Original subtitles

A digital copy in 2K elaborated in 2012 by the Cinemateque Francaise

after a negative was traced in its archives.

The colors that were introduced during Henri Colpi's restoration in 1984

have been digitally reworked by the Digimage laboratory.

Music composed orchestrated and directed by Raymond Alessandrini

Featuring three Maurice Jaubert's themes

Cinemateque Francaise presents

The Swallow and the Titmouse

At Summer's end 1920, Andre Antoine

filmed The Swallow and the Titmouse, in Belgium.

Surprised by the documentary nature of the footage, the distributor

refused to exhibit the film in its theatres.

In 1982 the Cinemateque Francaise

found the negative of this film in its archives

six hours of rushes perfectly preserved,

and decided to restore to public viewing

this priceless heritage.

The Willow and the Titmouse is a trailblazing work

of the 1920s French cinema.

A stress on realism, refusal of studio sets, multi camera set-ups,

not to mention the understated acting style, unusual for the time.

Camera effects - irises, fades and dissolves were all done in camera.

Andre Antoine himself supplied almost all the intertitles.

The footage was edited to its current form in 1983

by Henri Colpi, assisted by Sophie Durand.

Philippe Esnault was the historical adviser.

The Swallow and the Titmouse

Original Screenplay Gustave Grillet

Directed by Antoine

Master boatman Pierre Van Groot...

...with his 2 barges, The Swallow and the Titmouse...

...carries various goods but mainly builders' materials...

...for the areas devastated by the war.

He spends his life on the waterways

of the Campine, Flanders and Brabant

with his wife Griet...

...and little Martha, Griet's sister.

The other inhabitants of the barges.

Their lives continue quietly and peacefully...

...like the still waters around the barges.

Van Groot is thought of, above all, along the water's edge...

as a brave and devoted man.

Antwerp

Like all the barge men, Van Groot does a bit of...

...smuggling and various mysterious errands.

Griet too is not averse to her own little deals.

Whilst at Antwerp, Van Groot looks to replace

his pilot, who has quit.

Dining on the bridge,

Van Groot sees the new pilot arrive.

You may be an old sea-dog Michel,

but from now on you'll be a fresh water fish.

With Sunday free before tomorrow's journey east...

they spend their time visiting the sights of Antwerp.

The Plantin Museum

The famous Ommegang takes place in Antwerp

only every 25 years

The Ommegang procession

The Ommegang Queen

The Ommegang

Ruben's chariot

The next day, the opening of the great lock-gates...

Leaving for the waterways of the interior.

The Scheldt at Antwerp

The two men soon get on well together.

Griet sees Michel as a good boatman but remains distant.

Martha, on the other hand, is in good spirits since their departure.

Bornheim bridge

Sometimes Van Groot watches the manoeuvring,

his boat-hook in his hand.

Tamise bridge

Michel accompanies Martha on a shopping trip.

The Tamise fish market.

Martha feeds the other occupants of the two barges.

Martha, dreamy eyed, her mind elsewhere.

Michel would make a good husband. Martha is of age.

When there are no tug boats,

they must put on their harnesses.

Today is the turn of Martha and Michel

You like her, eh?

Then why don't you ask her?

Dinner over.

Give her a kiss.

As soon as we're over the border, we'll celebrate the engagement.

An expedition on dry land.

You know, if Pierre really wanted...

you could soon get rich with these two barges...

In what way?

Smuggling.

What are you carrying and where do you hide it?

I can't tell, it's a secret!

Ghent

Approaching the Franco-Belgian border.

But Griet finds something odd in Michel's behaviour.

The last lock before the frontier.

Griet warns her husband.

That evening.

The customs.

The accident.

Bandaging.

That afternoon.

Griet's denunciation.

Griet, what have you got against that fellow?

- Nothing. Just watch out.

No! He'll denounce us. He knows our hiding place.

Yes, you're right.

Tomorrow I'll pay him off... and then...

That evening Michel invited Van Groot

to Kruydewier's, for a drink.

The Swallow and the Titmouse glide slowly

over the waters, which keep their secret.

The End

Subtitles: Corvusalbus Re-sync, additions, revisions: hobsbaum