"This is the story of Pierre Froment, a French peasant, and his descendants." "We're in Paris, January 18, 1871." "France has been invaded" "The Prussians are encamped at Suresnes and shelling Paris." "There is widespread famine." "In Montmartre a village planted with vines and trellises, the house of Pierre Froment..." "Any shells yet this morning?" "Two, near Notre Dame." "Already?" "And I got up so early." "The Prussians did too." " Did they look pretty?" " They aren't fireworks!" "I wasn't expecting to have fun." "I just want to remember the siege of Paris." "What about me?" "If I was General Trochu, I'd get everybody out of Paris" "Get all the men together, ...and WHAM!" "I'd give it to those spiked helmets!" "What's he waiting for?" " You aren't the only one." " It'd be a good start!" " Go on...scram!" " Do you believe in the Empire?" "We're a republic." "That's not what the guns are about." "What are YOU gonna do about it?" "He's as cheeky as a Bonapartist!" "Right on the Jardin des Plantes." "Help me up!" "Gimme the telescope." "Oh, golly!" "I can see smoke!" "If they aim any better that'll be it!" "Félix!" "Bugger!" "..." "That's my sister." "Coming!" "Bismarck, if you keep on with all your Prussies there won't be much left" "Bismarck, if you keep on with all your Prussies there'll be nothing left" "Take your time why don't you!" "I'm not a housewife." "I've been here 2 hours." "OK...you just had to ask..." "go and sit down." "I'm taking my sister's place..." "I have the right!" "There's no more bread!" "What are we supposed to eat?" " They might have told us sooner." " Why make us freeze for nothing?" "They keep us under control by tiring us out." "It's disgusting!" ""There's no more."" "I don't care." "Me neither." "I wasn't hungry yesterday, either." "If we get any hungrier we'll starve to death." "Girls!" "You're such a slowcoach!" " Estelle!" "Oh, it's you." "No more bread?" "It's a drag for my brothers." "Boys have to eat." "I'll swap you my lunch for a kiss." "Mama won't let me kiss boys." "I'm a childhood friend." "That's different." "What have you got to eat?" "Something to stew." "A rabbit?" "Almost." "It's so cute!" "It's the caretaker's." "You gotta eat it now." " Give it to me!" " Kiss first!" "You want my wooden horse?" "What do you take me for?" "I'm 14!" "Do I do the kissing...or do you?" "Me of course." "I don't dare." "It's not a sin." "It's a sacrifice." "Hurry up then." "I'll close my eyes." "I don't want to see it." "See...it wasn't so terrible." "I'm ashamed." "Liar!" "...you love it!" "You know..." "it was my first kiss." "Shut the door dear." "It's so cold." "What's that?" "The caretaker's cat from 42." "Amazing!" "I was chasing it a couple of days ago." "You're not going to kill it?" "I'll put the fire on." "I don't want to." "It's mine." "But your brother's hungry." "Your father will come home exhausted." "Don't eat it!" "As you wish." "Your father might bring something home." "It has to stop." "They bigwigs are saying that." " You think so?" " For sure." "We'll leave tonight." "In this cold weather?" "We can't go on getting hit without hitting back." "If only Gambetta were here..." "Paris has to be relieved." "That doesn't require politics." "I was saying it's..." "I think everything will be fine, just ... everything must be planned." "I'll write a letter to my brother, in case..." "Félix?" "Félix?" "Félix?" "Do you know what it's like not being able to write?" "I have to wake the boy up." " What's up?" " Write a letter." "This late?" "Just do what your father asks." "I'll sure remember the Siege of Paris." "Estelle will help you get your brothers up." "I can't live without you." "Come on." "They need you." "The trellises have to be covered." "Two more nights like this and the pears 'll be lost." "Write." ""Mr Jules Froment." "12 rue Saint-Ferréol, Marseilles." ""Dear brother, Things are going badly, very badly." ""They've been shelling us for 2 weeks." ""And when they rain on Paris," ""it tears at your heartstrings..." ""in a way I'm too uneducated to explain." ""Tonight we'll go out and do what is necessary."" ""...ness-ess-airy."" ""I'm writing to you by Balloon Post, to let you know my last wishes." ""Should I not come back."" ""...should I not return."" " "You should know that I want" ""that the children stay on at school." ""As for the animals," ""don't worry." "They've all been eaten." ""Valentine is brave." ""She says, like me, that it has to finish" ""before there's peace at home." ""You'll know what to do with the vine as well as me." ""I've already said about the children." ""We haven't seen each other for a long time" ""but the bond is still there." ""You're loving brother," ""Pierre."" "Oh, I made a blot." "Doesn't matter." "It's stupid waking me up for this." "Why wouldn't you come back?" "Gentlemen, this is the message we're sending to the Loire HQ." ""Your comrades in Montmartre" ""know of your bravery and your successes." ""Show us your worth." ""Let us try a dawn attack." ""Whatever the outcome we shall have done our duty." ""Your Mayor," ""Georges Clemenceau."" " Vive Clemenceau!" " Vive la France!" " Let's wipe out those pointy helmets!" "Vive la France!" "I know just how much you'd like to eat our messenger." "Let's hope he dodges the bullets as well as our forks!" "." "Citizens, up until now, through lack of equipment and lack of reinforcements, we haven't been able to take advantage of our modest gains." "This mass break-out is our only chance." "Each of you carries the last hope of the motherland." "THE MOTHERLAND CALLS US" "LET US CONQUER OR PERISH" "A FRENCHMAN WILL DIE FOR HER" "FOR HER A FRENCHMAN WILL DIE" "A Frenchman will die for her" "For her a Frenchman will die" "That's how it was." "He fell right beside me." "My wife 'll bring you some soup." "If you need more to eat..." "Before..." "Before he died... did he say anything?" "Not a thing." "Must go... goodbye." "Félix, are you coming?" "The Prussians are coming down the Champs-Élysées." "We'll meet them!" "Blow-pipe!" "Sling-shot!" "We'll throw a rock in their face." "Mama!" "What?" "Let me get through!" "FÉLlX!" "FÉLlX!" "The peace is signed." "France loses Alsace-Lorraine." "The Prussians leave the country." "The Commune is declared." "With hard work, confidence is reborn." "Steam trams ply the Paris streets." "Offenbach is at the height of his fame." "Pasteur is at the French Academy." "Victor Hugo's remains are interred at the Panthéon." "Gustave Eiffel presents his plans for a 300 metre tower." "Sadi Carnot becomes president." "Bicycles become popular." "The Exhibition of 1889 opens." "On the heights of Montmartre, the church of Sacré-Coeur is built." "We reach July 30, 1889." "Pierre Froment's 2 sons, Bernard and Félix, brought up by their sister, Estelle, are celebrating a great day this morning." "Félix!" "What?" " Look how handsome Bernard is." " Of course, my brother would be." " Your brother?" "Mine you mean." "You're my mother." "Don't make me old." "Particularly today" "My tie." "Hurry up." "Look at me." "Are you happy?" "Yes." "I'm marrying for love." " I know." " It's a beautiful day." "Let's make the most of it." " Are you sad leaving me?" " Yes." "But I don't have to think about it too much." "Of course." "What's it matter?" "This is the last time I fix your tie." "Your wife'll do it." "One chore less for you!" "Too right..." "But I was born to replace Mama, to mend your pants and give you cod liver oil." "What'll become of me, without your scarlet fever and mumps to keep me busy?" "You'll get married too." "Too late." "When I was ready for love I had 2 boys in school." "I looked so much like a mother that no one dared come courting." "Now that I'm no longer playing mama," "I'm an old maid." "I'm quite aware how much I owe my big sister." "Félix!" "You're going to be late" "Hurry up." "Unhappy?" "I'll get used to it." "As long as you're here." "This is it." "'Scuse me." "Ready now..." "The bride and groom are late." "We'll do another one with them." " Smile!" " Just a second!" "One...two...three!" "Thank you." "So, 10 o'clock at the town hall." "10 past 11 at the church." "And then lunch at Suresnes." " Alright by bike?" " Perfect." "Here's the groom." "Hello, father-in-law." "Is my fiancée ready?" "My daughter's making herself beautiful." "It's a big job!" " Where's my bike?" "There." "This is a bit daring..." "wedding procession by bicycle, isn't it?" "Gotta keep up with the times!" "You'll be in the papers tomorrow." "Some people may take a cab." "Don't climb up." "We can see everything!" "Excuse me." "Can garters be removed?" "It's optional." " I'll attend to it." " Very well." "Who's that?" "My uncle Jules, from Marseilles." "How about the practical jokes...da-da-da..." "Bang!" "I'll take care of it." " You think so?" " A bit of a laugh!" "Alright." "Do you like itching powder in Paris?" " No." " We love it in Marseilles." "I'll send you some." "You'll see it's very funny." "I trust he's leaving you something!" "Here comes the bride!" "Bonjour, Madame Froment." "Bonjour, Bernard." " This is it." "Happy?" " Couldn't be happier." "I'm late." "You've missed the photo." "But you're always late." "There you are, the Don Juan of Marseilles!" "How's it going Paris madam?" "Got your bike?" "Those machines scare me." "I prefer a cab." "One moment please!" "I'll pull the tablecloth and nothing will fall!" "He's amazing!" "Such dexterity!" ""And nothing will fall"?" "It usually works." "You've broken everything?" "We can clear the table?" "Shall we dance?" "There has to be a speech." "We're ready for it." "Who's giving it?" "Whadda you mean?" "You or me?" "I'm the one to give it." "Fine by me." "Sit down." "My dear children, in Marseilles, we are not acrobats, but we are orators." "This is why I wish your health, prosperity and other agreeable things that I won't go into detail about, because of the children and Miss Estelle." "Your happiness is a pleasure to see." "Bernard, I think that high in the heavens, your mother and father are content." "They are happy that you have worked so hard." "Neither could write." "And now you're a schoolteacher." "They're happy for you, little Gabrielle, because you're pretty, honest, and you'll give your husband beautiful children, who'll be intellectuals with long beards." "I hope they're happy with ME, who has done what he could to help you, and who has just spoken so nicely." "Cheers, children" "To the health of all the Froments, past, present and future." "Everybody dance." "Let's clear the table." "Hang on my boy..." "put it on the table." "Hurry up!" "Come along!" "Thanks." "Are you unhappy, Félix?" "A day like this doesn't have to be nice." "Tell me about it." "Aren't I your sister now?" "Well then, sister of mine, it's an idiotic story." "I love a woman, and she's never noticed it." "Women are always aware of things like that." "And they often feel it's better to say nothing." "But they know..." "you can be sure of that." "Does she know I'm moving abroad?" "Very likely." "Even if that hurts her, she won't try and stop you." "Bernard, give me a hand." "I want some champagne!" "Stop being a pest!" "Congratulations on your patented education system!" "Michel was pestering him." "Bernard, we'll start your lessons." "You have to get on top of your nerves." "Are you gonna give me some champagne?" "You don't need to hit them." "You gotta answer me when I talk to you!" "You'll never be able to teach this one anything." "The mazurka... my star turn!" "Madame Froment." "So then?" "Why don't you want to live with them?" "They suggested it." "Thanks very much!" "..." "Two women in one house!" " You should have accepted." " Why?" "Aren't you coming with me to Avenue-Hoche?" "Your room overlooks Place de l'Etoile." "I leave in 8 days." "Forgive me." "But..." "You can stay here without seeing her." "So you knew?" "I've got to leave." "What do you two see in this girl?" "She turns up and I lose my 2 baby brothers." "Whew!" "...it's getting hot!" "Sorry." " Dance with me." " My pleasure." "Try to behave yourself." "I think you're confusing me with somebody else." "He looks like me." "She weighs five pounds." ""She"?" "She's a cutie." "I always wanted a girl." "Boys are naughty, get sick, and cost a lot." "It's the most beautiful baby I ever saw!" "And Gabrielle's alright?" " Well...take a deep breath." " What's the matter?" " There's another one." " Another what?" " Another baby!" "What?" "Twins!" "This is the dream of my life!" " Is she as beautiful as the first?" " He weighs 6 pounds." ""He"?" "Really?" "It's a big boy." "A girl and a boy." "My dream!" "My son." "The doctor..." " Happy?" " Yes." "Marie is the image of you, and Alain a portrait of me!" "They were born during the fireworks like royal babies." "Hear that?" "He's got Uncle Jules' voice." "But it's a calamity!" "We were all set up for one, but now with two..." "And here's cradle number 2!" "Thank heavens for dear Estelle!" " Let me take your bags, monsieur." " Thank you, madame." "Uncle Jules!" "What a surprise!" " I've come from Marseilles by automobile." " Marseilles?" "!" "I slept at Fontainebleau, and I did Fontainebleau-Paris at an average speed of 27 kph." "27!" "You're mad!" "Yes, but if I was married I wouldn't be doing it." "But if we don't keep up with the times..." "Yes, but 27..." "Are you allowed to?" "It's frightening." "It's like getting drunk." "It's stronger than absinthe." "Goodness me!" "Come on!" "We'll clean you up like a new penny!" "Excuse the mess." "It's ironing day." " Are you here for long?" " A week or two." "What good luck!" " And your husband?" " He's been held up." " That's justice!" " A pupil called him a moron." "He has to write out 500 times "My teacher isn't a moron"" "He gets insulted and he has to stay back for 2 hours." "That's his job." "I prefer taking a bit of a risk." "I make investments abroad..." "a fortune!" " I'm going to iron." " Don't you have a maid?" "Not with 2 children on a teacher's salary." " Ask me for some money." " I don't want to get into debt!" "Are the kids well?" "Alain has the 'flu." "Estelle isn't far away." "She's with patients." "What did I do without her?" "Little Alain has sure grown up." " That's a picture of his father." " Still in love?" "Yes." "What's this here?" "They're toys that Bernard makes." "He's so clever with his hands." "You don't say!" "He succeeds with everything he tries." "He draws beautifully." "He's done my portrait." "He plays the flute better than the violin." "He should work on the violin then." "This is funny one." "I'm inviting you two out tonight." "We'll paint the town." "Where would you like to go?" "I have an idea, but I wouldn't dare." "I understand women." "Bernard wouldn't want to." "Say that it's your idea." "I'm always full of ideas." "I'd like to go to the Moulin-Rouge." "We only ever go to serious plays," "Sarah Bernhardt..." "Tedious!" "The Moulin-Rouge is my style!" "But you'll have to be clever in the way you suggest it." "I couldn't do it any other way." "How you doing big boy?" "Never saw her before." "Hi, Toto." "How are things?" "She thinks my name's Toto." "Very well thank you." "Don't know her." " No kisses for me?" " You've got me mixed up with someone else." "There aren't 2 Totos in Paris." "Gimme a kiss!" " On the forehead." " That's indecent!" "I really must look like someone called Toto." "Let's go." "Come on." "Oh, Monsieur Jules!" "The best table as usual!" "When someone knows me they call me Monsieur Jules." "This way Monsieur Jules." "The Moulin-Rouge is a place to have fun." "I'm having fun." "I'll serve." "Admit it... you're Toto." "Now and again." " 'Evening Toto." " 'Evening, Tototte." "You buying me a drink?" " Of course." " Isn't it Toto?" "Waiter." "A glass for the young lady." "This your new girl?" "Congratulations..." "You don't get bored, do you?" " Gabrielle!" " "Gabrielle."" "What a silly name!" " Gabby, like everyone else." " I'll accept Gabby." " The mail, Marie." " Thanks." "A letter from Dahomey, from Uncle Félix... and one from Uncle Jules." "That's all." ""All"?" " Yes, Papa." "I don't want my daughter receiving love letters at 16." "Give it to me." "Promise not to scold him." " Who?" " Alain." "What's your brother have to do with it?" ""Monsieur, for the 10th time, we are advising you that Alain..."" " What's it mean, "for the 10th time"?" " It's the 10th letter." ""Alain has not attended class..." So where does he go?" "That's him." " 'Evening, Papa." " 'Evening." "'Evening ladies and gentlemen." " What's up?" " Nothing." "They overdo it, those colleagues of yours at the University." " Really?" " They keep us back late." " So I sees." "After maths, English." "After English, German, then Greek." "And Latin, and organic chemistry." "Such a lot?" "I even got congratulations from old Diplodocus." "I've got a flair for natural science." ""A flair for science"?" "Yes...some parts of it." "If I were you, I wouldn't push it." "I've been sprung?" "I know what miracles you've worked to keep in school 3 years longer" "I'm grateful, but it just doesn't stay in my head." "I'll never be a doctor." " Do you roam the streets?" " No." "I say "streets" because your sister's present." "I don't have a flair for science, but I do for mechanics." "I'm into aviation with Uncle Michel." " "Aviation"?" " Yes." " Flying machines?" " Yes." "I want my son to be a doctor, not a mechanic." "Your mother is already worried about her brother." "It's a job like any other!" "It's not a question of snobbery!" " Flying will never happen." " "Never"?" "Wilbur Wright has flown 250 metres." "Santos-Dumont has done 60 metres with a biplane." " A what?" " A biplane." "So I've sweated blood so my son can fall on top of me?" "Papa, the wheelbarrow's been invented, and you don't believe they'll go in the sky?" "To do what?" "It's pure Jules Verne." "We're working on a stabiliser." "When we can control the wing-warping..." ""Wing-warping?" That'll fix it!" " Oh, Papa." " What?" "What is it?" "I understand you Papa." "But you gotta realise..." "Who was it that said:" ""Strike while the iron's hot"'" "No." " Isn't it terrific?" " Magnificent." " Does it fly?" " It will fly." "It's a dead cert!" "Watch out you don't tear the wings..." "It's fragile." "Uncle' going to let me make the second flight." " Isn't it dangerous?" " It's a dead cert!" "This is it." "This is the moment we've been waiting for." " You holding it against me?" " You could say that." "I pay for his studies." "You fill his head full of crazy ideas!" "Studies!" "...a lot of good they'll do him." " This is the future!" " You're impossible." "I've hit you for a champagne, I should get going." "With this you'll be able to go in a straight line from town to town." " Don't you believe that?" " Your daydreams." "Good." "You'll see." "I'm beating the current flight record." "If I don't break a kilometre, I'm a monkey's uncle." "That's it." "We're ready." "What a beauty!" "Nor-nor-east." "Move please." "Lift the tail." "Rotate the wheel on the left." "Stop." "There we are." "Good luck." "'Bye, Jules." "Alain!" "Don't touch that!" " Alain!" " Let him be!" "If it blows up...!" " Contact." "Let go!" "Holy smoke!" "Michel!" "Michel!" "Are you hurt?" "I'm alright!" "It's amazing." "You can't imagine." "From up there you were so small." "And I glided!" "He's alright." "Michel." "Michel, listen." "Next time, you'll send ME up." "You see!" " You'll let me go on with it?" " Yes!" "Sorry about the slap!" "I make it at least 400 metres!" ""400 metres"!" "Truly I say it," "Delacroix : zero." "Watteau : zero." "Véronèse if need be, because of the green." "I 'think' the object." "Where there is no thought, there's no painting." " You're a "thoughtist"." " No." "No." "Not in a school at all." "Just thought, the thought alone." " In a chair." " "In a chair." In bed." "When I see a painter who paints, I spit." "Do you know what I think seeing the goats go by?" " No." "What?" " Nothing." "Tremendous." "I long for the day when, finally, for anyone to believe anything, they're not required to think." "Excuse me." "Does Monsieur Léonard live here?" "We're just passers-by who live nowhere particular." " Excuse me." "Is he here anyway?" " You could be lucky." " Which floor?" " Always the next one up." "Thank you gentlemen." "Excuse me." "40 sous if you take all your clothes off." "With the most honourable intentions." "The artist wants a model that's not too flabby." " You're too kind." " 40 sous, and it's heated." " No thank you." " Swanking around with your watch chain." " Come on, come on!" " I'm trying my best!" "Excuse me." "Monsieur Léonard, please?" "Léonard, Léonard" "Thank you." "Lé-on-ard!" "The toff!" "..." "Whadda you want?" " To buy the painting." "You're kidding me." " What'd you say?" " About the painting." "Worst luck..." "d'you know who that is?" " NON." " A connoisseur." "Enter, worthy Lord." " Welcome." " We're honoured sir." " Please sit down" " What style do you like?" " Flowers?" " Seascape?" " Foliage?" "He must have come to have his portrait painted." " Pointillism?" " Naturism?" " In what clothing?" "A toga?" " Silk?" " I do the epic genre." "Informal?" "No." "I've come to buy a painting by Robert Léonard." "By me?" "You're Robert Léonard?" " You've heard about me?" " Like everyone." " Good choice." "We've got talent." "He's a genius." " He's the greatest since Ingres." " I'm his disciple." "But he's a master." "So much the better." "That makes me very happy." "My paintings are through here." "It's like the Louvre." "Each has his own corner." "Yes." "Full oil." " It sings." " Sings?" "It howls." "Harmoniously" " I'd like that one." " It's not for sale." "Why?" "Sorry, but I don't want to." " We understand." " We doesn't want you to have it." "It's quite normal." "I'd do the same" "You're out of luck." "That'd cover our material for a month." "Really." "I can't." "Why?" "Why do you want this one?" "There are plenty of portraits for the same price." "I like this girl's face." "Who is she?" "It's Marie." ""Marie, you grip me in your spell, Where do you cast those wondrous eyes?" ""Every teardrop" "" shows a rival, Every smile another lover"" "Very pretty." " "The cavaliers of black despair," ""With tattered dress, with hunger's ache, We win no prize from faces fair" ""But we're the ones whose care you take."" "These verses are for her?" "I could go on." "There are better ones." " She's our good fairy." " Our idol." "The virgin who we worship and who pays us back in smiles." "So you see why I can't sell it?" "Even to me?" " Why "even to you"?" " I'm her father." "Excuse me." "I was forgetting a class." "We've things to do." "Don't wait for us." "Don't worry." "We'll be back by 6." "It's good eh?" " What?" " The painting." "I must tell you..." "I know nothing about art." "Hard to judge?" "Contrasting tones, the highlights...not bad." " For sale?" " No." " But it'll sell eventually?" " I don't know." "To them you are a genius." "For you to decide." " One of them declared himself your disciple." " Noblet?" "That's because I gave him a pair of shoes as a gift." " If you were to win a medal?" " You know medals..." "How do the great painters get by?" "Cézanne never had any money." "Not even Cézanne." "When you love a girl who loves you..." " She loves me?" " Yes." " She told you?" "No." "A very sweet letter that she didn't send you, and that she mislaid." "When a girl like this loves you, don't you think it's better to get a job which can provide a decent life?" "But..." "Marie's never suggested that I do." "What is it?" " What?" " Your father." "I'm so glad you should know." " I was going to tell you at your party." " Yes." " Robert's nice." " Yes." "He hasn't many paintings here." "They're all in the homes of rich collectors." "His friends regard him as a master." "He's founded a new school." "A medal's been talked about." "You know...the medal..." "The Luxembourg wants my portrait." "It's going to make a lot." "Cézanne never made any money." "He told me the truth." "He's nice." "Yes." "At least he's not a con-man." "Listen..." "I know what you think." "You wanted to be a doctor or that your son was one." "So now you want a son-in-law that's one." "Even if he has to chance jobs." "What else can I do?" "You'll see me become an old maid." "It's him or nobody." " Listen." " I know what you think." "I accept being poor with him." "There's nothing I want without him." "Do you two never kiss?" " What?" " Do you two never kiss?" "What do you mean by that?" "If you didn't talk so much, I would have said yes long ago." "When all is over" "When the dream fades away" "Why cry over wasted days" "Remember the good times" "What?" "The bells" "They're sounding the alarm!" "That's it!" "We'll be in Berlin in 2 months." "It isn't the sun that gets to me." "It's the salt." " Besides, you know the notary?" " No." "He explained it to me in detail." " What?" " The plan of the Russian General Staff." "Cossacks, swarms of Cossacks." "An ocean of Cossacks." "Hang on to the salt." "Oh, not so bad!" "Smell that." "The secret of bouillabaisse, it's that." " What's "that"?" "This pot." "Generations have made bouillabaisse in it." "My father, my grandfather, and my grandfather's grandfather." "See how the pot's soaked through." "Yes, swarms of Cossacks." "The postman says they don't have any rifles." "The postman's a spy." "The Russians with no rifles?" "They got little cannons!" "A country full of gold?" "I got a cupboard full of share certificates." " A friend said that Rasputin..." " Your friend's a spy." "They're everywhere." "Two were shot this morning, they were selling poisoned clams." "What about Marie..." ""The Flea"...a spy who was selling undersize sausages." "Shot" "Like the pharmacist." "That weirdo never got back to me." "I'd shoot them all!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "These two will be eating sauerkraut in Berlin by Christmas." "We'll see." "Don't do anything dangerous." "Mothers and their worries ..." ""Don't catch cold." "Get in your captain's good-books."" "Poor Gabrielle!" "..." "up in a plane, there's no risk of anything." "They've got front row seats to watch the spiked helmets run away." "You wouldn't let him touch the plane, in case the motor blew up." "You were right." "While you're waiting get a whiff of this masterpiece!" "I was in the infantry so I know what I'm talking about." "This war is won and done!" "The bugle has sounded!" "What is it?" "Hey, Christian." "Your papa and mama are coming back." " Run." " They don't know yet." "Mama!" "Mama, there's a war!" "Robert...did you hear?" " What is it?" " It's War." " How's it going?" " It's pulling on my shoulder." " I'll redo your dressing." " Thanks nurse." " How's your wife?" " Fine." " Seems they've come down with fever." " There's always that chance." "So, Brigadier, not drinking your milk?" "Major said after 16 days I can be back on wine." "The major said "20 days."" "With your medals, you shouldn't be scared of a cup of milk." " Did you sleep well?" " Slept like a log." " You've still got a temperature." " It's no bother." "Though my wife wrote that our little girl caught cold." " Little Marcelle?" " Yes." "That's what's bothering me." "Don't worry yourself about a sniffle." " She's my kid..." "a single girl mightn't understand." "Maybe." "Tomorrow that temperature's down, or you'll get me angry." "I'll try." "Where's the corporal?" " Where's Corporal Noblet?" " Well...um...." " "Well...um..." what?" " Methinks he's maybe sleeping around!" ""Sleeping around"?" "That's disgusting!" "Well you know his wife's come into town." " So?" " So you should know what's what." " Boys are made for girls." " I don't need you to go into detail." "What's happened?" "Please excuse us for invading your office, Sister, and for taking up your precious time." "You've been doing a wonderful job tending our wounded for months now." "It even astounds a chaplain that such a young lady can dispense such motherly care." "If Heaven has not granted you your own family, it has given you a heavier task :" "to take in the children of others and care for them as if they were your own." "Your young woman's destiny, after a dark beginning, has been guided by the lights of dedication and charity." "On behalf of the President and under the powers vested in me," "I make you a Knight of the Légion d'Honneur" "Reverend Chaplain, I..." "You may allow the chaplain to kiss you." "Captain..." "HQ for you." "Lieutenant, the plane's ready." "Yes, very sure." "What?" "Can't hear you." "Just a sec." "A bit of quiet, gents!" "Right away." "As you direct." "German outposts have reached the Marne River." " The Marne?" " We need an observer to fix the location." "This is of the utmost importance." "Any volunteers?" "I'll go, captain." "Go on." "At your service." "An intelligence report at any price." " I quite understand Captain." " Off you go." "There's no address." " For your mother?" " No." "I'll address it then." "The least I can do." "Good of you all the same..." "Captain." "I repeat:" "A valve delivers 120 litres per hour." "Another valve delivers 40 litres in 10 minutes," "How much from the two combined?" "That was close." " Are you scared of 'Big Bertha'?" " Not for myself." "For my sister." " It scares girls." "Calm down, go back to your seat." "Come on sit down." "I guess with 'Big Bertha' getting angry, my valve problem is going to interest you even less than usual." "Come on up here." " What story would you like?" " Monsieur Seguin's Goat." " You've had that one." " I like ones I know." "Is the cannon we hear quite low down?" "It's on the Marne." "The Marne?" "Where we go fishing on Sundays?" "Exactly." "When the Germans invaded France they were so many, and so strong, they swept towards Paris and nothing could stop them." "An old French general had got into his head that they'd never get past the Marne, and into Paris." "Who was he?" "JOFFRE." "That's right." "Joseph Joffre." "His father was a cooper and had 11 kids." "11?" "Yes. 11." "Lot of mouths for a father to feed." "At meal times the father asked himself :" ""Oh, God, how come I got 11?"" "He never knew that his 11th child would save France." "The war continued on." "The Germans were repulsed, then returned to the attack." "For the second time, the fate of the country was played out on the Marne." "Sir, your lady's here." " My wife?" " Yes." "Alain?" "Alain." " What is it?" " It's like that at our place." "Papa starts a story." "Mama asks him to join her." " I can live without that story." " I'm sick of it." " Girls make up stories." " Why'd he go outside?" ""Victory on the Marne" Special edition!" "What are they talking about?" "What a momentous day!" "15,000 prisoners, 300 canons." "The enemy's in full flight!" " Where'd you see that?" " There." "Let's see." "Monsieur Froment!" "Hey, Monsieur Froment!" " "Everyone, from the largest to the smallest, has done his duty." ""Aviation has greatly contributed to the victory"" "How did you get in?" "I didn't come through the keyhole so I must have come through the door." "How?" "Was it open?" "I did knock first." "Maybe you're a bit deaf." "What'd you come here for?" "There are no sinners here." "Don't be like that!" "Gawd!" "To think I climbed up 7 floors to see you." "Really?" "Nice of you." "Wipe your feet." "Sorry." "You've aged my poor Jules." "What are you looking at?" "You let me have the last word." "I'm ten years older than you." "Eleven, thank you, eleven." "All my life I was your elder." "Now that we're old, there's no difference." "How's business?" "So-so." "Not bad." "I survive." "I've always managed some fantastic investments." "I've pulled off some big wins on the Stock Exchange." "After your next big win buy yourself some shirts." " Some shirts?" " Yes." "Your cuffs are frayed." "After the next one, a new pair of shoes." "Yes, I've been neglecting myself lately." "So much work, business." "And then I worry." "Rothschild has worries too." "From one day to another, share prices can fall." "That's a catastrophe." "This looks like the time when yours are falling." "That's right." "And I'm waiting for them to rebound." "They're top-drawer shares." "I'm sure they'll come back up." "Your Russian securities?" "Ah yes." "The Siberian tramways, and St Petersburg banks..." "Now Leningrad." "Oh, well it's the same thing." "Just a tad different." "800,000 francs in that." "If you're prepared to wait you can make a killing." " You for example?" " Me?" "... 800,000?" "Because it's you, so it stays in the family" "I'll let you have the lot... for 1,500 francs, cash." "You in it?" "Yes." "To think that in love affairs with young women" "I said no to a hat , or a pair of gloves" "And I've given my money to unknowns who never even thanked me." "I knew you'd finish up broke." "The thing is, I should have married." "With a woman like you." "A man who needs something will say anything." "Oh, but I didn't mean you personally." "I've had some very nice young things." "Jules!" "My apologies." "Say, Estelle..." "So, Estelle... can you give me 1,500 francs?" "Give me your coat." "I'll sew back your button." "I offered you the best price." "But if you ask me, I'll drop it a bit." "And your waterfront apartment in Marseilles, do you still have that?" "No." "The new owner thought that if he kicked me out I'd die." "So he let me stay." "That was nice of him." "Yes." "He kept me as a janitor." "Don't think I'm unhappy." "I watch the world go by." "But there's a lot of foreigners." "They come from everywhere." "So I'm learning their languages." "A janitor that speaks Russian." "Well at least:" ""It's a nice day today"." "That flabbergasts them." "These are letters for you." "Your concierge passed them to me." "Between colleagues." "That's right." "It's November 11." "I get news from the wounded I looked after." "They don't forget you." "That's nice." "Last year I got 14." "The year before 24." "November 11, 1919...642." "And this year I've had 5." "It's gone down." "So long as one remembers," "I'm paid for what I went through." "You expecting somebody?" "No." "Come in." "Careful." "They might be trying the door." "Estelle Froment?" "That's me." "I'm Martin's wife." "Martin Joseph." "Oh, of course, it's a long time ago." "Martin Joseph, who had a bullet in his stomach" "You saved him." "Martin Joseph, he was a corporal." "He had a Saône-et-Loire accent." "That's right." "He wrote to you every November 11." "Only this year he couldn't... as he's dead." "He was a brave boy." "He said to me:" ""Go and see her on November 11," ""to explain it wasn't ingratitude," ""but physical impossibility." ""And you must kiss her."" "May I?" "I am very touched." "It's stupid, isn't it?" "You see... that's the third kiss from a man I've had in my life." "The first... from a dirty little brat, in 1871, during the Siege of Paris." "The second from a chaplain." "The third, today..." "On behalf of a dead man." "At least you had three sincere kisses." "I don't know I've ever had one." " Leave me alone." " You've got to go." "I warned you." "He's not ready." "Froment, old boy..." "you must get dressed." "The ceremony's about to start." "Sorry sir, but I'm not going to be there." " You can't do that." " Oh yes I can." "Get yourself dressed." "We'll wait for you." "Don't waste your precious time." "I'm not coming." "You have to open the Félix Froment bridge." "No." "Out of the question." "A bridge in your name is a great honour." " It's your reward." " I know." "It's a great position..." "the best in town for market days." " I know." "The city has only one avenue." "I'm not going to argue..." "I don't like ceremonies." "This is not some unpleasant chore." "It is for me, colonel." "The whole town will be there." " So?" " Two companies in full dress will perform the honours." "Out in the sun?" "Poor wretches!" "The prettiest African girls will shower you with flowers." " Too late." " The infantry will be there." " "The Infantry."" "There'll be a children's chorus." ""Glory to Félix Froment." Don't know the tune." "You don't have to make a speech..." "just be there." "Don't go on about it, gentlemen." "Thanks, but I'm not going." "Do I have to order you?" "My dear sir... may I speak frankly?" "Yes, but not too frankly." "You know me." "We've been in this shit-hole for 30 years." "Before this shit-hole, we were in another one." "After this shit-hole we'll probably be in another." "You know there are some things I'm just not good at." "I can build a bridge." "Just don't ask me to open it." "What on earth can I tell them?" "That I'm sick..." "which is in fact true." "You're wrong, Félix." "This opening would have left you with a beautiful menu." "If I've done anything good, it's because I don't keep memories." "Right." "I'll tell them you're ill." "The hero, the pioneer that we celebrate..." "At last." "I'm sorry." "Me too." "What are you doing there behind me?" " I wondered what you'd walked in, Colonel." "GLORY TO YOU GLORY TO FÉLlX FROMENT" "GLORY TO FÉLlX FROMENT" "THROUGH LIFE-LONG LABOUR" "BUILDING UP FROM NOTHING" "YOU WERE THE ARCHITECT OF THE EMPIRE" "GLORY TO YOU GLORY TO FÉLlX FROMENT" "GLORY TO FÉLlX FROMENT" "I call for applause our three illustrious comrades who finishing their mind-numbing studies in triumph" "Come into glory and civil life." "Cheers for Jean Maréchal," "Doctor of Laws." "And a big swoon of admiration for Lucie Merche," "Doctor of Philosophy." "And a cheer for Christian Léonard," "Doctor of Medicine." "I'll make a wish that an epidemic hits Auteuil now the exclusive fiefdom of Dr Christian Léonard!" " Someone's asking for you." " Me." "A Santa Claus type of guy." ""Santa Claus"?" "Grandpa, it's you!" "Sorry to disturb you, but I heard about your success, and despite my old legs, I've come to congratulate you." "You just came for that?" "It's given your grandma and me the greatest pleasure." "Maybe even more than to your parents." "A great joy." "I didn't think it would happen in my lifetime." "Come on in." "We're having a party." " No I couldn't!" " Come on, really!" "I just wanted to kiss you." "I would have like to give you a present." "Not possible." "But I've brought you something all the same." "Don't laugh." "It's a letter my father sent to his brother." "January 18, 1871." "My father, who was just a peasant, had a dream." "Neither I nor my son was able to fulfil it." "Now it's happened, thanks to you." "Now there'll be a Froment who'll look after people" "A great and beautiful profession." "So, this letter from my father, gone all yellow, with a fine ink-blot in the middle, is now for you to look after." " Grandpa..." " Display it with your diplomas." "It's our family treasure." "A poor treasure as you can see." "I'll read it tonight when I'm alone." "Hey Christian?" "I'll give him back to you, Nicole." " You know me?" " There are things that I'm aware of." "Au revoir." "Kiss for Grandma." "If it's possible, I'm even happier than just now." " I'll come down with you." " No, don't bother." "Quiet!" "It's time for the Munich speech." " Who gives a damn about the speech!" " No...he's right." " No fidgeting!" " Let me squeeze in!" "It's just a circus." "There's no danger." "He still has to swallow the lion." "Don't forget he's a vegetarian" "Have you told your family about me?" " What's wrong with that?" " They must imagine..." "I've given such an exact description that they'd recognise you immediately." "And you think they'll say yes?" "Before, Papa would've said :" ""You're too young."" "But now I'm a qualified man, with the power of life and death on my fellow man." "Can't such a powerful man marry the woman he loves?" "Pierre Ducas, do you consent to marry Denise Moncharmant?" "Yes." "Denise Moncharmant do you consent to marry Pierre Ducas?" "Yes." "Christian Léonard, do you consent to marry" "Nicole Brienne?" "Yes." "Nicole Brienne, do you consent to marry Christian Léonard?" "Yes." "In the name of the law I declare you united in marriage." "Ladies and Gentlemen," "Shortage of time has forced me to finish this ceremony." "Let me just say a few words." "To you men who are leaving for out frontiers," "I've ordered that you protect your wives." "To you, ladies, I recommended you follow your husbands." "That's the law." "I wish you every happiness." "Within one human lifespan, France has been called to arms 3 times." "Ask your grandmothers why their husbands are gone." "The price of a life of peace has been high." "We must work hard." "But the new threat has become more and more precise." "Ask your mothers why their husbands are gone." "That peace, paid for in blood, has not been binding." "This time we must make it work." "You are going so that those who follow you here to marry will be sure that the homes they establish will be freed from violence." "On their behalf, thank you." "Through here to sign the registry." "My God, we never wanted this war." "It would be so unfair..." "if having taken Alain... now this same enemy kills our little Christian." "Please God..." "help that the righteous win, for us all to be reunited, and that France lives again." "Subtitles:" "FatPlank [RLB] for KG"