ESCAPE TO NOWHERE
A film by CLAUDE PINOT
Script JEAN-LU DABADI, CLAUDE PINOT
Based on the novel by Francis Ryck, "Drôle de pistolet" (literally 'Oddball')
Music JACQUES DATIN, ALAIN GORAGE
Starring LÉO GENN
SUZANNE FLON
ROBERT HARDY
Special Guest LÉA MASSARI
Director of Photography JEAN COLOMBO
Welcome to England, Mr Halyakov.
As you know, nuclear fission reaction as caused by conventional atomic reactors
will continue to need uranium reserves.
After the first flash of optimism in the early stadiums
research into the control of fusion energy had been suspended.
Then, Gentlemen, you created a sensation
by perfecting a toric machine, the first Tokomak.
The four prototypes of which the Kurchatov institute allowed us to admire last July.
Now in our turn we show you the very first British model.
This is the machine which the army is not interested in.
Thank heaven, as we say on this side of the world.
To the Soviet Embassy.
London is a wonderful city. - Just like Leningrad.
There are good restaurants. - In Soho? And busy all night?
Contact the Embassy!
What's the trouble? - He wants to ride in the ambulance.
Are you injured?
Asks whether you are wounded. - You must go to the hospital.
The gentleman does not want to leave his compatriot.
Then I'll take the liberty of taking you in my car. - Thank you.
Where do we go, sir? - Do you know where St. Stephen's hospital is?
St. Stephen's hospital?!... Let me see ... St. Stephen's hospital ...
No, I'm afraid I don't, sir.
Do you happen to know where the Thames is? - The Thames? Oh, I think I know where the Thames is.
Please hurry! - Right.
Cross Westminster Bridge, then on your right hand side there's Lambeth Palace.
Right, sir. - From there on we'll ask our way.
Right, sir. - Come on! - Certainly, sir.
Sorry, sir.
Can you hear me?
I'm sorry, gentlemen, but the patient has suffered a cerebral haemorrhage
and cannot be disturbed.
He said he has a brain haemorrhage and we can not see him.
I want to phone the Soviet Embassy, immediately.
Certainly, follow me.
We are terribly sorry. - We want to see him.
Certainly.
Before the official expressions of sympathy, I offer you mine.
Thank you.
What do you mean, "cremated"?
I don't know a thing. I have just come on duty.
I was told he was in the crematorium. - Who gave the order?
I haven't the faintest... I know nobody, I'm new here.
Where is the head of this hospital? - In bed. Do you know what time it is?
Where is the crematorium? - The crematorium?
I'm afraid you're too late, sir. It's all over already quickly, you know.
I agree. There certainly is a mistake. You should lodge a complaint, sir.
We shall demand an inquiry. This very day.
Anyway, if you would care to fill in the form while you are here...
Form?! What form?
Don't you wish to collect the ashes?
We're delighted to welcome you to military intelligence.
We apologize for the somewhat unceremonious invitation.
I'm sure you'll understand that sometimes our operations have to be carried out
without proper regard to the immunities.
Ted, would you be kind enough to close that door?
Thank you.
I'm told that before I came in you declined the whiskey, you declined a cigar.
I know you both drink and smoke.
May I appeal to you to drop this ungracious behaviour
and at least accept our third offer--
...which is your freedom.
Unfortunately, nothing is free any longer in this deteriorating world.
Would you believe it, I have to pay for this cigar, I have to pay for this 30 year old whiskey.
So you don't want to be surprised, if I ask you for a contribution
towards the cost of your return to the West.
It isn't just a visit, it is a return, isn't it?
Is it not?
Oh, of course... you're not really familiar with our language. It's normal.
Howard, would you be kind enough to put Mr. Halyakov in the picture,
at least what we know about him. You might read him his dosset.
Your name is Clément Tibère. You are French.
You were born in Dijon, on September 27th, 1924.
You did well at school, but you left college at 18
in order to go to England and alter your birth date in the documents
which is prohibited.
You have a job as a "special operations executive".
Do you have the St. George Cross?
Hasn't he got the George Cross?
Please, let's continue without further interruption.
In the "Special Operations Executive" file it is noted that ...
your qualities in observation and intervention are excellent.
Yet you have an extremely bad temper.
On December 9th, 1943 you lead the operation "Palinode",
without the permission of your boss,
but whose success earned you the St. George Cross.
There it is! Congratulations! - Are you satisfied?
After the war you returned to France and moved from Dijon to Paris.
There you fell in love with a young Italian woman,
Ms. Maria Menella.
You wanted to get a profession and marry her.
So you became a physicist.
So far no errors?!
You married in 1951.
Your son was born - Jean-Marie.
He died in 1960.
You spent in the Soviet Union.
Did you know that?
He fell off a cliff at Bell-in-en-Mer during the month of July.
You are one of the physicists who are looking in seawater
for the source of energy
which will remove the need of oil, coal and nuclear power.
What makes you very interesting in the eyes of agents of the East
is that you are world famous.
Your boss, Professor Quincy, known worldwide, retired,
would never feel disturbed.
He was too ... let's see
But you ...
What did you do on that train to Austria in October '57, huh?
You were going to participate in the International Congress on Nuclear Fusion in Vienna.
But you didn't know that you left in a completely different direction.
(chatting in German)
Excuse me.
Do you have a lighter? - Sure.
Arrival in Vienna in about 30 minutes!
30 minutes until arrival in Vienna.
They found a corpse, mutilated beyond recognition
somewhere on the embankment of the railway line between Munich and Salzburg.
This provided information given by the then press
whereby you were dead.
Not at all, fortunately.
At the eastern border the police checked the passport
of a Soviet vionchelist, accompanied by his wife.
The passport was fine.
16 years have passed since. First two years in a cell.
You refused to work, because of your character.
And then 14 years of scientific work the Institute "Kurchatov"
where you achieved miracles.
Because of these miracles we are surprised that the Russians took that huge risk
to send you here with its scientific delegation.
Did you forget that you are from Dijon?
Here is the price for your freedom:
Among the British technicians that will go to the Soviet Union tomorrow,
following the invitation of the Kurchatov Institute,
there are some who will carry state secrets inside their tooth brush case
or in their pen cap.
Those state secrets will remain secret if these people surrender to the Russians.
We had two serious cases of information leaks,
and if there's a third I will be fired
and replaced by this gentleman, who lurks around my chair.
Mr. Tibère, we do not know which of these technicians
have been giving out information for 3 years in favor of the East.
But you,... you know them,
because you know who works with you.
Mr. Clément Tibère,
will you be so kind
to tell us who those men are?
No.
You don't know them? - I know them.
Then tell us who they are. - No.
May I ask why? - Because I want to get back to the Soviet Union.
But this is impossible. You are dead.
This time we keep the corpse.
I see.
If I tell you who is working for them,
what do you think will happen?
You'll get back to France, free, with a lot of money
with a false name ... - And with a fake nose.
Because if I was gone today and you capture those two tomorrow,
they will make the connection, will seek me and find me...
...and kill me, regardless of where and when!
Mr. Tibère, please! Remain calm
in our place. - Keep calm?! No!
I have chosen my place, and it is in the Soviet Union - till the end!
I now have no choice. And I haven't for a long time.
As you know all about me, you should know that.
I do not talk about cigars and freedom,
because with a bullet in the head a man is not free.
You know what the KGB is, right? You know, because you are the same.
You are the same, but in Russian version. - If I you get out of here free
you will be dead before you get across the road outside.
I'll be dead and free, 2 meters to the west.
Even if I hide on roofs or in the dugout
or in the remotest village in Mexico, they will come for me.
The KGB will kill me for edification.
This is why they permitted that I come to the west.
They know that the best way to keep an eye on me is that I do it myself.
We are moved by your confession.
However, I repeat the question politely.
Are you willing to give us the names of the English technicians who work for your lab?
The plane for Moscow takes off tomorrow at 9 a.m.
You'd be terribly wrong if you'd let those two spies go.
What do you hope for?
Those people up there, although Englishmen,
have no sense of humor. They will kill you. And them too.
We will kill you.
Because if you are of no use,
they will get angry.
If you make up your mind, ring the bell.
Frankly, I don't care personally. But this is your only chance.
And it is minimal, as he said.
Well.
Yes?
Keep the light switched on.
Is that all? - Yes.
OK.
30 minutes.
The plane takes off at 9. After that time is ours.
What's the use of being so stubborn?
Don't be stupid!
But it's Mrs. Harding!
Last Call. Flight 123 to Moscow.
Mrs. Harding?
Would you come with us, please? - But why?
It won't take very long. - But the plane... I'm catching the plane.
Please, Mrs. Harding. - Excuse me.
Mr. Jarvis, you too. - Thank you, Mr. Jarvis.
Call a doctor.
Probably it's too late.
DESTRUCTION SUBJECT H.
The rest is at the Morgan bank. The account is on the name of Jacques Rolland.
I hope you like the name.
The papers.
Here you are.
The passport's on another name. Just in case.
Make your choice. Howard can give you advice.
After the war, they refined them.
This one.
I hope you are doing well.
Is there anything else you can do for you?
Call a taxi for me.
Already done.
And, Mr. Tibère ...
Good luck!
French Embassy.
No, straight on! Straight on!
Hey, you!
Can I help you?
What are you doing here?
I'm looking for the way out.
The way out? - Yes.
It's that way. - Thank you.
Excuse me.
Breakfast, sir? - No, thank you.
Attention, attention!
Passengers to Amiens and Paris
to board the train 404, first track.
Customs and passport checks will be done en route.
Sir?
"Côte-du-Rhone" wine, please. - In a glass? - Yes.
Can I use your phone? - Yes, it's downstairs.
TIBERE - bookseller
Pardon?
Yes? Who is it?
Mr. ... Harold Holden?
Hold on a sec.
A man from abroad is asking for you, Mr. Tibère. He's selling two books of Faulkner.
He can bring them then. - But he can't right now.
He suggests to meet in the hotel he stays at, the Intercontinental.
Tell him I'll meet him.
September 17th at Champs-Elysees theatre
Wait. I want to go to the Champs-Elysees theatre.
Seat 38, madam.
Here you are.
Thank you.
POSSIBLE CONTACTS IN PARIS
RAOUL BASQUET Bookstore "TIBERE"
Mr. Holden?
I expected Mr. Tibère
I am his successor, Raoul Basquet.
Take a seat.
Mr. Tibere sold the bookstore to me 6 years ago. Then he died.
Did you work with him?
Yes.
Will you show me the books?
Sir?
CONTACT
BASTIEN GUICHAT
Yes? Who's there? - Clément Tibere.
Good morning, Jeanne.
It'll explain it to you. Is Bastian here?
No.
Bastian left me long time ago.
He married again.
I ...
I went to the old address ...
Then I found you in the phone book. You were about to go out?
Yes, but ...
Jeanne!
Can I stay here?
Why not contact the police,
and ... how to say ... the Secret Service.
All of these things ... supposed to protect you.
These things, as you call it-- They know them better than me.
There was was an Englishman in the Soviet Union.
His name was Robinson, he was a biologist.
He had been kidnapped, like me.
He escaped from Moscow with an Italian soccer team.
I don't know how they did it, but what is heard is
that Scotland Yard had been hiding him for two years in a prison in Chelsea, so that he'll be forgotten.
And at the end of the second year he was found strangled in his cell.
Nobody complained, because everyone works for the Russians. Everyone!
Bastian had a friend at the police.
No, Jeanne! No way!
He was very unhappy with his life. - Bastian?
You were his best friend. I barely knew him.
Give me this.
Don't you have parents? The bookstore ...
My father sold the bookstore and then died.
Will you go to Grenoble?
Grenoble ...
16 years ... a lifetime...
Nothing has changed since Michelle left.
After she left, I was all alone.
She's dead. (the woman on the poster)
I only give you a blanket, it's warm in here.
How old is she? - 25.
Almost graduated in medicine, already married.
I'm a grandmother.
Jeanne, I want to tell you ... - What can I say?
I guess you have everything you need. - Yes, thank you.
Jeanne!
Jeanne?
Is he here yet? - When I left, he was still sleeping.
Sit down. I'll go and look for him.
This gentleman is from the NAS - special forces for ...
In the morning I went to a friend of Basten and he sent me to him.
Mr. Chat ... He said Chat. Mr. Clément Tibere.
I told you not to do this.
I know, but it did.
I bought your shirt. Blue color.
You don't believe me? - This is not the point.
Things did not depend only on the two of us.
He means that he believes you. You should go together in. ..
management. There are some issues ...
What?
He wants to say that an investigation ... - Stop translating!
After 16 years I still get every sentence!
Jeanne ...
I am surprised that you returned here. First they look for you in your home.
I think they're looking for me everywhere.
So I prefer to die at home ...at first I thought so.
But yesterday something happened.
Maybe I found a way to make a deal.
See, if they get some of their own men back, for example, one important spy,
in return they can leave me in peace, right?
Am I right?
Yes, but before you go back, the other one should go. And who is he?
Talk to me, I want to help you.
Do you trust me? - In everything.
Well, let's go.
Clément, will you come back?
Where's the car? - It is around the corner.
Pick up the car and come back to the door.
You don't want to take the passage through the sewer, do you?
Relax.
Look out!
Don't you see I want to park the car? Pull up!
Get off the car.
Get out of the car.
Swap the car. - What?
You will get into mine. Do what I say.
Come on.
Get in, sir.
Get in!
Did you know that one of your headlights is not lit?
No, but I live not far from here.
Pull over there to the right, please.
What a job!
CRAZY CAR DRIVING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
Look, not even the glass is broken.
The Security Office has taken care of your man of the red taxi.
That night in Paris. Dropped from 5th floor of the hotel.
A Pole. Sold check books, stolen from a dispensary.
Does that tell you anything? - No.
You will be in Paris in 23 hours. Someone from the NSS will wait on the platform.
What I can do is to take your driver's license.
He spoke with your colleague about the exchange with a man.
An exchange with whom? - I do not know.
If they can catch an Russian agent, they can swap him for his freedom.
I did not understand really. Don't you want to sit down?
Sorry.
Ma'am?
Ms. Berger? - No.
Sorry.
Do you want?
I'll bring it on Tuesday.
OK, until then.
Here. - But I don't have change.
Me, too. Don't bother. Thank you. - We agreed on 150.
Would you like to waste them? Where are you going?
Please, don't ask any questions now.
I'm not a wanted criminal, in case you want to know.
Are you in trouble? - Yes.
I could leave later. Where are you going?
I don't know.
Here you are. A coffee? - No, I'm finished.
Do you have a sheet of paper? - I'm going to ask.
I did not know. Never.
Life is over, Maria. And it is never to return.
At least for me. I'm not sharing time with you anymore.
But after everything that happened, surely you have heard about me.
Probably the police is coming to your house.
Probably they took the surprise for a lie.
Or are you dead?
I'm finally on my way.
I even decided to stay here until the end
until they come to kill me.
The hope for the exchange at the concert on September 17th,
...it's too far. And I even have no proof.
But yesterday I read in the newspaper that the conductor will be in Geneva tomorrow.
I'll try my last chance, although I have no hope.
GRENOBLE
In our next program you will hear
a concert of the orchestra Suisse Romande,
virtuously directed by Boris Korodine,
live from our studios in Geneva.
The concert will begin at 20:30 and will continue until 21:35.
At 21:40 Franny Fletcher will present us ...
You did that many times, didn't you?
This will take at least two hours. - That's not possible!
One hour to find the spare part in Grenoble and another for lunch break.
If we ever find the part.
While waiting, I'll eat something.
However, do your best. - Rely on me.
Get Simko and hurry up. - Yes, boss.
As always?
Can I use your phone? - Yes, in the office, Mr. Griya.
Please, some bread.
I've been knowing this ...
for two days.
The police came to the house...
How did you find me?
Dr. Griya, he saw you in the car repair shop across the street and called me.
Something for the lady?
No, thanks.
You don't live in Monflyori anymore?
You know ... Jeanne-Marie ...
Yes, I know.
You are... you are married?
You married again? - How do you know?
I stayed in your bedroom this morning.
The police gave me a phone number for you.
You can call, Clément.
It's for your life.
Is it true what they say? - What do they say?
While you were there ...
He was very ...
Eventually married him.
Then our child was born and...
But now I don't know what to do. - Nothing.
There's nothing to do.
I wanted to tell you in a letter. - When?
Yesterday.
But then you came here.
Nothing to do, Marie.
You go on with your life as before.
This is ...
This is your life.
I will go on... And you?
I'll be fine.
I've grown old, right? Recognized me? - Oh, yes.
The gentleman doesn't want the coffee?
He left. - He left?
Here's the bill.
I'll pay it.
Can you drive?
Come, I want to sleep.
Give me that.
Good day, sir. Papers, please.
Thank you, you can go.
TELEVISION SUISSE ROMANDE
Now, live from Geneva,
a concert for violin and orchestra by Johann Sebastian Bach,
conducted by Boris Korodine,
with violinist Tanya Weber.
Start in 5 seconds.
Sir, what do you want?
Sir!
How long will the concert be? - About an hour. Why?
I came to see Mr. Korodine. - You have to wait until it's finished.
I prefer to wait at the hotel. You don't happen to know where he stays at?
(asking the woman) Do you know? - In the "President" hotel, as always.
Thank you.
Where's the phone? - Right there.
Suite 305, Mr. Korodine.
Suite 305 - and you are Mr. Korodine or want to call him? - Mr. Korodine.
It's 842. Connecting you. Second cabin.
10 minutes talking on the phone but I'm not allowed to be late!
Miss?
I can not open the door. - Which apartment?
842. - Now you'll see.
No wonder, because your key is for 833. I will open the door with mine.
Here you go. Good night. - Good night.
I'll bring you the key. - Thank you.
Wear your glasses. This is the key for 833, not 842.
Strange!
Currently, the man from 842 is conducting a concert of Bach on the radio.
I opened the door for him. - You opened the door for him?
Now you will hear "The Age of the Baroque",
a broadcasting collaboration from Zurich, Berlin and Rome,
presented by Francis Fletcher.
KGB ORDERED IMMEDIATELY LIQUIDATE H13
MOVING BLUE FIAT JK 642 21
This is a sheet of Jeanne Rolland.
Here, see for yourself.
He must be in the room.
LAUNDRY
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
I sent copies to decipher. But what's the decoding?
It was put in an envelope and sent by mail.
He said the 20 conductor transmitted information scores, like these.
The Concorde plans may have gone beyond that.
24 beats.
So he says. - Crazy man.
Don't smoke in here, please. Do you know where?
He says he will keep cover, hold on until the conductor is caught.
If they arrest Korodine, the Russians must agree to the exchange.
What is this? - Nothing.
The paper is Austrian and this is the watermark.
Did you ask London about him? - Sure. They haven't heard of him.
When is the Korodine's concert? - Today at 3 c'clock.
The gentleman is from the insurance company. He wants to see where the car was opened.
What about the dog? - They couldn't find it.
Why not just come to tell us:
"Ransack Korodine's luggage and arrest him!"
Instead we send letters? - Would you believe him?
He has no faith to anyone.
Nothing.
Three o'clock. Aren't you hungry? - Yes. - No.
Finished. Nothing. We tried everything.
What I noticed is music scores that are inconsistent --
where it should be white, notes were black.
But this is not relevant. - How is it not?
The Sigma Laboratory is busy. - Release them!
In the cars! Immediately!
They knew that Korodine was lost, so they didn't kill Tibère.
The exchange took place on November 15th, 5:10 a.m.
in the mountains near Neunkirchen, at the Austrian border.
Maria got to know about it from the press,
but never heard anything else anymore about Clément Tibere.
And even if she heard from him she wouldn't share with anyone.