Original subtitles

The Rope

Shouldn't we get moving !

Don't worry. We're not very far away, are we ?

I have a bad feeling.

What are you talking about ?

Ah, we're talking nonsense,

So love is nonsense ?

Don't tell me you speak English !

Fluently.

I understood nothing, not a word, except 'love'.

I don't understand !

You got to get me to the bridge !

Take their handcuffs off.

Are you sure ?

I've wanted you for a long time.

So ? How does it feel ?

A little pleasing.

Right now, it's not something to sneeze at.

You won't go long after us. Your days are numbered, Marchetti.

Any news of Marcel Larcher ?

How's he doing ?

What do you expect if you give us to the Boches ?

Are you in a hurry ?

He's not going to give us to the Boche, but to the Milice, that filth.

French first !

Can I go ? No.

What's the matter, are you in a hurry too ?

I have stuff to do,

Well, you'll wait to do your stuff.

Help yourself to a glass. No, thank you.

Marcel was quickly replaced, eh ?

Only a slight difference, ultimately.

What are you waiting for ?

For time to pass.

Neither of us has very much time left, so...

I'm enjoying it.

You can enjoy it too, if you like.

I'd offer you a drink, but well... times are tough, so I'll save it.

Put their handcuffs on.

Monsieur le Sous-Pr�fet.

What do you intend to do ?

I think the resistance would be willing to negotiate for Antoine.

Who's aware of the arrest ?

Apart from the woman who shopped them, just my guys.

The two or three that remain.

Be careful, Marchetti...

If the Milice learn you've the people who killed their leader and you don't hand them over...

we'll have problems much more serious than the Resistance.

The Milice are leaving, right ?

For now, they are in town,

Cooking something up with the Boches.

So I'll restart negotiation and if it fails you give them Antoine and the girl. Understood ?

I love you,

You think that you love me, do you ?

Always. For as long as that lasts.

Take me.

I love you so much.

Me too, I love you.

Was that thunder ?

Yes, that was thunder...

American thunder. They're bombing Besan�on.

Now what ? I don't know.

We can no longer cross the Swiss frontier.

We can't go back to Villeneuve. We're almost out of fuel.

It's a bad start, eh ?

And yet you smile. Yes.

I can't get really scared when I'm with you.

Big mistake ! No.

I think that you'll always find a solution.

I'd like to share your admiration for me.

We have to try to get into Germany.

With the marriage certificate, we may have a chance.

Come on, Come !

What are they doing ?

Maybe we should get out ?

We were told to wait here.

At least we're dry.

They can't be serious about things, to make us wait like this !

Unlike us, they're not in a hurry.

And in our business, you have to know how to wait.

Monsieur le Sous-Pr�fet... Yes, Inspecteur ?

Who do we represent in this meeting ?

Well, I mean... apart from ourselves ?

The French State...

seriously ill...

but not dead.

It's funny to represent a patient.

Here.

Well, open your windows, if you don't mind.

Do you think they're ready to negotiate ?

By accepting the meeting, they're bound to have consulted Antoine.

If I were them, I wouldn't negotiate.

I'd send us all to the devil.

If you were them, the French State would be in great shape.

It looks like it's easing off.

That's what you think !

Search them !

You think we'd come armed to such a rendez-vous ?

I'm like St. Thomas. I believe what I can see.

Marie Germain isn't here ? Where are our comrades ?

Safe. What does that mean ?

It means that if we reach agreement, they'll be free,

There's no question of an agreement.

You value the life of Antoine and his comrade, right ?

Yes.

So we'll have to reach an agreement.

You hear that ?

Besan�on is falling,

You no longer represent anything here. Or anyone.

Yes... shall we go ?

Give us 2 minutes with these shits, they'll soon tell us where Antoine is.

It's alright, it's OK, it's OK.

We represent a legitimate power.

Yeah, a bunch of traitors and Collabos !

A legitimate power that will soon be replaced by another power...

a legitimate one, which you represent.

So, either we can speak responsibly... Or not !

What use coming to see them, if it's to say that ?

I was against it.

We're not going back over that.

I don't if there'll be an agreement...

but we'll listen to you.

What are you offering ? I warn you, you've no direction from the CDL !

There's a punch coming in your "direction", if you keep on like this.

We can... maybe sit down ?

No ?

OK.

But I don't want any underlings. Just you two, he can go.

Sure, good idea. Return to base, Loriot. If we're not back in 2 hours, you know what to do.

Go on.

Yes Mireille. Tonight, don't worry.

No. I can't right now.

Listen, we'll discuss it at another time.

As soon as Marchetti gets back.... I'm leaving.

Why hasn't Marchetti handed us over ?

I don't know.

But while we're not in the Milice's hands we have a chance.

You know, if he gives us to the Milice...

Stop that. Liberation is just a matter of days. So what, if we talk ?

I'm not afraid of talking.

It's what they'll do to me.

I've been told what they do to women before killing them.

Yes, well we're not there yet.

Handcuffed, there's nothing to be done.

Apart from skinning my wrist !

Good day, Boss. Good day, what is it ?

It's strange...

In the last year I've often thought of Marcel, waiting during his last hours...

I've often wondered what he was thinking of then.

You mean, was he thinking of you ? No.

Well yes, of course, but not only that.

Was he thinking of Gustave, of Daniel, of his wife...

something else... I don't know...

a memory...

a regret.

And you now ? What are you thinking of ?

I'm not thinking of anything.

We never think of nothing.

Well, I do, you see,

You're thinking of Marcel, apparently.

Ah, you can be boring, when you set yourself to it.

I do what I can.

I think about life.

The beauty of life...

my daughter...

my father...

who made me laugh so much when I was little.

Of what you and me could have done...

A story that Marcel told me...

A story ?

Something he read to Gustave in the evening to get him to sleep.

The story of a little boy who sought the source of gold...

Do you know it ?

No...

No one ever read me a story.

Apart from Claude.

In fact, Marcel sometimes told me it when I couldn't get to sleep.

And what did it tell you ?

The little boy and the source of gold ?

Do you think it hurts when you swallow the pill ?

What do you want for the release of Antoine and Suzanne ?

A sworn statement. What kind ?

The kind that provides security for our families.

For us, review by an official commission. And out of it, a fair trial.

You don't want the L�gion d'Honneur while you're at it ?

You can play the clown, but the clock is ticking.

In less than 2 hours, I guarantee nothing for Antoine and Suzanne.

OK. You want a written document ?

Of course ! Impossible.

Why ? It would have no value,

Because your signature's worthless ? Is that it ?

Only the Pr�fet's is worth something.

And for now he's not here.

It's De Kervern ? Is that it.

What would prevent him confirming what you sign ?

Nothing.

But he's not obliged to do so.

That means we have no guarantee.

You see, we're playing fair with you.

Yes. Well you'll have to do better than that.

I don't believe you. You don't seem to understand...

if we go empty-handed, your friends will be tortured and executed.

Bastards !

Why are we discussing with these shites ?

We'll suspend the meeting for a few minutes.

We need to take a little perspective.

Fernand !

Raymond !

Did you hear a scream ?

No.

A woman's cry ?

A voice calling me.

A woman's voice ?

Raymond's hearing voices !

You think you're Joan of Arc ?

Raymond ! Raymond.

I've come to ask you to save France from the English invaders...

Raymond, you imbecile.

We need rope. Do you know where to find ropes ?

Ropes ?

Yeah, we're not from here, we don't know where they are.

Hemp rope, strong, eh !

What for ?

Hey ! Look.

Who are these people ? I don't not know,

Are you screwing me around ?

They just asked me to guard them.

They correspond to reports of the terrorists who killed the boss.

I'm not aware of that.

Who are you ?

Why are you here ?

What are you doing here ?

Why are you here ?

Well, then we'll take them...

and we'll see if Alban identifies them.

The key to the handcuffs ?

Get a move on ! The handcuffs !

Come on ! What's going on ?

Who are these people ? What's it to you ?

You're at the Police Judiciaire here.

You refuse to help the Milice ? I obey my boss.

Oh yes ? He's not in the Milice.

Everyone must help the Milice. I warn you...

Listen to me kid, I was a cop before you were born.

Take your brother by the hand and sod off !

Ge going, on the double. We'll be back. Shit !

Come on, you !

Thank you.

Nothing, really,

Nice of you to visit me

Let us go, I beg you.

They don't know us, but they'll tell others who do.

You, I can.

Not him.

Accept his offer. Go !

And I let you die here !

Dying is useless Suzanne. I learned that last year.

Well I learned letting someone die can be worse than dying.

We stay together, or we leave together.

I've always wondered this letter A means.

Very important. Vital, even.

What else ? Guess.

A... for Amour.

Love is made...

it's not written.

So...

A for...

for argent (money) ?

I remind you I'm German.

Our money is geld.... with a G.

So... uhm...

Achtung,

It could be.

That's an important word in my vocabulary.

But that's not it.

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

Aaaaaaaa.....

just my blood type,

Oh ?

A... is your blood group ?

We SS, you know, are very important...

If we must be urgently transfused, and are not able to speak...

I don't even know my own blood group.

Do you want a little ?

This... is my blood.

We've thought quite a bit.

In exchange for release of our comrades...

we're ready to give you a written guarantee.

The principle is...

safety for your families.

Those who have them.

And for the officials themselves...

House Arrest...

and a fair trial in due course.

I thought a document signed by you would have no value,

We made inquiries.

I'm assuming the authority of Pr�fet.

This looks possible to me.

Hold On,

The Milice are excluded from the agreement of course...

Counter Intelligence...

Special brigades...

the SPAC (Anti-Communist Police Service)

There are none in Villeneuve.

and those who have killed directly or caused the death of one of our comrades.

That means, among others, me. Among others, you.

Well... you can't... the...

Commissaire Marchetti came in good faith, without weapons...

We can do what we Monsieur Servier.

I refuse to personalize situations in this manner.

Marchetti has too much blood on his hands.

He's the symbol of the repression.

The deportations.

He's not savable.

It's up to you if you prefer to go along with him.

To sacrifice all the others.

I do not see how I could even envisage...

Leave it !

Leave it.

I think he's right...

I'm not saveable.

Marchetti ! It's OK.

It's OK.

You agree to respect this document for all my guys ?

The plain-clothes cops, uniformed, Auxiliaries.

If we get back Suzanne and Antoine alive, yes.

Do you value your life, Madame ?

As much as you do.

When will the Americans relieve you at the bridge ?

How many men do they have ?

How many weapons ?

I won't kill you right away, I'll start by shooting you in the knee...

and then into the elbow...

I can tell you that you're going to talk.

And I can tell you that you won't shoot. We're too near the bridge.

You're in luck, but...

you gain nothing by stalling.

Loriot, the two Milice are returning. What are they doing ?

They're stopped by the entrance... talking.

Get out while there's still time. Shut up !

If we get out of this, I'll never forgive you. Big deal !

You'll pay for it. An opportunity to meet again.

Shit, it's the two that were here, they've got machine guns.

Why ? They're talking, now they're pointing at our windows,

You've come at the right time. So ?

We've an agreement, must get these two out, damned quick.

Two Milice down there have worked out who they are.

I know, I saw. OK Sorbier, the cuffs.

Go by the old clerk's cellar. There's just a latch. These morons won't know it.

Take Rue des Plantes, and deliver them to the FFI.

They're at the Limes crossroads.

The agreement... what does it say ?

House arrest & fair trial, except for some, I'll give you the details.

You signed an agreement with our comrades !

Between civilized people, we can always agree, right ?

So, what are you going to do ? Don't worry about me, we've an agreement.

Come on, hurry. If anything happens to them, it's all over. Go !

Jean ! Do you still need me ?

No. It's OK, you can go,

I should leave for Switzerland tonight...

with my wife...

Do you think it's worth a try ?

I don't know, old chap. If you've a good channel it's up to you.

Do you want to come with us ?

My brother-in-law was coming, but now he's not.

I have papers for three.

No, it's fine. Go.

Mar�chal...

here we are.

Before you...

the saviour of France.

We swear...

we, your boys.

To serve and follow in your footsteps.

Mar�chal...

here we are.

Before you...

the savior of France.

Where are the prisoners ?

I don't know, gentlemen. I've just arrived.

They're the assassins of Janvier. What've you done with them ?

Listen, I said I don't know. It's a mess here, as you see.

He's screwing us around.

Your screwing around with us. Take him !

Take him ! Don't touch me.

Come on !

Blanchon will decide what to do with you.

She's been gone too long.

20 km, even with stops and detours...

We could send someone for news. No, it's useless.

We should never have let her go, that's all.

Marie, what are you doing !

She'll get by, leave her...

We're here to watch the bridge.

No Boche movements ?

Ernest !

Chief !

The cops were holding the ones who shot Janvier.

They released them without warning us.

So, we've brought you this piece of shit.

Is it true, what he says ?

Yes.

Why did you do that ?

To negotiate an agreement with the future authorities.

But they'd already told me I was the only one... 'not saveable'

You're ripe to join the Milice, Marchetti.

I wouldn't go that far.

Right, let him be. We have other fish to fry at the moment.

Chief... Do you know what a direct order is, Xavier ?

Yes, Chief. So shut it, he's on our side, and there aren't many.

Forget the rest.

Chef !

Kommandant Schneider wants to start.

Start what ?

Chef... do we have to participate ?

Obviously we're obliged, little Alban, or goodbye to our train.

It pleases me no more than you.

But we have to do it.

Come, we need all we can get to maintain order. Come on, let's go.

Go help them,

The Kommandant is going to speak. Order silence. Schnell !

Silence, please, the German Kommandant is going to speak.

Silence !

Silence !

German soldiers were murdered in Villeneuve by cowardly terrorists...

We gave the population six hours to deliver them to us.

The ultimatum has expired.

Look.

Look carefully, people of Villeneuve...

and remind yourselves of the cost...

of cowardly attacks on the German Army.

Please.

And the next !

{an8}This girl is connected with the terrorists at the bridge.

{an8}She can join the others.

{an8}I don't hang women.

{an8}It's a question of civilization.

{an8}Something you Bavarians can't understand !

{an8}Herr Hauptmann, she had a detonator.

{an8}Her interrogation showed her to be an experienced terrorist.

{an8}Yes... but today it's important to only kill the innocent.

{an8}You don't impress crowds by killing the guilty.

{an8}And as I told you, I don't hang women.

{an8}So what do we do ?

{an8}She doesn't interest me, we're leaving soon.

{an8}Hand her to the French, they can do what they want.

Next.

The Kommandant asked me to hand you this terrorist.

What does he want us to do ? He knows we're leaving.

For where ? The Belfort train.

It's confirmed for 16:00h. Schneider wants to talk to you, Chief,

I'm coming,

You're even worse than I imagined, Marchetti.

That's because people like you lack imagination. The Germans are our enemies...

but French people like you, who are also involved in the death of innocent Frenchmen...

Shut it. How can you let this happen !

You must intervene, tell Schneider to stop. Three's enough.

Four !

All your life.... all that's left of it...

you'll remember this moment. You've become inhuman.

I told you to shut up ! What if I don't ? I'm done for anyway.

How can you be so cold, indifferent ? I don't understand, What happened to your humanity !

You there, get a ladder and rope. Quick, hurry up.

If you mean to scare me, you don't know me well.

I know you better than you know me.,

You'll never go that far.

You don't have that kind of courage.

It takes courage to kill, Marchetti. All you can do...

is hunt down, torture... In the shelter of your little office.

Get her up.

Come on, hurry up. Get her up.

You're going to shut up now.

You'll never go to the end. You'll never go to the end of anything.

Because cowardice sweats out of all your pores, Marchetti.

Because you're not a fighter, you're not a man. You're just a filthy lackey.

What's she doing ?

This mania for managing everything herself !

She's difficult.

But she's the comrade that I admire most.

Quiet courage. It's so rare.

Either no courage...

or no discretion.

Or both.

The Boches !

The Boches are here. How many are there ?

Plenty !

What does plenty mean ?

A guy on a bike says three trucks, a sidecar and an armoured car.

What do we do ? Can we stop them ?

No, we'll hold them two minutes, they'll get us all. It's suicide.

But we can't let them go !

Listen, you might want to die for France, but not me.

We're winning the war. It's just another little battle.

We'll pull out.

Pull out !

Son of a bitch !

There's Schneider.

Three trucks,

The staff car, everyone.

The Germans are leaving Villeneuve !

When Marie finds out about this !

She'll be furious that we haven't blown up the bridge.

Have you heard anything of Max ?

No. not since yesterday,

There not much chance that he's been released, you know,

Ah ! Max is indestructible.

Well, I hope so.

You know, without you...

I would have swallowed the tablet.

Without me, you wouldn't have killed Janvier.

You wouldn't have been arrested.

So you wouldn't have had to swallow anything.

Why do you minimize your role ?

I like a man who saves me.

The Boches are gone. The Boches have left Villeneuve !

It's the Liberation ! What's that ?

The Boche have gone. Villeneuve is liberated !

Villeneuve is liberated !

Villeneuve is free !

It's over. We're free !

Subtitles by Rod Clarke Whitby, Ont. Feb 2015