Original subtitles

Paris Liberated, 25th of August 1944

We're evaders for Christ's sake !

We've chosen Resistance

What's his name?

Marcel, my love.

I believe that something has ended between us.

Do you know where my father is ? Yes, in prison.

Did he do something wrong?

It's the war, Gustave.

For weeks I've thought you were mistaken in collaborating more and more.

But to deceive me with Hortense Larcher !

What a lack of tact.

Look, you tell him that it's madness ! It's madness.

But damn, it's a hell of an idea.

He's right. We have to show to everyone we're soldiers, not terrorists !

Imagine the repression afterwards if ever we do such a thing !

Daniel Larcher.....interrogation.

Paris ! Paris outraged !

Paris broken ! Paris martyred !

...but Paris..... liberated !

Liberated by itself.

Liberated by its people, with the assistance of the armies of France...

...with the support and assistance of all France !

The France that fights ! The only France !

The true France. The eternal France.

Spare me all that crap, will you ?

I can tell you that before the "Liberators" arrive...

There'll be Jewish and anti-French blood flowing under the bridge.

What purpose will that serve ?

You don't always do things for a reason.

When you're an official, that's exactly what you do.

Ah, we don't give a damn for all that !

We're soldiers !

Soldiers of the Mar�chal !

And we'll fight on.... right to the end.

I'm for us liberating Villeneuve ourselves.

The Military Committee gave us sectors 3 and 4. You well know Villeneuve's not part of that.

But a plan can change, right ?

Listen, we've spent a long time getting guys co-ordinated

Training and getting them focused. We've something that works.

We're not going to mess it up.

Listen, you've heard the General !

He asks us to liberate ourselves.

No. He asks us to fight, but not anywhere, not anyhow.

Anyway, it's you who aligns yourself with de Gaulle.

As President of the Departmental Liberation Committee, I represent all factions.

Well, it's not a factional problem, it's a military problem,

It's impossible to liberate the town with the Germans there. There'll be a massacre.

But we have comrades imprisoned in Villeneuve.

Their only chance is if we liberate the town.

We'll sacrifice Comrades, to supposedly save others.

This is ridiculous !

Well, I agree with Antoine. Let's liberate Villeneuve !

It's adventurism.

Our main mission here is to facilitate the work of the prefect when he arrives.

To organize to punish the collaborators and traitors.

I'm fighting to rebuild my country. Not to punish collaborators.

To rebuild the country it'll be necessary to punish traitors.

I agree with you two. We must liberate Villeneuve.

One thing's sure. You don't really understand anything !

De Gaulle needs our help, but not for antics like last year's parade, or liberating Villeneuve today.

That's aiding victory militarily. Do you know what that means?

Right, that's enough, we'll move to the vote. OK.

Who's for the uprising in Villeneuve ?

Against?

OK.

Good. We continue to fight where the Military Committee requests.

As for the rest... Antoine, will you hold your Maquis available for the CDL ?

If possible, stop always wanting to aggrandize yourself.

What's this, with you supporting Antoine's Maquis ?

I'll remind you, we have no-one out there.

But this isn't the Party to my knowledge. It's democracy, right ?

It's been a long time...

Is Muller's here ?

He never comes here.

Is Te Quiero well ?

How long has it been since you saw him ?

Six months ?

Fine. What do you want, Daniel ?

The Americans won't be long. It's a matter of days.

You should make your preparations.

I don't follow you.

Hortense !

In the liberated towns, women who...

Well, you know what I mean.

They do things to them...

I listen to the radio like you. Thank you,

And what do you plan to do ?

Heinrich protects me,

Against the American army ?

He'll take me.

To Frankfurt ?

That would surprise me.

They're not allowed to take French people with them.

Why are you telling me about Frankfurt ?

Because, that's where he's been transferred,

He didn't tell you ?

I have a solution for you to go to Switzerland with Gustave.

There, you can do what you want. I'm just thinking of your safety.

How do you know he's been transferred to Frankfurt?

Schneider told me.

You talk with Schneider? You !

Last night I went to treat a German soldier.

Their doctors have already left.

He told me it was only a matter of days.

Hello, Auntie.

What. You can't say hello ?

I've nothing to say to you.

But look Gustave. You can still say hello to your uncle.

I'm going to my room.

And what have you got in your bag ?

Stuff.

So he thinks less of me than you, while you sleep with...

Passes for Switzerland.

There's one for Gustave and one for you.

If you change your mind.

I'm afraid Alban.

There's no reason to be afraid.

My little sister.

You trust me, right ?

I was told they're shooting the Milice.

Who said that? Aunt Martha,

But she only talks nonsense. You know she only talks nonsense.

She said her brother-in-law was executed by the FTP, without trial

They hung his body by the feet in the market place. They left him for hours.

That's just stories.

And radio said... Listen, Genevieve...

There's only one thing to do... ...do what our Godfather says...

And what did he say ?

That we're going to the east.

To Germany.

There we'll be safe.

Believe me.

Come on.

Alban!

The Godfather wants to see you.

We can play the hard men for Servier and Marchetti, but in reality what are we going to do ?

What do you want to do ?

Apart from selling our skin dearly...

There's still one last train leaving for Belfort.

With women and kids, there'll be 60 of us.

60 is do-able ! No. Belfort means Germany.

I don't want to go to Germany.

Fascism. I was fully committed...

to build a fascist Europe...

not a German Europe !

The Fritz have pulled the wool over our eyes.

OK, you...

I'm told there's a nest of Resistants at Chatenoy farm ,,,

Are we going to see to them ?

Huh? Final fling ?

But Godfather....

the train for Belfort ?

We'll take it afterwards ? There's no afterwards my little German !

There's here... and now.

Come on... get everyone together.

We'll have a party ! Come on guys.

Let's go !

Maybe we could try to negotiate,

Negotiate what? We have nothing to sell,

But we still prisoners. right?

But the Germans want them from us.

But they're leaving. We're no longer obliged to obey them

We could try bargaining.

We don't give our prisoners to the Boches... Against what?

Against guarantees.

For our police... for you.

Guarantees? Yes, I don't know, an official paper...

something which would guarantee us a decent treatment, fair...

leaving our families in peace.

And you see us going and proposing that to the Resistants ?

No, not us.

Larcher could.

He gets on well with Marie Germain.

She might listen to him.

Were you mad at me just now?

Why would I be mad at you ?

You ridiculed me in front of everyone.

I didn't ridicule you. Oh no ?

You said I understood nothing of the fighting I've been doing for a year.

While, in fact, I've done this fighting for you.

But that's a wrong reason.

I see.

But no, it's true. You don't understand.

You know sometimes I wonder if we're really made for each other.

Robert's arrived.

Are you going to liberate Villeneuve or bypass it ?

I don't know. I only know one thing, to take that bridge. Do you know it ?

Yes. Of course. Can you blow it in the next 24 hours ?

We have no explosives ! We'll provide you with them.

But why blow the bridge ? The Germans won't be able to leave Villeneuve !

Madame "why" is not my department. My orders are to blow the bridge.

Either you can, or you can't.

If it's still guarded like it was last week, it will be difficult.

OK ! Make a reconnaissance. Keep me informed. It's really urgent. OK?

Yes. Thank you.

You're leaving ?

In Villeneuve, rents have become too expensive.

Why didn't you tell me ? About what ?

About Frankfurt !

Come.

Forgive me, but I do not have much time.

When did you count on telling me ? I hadn't decided anything.

What are those shots ? We're emptying our prisons.

I'm in a jam, Hortense.

I can't refuse to go to Frankfurt, or I'd be a deserter. And I can't take you...

Why ? Because we're not married.

If I take you to the frontier, you'll be arrested, and me too.

Since the attack on Hitler everything is complicated.

But you're not going to abandon me just like that !

I have no solution, Hortense.

That's defeat.

Problems without solutions.

What if we leave for Switzerland ?

With Gustave ? Impossible.

No. Without Gustave. You and me in Switzerland!

I have a pass.

Not me.

Listen, you have a pass.

Go ahead alone.

And our zweisamkeit ?

Our zweisamkeit ?

You are quite able to slip us across.

It would be very dangerous.

But no more than to stay here.

I speak about myself.

If we fall among the French, they execute SD.

If we fall among Germans, they execute deserters.

As I will be.

So, you're going to run away !

Oh ! You're going to run away...

to go to ground in Frankfurt !

To do what ? Eh ?

To go where ?

Listen...

{an8}Kindly tell this person to leave.

{an8}Leave us, I beg you. At least say what we'll do.

{an8}Hurry, please.

Go now. I'll contact you.

{an8}The American 7th Army is advancing from the south, quicker than expected.

{an8}I'm looking after liquidating the prisoners...

{an8}and taking the Jews to the last train.

{an8}You take charge of the detachment.

{an8}Head towards Besan�on...

{an8}Leave this evening.

{an8}At your command !

{an8}Did that arsehole tell you what time exactly he leaves ?

{an8}Start making false papers...

{an8}for a recently married couple.

{an8}Easy !

{an8}I need them before tonight.

{an8}Less easy !

{an8}And a passage to Switzerland for her and me.

{an8}Not by the mountain.

{an8}Impossible !

Impossible is not French,

Why do you want so much to take Villeneuve ?

I've been thinking of it since last year.

Ah. That moment when you can parade for good...

without having to leave.

Not you ?

You should taste the apples.

You'll see. They're so sweet it's incredible.

Chatenoy apples. The best of the day.

It's true they're sweet. Looks like we'll be eating apple sauce.

You know, I've given a lot to resistance for two years...

the end of the nightmare's approaching. I want to live.

Not to parade through Villeneuve. I want to enjoy my wife and children.

Hey. How are you ?

Papa, can I have some of your apple ?

Here. Bite !

Why did you finally leave the Departmental Liberation Committee ?

Internecine struggles aren't for me. I leave that to Communists and soapbox orators.

That's a shame.

At the end of the day, the Communists plot, and the orators drop us in the shit.

One day you'll have a family... then you'll understand.

Politics pass. The family...

Visitor !

Speaking of Communists.. Oh, she's not a real one.

You'll have to explain me the difference.

Can I see the boss ? He's all yours.

It's confidential.

Come on !

Thank you for supporting me just now.

Even if it didn't help.

Do you always have to say what you think ?

Hmm ! No, not really.

You have a message from the Committee ?

Yes.

A mission ?

Where?

Here.

Come on.

I've been wanting this for weeks.

Hey, someone could come ! So what? We're doing nothing wrong.

You don't want to ? Yes !

You've already done it, anyway !

Yes.

Yes, of course.

No !

The head of the Maquis Antoine, the man of the parade...

I'd like to be first.

It's just that I thought... well...

that after Marcel... you...

Well, I don't know...

I'm not going to stay a widow all my life.

Especially as I'm still married.

Wait ! What's up ?

On your knees !

On your knees. Put your hands on your head.

I said hands on your head !

Well guys, the tip was good !

I don't like cops...

And as for Resistant cops...

Did you hear De Gaulle's speech ?

Paris... martyred...

Are you deaf ? No, but I've nothing to say.

The next is for your wife, huh ?

Did you hear the speech ?

We have to do something ! My weapon's in there...

and they're far too many.

You heard the speech ? Yes.

Do you remember it ?

They broadcast it many times. You were cop...

You probably have a good memory.

Bring his wife.

Marriage is for better... and for worse.

Hands on your head !

Go on, say the speech.

If you get it wrong... I'll kill her.

You're going to kill us anyway. No, it's not certain.

Sometimes I have weaknesses.

Come on. Try your luck. Come on. Come on.

Paris...

Paris outraged.

Paris broken...

Paris martyred. Right ! But Paris...

Liberated.

Liberated by itself.

Liberated by its people...

with the help of the armies of France.

That's good, eh ? That's right !

That's to say, the France which fights...

The only France...

The real France...

The eternal France...

No, no.

Maman ?

What we do with the kids ?

We should never separate a family.

So what ?

I no longer take part in politics.

You can't just shake off politics like that, Larcher.

I no longer have any beliefs.

I no longer want to intervene in anything.

I just ask you to play the middleman.

It's a matter of...

perhaps saving lives.

Why me?

You know, I don't understand you.

You believed in P�tain for three years.

You didn't rebel in '40. I know that.

But I was dismissed in '42.

By you !

In '41 we made up the list of Communists condemned to death, didn't we ?

You haven't forgotten ?

You really feel that, on that day, we did our duty ?

In crisis situations what's difficult, is not to do one's duty.

It's to discern what it is.

Today I counted up. There are 12 Resistants in prisons under our control...

the Germans are going to demand them. It's a matter of hours.

Explain that to Marie Germain.

Offer her a meeting on neutral ground.

With machine guns, it's not going to be possible.

You never know, we'll have to go a little closer.

I'll take two guys and go there.

Remember in June 40, when we met after church ?

It was there.

For sure ! You didn't even want to meet again.

Well, I was married. So was I.

You always have an answer for everything.

Did you really mean what you said just now?

That we need to liberate Villeneuve, yes ?

That we were not made for each other.

When I hold you in my arms, I don't ask myself that.

Thank goodness!

Can you imagine us both on the farm ?

I'd be bored to death.

Or you in town, where you'd suffocate.

You think so ?

Do you see yourself as Madame Schwartz, serving liqueurs to former Collaborators ?

In fact you love the Occupation.

Resistance, underground life, action. All that.

But not you ? No.

No.

No, no. I want a warm bed, a good bottle of booze, a nice round bottom...

Yours preferably.

A daytime attack is out of the question.

There's a gun in the tank.

We'll have to come at night with 20 guys.

I saw a machine gun, that's manageable...

But it won't be easy.

We can't let that go without reacting.

We're supposed to wait for orders from CDL.

You want to wait for orders!

Contrary to what Marie says, I don't want to push myself forward.

They killed two children. They're monsters.,

The guy that did the shooting. I know him.

He's an arsehole, but not a monster.

You know him?

He's called Alban.

Last year when wanted us for STO, we hid together in the forest.

At first.

But he didn't want to join the Resistance.

So he left.

After that, I don't know how he ended up in the Milice.

So we'll do nothing because you know one of those guys !

Suzanne listen...

Lots of great comrades died in the past year.

Thierry...

Claude...

So Vernet...

I really liked him...

But really ! He gave you shelter...

His wife fed you. You saw him with his kids.

What do you want us to do ?

We're not going to attack the Milice at the Commissariat !

And why not?

Because we just voted against an uprising in Villeneuve.

Attacking the Commissariat without an uprising, makes neither rhyme or reason.

Then we'll have to kill Janvier, the head of the Milice.

At his home.

You know where he lives ?

Last week he gave a grand meal with lots of Boches.

They took guests. One of them was a Comrade.

It's in the suburbs, Rue Besan�on. A house with a garden,

I don't know.

Listen. I'm going.

Whether you come with me or not.

Son of a bitch ! We had a great time.

There's news of the train to Belfort. Seurres station tomorrow at 16:00h.

But it'll be crowded. It seems the SS are shipping a wagon full of Yids.

Yids coming from where ?

All that were picked up in the Department last week.

The Boches are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

But we're not traveling with Yids !

Oh no, no, no. Forget that.

We'll leave later, by car.

Godfather. The train would be best for families, though.

You just whacked two kids, and you talk to me about family ?

He whacked those kids because he obeyed your orders.

Which proves he's a good Milicien.

Of course, he's my Godson.

What the fuck will we do in Germany ? The Fritz are losing the war,

The problem is the short term, Andr�.

We die here, or we evacuate.

I want to be evacuated.

OK. You win....

as usual.

We evacuate.

Okay guys. Security level 5. Night watch in shifts, 3-6.

Tomorrow depart for Seurres station 13:00h. Only wives and children. Is that clear?

And my sister ? Obviously Genevieve comes, but be discreet.

Will you come to eat at my place tonight ?

Last night in Villeneuve.

You're kind, but I'm getting Eliane and the children.

The family... do you know what that is ?

No question of discussions with Police or the Vichy administration.

But what do you risk ?

They'll be unarmed. At your mercy.

We don't talk with traitors.

Marie... They're holding twelve Resistants.

And they threaten to kill them ?

Deliver them to the Germans,

It's the same thing.

You came to communicate a blackmail ?

Listen...

Marchetti, his policemen and Servier are desperate.

They're not however all... I don't know... monsters !

Just Collaborators.

That's how you see me.

Just a Collaborator.

You're not a police officer, Daniel.

Well. Let's be clear.

For any armed Milice, immediate execution. That's a national order and non-negotiable,

Well, my approach isn't about the Milice...

but the Police and Sous-Pr�fet.

What are Marchetti and Servier offering ?

A meeting on neutral ground.

What do you risk in a simple meeting.

Getting us disowned by the majority of the CDL.

If it saves lives ?

They should have thought of that earlier.

No, I'm sorry. This meeting is impossible.

But tell Marchetti and Servier, if we learn the 12 Resistants were killed, they'll not end up in Paradise

Let's go.

This is a tricky one. What's the target ?

To kill Janvier.

He lives at the end. The metal gate.

It's dangerous here.

There's no good escape route.

And they may spot the car.

It's because it's dangerous that I thought of you.

It is a decision of the CDL ? No.

It's our decision.

The CDL does politics. We act.

Janvier is shite.

He massacred a family...

the Vernets.

You knew ? Yes.

OK. I agree.

I'll pretend the bike's broken. I'll watch and work something out.

Are you afraid ?

No more than usual.

It's no longer a stigma to be scared, eh ?

It looks like you're more afraid of me than the Milice.

I'm accustomed to the Milice.

Were you as close as all that to Vernet ?

No.

So, basically... why are we here ?

We're hear to forget the eyes of two kids.

Will killing Janvier make you forget ?

Wait, look !

You know, the best way to go unnoticed would be to kiss.

You think so ? I'm sure !

Wait...

is this is for real or not ?

That's a funny question.

Are you OK ?

I was thinking...

of my first hideout,

In '41. In front of the Villeneuve church.

What was the hideout in '41 about ?

We killed a German officer.

Well... Marcel did. In '41 !

I understand the Boss comes home to dinner this evening.

Perfect ! Frankly, it's risky.

Are you sure you really want to go on ? Yes.

Good. I'll come with a pal.

We'll meet at half past seven. Gives time to test the waters.

So ?

So... they refused a meeting.

The Milice killed Vernet, his wife and their two children.

Work, Family and Country.

All that doesn't help our business.

The Boches are asking if we have any more prisoners.

I have to call Schneider back.

Tell them we have no more.

And release the remaining twelve.

Are you going to take the train to Belfort ?

Why do you want me to go fuck about in Belfort ?

What are you going to do ?

Don't worry. I'll never have the courage to do that.

Servier went to Besan�on.

He went to see the Intendant of Police.

There's talk of Police surrendering to the Pr�fet appointed by the Resistance.

He's to call me back.

Good, get a move on and free the remaining 12 guys.

Go on !

And discreetly, Loriot.

It doesn't look bad. No-one at the machine guns.

Two sentries at either end.

The problem is to neutralize them. No noise !

If they've time to raise the alarm, we're screwed.

So the knife, and if possible synchronized. Understood !

The radio's on the North side.

I'll neutralize it. Meanwhile, Fernand and Paul...

they do the South.

Do you have your knife ? Yes.

Let's go !

Be careful !

Yes, Maman.

They just put out their cigarettes.

When they light up next, you make a noise...

their hands will be occupied...

it's the best time.

I'll take the second one...

When the first one turns, you take him. OK ?

Come on.

{an8}I think Martin received his Schnapps !

{an8}Lucky Martin !

{an8}The Schapps will kill him before the Americans do !

{an8}You know, I want to go home...

{an8}but I'm afraid too.

{an8}Afraid of what she'll say to me.

{an8}You never know what's in women's heads.

{an8}No, not now.

{an8}the night's going to be long

{an8}That's true.

{an8}You know...

{an8}for your wife...

{an8}you must always hope, in life

{an8}to believe in God...

{an8}and hope.

Perhaps you're right.

Ah well, give me a cigarette.

Did you hear that ?

Go and see.

Finish him ! No.

We can gag and tie him up.

Let's get a move on and get rid of the body.

I wonder what they were talking about.

Women. Yours had a problem with his wife.

Thanks to you it's solved.

You're not eating anything, eh ?

The chicken isn't good, eh ?

Yes, yes.

Ah the man of action !

You must eat. And a lovely woman too.

I wasn't very hungry.

What's wrong with you two ?

We've prepared you a fine chicken with potatoes...

Potatoes, right now...

I'm afraid !

It's spoiled my appetite,

You're right to be afraid...

you have to live with it.

At dinner time, you have to eat.

And drink.

Are you afraid too ?

I'm thinking of the children, Godfather. Which children ?

Oh yes. Those.

What children are you talking about ? It's a men's story.

But you talk about it in front of me.

Ah, your sister, doesn't keep her tongue in her pocket, eh ?

She's cute, eh ?

You'll go far, Genevieve.

If I was younger...

You know, Alban, in war...

We do horrible things.

Alas ! No !

It's necessary.

Man is an animal...

he only knows one law...

dominate...

or be dominated.

We do horrible things like...

this afternoon.

So what did you do, really ?

To prevent the Bolsheviks and Yids from dominating...

that's the only thing they understand.

The result is you lose, and we have to flee.

Because we've not done enough horrible things.

They're not afraid enough of us.

We've been weak.

That's the mistake of we French.

We've been soft.

Not human enough.

The boss told me to go.

I'm not happy, so keep an eye open

Looks like we've been seen.

No, I think he's going to take off.

It means there'll only be one outside.

And just Janvier inside.

Alain said he'd seen Janvier and another guy.

So, from what we know, Janvier's alone.

He's taking off. Good.

You wait 10 minutes...

then Suzanne gets out of the car, and we do as planned.

Antoine, as soon as you hear the shots come straight over there.

Is that clear?

Yes.

{an8}Stop !

{an8}Stop everything !

{an8}Why ?

{an8}The Resistance have taken control of the Rocheford bridge.

{an8}It wasn't guarded ?

{an8}That's not the question ! It has to be re-taken quickly !

{an8}I want you to ask for the help of the French Milice

{an8}That they make themselves useful, for once ! Immediately !

{an8}Do you know where Janvier lives ?

{an8}Yes.

{an8}Then get to it !

{an8}I want those arseholes to intervene before midnight. Understood ?

{an8}I expect your report in an hour.

{an8}At your command !

{an8}Yes

{an8}Prepare an escort of six men...

{an8}in five minutes.

{an8}Light arms.

{an8}At your command !

{an8}I have the papers...

{an8}and a frontier passer.

{an8}He'll lead you to Thonon, and then by boat on the Lake.

{an8}Yes, but you have to leave immediately.

{an8}You have until midnight, then the Swiss have ordered the frontier locked.

{an8}If I leave now, Schneider will know about it right away !

{an8}If you don't leave now, you won't leave at all.

{an8}Good.

{an8}Alea jacta est (The die is cast).

{an8}Madame Larcher is in the car, just outside.

{an8}You knew what I would decide...

{an8}We have to hurry.

It's time.

Be careful.

I think I'm in love with you,

Me too.

When I drink claret, Friend, everything turns, turns, turns...

So from now I drink Anjou or Arbois.

Let's sing and drink, Make war on this bottle.

When I drink claret, Friend, everything turns, turns, turns...

What are you doing outside during full curfew, Mademoiselle ?

I think I'm lost.

Is Delmas Farm that way ?

Do you think they heard us ? I don't know.

Whore !

Look out ! There are at least two.

Genevieve, go up and lock yourself in.

I missed him. Let's get out !

Let's get him out.

Sub-titles by Rod Clarke Whitby, Ont. January 2015