Original subtitles

Spare some change for the miners of Le Voreux.

Please. Please.

Out of the way.

And another one.

And a leak just here.

If the strike doesn't end, the mine will collapse.

The mine belongs to the miners, like the sea to fishermen

or the land to farmers.

I heard local people have donated.

And people across the country. Workers' solidarity has no boundaries.

- Write that. - It's been six weeks.

Can you hold out much longer?

As long as we need to.

We're fine here.

The mine is our home. Right, guys?

- Right. - It's our home.

We're doing it for others too. Factory workers, farm workers.

Every sou given to us is another message to the bosses.

We're not fools and we're not alone.

- Write that too. - Étienne.

No! Shit! Shit! Shit!

No! No! No!

- Stop! - All right, scabs?

What do you want?

That's enough! Are you mad? What's the matter with you?

Let them pass.

Child?

Child. Are you all right?

Help!

Help! My basket's been stolen.

A fish? Great. We'll get a long way with that.

Hey, we take all the risk. If you're not happy, you do it.

If my legs worked, you'd see what I'd get.

I'd kick you up the arse too!

Hey! You didn't want my fish.

- Where are you going, Jeanlin? - Never you mind.

- Am I disturbing you? - No, you're saving me.

- I haven't finished. - Darling, we said five minutes.

Very well. I'll leave you.

- Mr Hennebeau. - Lucie.

A good likeness, Victor.

You didn't come to talk about painting.

This damn strike is starting to have painful consequences.

My pits are deteriorating by the day.

We're patching them, but I don't have the men.

I need you to lend me a few men.

- Just for a few days. - Well, Philippe.

The situation must be desperate for you to ask.

Desperate, no. I'd rather say delicate.

These idiots think they'll make the company pay. They're obsessed.

Dignity, honour, the sacred pride of the miner. My eye!

It's just greed.

Give them ten sous and they'd dig with their teeth if they had to.

Ten sous!

What am I saying?

Five. That's what their dignity's worth.

Why don't you give it to them?

- It's a reasonable investment. - In the short term.

But if we once give them a small amount,

they'll be emboldened.

And then they'll want not five sous, but ten, then 15...

I don't know what the miners are worth,

but I know what the company is worth without the miners.

I think they know it too.

I thought you would be an ally, a friend even.

Philippe, we both know that you want to bring my business back to the company

like a good doggie.

If I made a mistake, you, my friend, would offer to help me

by buying Jean-Bart for a paltry sum.

Victor! I've never tried to take advantage of my situation to harm you.

I'm not criticising you, Philippe. It's the nature of our business.

Some make profits, others losses.

Right now your losses are my profit.

Your lost sales are coming to me.

It's not wrong, it's just the nature of business.

But if one party starts cheating, then there are problems.

The employer sets the wages. No one forces the miners to accept.

No. But every time the workers have tried to unionise,

the employers have made life very hard.

In Saint-Étienne, laundrywomen were brutally beaten

for demanding two sous more.

In Dunkirk, engine operators were locked up for starting a solidarity fund.

We have money, the police, politicians, and then we want morality on our side.

No, Philippe. When you play the game, you play it to the end.

You don't whine when your opponent has better cards.

Better cards!

No one wins if the mine collapses.

Think about that next time you provoke a strike.

What?

The strike is my fault?

Seriously, Philippe, the wage cuts, the poor veins,

the fines, and now the propping.

You wanted this strike to clear out your stocks. Well played.

But you went too far for your workers.

I didn't come to listen to your socialist morality.

I came to demand what you owe me.

Chaval, Desmaret, Jubeau. You stole them.

Is it my fault if your best workers leave you and the rest go on strike?

The game isn't finished, Deneulin.

You should be careful.

I hear there was a fight with the Jean-Bart workers.

Well... I know your game.

There are fights every day and you're blaming me.

When some have full stomachs and others are starving...

Rasseneur. The village is quiet.

The press is with us. Everything's fine.

- For how long? - No one said it would be over quickly.

Can't you believe in the cause?

In us?

Checkmate.

Great strategist.

A brilliant lad.

Charles Bressan.

The company sent me.

Tell the company everything is under control.

This strike was a chance to clear our stocks

and to empty the workers' fund.

I'm here because you're no longer in control.

I haven't come to negotiate.

Neither with you or the miners.

I've heard of you. I know your methods.

I'll let you know when the time is right.

In the meantime, don't make trouble for me.

We whose lamp in the morning

Is relit when the cock crows

We whose uncertain wages

Bring us all back to work before dawn

We who with our arms, feet and hands

With our whole bodies struggle endlessly

Without protecting our future

Against the cold and old age

Let's love each other and when we can

Come together to drink in a circle

Whether the cannon is silent or roaring

Let's drink...

Jesus, Mary and Joseph...

Not exactly.

You lousy crook. Socialist gangrene.

We'll get you.

Scumbag, spelt wrong.

Wait a second.

What are you hiding?

- Nothing. - Empty your pockets. Do it!

What's this?

- I don't know. I've never seen it. - You don't know? You don't know?

It's a gentleman's contribution.

- It's for the solidarity fund. - See what I do to thieves.

It's for the cause.

Filthy beast! See what I do to thieves.

My God!

What happened?

We were attacked. Don't worry. It's not the first time.

The bastards.

- They went east. I'll get the others... - No, no.

They're provoking us. We mustn't react. That's what they want.

No. We've been beaten up now...

Bouteloup.

If they've sent in their henchmen, it means they're scared.

Believe me, they're right.

I've got big news for you.

Pluchart, my contact from the International in Lille,

is going to visit us here tomorrow night.

We must spread the word.

Are you out of your mind?

Things are tense. The company will see it as a declaration of war.

Rasseneur, look around you.

We are at war.

We'll show the company we're not scared by their intimidation.

What's your problem, Rasseneur?

Damn the company!

It's going to make the situation worse.

We don't need the International to be heard.

They just want to pick up our members. That's how they work.

I know Pluchart well. He's a smooth-talker.

He works for himself, not for us.

He's given 400 francs to the solidarity fund.

We can last for weeks with this.

The company will have to give in to stop the mine collapsing.

You could have started with that!

400 francs. It's a bargain.

Is this the price of our movement's integrity?

You've been bought, Étienne. You've sold us!

Rasseneur!

We have money and support.

What more do you want?

Rasseneur.

Any more pear brandy? I'm still in pain.

You weren't even on the picket line!

Come on. I've had enough of you. You're leaving the bar.

- My cap! - No!

We'll bring you your cap, Le Mouque!

Étienne's right.

Sorry. Stop moving.

We must stay calm.

If the International is behind us the company will back down, for sure.

What happened, Dad?

What are you doing here?

I heard Dad had been beaten up...

It's fine, darling. Don't worry.

What's it to you?

I brought you coffee, and sugar for the children.

You think this is how you make amends?

With coffee and sugar?

Life must be easier with Chaval.

You drink your coffee while your dad gets beaten with a club.

Please, Mum, let me help you. I can share my wages.

We don't want your money.

You spread your legs to earn it.

Get this in your head.

Give it to me. Give it to me!

We're not for sale.

Are you sure?

It's all they talk about in the village.

The Workers' International.

That means logistic and financial support.

- They can hold out for weeks. - Thank you. I know.

You must do everything to stop it.

Everything? That's a big vague, isn't it?

When we're facing crowds of troublemakers.

I don't care about your methods. You wanted full authority?

You have it.

Now get the job done.

Where were you?

I went home with some food.

I warn you, Catherine. I'm not slaving away to feed that bunch.

I even offered them my wages.

What? What?

What happened?

My mother threw me out.

Her own daughter.

That's nice.

Listen.

The best thing is to move on.

It didn't take them long to do it.

Come here.

Come here.

I'll always be here for you. You know that, don't you?

From now on, it's us two against the whole world.

- We've waited an hour. - He said he'd come at 9pm.

He must have been held up, that's all.

- So? - He wasn't on the train.

I looked everywhere.

There's something wrong.

My friends!

Pluchart isn't coming.

I sent him a telegram telling him not to.

What got into you?

Étienne Lantier here has sold out our movement.

It's his fault the situation is getting worse.

Look at the problem every which way.

You know full well that negotiation is the only way out.

We can keep the strike going for weeks.

But in the end we'll negotiate.

And the International will hold us to account.

Our future will be decided between the company and the party

and we'll be stuck in the middle.

So, I ask you, my friends, why the devil would we join the International?

To put an end to injustice.

It's Pluchart.

Comrades, first of all, forgive me for being late.

I assure you it's not due to the whining telegram I received from Rasseneur.

Quite simply, I didn't take the train.

To cover my tracks.

These sorts of precautions are necessary

when we're up against bosses who will do anything to stop workers unionising.

They know there are some people who can be easily intimidated.

Pluchart, you've got a nerve.

You ask me to take in your protégé, a first-class agitator,

who puts revolutionary ideas in people's heads,

and you call me a coward?

You're not a coward, comrade. You've always been here for the cause.

You're not a coward.

But you're a weakling.

A weakling!

And no one wants to go to war with a weakling.

I want to go to war.

But I choose my generals.

An emergency meeting.

400 francs out of nowhere to convert any starving waverers.

You and your International are forcing our hand.

You think these 400 francs came out of nowhere?

They came from stokers in Le Havre,

miners in Seclin,

engine operators from Sète.

They all support your movement.

They all contributed from their pocket.

Calling Étienne a sellout is an insult to their solidarity.

All right, all right, my friends.

I know Pluchart and his rhetoric. Don't get sucked in.

The sellout is the one who abandons his fellow-fighters

while hoping to receive the bosses' favour.

- Traitor. - Sellout.

Believe me, these 400 francs are much more precious

than all the millions of those who exploit us.

These are your first 400 francs.

But if we are united, it's their last million.

If you think you can manipulate us with your big speeches, you're wrong.

Hey, you can go!

He's a liar.

He's a liar. A liar!

- Comrades! - Comrades.

Comrades, don't listen to the enemies within

who want to persuade you that you share their cowardice.

Be proud and worthy of these hopes

that you have awakened in every corner of France.

All over the country people are praising the heroes of Le Voreux

who've been standing up to the villainous bosses for six weeks.

Your claims are indisputable

because they are just.

And justice isn't just something to be desired.

It's essential!

I look at this room and I see honest, worthy men and women,

loyal and hard-working,

whole generations sacrificed to the mine.

And for what?

To have the choice between dying down the pit from firedamp

or dying outside of silicosis.

The bosses get the profits while the workers go hungry.

The bosses get the dividends while the workers are cold.

In this capitalist system,

a worker who dies is always cheaper than a worker in retirement.

But the wind has started to change, my friends.

The proletariat across the world is starting to claim what is theirs.

And even though you may not know it,

you, the battling miners of Le Voreux, are in the vanguard of this movement.

I came all this way not to bring you together,

but to thank you.

We thank you, Pluchart.

- Comrades! - Your struggle, your fight,

is part of an irresistible movement,

that of social justice.

And if your stomachs are crying out with hunger, so be it.

Shout even louder.

Shout with the workers of Salamanca!

Shout with the weavers of Manchester!

And may your unified shouts make the earth tremble

all the way into the luxurious salons of Paris, London and New York!

My friends.

If you join the Workers' International, you'll never be alone again.

The only thing that will stop you

will be victory!

Victory!

Victory! Victory! Victory!

Comrades!

I have here the official letter of membership

of the Workers' International.

The time has come to choose.

Those who are for membership of the International, raise your hand!

- Long live the miners of Le Voreux! - Long live the miners of Le Voreux!

Long live the International!

Victory!

Victory!

Arise, wretched of the earth

Arise, convicts of hunger

Reason thunders in its volcano

This is the eruption of the end

Of the past let us wipe the slate clean

Masses, slaves, arise, arise

The world is about to change its foundation

We are nothing, let us be all

I'd like to stay but I have a political committee tomorrow.

I understand. You've already done enough.

The credit is all yours, Étienne.

And I'll mention you to the committee.

Theorists, philosophers and experts we can find anywhere,

but leaders of men, like you, are much more rare.

Thank you.

Hold fast, don't give up anything,

and you'll see the mobilisation spread like wildfire.

- We'll see each other soon. - I hope so.

Safe journey.

Who are you?

Who are you?

What do you want?

What do you want?

Who are you?

Étienne.

The tide is turning, Étienne.

The tide is turning.

An hour ago, you were drinking to the International.

"We are with you."

And here you are spitting blood on the ground.

You must be wondering what's going to happen to you.

Let me go, sir.

I swear you won't see me again.

Do you want to leave already?

We've only just got here.

We want to have a party too.

To the revolution.

To a rosy future.

All that.

Get rid of this shit.

Have you seen Étienne?

No, not since last night.

- It's odd. His things aren't here. - Dad! Dad!

- What's up? - It's the cash box.

What about it?

It's gone.

- He won't come back. - Yes, he will.

If he didn't steal the money, he'd be back already.

We've looked for him all day.

It's obvious. He's cleared off.

There's an explanation for this.

He's a lousy traitor. That's the explanation.

Take that back now.

- You defend traitors? - Take that back.

- Leave him! - What are we to eat now?

I'll show you what to eat!

Bastard.

Let's not fight between ourselves.

This is where radicalisation gets you.

- We'll negotiate. - We must find him.

He'll be in Belgium by now.

It's a question of survival.

Look. They've given everything. They're starving.

You must come with me, Maheu.

For the miners in Le Voreux.

For the miners in Le Voreux.

For the miners in Le Voreux.

For the miners in Le Voreux.

Really, it's a pleasure.

This colour doesn't suit me at all. I've never worn it.

I don't know what got into me that day.

It comes from a famous dressmaker in Paris.

- Thank you, madam. - No!

Charlotte. I insist.

It's very kind.

Right. It'll need a bit of adjusting but...

that's a detail.

This colour is made for you.

It's decided.

It's a gift to welcome you to the family.

I can't wait.

Me too.

Niece and neighbour.

We won't have any secrets.

I don't have any.

You must have one or two, everyone does.

I just hope you and Paul will respect them.

No, I really don't.

But it's good.

Paul is lucky to have an aunt who cares so much about his future.

Alzire.

Come here.

Here.

Wait.

Here, my darling.

A little bit of sugar.

I kept it just for you.

Do you want to sing me your song?

Happy is the butterfly

Free in the...

air...

It doesn't matter, darling.

It doesn't matter.

Another time.

I promise you, people are talking about it in Marchiennes.

He's not going to come back.

I tell you, their strike is over now. Over and done with.

- What's this, Germain? - Don't you know?

Lantier has gone off with the money.

You were right. He's a real bastard.

- You're kidding me. - I swear it.

400 francs, apparently. A nice little payout.

I'd go to the brothel with that much.

You don't have any money, but you still spend it at the brothel.

They go to the brothel too.

- 400 francs. - What a bastard.

Let's go home.

It's a lot of money, anyway.

Sir. Thank you for granting us a little of your precious time.

Get to the point, if you please.

My comrades have agreed to go back to work.

But you need to give them something, a gesture.

I propose one centime extra per wagon. Take it or leave it.

It's not enough, sir. It doesn't compensate for the cuts you made.

The miners can't manage.

You think I can manage?

Do you know what this strike has cost the company?

The damage caused to the mine?

I agree to wipe the slate clean.

That in itself is a fine gesture.

But I want all the workers in tonight

and the mine in working order for tomorrow.

Anyone who doesn't clock in will be fired.

Spread the word.

Yes, sir.

Let's go.

Such authority.

Always push.

Never pull.

I can't do it.

Your hands here.

Lower your back.

Go on, push. Go on!

Are you all right, Étienne?

I'm cold.

Hang on.

Here.

What am I doing here?

Don't you remember anything?

Bressan.

He's still here with his men.

Don't worry, I haven't told anyone you're here.

There are informers everywhere.

- The comrades... - Étienne.

The strike...

There is no strike any more.

What?

People think you went off with the money.

The board threatened to fire anyone who stayed on strike.

Work starts again tonight.

It's over, then.

You've done all you could, Étienne.

The most important thing is that you're still alive, isn't it?

She's learnt a new piano piece which is lovely.

To our return to normal.

We signed the agreement today. Work is restarting tonight.

It was so depressing to see all these healthy young men

doing nothing with their arms.

But you didn't give them anything, I hope.

One centime extra per wagon.

- They did all that for one centime? - No, no.

They dreamt of revolution and we bought their dream for one centime.

It's still too much for revolution.

You've managed this crisis wonderfully, Philippe.

In spite of the huge pressure, he's shown remarkable composure.

Remarkable.

And, you, Mr...

Bressan.

..Bressan.

What exactly is your role?

Director of security.

Did you fear violence?

Carole... No.

- I'm just asking. - Mummy, these poor people

were just fighting to improve their living conditions.

They're not bloodthirsty savages.

Listen to this good soul.

Always defending widows and orphans.

It's true. They've been cold and hungry for months.

All that for one centime?

Whether you like their methods or not, it shows deep despair.

They made their choice, Cécile. Like us.

We are all equal before our responsibilities.

And before God.

If you like them so much, why not invite them to dinner?

Have you ever shared a meal with these jolly friends?

Have you held one of their brats in your arms?

Go on, try it.

They'll rip off your jewellery and fine lace in no time.

They lack education, but most are honest and deserving.

Nonsense. Deserving people improve themselves

instead of playing the victim.

They may say that the mine belongs to the miners.

The truth is that the miners belong to the mine.

If you take the pick away from a miner,

you won't make him into a lawyer,

but just a drinker, a thief and a trickster.

It's Lantier.

- Shush! - He's a thief.

- Be quiet! - Get lost!

Silence!

Comrades.

You've been deceived.

I never left.

Bressan and his henchmen tried to kill me.

And La Mouquette saved my life.

But it wasn't enough to kill me.

They had to dishonour me too.

As well as making me a coward, they had to make me a thief.

They stole the solidarity fund.

Comrades.

I know it's fear that's driving you back to work.

I was scared too when four of them were beating me.

But believe me...

Believe me, brothers,

they are more scared that we are.

Yes!

Hennebeau, Bressan, the company,

they're all shitting their silk trousers,

because they know that justice and numbers are on our side.

Disgusting!

Comrades.

Ten minutes ago, you were shivering in the cold.

You were walking in the dark, alone with your fears.

The fear of never coming back,

the fear of not earning enough,

the fear of fines,

the fear of an accident.

But you're no longer scared or cold.

And your torches are lighting up the forest like daylight.

That is the strength of the union.

Together, everything is possible.

And as I see you from here, my brothers,

you are magnificent.

You're magnificent, Étienne.

We've had enough of kowtowing.

Enough of dying when we're buried alive.

Be strong and brave, brothers.

Firedamp, rockfalls, fire and cold haven't been able to stop us,

and Bressan won't do it either!

They can break our bones,

but they won't break the movement!

We're miners, for God's sake!

Even in hell, we'd know where to dig!

Étienne! Étienne! Étienne!