Original subtitles

- Gentlemen... - Comrades, Monsieur le Maire...we're all Comrades.

- Gérard Fèvre, former MP, Communist. - We'll do everything to get you out of here.

Yet it's your policy of Collaboration that's put us here.

That's not true, Monsieur Fèvre.

Most hostages in these cells were arrested by the French police...

- and not the Germans. - It's yesterday's attack that brought you here.

Don't reverse the roles, Monsieur le Maire.

If there weren't Collaboration, do you think they'd take hostages?

Collaboration, Monsieur Fèvre, is what gives us a chance to get you out.

Marek!?

Do you remember ham, I find not steal.

Of course I remember.

Why are you here?

Prison Dijon and after prison Mirecourt, and since yesterday here.

- How is Mademoiselle... - She's fine, she'll soon marry.

That's good.

Monsieur le Maire! We demand the presence of a lawyer.

And to be able to write to our families.

The Germans refuse a lawyer, but surely it's possible for families.

The important thing is not to lose hope.

You're hostages, you're not condemned.

We'll fight, nothing's finished yet.

Monsieur le Maire!

- Are you okay? - Fine.

- A little dizzy but it's okay. - I'll try and get you something.

- If things go wrong... - Don't say that.

You never know...

You'll take care of my children?

They must go to Marseilles with my sister.

But I'll get you out of here. I promise you, do you hear me.

I promise you.

There's no question of accepting the principle of execution of hostages!

Listen, Larcher in Chateaubriant they've just shot about 30, and 50 others in Bordeaux.

Tough Choices

You believe this is still something that can be discussed in principle?

All we can do is negotiate, save time...

try to reduce the number.

Do you want some tea?

No thank you.

But you don't bargain with human lives Monsieur le Sous-Préfet.

If the Germans want to play the barbarian, that's their problem, but...

we can't go along with it.

I don't understand you, Larcher.

Do you want to save people or make great speeches?

We just shot a German officer in our town.

It's an act of war in violation of the Armistice Convention.

The Germans are in the right.

Executing innocent people?

No Communist is really innocent.

Listen, Larcher, we need to talk.

You know your brother's strongly suspected of being one of the attackers.

Yes.

Are you still able to handle this business?

I know that what I defend, is the Public Interest.

I proved that sufficiently in June 40.

Don't get excited.

We'll have difficult times. I need to know if you're really with me.

You should know that.

Even though the life of your brother is at stake?

My brother is a terrorist!

He chose his fate.

You can count on me.

But it's not a reason for accepting the principle of executions.

You're stubborn, eh!

If we deny the principle, Kollwitz will show us the door...

and make the list himself. Is that what you want?

- No... - So welcome to the real world.

They want to shoot 20. Maybe we can reduce it to 15 or 10.

So either you come with me, and give me your word you'll help negotiate...

or I'll go there alone.

I'd rather have some tea.

Notice to the Public. Terrorists will be punished with death.

The family of anyone who...any information...

on the terrorists will qualify for a reward of up to 1 Million Francs

It's amazing that the two brothers don't resemble each other.

When they were little they were as alike as two peas in a pod.

I remember confusing them in a family photo.

It's 20 years since I saw my brother.

I don't even know what he looks like.

I'm starving.

Will you take me to breakfast somewhere?

No. Not now.

I can make you something, if you want.

You're in a bad mood?

If Kollwitz learns that I let your brother-in-law...

get away before the attack, it's Russia for me, Hortense.

It's very cold in Russia.

Have you ever been there?

No, but I've read Napoleon.

It's the cop from General Intelligence.

Definitely an asshole!

The joys of collaboration.

Inspector Marchetti!

You know Madame Larcher, I think?

Yes.

Are you well?

Fine, thank you.

I knew they'd send me a French cop, but not that it was you.

It's a nice surprise.

It seems life is full of surprises.

We won't bother Madame Larcher with our low police business.

You can reassure your husband. All is arranged Madame Larcher. I'll let you go.

Herr Muller.

Call me Heinrich, Madame Larcher.

Monsieur Marchetti.

Madame Larcher!

Take a seat.

Thank you.

Do you know her well?

Yes, I stayed at the Larcher home.

For some months.

Ah yes, I remember, and then you were transferred.

Promoted, I'm a Divisional Inspector now.

Congratulations.

Responsible for liaison between you and the SPAC, Dijon.

Liaison, or competing inquiries?

Well, maybe both?

I was told that Marcel Larcher could be the shooter?

It's probable.

- And where were you? - Nowhere.

We've scoured the town, but he's well hidden for the moment.

The few Communists we hold, know nothing about him.

And the other shooter?

We've only a vague description, we're focusing on Marcel Larcher.

Can you get me his police record?

If I find it, yes, of course.

Find it, Marchetti.

I shouldn't need to point out, if you hide information from me...

it would go very badly for you.

What brings you here?

I need you to get one of my small packets from the Unoccupied Zone.

No wait, Albert, I'm not a courier.

Think again, you're my only ID courier.

- Right Albert... - You can take Marie Germain with you.

What are you thinking? She's just my former tenant's wife, that's all.

Raymond, I know she's a woman in love, believe me...

Well...listen, I'm going to do your little errand, but this is the last time.

- After this, sort it yourself. Agree? - Okay!

We've detained 32 hostages in the district of Villeneuve.

Almost all are Communists.

The 20 to be executed, will be chosen from this list.

How chosen?

I don't know.

I didn't decide anything.

Forgive my boldness but...is there any way to postpone the executions?

By delivering the guilty within 12 hours.

or your police arrest them.

A specialist in the fight against Communism arrives in Villeneuve today.

Marchetti, do you remember him?

Of course...12 hours!

Kommandant, these executions will estrange you from the population.

You're going to kill any Collaboration.

It's these attacks that kill Collaboration, not our retaliation.

Monsieur le Maire,

Obviously. We understand that.

the German army can't let terrorists kill it's Officers without reacting.

Did you receive the Préfet's message of condolence?

Yes

Listen.

There was one death. Too many of course, but 20 executions for one death!

Berlin wanted 100.

So. The figure fell from 100 to 20, it can fall further.

Lower it to 10.

10 for 1 is still a terrible ratio!

They'll know your clemency has saved lives.

Among our people, they'll know how to appreciate it.

Not among mine.

But even you will appreciate it, when you think about it.

It doesn't depend on me.

I mean to say, I give recommendations. Militärbefehlshaber, in Paris, decides.

So, can we hope that you'll recommend a decrease to 10?

You're not putting forward a serious argument!

And if we draw up the list ourselves?

You could do that?

- If you lower the number to 10. - Servier!

Larcher!

Bring me the list of 10 names in six hours.

I promise you nothing but I'll support your efforts.

Could you open the door, please?

Are you well?

Yes.

And the children, they're well too?

Yes, fine.

Raoul's not easy, he misses his father.

And the town doesn't suit him.

Actually, me neither!

I took the Communists who were registered before 1939...

and chose those who'd been arrested, who had records,

and remain the most dangerous..

Emilie Estabet, wasn't Communist before the war. I know her well.

She stole the Larcher gun, she's guiltiest of all.

She has four children!

Her husband is a prisoner.

Frankly, that's not the best criterion.

Listen, do I have a say in this or not?

You know her then?

She's one of my patients.

I promised to get her out of there...

and I want to get her out of there.

Very good, we'll see if it's accepted.

Who else?

Marek Dutziak.

He's not a Communist!

He's not a saboteur.

He may have stolen a ham last year.

Yes, but, he's a foreigner.

We take care of the French.

Right, we've eliminated Madame Estabet...

who's taking her place?

Who?

I don't know.

We must choose someone from the list of 32 hostages.

They'll never forgive us for what we're doing here, Servier.

We're saving the lives of 10 people.

I can't!

Do I put Madame Estabet back on the list of 10?

I'm going to be good.

I'll choose for you.

Gérard Fèvre.

The MP? But why him?

Why not?

You know about the hostages?

Yes, like everyone else.

Shooting Boches like that, I think it's completely stupid.

It's suicidal, right?

Raymond, working for the Germans is one thing,

but thinking like them is another.

You think it's normal?

I couldn't care less about the Boche who was killed.

But the rest. Frenchmen shot, town torn apart. No one can work.

What use is it?

It makes clear to everyone, the war isn't over.

What does that mean "The war isn't over"?

The country defeated, our soldiers prisoners, Germany triumphs everywhere.

What does "The war isn't over" mean?

The English, the Russians...

They're smashing up English towns, and the Russians are running back to Moscow.

It's childish, all that.

You're yelling at me because you're ashamed of working for the Boche.

No, I'm crying because I love you.

And I'm sick of you not facing reality.

What did your Springtime caper do for you?

Kervern sidelined and drunk, you in jail, and Lorrain killed by the Boches.

What are you doing here?

Like you, I'm walking, I'm taking advantage of the curfew.

It amuses me to walk in the empty streets.

How can you be out right now? Do you have an ID?

Stop!

Or what? Are you going to arrest me?

I sent you three letters, Hortense.

Three letters. No answer!

I couldn't even call you.

What do you want from me?

I don't know, an explanation, something I can tell myself before sleeping.

There's no explanation for this.

I don't feel anything for you.

Neither desire nor love...

or friendship, nothing.

I remember I loved you.

I remember the words, gestures.

I remember, I was sincere.

It's over.

I'm sorry.

All this to replace me by another cop!

What's more, a German!

Who told you that?

It's not very difficult to see.

So who cares. You wanted an explanation, now you have one.

So stop bothering me.

Our paths will cross again, Hortense.

You hear that?

Paul!

- Paul?! - Yes!

I have to take your photo for the false papers.

You need to leave Villeneuve, the Germans are searching house to house.

Did Yvon escape?

Obviously!

Otherwise, we wouldn't know where you were.

Have you something to eat?

Oh no, I didn't think. Excuse me.

Tomorrow Yvon will have something.

Tomorrow!

He'll pick you up at noon, there will be instructions.

And if he doesn't come?

Wait for him to come.

Yes, but if he really doesn't come?

- Paul, stop discussing orders! - Yes, but...

Especially since you're not in a very good position.

You mean because of the Boches?

No, not because of the Boches.

The Pharmacy stunt.

It was a Political Error.

What?

It was an Error to shoot an officer like that, in cold blood.

You're kidding me!

That was the Line, we voted.

- I was against it and you were for it. - Paul!

Comrades are being hunted everywhere.

The German are going to murder hostages.

It's a Political Error.

I talked to the Inter-regional Committee...

After the war we'll hold a Disciplinary Commission.

You're formally forbidden to talk about this action to anyone.

Even within the Party?

Especially within the Party.

Edmond...

I've sacrificed everything for this Action...

My job, my house, my son, even...

- and I can't tell anyone? - They are Party orders, Comrade.

And if I understand you correctly, the Party is all you have left.

Take a deep breath.

Now cough.

Once again, please.

That's good.

You can get dressed.

How is it?

- Ah, I'm doing some... - Don't worry.

I'll let you get dressed.

I'm sorry but it's not very good.

Meaning?

It's obviously much worse.

She has to have an X-ray.

But, if we don't operate on the pleura quickly it's just a matter of months.

We don't have the means to pay for such an operation.

You were talking about 20,000 francs, right?

Listen Commissaire, I'm a doctor, not a magician.

I've shown you a solution to save her, but...

Where do you think I'll find 20,000 francs!

I don't know.

The Parisian lung specialist...do you think he'd operate on a Jew?

Probably not.

But you may have the means to make her no longer Jewish, right?

Ah, Madame Morhange, I told Monsieur de Kervern you need to rest.

But I spend my days resting.

We'll talk again at home.

How much do I owe you?

Nothing. Excuse me.

But why?

Dr.Larcher, yes.

This is Servier. I've just had Kollwitz on the phone...

They've accepted the list of 10.

- Good. - I expected more enthusiasm on your part.

Your Emilie Estabet is saved.

I'm thinking of the others.

They've just been told.

I told Fèvre's lawyer you'd visit the prison.

You did right.

It's my duty.

Don't get too caught up in duty, Larcher.

There's a time when it's no longer any use.

That was good.

But we'll never really understand each other, eh?

Perhaps that's why it's good.

You only think about yourself.

Your pleasure, your factory, your earnings...

And you.

You never take anything seriously.

Apart from our story.

Since I met you, I often think of the future.

A future together.

It never happened to me before.

I used to think about it, but no more!

You see, I've changed.

I was arrested in the street yesterday.

During the roundup, after the attack.

I was with a guy, a nervy one. Well...

He had a gun on him!

They threw me in clink.

Even me, collaborator Schwartz that I am.

Even though I said I knew Kommandant Kollwitz, they didn't want to know.

They left me to stew for hours.

I thought I was going to die.

Suddenly I realized two things.

First my current position, power, money, everything...

It's just smoke...

It could blow away overnight.

The other...

It's that there's only one person who really matters in my life...

to whom I'm going to regret not being able to say goodbye.

For your dizziness.

It will make you sleep.

So it's true, Doctor, I'm getting out?

I want you to keep it to yourself, though. Yes.

I think you're out of danger.

God bless you.

I might need it.

- Excuse me? - Nothing.

Who's looking after your children, just now?

A neighbor, a seamstress, she's very good to them.

Thank you, Doctor.

Thank you for my children.

Emilie, I have to leave you, now. I've...

I have to go and see the others.

Thank you!

Monsieur le Maire.

It's good you're here.

Oh, don't be foolish.

Yes, you're an enemy and you're wrong, but...

you weren't obliged to come and see us.

It's my duty, Monsieur Fèvre.

Do you know what I'll shout when...

I mean, at the very end.

No?

Long live the German Communist Party!

I hope there will be someone who speaks French, because...

I don't know how to say it in German.

I'll tell you. I promise.

These are the Comrade's letters, to their families.

- I can count on you? - Of course.

And then, my wife...

in my letter I forgot...it's stupid, but...

I forgot to tell her "I love you". Will you tell her?

Of course.

Are you sure you don't want to write it yourself?

I don't know. No, I don't think...

I don't have the strength to reopen it.

Marek?

Monsieur le Maire.

You have someone here...to inform?

No, nobody...

mother in Poland, father in Ukraine.

And your mother, do you want me to send her something...

things, just a word?

For two years, letters come back "Unknown at this address".

Unknown!

Monsieur le Maire?

I have some rather good news.

First, the permanent curfew is lifted within the hour.

- Good! - Furthermore...

MBF arrested a saboteur yesterday, and insist...

he go on the list of those to be executed.

Who is he?

I don't know.

But it does mean you can save one of the condemned ten.

Marek Dutziak. But why?

I don't understand you, Larcher. Why not Gérard Fèvre, French, a former MP.

Because Marek is innocent.

It's our fault he's here for selling a ham on the black market.

That may work with the Germans. But I don't know about Vichy.

What is Vichy doing to prevent the executions?

The Maréchal has offered himself as a hostage.

Yes, and we saw the result.

Larcher, you're on a slippery slope!

The Maréchal, the government, me, everyone...

We're all against executions.

Forget what I just said.

But agree to save Marek.

It gives meaning to everything we do.

At least all that I do.

You can give me that, right?

The Boches are searching house to house, it'll take weeks.

Marcel Larcher and his accomplice will be gone by then.

What I want is to find them now.

We haven't the resources the Boches have.

We need to try and be bit smarter than them, Loriot.

That's the first time anyone asked me to be smart in the Police.

Messieurs.

Commissaire.

Excuse me, I was at the doctor's.

You know I believe the main quality in a policeman is punctuality?

That's what you taught me.

I also taught you to avoid pissing everyone off, Marchetti.

I'm still your supervisor.

Well no. Sorry but not anymore. I have an order signed by Servier...

that gives me authority over all police in the town, including you.

So if in future you could avoid arriving late, it would suit me.

Is that clear?

As Boche piss.

I don't see the need for you to attend this meeting.

You reproach me for being late, then you chuck me out of the meeting!

I do what I want.

Is that also written on Servier's paper?

No. But your behavior in the spring disqualifies you from fighting Anti-National Conduct.

That's it. Right, so what do I do now?

Because I'm re-instated.

You're going to handle this Caberni murder. He's an associate of the Sous-Préfet...

It's crime and that's your game.

And where do I sit?

Boss...?

You can take an Inspecteur's desk, this one for example.

Excuse me.

Concerning the Communists, other than this guy we've already arrested...

- does anyone have anything? - There are too few of us, boss.

We've nothing.

But still...?

I mean, the Germans do the job, we get the credit.

Wait, do you still have your dame in the Unoccupied Zone?

My dame?

Yes, the theft at the Essarts Mairie last month.

The so cute little Bolshevik.

- I thought he was in love! - Ah yes.

No, she was nothing...simple minded.

Can someone enlighten me?

A broken door at the Mairie...

no theft, just some caper.

What has this to do with the Communists?

She was arrested last year.

A story of more or less Communist leaflets.

Yes, not so simple minded!

Her name?

Richard.

Suzanne Richard.

This is a joke!

I arrested Suzanne Richard in November.

She's close to Marcel Larcher.

Imbecile!

I couldn't know that!

You're in a relationship with her?

Yes. No...not really, nothing.

You have her address?

14 rue de l'Hebergement.

But it's blown. The Fritz searched it and came up empty handed, so...

That means nothing. She could easily come back, or one of her Comrades.

Okay, we'll go and stake it out.

Which apparently is all we can do.

I hope the fixer I used, works.

You spoke of hostages earlier...

how many will they shoot?

They're talking about 20.

- Including Gérard? - Yes.

And Emilie?

I know they took her, that's all.

Paul, you know that Emilie blew you?

Shit!

My fixer isn't working.

I need to find real photo chemicals.

Actually, there's some at Suzanne's.

Are you sure?

The studio belonged to a photographer before the war.

You've been to Suzanne's?

When I took the gun from Madame Berthe's.

Ah yes, true.

The studio is blown.

The Boches came there for Suzanne two days ago.

Even the Boches can't monitor every suspected place.

Especially now, when they're combing Villeneuve for you.

I'll give it a try.

I'll be careful.

Don't move before we come for you tomorrow afternoon. Understood?

Yvon told me you got the Boche's gun, at the Pharmacy?

So what's Schwartz's alibi?

He was alone at the factory. He wasn't seen at the ceremony until about 9:00 o'clock.

He had lots of time to kill Caberni, toss him in the Loue, and come back for champagne.

I don't know, that's not like Schwartz.

We've combed the banks of the Loue,

and found the place where the murderer threw in the body...

traces of blood, cigarette ends, tire tracks.

The tire brand is the same as on Schwartz's car, type 33S.

That's the most common brand.

Any other suspects?

Caberni was homosexual.

Jerome Michelet was his cutie.

A trafficker, not very bright...

I know him...

I heard he did time for black marketing.

Definitely in the frame for a murder.

I don't see the motive.

He was obviously very attached to Caberni.

Exactly. Crimes of passion often occur among fairies.

You've interrogated him?

- Impossible. - He isn't French?

Yes, but the Boches have him. He was caught at a checkpoint with a gun.

He was court-martialed last night. He's going to be one of the 10 shot, soon.

Name of God!

Don't you know...he's the nephew of Sous-Préfet Servier.

I'll call the Mayor.

He has a special talent for getting into these situations.

Are you sure?

Kollwitz's office confirmed his name to me.

It's your nephew.

It's strange, I loved that kid when he was small.

He was good, kind, intelligent...

And then....

I'm sorry, Monsieur le Sous-Préfet.

Kommandant?

Pierre Servier?

I have a very big problem, Kommandant.

The saboteur who just came from the MBF, the 10th sentenced...is my nephew.

- I'm sorry, but... - Oh, he's a scoundrel...

and a fool, but neither a Communist nor a saboteur.

This is a bad application of the Hostage Code.

Listen, I can do nothing.

He was subject to a court martial.

I'm sure you can at least postpone his execution.

I'll fix it with the Préfet and MBF at Besançon.

But the execution's in two hours!

Listen, do this for me Kommandant.

It will only cost you a phone call, and it will save my life.

He's my sister's son.

Who will you replace him with?

I...I don't know.

Obviously one of the last two removed.

I don't have time to redo the papers.

Estabet, Emilie or Dutziak, Marek?

And this is the last change, Servier.

Thank you, Kommandant.

Do I recommend Marek Dutziak?

No.

Emilie Estabet?

Give me some time...

to decide.

Half an hour, Larcher, no more.

After that they may shoot both.

Really, every time we cross the line, there's a hold-up!

You have the optic invoices?

I don't know, they're in the crate.

That Crémieux, I swear to you!

Without him, we wouldn't be here.

Where are they, these blessed papers!

You'll see, they won't let these lenses through.

What's this?

- What are they? - Oh God!

What is it?

They're stencils!

They're used to print leaflets and newspapers.

Their transport is completely forbidden.

It means that bastard Crémieux has been manipulating us for weeks.

- Good day. - Good day.

Here you are, she's with me.

- Little Richard is pretty cute, right? - Yes.

- How far did you go with her? - A peck or two!

You know you shouldn't mix work and women, Loriot.

The only time it happened to me...

I burned my fingers.

Wait, wait, wait. Look.

His head reminds me of something.

Before the war I...

Yes, we'll see what the guys who are banged up tell us.

Hold on!

A guy just went into Richard's with a passkey.

Yes, we saw.

As soon as he leaves, Prédavy and Bazin follow him on foot.

Go tell them. Move it, before he comes out.

Go!

You must have distrusted little Richard.

I interviewed her, she's cunning.

Agree?

Oh wait!

Good. Well this is not bad.

This is London.

The French speak to the French.

It's absolutely normal and justified that Germans are being killed by the French...

If the Germans hadn't wanted to receive death at our hands...

they should have stayed at home and not made war on us.

Sooner or later...

they are destined to be slaughtered either by us or the Allies.

If only I could replace them!

It would be so much easier.

Don't say that!

What use would that be?

You're right.

But I can't choose.

I can't.

Forgive me telling you this, but...

you wouldn't have accepted, Docteur.

Accepted what?

To help make this list.

Excuse me.

No, you're right.

but it doesn't give me a solution.

Do what you think just.

My grandfather always told me

"If you do what you think fair, you won't go to Hell".

The Germans have chosen for us. MBF in Paris think Estabet is involved.

She must go.

Oh, she won't be shot here. It appears Hitler doesn't want women shot.

She will be transferred to Germany, where she'll be executed.

Which one did you choose in the end?

What does it matter now!

There are only nine?

Why aren't there ten?

I don't know.

Am I the tenth?

You'll be transferred to Germany...

but we must not lose hope.

Long live the German Communist Party!

Monsieur le Maire!

They didn't take me, Monsieur le Maire!

Thanks to you.

Thank you!

Thank you.

So?

The guy went into the garage just before curfew...

He turned the light on. Since then, nothing to report.

It's weird, it's as if he were talking to someone.

We didn't see anyone.

Couldn't you have found me a better spot? I can't see anything from here. Shit!

A neighbor says he has a window overlooking the backyard of the garage.

We'll go and check.

What are they doing?

Well then, Comrade?

It's forbidden to show a light outside.

He forgot it was curfew?

Well you see, I didn't dream it, there are two of them.

Do we know who this guy is?

Negative.

And yet he corresponds to the description as the shooter, right?

Young, slim, brown short hair...

What are they doing?

It remains to be seen whether they'll lead us to Marcel Larcher.

It must be pretty important to be taking emergency pictures like this.