The Love of a Woman
Next.
Come now, Aline.
Oh, you won't cry now, will you?
The others didn't.
Look at Jeannot!
- It's nothing. - Go on. Go on.
I'm getting tired.
Oh, just a bit more.
Yes, and that's that.
You drop your arm...
and I realize it's time you made place...
for younger people.
She arrives today?
Yes, by boat.
We shall miss you.
Me too. Well, you won't be long here either.
It's my last year. Then, finally, I'll get some rest.
Eternal rest for me.
Ah, I'm wanted.
Hello, Mademoiselle Prieur?
What a journey!
A difficult crossing.
That's my luggage.
Here's the dispensary... not very modern ...
but the advantage is...
there's no possible competition.
There's plenty of work...
even for George... who's a man...
Was a man...
My battle field.
My 30 Years War.
Now it's your turn.
I'm not afraid.
But will they take a girl of 20...
seriously?
I'm 28, madam:
It's still young.
If she were 70, she'd retire...like me.
Yes, of course.
I am sure my mother...
would never have let me do this job.
My mother helped me.
Anyhow, it's a job I like.
As a woman, I'd prefer to be a florist.
Matter of taste!
Your room.
See the lighthouse!
Splendid! Isn't it?
I'm short-sighted.
I've seen it every day for thirty years.
It's lovely...
Like you... all alone at sea.
Well, so long for now.
We let it go?
We must.
It'll grow up with the others.
It'll forget us.
No, we'll often come back to see it.
Bye-bye, Nenette. Do you love me?
Come on, we are late.
What about school?
Not my fault, granddad's ill.
Grand-dad's the verger.
Arthritis... not enough to drink.
We'll go and see him... then you'll know them all.
No serious cases.
They're simple people with simple diseases.
Fog signal?
Yes. They're all sorts of nationalities...even French.
They like a pretty girl.
Doctor Marie Prieur
Morel's gone.
The boat's left.
Nothing, Mademoiselle.
Telephone calls?
None...I swear.
Good, no one's ill.
Perhaps they are, but I don't dare to say so.
I frighten them?
Well, the door!
I'm not ill, but I want to see you.
A new hairdo!
Yes, I had a perm... not too bad?
Not at all.
I wanted to ask you... for a child's dress...
you think that would do?
I don't know.
What a pity!
I thought you'd come from Paris. You'd know better than I would.
You make all your own dresses...and they're pretty.
Am I bothering you?
- No...sit down. - Thank you.
Do you live here?
I was your age when I came.
It was during the holidays.
My house was far too big for me.
I spent hours at my window watching...
my future students who did not know me yet.
To talk to someone I used to go to the grocer.
And then term began.
Suddenly, the school
was full of laughing children.
You've never thought of getting married?
I've often thought of it.
But all those children make so much noise.
40 children take a lot of space.
I'm glad you came here.
Really?
Yes, I've not any pupils.
You will have when you've spent
20 years on this island.
20 years. Like a prison sentence...
but it goes very quickly.
No one has died!
There they are! I must join them.
What is it?
The ceremony of the return of souls.
All the men are sailors here.
Know the widow?
Fernande? Of course. She was a good pupil.
Wait, Marcel...I'll come and laugh with you.
Oh, those two...
what a load of mischief.
They're lighthouse keepers.
I've made them all toe the line.
Today, it's death.
Are there any children?
Yes, Aline, an adorable child.
The little dress is for her.
By the way, where is she?
How is it she's got
I bet she is ill again.
Delicate?
Yes, what trouble she's given me!
Let's go and see her.
I won't go to church
They haven't asked...
It's I who am asking... come along.
She didn't want to leave the herd.
Is it true what I hear? Not glad to see me?
Get back to bed.
Yes, I'm hot like in summer.
Look out! Mademoiselle Leblanc!
What's up now?
Her mum says nothing./
We'll see.
Do I frighten you?
Stick out your tongue.
I've seen the pretty dress that Mlle. Leblanc is making you.
The check one?
You know this?
Yes, it's Dr. Morel's.
Don't tell anyone.
Then we'll play.
Hold her arms.
Breathe hard through your mouth.
Breathe deep.
As well I came.
Oh, the poor child.
It's curable.
Why's the doctor here?
I don't know.
What have you done to my little Aline?
She needs medical attention.
I didn't ask you...
You should.
Just for a cold...
Expense for a sick headache...
It's pneumonia.
Pneumonia?
So you say.
I am sure.
She must have treatment.
Dear God, as if I'd not trouble enough.
Get this medicine, I'll come tomorrow.
With the bill!
Do you pay?
No, because I...
So you'd let a child die?
That's for you!
Well, she told you off.
Don't worry... we'll train her.
More still.
What's that thing?
Have a look.
Recognize me?
I should say so.
And there?
Your mamma?
She was still young.
Yes, she ought to be there with me.
No, that's a bad picture.
Telephone!
An accident? Serious?
Right...I'm on my way.
I'm Dr. Prieur.
Where's the man...
who's lost two fingers?
That's bad! Come in!
Eh, lads, who's lost two fingers?
One, two, three, four, five...I'm complete.
What about your feet?
What is all this?
False alarm by telephone.
That's not funny.
You must be frozen.
Come near the fire.
Your tiny hand is frozen...
and night is falling fast.
Well, I must go.
I hate practical jokes.
Some like them.
Particularly, when they're aimed at me.
I'll come with you.
I'll have a word with this joker.
You know him?
Not difficult to find.
Please don't worry.
But I'm concerned too... it's my work site.
The juvenile lead takes away the beauty...
he rides in a superb jeep.
The motor starts... they're off!
But how will the juvenile lead get back?
On foot, gentlemen.
A fog signal four hours from the mainland.
It's not always easy...
but fascinating work.
I dare say!
You've seen the bridge we've built?
You must see that!
Still much work?
We can finish in a month or so...and then...
Then?
Depends on the boss.
The Pyrenees or Marrakech...
to build a dam or a power station.
You've a fine job.
Well, you can't complain.
Medicine's complicated now.
How d'you remember it all?
Everything can be learnt.
The day you arrived I thought...
the poor girl will suffer here.
At first the people resented me.
Now they're calling me in.
Yes, with practical jokes.
Not always.
Well, here we are.
You drive too fast.
It's only three miles.
Pity!
Good night.
Don't go to bed. You may be needed.
I'll tell you something...
Doctors are donkeys... she-donkeys.
Because of them I can't touch a drop at home.
What harm does a drop of rum do to an adult?
A baby...I won't deny...
well, go on.
So I said, doctor...
come to the work site.
There's been an accident.
Very good!
She said, serious?
I said, very serious.
Jolly good!
20 seconds later she was off like a bomb.
And what next?
...and a packet of Gauloises.
She went for nothing!
That's what we sent her for.
Jolly good!
It's late for you.
I was bored...
and this is a good place for laughs.
I like jokes too.
3 please.
Doctor? Come to the cafe straightaway.
Some jokers are in trouble.
Yes, serious.
Jolly good!
We don't know you.
You know me quite well.
I'm the engineer who's lost two fingers.
Stop playing the fool!
Stop it, for God's sake!
They're fighting for you!
For me?
I've not asked anything or anybody.
You can be proud of yourself!
Show me that.
Very pretty.
Idiot!
It's broken... just for a joke.
I didn't ask you.
Well, is your nose better?
Yes, it's finished.
If only it'd teach you!
No, nothing doing.
But Mademoiselle...
I said no!
He goes all round the island looking for a drink.
They all refuse?
I told them to.
That is a good joke.
Oh, him again!
The engineer.
He frightens you?
He looks nice.
He annoys me.
Why?
Always inviting me out.
I refuse...but he insists.
Accept then.
Other things to do.
In the evening?
I have to study.
How true!
You're not in love with him!
Nonsense. You're joking.
Why not? You're single. Amuse yourself.
You won't always be able to.
Oh, you again?
I've told you it's impossible.
No.
I must ring off now.
No, please don't ring off.
It's a party for Lulu's birthday.
He'd like you to come.
and the workmen want you to be queen of the site.
There'll be a dozen of us.
The things he says!
A small white wine as usual.
The medical faculty said... no alcohol.
But the doctor has just given me permission.
Got a prescription?
Why torment your school friend?
I don't want your death...
on my conscience.
And you chaps?
I didn't recognize you.
You're looking so much better!
Well, lads, she accepts.
That's worth another drink!
Right, then I won't even ring the bells for you.
She's done for!
I feel she's done for.
Don't be like that.
The doctor will save Aline.
She's been there for more than three hours.
If it were hopeless, she'd go.
Think so?
The pulse is better.
Coffee, Mademoiselle?
I've not eaten yet.
You must be hungry... nearly midnight.
We've been a nuisance.
Look!
She seems better.
No, let her sleep.
You're going?
Don't worry, the worst is over.
Mademoiselle Prieur, I take my hat off to you.
Dr. Morel couldn't have done it.
He was an excellent doctor.
Yes, but very old.
And not very modern, eh?
Well, till tomorrow.
Mr. Lorenzi?
Surprised?
I'd have warned you, I couldn't leave Aline.
Don't make excuses.
I'd have waited all night.
You?
This little dinner...
I thought we'd have fun...
But you didn't come...
and I knew I couldn't do without you.
I am very glad...
Me too...
I mean I am very glad to be with you now.
I wanted to tell what I have done.
I thought I'd be alone...
and there you are.
It was awful for an hour.
I watched her breathing... fearfully.
I held her hand in mine...
like that.
I listened to her heart.
When she stretched out her fingers...
I knew I'd won.
I admire you.
It's late.
Yes, don't let's stay here... we might be seen.
What does that matter?
Andre...I'm happy.
Sorry, I couldn't wait till this evening.
I went to the site to see you.
Is that bad?
I couldn't help it.
Close your eyes!
Why?
They make me want to kiss you.
Cut yourself!
Thinking of you while shaving.
Look around.
Everyone is watching.
So what?
That's just talk.
Perhaps
Till tonight.
As usual?
What? Late again?
Don't get angry.
Of course, that's your job.
Do what I say.
Shake my hand politely.
harder...squeeze harder.
YOUTH IS THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE
I thought you were too busy for me.
I've finished my rounds. I came to say hello.
Nice of you!
How's Jeannot?
I have other worries.
What's up?
You, Marie! You're making a fool of yourself.
There's nothing...
Destroying your situation...
for a passing affair.
Can't I live?
Yes, Marie, but not at any price.
You've done years of study...
you are someone...
and you'd waste yourself on him.
You are unfair!
Even if he married you...
would you be sure of keeping him?
We've never spoken of marriage.
Anyhow, your job's your job...
forever.
I came to tell you not to worry about Jeannot.
Getting ready to go?
Yes, change the subject.
I'm tidying up.
You've plenty of time.
They're woollens I won't wear again.
I want to finish it all.
It's like dying to keep on saying...
I won't wear that again...
or teach that lesson anymore.
Today, I did the Revolution.
I nearly wept to think it was the last time.
Why not stay?
Stay here all alone?
Anyhow, I'd haunt the school like a ghost.
With other dresses?
The happiness they have given me!
don't laugh.
Come and look.
Look at those children.
They call me mother...
Leblanc...but they don't forget me...
any more than the others who used to play down there.
You think a man could have given me such a family?
But you're going?
You think I'll vegetate?
No, I'll raise other children...
and still more.
This is a life, Marie, which...
I owe to my job.
Ah, I'll get them in!
Aren't you well, Mademoiselle?
Stand aside! She needs air.
Get the doctor!
I'll go!
At 12 I wanted to be a sailor.
At 15 I wanted to kiss a girl.
At 22 I wanted to be an engineer...I am.
Now it's the opposite. I want to be right where I am.
You play it better than I do.
I learned at school.
Me too...in Naples.
We played for pieces of chocolate.
No, you are cheating!
Why are you laughing?
When I was 10 I wanted to win...as I do now.
I found it!
I miss something about you. I know what it is now.
This pebble is your childhood.
It'll say a lot about you.
I know now the little girl who you were.
Your hair fell over your eyes.
You fought the boys...
and kissed the cats...
which scratched you.
And your eyes...
were always light.
They didn't change color.
I don't want to lose you.
Darling!
We can never separate.
The work's nearly finished.
Why should I leave alone?
What do you mean?
Can't you guess?
Andre, is it true?
Have you thought of that?
And for our honeymoon we'll go to Italy.
There's mamma in Rome...
a sister in Florence and so on.
You must kiss them all.
Anything you say.
Where shall we live?
No more traveling.
And you'll not have to work.
My work is not hard.
Better at home.
But what will I do?
Like any happy woman...
you'll be happy.
But I like my job.
Yes, of course, but...
only till marriage.
Now you don't need your job.
But it's much more important than that.
More important than me?
Well, answer me!
Do you remember that first night in the jeep...
we spoke of our jobs...
You even told me that I was lucky to be a doctor.
??
What changed now?
Now, I'm thinking for both of us.
Think of me too.
That's what I'm doing.
Don't you understand?
The two of us.
Yes, the two of us is you.
Better than you alone.
The passing bell!
Someone's dead.
Then they don't need you.
I must go back.
You're going?
She has everything she needs.
It came suddenly.
You couldn't have done much.
She didn't suffer.
I must see to Aline.
Go with her Fernande
I'd like something to eat before vespers.
Goodbye, Mademoiselle.
Storm coming up.
Yes, foul weather ahead.
Anne, you must be there today.
Mlle Leblanc loved you.
You must let her feel you've not forgotten.
or she'd be unhappy.
And don't get dirty either!
She's dead!
What happened?
She fell down the cliff.
My little one.
She may not be quite dead.
Jeannot, try and do something.
All the joy of living...
of being wife and mother.
you renounced Germaine Leblanc...
to devote yourself to children not your own.
And these were never the same children.
They ran through life and you couldn't...
keep them.
How you must have suffered from this indifference...
but you chose the narrow door...
the endless road where the saints walk alone.
the wayside thorns tore you...
your tortured soul now presens itself to god.
you have arrived at last.
But this is not the only road to heaven.
There are others full of flowers...
which the Christian can gather.
You can use the flowers and fruit
as simply as offers them to
if you are only a grain of corn in the field...
do not envy the poplar which reaches up to heaven.
Remain a grain among millions of others.
Remain in the grain of others.
Where can they be?
That Jeannot of yours.
And your Aline!
On such a day!
There you are.
And she loved you so much.
You didn't even think.
You didn't even watch.
We couldn't.
Stand up.
A fine mess.
You couldn't remember either.
What do you want?
It's our lamb...
I'm talking about Mlle Leblanc who...
sacrificed herself for you...
and you can only think of your sheep.
Well, Jeannot...
aren't you ashamed?
I don't know.
You're hopeless!
Run away.
And Nenette?
You can go off and cry now!
Hurry! Cover up the equipment...
so that we can get away from here.
Why hurry?
You're not in a hurry!
We can take our time.
Very good, sir.
There's your shadow.
What's up?
Andre, take me away.
What is it?
I was mad not to listen to you.
But you're right.
Thought it over?
Yes, I realize my job...
would have kept us apart...
under the same roof.
So what do you want?
To be your wife.
I want you to love me... I want to need you.
I can't live alone.
If you'ud seen that funeral service...
So oyu think a man could have given me such a family?
Don't leave me alone.
You're sure?
Don't leave me.
I won't.
We'll leave when you can.
I'll call a friend at medical college...
who's doing nothing.
He can replace me.
It's so simple, you see.
Yes, my love.
Excuse me...
A message from the lighthouse.
They want the doctor... man very ill.
Vomiting?
I don't know, but it looks serious.
Good...I'll go.
You take the lifeboat.
I must go home.
To change?
Yes and for instruments.
I'm afraid...come with me...I need you.
I can't do much.
Please do come.
Relief there?
He's been warned.
The doctor?
Putting on lipstick.
Sit there, Mademoiselle.
No, no tourists.
I can't go with her?
No.
Won't be long, darling.
Give way!
Well, what's up, Marcel?
Had this hernia for long?
I usually managed.
Today you couldn't.
Always wait till the last.
Suppose I couldn't come?
Put out your tongue.
Well, we'll soon put things right!
Bring me some hot water.
And I must have more light.
Clear that table.
Yves, the small table.
Here's hot water.
Wash your hands.
Put him on the table, gently.
Do like me.
Yes, doctor.
Pull up his shirt... more light.
Oh! It hurts!
You will really operate!
It's the only thing.
Hold the lamp straight.
It won't be long.
Still hurt?
Not so much.
It's odd. My stomach feels like wood.
That's good.
Hold that.
Hold the retractors.
Malaga...the Mediterranean...
There are so many barrels You can't even see the city.
And that's a city!
Australia... that's an island.
But bigger than this.
People who say it's wild haven't been there.
I've been there, like I said.
you can get any whiskey American, Canadian, Scotch.
You don't even know what it is...whiskey.
You know what you're missing? You never traveled or got an education.
Oh vodka, schnapps...
tafia, tafia!
You know what tafia is... you the engineer.
Well, it's just a sort of rum...
they drink in the Antilles.
The Antilles! The antilopes!
You sell newspapers and magazines?
Yes, which one?
"Arts et Decors."
About decoration.
Decoration?
Not the military cross, of course.
The lady is taling about painting and curtains, eh?
I'll have it sent from Brest.
Thank you. Good night.
She is the new teacher.
Tafia...but it's only a memory...
like brandy, gin and the five continents.
Today, I'm a verger.
I sing hymns and drink water.
They're back!
We'll all have a drink to warm ourselves up.
Drinks all round on me!
How did it go?
Terrific! She was terrific!
Like a sea dog!
She set about Marcel as soon as she saw him.
I did my best.
You helped me.
We obeyed her like a lot of kids.
Not drinking, Andre.
Don't worry about me.
You with your belly aches... get opened up.
But I'm leaving.
Leaving us!
As soon as I am replaced.
You must be tired.
No, I'm all right.
Give me another.
You can't leave us like that.
You are one of us.
Nice of you but...
Now is the solemn hour of night...
You're going?
I'm not in this.
Don't be angry...
Angry? Why should I be?
You should stay.
What have I done?
Nothing.
Then stay with me.
Marie, if you'd only seen your eyes shining.
Of couse you weren't tired.
I've seen you happy... but never like that.
It's natural, eh?
Of course.
We'll not argue here.
I'm not arguing but...
Good night.
Andre, don't be stupid... nothing's changed.
We'll go off together.
I'm going to call Francois.
In the middle of the night?
I don't want to see you like that.
Come in quickly, there's a good hot soup.
Another plate?
Don't worry.
Change. You're soaked.
Afterwards.
Get the Hennes 22-57... for Lampaul 3.
A few minutes.
Go and change.
Very good, sir.
She must be brainy to understand all that.
So you're taking her away?
So it seems.
Go to bed, Josephine.
Don't let the soup get cold.
Now let's have a smile.
Francois will be here in three days...
then we'll kiss all your cousins...
and then go home.
And I'll be your wife, your happy wife.
What more do you want?
I do what you want.
Willingly?
You're nasty.
I can see it all clearly.
You give up your job... that's very nice.
But I realized just now...
I was asking too much.
I saw no!
You'd regret it one day and blame me.
Have you no pity...
Don't you realize...
Yes, I heard... you were "terrific."
It's not that...
but you're there... you keep on talking.
Listen to me.
I give up everything I've loved for 10 years...
all which gave me my independence...
and my pride.
And you're not glad.
No, I'm not glad...
because I don't want a wife with regrets...
and I don't want a prison.
My darling, it's easy...
Perhaps that's what I...
So you can be alone forever.
You're not the only...
What are we saying? We are mad.
I'm sorry, darling.
Me too.
In your arms I forget all.
I want you to be happy.
I will be.
And if to be happy you need your job...
I'll try to get used to it, as I love you.
You'll be first with me.
I won't take on too much.
Just a few patients.
If there are children?
I'll look after them.
When?
During consulting hours?
You're complicated.
I'm not the least complicated.
All I ask is a wife who is my wife...
and will look after my children.
is that too much?
i don't know...
You said that if I wanted to keep my job...
you'd get used to it...
and now you talk about my wife, my children, my home...
like grandpa
But Grandma wasn't a doctor... she was a mother...
with four children.
Rather her things...
So much the worse!
That you, Francois?
Marie Prieur here.
Not so late.
How are things?
Any news?
A tracheotomy, all alone?
You're making great strides.
No, I've not forgotten him.
It's not so far.
Yes, he liked me.
Oh, I'm just a country doctor, even so.
this afternoon I operated in a lighthouse in a storm...
Nice of you.
And goodbye.
What's up!
You've said all you had to say?
I've not told him to come.
No, because...
you didn't want to.
Everything's so difficult.
Going?
I think that's enough.
It's over.
Yes, it's over.
Everything loaded?
Not yet.
We should have left an hour ago.
You said no hurry.
There is now.
Put your bags there.
Why?
In case you change...
Mind your own business.
Okay, chief.
What's eating him?
Lovers' tiffs can be arranged.
They're leaving today?
Excuse me, please.
You left this at the cafe...
so I brought it for you.
Thank you very much.
And anyhow, I'd like to make your acquaintance.
I'm the new teacher...
and I feel lost all alone here.
Come in...
Give me a light.
Why not get your lighter?
I'll probably never meet a girl like Marie...
and that's exactly why...
I've not the right to do otherwise.
You're complicated.
That's what she told me.
You passed the harbour?
Yes, the engineers were leaving.
Seemed happy to go.
Heard them singing?
Are they all gone?
I think so. Now about interior decoration.
I want the house to be ready for Maurice.
They're going to sea.
Maurice is my fiance.
We are both posted here.
He will have the boys of course.
There will be work for each of us.
Do I bore you?
No, not at all.
Life's odd.
When I met Maurice, I'd had a bad love affair...
with a boy I liked.
It didn't work.
Perhaps it was just as well.