Original subtitles

That wretched clock!

You're impatient to meet your son.

Son?

You're expecting a son aren't you?

Yes. We've three girls already, soon perhaps four.

Why on earth did I have to have another child?

The same reason you had the first ones!

Nothing to laugh about.

What on earth's the doctor doing?

Why isn't he telling me anything?

The first time he tried, you sent him away.

That's true, yes.

I really am terrible! I shout... I'm always shouting.

I shout the way cicadas sing. We're from the same part of the world.

- Fabre, the cicada. - An insect in disguise.

Just call me 'Locust'.

That's it. A 38-year old locust... and a failure.

You're a 38-year old man.

I accept a man can be a failure.

A locust isn't a failure.

If it fails, it dies. I still go on living.

If you call being an assistant teacher in Avignon, living.

1,600 francs a year!

Fabre, let me help you.

I can't... charity...

It would not be charity, but an investment in your value.

My value? What value?

I know a lot of things, but what good does it do me? I study...

Other people do something. I see them doing something.

My wife brings children into the world... while I study insects.

I study them as the day finishes. I study them as the day begins.

I study them in between.

And the clock goes on and on...

So irritating!

You English! Such a practical race!

A clock annoys you, so you stop it! But then, you're a philosopher.

My name's John Stuart Mill. A 'mill' is where you grind grain.

I slowly grind grains to make a little of my flour.

Insects know more than doctors. They can put pain to sleep.

Really?

Of course. Watch.

See these locusts?

They're not dead. They're alive.

I touch their antennas... they move.

They were stung by a wasp.

Some scientists would say they're dead. But they're anesthetized.

"Anesthetized"?

They have been for 2 weeks.

It's the perfect aesthetic.

I'm no doctor...

...but doctors could make use of your work.

I'm not stopping them.

Don't misunderstand me...

Women suffer... like your wife.

Help to relieve pain in humans is needed.

Open the way to discoveries for surgeons!

My insects, not me.

You've discovered what they do.

Why don't you write about it?

What?

Write the story about that savage wasp.

They'd laugh at me.

It's what you know, it's what you believe... you have to tell about it.

You owe it to the men who taught you what you know.

Could I do it?

You CAN do it because you MUST do it. It's as simple as that

"What is good is useful and what is useful is good. "

Blank pages frighten me.

You give me a push into the water... then we'll see if I can swim?

"You will give birth in pain. "

You're mother's fine. It's a boy.

Go tell your father... I've things to do.

I'll tell him.

Keep at it... it'll come... Be patient.

I'm impatient and stubborn.

Good!... Be stubborn!

How do I start? The first word...

Come on... take your pen.

Dip it in the inkwell. Put it on paper. That's it.

If you want a spidery style of writing... I'm you're man.

Good night.

I'll tell him.

You can't go in children. Off you go... all right?

Can you tell me any news?

It's a boy.

Yes? And your mother?

Mummy's very well and doctor said we have to tell Daddy.

Daddy has some very important work to finish. He can't be disturbed this evening.

You understand?

Good night children. Goodnight little ones.

Good night Mr Mill.

Good night!

Off to sleep... sleep well!

Once it hits the paper, the pen runs by itself.

Will anyone read me? If they're interested in my creatures

...in my savage wasp, so quick in the chase?

This one lies in waits for the cicada, its regular game.

A careful sighting...

...a swift leap, and the cicada falls, overpowered.

The wasp stings it to paralyse its nervous system.

Numb, the cicada will be the prey of a living larva.

Etymologists dissect butterflies.

They scrutinize death. I scrutinize life.

I want to know how they are born, how they die...

...especially how they feed.

"Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are. "

This locust would ruin fields if we let it eat away at everything.

Luckily other creatures eat locusts.

We always need something bigger.

The ladybug or ladybird...

...is a monster that eats aphids by the thousand.

The scarab rolls its dung ball...

...as it has since time immemorial. We see it on Egyptian bas-reliefs.

The inchworm,..

...looks like a legless cripple?

The mystery of metamorphosis...

What beautiful butterfly will come out of this caterpillar...

...looking sad and velvety?

What will happen when I set 2 caterpillars to meet head on?

Are they going to fight? No. "You go first my dear"

Such courtesy!

A good lesson for humans!

After my first study comes out in print, a young publisher writes me

...about school textbooks.

I continue to work tirelessly.

Another son is born. Jules is 6 now.

On Sundays I visit my insects with him and one of his sisters.

Children!

Lunch is ready!

- Claire! - Yes, Daddy?

Lunch!

Be seated Your Majesty.

Thank you Sire.

Where's your brother?

That peasant? I don't know... and care not.

With your permission I'd best go fetch our young vassal.

Bring him back in chains!

As you wish, Your Majesty.

What are you looking at there?

A wasp making its nest.

You're right! It's very busy.

It's strong.

It's in a hurry.

Instinct tells it.

It only has a few weeks...

to build its nest, supply it and lay its eggs.

Look...

I'll show you how strong it is.

This stone,..

This stone probably weighs 15 times more than the wasp itself.

Let's see if she can deal with it.

She's going to work on it.

Take the magnifying glass.

That's it!

She did it!

So never give up, no matter how hard it is.

Now, let's go and join the queen.

- "The queen"? - Yes.

What queen? Your sister Claire.

- She's not a queen. - Today she is.

Never contradict a lady.

Remember that. It'll make life easier for you.

Is that a queen?

Why not?

It's a princess... Sleeping Beauty.

Daddy?

Aren't you eating?

I have already.

"She has already. " She's eaten all the cake!

It doesn't matter. We'll find something for you and me.

My textbooks come out...

...and are well received, according to Delagrave.

Nobody here mentions them.

I will leave my director, at Avignon college

...this autographed copy.

He'll never read it. He's one of those people who learn nothing.

After what you told him!

I've had enough of Mr Fabre.

You don't know the latest. He gets around in peasant costume.

"In peasant costume"? Why?

You won't believe this.

To crawl around by local roads and country lanes.

- That's scandalous! - And it happens every Sunday!

He works on Sundays without a collar and tie?

Can the students respect him?

They don't respect him They love him!

What? "They love him. " I don't understand. Explain yourself.

He's a demagogue. He tries to be popular.

"Popular"? How does he go about that?

He doesn't inflict punishment.

How does he keep order?

"Order"? He makes them laugh and he laughs with them.

You stand there and tell me this?

As deputy head, you are responsible for this!

If I didn't keep an eye out!

Is he there today?

Yes.

Go find him for me before he's corrupted the students.

Sit down.

I'm doing this to impress you.

In principle you're here to learn algebra with me.

A priori, that makes us enemies.

You are supposed to let me force certain ideas

...and numbers into your heads...

I hate to knock on wood.

Nevertheless we have one thing in common...

...you and I all hate being here.

There is nothing more disagreeable that to be shut up

...in such a dungeon when nature calls us to her glory.

Unfortunately...

Some people confuse college and prison. I'd rather conduct my lessons...

...in the open air.

Let's try to get on.

If you work, we'll be good friends.

If you look for trouble, I'll give it to you...

Which do you want?

Friendship or severity?

Your choice!

Mr Fabre!

- The headmaster wished to see you immediately. - And my class?

Immediately!

Very well... a head is a head.

Class is cancelled. You can go and play, children.

You're sending them out to play?

Immediately.

Come in!

Did I ask you to sit down?

I don't stand on formalities.

Mr Fabre, the day before yesterday we had a penitential procession...

...where we were all in costume.

You went home.

I was bored.

You'd have had your reasons for doing penance.

I had an observation I had to complete.

Your insects?

Is it forbidden to be interested in etymology?

You're pushing me to the limit!

"The limit"? About what?

I do my job conscientiously.

You laugh with your students!

- Have they complained? - I don't care the least about their opinion!

I lead this college!

Enough! Enough! I deserve respect!

Respect is earned.

A teacher can be dismissed!

A headmaster can be dishonoured.

Headmaster!

What?

The minister's here.

Victor Duruy?

Himself.

My wife's laundry's drying in the main courtyard!

Go and get it down! I'll keep him occupied.

Your Excellency! I'm surprised, delighted and flattered.

If I'd known, I'd have had the flags raised.

When I saw that washing I thought you were putting up white flags.

This is Mr Charles Delagrave.

He's the publisher of the man who works here... Jean-Henri Fabre.

We've come to see him.

You've come to see Fabre?

Yes, Professor Fabre.

He's only assistant teacher.

I'm Henri Fabre.

At last we meet!

You've only been a name on a manuscript.

And you a name on a money-order.

My money-orders have been rather modest.

The sciences have a limited audience!

I've read all your work. I really wanted to meet you.

We were on our way to Nice. I stopped my entourage.

Headmaster...

...you must be very happy to have such a scientist of renown?

We're proud of him.

Could we possibly see an experiment?

We can try. But insects don't know about the respect due to a minister.

Warn that I'll be late. Have the train wait.

My laboratory is in Saint Martial abbey.

I have praying mantises... and this is the mating season.

That'll be instructive!

Don't you want to visit the college?

Fabre will tell me about it.

Headmaster has told me about some changes...

...which he's planning.

Not at all! You've convinced me my dear Fabre, I've changed my mind.

So Fabre?

Still nothing.

The insects refuse to budge.

We must be patient.

Outside in the sun, they're roused. Here it's too pleasant.

What ideal relaxation! I envy you working here.

No wife, no complications... Don't forget your travelling.

There are few men like him.

Gentlemen, the praying mantis is waking up.

Hurry up. She won't wait.

There you are.

The peasants call it "The Beast who Prays to God".

This devout creature is a formidable fighter.

Come around here...

...you'll see better.

What a creature!

Something you wouldn't know...

Its articulated head can move in all directions.

- It's rather elegant. - You'll see her at work.

Watch as she grabs her prey.

Both arms come down.

The claws harpoon.

Double saws close...

attacking the stomach.

The mantis eats her living prey.

Likewise with the caterpillar which struggles between the arms holding it

...while the mantis attacks its entrails and devours it...

...still alive.

It's insatiable!

Not yet! The female devours the male at the end of mating...

...sometimes before the finish!

The male is the smaller of the two.

I'll have to tell the emperor about this.

Not when the empress is present!

So, Mr Duruy?

Everyone is waiting for you at the station.

Do they have to?

The time has flown.

We did advise everyone.

I should have been told when I was invited to come.

If you'd told me you were going to be gadding about...

My visit to this laboratory is not gadding about.

So this is a laboratory?

It looks like a magician's cave.

And here's the magician.

Mr Jean-Henri Fabre. The Countess de La Tour.

I've spoken to you about this scientist.

How remarkable!

I saw you with a white beard, spectacles, and an owl.

The beard's gone and the owl flew away.

Fairies work miracles.

I want a word with Duruy for visiting you without me.

Are you an admirer of my work?

We've no more time. But if you're in Paris...

I don't like Paris. Not a holiday place for me.

I couldn't take my insects with me.

Your gallantry shows right here.

I hardly think I'm gallant, madame.

The Countess has the whole court at her feet. Would you resist her?

Delagrave, take me to the station.

I'm following you.

See you again soon!

I hope so, madame.

I count on hearing from you.

And I you.

Let me tell you the story of the praying mantis...

Can I ask you a favour?

I'm opening evening classes for women and men.

Could you organise them here?

I'd be a great pleasure.

Or a problem... You'll be attacked.

That'd be nothing new!

With you behind me I'm in good company.

Is mass over?

Nearly.

You're supposed to wait until the end!

You didn't even go.

Me? I hate crowds.

Sunday's my one day of freedom

And I've got to plan our expeditions as well.

I've made a deal with my conscience.

Is it all ready?

This is not serious, Jules. What will your mother say?

That it's your fault.

Right!

Let's scram before she catches us.

"Mixed classes for boys and girls"

You see that!

That Duruy and that Fabre!

And at night! That'll be a nice how-do-you-do!

Orgies?

Why not? "Mixed" says what it says.

This is fun!

The nest with the black ants!

The red ants have found it.

They need slaves to raise their young.

Hope the black ants win!

You'd like that. Our sympathies go to the weaker.

Animals are wicked!

Nature does not care about morality. The strongest wins.

We're people, not animals.

We don't discriminate.

But they... they don't make a mistake.

Look! The guardians of the city...

...close the entrance with stones which are huge masses of rock.

They all die, one after the other...

...in front of this obstacle which cuts off their retreat.

The black ants don't know...

...that what they're doing ranks with our heroism.

Roland and La Tour d'Auvergne didn't do any better.

The ants don't have any historical records or statues.

Tired?

A little bit.

Patience, persistence and patience.

I've an old friend through here. You still up to it?

- Sure, Daddy. - Come on then... quick march!

See that shell flat on the ground?

What is it?

That's where my old friend the Clotho spider lives.

She's friendly.

She opens the door to us.

And she goes off hunting.

The thread she unwinds lets her find her way back.

Think if Tom Thumb could have done that!

While she's gone we'll take the chance to have a look at her nest.

There's her family. She's gone to find them something to eat.

I brought everything I need for an experiment.

In here I've got a centipede.

No! Watch out! It's dangerous... it stings.

We'll put it on her path and see what happens.

My centipede...

...makes a feast of Clotho's little ones.

He must stop the mother, who's a tough fighter.

Their strength is about equal and both are venomous.

We have to help the spider and her babies.

Is the Good Lord intervening? We can't play gods.

We're here to study nature, not to force its hand.

Attack... repulse...

The centipede wants to turn over the Clotho to strike her in the chest.

Clotho is trying to crush the centipede�s head.

If she succeeds, the centipede is gone.

Advantage Clotho.

Discouraged, the centipede gives up.

He earned his freedom, though.

As for Clotho, exhausted but victorious,

she returns to her nest.

The Angelus bell?

Let's make it back to OUR nest, before your mother starts screaming.

You'll scream louder.

Let's hurry anyway. Quick!

Daddy!

That was clever... don't you look pretty... Come on!

You aren't hurt, pet? You're frozen.

The water's too hot!

It'll stop you catching cold.

Marie!

Your ears aren't properly clean.

There.

Pour the water. Head down.

Daddy, it's burning me.

It's boiling.

He shouldn't fall ill. Where are the others?

I'll go and get them.

With this one bye bye cold!

One, two...

Three!

Here we are.

Where were you?

- Upstairs. - At home...

...I want you both close to me. - Not always Daddy.

Listen! I'm getting angry!

Where's Antonia?

Emile needn't answer, but does need to take his thumb out of his mouth.

Thank you.

Claire, where's Antonia?

Agla�, where's Antonia?

I see. It's that boy.

Very well. I'll have to take care of it.

'Til tomorrow, Antonia.

Tomorrow and all the days after tomorrow.

Antonia!

Still here! You must like my hospitality?

Hospitality?... You barely tolerate my presence.

Right!

We need to talk to you.

I've also got something to tell you...

...and this young man.

I regret your attitude...

but Antonia and I wish to get married.

- This what you want? - We're to marry, Daddy.

And when have I given consent to this marriage?

We knew you'd refuse.

She will not get married. My daughters will not get married!

They've nothing to marry on!

Be quiet. What?

I come from an honourable family. Restezy!

I'll be a teacher like you.

When I was 11, I was selling lemons at the fair.

At 15 I was a railway worker. I'm entirely self-taught.

You were born and went to school.

- Nothing more to discuss - I'm leaving...

Not with Antonia!

My children will remain with me. I can't do without them.

- See you tomorrow Antonia. - Tomorrow.

Go to your room!

And stay there!

Antonia's unhappy. He's a nice boy.

I have a gun... If he comes back, I'll use it.

- You know you wouldn't. - You'll see.

Why are you carrying on being so nasty?

Me nasty?

Yes, it happens to you too.

Look...

Are you going to let that girl cry all by herself?

He's coming.

You heard all that?

Learn from it!

Yes, Daddy.

I'm cold!

Sorry old chap.

You'll soon be dry. A good rub!

I'll give you my bathrobe.

Off to bed now.

All aboard!

Dry your legs.

Come on Emile... climb up!

Girls... fall in behind... quick march!

Look how high it is!

To get it going... run into the wind!

Don't pull too hard, or it'll drop.

Do you feel better?

- Yes. I'm sick of being sick! - We'll soon have you well.

The good weather's back. We'll soon forget winter.

Here... you want to try?

Gently!... don't move it too suddenly.

There!... pull now... it's going to dive.

It's great!

I'll make you a big one that'll fly a long way.

- Around the world? - Why not!?

We'll go and see all the people passed by this river.

...The Arabs, the Romans, the Greeks...

...and even the Egyptians. - Tell me Daddy...

What, son?

The scarab was an insect sacred to the Egyptians?

Yes.

They believed that little ball they roll was the world.

So they knew the world was round?

Well said! Yes, they knew.

What they learned got forgotten.

Very smart for you to work that out.

I'm sure you'll go on with my work.

Get well, my boy... hurry up and get well.

Surprise!

Marie told me where to find you.

How are you Jules?

Sit down in this wonderful setting.

I haven't seen you for ages. I see your daughter in my classes.

She loves it. You're very popular.

Not with my headmaster, or the mayor.

Pure jealousy.

Not so pure.

He doesn't forgive Duruy for educating girls.

That reminds me...

Your wife gave me a letter for you.

It's from the Minister.

Has Duruy turned against me?

Excuse me a moment.

[Minister of Education]

My Dear Fabre I'll see you in Paris on Saturday.

If you don't come, I'll have the police fetch you. Cordially, Duruy

"My Dear Fabre... Cordially". Seems like you're moving up in the world.

"Moving up"?

They want to stop the evening classes.

Duruy's just sweetening the pill.

Let him sweeten it... and go and fetch it.

Off you go... you've got a train to catch.

I'm not going.

Are you crazy?

I can't. I don't want to leave my family.

This may be your big chance.

That's passed. I'm not going to chase after it.

Emile, in your place. You're going to try to stay quiet.

I've been summoned to Paris.

I won't be away for long.

I'm counting on you all behaving yourselves.

Obey your mother.

You're not to go out.

Come on Fabre.

Mill, this came about only by your insistence!

I won't let you come with me...

...because I hate public farewells.

I've one more thing to say...

Remember who you are and conduct yourselves well.

That's all.

Stay there!... don't move!

I want to remember this picture of you.

Emile!

Don't suck your thumb, or there'll be nothing left when I get back.

Jules will monitor the caterpillar hatching.

I don't write very well.

Your head's the best notepad!

Girls... get the best places in class...

Work hard!

Antonia...

Yes, Daddy?

Buy your harmonium.

Harmonium?

Remember, not a piano! I hate pianos.

- I'll teach you to play. - You know how?

Others can do it. I should be able to.

We have to hurry!

Marie, look after the children. I'll see Duruy and return.

Will you see the emperor?

Maybe in passing.

It's nearly time!

It can wait for me for a few minutes!

So La Fontaine got it wrong?

Majesty, nobody is more sensitive than me to the poetry of La Fontaine

...but I must say that the fable of the ant and the cicada...

...goes against the facts.

"The cicada who sang all summer

"Was greatly lacking When the north wind came... "

No cicadas live in winter.

They die at the end of autumn after their eggs are safe.

"She went begging to her neighbour the ant"

"Asking her to lend... "

It's the ant which is more likely to borrow from the cicada

"A few grains to live on... "

Cicadas don't eat grain.

They feed by making a hole in the stem of a plant...

...and sucking the sap.

It's in no fear of hunger.

Whereas the ant comes to consume the liquid pumped out by the cicada.

Sometimes it has the ingratitude to eat the cicada.

What abominable customs!

Your Majesty, morals don't exist in the insect world.

Morals develop with the intelligence...

...that is the privilege of Man.

You have too high an opinion of Man!

Many are no better than your insects.

They have the possibility of being better.

Intelligence gives them the choice.

There are many contemptible men...

But there are men who choose well.

It is trust in that intelligence...

...that enabled me, despite opposition, to conduct my daily studies...

...my intimacy with insects.

Mr. Fabre, you are one of those who have chosen well.

We greatly appreciate your visit.

Your Majesty has given me testimony of his esteem.

The 'L�gion d'Honneur' was created for men of your merit.

I've been delighted to receive you gentlemen.

Wait a moment, Duruy.

You too Countess.

Certainly. Just give me a moment with Mr Fabre.

You're the man of the day.

My act has finished.

You so impressed me!

Why don't you think you'd fit into Paris?

I had doubts about my appearance.

But Delagrave lent me this coat. How do I look?

That you were made for it!

I don't feel so out of place here.

I continue my observations of insects.

See... those footmen are scarabs.

This gentleman...

...looks a bit like an ant.

That skull walking away makes me think glow-worm.

There's more...

No... please... next you'll be comparing me to a praying mantis.

I see it!

Nobody asked you.

Anyway, it would take a lifetime to devour a man.

A life which might have its appeal.

I must get back to the Empress.

Let's have lunch tomorrow.

Mr Fabre speaks very well.

He's a good teacher. Is he religious?

Sovereigns who are too devout get guillotined, madam.

Don't joke about such things. Answer me, Mr Duruy.

I haven't put that question to him.

I asked him. I thought you'd like to know.

He replied...

..."I can't say I believe in God.

"I see Him. Without Him, everything would be darkness. "

That should satisfy you my dear. If he sees Him everywhere...

...he won't have a bad influence on your son.

Madame, we'll present Mr Fabre to the prince.

And then we'll see.

He gives mixed classes... quite openly!

It was under my direction... He's done a wonderful job.

His pupils are enchanted, and his minister as well.

I don't like him!

Do not interfere with my ministers!

Duruy is very popular.

He has a feeling for the people.

- He's the son of a worker. - Fabre's a peasant's son.

That's wonderful.

You're a revolutionary!

Don't give revolutions a bad name.

We owe them a lot in our family.

Minister.

Which is the prince?

That's him there.

He's daring!

Does the emperor approve?

Difficult to know of what he thinks, or even, sometimes, if he thinks.

I'll go find a doctor.

It's nothing. I'm staying here.

You're going home to bed.

He should get back on his horse. That way he won't be frightened.

You're joking?

Not with you, madame.

This gentleman is under orders from the emperor.

Who are you?

Fabre, sire.

My new tutor?

We'll get along well.

That's for sure.

Shall I get back up?

Yes... am I invited?

Oh yes!

Into the saddle, sire.

You'll be my private tutor.

No I won't be.

Why? Don't you like me?

- Yes. I'd be very happy - So?

When you fell, I thought about my own son.

He only has me. What if he should fall?

Are you going home?

Tonight. Would you explain my departure to your father?

And I'll tell him he should spend more time with me.

He should. Now let's show them what we can do.

Up!

Mind your balance.

Faster!

Our Fabre's a born courtesan.

He even scares me.

Marie!

Kids!

Nice reception!

You've made me miss a note.

You do know how to play?

Yes

Did you learn in Paris?

Not at all. I learned here, waiting for my family to come home.

We were just out for an hour.

You should have been here. You knew I was coming back from Paris.

Not one kiss? In line, children.

Jules, your better now? You're up and about.

Yes, Daddy.

You waited until I was gone.

You could walk before. You wanted to go out.

I feel I should spank you!

Now?

Right away!

I'm happy, big boy... so happy!.

We'll get back to our country runs.

Henri, what's that?

Oh! That...

- That's the L�gion d'honneur! - Who gave it to you?

Just the medal-giver... The Emperor!

You saw him?

What's all the fuss about?

He has a nasty job.

You went to see him wearing this?

I've been decorated and you're fussing about what I'm wearing?

Duruy lent me a suit. I've returned it.

I put my rags back on to go home.

Henri... are you quite sure you wanted to come home?

Quite sure I wanted to... I had no reason to stay in Paris.

Children... go and unpack my bag.

I've brought some souvenirs for you.

No... none of that now.

I don't want thanks.

Slow down, Jules.

There's something for us two here.

What?

- A microscope. - A real one?

I think so. Marie... come and see this.

It's a present from the Academy of Science.

Marie!

Prepare the lenses.

Marie...

What do you want, Henri?

I'd like a proper smile.

I had something in my eye.

Let me see.

Yes, you do have something. Tears.

Henri, you kissed me.

Any law against it?

- No. - So what's the complaint?

I didn't forget you.

It's not much.

There.

Oh! Henri!

It's lovely!

Why on earth are you crying?

Don't know.

Women!

I found my white wooden table where every night...

...I wrote up my observations.

The spider spins its web to a complex plan.

In the evening, she weaves a web that she destroys in the morning.

Penelope hadn't considered that.

I put a butterfly on the sticky threads.

The spider charges. Bites it. The butterfly dies in an instant.

This spider never eats its prey on its web.

She has a lair for that.

How does she drag her cumbersome victim there?

What a housewife!

She folds it like an umbrella. But that isn't all.

The hind legs are quickly putting together a silk shroud...

...at the same time as they turn the prey to be wrapped in it.

The meal is ready to be eaten...

...it only remains to transport it.

I am amazed by everything I see that is new to me.

That's fair enough! The winner eats the loser.

Wars involving people don't make sense.

Man has no right to kill man.

End of the Empire [Emperor deposed]

After the brief hope a liberal republic...

...defeat stirred up the old hatreds.

The people are taking over. My enemies have become powerful.

This Disciplinary Board...

...is now open.

This is a painful obligation for me, my friends,

...a painful obligation for the mayor

...and his deputies.

I can imagine how much it upsets you.

Mr Fabre, In your evening classes...

...you have spoken in front of young girls about the sex of plants.

These classes will be closed down!

You have abused our confidence!

You have dared, in front of our daughters...

Calm down.

The mayor is right.

I tried to corrupt your daughters and your boys.

I interested them in their studies. Crime?

I taught them what air and water are.

Crime? I told them how plants grow...

...and how flowers are fertilized.

You confess?

I confess. Flowers are fertilised. It's a sexual act.

A bee carries a little dust from one flower to another.

It's quite shocking! We can't do anything about it.

You didn't have to tell them!

Light bother you? Truth offends you?

You need prigs. You've plenty to choose from.

Mr Fabre, you're going too far!

So far that you'll never catch up with me.

In Duruy's time, you spared me.

Today, you feel stronger.

You close down the evening classes. Fine!

They'll be revived one day!

You intend to limit education to the poor and keep them in their misery.

But you will not succeed.

Others will continue the work commenced by Duruy.

One day, school will be free!

Really?

This is intolerable!

You are insulting the municipal government!

You brought me here to humiliate me.

I came to assure you of my contempt.

After 28 years of loyal service...

...with no need to reproach myself for failure or complacency...

...I'm giving myself the luxury of resigning to your face.

Ah! This hat...

...symbol of my years of teaching,

...I am giving you today.

You can always put it to use as a flower pot.

Come back here, Mr Fabre!

The disciplinary committee dismissed you unanimously!

The pupils in my evening classes gave it to me. Funny, eh?

You're going to let it tick?

The noise annoys me but it doesn't upset me anymore.

My time is mine now.

I'll spread it around to suit myself.

How about a glass of wine?

It'll clear the air.

A bottle of ch�teauneuf!

Yes Mr Mill.

My landlords are cousins of the mayor.

Result: lost my job and 10 days to get out.

God made the world in 7 days.

He also said: "Let there be light. "

I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel.

Antonia got married without my permission.

Yes. I'm sorry.

Not as much as me. I miss her, you know.

She has character. She defied me. She's a Fabre!

That's one consolation.

If only Jules wasn't so sick.

I'm frightened for him, Mill. Terribly frightened.

Take it easy, Fabre. You let your imagination carry you away.

Nothing need happen to Jules, nor to you.

Thanks.

Now let's see! Have you found a house?

There's one at Orange that I like.

Excuse me... One thing at a time.

If you move to Orange, what will you do there?

Write. I've put pen to paper. I can't stop it.

Delagrave's publishing my entomology.

Bravo! So get to it!

How?

What do you need for that? 3,000... 4,000 francs?

3,000 francs... 2 years� salary.

Very well... here it is.

No. No, thank you.

Fabre... This is absolutely no bother.

I have to go to London. While I'm away...

...I don't want that a man such as you is suffering from lack of money. Take it!

I love you.

Wouldn't you do the same?

I'll get it back to you as soon as I can.

Get back what?

The money.

I lent nothing to you.

Take it back.

You're insane!

Officer!

Yes, Mr Mill?

This man wants to give me some money which doesn't belong to me.

He's known to be a bit crazy.

Do you want me to arrest him?

I don't want to go that far, if he's reasonable.

Do you intend being reasonable, Mr Fabre?

I must yield to force.

Good, take it. Thank you officer.

At your service.

Mr Fabre, my son went to your classes.

He loved you so much, I nearly came to bother you about it.

You've even got friends in the police!

Mill! I'll hold this against you for the rest of my life...

...and never stop thanking you.

In my new dwelling, on the outskirts of Orange...

...the solitude doesn't bother me.

Only Stuart Mill's presence is sorely lacking.

He died.

I no longer have his company.

I have that of my family, and my animals... always surprising me.

Here's a problem of locomotion that I'll never succeed in explaining.

Many others are no more confident than I am.

Like the litters in India carried on multiple shoulders

...and which travel smoothly.

Science will catch up with the millipede...

...who is oblivious to the fact that its walking is a problem at all.

All this summer I've been involved with the chalicodoma.

"Chalicodoma"! What a name for this wild bee!

The Chalicodoma scratched the earth with its legs...

...softens it, forms it into balls...

...and takes them to its chosen site.

With each trip it's adding to its nest.

When it dries, it becomes a very hard mortar...

...able to support impressive weights.

I've seen colonies weighing more than 40 kg.

I'll call it "The Chalicodoma barn".

Darwin has named me "the incomparable observer. "

This description is often mentioned...

...though I don't really understand why I deserve it.

It's just comes so naturally to me...

...to be interested in all this.

Here I am with wasps.

The scratch fibres from wood from which they make paper.

They build perfectly hexagonal cells.

The egg becomes a plump legless larva, like a pat of butter.

The larva becomes a perfect insect...

...which I extract by tearing the paper cap which protects it.

The body is still soft. The heat of the sun...

...will harden it to allow the insect...

...to fly off to forage...

...honey from flowers, lay eggs... and begin this instinctive cycle over again.

Ah! My boy...

...we won't be retiring empty-handed tonight.

Watch carefully, Jules. We're going to get the full show.

We've been waiting for 3 nights.

That's nothing. You'll see others.

These charming creatures are inveterate night-prowlers.

Here's the male looking for adventure. Here's the female.

- It's love at first sight? - Yes!

He invites her on a nuptial walk... their claws entwined.

Here's another male... proudly offering himself.

He has to defend his new treasure.

It's not looking good.

Here's both opponents face to face.

They size each other up.

- Is their poison in that little bulb? - Yes. It's deadly poison.

Look!

Each of them is trying to stab the other behind the head...

...in the joint where the nerve centre is located.

Look!

The claws aren't really arms...

They're purely for immobilising a foe.

That's it!... The intruder has won!

There... you see... just one stab...

...and it's over.

A snake's poison wouldn't act faster.

The victor goes to claim his reward.

Unceremoniously he drags the tournament prize...

...into the discreet shadow of a rock...

...while the vanquished still writhes.

It's so cruel.

It's scary.

If they were the size of crocodiles, they'd really be monsters.

Look!

The wedding over, the male wants to escape before it's too late.

This is another deadly battle... now with the female.

The shrew hangs on to him.

He doesn't defend himself?

He won't injure the one he's just fertilised.

- She kills him. - Is she going to eat him?

The young inherit their father's body.

All the males suffer that fate.

It's the law of the species.

What's wrong?

Have these sessions worn you out? Have you overestimated your strength?

No, Dad. I just feel... I'll be alright.

- You've feverish! - I want to see the scorpions.

You're not being sensible... Me neither... Marie!

Come on... you're going to lie down.

Lean on me.

I wish...

I wish I could pass all my strength and health on to you.

Come on, my child.

Did you get the book?

No. I'm going to write to Delagrave. He's toying with me!

This first volume took ten years!

I would have liked to see it.

And I have to think about the second. I'll wait 'til you're better.

We'll study the tarantula nests... the black spider!

That'll be soon?

It'll be soon... just take it easy.

I'll be back.

This child is going to be cured. Cured quickly I tell you!

Why is he kept shut up?

He needs fresh air and sunshine!

There!

I'm waiting for you my boy.

I can't! My son is dying!

I can't fight where there's no hope.

What do I do?... what can I do?

My only consolation is telling him about my work.

They don't dream.. they don't suffer...

...these leafcutter ants that live so far away.

Insects perform impossible tasks, and work miracles.

We, poor beings... born to suffer pain...

...and become weaker, we can never understand...

...their lessons of austerity and stamina.

Dear insects, who I should try to forget about sometimes...

...you're the only consolation in my life.

It's good of you to come, Antonia.

Daddy!

It was good of you to bring your boy.

Children, you need to go up now, if you still wish to see him.

What's this Grandpa?

Don't know.

I know!... it's a fly!

Henri...

Yes.

When we came here, you said

"At last we can be happy. "

The three of us were at the window.

Yes, the three of us...

The others were playing downstairs.

We can't live here anymore... without him.

Where do you want to go?

I want to buy a house which belongs to us...

...with a garden...

...that I'll enclose with a wall...

...just for us, Marie.

Why didn't I ever know how to protect him?

You've done the impossible, Henri...

...for him, and for us all.

You've given us everything.

You'll have your house, Henri...

...your garden and your wall...

...and all of us with you.

Mummy!... Grandpa's crying!

Yes, I wept for a long time and I'm still weeping...

...my first son... the light of my elderly life.

But I resumed my work, with the others

...behind the wall of my new house in S�rignan-du-Comtat.

Alas! The blows of fate did not cease.

Marie died. Claire and Emile left.

My 'Entomological Memories' series...

...appears every couple of years from Delagraves.

While doing some spying...

...the fool revealed some of his secrets to me.

My works are translated in other countries...

...that I would have liked to visit when I was young.

I'm indifferent to what the papers write about me.

But I received tributes that moved me...

Victor Hugo, Romain Rolland, Maeterlinck...

...my neighbour, Fr�d�ric Mistral, and Edmond Rostand.

[President to visit Fabre]

But I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.

Freeze!

One, two, three... thank you!

Agla�, where are the books for Mr Poincar�?

On the chair, Dad.

Ah! Perfect.

I don't want to be sitting.

Don't get up.

You want me to receive the president sitting down!

He's not here yet. Stay where you are.

Marie wouldn't have treated me this way.

She didn't have to deal with you at 90!

I was unbearable in other ways 50 years ago... really, Agla�?

You can be difficult, Dad.

Enough said!

Marie understood me.

Stay seated until the president arrives.

A prisoner!

I'm a prisoner of my work and my family...

...my two families!

Two families!

Thousands of printed pages...

...and the stream of years.

And now stuck in a chair...

...to be exhibited like some unusual animal!

Children... line up in order of your ages...

...I want to see you like that.

I LIKE seeing you like that.

No, Agla�, not you.

You've finished your apprenticeship.

Very well.

Let Mr Delagrave in. He's my father's publisher.

Thanks, Agla�.

And the president?

He's coming.

And your father?

He won't keep still.

He'll never change!

Delagrave!

Welcome! I finally get to see you in this house.

You know my family?

Madame.

Don't waste time... sit down!

Leave me alone with the last of my old friends.

Come back when the president arrives.

Don't get yourself excited, and don't get up!

Madam, I don't like to be bossed around by anyone, including you.

But I promise to be good.

My wife led me round by the nose... I'm a weakling with women.

You know you were a tyrant!

How did you remarry?

30 years ago, I wasn't bad!... She couldn't resist.

When I want something...

My 1st children had grown. I wanted a new crop.

I needed to fill this house.

It's a charming house.

It wasn't when we bought it...

...shortly after the death of Jules.

There's nobody around to pester me... come on...

...I'll give you a tour of the place.

I have to have a quiet spot to do my work...

...shielded from nice people, whose curiosity irritates me.

I turned this ungrateful soil...

...to plant all these trees and shrubs.

And with the money you were sending me...

...I built a pond...

...to study aquatic insects.

In 1906, I invented this pillar

...which is hollow, to study the birth of the Minotaur Beetle.

This usually happens a metre underground.

My trick has fooled the insect.

By undoing these panels, I could easily observe it.

This is my morgue...

...to study insects who breed in cadavers.

I'm telling you all this. Don't you read my works?

It's in this greenhouse...

...that I walked, for three whole days,

...the caterpillar procession...

...around this flowerpot.

One caterpillar after another...

...followed by another, all thinking they were the last...

...first to last making a perfect circle.

On this wall are the nests of the Megachile bees...

...on which I did experiments...

...which Charles Darwin asked me to do.

I proved that these wild bees

...could be releases kilometres away in the country...

...and fly straight back to their nests.

Through this window here, one evening...

...we saw swarms of butterflies...

...the so-called Great Peacocks

...coming from every direction...

...lured by the scent of a single female...

...that I'd captured and put here.

You recognise the table where I wrote all the books that you've published?

This instrument...

...didn't screech 50 years ago when I bought it for Antonia.

Listen.

I wrote some beautiful music.

You've made good use of your life.

Oh yes! But time races away my friend.

Just races so fast!

You work a bit.

You love. You suffer.

Then you realise you're an old man.

An old man whose memories are nothing more than...

...gravestones.

All there is left to do, is prepare for the day when we leave our body.

Once you went to visit the Emperor.

Here's the President of the Republic... He's come to see YOU.

He can wait a few minutes.

Tell me, Delagrave...

...deep down, what's the point of my long existence...

...assuming there is a point?

What a question, Fabre! What about your work?

When I see a young student...

...who asks me for your works...

...who glances at them briefly...

...I think of all your effort...

...and that patience, which was such a lesson and example.

Don't know about "a lesson".

"An example"... maybe.

But not what you think. There'll be other scientists.

There are already some who'll make me forgotten.

But I've gone past 90 years on Earth...

...without leaving this corner of the country where I took root like a tree.

I've raised 8 children with love...

...never accepting any other way...

...than that which I wanted to do.

In that way, I've been a success.

I chose my way of life.

I have not betrayed my duty as a man.

Perhaps, as you say, I've the right...

...to offer my life as an example.

A small example.

Mr Poincar� won�t have been bothered for nothing.

Let's go and receive his compliments!