I'll never see justice the same way again.
I feel I've seen its hidden face.
It has its legal workings, its trials...
...all of those almost theatrical aspects of the justice system.
But behind all that...
TWO MEN IN TOWN
My name is Germain Cazeneuve.
And when this story began...
I still believed in certain ideas.
I never discuss it with my wife.
She says chance causes everything.
I guess she's right.
In France, there are many prisons like this one...
...and two guillotines, one big, one small.
One travels through Province.
The other one stays home.
All my memories are of commuter trains...
...and prison walls.
Your Honor, in our last session...
...you placed Gaston Fabre, the barber, into first category.
I ask he be put on probation.
He only has six years left.
Out of life and 20 years, Judge.
He killed and robbed his mother.
You gonna say he can't kill his mother again?
Ideal inmate.
Probation is difficult to monitor.
I can keep an eye on him.
Approved. Next?
Gino Strabliggi, from second to first category.
Still two years to do out of 12.
Gang boss, bank robberies.
You want him out? Not me.
I even think he got off easy.
With the time it takes to process, it will only save him a year.
That would help him adjust.
Strabliggi?
Incorrigible.
You see his eyes? Full of hate.
I also saw some tenderness.
And what else?
You educators are amazing.
I know your opinion of us.
You think the law is a romantic novel.
Personally, I don't trust Strabliggi.
He's no informer...
...nor a coward who killed his mother.
Believe in my experience as a judge...
...a hood like him can seem like a nice guy.
- So he's a wolf? - Starving for freedom.
You believe he'll accept a leash?
He will.
He's learned a trade and has a fine wife waiting.
I guarantee he'll stay out of prison.
That doesn't prove a thing.
Your Honor, I have some experience.
I've worked with convicts since '46.
I've seen more in 27 years than all of you put together...
...including so-called incorrigibles.
You say we bug you...
...but we also know our business.
You'll vouch for Strabliggi?
As for myself.
You'll put that in writing?
Absolutely.
Approved.
I hope he behaves.
Written statements last.
And civil servants fade away.
Okay.
Last time, we discussed trust...
...a remarkable thing that can't be bought.
Isn't that what you said, Strabliggi?
I'm talking to you.
I'm listening.
Today we'll discuss revenge.
You come across a car accident at the side of the road...
...and there's an injured man on the ground.
Well?
Don't stop!
The cops will blame you for it.
You must stop. A man's been hurt.
Then you see he's an enemy of yours.
What do you do?
An enemy for what reason?
Let's say he stole your wife.
Nobody.
Nobody?
Nobody can steal her.
The fact is, for 10 years, she'd played him their song each week.
- How is he? - Fine.
A bit nervous because he's counting the hours.
That record's worn out.
I've played it a lot.
It's my 20th copy.
I've played it 1,000 times.
He still loves it.
Next week he'll listen at home.
I hope so.
- He ain't changed. - Her neither.
- Us neither. - We're great.
You're easy to satisfy.
Can you stop a second?
A bit dizzy?
That's freedom.
Let's walk a little.
Better?
I'll be okay.
It's everything, the air, the oxygen,
freedom and all that.
What's with him?
You're too young to know.
He's tasting the air.
Get it?
- Hurry. - Yes, ma'am.
Well.
Marcel.
That's me.
What are you doing here?
Came to see friends. I heard Gino's out.
Yes.
- He has a job. - What?
You don't?
Life's short.
That's a good reason to stay out of prison.
Watch it. You're talking to a free man.
Maybe I'm the last one.
It's Marcel.
- How are you? - Fine.
- When you get out? - Two weeks after you did.
Great.
I already got some wheels.
Congratulations.
And two terrific guys.
That's Johnny.
Yeah, and a young guy.
He admires you and wants to meet you.
Come on. He'd like that.
Come on.
This is great. The three of us together again.
We'll do some great things together. There are four of us now.
This guy's got nerve.
I pull my own weight.
That's pretty good.
- Any ideas? - Ideas?
- So? - He's joking.
I hope.
- So I came for nothing? - Afraid so.
You all did.
- I don't like that. - That's too bad.
You gone chicken?
I'm through. That's all. It's age.
You went soft in the joint?
No doubt.
You hear that?
He's changed sides.
He's in love with the cops. That's all I need to know.
Take it easy!
Sorry.
Do me a favor, Marcel.
Scram, all of you.
What's wrong, buddy?
Why should I go on?
It's not worth it.
Every day, I gotta do 10 extra.
Like that.
I'm going crazy!
Is that what they want?
Don't they have enough?
Keep calm.
You'll learn a trade later.
Workin' behind bars all my life?
Where's mercy?
You weren't sentenced to be pardoned.
Mercy.
I'll find it on my own one day.
Don't be stupid. I'll talk to the warden.
Are you kidding?
Have I ever lied to you?
You got no more power.
The whole prison says so.
It's too bad, but you're good for nothing now.
He must do his job.
I know, but it's my job to evaluate these men and help them out.
If you say so.
But the guy's lazy.
I don't think so.
He's desperate. He can't go on like this.
Ten lanterns a day less wouldn't do any harm.
Sorry, but it's the same rule for everyone.
But not the same despair.
Mr. Cazeneuve, aren't you overdoing it a bit?
Shit!
You should've said that before.
I had no idea.
That's part of your job.
He did himself violence, not you.
And you prefer that.
This will get you nowhere.
And all your pals will suffer the consequences!
"Consequences." Hear that?
So we got nothing to lose. Might as well die here now!
Put down your weapons or we'll open fire!
- I'll make a report. - What the hell for?
Are you crazy? Use your brains!
All you can say is "Fire"!
Can't you talk to them?
- Tell that to your pals. - They're not my pals.
Think this is a scout meeting?
Quiet. Take your guns and let me talk to them alone.
Speeches? They're out of date, Cazeneuve.
Maybe so, but I don't give a damn.
- You're late. - Yes, papa.
Hi, Dad.
You have a visitor. You forget?
We ate without you.
- What's wrong? - Nothing.
How are you?
Fine, thanks for the invite.
He said you forgot him.
He's right.
- Come eat something. - Thanks, I'm not hungry.
You got out just in time.
Yeah, I know. I saw the papers.
- Is it that bad in there? - It's just getting started.
Easy to put them away, but gotta keep them busy.
So be it.
Could your generation do better?
I didn't say a word.
When crime occurs,
we should go after its causes, rather than the criminals.
That's what I say too.
Blow up the prisons!
Don't tire your father.
Blow it up if you want, but I won't be there.
I'm quitting.
You can't be serious.
Why make things harder? You've nearly reached retirement.
Not allowed to live in Paris...
...Gino found a job in Meaux.
Apolice record and residence forbidden in major cities...
...are two gifts society offers a freed pris oner.
- How you doing? - Fine.
Gino Strabliggi was executed at 4:17 this morning.
Not funny.
It could've been me. I could've killed a cop.
Now the only risk
is that your old pals might try to see you again.
- Let 'em. - Be careful.
- Sophie okay? - She'll be at lunch.
I'm so glad to see you.
I wanted to say good-bye.
We're moving.
You didn't.
You didn't quit?
Yes and no. I was transferred to Montpellier to work with delinquents.
No more prisons.
But that's where it counts, and you know it.
The guys need you.
No more educators in the prisons?
They'll keep a few.
They'll have to.
We won't see you anymore. It's sad.
Well,
when we have a long weekend,
we'll go to Montpellier.
There's a superhighway now, it's quicker.
And with this...
Almost new.
Couldn't resist.
Nice little fireball.
See you tonight!
I'll pick you up tomorrow with mine.
And that's generous.
Bernard already called, and I said no.
I got a paper to write and class at 8:00.
I'm dead tired.
- Not tonight. - Evelyn, the clinic's supposed to call.
I have to hang up. See you tomorrow.
First one, please.
Some were getting out of prison...
and others were being threatened with it if they didn't behave.
But each lacked character...
and was his own worst enemy.
I was supposed to save them from themselves.
Cold.
- Are they biting? - Not a nibble.
It's almost ready.
Hey, watch out for my cork.
Wait.
Get closer.
Here we go.
- And me? - Jump, Evelyn.
Come on, jump.
It's not deep.
I brought someone.
My wife.
Bye!
I'll call you.
Yes?
Germain, it's Gino.
You got home safely?
Germain,
she's dead.
Impossible.
She loved it here.
So I left a rose.
The rest are with her.
Her family blamed me for prison.
Now they blame me for her death.
You're all I have.
What will you do?
I don't know. Try not to do anything stupid.
Above all.
I'm going back to Montpellier,
if you give me a little time, I'll find you a good job there.
- A good job? - Why not?
At the same time, you can give me a hand with my tough cases.
Yeah, I've got experience.
This makes three Sundays in a row! You're a real pain!
And that's putting it mildly!
During the week, we work.
We don't twiddle our thumbs.
Sunday, we try to sleep!
This ain't Paris.
These ain't chicken coops.
This is a family building. And the family is sacred.
Sure, you don't need a wife.
But me, I'm normal.
Turn that off!
Don't use that tone of voice.
He wants to be treated with kid gloves.
The cops will give you a pair.
I'll call them.
We'll settle this man-to-man, if he is one.
Know what your wives need?
Country air.
It calms the nerves.
I'll get the cops!
And she'll do it too.
You don't satisfy her? She hot for uniforms?
Take it easy.
Very easy.
- The cops - - No witnesses.
Shut it off.
Get out.
I handled it, shut it off.
What did you do?
I just turned it off and walked out.
How have you been?
- We haven't seen you for months. - I work.
- And on Sunday? - I sleep.
Would you like to go cycling with my brother?
- I'll go. - You will?
I promise.
He came alive again.
One day, he brought her with him.
She works in a bank.
Is she free?
She had a guy, but I think she ended it.
For you?
I believe so.
Her mother's English, and her dad's French.
They're separated. Her dad's in England.
She prefers living here.
You could talk to her.
"Talk to her"?
About my past.
I've tried, but I can't.
But she'll find out.
Since she's staying at my place, she ought to know.
Honest, right?
This sounds serious.
When you come to dinner, I'll go for cigarettes.
I have to go to the police station now.
- To check in? - Yeah.
Still every two weeks?
The check in is for a residence permit.
Each ex-convict must check in periodically with the police
and show them his pay slips.
It has to be in an authorized town.
As for the big cities and ports,
the police won't allow an ex-convict to stay there
unless he's willing to become an informer.
I'd requested that Gino check in only once every three months.
I was awaiting a response and hadn't told him about it yet.
Strabliggi.
Recognize me?
I helped arrest you and your pals in Paris.
Inspector Goitreau.
Chief Inspector Goitreau.
Working in Montpellier?
I just arrived.
It seems you have a job.
A nice front.
Going to make life hard for us?
Cooking up something around here?
Excuse me. I have to go. Thanks. Good-bye.
Dangerous.
He knows how to fool people.
Why wouldn't I trust him?
He's clever and hard-working.
Always good-natured.
I offered him a partnership.
Nice plan.
- Sure of him? - Yes.
If he agrees, I'll enlarge the shop.
Since he's come here, I've bought a new press
and I could buy an offset too.
You gonna print the proverb, "Once a drunk, always a drunk"?
Meaning what?
He'll go back to prison.
- You knew he was in once? - Yes.
How did he sing you his song?
I must tell you this.
I already know all about him.
A man from the justice department vouched for him.
With a Bible in one hand, and a blessing in the other?
I can't play the educator.
I risk my hide to get those bastards.
He's not a bastard anymore.
He works now. What do you want?
Thanks for coming,
but you need not come back.
That's up to me.
Miss.
It's time.
Damn, out of cigarettes. I'll go get some.
I remembered to buy some.
- How about a Havana cigar? - Good idea.
- I'll get some. - Don't go. I have some.
Frederic lost a bet about Cuba. Here.
Go ahead.
Okay. Lucy, where are the matches?
- I'll go get some. - Long ones.
Tell me.
You know what my job is?
Gino said you work with delinquents.
Exactly.
It can't always be much fun.
Not really.
You know how I met Gino?
In prison.
He told you?
He didn't.
A police inspector did.
What? An inspector?
Yes, he came to the bank, showed me his badge.
Who?
I forget his name.
But he doesn't like Gino very much.
If he comes back, get his name and tell me.
Not a word to Gino.
You mind?
I love Gino.
Go ahead. So do I,
but not in the same way.
He's gone?
So, what did you talk about?
You, of course.
And things that don't concern me.
They do.
If you tell me about them.
It's all the same.
It embarrassed you to tell me.
Embarrassed.
Not at all.
I like that. Lovers should have little secrets.
You got secrets?
Yeah.
What kind?
A secret. That's all.
Maybe I killed or robbed someone.
Maybe I have a husband in England.
- Maybe you love me? - Maybe.
The best time was during the war when I printed leaflets.
You were risking your life.
Taking risks makes you feel alive.
You know, Gino.
If I'd had a son, I'd have wanted a son like you.
What the hell you doing here?
Working.
Joker. You got a heist lined up?
I work for a printer.
Actually, I knew that.
I heard about your wife.
I'm sorry. I liked her a lot.
Thanks.
We just got back from a big job in Spain.
- Yeah? - We're staying in Montpellier now.
Marseilles and Nice ain't so healthy.
- Let's have lunch. - I don't have time.
Friendship and all the rest are dead?
It's for your own good.
I'm watched here.
- Because of the bank. - The bank?
I saw your gorgeous bank.
- You think she's a lead to the safe? - What else?
I've really quit,
and you should do the same.
You'll never be a winner.
I've already won. Look around, freedom, a life.
Yeah, what's freedom without bread?
I'll give you my address.
If you change your mind, stop by for a visit.
5, Iron Street.
Think it over. You got two weeks to decide.
Remember the good old days.
I only remember 10 years in the joint.
You forgot?
That's part of life's experience.
And thanks to experience, our next job won't backfire.
Third gear keeps slipping.
- Who stole it? - I did.
Can't you swipe a heap that runs?
- Straight? - No, the usual route.
We can't be too careful.
Two exits.
Here we go again.
Hello, Gino.
Aren't you working?
I'm on my way. The police sent you this.
Damn! When will it end?
Maybe it's good news on your residence permit.
Good news? Yeah.
Bastards.
Strabliggi, we're all bastards.
Know why? Because you think so.
Don't you?
You want me to say stupid things. Why?
To put you at ease.
Not in here.
Where did you meet her?
And your own wife?
I'm the one asking the questions.
You're the one with a police record.
You want to be kicked out of town?
If not, answer politely.
Where did you meet?
At the shop.
She wanted some baptism cards printed up for her sister.
So you at once went to wait for her at the bank.
I wanted to see her.
Pretty lucky for a safe-cracker to have a girlfriend in a bank.
You too?
Me too?
You think I'm a fool.
How could I know where Lucy worked when we met?
Think I'd rob a bank where everyone knows me?
A small-change branch?
So it's on your mind.
You've seen my pay slips and my salary.
Better than mine.
Yeah, I work.
Why should I rob?
Because I think you can't help it.
You think? Know what I think?
That you'd like to see me dead.
So you met her by chance?
Life's full of coincidences.
So meeting some old pals would also be a coincidence?
I love a woman. I've got a job. I won't see them again.
So you did see them?
No, I've buried my past.
Good. So sign this.
Sign what? I've done nothing.
Exactly.
No law says I have to sign.
Speaking of the law,
I'm allowed to hold you 48 hours.
Empty your pockets.
You have no right.
But I do.
There.
Evening. Is Gino here?
Isn't he back yet?
No, and I'm worried.
Thanks. Good night.
Your dad's drunk two nights out of three,
while your mom is seeing her "friends"?
The best answer is to get you out of that mess.
Want me to send you to Lyons?
I'd like that.
Get me the Lyons Reformatory.
They've arrested Gino.
What's this all about?
They arrested him. I don't know why.
Open up.
Well?
I'm fed up.
I've never acted out of hate, but -
Their job's not to forgive.
But always to be suspicious.
It's got to stop someday.
People have got to stop doubting.
I just spent an hour with the commissioner.
Your record upsets him. It's his job.
Yeah, Goitreau.
You frighten him.
You think so? I don't believe that.
I do.
To protect himself, he wants you to sign a paper
saying you won't see your past friends.
It's obvious.
I gotta sign, again and again!
So what? You're not seeing them.
I might. By chance.
Sure, but you could explain that.
Why didn't I die with Sophie?
I wouldn't have any problems.
Come on. Sign it so you can get out of here.
Sign it.
If you say so.
He's not seeing anyone.
Stake out the doorway at 5, Iron Street,
night and day.
We'll get the mug shots of our clients tomorrow.
By chance.
I went to my car, and they were getting gas.
Marcel put an address in my pocket. I didn't even read it.
- You should've told the cops. - What about Marcel and the others?
He should've left you alone.
- Besides, he'll end up in jail again. - No thanks to me!
- Look, you've gotta face this. - I gotta face myself.
Words.
I want to be able to look in a mirror.
- Then keep mum. - I already did.
Thanks.
You look tired.
I'm fine.
Go away to Lucy's country.
This is my country.
- Why should he? - Why not? This is a shitty country.
Don't worry. It will work out.
Even if it is a shitty country, as my son says, justice still exists.
And how.
It serves the wealthy, but crushes the poor.
But that will change.
Even if we have to take to the streets.
Nobody takes to the streets for common criminals.
Why bother? You find this funny?
I never saw a banner for common criminals in a march.
Don't fight over us.
- Good night. - Good night.
- Good night, and thanks. - Good night.
What do you think of her?
Jealous?
I mean, what's she got that I don't have?
Life's so beautiful.
You mustn't live in the past.
I guess.
Want to have a child?
A child?
I'd like to.
A tiny one.
Handsome like you.
At first, he'd be tiny.
Then he'd grow and grow
and become big like you.
We'd raise him to be happy.
You'd be happy too.
I love you.
Is this some kind of obsession?
A conviction.
If you look for guilt too hard, you create it.
If you want my opinion, the boy's completely changed.
Into a lamb.
An angel.
It's easy.
Look for the good in men. It's always there.
He's learned a trade and has a job.
Now he's probably more honest than most honest men.
It's my job to doubt that.
I was a cop before the war.
You quit?
After the war, crime increased so much,
I wanted to do something more worthwhile.
Be an educator?
Yes, an educator.
One who could even write a report on you.
Do it quick, before they start making fun of you.
I want to talk to you.
- Go ahead. - Let's go inside.
I just saw Goitreau.
And?
You haven't seen Marcel since the last time?
- Sure of it? - Not sure of anything.
- That's no answer. - That's my answer.
You saw Marcel and his gang? Yes or no.
What's going on? You're like him. You doubt me.
- No, just reassure me. - Don't count on me
if you can't trust me.
- Go ahead, dig up my life. - What?
And I'm polite.
I get it now, Cazeneuve.
I was your guinea pig.
I trusted you. You were calculating with me.
Wanna see me fall?
Like to see me in the joint again?
I won't do it for you or Goitreau.
I'm warning you. If anyone hassles me again,
I'll smash his skull.
I don't think he means it.
I hope not.
You again.
All of you have been nervous lately.
Can't you stay home?
Please, the bank's about to close.
Son of a bitch.
Jesus, who's banging like that?
Look at that guy. He's nuts.
Hey, buddy.
Are you crazy?
Excuse me. I don't know what got into me.
You sick?
At times.
You must have a lot of time to lose.
He has a lot to lose.
Even his life.
Is that a threat?
Hardly.
It's late. Let's eat.
Chief?
Hejust got back with a big bag.
- How many men you got there? - Three.
We're coming.
Burn the stocks and bonds.
Are you nuts or what?
How you gonna cash it?
You said take it all.
I say you're screwing up.
If you say I'm screwing up, it must be true.
You're the expert.
I know someone who missed a lot.
Because Swiss money's better than dollars.
Quick, call an ambulance. I want this one alive.
No reporters!
Not a word to anyone!
Recognize this?
It's your handwriting.
Of course he recognizes it.
Sure, it's hard to take.
Gino's some pal.
But I'll help you.
Together we'll put him away.
He set up the bank job for you, didn't he?
He gave me your address
so I'd fix his residence permit.
I let you stay long enough. Time to go.
- What's it to you? - He's too ill to talk.
You forget who I am.
This isn't a torture chamber. Get out!
It's lucky for you we're in the hospital.
For you too.
Hello, sir.
Hello.
How are you doing?
Sir.
Strabliggi is ready for picking.
We don't have anything serious against him.
- Think so? - Yes.
I've even begun to wonder if you're mad at him for personal reasons.
I've got no reason to be mad at him.
But he's a menace, and I'll prove it.
Tomorrow, I'll prove his girlfriend knows Marcel.
That would prove nothing.
I'll show they used to meet regularly.
Strabliggi has always been their boss.
This last bank job was his idea.
He wasn't in on it.
Don't get carried away by memories of what happened 10 years ago.
Sir,
I do my job with neither hate nor joy,
but I do my job.
I know.
Be careful.
Stay on his tail.
We'll need him today.
You left your headlights on.
I'll recharge the battery, and it will be ready tonight.
I can rent you a car, if you want.
No, I'll use my wife's.
But recharge it for tonight.
Don't worry. I won't stay long.
Nice and warm here.
I'll tell Gino you came.
Yes, that's a wife's duty. But you're not married.
Your family knows Strabliggi's past?
That's my business.
Like everything about him.
Could you come to the hospital?
Why?
Is Gino hurt?
No, it's to see a wounded man.
I don't want to.
Well then.
Are you coming, or will I have to write up a summons?
Be friendly.
It's for your own good.
Suppose I tell the bank director
you live with a safe-cracker.
It would be my duty.
He would fire you.
But with a pretty girl like you, perhaps not.
I'll kill you!
- Stop it! - Bastard!
Stop, Gino!
Stop!
Your daughter will take care of you.
I'm late. I have an emergency at the clinic.
See you tonight.
- Want me to call the firemen? - It'll be okay.
Here, Dad. Just scrape them a little.
You think so?
Gino killed the cop!
What?
Goitreau's body was taken to the morgue.
His killer, ex-convict Gino Strabliggi,
was arrested at the scene of the crime.
Thanks for coming.
Mr. Rakian?
- Is that him? - That's him.
Recognize them?
Of course he does.
When he saw us, he stopped bashing.
A real smasher.
Yes, I remember.
To you it's unimportant.
You go in...
and smash cars with a sledgehammer.
It's nothing at all.
I did it to avoid slugging that cop.
The act is to my client's advantage.
Smashing other people's property with a sledgehammer?
The court will decide.
I only record the witnesses' declarations.
Mr. Vautier.
You recognize him?
Sure.
He lives on my floor.
We're glad he's gone.
Continue.
Don't be afraid.
All right.
One day, he slapped me.
On a Sunday.
- You agree? - Any witnesses?
Why would I lie?
I have no reason to lie.
I admit killing a police inspector.
Isn't that enough?
I am to examine your whole life.
A one-way examination.
I once stepped on a guy's foot in a bus.
You ought to find him too.
The girl who just came out testified against Gino.
She was at the bank and heard him threaten to kill the inspector.
And worse yet,
the psychiatric report.
Yeah, " a born criminal,
responsible for his actions, remove from society."
How can a born criminal be responsible for his actions?
I'd ask for a second opinion.
The second opinion confirmed the first.
The day of the trial,
I was confident of thejustice system I worked for.
I hoped for extenuating circumstances.
Gino had a right to them.
The court is in session. Bring in the defendant.
Sit down.
I have nothing but praise for him.
Punctual,
hard-working,
he always did more than his job.
A man can't be a bandit and be such a conscientious worker.
In other words, in your long career,
you've never had such a good worker.
- And you've had many? - Yes, a long time ago.
And did each of them
also kill a police inspector?
No further questions.
The sole eye-witness was in love with Gino.
So her testimony was considered partial
and therefore void.
Then it was my turn.
Wake up, gentlemen.
Order.
I'm sorry, Your Honor, but two jury members were asleep.
They might regret it afterwards.
Especially when it's a trial based on bad luck.
Because Strabliggi had bad luck.
Years ago, he made a mistake, but he paid for it
with 10 years of his life.
I'd rehearsed what I planned to say,
but I used different words.
I poured them out in disorder.
He forgot all that.
But you won't, unfortunately.
You're not here to plead his defense.
I wish I were.
The justice system is not on trial here.
I have my own opinion of justice.
It should be fair, but not fierce.
It should understand everything about the man it judges.
The fault and its causes.
The witness forgets that the defendant is not your average everyday man,
but a known criminal.
Who among us, at least once in his life,
has not wanted to kill someone in a fit of rage
for driving badly or swiping a parking place?
It occurs daily.
An easy excuse.
He's only got one excuse, chance.
Chance put a man in his path who did all he could to trip him.
You mean,
you want us to hold chance responsible for this crime?
Exactly.
You should understand chance and take it into account
and not judge him on personal convictions.
That's all I have to say.
Your Honor, members of the public,
members of the jury,
when a prosecutor rises to demand a penalty that is just,
he's never certain of being understood.
But today, I am certain.
I shall not look upon the accused,
but upon the court
and the young people
filled with hope for their country.
He had talent and some fine language.
I would first remember a good and just man,
an admirable father,
an exemplary husband.
His entire family was there, in full mourning.
Being the plaintiff has its advantages.
Goitreau became France's number one cop
with his flair and his courage.
Gino became a cold, hardened and unscrupulous killer,
a foregone conclusion.
Members of the jury, by refusing extenuating circumstances,
I know you will go towards the absolute,
towards the sentence of capital punishment
that I'm requesting for the defendant...
with a certain sadness
due to its finality,
but with firmness,
knowing I am doing my duty.
At first, the gravity of what was at stake troubled Gino's lawyer greatly.
Your Honor, members of the jury,
for two days,
we've heard of Strabliggi, the hardened criminal,
and his 10 years in prison.
But I can also tell you of 10 years of promiscuity and dirt,
of food you wouldn't give to a dog,
of guards and contempt,
of vulgarity
and the slow erosion of a man's most basic quality,
his self-respect.
Yet I still recall some ofher words today.
Periodically, and indeed sadly,
major newspapers write about our prisons
with their ever more frequent suicides,
their riots born from despair
yet nurtured by a decaying penal system.
And yet,
they do not depict in a true light
the one truly responsible for this tragedy,
this policeman,
no doubt more dumbly zealous than malicious.
The prosecution
has spoken brilliantly about the death penalty.
But it is nothing for us to be proud of.
Can we French be proud
of this instrument of torture,
this chopping block
that makes us more an underdeveloped country
than the light of the world we aspire to be!
Silence! Or I'll clear the court!
Your Honor,
I say, as did Pascal -
I remember that thejudge was doodling,
and one of thejurists had gone back to sleep.
I don't understand justice or judges!
Members of the jury,
today we are once again
in the shadow of the prosecutor's guillotine.
Yet what does he want?
To have the executioner pick up this man's head by the hair
and toss it into a basket?
Members of the jury,
refuse to be accomplices to this crime
and the shame of it.
Do you have anything to say on your own behalf?
Nothing.
The late hour reminded me of a theater emptying.
Gino had been condemned to death,
and I still couldn't believe it.
Come along, dear.
Come on.
Three months passed and his appeal was rejected.
Our only hope was a presidential pardon.
Ask to see the president.
In whose name?
For Gino?
- What can I do? - Nothing.
Some pray, but that's no solution.
She loves him.
She's young. She'll forget him.
You'd give her to him?
I've nothing to give or take.
Life sees to all that. Period.
His lawyer had been to see the president
who was to make a decision within the next 72 hours.
We were both anxious to know...
and afraid.
It's the ministry.
Speaking.
Of course.
My respects, sir.
- Attorney Bodard, please. - That's me. What is it?
Thanks.
Please don't go.
Your pardon was refused.
Be brave.
My son, I offer you the help of the church.
No thanks.
I'm scared.
Do you wish to write to your family?
Have you a statement for the department of justice?
But behind all that...
...is the thing I saw.
A machine that kills.