the Tiger".

You were magnificent.

Could you sign an autograph?

Of course, with pleasure.

We will return to that.

Yes.

I would like to ask you

if, in the street,

you met the accused, a few months later,

would you have recognized him?

I'm sure I wouldn't, Your Honour.

The proof is that, just before his arrest,

I spoke with this individual without doubting for a moment

that this wretch was Gurn.

It has been said,

there was a rumour current in society,

that the accused was enamoured of you.

And on your side...

It's a calumny.

Your Honour...

I hold for Lady Beltham the most profound respect.

Those who peddled this rumour are liars.

It is I who killed...

I've found my character for "The Bloody Stain".

I've shown no disrespect to his honour.

Why did you kill Lord Beltham?

Your Honour, I think I have already said this.

Lord Beltham became threatening, he lost his temper with me.

In a moment of madness, I shot him... and I killed him.

You are entranced.

Look at him.

He is sublime.

I won't be satisfied with this simple statement.

I will be his exact double.

It'll be a smash hit.

Call Inspector Juve.

I swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth.

Give your evidence.

Gentlemen, so far,

the police have remained powerless,

and justice disarmed

before the assassination of the Marquise de Langrune

and the indecent assault of Princess Sonia Danidoff

at the Royal Palace hotel.

I dare to say

that the cases of Langrune, Danidoff and of course the Beltham case

are attributable to one and the same person, Gurn.

I have discovered he possessed a map which clearly shows

the accused went to the chateau of Beaulieu.

Hindered there, he took the train and killed the Marquise.

He put on the dress of his victim, alighting at Juvisy

going to the lottery office to claim the F100,000 winning ticket.

In addition, he signed his visit to Princess Danidoff

by having the impudence to present his card.

For the man who can devise and carry out

crimes so terrible,

who joins audacity to science,

the invention of evil to the sham of respectability.

This Gurn who was

a Proteus, confusing, until now, the police pursuit.

This man, this Gurn,

it is not Gurn we should call him, it's Fant�mas.

Are you sure about that?

Two years ago the steamship Lancaster

of the Red Star Company, between Dieppe and Caracas

sank when she had just reached the high seas

The ship went down and 250 people lost their lives.

At the time, I met the sole survivor of the disaster.

This sailor, the stoker Thorgan,

told me he saw the man who had deposited in the engine room

the box containing the explosives.

The description of this man is exactly that of Gurn.

Produce the witness.

He was found hanged

a few hours later.

I ask to speak.

You may speak.

I have just listened to a lot of wild nonsense

on some old story.

My client is not charged, as far as I know,

with hanging the Lancaster sailor.

Or blowing up a boat.

I do not see the connection between Princess Danidoff and M. Gurn.

This story of the visiting card seems

a joke in rather poor taste.

As for the map found at Gurn's

it could have been forgotten by the previous tenant

When one wants to accuse, one provides evidence

not incredible hypotheses.

Your turn will come.

Excuse me.

I ask for a further investigation.

Gurn,

do you have a disclosure to make?

There is still time.

The jury would comply.

I don't understand, I don't understand at all.

Advocate General, do you wish to demand

further investigations as requested by Inspector Juve?

No, M. President, the statements of the Inspector

are too vague.

Very well.

The Court will now consider the matter.

The Court,

considering that the testimony of M. Juve

rests on suppositions,

rejects further investigation.

You may withdraw.

You may withdraw.

So, M. Gurn?

Cease bringing me my meals. I told your colleague.

I no longer have the means. Prison food will suffice.

Here.

Take this.

Go on. And after we'll sort it out.

What's this about?

I met a lady in the street the other night.

Is it you Nibet? She asked.

It's me, Nibet.

We chatted, the two of us, on the pavement.

The lady was veiled, the street was deserted.

She stuffed some bank notes into my hand.

Not a few... a real bundle.

Making me understand that if I was interested in you,

she would be interested in me.

And if things went well, there would be more notes.

So it's you who replaces

- your mate? - Yeah.

That, too, is unexpected.

It's been quite some time I asked for the position.

I had in my file three letters from members of the opposition.

It's to them that one grants the most favors.

But despite that, nothing happened.

And the other day I was called to the Department of Justice.

There, an employee told me that a highly placed person was interested in me.

Thereupon, the other was appointed to Poissy

and it's me who's succeeded him. Amazing, eh?

Yes.

I heard tell, that you'd been appointed Sergeant

in Kenya during the rebellion.

As for me, I've never got further than Corporal.

Strange that a man like you, serious,

steady, former military man

could have committed such a crime.

It concerns a woman, a crime of passion?

In a moment of madness...

- I was angry. - Really?

Gurn Condemned to Death

The end of Fant�mas by Jerome Fandor

Buy "The Capital",

Clemency for the murderer is rejected.

Buy "Paris Soir" Buy "La Capitale".

Lady Beltham had a strange weakness

facing the killer.

There have been various interpretations.

For some, she was mad with grief after the death of her husband.

Others, including myself,

think that if she was crazy,

it was for the murderer of her husband.

Martyr or accomplice.

Accomplice? You're crazy, Edward.

The fact remains that the death sentence for Gurn

was much applauded.

Especially when we think we know that it concerns the famous Fant�mas.

If you want to know who resembles Gurn

You only have to look at Valgrand.

He is the spitting image of the assassin,

a idea of genius.

You heard that murmur when he entered the stage.

My friend.

You must be so tired.

Done in, Madame.

How was I?

- Perfect. - Magnificent.

Stupendous.

No but, frankly?

You have attained

the pinnacle of your art.

- Really, was it good? - It was remarkable.

And Borda... Bonardin, the leading man?

He wasn't bad?

Yes, but without any equal proportion. He lacked breadth.

You don't know how I've worked.

When we started rehearsing, ask Charlot,

the play just didn't exist.

It did not exist.

Even my role was flat, insignificant.

I looked the author in the eye and I said:

Frantz, the lawyer's tirade

is totally useless.

What do I do whilst he's talking?

I will make my own case.

And the prison scene?

Can you imagine, he wanted to stick a pastor in there.

I said to Franz: You must write him out.

What I will do whilst he's preaching?

I will preach in his place. I will preach to myself.

In other words, I did everything.

I was right, wasn't I?

You can see what a triumph it was.

And my profile? Does it resemble Gurn?

It's uncanny.

It was so easy. Same size, same shape.

You look so like one another, it is beyond belief.

And my beard?

I let grow on purpose. It's the real thing.

Do I look like an idiot?

If you don't believe me, I take you for an idiot, yes.

My life interests me much less than you think.

Remorse for having killed keeps me awake

day and night.

Yes, I understand.

But still... Of course,

death, once it's over, you feel nothing.

But before there's the fear.

It tears at you.

I've seen them, the others sentenced to death.

Even those who try to be dignified,

there's terror in their eyes.

I'll take the chloral. Listen, Nibet,

I give you my word of honor

to be back here, an hour before mounting the scaffold.

Getting you out is no problem.

I'll give you a guard's uniform to put over your outfit.

The man on the gate is a pal, I can get round him..

Only this, there's no way I can get away myself.

And there are other guards who do the rounds.

My absence will be spotted sooner than yours.

There is a solution.

You let me out, you leave me.

You come back and you look for me two hours later.

Come on, you're kidding me.

Wait,

Maybe I have an idea.

How much will you give me?

50,000

60,000.

70.

Agreed. But listen.

Once in the room, I put on your handcuffs.

It won't be very convenient for you.

But in love, we always get by. And for me,

it will be a very good guarantee.

I'll leave you for one hour, not a second longer.

Will you join us for supper?

Colonel, this is very kind,

But I'm too tired.

I won't insist.

We will return to applaud you.

I hope you will not be alone.

I didn't even have the heart to remove my makeup.

Give me my mail.

Here it is.

Rose.

Madeleine Delarbre...

4, villa... 14th.

She doesn't please you?

Sir, won't you ever be serious?

A lover, in love with life.

- Leave us alone. - This is very urgent.

- Who sent you? - A lady.

Thank you.

It must be a request for help.

A lady in deep mourning.

Better and better.

"We know that to interpret the role of the criminal

"tonight in The Bloody Stain"...

Listen to this.

"you have taken on the exact look and appearance of Gurn,

"the killer of Lord Beltham.

We await you, in costume,

"at 2 o'clock sharp in the morning

"22 Rue Messier.

"Come secretly. We love you.

"We want you."

Is it signed?

There's a postscript.

"Keep the utmost secrecy, and burn this letter

"once read."

That's understandable.

Charlot? It's burned.

You're not going in your stage costume?

Then I'll have to clean it.

This is the most desirable woman, the most beautiful,

the most distinguished,

the most charming in the whole world.

You seem like a schoolboy.

So much the better.

My hat.

Tell me, where is this street...

Messier? That's something else.

Look on the map.

Oh, Sir. It's the street with the prison.

- Which prison? - La Sant�.

For prisoners on death row, Gurn's prison.

Then off to prison.

What an extraordinary person!

How perverted, can you imagine?

She wants to spend the night with one who looks like the man

who will die.

Is it you?

It is I.

Come up.

Sit down.

I'll fetch us some delicacies.

Please don't trouble yourself.

Don't trouble yourself.

Thank you for coming, thank you.

It's not for you thank me, quite the contrary.

You are too kind.

From the first day I saw you

at the trial,

your beauty has haunted

my days and nights.

Your letter has caused me great joy.

But are you cold?

Yes, a little.

Here.

Oh no, thank you.

This place is grim and cold,

don't you think?

It's you who have chosen it. I would have preferred somewhere...

- Yes? - More private.

I want to see him die.

- To see him die? - Gurn.

The murderer of my husband.

I understand.

From here, we won't lose a second.

You will stay with me

until dawn?

As long as you wish.

Take hold of my hand.

Valgrand the great actor, the idol of France

will never leave you alone.

I'll do whatever you want.

You are good, better than me.

At the Court of Assizes, I forgave Gurn.

In any case, I said so.

But in reality, I cannot.

Whilst he is alive, I will not find peace.

I understand.

Your gaze confounds me.

My heart...

is yours.

No, stop, please.

This night still belongs to my husband,

to revenge.

Then why did you bring me here?

Because you are the greatest actor of our time.

Because with your sensitivity, so acute,

you can understand that certain evenings

a woman, first of all, has need of tenderness.

Yes, I understand.

But,

tenderness,

tenderness,

tenderness, too.

Yes.

Tenderness.

It's Nibet. He's come looking for his prisoner.

That's right.

You're punctual.

Come on.

Let's go.

Madam, believe me,

this is most awful.

Quite ghastly.

I've never known love,

so when I look at you both

I'm ashamed to separate you.

But... it's society which decides.

I mean, if it were up to me...

Do your duty.

What is it, what's happening?

Come, it's time, M. de Paris will come with his aides.

Has he taken chloral?

Yes, he's taken some, it's better this way, he won't realise.

But,

let me go, what are you doing?

Come now, less of your sulking.

It's useless to resist,

time's running out now.

I want to go home.

- Of course, here we go. - That's not true.

Listen to me.

You should now be with the chaplain.

I don't want to be caught out.

But I'm not Gurn. Tell him, Madame.

I'm Valgrand, the actor Valgrand.

- Everyone knows me. - He's delirious.

My wallet!

My wallet!

Don't shout like that. You'll get caught.

Drink it slowly, it will do you good.

I'm an actor, it's my work.

Since he takes himself for Valgrand, I'll play along.

Don't be surprised.

- His cap. - Yes.

You feel much calmer, in reality, you're sleeping.

You're dreaming that you're condemned, as in the role that you play.

You are so steeped in your character

the it's come to haunt you.

But this is just a dream.

Soon you will awaken.

Thank you, Madame.

Gurn,

I'm so afraid of not getting there and ruining everything.

Maud, we are saved. You were magnificent.

Hurry, I beg you.

No, I'd rather stay.

One doesn't always have the opportunity to attend one's own death.

It's a disgrace.

Three hours we've been keeping this place and we've lost it.

Please, let us through.

Let us through.

- Police. - A fine state of affairs.

It's always future customers of the guillotine

who attend such a spectacle.

- My respects. - Hello, Juve.

Jerome Fandor, a young reporter from La Capital.

I hope you find some material for a spicy article.

I'm less inspired than you might think.

See you later.

Come here, lad.

What's going on?

It is clear that it's your first execution.

The "timbers of justice" have arrived.

- And we applaud? - Yes.

Come on lads, to work.

M. de Paris and his aides. He'll set up with his servants.

Good day, M. Juve. Sorry, we're late.

I'll choose the location, Take the brushes.

Here, it should be alright.

Okay, we'll take out the wood.

Here.

It's still a bit out, we'll have to lift it.

Here, right.

What is it?

The beams of the machine.

They mustn't be buckled, The guillotine is an precise instrument.

Come on lads, let's get the irons.

Go ahead.

Be careful.

I confess

I just came see the head of Gurn fall.

Finally, Fant�mas.

I want to be sure of his death.

Otherwise, I would never have agreed to write this story.

You're excited, huh?

You could say so, yes.

Me too, Fandor.

For more than 5 years I've struggled against Fant�mas,

believed in his existence, despite the sarcasm

and jeers.

Me too I want to attend his death.

For death alone can stop his crimes.

The blade.

The straw.

Gurn, be brave.

Your appeal was dismissed.

I... I'm... I'm not...

Would you like to hear mass?

No, chaplain. It's time.

Hurry up, It's daybreak.

But I'm not Gurn.

I'm the actor, Valgrand.

I have to play tonight "The Bloody Stain".

The theatre is full.

It's a nightmare.

Yes, it started in the middle of the night.

He thinks he's the actor. His poor head.

Let's put off the execution, he's sick.

We're not going to cure him just to kill him.

A last wish?

A cigarette?

I don't smoke. It's bad for my voice.

M. Director,

please sign the reprieve for the condemned.

This is a miscarriage of justice.

I am known. My audience knows me.

Are you crazy? What are you doing?

This is not Gurn who has just died.

The blade has fallen, the face is not pale

and if it is not pallid, then he was made up

just like an actor.

Fant�mas has escaped.

He has guillotined an innocent man in his place.

I tell you, Fant�mas is alive.

Directed by

Subtitles: Corvusalbus