"Yes, sure!" "It's a present, I don't understand..." "It's about Gaston!" "Don't keep changing the subject!" " It's always the same with you!" " What do you mean?" " You know perfectly well." " No I don't." " It's not the first time and..." " And what?" "You yell as if I was responsible for your recklessness." " Oh, so now it's me who's reckless?" " Well of course it's you..." " We'll see about that..." " Oh, don't try and play the matador." " I'm sick of your rough stuff..." " Shut up!" " I'm warning you it's over!" " Oh shut up!" " What's with your nerves?" "Oh..." " I've had enough!" "Shut up!" "Leave me alone!" "Kiss me!" "Shut up!" "Will you shut up!" "Will you shut up!" "I didn't do anything." "I was passing by and there she was." "But for God's sake, why was she there?" "I'd eaten too much... drunk too much." "What else is there to do on Sundays?" "I committed a crime." "Yes, but the crime of a drunkard." "The crime of a madman." "No." "The crime of a coward." "And I was afraid of them." "Of seeing them come back." "Afraid that they would catch me with her." "It's their fault." "They're responsible." "They follow me everywhere." "They're always behind me, watching me, watching over me." "little Mrs. Duval... and her two grown children." "A family of cannibals!" "What's the matter with your hands?" "My poor dear, you're looking at them... as though they belonged to someone else." "It's nothing, I've just got a scratch." "Don't be so soft!" "The next morning..." "I got up." "yes, as usual." "I was a murderer and yet..." "I hardly had a bad night's sleep." "You're not eating?" "Are you sick?" "No, I'm not hungry." "The coffee was so-so." "It's a matter of settings." "It's a matter of life and death." "Now I'm a murderer." "No, it's not possible!" "One moment's distraction can't wipe out a respectable life." "However, in spite of all my usual actions, something was bothering me." "Something that I finally managed to identify." "It was a noise." "The ringing of bells." "'Horrible crime near Pontarlier'" "Our little town has seven churches and lives to the rhythm of their bells... but you don't notice them anymore." "As for me, I was hearing them again." "Just like a dying man hears every little sound in the silence." "Perhaps it was just a buzzing in my ears." "Not feeling well Mr. Duval?" "Me?" "I'm fine why?" "After a day like yesterday, it's my gut that bothers me." "Apparently there's such a thing as remorse." "But until now I haven't suffered from it." "I must have a conscience like everyone else." "Still not feeling well?" "Oh leave me alone." "I wasn't even afraid." "This deeply sleeping fool was my best alibi." "Good morning Sir, how can I help you?" "She used to laugh all the time." "She was too beautiful, too free... too easy." "Actually, I didn't meet up with her very often." "We didn't keep the same hours." "What purpose did she serve in the social structure?" "She was a dangerous presence by her very existence." "Fuel to a fire." "In olden days, she would have been burnt as a witch." "A legitimate defensive move;" "that's what I made." "It wasn't murder, it was an execution." "With no trial." "I'm sure that when she was making love, she was even more beautiful." "She looked straight at me right up until the end." "But I didn't do anything deliberately," "I wasn't thinking about anything." "I wasn't even thinking about that..." "Towards evening I seemed to slip back into my real self... as a pharmacist above suspicion." "Just as innocent as this fool who greets me ten times a day... since he bought a can of insecticide from me." "Hello Dad." "Yes, he's a fool all right, but not a criminal!" " Hello Mom." " Hello darling." "These faces..." " Hello Mr. Sylvestre." " Hello my pet." "They don't know what to expect." "They don't suspect that you have a secret." "They don't know anything." "But with so few distractions there's always hope for the worst." "Bringing disgrace on an honest man is such fun!" "It's lucky that I'm almost innocent." "I didn't do anything." "I didn't do anything deliberately." "But why am I trying to fool myself." "I haven't yet gone back to being the Gregoire I was yesterday, the one who couldn't even hear the angelus." "This huge emptiness, this loneliness, is that what happiness is;" "the frightful everyday happiness... that regular people take in the daily routine." "The daily grind." "Laurent, turn down that music." "Dinner is on the table." "Me too at his age, I used to dream of adventure." "Now, my age doesn't matter... but I have a family." "I didn't even think about adventures any more." "Even yesterday it wasn't an adventure that I was after." "No, of course not." "It was more like a thirst, the craving for a glass of alcohol." "Life and death are just that then;" "a few seconds when all the supports collapse... and the whole structure comes tumbling down." "And it's all over for adventures and adventurers." "No need for knowledge, kid!" "Eat up your soup... to grow up... and become a murderer like Daddy... or get out of here right away!" "Don't wait for the scheduled escapes, the organised group tours." "You're not eating?" "You're not hungry?" "Goodbye then and don't come home too late." "And there you are, I'm a free man;" "until 11 o'clock." "It's been going on for 18 years." "I haven't missed a single evening except for Sundays, holidays, business trips to Paris and absolute necessities." "My appendicitis surgery for instance." "For 18 years, I've been making my way... through those familiar shadows." "One evening, she was there." "She was with a man and they were quarrelling." "I even think he slapped her." "She was too beautiful, too free, too easy." "She used to laugh all the time." "That's how it was when we started out, Geneviève and I;" "poor little love-struck fool if you thought about it." "Why did we get married so young?" "Because I didn't want to freeze to death... talking about our future in the wind." "I didn't have the guts to wait until Spring." "The next morning, when we woke up feeling awkward, we knew that it was for life and that it would never be over with." "Who knows, with some-one else... it could have worked out." "I knew that some-one could love me." "We've never discussed that little misunderstanding, out of decency and good manners." "We can't be the only ones in the same boat, but that doesn't stop the world from turning." "For 18 years, every night of the week," "I meet up with the same faces, the same friends, for the same bridge with the same comments." "And I play my part in this little world... where everyone talks in veiled terms... about adventures they haven't had." "As for me, I've actually had that adventure!" "I'm a murderer!" " My regards Mrs Souchon." " Good evening Mr. Duval!" " Everyone's here." " It's quite an event." "People think a murder is like a public holiday." "I didn't know the girl but I've turned the juke box off." " As a sign of mourning?" " Out of common decency." "Soon we'll have to fire the cannon..." "Henri, bring Mr Duval's lime tea." "Gentlemen." "Judge, my respects." " Good evening." " Good evening Charles." " Good evening Doctor." " Good evening." " So, shall we play?" " We're just talking." "Our friend here is in charge of preparing the case for trial." "I've decided to move ahead quickly," " very quickly." " Bravo!" "Let's judge him, cut off his head and long live France!" "It's undoubtedly all about sex!" "And you have a problem with that?" "Madame de Pompadour, Josephine de Beauharnais," "Georges Sand they were all about sex too." "Gentlemen, please!" "So, what do you know Judge?" "A lot." "Commissioner Valard really knows his job." "He's a bloodhound." "I knew his father." "Bloodhounds, both father and son." "An examination of the scene shows that there was a struggle." "There's some trace of violence on the girl's face." " I've assigned Dr. Marmond..." " He's an idiot!" "The doctor is a very experienced man." "He should be, he kills enough people!" "But tell me Judge, was there..." "No, there was no rape." "No, it's not a common crime, the man wasn't after her virtue..." " Perhaps she was asleep." " Come on Duval, you don't kill someone who's sleeping for no reason." "And you're right Judge, you have to proceed quickly, there's a dangerous maniac on the loose in town." "How about the government?" "What's the government doing?" "Let's ask them for a state funeral for this poor Catherine." "Doctor, really, you're going too far!" "Oh come on!" "I'm probably the only one here who is really sorry for her." "Of course!" "Yes Sir!" "So what?" "Does that bother you?" "I didn't see her slinking along walls... hiding." "I wasn't ashamed." "No shame at all, I was just like her." "A whiff of scandal..." "The scandal this evening is right here." "It's the way you're all scared shitless." "Poor kid." "She's ended up dead from laughing at you." "And right here in this little town... we found a courageous citizen to wring her neck." "Justice has been done!" "And you wouldn't know how to handle the murderer... without condemning yourselves." "Your grief is leading you astray." "What grief?" "Just because some nice little tart is dead?" "Come on, let's not exaggerate." "No, not grief, let's say... disgust or nausea." "And if I knew who did it..." "I would never hand him over to your legal system, be sure of that." "Why ever not?" "It doesn't fill me with confidence." "Oh!" "Commissioner." "Gentlemen," "I have just arrested the murderer." "Who is it?" "Sautral." "Little Nortier's boyfriend?" "Yes Madam." "But, since I'm telling you I'm innocent!" "I'm innocent!" "I'm not asking for that much!" "I had no reason at all to kill her." "and anyway, we got along really well." " Witnesses say differently." " I've never killed a women." " What about men?" " I served in Indochina." " Forget the acts of war!" " I was just trying..." "He can't be guilty of being a good soldier..." "Sautral sponged off the Nortier girl." "Of course not..." "Money just came and went between us." "All in one direction." "I'm a photo-journalist, sports reporter for "Les Dépêches"." "I earned my living and Catherine earned hers." "How?" "I didn't ask for her accounts." "We just got along." "I wonder if Judge Hoppenaud has gone to pot..." "Not at all!" "He's a magistrate who deserves a higher level job than the one he has." "Yes, he's even quite brilliant." "Oh sure, in the evening at the "Brasserie de la Poste"." "The murderer should have been judged long ago." "What murderer?" "Fortunately there's only one so far;" " Sylvain Sautral." " Not enough proof maybe." "Proof?" "Are you crazy?" "Was he sleeping with the girl, yes or no?" "And I always thought that was a sign of affection." "It's no joking matter!" "One thing you seem to have completely forgotten my poor dear... is that you are going to play a very important role in this trial." " I am?" " Yes, you are." "You're on the list of jurors scheduled for the Assizes." "Do you know how my uncle became Mayor?" " And then Chief Councillor?" " No." "Following a trial." "He chaired the jury." "He got himself noticed... and there you are." " There we are what?" " Mr. Mayor!" "You could even be a member of parliament." " To do what?" " Nothing." "Just to see the look on the faces of my friends." "Not to mention it would be excellent for business... and the well-being of our children." "So, I'm counting on you." "You're going to shake up those friends of yours... at the "Café de la Poste."" "You'll finally be able to show them what kind of man you really are!" "What kind of man I am!" "But then what kind of woman are you, my poor Genevieve, still pretending to be young... while nobody cared to love you." "It's as though we had never existed." "He's out on bail?" "But why?" "No wonder murderers walk the streets!" "Lawyers should only defend the innocent, and even then, with tact!" "Who's innocent?" "9 time out of 10, it's someone who's guilty who eludes the legal system." "Come on old boy, start playing." "I'm telling you that this is a matter for the government." "You're right there." "When the government's going well everything goes well." "Rest assured my dear friends," "Counsellor Abreux asked for bail for his client... but I didn't grant it." " Well done!" " Bravo!" "Judge, execute, and long live France!" ""I have understood you!" (as De Gaulle would say)" "And let me congratulate you." "Keeping some poor guy in prison... when you have absolutely no proof against him... is great work!" "Terrific diagnosis!" " But how...?" " Not a scrap of proof..." " and you know it." " No proof?" "Assumptions perhaps but even then!" "If you wanted to, you could suspect me too." "Come on, sure you could." "You all consider me a freak... and you might be right after all." "But then... why not me?" "It's impossible!" "Of course it is!" "Me, I'm one of you." "I'm the good veterinarian... who looks after your hunting dogs when you exhaust them... and takes care of your bored budgies... on Sundays." "By the way, after his failed attempt," "Counsellor Abreux has asked for a psychiatric examination of Sautral." "That's classic!" "If De Gaulle was free to do his job..." "Oh Yes!" "You don't see another likely suspect?" "That's a good one!" "Come on, you so well established!" "But since they have their guilty party, they're not going to look for another one." "The door!" "So Mr. Duval, in your opinion Sautral is innocent?" "I never said that." "But what if he was?" "What if you flush out another guilty person?" "Too late." "A glass of rum, a cigarette, the overhead costs aren't huge in any case." "What would you do?" "My dear Duval, this case is covered by the law." "Two guillotines?" "Please doctor!" "I would issue an order to dismiss the case." "Come on gentlemen, we've got just enough time." "A club." "A heart." "I pass." "Two hearts." "I pass." "3 no trump." "That's fine." "Our contract of 4 no trumps could have won a trick... but against a fourth 10, it was bad luck." "I'm sorry, I was thinking of something else." "Don't worry about it." "Ten to one Sautral is guilty." " Ten to one?" " Well, so to speak." "The facts are overwhelming." "We'll have his head." "You think so?" "The first death penalty in our town." "That's interesting." "The Prefect is very proud of it." "We were beginning to fall asleep around here." " Good night Mr. Duval." " Good night Commissioner." "It was then that fear struck." "A panicky, mad, unreasonable fear." "Unreasonable because if Sautral was guilty..." "I didn't risk anything further." "But something was urging me to get away from this town." "This town where a man who resembled me was living;" "a man who had killed and who was, in fact, me." "Generations of Duvals... had performed these actions before me." "I was alone... and I needed to talk... and talk." "I beg your forgiveness Father," "I don't know the set phrases any more but..." " please listen to me." " God is listening my son." "God?" "Oh no it has to be you." "It's like this Father." "A man is in prison in Pontarlier, accused of a crime, of killing a woman... and he's innocent." "You can save him." "Only you can." "Me?" "Yes, by proclaiming his innocence." "Father, I was the one who killed." "A stupid accident." "I really didn't intend the poor woman to die." "But this man;" "it would be serious if I let him be convicted." "My son, you have to give yourself up to man's justice." "That's the only way God's mercy can apply to you." "But Father, since I swear it was an accident." "God knows." "But God cannot want the loss of an innocent family." "First of all, you have to save your soul." "First the others, then I'll sort something out." "There is no sorting out." "You are mired in such self-pride that our Lord cannot recognize you." "Go and confess your crime, you'll save this man and yourself... from the hell that you're wandering about in." "I can't do anything," "You have to make your own way to the better end." "I had hoped for too much." "The solution could only come from me." "My flight was already over, I couldn't go any further." "I decided to go back." "What's going on?" "Did I forget a birthday?" "No, I'm happy to tell you the good news." "You have been selected... as a prospective juror for the Sautral trial." "I'm quite satisfied." "It's official!" "You might be challenged by the defense or the prosecution... but who could refuse to have Gregoire Duval as a juror." "The honour will reflect back on to the whole pharmacy." "Assizes..." "Mr. Gregoire Duval, Pharmacist 1st class." "Great!" "Top dog in town!" "What are you saying!" "I can't even punish you, you see me judging people?" "But your children haven't killed anyone yet as far as I know." " You could acquit him." " Let's eat." "Children chatter and chatter on, just like grown-ups." "Depends on how they are educated I guess..." "Now, all you have to do is show yourself worthy of this new honour." "I'm confident, you never disappointed me." "Genevieve, do you really mean what you just said?" "Yes, of course." "Is everything all right?" "This is the first time I've seen you all laughing together." "Yes, well... frankly Your Honour, I really don't see... what the statement of this priest can add to our file." "Certainly not any proof of Sautral's guilt," "Mr. Attorney General." "Come on..." "This nice Swiss priest... heard the confession of some guy... who claims to be the Nortier girl's murderer." "All right then, but really... we all know this kind of maniac." "Not the majority in prisons, but they do exist." "I don't want to discourage you... but do you think that your case is weighty enough?" "Well," "I'd like Sautral's head for this." "And I want to ask for it, on the record." "Apart from being caught red-handed, everything condemns Sautral." "If murderers were caught on the job, what good would we be?" "The Commissioner's assumptions are serious." "Assumptions are always serious when there's nothing else... in a police case." "Valard, do you believe in the guilt of your guy?" "Firmly Your Honour." "Oh!" "He'd be willing to put his head on the block for it," "Sautral's I mean!" "Come on gentlemen, calm down." "Sorry about the joke, but we aren't boy scouts, damn it!" "We should also make sure that... the date of the Assizes coincides with the Annual Fair;" "the whole province will be showing up in our modest little town... and as well as business and industry, justice will have pride of place!" "Please..." "My respects Mr. Prosecutor, I'm sorry I didn't see you." "Yes, I'm losing weight!" "Tell me have you read the "Pontissalien"?" " No." " An excellent paper." ""L'Est républicain" is unenthusiastic... but on the other hand the "Dépêche"... already has a photo on the front page." "It's the trial of the year, my friend." "Good headline that;" "trial of the year!" "Well Sir, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes." "No?" "Why not?" "Well, I don't believe the poor kid is guilty." "Really, well isn't that interesting." "So explain to me your way of seeing things." "In my opinion..." "You're on the list of jurors," "I really hope you won't be challenged." "I'm glad to have met you, we'll share ideas on Sautral's innocence." "My respects, Madam." "I'm so glad to meet up with you." "I wanted to express my admiration." "Just wait for my statement of defense." "Why?" "In any case, before defending a lost cause," "I can understand that you're asking God's help." "Apart from Him, I can't see who else there would be." "Not even you?" "The black sheep must be slaughtered." "You're thinking of capital punishment?" "Oh yes, we have to separate the wheat from the chaff." "Perfect!" "Well see you soon;" "really glad to have met you... and... thank you." "Madam." "Mr. Pierre Parent, 20th on the list." "Challenged by the Prosecution." "Madame Adele Chuquet, 8th on the list." "Challenged by the Defense." "Madame Marie Nadal, 11th on the list." "Challenged by the Defense." "Never have women in this type of case." "Madame Hermine Leroi, 1st on the list." "Challenged by the Defense." "Mr. Joseph Besancon, 2nd on the list." "Accepted." "Mr. Albert Dotte, 4th on the list." "Accepted." "Mr. Henri Souchon, 9th on the list." "Present!" "Accepted." "Mr. Gregoire Duval, 21st on the list." "Challenged by the Defense." "No, Article 298 of the new Code of Penal Procedure." "The rights of the Defense have been used up." "You have the right to challenge only 5 jurors." "Mr. Duval?" "Accepted." "Mr. Arthur Latrie, 15th on the list." "Congratulations!" "Accepted." "You didn't challenge me?" "Not that stupid!" "You were challenged by the Defense so automatically you pass onto our side." "I didn't expect any less of your republican conscience." "Accepted." "And so, thanks to all these fools I wasn't challenged." "In any case, since a few minutes ago I no longer wanted to be." "It seemed as though the decision was taken for me." "I had to save Sautral." "To test myself or to punish myself?" "The investigation which I undertook... led me very quickly to suspect the victim's lover," "Sylvain Sautral, besides, well known by our citizens... for the ostentatious liberty of his lifestyle." "The accused... who had just had a violent discussion with his mistress... was seen by an eye witness searching in the victim's purse... and taking out a wallet." "We will hear this witness." "What do you have to say to that?" "It was not me who killed Catherine." "In short, yes or no... did you take your girlfriend to the lake... on the afternoon of the 27th of September?" "Yes." "So you lied to the Commissioner." "Yes, but only on this point." "I knew everyone would say it was me." "You were there, your girlfriend is strangled right in front of you..." "Absolutely not!" "I insist!" "I left." "All right, tell us all about that." "Catherine had fallen asleep." "I wanted to buy some cigarettes." "I noticed that we were out of gas." "I went back to where Catherine was to get some money out of her purse," "I didn't have any, and I left with a jerry can to get some gas." "So the eye witness was not wrong... when he saw you take the victim's wallet... from her purse." "Yes, to buy some gas." "And then?" "The garage was closed." "By the time I got back... the crowd and the fisherman who accused me were there." "I was afraid and I fled." "Without even making sure that your victim was dead?" "I've seen dead people before." "Oh please..." "The witness, can he please tell the jurors... whether he had the impression on several occasions... that the accused was about to confess his crime." "An impression yes." "There were several times that I thought Sautral..." " was going to confess." " Thank you." "I have always denied it!" "Why would he deny it if he really wanted to confess?" "Well I don't know." "A feeling..." "Perhaps Sautral was hesitating between the alternatives." "A confession that would merit extenuating circumstances, or a lie, the consistency of which would impress the jury." "But of course." "You're giving your own interpretation." "Any other questions Sir?" "No." "Bring in the next witness." "Your Honour?" "Yes, Juror Number 7?" "I think Your Honour, that article 311 of the new Code of Penal Procedure... authorizes me to intervene." "Certainly." "You can ask all the questions that seem necessary to you... to establish the truth of the matter." "Thank you Sir." "I would like the Commissioner..." "Say "the witness"." "I would like the witness to tell us whether Catherine..." "Say "the victim"." "Whether the victim fought back." "Did the witness pick up any trace of a struggle at the site?" "It's difficult to be sure." "By the time I got there, many people had walked all over the ground." "There's your answer." " I'm sorry Your Honour." " No, not at all." "Your qualms do you credit." "Bring in the next witness." "The tearing of the soft tissue of the neck... and the fracture of the thyroid cartilage... are witness enough to the violence of the attack." "The same can be said of the red mark at the bottom of the right cheek." "A marbling, a hematoma if you like." "Signs of the violence undergone by the victim." "Yes." "Independent of the shock of the strangulation." "Did the witness pick up any fingerprints... from the victim, notably from the neck area." "You can never find clear fingerprints in cases of strangulation." "On the other hand, the marks of the fingers are clear." "The fingerprints are smudged but they do exist." "But here... nothing!" "Which means?" "That the attacker must have worn gloves." "Gloves!" "I ask the gentlemen of the jury... to note this extremely important point." "Thank you witness." "Juror Number 7?" "Did the doctor also examine the accused?" "I ask this question because the Attorney General has given us... to understand that the victim had been able to defend herself." "Not for long." "Her resistance could have left some mark." "The victim could have scratched the accused." "They called me in to examine the victim, not the accused." "That's a shame!" "Did you examine the victim's fingernails to see... whether foreign fragments of skin could have been lodged there." "No, I did not conduct that examination." "Once again, that is a shame." "No more questions Juror Number 7?" "No, Your Honour." "Thank you." "Bring in the next witness." "Please state your name, age, residence and profession." "Albert Testu, 30 years old, 12, Avenue de la Republique, office worker." "Make your statement." "We were in "L'Échelle" that evening." "On the 26th, the evening before the crime?" "That's right." "I danced with Catherine." "And as a result of this evening," "Sautral threw himself at Catherine Nortier and hit her." "Yes." "He kicked and punched her." "Was this violence provoked... by your conduct towards the Nortier girl." "I assume so Your Honour." "Were you the victim's lover?" "Yes." "well, I had had a relationship with her." "Sautral, were you aware of... the relationship between Catherine Nortier and the witness." "Yes." "You knew that she was his mistress." "Oh, let's not exaggerate, they had slept together once or twice." "What was your reaction to this betrayal?" "It kind of made me laugh." "I don't understand." "This guy, I find that he has a funny face, so, pardon me but... for a big love affair, it's odd." "Questionable humour;" "it will allow me to maintain in my indictment... that jealousy was one of the factors of this crime." "Oh, we weren't jealous of the Nortier girl." "Moreover my defense will show that." "Your Honour, please?" "A question Juror Number 7?" "So, the prosecuting argument is that... they would have continued their fight on the lakeshore, and after a fight Sautral finally strangled his mistress." "That's exactly right." "And following this argument we have the forensic scientist... who found traces of violence as well as the signs of strangulation;" "isn't that right?" "Exactly." "Your Honour, would it be possible to hear Doctor Marmond once again." "As requested by Juror Number 7, back on the stand." "Juror Number 7 you may ask your question." "Doctor, could the marks, noticed at the base of the right cheek of Catherine Nortier... have come from a blow received by the victim prior to her murder." "Of course." "Therefore, it has not been proved that the struggle which involved..." "Sautral and his mistress happened immediately before the murder." "It could have happened the previous evening, at "L'Échelle" perhaps?" "Yes." "Good." "That's all I want to know Your Honour." "Court is adjourned." "What would you like Sir?" "Give me a lime tea... no, a raspberry brandy." "Two." "Come on!" "All right then, two raspberry brandies." "Do you come here often?" "Where's to go?" "Yes." "Why did you want to come?" "To try and understand." "Did Sautral and his girlfriend come here every evening?" "Just about." "Look, their table's over there." " Where?" " Over there." "Ah, and what did they do?" "Same as everyone else." "They listened to music." "You know, we've got the latest American recordings;" "Pierrot, the boss goes to Switzerland to get them." "And they talked, they danced and they kissed." "Did they seem happy?" "How could one know?" "She used to laugh a lot." "Did you dance with Catherine?" "Yes, I liked her." "And did you..." "No." "That's all but it was fun!" "It's funny." "It's funny because before the war, we already used to dance like that, well almost." "Like the blacks at the Cotton Club you know." "Lester Young, Count Basie," "Armstrong of course." "Ella Fitzgerald... oh yes my friend already back then." "It was through dancing that I got to know her." "Who do you mean?" "Nadia." "It was love at first sight." "We used to meet... near the Cathedral in Strasbourg... in a little pink and gray room... with romantic etchings and discreet service." "For certain people, love is the only important thing in their lives." "Nothing else is important." "I was 25 years old and I loved her." "And then?" "And then I took flight... like a thief, slinking along the walls." "I couldn't understand that making love wasn't a despicable act." "No-one had taught me that... freedom was like a kind of sickness," "I had been vaccinated against happiness." "I couldn't catch it any more." "And..." "I had been taken by surprise." "I was afraid." "Of her?" "No, of us." "I was already engaged to you mother you understand." "Nadia was..." "Nadia was the unknown, the adventure." "Have you never seen her since?" "No." "I hope she died from it, like me, without a word..." "Dad..." "Oh, I'm sorry my son." "I'm sorry." "I was joking." "What's this!" "You're changing your watering hole without telling us?" "What about you?" "Me?" "I'm a regular but I don't talk about it." "Returning to the scene of the crime?" "So the Commissioner must be under the table!" "Nobody." "Have you managed to elude his surveillance?" "You think he's having me watched?" "No, no since he already has his cosy murderer." " Allow me to offer you a drink?" " No thanks." "No?" "Not even the last one?" "The one that has no memory of anything?" "No thanks and anyway it's already very late." "That's true... and she won't come back again." "Who?" "The woman we're all waiting for." "Waiter... no?" "No thank you." "Nothing." "Two nothings." "No believe me, let it go." "They're just kids with a load of problems." "We're even worse." "What could we explain to them?" "Nothing." "We worm our way among them... and fall back into our youth." "We make a splash..." " Sorry." " We splatter everything." "You'd think that was her laugh!" "What laugh?" "That was their table." "Leave that alone." "It was just for the smell, the perfume." "You have a question Juror Number 7?" "I would like to hear an additional witness." "A witness not yet summoned!" "Who is it?" "We heard a lot about "L'Échelle" during yesterday's session." "Well, I see a regular of that establishment... right here in this room, Doctor Hesse." "Could we hear what he has to say Your Honour?" "Juror Number 7, you may ask your question." "So, you had the opportunity to meet Sylvain Sautral and Catherine Nortier." "Yes, I was even one of their friends." "One of their friends?" " There were rumours of a liaison." " No, no." "Everyone knew that Catherine was nice to me;" "there's a slight difference." "Everyone knew but nobody cared;" "another little difference." "Even him?" "Especially him." "Look, in order to understand this little world... you first have to admit that... jealousy is a sentiment that has no currency in it." "You mean they're monsters!" "Othello was misunderstood too!" "So, it's been established that... the relationships of the victim did not upset the accused." "Even so it's a curious attitude wouldn't you say Juror Number 7?" " Surely you don't believe that?" " How so?" "Well, because in regards to the witness we heard from yesterday, that witness with whom the victim had a fling, you were counting on pleading jealousy." "In any case that's what you told us." "I would ask Juror Number 7 to wait for my indictment... before drawing any conclusions." "Please forgive me Mr. Attorney General." "I'm sorry, Your Honour." "And what, do you personally think... of this pseudo philosophy... so fashionable at "L'Échelle" Mr. Hesse?" "Common practice in that club has nothing to do with a philosophy, at the very most it's a moral code for bars." "And it's regrettable... to have to acknowledge that it's right when compared to current practice." "Yes, Your Honour, Sylvain Sautral was my lover." "What is your opinion of the accused?" "He's a child." "A spoiled child then?" "I did indeed really spoil him." "How did your liaison end?" "Very naturally." "He met Catherine." "And he deceived you." "But not at all." "He told me and he left." "Were you upset?" "Of course." "But Catherine was more light-hearted, more beautiful," "I understood." "What can you do?" "I don't know Mademoiselle, but I imagine that a woman of character..." "My character doesn't tend towards violence." "But after all, the accused abused your confidence... by letting you believe..." "I know him." "He would not have bothered to pretend that he loved me." "He's an honest boy." "Your Honour?" "Juror Number 7, you have the floor." "I would like to ask the witness whether spoiling Sautral involved..." "Oh yes, I used to give him money." "He wasn't working yet... and anyway money has never really interested him." "I have seen him very happy without money." "me too." "Excuse me?" "Nothing." "I was happy too." "But this really is of no interest for you." "Mademoiselle, do you think Sautral is capable of killing... a woman who refused to give him money." "First of all he would have had to ask her." "Don't you think Sylvain Sautral... could have killed Catherine Nortier for monetary reasons?" "It's not possible." "Do you still love Sylvain Sautral?" "But of course I love him." "He can come back if he wants to, he has always known that." "Well." "The court and the gentlemen of the jury will appreciate... what needs to be retained from this testimony... so patently influenced by such touching passion." "You can step down mademoiselle." "Bailiff, next witness." "So you could hear the argument?" " As though I was there." " But you couldn't see the couple?" "Oh no." "I was too far away and there were trees." " Suddenly they stopped yelling." " Suddenly?" " Yes, it really struck me." " And then?" "Since I kept rowing I ended up seeing them." "The girl was no longer moving at all." " She was asleep!" " Absolutely!" "The guy was searching in her purse." "He took her wallet and left." "You didn't hear the quarrel start up again?" "No, because Sautral had left." "No yells, no screams, you're sure M. Garanpon?" "But remember you fool..." "I killed her to keep her quiet." "A moment later perhaps some kind of scream." "Cries for help?" "I couldn't really say." "I was too far away... and could no longer see the spot." "If the victim cried out after Sautral's departure..." " then she wasn't dead yet?" " Obviously." "I really don't see what's so important about this." "First of all, Sautral could have come back to strangle Catherine." "Finally, can the witness confirm that the scream heard later... really came from the victim?" " No." " Then what's the point!" "?" "Yet, I don't think that there would have been many women... calling out for help that particular afternoon." "I'm sorry Your Honour but I haven't quite finished with Mr. Garanpon." "All right, go ahead." "Are you sure it was Catherine and Sautral who were quarrelling?" "You heard them arguing but you didn't see them." " If it wasn't them, who was it?" " That's what I'm wondering." "Your Honour, I have an idea." "If you look carefully... at the photographs taken by the crime photographers, you'll notice a transistor radio." "So what?" "Please clarify your thoughts Juror Number 7." "I think the argument overheard by the witness came from the radio." "The accused said he turned it off before searching in her purse... and the witness said he was struck by the sudden silence." "Ingenious!" "We could check the radio programs to make sure." "Will Juror Number 7 rely on the legal system on this occasion?" "Certainly, Mr. Attorney General." "Mr. Garanpon, you have told us that you observed the accused... while he was searching in the victim's purse." "Yes, Mr. Attorney General." "How was he dressed?" "He was wearing pants and a pullover." "Did you notice any other detail?" "Yes, something struck me." "He was wearing gloves." "But, my client has already explained that." "He told you he had run out of gas and his jerry can was dirty." "Yes, but also because those gloves... would be useful for him to strangle his poor girlfriend... without leaving any fingerprints." "I object!" "Bring in the next witness." "I was looking for mushrooms... and there you are, I came upon this poor girl." "By the way, I did think that if this happened to them more often, they wouldn't be so horny!" "Please don't think;" "stick to the facts." "What was your reaction?" "I called for help." "It wasn't long in coming." "They came from everywhere." "They jostled each other to get a good look." "I was sick about it Your Honour." "Here are the photos taken by the crime photographers." "No questions, Juror Number 7?" "Oh come on, I was there." "I was even there before anybody else was." "She wasn't completely naked, she was covered... by a scarf that she used to try to cover herself up." "Where's that scarf?" "Did the witness touch the body?" "What?" "Please answer Juror Number 7's question." "Ah Your Honour," "I don't believe so." "No I don't think so." "I was so upset, just think about it;" "A dead girl!" "Your Honour, I have the impression... that a naked young woman taken by surprise, would have automatically tried to cover up her nakedness." "We should see near the body, something that she might have used to try to protect herself." "Unless, Juror Number 7, unless the murderer was one of her friends;" "which is moreover the case... of the accused." "Unless the witness' memory is failing and she actually did touch the body." "But Sir, I was upset." "I am not used to discovering dead bodies, naked or not." "This simple detail seems to me to be of considerable importance." "In fact it's a very serious assumption against the accused." "I really feel that I don't have enough information... from this vague witness." "Your Honour could the court go to the actual location." " To the crime scene?" " Yes, well... a re-enactment seems indispensable to me." "He's right!" "The court will reconvene at the site tomorrow." "Court is adjourned." "Your Honour, the body was laid out exactly like this." "Madam, please try and remember." "It's vitally important." "You came out of the path." "You ended up in front of the body." "Would you please do exactly what you did before." "No, no it's inhumane to make me relive that!" "We know it is Mademoiselle, but justice needs to know the truth of the matter." "Do the same actions over again please." "All of them, if you can remember of course." "Yes, that's it!" "The scarf was there!" "The scarf?" "Yes!" "when I got up close to the poor girl," "I thought she had just fainted, that perhaps the material was preventing her from breathing." "Would you please show us Mademoiselle." "She had it right there!" "So Mademoiselle, do your actions over once again." "There you are," " it was like this." " Go ahead." "Do exactly what you did when you got to the victim." " Everything?" " Yes." "Fine." "Help!" "She's dead!" "The scarf is without a doubt the murder weapon." "Any wanderer could have used it... to strangle the victim without leaving fingerprints." "Sautral's gloves were therefore useless." "The absence of fingerprints doesn't point to him anymore." "I can no longer see what charges we could bring against him." "The court had to answer two questions:" "Was Sautral guilty of intentionally causing death... to the woman Catherine Nortier ?" "The court with the majority prescribed by law... answered NO to this question." "The subsidiary question is therefore declared to be nul and void." "Consequently the accused is acquitted... and will be freed unless detained on other charges." "Court is adjourned." "What do you think of Sylvain Sautral?" "Of Sautral?" "Yes." "I don't think anything... or at least not much." "Yes you do." "You think he's a lout, only good for living off women." "And what women!" "Alice Moreux's behavior didn't seem unpleasant to me." "That's certainly a man's opinion." "Are you sleepy?" "It was a hard day." "Without you, Sautral would have been convicted." "He's innocent." "How do you know?" " Gregoire?" " Yes?" "Why this dedication to defend him?" "I was trying to understand." "It's not the same." "Really?" "When you prepare your prescriptions, do you pretend you are the Doctor?" "If there's too much arsenic I do!" "You don't know anything else?" "No." "What about you?" "If Sautral isn't guilty, then the man who strangled Catherine Nortier... is still hiding in this town." "You want me to look under the bed?" "That day... we were really close by." "You could have seen something." "I didn't see anything." "We should sleep now." "Even so Gregoire, we were so happy." "What does that mean "to be happy" ?" "You're right..." "go to sleep." "Drink, eat, sleep, happy, unhappy, oh yes!" "Yes, we're so happy we're dying from it... or rather we've strangled some-one else because of it." "Some-one who had managed to do all that better than we ever could." "With Sautral's acquittal, however, I should have calmed down... and felt relieved of my responsibility." "But no, that wasn't enough." ""I would like to ask the witness"." "He got the witnesses worried sick." "You should have seen him!" "We always miss the good stuff!" " So Dad was really great?" " Oh yes!" "As my father said:" ""You've only got one father, you have to hand-pick him!"" "You can be very proud of your Dad." "He just got a murderer acquitted;" "that's quite an achievement!" "I want to see Mr. Duval." "You certainly can." "I was just telling that." "I heard you." "Hello." " I'm pleased to see you again." " Me too." "You know, we've really missed you at L'Échelle." "Laurent, Pauline, come upstairs." "I came to thank you." "You're innocent aren't you?" "Well then... you shouldn't have bothered." "I had the whole world against me." " Yes" " Without you..." "I had the impression that you were my lawyer." "I've already heard that said." "Why did you defend me like that?" "A simple need for justice." "You were great!" "You must keep going." "I still need you." "Come on now." "No-one suspects you of having killed anyone else." " You're talking nonsense..." " It's not me, it's them." "You think those people are going to acquit me; never on your life." "I've just spent a bunch of time in prison for no reason." "But that's not enough." "To them I'm still a murderer." "And yet, you have been declared not guilty." " By whom?" " By a court of law." "You're a free man." "What more could I do for you?" "I don't know." "Well if you don't know, let me get on with my work." "Oh of course, but we must talk again." "That's right, we'll talk again." "Go on now." "You mustn't give up on me!" "I've had just about enough of that guy." "And suddenly shame flooded through me, there in front of the others... who were so happy to know me as one of their own." "Well, as for me, I've stated that Sautral is guilty." "Of course." "Three questions; three answers." "Guilty, guilty, guilty." "You've got the word of Henri Souchon, class of '35, service number 87-101," "121st Infantry Regiment." "Former prisoner of war and Long live France!" "Mission accomplished!" "So all in all, you'd cut off his head three times;" " good way to start!" " Right!" "Any better offers?" "You're stilling volunteering to deliver the coup de grace?" "Always!" "Ready for action!" "Nice disposition!" "So Duval, it's your attitude that I don't understand." "Yes, Duval, you surprised us." "Duval you've been accused, answer!" "I acted according to my conscience." "Well done, keep going." "You'll have a 20 years sentence." "There's conscience and then there's facts." "Bravo!" "That means nothing since he tossed the facts out." "Bravo!" "Conscience, facts, just hot air." "You, you've been drinking." "Just enough to put up with you." "So, who's talking now?" "Conscience or facts?" "I say there's no smoke without a fire." "And anyway, this Sautral, just by looking at him... you know he must have political support!" "True!" "From Left and Right wings." "According to all the scandals in the papers it is obvious..." "Don't confuse financial corruption and corruption of a minor!" "Remember the "ballets roses" affair!" "Gentlemen please, we're dealing with a murderer." "Were you talking about me?" "It seems that this is where you hold the Assizes." "The real ones." "So, I decided to drop in." "Am I welcome?" "Gentlemen of the jury." "I'll have a cognac." "What do I do?" "You serve him, he's a customer like the others." "A customer like the others;" "make me laugh!" "She's not the only one." "I'm fed up with amusing the upper-middle class." "So, it's not enough to be acquitted to be sure that I haven't killed anyone." "With you I'm innocent on probation, in abstentia and sentenced to life!" "It's now judged, said that idiot of a lawyer... since one way or another I'm now innocent," "I can tell you the truth;" "I did not strangle Catherine." "That's a good one isn't it?" "Come on another cognac." " Innocent or not!" " Guilty or not!" " This can't go on like this." " So, what shall we do?" "I, Henri Souchon, service number 87-101," "I'm giving you 48 hours to get out of town." " Why 48 hours?" " Well, if you want to know..." "I'll teach you." "Sparks will fly over his service number." "Youngsters this days, aren't they well educated?" "Put his drink on my account." "Don't stay here Sautral." "OK." "But I'll have to come again and see what you are up to." "I'm out of the loop but I'm still interested." "In actual fact it was one of you who killed her... and that's what is freaking you all out." "There's a murderer among your peers, a real murderer and he looks just like all the others;" "what an alibi!" "Watch out Granny, you could be next." "Really, innocent people are such a drag this year!" "So there's your justice!" "He comes here to kill us at home in front of everyone... and it's your fault Mr. Duval." " I beg your pardon?" " It's true." "It's your fault he was acquitted." " But he was innocent." " So you say." " And the majority of the jury." " Yeah yeah..." "As for me he'll be innocent... once they've arrested the murderer." "Bravo!" "And since you're stronger than everyone else, more cunning than the police, cleverer than the lawyers, wiser than the court... and more knowledgeable than the doctors," "You shall provide the culprit's name!" "If you really want that, I'll provide it." "What?" "But believe me, you'll be very surprised." "I'll come and see you tomorrow morning." "He's very smart Mr. Duval, he must have a hunch." "Let's hope that it satisfies everyone this time." "And so there we are, the town had won." "I was going to deliver the murderer to them." "The town or..." "But since my decision had been taken, I felt at peace with myself." "I had once again found that Gregoire who knew how to love without fear, without killing." "The Gregoire who perhaps would have known how to love Catherine... the way that at 25 years of age he did not dare to love Nadia." " You've put your blue suit on?" " As you can see." " Where are you going?" " To see Commisssioner Valard." "I know." "Mrs Mornaise just left the pharmacy." "Well, she doesn't waste any time." "Quite a good customer, so unhealthy..." "You've told the commissioner... that you're going to give him the name of the Catherine's killer;" "do you know him?" "I know him as well as you do." "Who is it?" "You know perfectly well, you've always known." "It's me." "That's not true." "As you like." "Anyway," "I will never say anything." "Why not?" "I'm your wife Gregoire." "Yes right, you're my wife;" "for better or for worse." "Drop it, I've got to go." "And the children?" "Let's hope they take after their mother." "I admit to having killed Catherine Nortier... on Sunday September 27th." "Well done Duval!" "You got me there!" "But I'm not joking!" "You're quite right, we deserve to be taught a lesson, we've gone too far." "What the hell, the matter has been judged." "But.. aren't you going to record my confession?" "I don't want to charge you for obstruction of justice, people would laugh!" "So you killed Catherine?" "I swear it's true." "Oh I believe you." "All the same, we had a family lunch at "Dottes"." "That's it." "Well you see Duval..." "I too have a confession to make to you." "Your insight on the jury annoyed me, you were way too accurate." "It wasn't possible;" "So I double-checked everything." "However, everyone saw you having a nap on the patio with Sylvestre." "And on top of that, there's ten witnesses." " They didn't see anything." " Just like all eye witnesses." "No, believe me Duval, you can start by getting rid of your alibi... and then come back and see me." "We've both got work to do... in our respective professions;" "the killer is still on the loose." "Go on, see you this evening." "What a reaction there'll be at the café, you'll win them all over." "Good old Duval!" "Hey there, my foul-weather friend where are you off to?" "I don't know." "Well, it's on my way." "You're not going to ask me the murderer's name?" "The name?" "Well no, what for?" "I'm already well aware of it." "Oh come on!" "Well yes old boy!" "Each one of us had a hand in it... and then one day the noose just got to the right point... and tightened up." "But even so, someone actually killed her." "So what?" "Look at this innocent little creature." "Since she was born, she has done nothing except give affection, it's her nature." "Only... she got sick and dirty." "So her masters wanted nothing more to do with her... and I'm supposed to give her a shot;" "and I would be the murderer?" "But I'm not going to give her that shot, but sssh!" "Not a word about the crime!" "Doctor, let me tell you..." "No Duval, let me get rid of my victim's body... without leaving a trace;" "no innocent people, no guilty ones;" "men, women and puppies." "What humanity!" "You can't choose." "You have to love absolutely everything... so that you don't leave anything out... or reject everything... and you don't always have enough courage." "Miss Alice Moreux please." " I saw her go out." " And Mr. Sautral?" "Oh he's there;" "on the first floor on the right." "Thank you." "Who's there?" "It's Mr. Duval, the pharmacist." "Come on old chap, open up!" "You want a drink?" "No thanks." "Don't you think you drink too much?" "I do what I want." "It's quite recent, but I'm a free man again." "Agreed?" "You have to get out of here Sautral." "They'll never let you live here." "For them, you've been acquitted but you're not innocent." "Yes I will, there is a way and you know what it is." "You have to give them the murderer... just to see what they'll do with him." "And me, I'll have a good laugh while drinking!" "Cheers to crime!" "No-one wants to believe me." "Well, they didn't want to believe me either." "You mustn't get discouraged, that's the way it is." "By the way, who is it?" "It's me." "You?" "No really, don't you think you're pushing it?" "No, for instance the veterinarian would be perfect... but he would have confessed immediately." "No, the real murderer is the bar itself." "I bet my head on it!" "No." "You... it simply doesn't work!" "Try again..." "But since I'm telling you I did it, on my own." "Show me some consideration, don't make fun of me." "Thanks to you I'm a free man, free to believe you or not to believe you." "Free to do what I want, to be hated by an entire town." "Free to get drunk, free to yell!" "Free until death..." "And what if I acquitted myself once and for all;" "Just my thoughts when you arrived..." "You're crazy!" "What does it matter to you!" "And if I want to kill myself off whose business is it?" "Because that's a solution as well;" "shooting myself." "It's even the dream solution;" "we're all agreed on that." "I have to disappear... so do you know anything better than permanent elimination?" "But you have to leave, I'll help you." "No, I'm used to being here," "I know everyone, even the murderer." "Give me that revolver." "Not on your life." "First of all, it's not a revolver." "It's the key... to the doors of a world... where people are pleasant, do you understand, not those brutes, those viciously respectable people." "Give me that revolver." "No!" "This time, you are taking the acquittal too far." "But, it wasn't me." "It wasn't me!" "Oh, there you are, did you hear the news?" "Sautral has committed suicide." "I know." "You had just left him." "There's always witnesses." "Isn't it marvellous!" "The Commissioner is upstairs." "Listen... you are the last person to have seen him alive, do you understand?" "Most of all I'm the first one who saw him dead!" "Do you understand?" "Do you?" "Gregoire!" "What are you going to do?" "You know perfectly well." " What's truth when it's useless?" " It's still the truth!" "But it is useless!" "You can't bring them back to life..." " Think about your children." " You're all the same!" "Listen, don't talk, don't say a word." " No-one will ask..." " I don't want to lie any more." "Are you so proud to be a murderer?" "It's not pride." "I won't let you ruin everything." "Don't you think it's ruined already?" "I have just killed Sylvain Sautral." "Come on." "The concierge states that he committed suicide after you had left." "Darling, he committed suicide because he was guilty." "That's enough!" "I tried to disarm him and the gun went off." "That's it!" "It was an accident." "You listen to me." "It wasn't today that I killed Sautral." "But once again I was responsible." "The day that I strangled Catherine, that poor boy was already dead, do you hear me?" "Killed by my silence." "Everything was my fault." "By the way, you too, you're a criminal." "If you had believed and arrested me this morning... then Sautral would perhaps not be dead." "You weren't really convinced of my innocence... but determined to avoid scandal!" "True!" "We can't suspect Mr. Duval 1st class pharmacist, candidate for the council elections, your bridge partner." "No, one of your own couldn't be the murderer." "You would have condemned yourself!" "." "But that's the truth!" "So this evening, although it is useless Genevieve, are you listening, it is useless... but I confess..." "I confess again... and I will keep on confessing for ever." "It's all right Duval, we believe you." "Finally!" "But what are you doing here?" "There are no cadavers to be cut up here." "There's just a murderer to arrest." "Duval," "I'm going to ask you to follow me." "Gladly." "Why are they here?" "My love, be reasonable these gentlemen want to examine you." "It's you?" "What do you mean?" "It was you who called the doctor this morning." "It was you who had the idea of the Mad.." "the Madhouse." "I can see your hand in it." "But it's for your own good my darling." "And the future of the pharmacy." "You've won Genevieve," "It's much better to have a madman... than a murderer in the family." "So a villainous crime becomes a nervous breakdown." "How much like them you are!" "As long as you continue to accuse yourself of imaginary misdeeds, we'll be obliged to take care of you." "It will probably take a few weeks." "No doctor." "It will take my whole life." "I have chosen." "One prison is the same as another." "I was already a prisoner and I will be until the end of my days." "I'm all yours gentlemen." "I'll come by tomorrow to have you sign the few necessary papers." "Thank you for everything doctor." "Don't torment yourself Gregoire." "Get better soon and come back to us quickly." "We'll all be waiting for you." "If it suits you, tell the children I'm sick." "But you, you know that I will never see any of you again." "And so, it was simple." "The town punished me in its own way, closing ranks over its secret." "Genevieve, the good wife... had organized everything so that nobody was inconvenienced." "But as for me, I had just understood... that it was not Catherine's murder... that I was being asking to pay for, it was Nadia's." "If someone had told me that right away..." "I would not have struggled so much against paying... for what I had owed for such a long time." "Scripting and proofreading:" "Nocturne" "Adaptation and subtitling:" "LeMaudit"