Original subtitles

The clock ticks tick-tock, tick-tock.

The birds by the lake go chirp, chirp, chirp.

All the turkeys go gobble, gobble, gobble.

And the pretty bell goes ding-ding-dong.

But boom!

When our hearts go boom!

Everything around us goes boom!

And love awakens...

Hello? Can you hear me?

This is our last Polish communiqué.

German troops have now entered Warsaw.

Our thoughts are with the Polish soldiers still fighting on the Hel Peninsula,

and with all those still fighting, wherever they may be.

Poland is not yet lost!

Long live Poland!

At around 4:30 this morning, we learned that two Dutch airfields

were being bombed by German aircraft.

A few minutes later, from the windows

of the Foreign Ministry, we saw the first German bombers

flying over Brussels.

We heard the first bombs exploding.

At that moment, gentlemen...

No warning! No ultimatum!

I, Winston Churchill, address you for the first time as Prime Minister.

This is Radio Paris, broadcasting on 312.9 metres.

Yesterday morning, German Panzer divisions bypassed the Maginot Line through the Ardennes

and entered French territory.

Our soldiers fought and sacrificed themselves, hour after hour,

but our defences along the Meuse have fallen.

Even now, the fighting continues.

After Mézières and Valenciennes, Givet has fallen to the enemy.

The formidable war machine Hitler has unleashed against France

seems unstoppable.

Civilians in the eastern and northern regions

are being ordered to evacuate by the authorities.

German troops are approaching the small town of Montcornet,

which commands the road towards Soissons and Paris.

As we speak, Colonel de Gaulle's 4th Armoured Division

is advancing on Montcornet to block the enemy's advance.

Colonel, the Germans have taken Montcornet.

Have you seen them?

I'll go and see.

We must turn back, Colonel.

Overtake the tanks.

Keep up this speed.

How far, Colonel?

Until they start shooting at us.

Colonel, the tanks are far behind us!

What do we do?

Where I'm pointing.

We have to limit our losses! We must turn back now!

Colonel!

They're going to fire!

Where I'm pointing.

Stop.

Montcornet!

We are alone among the enemy. What is the point?

We're beaten. It's a complete rout!

Do I look as though I'm running away?

Carry on.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you today that the fighting must cease.

I, Marshal Pétain, assume the leadership of France as of today.

Last night, I approached the enemy to ask whether he would be willing

to seek, together with me, as soldiers, after the fighting and with honour,

a means of bringing hostilities to an end.

Let all French people rally around the government I lead and silence their...

No!

To London.

Isn't there anyone else?

General, we must go.

You are free to go, Courcel.

You are dismissed.

Let's continue.

There is panic in London since France laid down its arms.

- That's why I'm here.

France has had her ups and downs since Clovis, but she does not abandon her allies.

I must address the French people.

Come.

Didn't you hear the Marshal?

Madam, 200,000 German soldiers are here!

What can they do against 40 million French people?

Come on, it's over, lad. Go home.

Sir!

Hey, you two!

The commanders who have led the French armies for so many years have formed a government.

This government has entered into negotiations with the enemy to end the fighting.

But has the final word been spoken?

No!

I, General de Gaulle, now in London, call upon...

There must be light.

There must be hope.

Somewhere, the flame of resistance must shine and burn.

Tomorrow, as today, I shall speak on London radio.

The Marshal wishes to see you, Admiral.

Do you know this de Gaulle?

A mere colonel promoted to general in the midst of a rout...

who repays his country by denouncing its government from London.

And who refuses the armistice.

Men have been shot for less than that. Let's go.

Extra edition!

France abandons Britain!

We cannot keep going alone against the entire continent.

This is sheer madness.

Madness?

Now Hitler can seize the French ships and use them against us.

Morton, we've all read the terms of the armistice.

The French fleet is to remain neutral and disarmed.

Under German control.

Under l'amiral de la flotte's control, primarily.

Spears, why can't you bring Darlan to London? Where is he now?

I...

In Toulon. We still have an eye on him.

The French Navy was left unscathed by the defeat.

The sailors revere him even more as a result.

Even Marshal Pétain couldn't force him to hand over his powerful fleet to the Germans.

A powerful fleet?

It is a powerful fleet.

And perhaps we could sway him if we play our cards right.

We don't quite know where he stands.

He doesn't think much of Pétain.

Indeed.

But he hates open disloyalty.

Which is why having someone in London insulting the old Marshal over the airwaves is exactly what we should not be doing.

What was his name again?

Gaulle.

De Gaulle is the only French general who wants to carry on fighting the Germans.

A disgruntled provisional general, Spears.

Le traître, as he's now known to the French.

Listen, we can have Admiral Darlan with his fleet or we can have de Gaulle with his appendage.

We cannot have both.

I'm sorry, that's what it boils down to.

Very well.

I'll cut him loose.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Very well, Prime Minister.

Thank you, Prime Minister.

Nothing personal, Spears.

I don't think I've ever even laid eyes on your man.

You know he has a woman's hips and a head like a banana.

At his size, he'd be hard to miss.

Prime Minister,

The French people need to hear a voice urging them to fight.

And I need...

the French fleet.

I was delighted to let you speak on the BBC.

And I can assure you I was virtually alone in doing so...

Britain must remain true to her principles.

For the sake of everyone who, like me, believes in her victory.

There aren't many of us, even here.

I must still be able to deal with your government,

even if it has disgracefully capitulated.

France has not capitulated.

Pétain signed the document, General.

France has capitulated. Nobody can dispute that.

Well, I dispute it.

You?

What Pétain signs does not bind France,

when he acts under duress from the enemy.

Ah, General de Gaulle.

France is an old country.

A great country.

Unfortunately, I do not have the authority to replace her head of state.

Prime Minister,

I shall establish a national committee,

with all those who rally to me.

Ambassadors, governors...

France still has substantial forces intact, from Algiers to Dakar, throughout the Empire.

Recognise me, and together we shall raise an army capable of victory.

"We"?

You are alone, General.

We are alone, Winston.

And now, dear listeners, our programme in French.

You are about to hear an important statement addressed to all French people.

The decision taken today by the British government

to recognise me as leader of the Free French

is of great importance and profound significance.

It enables the Free French to organise

and continue the war alongside our allies.

I hereby decree the following.

First, I place under my authority all French nationals residing in British territory,

Churchill wanted to put a stop to this!

or who may come to reside here.

Cut the transmission!

Second, there shall immediately be established here...

There shall immediately be established here a land force,

a naval force and an air force.

For the time being, these forces will consist of volunteers.

Their first task will be to support French resistance wherever it arises throughout the Empire.

I call upon all French servicemen of the army, navy and air force to join them.

I urge all young men and all men of fighting age to enlist.

Generals, senior officers and governors throughout the Empire...

I authorised volunteers, not a government in exile!

So I did.

...to unite the forces of resistance and save French territories.

Who is that?

Let's give him a chance.

Our people need living proof that Britain is not alone.

Have you forgotten about the bloody fleet?

Look, if I don't tell you, your Cabinet will.

He's making you look ridiculous.

Allow me to admire a soldier who loves his country.

Men like him won the Great War, not armchair intellectuals.

Even so, putting our faith in de Gaulle seems rather reckless, doesn't it?

Anthony, this is not my first war.

If he fails, we'll get rid of him.

Thank you again, Mr. Pleven.

General, a pleasure.

Mr. Ambassador, you'll handle foreign affairs. You, Monnet, the finances.

Now that Churchill has recognised us, we must draft an official reply.

Careful. Every word matters. This is an agreement between states.

General, every Frenchman in London must follow his own convictions.

And you, Mr. Ambassador?

This is my farewell reception.

I see.

Monnet, I'm counting on you.

General, President Roosevelt has asked me to join him in Washington.

And Mr. Pleven is coming with me.

The ambassador has kindly gathered the leading members of the French community.

All of you here.

Marshal Pétain has delivered France into the hands of the enemy.

You may follow him.

Down the road of humiliation. Or you may choose honour. There is no third way.

To accept the armistice is to play into German hands, sooner or later.

It's a disgrace!

We must take up the broken sword.

I invite all those who wish France to be free to join me.

The Marshal is trying to protect the French. We mustn't sever ties with him, General.

We remain loyal to Marshal Pétain.

He was appointed entirely lawfully.

- It disgraces the uniform. - Absolutely.

General, the ship meant to bring your family has arrived without them. We're awaiting news.

Anything else?

The French government has stripped you of your nationality, and a court-martial has sentenced you to death.

Ah, fascinating. Is that all?

Yes. No visitors, no telephone calls.

General, we can still give up. We have enough money left to go to Canada.

I am a soldier, Father. France's misfortunes...

I bear responsibility for them.

The sin of pride, my son.

I know, Father. Yet I would rather disappear than see France accept her defeat.

Without her, I don't know where to turn.

General de Gaulle?

How many companies have joined you?

Not even one soldier, Father.

If you should need a chaplain or a former naval officer...

Both.

By the grace of God, hold fast.

- Hello? - Switchboard, how can I help?

Courcel?

Who are you?

Do you speak English?

No, I'm French.

Blazej.

I'm here to fix the tap.

You must be a friend of Mr. Paul, sir.

The owner.

I am General de Gaulle.

At ease.

At ease.

Blaise, is that right?

Good. Sit over there. You'll answer the telephone.

Pardon?

Sir?

Sit down.

Telephone.

Please.

Over here.

Thank you for coming.

France needs you.

General, I've already made up my mind.

Disgraced, but still the Republic.

My duty is not to betray...

Oh, I know. Washington is the one who needs you.

They're short of everything over there.

Whereas here, we live in luxury.

As head of foreign affairs and finance,

you could even choose your own office.

On what basis are you negotiating with the British?

We are France.

"We"?

You?

We.

If only you'd been elected.

Even mayor of a village.

You surely remember a certain fellow by the name of Clovis.

Well, when he came along, our country had to defend itself against everyone.

Just like today, we had reached rock bottom.

But Clovis began turning things around and defeated the barbarians at Tolbiac.

Two hundred years later, we had Charlemagne.

Perhaps in two hundred years, people will say that France's revival began right here.

Thanks to us.

I'm sorry, General.

Goodbye, sir.

Courcel!

Courcel!

Beggars, now? Who are these people?

We're all from the same island off Brittany, the Île de Sein. We're fishermen.

We heard your appeal, so we all came.

We don't believe in the armistice. And we never will.

We don't want Germans on our island. We came in our own boats.

Four of them.

Nonsense. They can't fight!

Yes, we do! We'll fight better than your other soldiers!

How old are you, young man?

Eighteen, sir.

Sixteen.

Welcome!

- Thank you, General. - Thank you, General!

See you tomorrow.

Lieutenant.

I hope this will suit you.

I know this kind of building. It looks beautiful from the outside.

But appearances are deceptive, sir. The plumbing is dreadful.

Yes, sir.

Reporting for duty, General.

What brings you to London, Boislambert?

The war, if possible, General.

Good. That makes two of us.

I don't want my family to think I'm a deserter.

Neither do I.

I need an army. You will oversee recruitment.

Dismissed.

Yes, General.

Captain Kœnig.

Foreign Legion.

Passy?

Like the Métro station?

An assumed name, to protect my family.

Captain Philippe de Hauteclocque.

At your orders, General.

Captain of what?

Cavalry.

At least you haven't got a family?

A wife and six young children, General.

They're in France.

Think of an assumed name.

Leclerc, then.

Do you speak English?

You'll set up an intelligence service.

Dismissed.

You'll form the first Free French brigade.

And you'll be the first to engage the Germans.

Yes, General.

Have you got ammunition?

Then find some.

"That." Not "zat."

Repeat after me.

I know that France...

I know zat France...

Good.

I know that France will reese...

"Rise."

This is all nonsense!

I'm sorry, madam.

Blaise?

Blazej.

I know that France will rise again.

That's good. Very good.

Thank you.

I do speak English, you know.

Not at all. Concentrate, Blaise.

What can I do to help you, General?

Admiral Muselier.

I need... a fighting fleet, for instance.

What you need above all, de Gaulle...

is an emblem.

Perhaps a little less tense?

Are you trying to sell me like a bar of soap?

I'll have to do.

It's the largest cinema on the boulevards.

It would be a very bad sign if it didn't reopen.

And naturally, there would be seats for you and all your officers.

Yes.

For your soldiers too.

We don't go to the cinema by day.

Yes, of course.

The clock goes tick-tock, tick-tock.

The birds by the lake go chirp, chirp, chirp.

The turkeys go gobble, gobble, gobble.

And the pretty bell goes ding-ding-dong.

But boom!

When our hearts go boom!

Everything around us goes boom!

And love awakens.

Everything has changed since yesterday.

And the street has eyes watching from the windows.

There are Krauts and outstretched hands.

The sun is about to vanish over France.

Boom!

When our hearts go boom!

Everything around us goes boom!

And rage awakens.

Boom!

Hurry up. There are positions to fill.

Le Matin!

Fifty centimes!

Concern is growing in Britain!

Marshal, you capitulated when my fleet hadn't lost a single battle.

I will not hand it over to the Germans.

I will not submit.

What matters is that you don't send it to England.

The Germans would make us pay dearly for it.

Unlike de Gaulle, I am no traitor.

Between submission and betrayal, there is a third way.

The path of reason.

Follow it, and you'll have a place in my government.

Send your fleet to neutral territory.

Minister of Defence. And I remain Admiral of the Fleet.

The path of reason.

Darlan has sent a third of his fleet to Algeria, where the Germans could easily seize it.

This is too great a threat.

Have you tried to talk to Darlan one last time?

He thinks we're losing the war, and that we'll soon be signing a treaty with the Germans.

He made his choice, Winston. We have to make ours.

It's a horrible situation.

We don't have a choice, do we?

No, sir.

All right, take them out.

Shall we tell de Gaulle?

No. Spare him that.

It's going to fall!

These are the victims of an attack no Frenchman could have imagined.

My poor Albert.

The most despicable, the most heinous attack...

Killed by the British at just 22, unable even to defend himself.

A British squadron appeared off Mers-el-Kébir.

Only a few weeks ago, that squadron had fought alongside the French Navy.

And without warning...

I'm sorry, Aunt Catherine.

It attacked a fleet which, exactly one month earlier, had protected the British at Dunkirk

and enabled them to carry out their famous victorious retreat.

If any of you still doubted the traitor de Gaulle's true loyalties,

now you know the truth. He has shown his true colours.

French sailors bombed and sunk, while their brothers-in-arms are imprisoned here.

What are we going to tell them?

What can we possibly say after this?

Fight alongside the men who just killed 1,300 of your comrades?

I can't.

Someone has to do it, Muselier.

All personnel, attention!

French sailors, yesterday, a terrible blow fell upon us.

Not a single Frenchman heard the news without pain and anger

that ships of the French fleet had been sunk by our allies.

But those who delivered our country into the hands of the enemy could have prevented it.

And how?

By refusing the shameful capitulation under which, sooner or later,

the enemy would have used our ships against Britain.

France and Britain will either perish together or triumph together.

- Long live Pétain! - We obey Darlan!

Those who wish...

Those who wish to fight Germany, remain where you are.

The others may leave the ranks.

Attention!

Soldiers of Free France, I promise you three things.

Hard fighting, never firing upon fellow Frenchmen,

and victory.

Don't expect congratulations from me. You're merely doing your duty.

That's all.

Is that all? This is ridiculous! Who does he think he is?

Your speech for this evening, General. Prepared by Spears.

In English?

Three pages?

I present to you a remarkable man,

who can help us defeat the enemy.

Please welcome General Charles de Gaulle!

Here you are, General.

You're getting on my nerves, Courcel!

I'm not playing the fool again for those talc-stuffed English backsides!

What does 'backsides stuffed with talc' mean?

God save us all.

Is he ever going to speak?

What next? A blind pilot?

A deaf admiral?

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Splendid.

The mute general.

What, Blaise? Do I look like a locksmith to you?

Oh my God...

Dad...

Charles...

Everything is all right now that you're here.

All we have is the French Empire. And we don't even have that!

Did Joan of Arc need concrete greaves to lift the siege of Orléans?

Now concentrate and tell me what we have. I'm seeing Churchill in an hour.

Tell him we have pilots without planes and captains of damaged ships.

We do have a few recruits.

Mostly civilians.

You need weapons to fight a war.

I know.

But I need territories to convince Churchill.

Pleven.

Only one governor has answered your appeal.

The governor of the New Hebrides.

Then Free France might as well set up headquarters in the New Hebrides.

The New Hebrides, I...

A little farther east, General.

And Dakar? Algiers? No word from either?

No. Nothing from Cameroon either.

The governor of Chad was ready to join us, but he needed military support on the ground.

We might as well send our imaginary battalion, armed with wooden swords.

The element of surprise.

Leclerc, you're going to Cameroon.

Yes, General.

This is madness, General. He'll be arrested and executed before he takes a single step.

And you, Pleven, to Chad.

Er... I beg your pardon? Him? To Chad?

I've never set foot in Africa, General.

Very well, General.

I asked you here, firstly, to express my condolences in person for the fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.

That was the most painful decision I've ever had to take.

Which makes it that much harder to tell you we can't keep propping you up.

We've tried, you've tried.

But we need the Americans to join the war.

And the Americans need solid allies

With fueling stations, lines of communication, ports like Algiers or Dakar,

and you promised to bring both of them,

and even the entire French Empire, into the fight.

And yet...

We are going to retake Africa.

I beg your pardon?

What part of Africa are you talking about?

I'm talking about Africa.

Africa.

Starting with the heart of the continent: Chad.

Chad?

It's very simple.

Everything depends on a shortwave radio transmitter that happens to be...

in Chad. First, a swift, bloodless takeover. My troops are ready.

I only need the means to get them there.

Second, the announcement.

News of Chad rallying to us spreads over the airwaves, causing an uproar in Cameroon.

From there, the domino effect becomes unstoppable.

My troops recruit, rally support, mobilise, and push on into Senegal to bring over...

Dakar.

But...

But... it won't be enough to take a port like Dakar.

Precisely.

At the same time, in total secrecy, we launch a joint operation in Dakar Bay.

British sailors and French infantrymen appear together one fine morning to pluck the ripe fruit without firing a shot.

Yes, I like it!

Britain provides the muscle, France provides the words.

If you like.

Dakar. Crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Atlantic.

Dakar. Capital of Free France.

Dakar. America's landing port.

What do you need? I could have ten aircraft for you by Saturday, twice that in a week.

One will suffice.

Your entire troops, in one plane.

A seaplane will do.

A seaplane to decide the fate of Free France?

General,

I imagine that for such an extraordinary adventure, you'll need an exceptional pilot.

We'll provide you with a good pilot.

I already have one.

Our old crates fly beautifully, but they're peculiar machines. They need a British touch.

I'm not concerned. French pilots flew over Africa long before yours did.

And how many of them crashed?

Frenchmen must be led into battle by Frenchmen. That seems obvious to me.

No British pilot, no aeroplane.

I'm afraid we've reached an impasse.

Indeed.

Jones. Your pilot.

Marmier. Your pilot.

At your service!

At your orders, Captain.

Two pilots for this wreck?

In the presence of Mr. Pleven, Free France's Commissioner for Africa,

I hereby proclaim Chad's allegiance to General de Gaulle.

Lieutenant.

Chad.

The French Empire rises to resume the fight.

The governor of Chad has just proved it.

The former General de Gaulle is attacking our Empire.

We're only talking about Chad, Marshal.

Gentlemen, this makes no sense. De Gaulle has a plan.

Has Leclerc reached Cameroon?

No. And Vichy has urgently sent border guards.

I'm sorry.

Colonel!

Turn back.

No time.

We're 15 kilometres from the palace.

We can't risk Free France's future over two sentries.

Give me your weapon.

We're not going to shoot Frenchmen!

The British have called three times. They want to cancel Dakar.

What shall I tell them?

This whole business is madness.

General.

Reinforcements have been sent to the borders, and still no word from Leclerc.

It's raining.

Thank you, Blaise.

Your weapon, Captain.

If we kill a Frenchman, Free France will never be the same again.

Now!

Don't move!

You! Stay where you are!

Come on! Drop it!

Give me your weapon! Where's the governor?

Upstairs!

Would you invite me to breakfast, Governor?

General!

Victory! Cameroon is ours!

On to Dakar!

Come on! Before Dakar, a little trip to the cellar!

Barbarians.

A hundred and twenty bombs today.

I saw.

Still, we have something to celebrate. It seems your harebrained plan is working in Africa.

Indeed.

What nerve! You cunning fellow. That old-governess air fools everyone.

I didn't realise it was Carnival.

This?

Well, not everyone can dress like the Unknown Soldier.

I'll tell you something that you alone shall know.

Do you know what my favourite song is?

"If I Were the Only Girl in the World"?

No.

No.

Well then...

Thank you, my friend.

Everything afflicts and harms me, and conspires to hurt me.

Thank you.

It's going to be a splendid day.

Dakar.

At dawn, the sun rises over the harbour. A glorious sun. The people awaken to the sight of our armada.

And to their surprise, they see you addressing them from offshore.

Onshore, our supporters cheer us.

And that evening, they raise glasses of vintage champagne with you to celebrate the final victory.

Right?

Meanwhile, your telephone rings.

It's the President of the United States. America enters the war. Hitler has lost, and you've won.

Mm-hmm.

When I see our soldiers marching joyfully, with music leading the way,

I say, keeping in step: "How beautiful France is, as in days gone by."

As in former times, I see our soldiers once again,

Carnot proclaiming victory. March on to glory!

My dear children, return triumphant!

That's my favourite song.

To audacity!

We must stop the bleeding.

Dakar.

People of Dakar,

this is General de Gaulle, leader of Free France. I stand before you

with our British allies.

We can't see anything in this fog.

People of Dakar,

answer my call and join me in the struggle to liberate France.

It has just arrived.

People of Dakar...

Admiral Cunningham, prepare to attack.

That was not the plan.

Do it, Admiral.

Who is attacking us from offshore? Dakar has no naval squadron!

We've just learned that several French warships passed Gibraltar yesterday.

Le Fantasque, Montcalm, Gloire... The French Navy.

Darlan.

We'll sink them.

Churchill needs Dakar.

Not at the cost of a civil war.

A civil war between Frenchmen.

Cease fire!

General de Gaulle, you failed to rally France's politicians or its armed forces.

You've been given a second chance.

This is it. Here and now. There won't be another.

We do not fire upon Frenchmen.

Very well. Keep your principles, and Darlan will keep Dakar.

You'll bear the consequences.

Stop everything!

Cease fire!

Congratulations, Admiral.

I merely did my duty.

You know, if you were more inclined to sympathise with the Germans, you'd make a fine Prime Minister.

- Prime Minister? - Mr. President.

I'm sure you've understood the American public doesn't want this war.

How am I to bring them around if you can't even take one lightly defended harbor?

It was a concatenation of circumstance and rotten luck.

Please don't tell me about the fog. Your quixotic general taught us one thing at least:

He's useless.

He thought...

You thought.

I thought...

You anointed him in a fit of despair, didn't you?

The Free French.

I'm amazed you believed in his fairy tale.

It's clear now his kingdom is nothing but empty promises. Complete fiction.

Mr. President, I take full responsibility for de Gaulle.

Leaving Dakar aside, I think you could agree that I put on a pretty good show altogether.

Coming from a friendless island facing a continent of enemies.

I believe that Britain and her empire would be formidable allies. When you're ready, that is.

Put your house in order, dear fellow. And do it now.

Sir?

We need to find someone else.

I was wrong about de Gaulle.

Courcel!

We're going to join Leclerc in Cameroon.

It's our last option.

We're on French territory.

Look, Courcel. The vegetation is beginning.

Look at those huts. They're large villages. You can't see them, but there are enormous herds out there.

It's a magnificent country.

General, we've lost an engine!

We're going to attempt an emergency landing!

Hold on!

Hold tight, Courcel!

This century has brought us into an Age of Iron, so that we may restore what is called the Golden Age.

Last Thursday, I met the Chancellor of the Reich.

This meeting has raised hopes and caused concern.

I owe you some explanations.

Such a meeting was possible, only four months after the defeat of our armed forces,

thanks to the dignity of the French people in the face of adversity.

And thanks, too, to the heroism of our sailors and the determination of our colonial leaders.

Fernand, sit back down!

You little bastard!

Put it back!

Fernand, put it back and return to your seat!

Put it back!

Bonnier! Bonnier de La Chapelle! Stop! Break it up!

- Stop! - Break them up, damn it!

Quite a start to the school year.

Where are you from? Right here.

I had to repeat a year.

You have a clandestine radio?

My sister salvages parts from her shop, and we put them together.

Pierre, what are you telling him?

It's all right, Olivier. He's not with the 'tourists'.

How do you know?

Remember the night of the capitulation?

When I suggested an Arc de Triomphe rally,

you said no one would be there.

Well, he was there.

There were few of us, admittedly.

Pleased to meet you, madam.

Fernand.

He tilted a portrait of the Marshal during class.

Without Professor Dressen, he'd be in hospital.

What's the point of tilting a portrait?

Do you think it'll drive the Germans away?

I have to go.

Wait, the curfew! There isn't a curfew.

Mr. Hero!

If you're so brave, is it too much to ask that you don't die stupidly?

Goodbye, madam.

They're planning a November 11 protest.

That ought to annoy the tourists.

General!

General, we've intercepted another message from London.

A five-star general has been received by Churchill at Downing Street to replace you.

Churchill lent him his personal aircraft.

He's joined Pleven in Chad to place him under his command.

When I see our soldiers...

Marching joyfully...

Thank you.

Operation Five Star underway. De Gaulle to be replaced today.

General?

He should salute me first.

At your orders, General.

At ease, General.

They're all very nice, but...

if they think this is an easy job...

Stand by!

Stand by!

Welcome to Free French territory, General.

You are France, General.

You are our hope.

I know, Leclerc.

I see.

De Gaulle is rallying more and more African territories,

establishing the capital of Free France in Brazzaville,

his new headquarters.

He has raised troops in Douala, Fort-Lamy, Yaoundé

and Libreville.

As for Vichy France,

it is turning towards collaboration.

I freely accepted the Führer's invitation.

I was subjected to no diktat, no pressure from him.

Collaboration between our two countries was proposed.

I accepted the principle of it.

So much for Darlan, whom we hoped to win over...

He has declared Jews enemies of France.

Very clever.

That man is despicable.

There is no longer a truly French government.

Exactly!

The organisation based in Vichy

which claims to be the French government is unconstitutional

and subject to the invader.

A new authority must therefore assume the responsibility of governing France.

Events have laid this sacred duty upon me.

I shall not fail.

French officers, French soldiers, French citizens,

senile leaders want to surrender France's intact Empire to the enemy.

Rise up!

To arms!

I know exactly what you are going to say, Morton. Then I might as well say it.

Do you want him, or do you want America?

The enemy is already moving in on Egypt. We need real help.

And again, wasn't Roosevelt explicit enough?

But de Gaulle was right from the outset.

The armistice was a slippery slope.

Get Spears to bring him back.

Well, I hope Spears can handle that.

Just bring him back.

I'll make him see reason.

I need this, this and this.

Koenig, you will be the first to restore France's honour

by resuming the fight against the enemy.

Are your men sufficiently trained? France cannot afford another capitulation.

General, I repeat:

The Prime Minister...

I hear you, Spears.

Tell me when to call him.

Naturally, he wants to see you in person.

I'd be absolutely delighted to welcome your Prime Minister here, in Brazzaville, capital of Free France.

If I were you...

You're not de Gaulle, Spears.

De Gaulle answers only to France.

At least avoid the mosquitoes.

Spears, mosquitoes do not bite General de Gaulle.

General! General!

With malaria, you must stay in bed. It's the only thing to do.

November 11?

Out of the question!

Shame on Spears!

That perfidious Briton came to threaten me with his mosquitoes!

Unbelievable.

I'm sorry to hear the mosquitoes don't obey you, General de Gaulle.

Careful, Blaise.

Blaise!

He wants to lock us up in the Tower of London.

Edward.

It's the fever.

Not entirely.

It's hopeless.

General...

Good luck!

I've run out.

So have I. Well, I do have some, but...

Give that back.

Come on.

Now it's all crumpled.

Do you think it'll make a difference for de Gaulle?

It depends.

How many at the Arc de Triomphe?

Three.

If that.

His boss at the shop says de Gaulle doesn't exist. There's no such person.

Then who's that general speaking on the BBC?

An actor.

Paid by the British.

Right.

I've heard everything. De Gaulle, the Jews' stooge. De Gaulle, London's whore. But this...

What if there really are only three of us at the Arc de Triomphe?

Then there'll be four.

There'll always be some veteran of the Great War showing off his medal.

At least we'll have him.

Even if he doesn't fight.

My father received the Croix de Guerre.

Sorry.

Is he dead?

No.

He moved to Algiers with a woman.

He left me his medal.

Six months older, and I could've fought.

I wanted to join the tanks.

My uncle wouldn't let me lie about my age.

Right, I'm finished.

No more paper.

I really don't know how we're going to distribute all these.

I've thought of everything.

At the Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe.

Quick!

Come on!

Pierre!

Let's split up!

Stop!

At the Étoile.

- Meet at the Arc de Triomphe. - Thanks.

- Hi! Are you going to the protest? - It's already started.

For Free France, anything is possible!

Everyone to the Arc de Triomphe!

- See you later. - Be careful!

- This is madness! - Everyone to the Arc de Triomphe!

Everyone to the Étoile!

Professor Dressen!

Long live...

Are those gaules—fishing rods?

- Long live... - Gaules!

- What do you mean? - Long live...

De Gaulle!

Oh, gaules!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

Long live...

DE GAULLE!

Long live...

DE GAULLE!

- What you are doing is wonderful. - Thank you.

Nice one, sis!

Pierre!

Well?

Livia!

Well?

We really tilted the Marshal's portrait!

We've taken back Paris.

We'll take back France.

Soon we'll be free.

And you thought there'd only be three of us!

Here, lend me your fishing rods.

Make way for Free France!

Make way for Free France!

Watch out!

How many do you think there are?

One, two, three...

Four.

So, Fernand, flirting, are we?

- Is your heart going boom? - What are you doing?

Look!

Come back here, you idiot!

- Are we afraid of the Krauts? - NO!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

Long live...

DE GAULLE!

- Long live... - DE GAULLE!

Livia!

Professor Dressen!

Professor!

Pierre!

Pierre!

Livia!

Don't stay here!

Livia!

My children...

My children...

France...

France...

Fernand.

You're going to your father in Algiers.

What?

I've secured you a travel pass to Marseille.

No arguments, Fernand.

The Germans are searching people's homes.

They're arresting protesters at home.

Fernand!

Fernand!

Let go of me!

Be reasonable.

On one condition.

I couldn't get a travel pass for her.

She's Jewish?

Get in.

Demarcation line. Stop for inspection.

Have your travel permits ready.

JEWS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FROM CROSSING THE DEMARCATION LINE.

- Identity check. - Stay where you are.

Take mine.

They won't check the name.

Jean Moulin.

I live here.

May I pass?

Go ahead.

Checkpoint. Documents, please.

Your papers, please.

Le Républicain d’Alger! Bombing in the Pacific!

Two francs! Two francs!

L’Écho d’Alger! Buy L’Écho d’Alger!

Buy L’Écho d’Alger!

Two francs! Two francs!

Sarah.

Still nothing for me?

A letter.

I gave it to your father.

Thank you.

Wait, Fernand.

Wait, wait, wait!

Hold on.

You've got a letter.

I left it on your bed.

Good morning, Adrienne.

Can you help her with her maths, Fernand?

Of course.

Mum?

When can I go back to school?

Ask Marshal Pétain.

- Eugène! - Today, Jews have to stay home.

What next? Yellow stars tomorrow?

It's all right, Christiane. Usually we're the best at...

I want to fight, Dad.

A year ago,

schoolchildren demonstrated in the heart of Paris,

risking their lives.

And you can't even get in touch with them!

What do you do all day?

Passy!

I asked you to establish a foothold in the southern zone

and another in the occupied zone.

Simple, even for a Polytechnique graduate.

General,

every time a Frenchman manages to reach London,

the British take him in, and I never hear from him again.

General...

General, read this...

Germany has declared war on the United States.

Consequently...

America has entered the war.

Thank God!

Ladies and gentlemen, we are no longer alone.

Churchill is going to Washington.

But he's asked us to suspend all operations against Vichy until further notice.

Muselier is off Saint-Pierre–Miquelon

with 3 corvettes and a submarine.

We must warn him immediately.

He's about to bring the islands over to Free France, but...

Only two tiny islands, General,

and one snowbound village.

We can easily leave them to Vichy.

America, only the world's 35th military power in 1940, is going to win the war

and become the sole master of the West.

But Britain will still...

All the other countries will become its vassals, Britain included.

And in that new world, France will remain sovereign.

But how?

You are right, Pleven. We need to make a statement.

Give Muselier the go-ahead. It's a matter of sovereignty.

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

A photograph, please!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Do you approve of what the Secretary of State said?

I suppose I do. Why?

He said, quote, the so-called free French must immediately withdraw their ships from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

End of quote.

To your left! To your left, please!

I beg your pardon, what ships?

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Your Don Quixote!

Your Don Quixote, garnering the support of my journalists with his crazed adventures!

I mean, what am I to say?

Mr. President, we need a landing soon.

We're on our knees.

We haven't the planes, the ships, the men to hold out much longer.

The Germans are building up their presence in North Africa.

We cannot fight everywhere at once.

I am sympathetic to your plight, Prime Minister.

But I dare say it would help if my administration

didn't take a hit every time your general gets it into his head to seize another slice of France.

Look, perhaps, since we are now together, we should be talking about more important things than Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, such as the landing.

Yes, yes, but Prime Minister, first we want to fix this.

General, he is here.

Mr. Moulin, I'm glad you managed to reach London.

What became of the young protesters from November 11?

It's difficult to know. Some are rotting in prison, others have gone underground.

At the Arc de Triomphe, they achieved what our army was unable to do.

They lit a spark.

And Vichy will have to reckon with it. Resistance networks are forming everywhere.

Are they well established?

General, they're isolated, scattered and poorly organised. No weapons, no communications, no orders.

But they're burning with anger. They want to fight.

Do they know about our actions?

The attack on Mers-el-Kébir has left its mark.

Dakar too.

Propaganda says you've sold out to the British.

But Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has proved otherwise.

But again, we should be talking about something more important than the Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

But, Prime Minister, an island just off our coast.

We cannot have your men launching an attack against it.

It simply won't do, my God. Wasn't Dakar enough?

The American people are not going to put up with these adventures in chivalry.

Not when we're asking them to fight an enemy that is powerful, ruthless and fairly rational.

An enemy that isn't tilting at windmills.

Can we establish contact with them?

Can we get aircraft?

At each full moon, with lights out,

if the British agree. All the logistics depend on them.

I'll go back at the next full moon.

I'll need a radio.

Mr. Prefect, your value to us here is immeasurable.

Over there, you'd be a prime target.

I cannot risk losing you.

General, I know the terrain.

I can best serve France there.

I'll write under the name Rex.

Mr. President.

You have my word.

From now on, everything will run smoothly.

I'll deal with de Gaulle.

Sir, please.

General de Gaulle.

General.

I asked you to come here this afternoon.

I've invited you here.

I never said "General", or that I had invited him.

General, you've been summoned.

I understood perfectly.

I have nothing to say to you.

I have nothing to say to you.

No, go on. Go on.

Peake, translate.

Mr. Peake of the Foreign Office has the dubious honour of becoming your new liaison officer,

replacing General Spears.

I will have the privilege.

Spears has an oversized ego.

But he also has a friend in the Prime Minister.

General Spears has a friend.

Yes, thank you.

That will be all. Thank you.

What the hell do you think you're playing at?

Over those miserable little islands?

They're French islands!

When we have so much at stake!

If you'd waited just one week, I could have given my consent.

Ah, you needed to ask America's permission.

I thought Great Britain was a sovereign nation.

My mistake.

Tell me, General.

Does Admiral Muselier know you ordered him to land against my express instructions?

I do not interfere in the internal affairs of the British government.

I trust you'll do the same when it comes to French affairs.

Of course.

But let me say, I'm finding this admiral, this high-ranking admiral, increasingly pleasant to work with.

I find him rational, congenial, the qualities one looks for in a leader.

Except, remember, there was a slight issue with cocaine.

That was all a misunderstanding.

Right now, we need to put an end to this Saint-Pierre and Miquelon rigmarole.

Give the islands back to Darlan? To Pétain?

You must be joking!

How can you support those who collaborate with Hitler against those who fight him?

You'll sign this memorandum, or Muselier will sign it for you.

You're not fighting Hitler. You're fighting me!

Look at yourself!

Germany, Italy and Japan aren't enough for you?

You want to fight Britain and America as well?

I'll take that as a joke in very poor taste.

Because if there's one man the British have been able to count on, it's me.

You? You've caused us more trouble than all the other governments put together!

The files concerning you take up more space than all the others combined!

Naturally. France is a great power.

General de Gaulle, when I recognised you, I hoped you would be able to help us.

You have failed, and we'll have to change our strategy.

So you're ending the alliance between France and Britain.

Between de Gaulle and Britain.

Then why are you talking to de Gaulle if he isn't France?

You are not France!

I do not recognise you as France!

Always a pleasure to see you, madam.

General.

Mrs. Churchill.

What a charming man!

You mustn't be sentimental with the British. Bang your fist on the table, and they fold like pancakes.

Gentlemen, please, let me through.

Calm down, calm down.

Admiral, what is the meaning of this?

Downing Street asked me to put an end to this recklessness.

Please, let him through.

A mutiny? In the middle of a war?

You will retain your position, Pleven.

And you, de Gaulle, I'm offering you the governorship of Chad.

This is sheer madness.

Stand aside.

Present arms!

He's gone, sir.

He's shut himself away at his house in Hampstead, with his wife and daughter.

Dad!

Dad.

She loves Hampstead.

And you?

Very much.

Remember: they burned Joan of Arc.

Watch out! Come on!

Fernand!

Thank you, Dad.

Come along, sweetheart.

Come on.

Fernand,

By writing to you, I'm breaking the rules I set for myself.

But yesterday, I learned that Pierre had been executed.

I know he would have wanted me to tell you.

In Paris, there were so few of us who could speak openly to one another.

And understand one another.

Until that day.

The most beautiful and most terrible day of my life.

On the station platform, I realised I had to disappear.

Goodbye, Fernand.

You meant a great deal to him.

Hitler's Afrika Korps continues to wreak havoc against the British in North Africa,

eroding confidence in Churchill's military strategy.

The tide is turning, Winston.

We lose North Africa means we lose the Mediterranean and then the war.

Our men are outgunned and outnumbered by Rommel's 30,000 soldiers and tanks.

Rommel's victorious offensive continues.

Our forces had to abandon El Agheila and retreat to Tobruk.

With Rommel advancing and allies on the defensive,

Rommel is now closing in on Tobruk.

what would a loss of Tobruk mean for the Allies?

If he succeeds, it will give him free access to Egypt,

leaving the British no choice but to surrender and lose the war.

and lose the war.

This is London.

North Africa changes color on the map and becomes more and more German.

Free French forces in the region wonder what awaits them if the British are defeated in the coming days.

If Rommel takes Egypt, he takes the Suez Canal.

We cannot fight a war without oil.

Give me a minute, Anthony.

Bir Hakeim.

That's almost all of our 8th Army trapped in Tobruk, sir.

It's a total disaster.

Why can't our men fall back?

Because there's not enough time.

The Germans could show up tomorrow or the next day.

What's that?

Bir Hakeim, sir. It's a little outpost in the desert.

There are only 3,000 under-equipped, free French soldiers.

We cannot ask them to hold out against Rommel.

Why not?

Because that would be as cruel as it would be pointless.

Rommel's closing in with 30,000 men, sir.

Tanks, artillery, aircraft...

But the longer they hold out, the more of our men we save in Tobruk, correct?

And they will fight till the bitter end for de Gaulle.

Let's uncage him.

Who, sir?

The Beast of Hampstead.

No, that's a hell of a sacrifice to ask of him, Winston.

I won't have to ask.

Welcome back, General.

Why send our soldiers into this bloodbath?

The British have lost Cyrenaica. They'll lose Tobruk too.

And having General Koenig and our only brigade massacred ten to one won't change that.

It's suicide.

What is a Free Frenchman, gentlemen?

A man with the courage to stand against not ten Germans, but a thousand.

It's certain death for our soldiers.

And all this to protect Churchill?

Churchill and France! Better death than surrender. That is the very purpose of Free France.

But why?

We've inspired hope. We cannot sacrifice Free France in a single battle.

And if they're forced to surrender?

France did not surrender in 1940. She will not surrender now.

Tell Koenig that all France is watching him and his men, and that they are her pride.

The last mine-layer is back.

All the mines are laid.

General?

The minefield perimeter is ready.

General?

Koenig speaking.

Corporal Hubert.

Major Imogène.

Corporal Dutertre.

First, we must expect a combined-arms attack:

artillery, infantry, tanks and aircraft. And it will be a powerful one.

First, we must expect a combined-arms attack.

ARTILLERY, INFANTRY, AIRCRAFT...

Second, I reaffirm my confidence that each of you will do his duty,

without faltering, at his assigned post.

Second: I trust each of you to do your duty,

without faltering, at his assigned post.

Whether cut off from the others or not.

Whether cut off or not.

Whether cut off or not.

Third, today, France takes up arms against Germany once again.

Our mission is to hold out to the end.

Fourth,

Fourth, good luck to you all.

Good luck to you all.

- Good luck to you all. - Good luck to you all.

To your battle stations!

To your posts!

Fire! Fire!

- Load! - Load! Fire!

It's working!

Yes!

We'll give them hell!

Fall back!

Good.

It's a resurrection.

For the first time since 1940, a force of French fighters is bearing the full brunt of the Axis armies.

Whatever the outcome of this battle, Bir Hakeim proves to the world something no longer taken for granted.

France is not dead.

Alert!

General, five German tanks have broken through our defensive line 1,200 metres to the northwest.

Get me the Thirteenth.

Artillery, open up a barrage. Five rounds per gun.

Correction, 200 metres.

Load!

Fucking hell!

For God's sake, the French can't hold forever!

Can't we move any faster? It's been almost three days!

Chancellor Hitler's message is quite clear.

French prisoners, white and non-white, captured at Bir Hakeim who do not belong to a regular army will be hanged.

The Gaullist renegades are nothing but young thugs, degenerate Jews and wretched mercenaries.

They are a disgrace to France.

General, there's a breach 2,000 metres to the northwest.

Coordinates?

Four hundred.

Damn it! The minefield won't hold!

Three ninety.

The mortars are dry!

We're out of shells!

There's only one solution.

Get me the Thirteenth.

Imogène, Koenig speaking.

Launch the assault.

Advance!

Fire!

Cover each other!

Advance!

Advance!

Grenade!

Close!

Get me Hubert!

Correction, 300 metres.

- Quickly! - Go!

Hubert, confirm!

As the situation at Bir Hakeim grows increasingly desperate for the Free French,

after the shameful capitulation of 1940,

France now faces a similar fate in North Africa.

De Gaulle's relentless stubbornness

is putting France's fate at stake.

Only a madman would continue this battle

as German forces close in,

surrounding them on every side.

Surrender now seems inevitable.

Take cover!

Camerini!

Leave him.

Let them carry on.

Situation report.

First, the enemy is reinforcing its positions.

Second, our defensive lines have sustained heavy damage.

But we're holding.

Our supply routes have been cut.

We've lost our escape corridor.

They've worn down the enemy.

They've held out for fifteen days.

Even if they must surrender,

it's a remarkable achievement, General.

The Thirteenth has suffered enormous losses.

They need reinforcements.

Well done, Prime Minister.

The British!

The Eighth Army is now safe

and ready to give

the Germans a warm welcome.

Bravo...

and thank you very much.

They're waiting for us at Ksar el-Abid,

120 kilometres away.

Gentlemen,

mission accomplished.

We have held out

far beyond what seemed possible.

I chose the battle we would fight.

I'll leave you to choose

how we die.

We've lost our escape corridor.

You know,

if we decide to break through the enemy lines,

few of us

will reach the British positions.

If we surrender...

If we surrender,

most of you will probably be spared.

The choice is yours.

Please don't let them surrender.

Go! Never mind the mines!

Stop!

Take this!

In the boot!

Open it!

Start the engine!

Look straight ahead!

The British!

Well done! Welcome to British territory.

The Pacific Battalion!

And the Thirteenth? Where are they?

I don't know. I lost them at dawn.

Your binoculars.

Thank you!

Are they cheering for us?

Long live France!

Yes.

Gentlemen,

a little dignity, please.

Let's continue.

Present arms!

Chamfort once said,

"The reasonable have endured.

The passionate have truly lived."

For two years now, France,

though betrayed

and delivered to the enemy by Vichy,

has continued to fight.

During these two years, we have

truly lived,

because we are passionate men.

But we have also

endured.

Ah!

How reasonable we are!

We are undoubtedly approaching

a turning point

in the war.

The weight of American assistance,

the heroic resistance of the Russians,

and the efforts of the British people

prove,

gentlemen, that victory is within our grasp.

I say that we are passionate men.

But when it comes to passion,

we have only one:

France.

For war

is a matter of conviction

and moral strength,

as much as material force.

A nation is defeated

only when it admits defeat.

Soldiers who died at Keren,

Kufra,

Mourzouk,

Damascus...

Gentlemen,

soldiers

and sailors

of our sunken ships...

France, the true France,

eternal France,

is not defeated, because she believes in victory.

French volunteers,

crushed at your posts,

fighters of Saint-Nazaire who fell with knives in hand,

young men executed at Nantes,

in Paris,

in Lille,

you show

that our flag still flies with honour,

that even in death,

your sacrifice gives us hope

and binds us together

in French unity.

And our Marseillaise

rings out in fury!

It is the blood of those Frenchmen

who refused the armistice,

who would not endure the shame

of dying without having fought.

Winston,

isn't this exactly what you expected?

What you saw in him despite what all of us were saying?

Perhaps.

We don't see how we can keep him in the dark.

Not anymore. Not now.

But it's an American operation.

And I made Roosevelt a promise.

The Allies?

Be careful!

You can't be involved in the landing.

He now embodies the resistance.

Algiers is part of France, Winston.

The resistance will help us make a smooth entrance,

The French Resistance fighters,

I'm seeing them, I'm questioning them one after the other.

And all of them tell me they come for him.

We have Darlan!

Hands on your heads. Face the wall!

You've lost, Admiral.

Tell your troops to stop fighting.

The Germans

are on the road.

We keep fighting.

You have lost.

May I sit?

The United States has a proposition for you.

What is it?

How do you feel about Maréchal Pétain?

It’s de Gaulle!

It’s de Gaulle!

General!

A word before you meet Eisenhower?

In the presence of General Eisenhower,

I order all French troops

in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and throughout Africa

to cease fire immediately.

Effective immediately,

Admiral Darlan will be commander-in-chief

of all French fighting forces.

Together, we shall defeat the Germans.

Congratulations.

The new king of the Gauls.

The shameful alliance.

And one that you are party to.

As the Russians say, Anthony, in moments of great danger,

one may walk with the devil

and his granny if she's still around,

until one has crossed the bridge.

Darlan gives Roosevelt Algiers, Dakar and 400,000 men.

What does de Gaulle give us?

Chad.

Gentlemen, for our last meeting together,

I simply wanted, for once,

to thank you.

The Allies have made their choice.

A strategic choice. Immoral. Painful.

For us, siding with a man of Vichy would mean losing our soul.

Consequently, Free France no longer has any reason to exist.

We have never betrayed our conscience.

We fought with passion.

We never compromised our principles.

History, which always sides with the victors,

will doubtless remember us as nothing more than...

a handful of madmen.

I'll speak to Roosevelt on the secure line.

Fetch me in thirty minutes.

Morning, Admiral. Morning.

Admiral?

Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle.

Have you anything to say?

Yes.

France is worth dying for.

At my command.

Aim!

- Long live... - Fire!

My dear old Dad,

don't grieve if I must die.

Well...

so be it.

What matters is that you and I both know my death will not have been in vain.

I'm sure you've forgiven me for all the arguments we've had,

but I want to ask your forgiveness once more.

Give your wife and little Christiane a kiss for me.

If you ever see Uncle and Auntie again,

I'm sure you'll find the words to tell them how much I loved them.

And if a certain Livia should ever ask about me...

tell her I was fond of her.

Life holds so many unforeseen turns.

Divine intervention?

They say God watches over babies and fools.

Goodbye, my dear Dad. I send you all my love, from the bottom of my heart.

Fernand.