Original subtitles

Geneviève, this is François. - We've already introduced ourselves.

I explained that I'm a retired tennis champion and that my father is a millionaire industrialist.

And my mother is of nobility. So she's going to marry me tonight.

That's wonderful, but you have to wait until she has served table four.

Hurry, Geneviève.

François, find Max. I need him here, now.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm assured that there is no cause for alarm.

In a moment, Max will entertain you on the piano.

Flawless. Work permits, ID cards,

medical certificates, masterpieces of the forger's craft, even though I say it myself.

You're wanted in the... - He's lost his bearings. Heading South.

That's not the way home to England.

Max, were you... Are you going along with Natalie? - You know about that?

Of course I do. Did all the papers.

Oh, don't worry sweetheart. You'll soon learn. It's the Gestapo we don't trust.

Not each other.

Well?

It's bad news I'm afraid. The meeting is fixed for Monday night.

The Gestapo are watching the stockroom behind Henri's shoe shop.

Can we come here, Jean Louis?

Well, I don't know... - It's important. Well, come on. Yes or no.

I'm sorry. I've got to be back in the freight yard in a couple of hours.

And I've got 20 kilometres to get there.

Poor devil.

He won't even get that far.

Well then?

Monday? - Yes.

Yes, alright.

I shan't be able to get back into Brussels again, so it's up to you to let all the others know, and Jean-Louis

whatever happens, make sure Max turns up.

What's it all about?

We're taking over Lifeline.

Monsieur Barsacq?

Monsieur Barsacq. I have to go.

Oh yes, very well Danielle.

There's a casserole in the oven. Don't burn your fingers taking it out this time.

I'll try to remember.

The bomber last night. - Yes.

Georges came past with his cart about an hour ago.

He saw it in a turnip field with the Luftwaffe police guarding it.

It's burnt out. A Lancaster.

They found three inside. - Three?

Only three?

Well, father's expecting me in the shop. I'd better go.

Unless there's anything else you want monsieur. - No, I shall manage. Thank you, Danielle.

Your father. How is he? - The same monsieur.

He has courage.

You know Danielle, this isn't much of a life for you. - I like coming here.

You know what I mean.

Your friend Paul Vecors seems a good sort.

You should get married again.

Goodbye, monsieur.

Shall we say the two sacks of potatoes now, Mr Barsacq, and the rest later, if possible?

Yes, certainly.

In good condition I hope.

No, I can arrange to have them collected. Thank you.

The bomber down last night South of Halle. Jean Barsacq's got two of the crew.

Only two? - Yes, so far. How are things with you?

Oh, nerve wracking. One of the children saw his first Gestapo man and nearly panicked.

Why don't you go to bed for a couple of hours? - Yes, I will.

The three men that we've got with doctor Keldermans... - I need to talk to you about those Albert.

If they stay there much longer, they'll start getting jumpy. - Natalie is taking them down the line on Monday night.

Yes, should be alright.

This thing's been going since dawn.

Restaurant Candide.

Monsieur Farge.

No, no, no. You can find me here every evening.

Good.

Whatever time suits you, Monsieur Farge.

Bluebee? - Yes.

He's got the stuff he promised. Strictly for cash.

Coffee. Well, he calls it coffee and I'm in no position to argue.

Eggs, cheese,

Roquefort,

half a sheep,

and some real butter. - I don't believe it.

Bluebee is skating on thin ice. - Yes, I know.

Albert, why shouldn't it be alright with Natalie?

Francois is going too.

Francois? He doesn't know anything.

Well, there was a time when I didn't know anything, nor did you.

He's been helping our people down in Bayonne for the past seven weeks. He must have learned something.

All he's got to do is keep his mouth shut and his eyes open.

Anyway, the Germans have more on their minds besides us.

That's the third train crash this month.

The Communists? - Yes, who else?

We've got into the habit of thinking that the war begins and ends with the escape line.

We've had to learn to be ruthless in our business.

The communists have always been ruthless in theirs.

We can't wait here long. We'll have to start. Comrades. I shan't keep you very long.

First, our thanks to Jean-Louis and his wife for letting us come here tonight.

As some of you know, we lost Lucien and Felice last week at the...

You're late comrade. - Sorry.

I'll come straight to the point.

We can go on blowing up bridges, wrecking trains, cutting power lines until the crack of doom.

All we get for our pains are reprisals,

and we all know how good the Gestapo can be at that game.

However, we are doing well in most areas.

One area that remains apart is the evasion line network.

I propose to take over that network now. What do you say Max?

Lifeline? - Yes. - But... - It's got contacts, some of them in high places.

It's got political influence and it's got money. A flood of it coming across the channel from London. True Max? - Every word.

You're on the inside Max, not us. Now when can we take the line over?

Wrong question.

Not when, but how?

And the answer is gradually. Very gradually. - Not good enough comrade.

It's my best offer. - Then you'd better come up with a better one.

Now if Germany collapse tomorrow,

it would mean the ferocious renewal of the war that's been kept in cold storage since 1939.

If? - The real war, against us.

would mean a triumph of Anglo American imperialism and set us back 50 years.

On that day we, the only active controlling force in occupied Europe,

must be in a position to take over and control our respective countries

and we must be strong enough to convince the military that we mean business.

Paul's right Max. - Well of course I'm right. - I agree with everything that's being said.

Good - except Paul's demand for instant action. It won't work.

No, our only hope is to replace the evasion line workers, one at a time,

without them realizing what is happening.

Oh rubbish.

Let's listen to Paul's idea. - What would be the point? You won't even consider an immediate takeover.

He's the only one who knows who the organizers are.

Eh comrade? - Yes, that's right.

It's all up here. - And that's where it's going to stay.

One hint of suspicion. And Lifeline will melt into thin air.

There'll be nothing left to take over. No money, no contacts, nothing.

Now you stick to your business of tearing up railway lines. And let me stick to mine, comrade.

Max isn't in yet? - No, not yet.

You might ask him where the hell he gets to these days? He's never here when he's wanted, is he?

Well he's got a life of his own you know. A girl maybe?

Well, I hope he has a better time of it than me, and if she's lucky, he might even marry her.

Open it.

Where did you get that?

Do you like it?

I haven't seen this since, since before the war.

Oh, it's lovely. Smell it.

Oh, you know, I lay awake last night

thinking about what we'd do when the war was over.

I ended up dreaming about an unending line of foreign airmen.

We passed them down the line. They'd get back to England.

They'd fly out again. They'd get shot down again.

Then it all starts again.

Will it ever end Albert?

I want to survive. I want us both to survive.

Is that all? - There's no time for anything else.

Max, come in.

You're late Max. - Ah, but you still love me, don't you.

Hurry up Max. I open in two minutes.

Alright.

Any problems? No, I double checked everything. All we have to do is go. - Good luck. Both of you.

All you have to do François, is relax.

Don't take any chances. Promise me.

Good luck.

You are worried, aren't you?

Francois and Natalie. What chance do they have?

What a time to fall in love.

Oh, hell.

Oh well. It's time to open up.

Not bad, Kessler.

Do you like it, Herr Oberst? - Not as good as we have in Berlin, but not bad.

As long as they behave reasonably,

life can be pleasant for everybody in occupied territory. - Exactly.

Do you enjoy your work here in Brussels? - Oh very much.

You, and your friend Brandt?

Major Brandt of the Luftwaffe Polizei is my colleague... - Yes, yes, yes.

The lame duck I heard the other night...

The Lancaster, yes, yes. It came down just south of Halle, out in the country.

Has Brandt accounted for the aircrew?

Three dead, one picked up by his men, two, possibly three, still missing.

It's always the same. Send a man too far from Berlin and he gets slack.

As for yourself, Kessler, a word of warning... - Herr Oberst?

Reichsführer Himmler...

I must thank you Kessler for your hospitality.

Not at all. Herr Oberst. It's not often that senior officers from Berlin... - Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, by special request, and for all our German friends,

An old song. A lullaby.

You see, these Belgians can be sensible.

Herr Oberst...

Such feeling.

She might almost be German.

Yes, yes. - The Reichsführer?

The Reichsführer knows

that the evasion line for Allied airmen was started as far back as 1940.

He simply cannot understand why it is still active.

Frankly Kessler, it has occurred to me that you may find your work too demanding.

No, Herr Oberst, not at all.

If need be, something different could be found for you, further East.

Excuse me, Sirs. - Yes yes yes yes.

Thank you, I wonder.

Cordon Rouge?

If it would please the Herr Oberst. - Of course.

My dear Kessler, excellent.

Excellent.

Would it be tactless to inquire how you came by such a bottle?

Well, in the way of business Herr Oberst. Isn't it less important to know how the bottle was obtained

than who drinks from it? Excuse me.

Mademoiselle, you sing charmingly. Please allow me to congratulate you. - Thank you.

A glass. - Yes, Herr Oberst.

We Germans offer the Belgium people nothing but our friendship.

Singing such as yours Mademoiselle

can only strengthen that friendship.

In our own way, we try to do what is right.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Berlin expects results.

One evasion line operates from somewhere here in Brussels.

Under your nose Kessler.

Business good tonight then? - It's always good when the Gestapo is in?

No eggs.

What we agreed.

But you still owe me those eggs.

Can you get me some whisky? - Depends.

I'll pay above the going rate. Just a minute.

Restaurant Candide.

Yes, Alain?

What!?

Trouble?

I'll be off then. - What about the curfew?

My problem, not yours.

Alain, just hold on a minute will you?.

Is that all you know?

Right. OK.

I'm a man of my word. Give me the names of the terrorists who derailed the Paris Express

and I will do what I can for you. Otherwise...

You'll forgive my working breakfast Herr Major, but I've been here since dawn.

You understand?

You'll take coffee with me?

Oh, no. - You're making a mistake. It's excellent coffee.

Well?

I'm sorry I can't waste any more time, right?

I've taken 20 hostages, all communists. Most of them suspected terrorists.

They will be shot? - Of course.

I've been wondering if the situation might not be exploited in a different direction. - How do you mean?

Well you have people in Brussels with access to the communists. - Informers? Of course.

What if the normal traffic in information was reversed? - Reversed?

Well, what I mean is Berlin is insisting that Lifeline's activities be halted. Right?

And the communists, they must be concerned about your hostages.

So as an exchange,

if they could be persuaded to identify the Lifeline people.

No, not yet.

Georges, the farmhand is keeping an eye open for them.

But Monsieur Foiret, if your vegetables were lost in transit,

they could be anywhere.

Yes, yes, of course. I shall do what I can.

Let's take it from A, Felix,

and Madeleine, try to remember that it's not a funeral march we're playing,

but Marcello.

And 1 and 2 and 3 and...

Nothing? - Not yet.

Well, they can't just disappear Albert. - Look, if they're hidden from us, they're equally hidden from everybody.

Have they searched the area around the train crash?

Well it's all farmland. They could be tucked away in one of 100 places.

Do you want a drink? - Yes, please.

Anyway, wherever they are, we'll go to Jean Barsacq's first. - Why?

The crash happened near there and he knows that area much better than we do.

Now look, I'm sorry. You're going to have to go out again.

I know.

And take Doctor Keldermans with you. If things are bad, you'll need his help.

Barsacq. He doesn't know me.

He's expecting one of us.

Now look, when you get to the village, go to the general shop.

Don't get involved with the old man. It's his daughter Danielle you want.

She keeps house for Barsacq.

She's not part of the line but she's honest and reliable.

Now she will tell you how to get to the house. Otherwise you might waste hours trying to find it.

Damn, there was something else.

Oh yes, yes. The two RAF men who were in the burnt out Lancaster.

Now Georges, has moved them. - Barsacq's place is empty? - Right.

Yes, Max? - Do you know something called Bluebee?

Why? - He's just been pulled in on a dozen different black market charges.

I should imagine some people in Brussels hope he's got the good manners to keep his mouth shut.

Not a friend of yours is he? - It's just one damn thing after another.

Albert. Get onto Alain. - Just a minute. Get onto Alain. Get him to bring the van round. Move everything,

everything here of Bluebee's. - I'd better go and lock the front door, hadn't I?

Do you know what that stuff costs? - You're in charge of Lifeline now. That comes first.

Call Alain. - Yes but Monique... - Tell him to dump it!

How's are you? - Still the same.

How about you, how do you feel?

François. I thought you'd been arrested.

The police are everywhere. Along the railway, the road.

Albert, did you get through to him?

It took me hours to find a usable telephone.

I told him where we are and how things are.

They got the up line working. The rest is chaos.

Last night...

The American. - Forget about him, Francois.

Didn't you see him. - He's dead!

Here. Breakfast.

There's a woman in the farmhouse. - Oh?

Hanging out washing.

I'm glad you're back.

What about him?

Well, what about him?

Danielle... - Alright.

Paul, you're soaked.

Paul?

Twenty of our people.

Twenty.

Max won't lift a finger to save them.

I spent an hour in Brussels trying to knock some sense into his head.

I should have saved myself a bus fare. - Danielle? - Father?

Danielle. What am I going to do?

Do you Trust Kessler? - I would do if I could. I'd have to, but I can't.

I've failed. Well, Max has failed me.

There's nothing more I can do.

Max could save 20 of our people, but he won't.

So his sort of communism isn't mine. Oh, he speaks the same language, but his heart isn't in the right place.

Comrade Max has only one loyalty. To comrade Max.

Do you know what I think? I think he wants to keep Lifeline for himself.

Paul, I'm worried.

I had two people in here earlier. A father and daughter, I think.

He bought an umbrella. The girl was wet through. I let her go back there to dry off.

They were asking directions for Jean Barsacq's house.

Barsacq?

The girl left this behind. It's empty.

More of Barsacq's blue blooded friends. There's only one kind of spoilt bitch can get stuff like this.

What are you worried about? - The old man was looking at this.

Well? - It's hardly Max's style.

It's pretty. - Pretty? Yes. - It's empty!

Useless. - What's the point?

You know what my life has been like.

Yes, I know, Danielle. Don't look at me like that.

You know how I feel. Have I changed?

Have I changed Danielle? - No. - Well then.

Tonight. Come back with me tonight? - No.

Why not?

It's Barsacq, isn't it?

It is? It is?

You, Danielle, in love with an aristocrat.

What hope in hell do you think you've got? - Go away, Paul.

How can I compete with a blind man?

He may be blind, but he isn't useless.

Don't hurt him?

Alright, I won't come back here again.

I can't help it.

No one can.

Those two who came here...

They'd lost their way? - Yes.

Barsacq...

Major Brandt. How would you like to fill your lungs with country air?

Now? - Yes.

Rennert told me this was to be a meeting of the utmost importance. - It is.

I'm going hunting. Will you join me?

As soon as Georges gets back with the cart, he'll take you straight out to the barn. - I understand.

Have patience. If you try to find it without him, you'll only get lost. - Or arrested.

I can't just stay here doing nothing. I'll go and keep a lookout for Georges.

She may have a long wait. The girl sounds under strain.

I don't know how she stands up to it. Me, I'm getting too old for these games.

I should've stayed behind in my nice cosy surgery.

Neither of us is ideal for this sort of thing. - No.

I think you're like me. You live each hour for what it is.

At my age, one doesn't count on the hour to come. One makes the best of the hour one has.

This is the second bout of madness I've endured.

I have no wish to live through a third.

I was brought up with sentimental, old-fashioned notions

about progress and the perfectibility of man.

In fact, the world is growing more barbarous, not less.

Would you like to hear some music? - Very much.

Now, let's see.

Ah yes, Casals.

This is my favorite.

Doctor. We're ready.

Well, another time perhaps. - You don't even know my name.

Nor do I wish to. What I don't know, I cannot talk about if I were being made to. - Yes, of course.

Don't forget your umbrella. - Thank you.

Come and see me again. Casals will wait for you.

Indeed, I will. We mustn't let a mere war stand

between us and the important things of life.

What's keeping them? They know we're here.

They've got to get to us Francois.

Trust, Albert. - Oh, I trust Albert.

Who don't you trust?

Francois? What did you mean by that? Who?

I was in a bar last week.

Max was there with some people who don't share our interests.

What are you trying to say Francois? We all...

No. I know.

But the other night I walked into Albert's office.

Max was going through Albert's desk.

Well? - He wasn't even embarrassed.

Don't you see?

It's his innocence that worries me.

He was too innocent.

Tell Albert.

Tell Albert. - He's got enough to think about. Just forget it.

Francois, now you've told me. Now how can I possibly just forget it? Francois? - Monique.

Help her off with her jacket.

Now what about you? - I was lucky.

It's alright.

Breathe in slowly.

Yes, you may have fractured a rib. I'll know better when I make a proper examination.

Can you manage till we get back to Brussels?

How about the others? - Upstairs.

Let me take a look at you. - My coat. It's cold.

Listen Natalie, as soon as Pascal is finished, he will take you back to Brussels on the bus, all right?

It hurts.

This man is dead.

We're going to stay here until it's dark, to avoid the Germans.

If Francois and I help you, do you think you could manage a few hundred meters tonight?

Yes, I'll try. - Good.

This one is dead. - I'll try to find a spade.

We can't leave him here for the Germans to find.

Come on, François.

There's a friend's house near here. That's where we're going.

Have you got him? - Yes.

No, wait. - Put him down.

Get out of the way.

The door.

It's a cold night gentlemen. May I take your coats? - Thank you.

You should have written or telephoned.

You found your way here without any trouble?

Oh, we were given directions by a friend.

Somebody I might know?

I take it Monsieur Barsacq you don't get many callers? - Except for my regular pupils, no.

I take it one of you gentlemen wishes to learn the cello?

Bach. The sonatas.

You play Bach? - I teach better than I play.

Bach, what a civilized German don't you think? - Monsieur Barsacq?

Would you excuse me for one moment, gentlemen?

Zizi, where are you?

Come on, Zizi.

Where have you got to?

There's a good girl.

Do you live alone in this house? - Oh yes.

You're not afraid?

Naturally I am vulnerable. How could it be otherwise?

I leave my back door open. - Open?

One morning I came down and found a gypsy asleep in the kitchen.

And which of us was the more surprised?

Anybody can rob me. Why should I incur the added expense of a broken door?

Surely with your disability? - Please, please.

I am blind.

As a young man, I served my country. - Fighting against Germans?

Fighting for my country.

As patriots, you will understand. - Yes, of course.

Others paid more dearly. - You have feelings of bitterness?

No, not at all.

My pupils chop wood for me, peel vegetables.

A woman comes in from the village to cook and wash when it suits me.

There are times when I prefer not to be disturbed.

The arrangement is haphazard, but it works.

You've kept me talking here about myself, and I've not yet learned your names.

This is Major Brandt of the Luftwaffe Polizei. I'm Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler. Gestapo.

I believe you're expecting visitors Monsieur Barsacq?

Danielle?

For God's sake, Paul. You'll wake everybody. - Danielle, I don't want anybody else to see me.

Paul, look at you. You'll catch pneumonia. Where have you been?

What's it to you where I've been? I did it, nobody else.

I love you. - Paul, you're drunk.

Of course I'm drunk. I've made a deal with Kessler.

Twenty comrades, so I've given him Lifeline on a plate.

All he has to do is come here and collect it. - Here?

Here. Shut up, you old goat.

Paul? - Well, it's obvious isn't it? Barsacq's really Lifeline.

He'll never love you. Danielle!

If necessary, I shall wait here all night.

You're expecting a man and a woman to come here tonight? - Yes.

And yet you don't know who they are, where they live, their names, what they look like,

anything about them Sturmbannfuhrer?

I shall know the woman.

You wait in here, monsieur.

Who are you?

Well?

I work here for Monsieur Barsacq.

Show me your handbag.

Your handbag at once.

Who are you? - Gestapo.

What have you done with him?

Jean?

Well?

Monsieur Barsacq. This woman worked for Lifeline. Who is she?

Herr Sturmbannfuhrer,

how should I know?

I am, as you know, a man of my word. The hostages will be released.

As for Lifeline, I have knocked out one of the safe houses, and eliminated one of its organizers.

No, I am not dissatisfied.

You have no doubts about the woman? - Doubts?

That she was one of them? None whatever...

Can you Herr Major or even Oberst Bruch in Berlin prove otherwise?