All films are part fiction.
No film can faithfully reproduce the complexity of a human life...
which everybody perceives differently.
Based on L'Instinct de Mort by Jacques Mesrine
I was born maybe half mile from here.
Yeah, yeah.
- Let him pass. - Go.
ALGERIA, 1959
Where is the bomb?
I can't.
Don't worry, brother.
Brahim, look at me.
Everything will be fine.
Look at me. Think of your family.
- My God! - God won't help you.
Stop it!
Shut up!
Mesrine.
Why are you crying?
You'll talk asshole!
Look at your brother. Do you want a cigarette?
- Brahim, we all die. - I love you.
- Tell me, where is the bomb? - Don't smoke.
Easy.
I don't know, I swear.
Where is the bomb?
Mohammed, don't say a word!
Yasmina!
The bomb?
Don't talk to them!
- Don't talk to them! - Shut up!
Look at me.
Long live Algeria!
I'll take care of her.
Let her go! I'll kill you!
She's my sister!
Come on, Mesrine.
The girl!
Do it.
Come on!
Do it, Mesrine!
Do it!
Where is the bomb, son of a bitch?
The army's role is crucial.
Intellectually, socially, morally, Algeria is changing.
A new generation is rising...
which include those who fought on both sides.
A generation which would like to see the birth and rise...
of a new Algeria.
A modern and fraternal Algeria.
This transformation, I repeat...
France began to accomplish it side by side with Algerians.
It's a magnificent piece of work...
which demands the efforts of all Algerians.
Father found you a job.
- Really? - Yes.
At Darquet's.
- Lace? - Yes, lace.
Good company.
And, if you like it, you'll have a good future.
Thank you.
Come down!
I'm coming.
See you.
- I'm taking the keys. - You didn't eat.
- It was delicious. - You have money?
- How is the rebel? - Quit it.
My Jacques.
- So, Algeria? - Leave Algeria alone.
Tell me...
Judging by your car, you're doing fine.
I'm not complaining.
You know how it is. Little jobs.
- I don't know, tell me. - I will.
Where are you taking me?
- Where? - Yes.
- It's crowded. - It's always packed.
- This is Jacques. - Jacques, nice to meet you.
It's great here.
- Beautiful, as always. - Yes.
My ladies!
I'll introduce you to a friend. Be nice with him.
It depends.
Come here.
- He's handsome. - My girl, Suzan.
Sarah.
Haven't we met before?
- You don't come for free? - No, I have to get paid.
You'll pay me.
You're cute, but you'll pay.
Wanna bet?
- Hey, Jacky! - How are you?
- Where have you been? - Some of us have to work.
You know Mario?
- Who's dealing? My salary. - It's me.
- Want a lift? - No, I'll go alone.
I'm completely broke. Can I borrow for a cab?
Here.
- It's enough. - Sure?
I'm good, thank you.
Paul?
Your little jobs...
- Are you hiring? - Yes, we are.
- Jacques, just push harder. - OK.
The safe is behind the bookshelf.
Behind the...
Look what I got!
- They've got a weapon. - Look, Ali Baba's cave!
No way!
- Something's wrong. - What's this?
What are you doing? Who are you?
- Are you the owners? - Yes.
Right on time. Inspectors Binard and Geralbet.
Criminal Division.
I must inform you that you've been robbed.
Edouard!
I know. Wait till you see what they did in your bedroom.
My jewellery!
Calm down, madam. I'm sorry.
- We found this weapon. - It's a heirloom.
You must have a permit for it. Bring it to the police station.
- I don't know where I got it. - Find it.
- Daniel, the fingerprints? - I got them.
Great. We're going to the lab.
Edouard, look at this!
- Calm her down, she's in shock. - Calm down, Marie-Laure.
We'll be expecting you tomorrow at 9 o'clock.
Tell me...
Piece of cake. Got more like that?
Plenty! I'll introduce you to my boss.
- Who is it? - Guido.
Guido.
This is my buddy, Jacques Mesrine.
Paul told me a lot about you.
A lot.
Have a seat.
When are you going to stop bringing me all these stray dogs?
- You're talking about me? - No, not you.
- I asked a question, Paul. - I'm talking to you.
- What? - You called me a stray dog?
Why are you barking?
I hope you have an army behind you.
He bites.
My army is well-known.
SAO, the Secret Army Organisation. It attacks whenever it wants to.
All I see is a fat guy talking.
If you parents didn't teach you manners, I'll do it.
You'll need more than your hands for that.
Looking for this?
That's what happens when you let people feel you up.
- Where's your respect? - OK, calm down.
Relax, I'm not that crazy.
You seem intelligent.
I'll give you an advice. As a friend to a friend.
In our business, you can't win.
At the end of your career, if you're lucky, you'll have this.
Best case scenario. Understand, Mesrine?
Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind.
Meanwhile, if you really see me as a friend...
call me Jacques.
OK, Jacques.
Whatever you say. Here.
- Jacques Mesrine. - Jacques.
I want to be yours.
Again?
I got a man, you know.
If I pay him, I could work for you.
Are you crazy? What are you talking about?
Who do you think I am? A pimp?
Is that it?
I don't need your money. I know how I make money.
Don't take it that way.
- I like you, Sarah - I like you too.
But watch how you talk to me.
- Your boss called. - So?
He said you didn't go to work for a week.
- And so? - So?
Your father finds you a job, and that's how you pay him back?
What's the problem? Tell me.
Leave me alone, mom.
A real man makes an honest living.
He starts a family. Neighbours respect him.
Talk to your son.
Your mother and I want you to stay. This is your home.
"Your mother and l"?
- Can't you say "l"? - What's going on, Jacques?
Jacques is tired of his father acting like a doormat.
And I am ashamed that you collaborated with the Germans.
And I would like to be proud of my father. Just once!
I never collaborated. It was the Obligatory Work Service.
Nothing is obligatory!
Was it obligatory when I went to Algeria? Tell me.
What's wrong with you, hell? Am I the only one with balls here?
SPAIN, 1960
It's great here.
I didn't lie.
The welcome committee.
- How are you? - Well?
- The blond. - The blond? The brunette.
Know Paris?
Men have...
Me.
- Paris. France. - The Eiffel Tower.
Wait.
- How do you say "kiss"? - A beso.
A little beso.
- I want to beso you. - Not here.
No, please. We could go outside.
If you want. Or we could dance.
Go outside, dance. Whatever you want.
I'll be back.
Do you want to dansar?
It's "baillar".
OK. Want to baillar?
Sofia, yes.
Want to?
Yes!
- In Spain we dance. - In France, not so much.
Sofia, the room...
In the blue building.
Ten.
If you want to dance some more.
- Why? - Because no.
What?
Your first time?
Sofia...
Jacques!
Come on!
We got a long way! Let's go!
I must go.
Come on.
Let's go.
Bye.
My love!
Why is Sarah here?
Her pimp just got out of jail. She works where she's told.
Wait.
Why do you carry a gun?
- You don't carry one? - No.
If I carry, I have to fire. So, no thanks.
- It's here? - Yes.
Good evening.
- Do you want something to drink? - Of course, it's a bar.
- Whiskey. - Two.
- Sarah's not here? - No, but she'll be here soon.
Sarah is taken. But Mado is free.
Go, sweetie.
I wouldn't take this one.
- Hi. Buy me a drink? - Get lost!
Just one drink.
Get lost, I said.
Hey, JJ, you let fags in your bar now?
Get lost!
Hey, you.
Where are your manners?
Hey, pimps! You want some too?
Jacques, why are you doing here? Leave me, don't touch me!
Darling.
- What are you doing? - Look what you did to him!
- You work for an Arab? - What's your problem?
Get out!
Leave! I didn't ask you for anything!
You disgust me.
You look great together.
Get lost!
I'm sorry, baby.
Fuck.
Get in the back.
Your nose is still swollen.
It's nothing.
Tell me, how is Sarah?
Don't worry. I made a deal with Guido.
I'll let you have her.
Cause it's true. I damaged her a bit.
Ahmed.
You're well-dressed. Your suit is great.
- Nice suit. - It's very nice.
Yeah, I like wearing suits. Like a real Frenchman.
Yeah, like a real Frenchman.
You know what they say to an Arab wearing a suit?
- Guido, you know? - No, I don't.
They say, "Defendant, please rise!"
Good one.
You know what's an Arab in a trash can?
A waste. You can fit three in there.
Rats.
We're just joking.
Just joking.
We're not like that.
It's easier with women? Son of a bitch.
Guido, you're scam! You gave me your word!
- I'll kill you! - My word is not for Arabs!
Shut up!
Here, I'll light his face.
- Look at that face! - Shut up!
Untie me.
Men get one in the head. You'll die like an animal.
How much did you want for her?
How much?
Son of a bitch!
Flush.
- What's that? - Quit it.
- Did you get married? - Yes.
- You're married? - Yes, quit it.
Heard that, Guido? He got married.
She's pregnant. What could I do?
Knocked up and married. He's doubly screwed. Great.
Enough.
Come on, serve us! Move it!
What are you doing? Pour drinks. Move it.
What's this? What's the problem?
Who are you? The owner or the whore's son?
Serve them, they're nervous.
Move your ass!
There.
It's OK, relax.
Keep playing, it's OK.
This is for the drinks. And this is for respect.
- Does it always take so long? - It depends. 8-10 hours.
Ten hours?
It depends. Maybe more.
Now you are a father, you'll settle down?
We'll see. Times change, men don't.
- And me least of all. - That's good.
- Remember the cripple? - The cripple?
The one you shot in the knees.
The cripple right.
What does he want?
Nothing.
He sent two friends, they were asking about you.
What friends? Serious?
Yes, serious.
They have no right to touch you without my permission.
Good.
It's OK then.
What are they doing, damn it?
They're pushing.
Mr Mesrine.
That's me. Guido, that's me!
A beautiful little girl.
- She's beautiful. - Hi there!
She's tiny.
What's wrong?
You were with your friends and your whores?
Yes, I was with them.
Wait!
I'm not done. I was with my friends, so?
No whores?
Why would I when I have a woman like you?
A small bank. Two employees. And the best thing?
They don't have a safe. No safe.
They put the money in a cabinet. It couldn't get easier.
- You won't come? - No.
- Why? - I'll go with Guido.
You know I'd like to come.
Like Paul said, it's a walk in the park.
In and out. Like bunnies fucking.
As long as only bunnies get fucked.
I'm in.
To the bunnies.
Evreux Prison, 1962
So?
Daddy?
She said "daddy"?
- Daddy? - Yes, sweetie.
I'm your daddy.
You said it, you said "daddy". That's great.
She said it for the first time.
I don't know what to do.
Meaning?
I phoned my parents and they said...
I should go back to Spain.
What's this crap? That's why you came?
To tell me you're taking my daughter away?
Is that it? Sofia, look at me.
Look at me.
This is what you mean?
I love you.
You're my wife. I need you, both of you.
Call my parents. They'll take care of you.
You're like a daughter to them.
- Understand? - Yes.
It's mommy.
Mommy.
She's pretty. Your mommy is pretty.
I just got out of jail.
I won't hide that I was in for armed robbery.
And I don't have any references because...
I've lived on the edge since I got back from army.
And I would like to make a fresh start.
I'm doing this for my parents, for my wife...
for myself and especially for my daughter.
I have a daughter.
Your past doesn't plead in your favour.
But I feel you're very sincere.
So, if you like, you can start tomorrow.
Really?
- Yes. - Thank you, Mr Tabacoff.
I'll show you the workshop. The maquette.
This way.
Jacques, Bruno's very cute. Does he cry at night?
Not really, a little bit.
It's OK.
- Does he cry? - No.
- Wait when he starts teething. - We'll see.
- Three grain couscous. - I love couscous.
You should open a restaurant. It's great.
Jacques has a good, well-paid job.
We're going fine.
Don't' worry.
Goodnight.
Tell me...
You know, I've got a great job.
- Want to get back to work. - No, Guido.
Sofia's right. I have my kids, my work.
I don't want to get back in.
Really? Do as you wish. We'll discuss it another time.
Let me know.
- Jacques, got a sec? - Yes.
- Look, I've got serious problems. - What's wrong?
I'll have to fire some of you. But first...
I got it.
- Wait. - No, it's alright.
Last hired, first fired.
- I haven't decided yet. - It's OK.
Tabacoff, you're a good man. Don't worry about me.
Here, I'm coming.
Jacques, where are you going?
- What is it? - Stay.
You promised this was over.
- Listen to me. - You listen!
I have no time for this.
You said you wouldn't go back to your friends.
Not now!
Today, it's your friends! Tomorrow, it will be your whores!
- What do you want? - Stay here with us!
And stay at my parent's forever? I got fired.
- I don't care. Don't go. - Quiet, you'll wake Bruno.
If you leave, I'll call the police.
What did you say?
Say it again.
There are words you can't say in front of me. Understand?
Come here.
See that?
- Open your mouth. - Kill me.
Open your mouth!
Open it!
Between you and my friends, I'll always choose my friends.
Understood? Always!
Got that?
Mommy.
Take care of your kid.
Big pile of shit.
You think I didn't recognize you, Guido?
You're ridiculous.
You know whose file you want? You know, and you're dead.
Shut up.
- Son of a bitch. - Traitor.
Who sent you? Chevalier?
Shut up, traitor.
The SAO is over. A fiasco.
De Gaulle killed us.
I got it.
- Why did you kill him? - I'm extending my life expectancy.
- Any other stupid questions? - He was unarmed, that's not right.
- While threatening your wife? - It's different.
All in.
Will you bet more?
- Easy, easy. - Easy.
Don't bet, you'll loose everything.
Here.
What are you doing? Not your wedding ring.
She left anyway.
- Left me the three kids. - Really?
- Sure? - Yes.
Looks like four-of-a-kind.
To hell with her.
Who won it all? It's Mister Paul!
Who got it all? Your buddy Paul.
- Buy me a drink, handsome? - Quit it, Maggie.
He's with me.
Thanks.
- What's your name? - Jeanne.
Like Jane? Funny.
I'm Tarzan.
But, my real name is Jacques.
Nice to meet you. Want a drink?
Isn't a bar where men buy drinks for women?
Got to change old habits.
I'm ready for anything.
Me too.
Really?
Yes.
Ladies and gentlemen...
Shut up!
- Freeze! - Hands on the table!
Hands on the table!
Shut up! Hands on the table!
Calm her down!
The money, move it!
Move it!
What are you doing?
Nobody moves.
Shut up!
Come on, move it!
- You're stealing from me now? - What's your problem?
You won't go far.
Don't worry about me.
I go wherever I want.
For the personnel.
- Dad, why isn't it working? - Look, sweetie.
Keep the ball and the racket steady.
See?
Are you OK?
- You're hurt. - I'm fine, sweetie.
I love you, daddy.
In front of my daughter! Fuck, in front of her!
How far will you follow him?
- All the way. - Of course.
If you love her, choose life.
Leave the country, wait till everything settles down.
Who do you think we are?
You think we'll leave because of those poor devils?
The mafia and the police want you dead.
Even I can't protect you.
In front of my kid? Fuck, there are rules!
What rules? What are you talking about?
The only rule is the rule of the jungle.
To each his own principles, morals.
Be careful. I got it.
Don't move.
Next time, shoot to kill!
OK.
Bye, mom.
Come here.
Bye, dad.
I love you.
Be back soon.
MONTREAL, 1968
More, more, more.
Good.
- Got it? - Yes.
Take it up.
You're a dreamer, Frenchman.
Be careful at these heights.
Been here long?
A couple of months.
You like this job?
I prefer the one I had in France.
What did you do?
I was robbing banks. I'm Jacques Mesrine. You?
Jean-Paul Mercier. I help finance the QLF.
Quebec Liberation Front.
- Nice to meet you. - Likewise.
Mr Mesrine, because of your criminal record...
I have to deny your application.
You have ten days to leave Canadian territory.
My love.
How did it go at Immigration?
Good. Might take more time.
Next week, you can quit your job.
- Yeah? How's that? - I replied to a millionaire's ad.
He's looking for a couple. A chauffeur and a housekeeper.
- Sure you want to be a maid? - As long as I'm with you.
Mr Deslauriers. Mrs Schneider and Mr Mesrine.
Come in.
Hello.
At last, here you are.
Jacques and Jeanne. My guardian angels.
This means we're hired?
More than that. It's a blessing, my son.
In that case...
Thank you, father.
One, two...
three!
Are you OK?
Slowly.
Here you go. Don't worry, I've got you.
So...
- Where to, sir? - Saint-Laurent street.
Fine.
Two persons inside.
Hello, gentlemen.
- Why are you parked here? - We're cops. Stakeout.
Look, from Jacques.
Damn it, Jacques.
I won't say it again, mind your own business!
You'll go crying to Mr Deslauriers? Go!
- I work here 20 years. - Go away!
Go away.
- This doesn't end here. - I'm scared! Go!
Everything's fine.
My gardener submitted his resignation...
due to an altercation with you, Mrs Schneider.
You were disrespectful.
- He's a liar and a bad man. - Whatever.
I've known him for 20 years and he served me loyally.
I know you for three months. It's easier to let you go.
I give you two days to leave this house.
Of course.
I'm astonished.
General De Gaulle announced his decision at 12:03 am...
two hours after the confirmation of the official results.
The atmosphere in Paris?
In the Gaullist camp, there's a feeling of disappointment.
Damn it, I don't believe it.
What? What?
Jacques what?
What did I do to you?
You were disrespectful, Georges. To me and my wife.
What will you do to me?
At first, you give us your blessing, eh?
Then, you fire us because of your asshole gardener.
You think we're doing charity?
You'll pay for this, asshole. I'll teach you respect.
- My brother will pay. - Maybe.
In the meantime, shut up. I'm watching TV.
Jacques!
Help!
- Jacques? This is Jean-Paul. - What's up?
- He won't come. - You think?
You'll see.
He's screwing with me.
The old far will pay.
He'll pay, believe me.
That's him.
Shit!
- What are we going to do? - Look.
Shit.
End of the line. We stop.
There are too many of them.
French!
Tourist!
Tourist, damn it!
Fuck, I'm French.
GAME OVER FOR BONNIE SCHNEIDER AND CLYDE MESRINE
DESLAURIERS KIDNAPPERS ACCEPT EXTRADITION TO CANADA
Happy to be back in Quebec?
I love Quebec. It's a great country.
BILLIONAIRE DESLAURIERS WILL TESTIFY AT TRIAL
- Why did you kidnap Deslauriers? - To teach him to live!
10 YEARS FOR MESRINE 5 YEARS FOR SCHNEIDER
One word for our viewers. Just one word.
- Say anything. - Well...
Long live free Quebec!
You want to take a picture or what?
Number 5933, talking is prohibited for the first two months in SCU.
My name is Jacques Mesrine. Go to hell!
5933, take that away from your face.
I can't sleep with the light. Leave me alone.
Take it away, 5933.
Leave me alone!
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it!
Your isolation is over.
Welcome to the Special Correctional Unit.
I'm not dead.
Forget about it, Frenchman.
You look good on TV.
Long live free Quebec, right?
You think you can get over that barbed wire?
Your friend Mercier is in the hole. Right where Gauthier tortured you.
How is he?
You'll see. He gets out in two days.
See you, Frenchman.
By the way, you were more fun on TV.
Nice to see you, Jacques.
Hold on, they're watching us.
Here.
You know those two?
Who?
The fat bald guy and his buddy.
The fat one is Thibault Mailloche, robber and killer.
The other one is Roger Andre.
Gauthier thinks he killed one of his moles with a screwdriver.
Is there a problem?
Don't know yet.
Anyway, I got it.
I found a way out of here. Through the fence, that simple.
During yard time? It's suicide.
Do you have a better idea?
OK, Jacques.
When?
Before autumn, we're out or dead.
OK. Out or dead.
Let's cut to the chase.
What is it, Frenchman?
I need pincers from the workshop.
What's in for me?
I got nothing to give you.
Just a piece of my hate for Gauthier.
If I make it, I'll come back to free you all. You have my word.
You got guts. I like that.
How did it go?
- What day is it today? - You ask me every Monday.
Crazy Frenchman, you want to die?
It won't be here and it won't be a Monday.
They're inside. They have a weekend hangover.
Go back to your cell!
Let's go, it's OK.
It's OK.
- Are you OK? - Yes.
We're good.
- What should we do? - I don't know.
- What's going on? - Keep going.
Shut up!
On the ground!
Hands on your heads!
A spectacular escape from the Special Correctional Unit.
Known as a maximum security prison, SCU's reputation is tarnished.
- Jean-Paul! - What is it?
- We're on the news. - Not now!
...Mercier and Mesrine, the notorious French gangster...
escaped by cutting the fence, under the guards' noses.
SCU's goal was to turn the worst criminals into lambs.
Mesrine had sworn that no prison could ever hold him.
Apparently, the gangster kept his word.
Give me two minutes, damn!
Glory, Jean-Paul.
Glory.
If the cops arrive, don't go out with your hands up
They shoot on the spot.
Got to be quick.
- How much time do we have? - 30 seconds.
Is it OK?
- Do I have a choice? - No.
Quick, on the floor!
On the floor, quick!
Lie down, quick!
Hands against the wall!
Look at the wall.
Don't move. It will be OK.
Look at the wall!
- Look at the wall! - Good.
Nobody moves.
Don't move.
Come on. 10.
9, 8...
Thank you.
Goodbye. Don't move.
No, let's go to the one across the street.
You're crazy!
Time to go.
We won't be long.
I love you.
Let's go.
Crazy Frenchman! Guys!
There!
Mesrine!
Ready?
Yes.
Two, three!
Damn it!
- Let's go. - You go.
Mailloche!
Jean-Paul!
Let's go!
Grenade!
Are you OK?
Don't worry, step on it!
Quick!
Help us, things got nasty.
Come on.
Are you OK?
Come.
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
You've got two minutes. Alright?
Attorney Barron.
Yes, Jeanne, he's here.
Hello. My baby.
My love.
Are you OK?
Yes. Everything's fine.
No, nothing's fine.
Nothing's fine. What are you talking about?
I'll come to get you out.
No, don't do anything, please.
I'll come. Stop it.
I'm with Mercier.
We armed to the teeth. I'll come, count on me.
No, I don't want you to come. My jail time is almost over.
Hush, what are you talking about?
My love, I'll get you out. Everything will be OK.
Listen.
Don't come, please understand.
Don't come.
I'll come. I'll come, hush.
Jacques, they know you're coming. They know and they'll kill you.
They won't kill me, trust me. I'm coming.
I don't want you to.
Stop it! I said I'm coming, and I'm coming!
I said I'm coming and I'm coming!
No, Jacques.
Be ready, that's all I ask.
Be ready.
It's over, Jacques.
What do you mean?
It's over.
You and me, it's over.