Left, two, three, four!
Company...
halt!
Weapons straight ahead!
Take cover!
On your feet and march!
Take cover!
Left face!
Left, two, three, four.
Company, halt!
We're so exhausted.
A German must never fear fatigue.
Karl, I'm not complaining.
Damned chicken!
Fifty plus 10 equals 60, my friend.
Did you count my king?
This is a republic. Kings don't count here.
This is how you dress when visiting a foreign land?
Candles, socks...
Mr. Haussmann, your bill is ready.
It comes to 57 francs and 75 centimes...
barring any error, of course.
I trust you, Mr. Rechampot.
You'll be paid within three months, as usual.
I'm not worried. You always pay on time.
Maryvonne?
Come down here. Our friend is about to leave.
- What? - He's leaving.
He's leaving. Let's have one last drink.
Alas, I cannot.
You mustn't insult us. A quick one will do you good.
The road is long. I must be back by tomorrow evening.
Exactly. It'll give you strength.
Another time, madam.
So, my friend.
At ease.
If we weren't here to keep them supplied, the Germans would be in trouble.
Please convey my respects to your priests.
I'm sure they're out in the bush making new Christians.
They'll be back in two weeks, if they're not eaten alive fiirst.
Attention!
Take up your packs!
Hurry up over there! Faster!
On the double!
Company, right face!
Forward march!
Good Lord.
He works them hard!
Give my best to your offiicers!
Jawohl, madam. I'll do that.
That's all well and good...
but let's have a drink before Mr. Rechampot sells it all.
Look at this, all broken and beat up.
What can I give you for that?
Here, I'll give you a cross. Now go on.
Let me see.
Here.
This Sacred Heart card is very nice.
Tell him a Sacred Heart is more than fair.
That's not even worth a cross.
He says he wants the big colored statue of the woman and child.
He says his necklace is extremely valuable.
Then he can keep his necklace and I'll keep my Sacred Heart.
I'll give you a cross for the rest and off with you!
This is really getting on my nerves!
- You shouldn't expect much here. - They know us too well.
Next.
Fidele.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 1915
Yes, Sergeant?
Nothing.
I thought you might want to talk about...
the younger sister of my brother-in-law's cousin.
The one I spoke to you about.
No, it was nothing.
Just talking.
But the young girl says...
she can do everything just the way you like it.
Who taught her?
The old woman who comes often to visit you.
Tell her to come knock at my door one evening.
I'll do that. You'll be pleased.
Leon?
Come on. Just for me.
I'm not in the mood.
The appetite grows with the eating.
Come on.
What's wrong?
Don't you ever get excited anymore?
To Mr. Lucien Herr, College of Advanced Education...
45 rue d'Ulm, Fifth Arrondissement, Paris...
in care of Administrator Tarato...
St. Pierre de Samba, French Equatorial Africa.
Fort Coulais, January 6, 1915.
Dear teacher and, if I may, dear friend.'
Here is my punishment for not excelling in nobler gfields of study.
I should be teaching Greek in one of those pleasant schools...
of which our province is so proud...
but instead here I am under a summer sky...
wandering through virgin savannahs...
picking native grasses and collecting mineral specimens.
What good fortune to be a simple geographer.!
Africa is far from being the hell depicted in writings from the colonies.
Where I expected to encounter gfierce beasts...
I fiind only dogs, cows, chickens...
and the occasional duck.
Where I expected ferocious savages...
armed with spears, lances and poisoned arrows...
ready to turn all travelers into a quick meal...
I meet only peaceful villagers...
whose pastoral lives remind me...
of the country folk in many parts of our own land.
The only dangers I battle here are boredom...
and the company of a handful of our compatriots...
with whom I must rub elbows.
Listen, just because it's my turn to be on watch tonight...
you don't have to take such a long siesta.
Don't worry. There's lots more for you.
The bastard!
Where are those empire builders...
those modern-day knights and intrepid pioneers...
that all those adventure novels had us dreaming of?
Payback!
So I feel quite alone here.
Moreover, it's been six months...
since we've had any visitors or correspondence.
It seems such delays are not unusual in this part of Africa.
But I'm longing to know what is happening in Paris these days.
What are they playing at the theater and the opera?
What is Debussy composing? What is Peguy up to?
And what's new with our socialist friends?
As for the colonies, tell our friends not to be so sure...
about the inferiority of the black race.
Seen up close, this inferiority has less to do with the shape of the skull...
or the composition of the blood...
than with the conviction we hold of our own superiority.
At the risk of shocking you...
I daresay that in many respects...
the natives are not far from meriting the honored name of "men."
Thank you, Barthelemy.
Dear teacher, I wish you a happy and peaceful 1915.
Respectfully yours...
Hubert Fresnoy.
There's no end to this junk.
Garbage!
This one's not too bad.
This we'll keep too.
Like the monsignor says, you can't even give this stuff away to charity.
In the provinces, maybe.
Bad taste has limits even in the provinces.
How I love this song!
Oh, my back!
- Thomas, how are you? - Fine, Father.
- Are you here all alone? - All alone.
- The other fathers aren't here? - No.
But surely they'll be returning tonight?
I don't know.
Have they been gone a long time?
- Long time. - Long time very much?
Long time a little.
And they left no word for us?
They said monsignor said they should join him.
What's all this about?
I don't know.
Didn't anything arrive for us at Fort Coulais?
Nothing.
So there is something after all.
This isn't for us?
Not for you.
It's for the young man who loves plants.
And where does that young man live?
Fort Coulais.
And where do we live?
You live at Fort Coulais.
But this isn't for us?
It's for you.
Great! Something to read!
Jaures has been assassinated!
Who?
- Who? - Jaures.
Go on.
Mr. Hubert, you mustn't get upset.
God in Heaven!
My friends, we're at war.
Who is "we"?
Us. France.
What's the date on that, Father?
- August 3rd. - My God.
Does it say how it turned out?
They only go up to August 13th.
Who are we at war with, Father?
Germany, of course!
Really? I would have said the English.
- Damn it! - What?
That means I'm out 57 francs and 75 centimes!
Germany's never going to pay now!
What?
Germany.
- It's right out there! - So?
The Krauts are out there!
That's right!
Luckily they can't know yet. Everything comes through us.
- You hear that, Bosselet? - It's time to wake up.
What are you so excited about?
- We're not excited! - Yes, you are.
Remember: The military authorities take charge in a case like this.
Exactly! And around here, that's you!
In any case, it's clear:
The motherland is in danger. Vive la France.!
Aren't you going to say Vive la France?
You can't do that. Imagine how you'd look.
- Like French patriots, that's how! - French patriots!
How do you even know this war isn't already over?
How can it be over? It's hardly gotten started!
Mr. Rechampot, your little expedition could turn out very badly.
Something like that takes preparation, believe me.
And be careful about declaring war on the Germans. They're no amateurs!
- There's only three of them! - And they're all fools.
And I'd say their leader, Mr. Krafft, in not much different than you.
All brains and no brawn!
Mr. Krafft doesn't seem to me a man of action.
Please, Father, stay out of this.
Ever heard of Alsace and Lorraine? Maybe I never told you...
but I'm from Alsace.
Couldn't you show a little spirit at a moment like this?
To fiight three Germans who've never done you any harm...
you so-called Christians...
- What do you mean, so-called? - That's right.
You're willing to risk massacring dozens of men!
What men?
There are only us and the blacks here, and at most a few soldiers.
That's enough, Mr. Rechampot!
Watch your tone, young man!
I'm on my home turf here!
- Anyway, this is a discussion for men! - I am a businessman, sir!
In light of the law ofJuly 7, 1900, on organizing a colonial army...
and the decree of February 7, 1912, and subsequent dates...
on recruiting an army...
and in light of certain indications of the existence of a state of war...
between France and Germany...
and in light of the responsibility vested in me...
I, Sergeant Auguste Bosselet...
hereby call upon every man of French nationality...
with permanent or temporary residence...
at Fort Coulais in French Equatorial Africa...
to place himself at my command.
Article Number 1:
A general draft is now in force.
This is better than a New Year's Eve party!
Hey, Marius, they're celebrating something.
Maybe that way they'll leave us alone tomorrow.
Residents of Fort Coulais...
the Republic needs you.
In the name of France, I call upon all able-bodied natives...
of the masculine sex...
wishing to volunteer to support France for the duration of hostilities.
The engagement of such volunteers will go forward legally.
They will be provided with clothes, shoes and equipment...
as supplies permit.
As a special bonus...
each man will receive, while supplies last...
a useful household item provided by the House of Rechampot.
Registration is now open. Go on and join.
I'm glad that's over with.
These men don't understand French. Someone should interpret.
What does it matter? If they don't understand now, they soon will.
Anyway, I'm sure they agree.
Perhaps. But it should be explained to them.
Marius, did you understand all that?
How would I not understand?
- Then you could explain to them. - Of course I could.
What are you doing here?
Get the hell back to the store!
Step forward!
Did you see that? Nobody helps out anymore.
Press your fiinger here.
Open your mouth.
We need to fiind you a name. Let's see.
Saturnin.
Your name will be Armand.
What is it, son? Don't like that one?
Then give him a different one.
I wrote down two and only give him one.
Jerome.
Open your mouth.
Alexis.
You are Volunteer Hippolyte.
Hippolyte.
I know your sister.
That's two, four, six, eight...
Two, three, four, fiive, six...
Out of my way. Two, four, six, eight, 10, 12.
I counted 12 this morning.
That makes 12 rifles on the table...
plus fiive hunting rifles, one of which is an automatic.
- I want that one back. - Okay. Return to owner.
So six and six is 12, and six is...
And six is 18.
Hey, knock it off! You're making me lose count.
Six and fiive makes 11.
Six and fiive make 11, plus six make 17, plus 12...
Seventeen and...
Twenty-nine.
- Seventeen and 12 make 29. - Whatever you say.
Twenty-nine?
Hell, this should be over quickly.
We've got fiive dry cases and two slightly damp cases of cartridges.
You see, Bosselet? God is on our side.
Of course. God is French!
All right.
I'll need a week to teach the volunteers the bare rudiments.
What? A week?
Are you crazy?
We're not running a pension! They don't eat much, but it costs all the same.
All they need to know is how to load a gun!
They may well be idiots, but they can learn that in a day!
The regulations dictate a certain minimum instruction.
Don't think you're going to make these men into a real army!
You may not realize it, but we've been at war for six months now!
If you're looking for the element of surprise, Bosselet, don't draw this out.
You're right, Father. I propose Sunday.
- Sunday? - Why not?
You mean this Sunday?
Are you crazy? We'd have to leave tomorrow night.
Exactly!
Sunday is when Protestants put on their big show in church.
They're distracted.
We show up and... pow! We'll give them a blessing, all right!
Without getting into that...
you can't go wrong choosing the Lord's day.
Still, tomorrow night...
That's not much time.
Clear the way!
Thank you, Lamartine.
So, my son, you chose the infantry?
I'd like to speak to you about something.
I intend to visit the Germans without delay.
If Mr. Krafft is indeed as much like me as you say...
I should have no trouble persuading him...
that with ten against one, resistance is pointless.
But my plan would be more effective and persuasive...
if one of you would accompany me.
No, Mr. Fresnoy.
Why?
You don't know the Germans.
You can't comprehend the German mentality.
At the moment it's yours I can't comprehend.
Look at this chic fellow!
You haven't seen my brother yet.
Fathers, take a look at the ambassadors of French style.
Ladies, are you going to keep us waiting much longer?
We're almost ready.
Look at her tiny waist!
A delicate orchid.
She's so pretty!
It's now 9:12.
9:12 on January 22, 1915.
We're preparing to go forth from our native land.
The land where life is sweet ends right here.
Over there is enemy territory...
which we will conquer by force.
That over there could easily be the Rhine.
In fact, it is.
Let us cross the Rhine...
even if, due to unfortunate circumstances...
it is but a modest stream.
I must set an example.
Bosselet, send the flag over.
The flag has made it.
This is so exciting!
There it is.
We're there. I recognize this spot.
Through that shrubbery. Those two white spots.
Next to the cliff. That's their base.
No use going on much further. It's too hot.
Bosselet, we'll leave you here.
We're stopping here, but you keep on.
See you later.
But we're with you in spirit!
Here.
There's shade...
and a nice view, and we're not too close.
We'll stop here.
Stop.
Halt!
The House of Rechampot is proud to bring you...
an aperitif of noble and patriotic character...
that you won't fiind at even the best seaside resorts.
Perhaps even Mr. Hubert...
our Marquis of Geography, will do us the honor of...
Where is Hubert?
- Where is he? - He was back there.
There he is.
Don't go! Come back, Fresnoy!
Are you crazy? Get over there!
Listen to me, son. You'd had some schooling.
I'm sure you're a real brain, but this is our home and our business!
These are serious and tragic events, bigger than all of us.
This is war, son, and we're all in it together.
You've been drafted like everyone else. He thought he was beyond the law.
Hard to understand such a mentality.
Your fiield may be geography...
but what we're creating here is history!
Marius, give me that bottle.
You'll drink like everyone else.
Weak stomach or no weak stomach, you'll drink to France.
Assomption!
Mr. Rechampot asked me to fiind out when your chickens will be ready.
- It's starting! - To our brave soldiers!
That's the way, Bosselet. He's really letting them have it.
Listen.
Pass me a little...
That's called a machine gun.
What? What did he say?
A machine gun, madam.
I think they're right.
The bastards!
Whatever it is...
if it keeps up like that...
I'd say it's time to close up shop.
QUick, get everything together.
Hurry!
What does that fellow want?
- What's he saying? - The volunteer says, "I fell in a hole.
I didn't see it. It was hidden by branches.
At the bottom of the hole was a sharp stick."
The volunteer says, "You must go fiind my friend in the other hole.
The stick stuck him in the butt and he can't pull it out."
Virgin Mary, have mercy. Others are coming!
It's nothing. It's nothing!
The volunteer says, "I fell in a hole, and in the hole was a..."
Yes, we know!
Damn it! This can't be! Look at that!
Go away!
You know any doctors in the area?
There are no doctors here!
Come on, come on!
Father.
We really only lost the bugler, after all. So let the Krauts come anytime.
We've still got fiive soldiers.
I say they won't come. And so what if they do?
The Germans aren't total savages. We know them, after all.
White men can always reason with one another.
Unless we killed one of them.
What are you saying? We didn't have time.
Don't worry. We put up a pathetic fiight.
Go on! Have you no shame?
We recovered everything, sir.
Nothing is missing.
You witnessed my fiirst defeat.
You couldn't well have witnessed my second, now, could you...
since this was my fiirst battle.
Make no mistake about it:
With their weapons, they can slaughter us anytime they want.
We're in a bad mess. Very bad.
I acted like an idiot. No surprise there.
I am one.
Not tonight, darling. This isn't the time.
Come back some other night.
It's me, Sergeant.
Forgive me, Mr. Fresnoy.
What's going on? What's the matter?
I'd like to speak with you...
because I know you and I understand each other.
That's very kind of you to say.
Because I'm...
Five years away from retirement.
I was just putting it all down in my report.
Too bad we lost the bugler.
They gave us six soldiers and we have to return six to them.
They're counted the same as white men.
You may have to account for him one day...
but I know you were pressured...
by certain people around here taking the law into their own hands.
I wasn't keen on it.
You think those people can get us out of the fiix they've put us in?
If you only knew them.
They're...
What do you plan to do now?
Finish my report.
What I meant is, do you know where you're heading?
For the time being, I've taken certain precautions.
And what about later? Do you have a plan?
Yes, I do.
No, I have no plan.
Sit down.
I have a few ideas to propose to remedy the situation.
I know one doesn't learn how to fiight a war from books...
and you know me primarily as a geographer.
But I've also studied a bit of history.
I'm sure you have, Mr. Fresnoy.
Idea number one:
War is too serious to leave to shopkeepers.
I agree entirely.
Then follow me.
What is it?
Another of his nightmares.
I was dreaming...
You sure were.
There's someone here.
No, Assomption, there's no one here. Everything's fiine.
I said, "There's someone here," but they don't answer.
It's us, Father.
Ah, it's you.
Forgive us for disturbing your sleep.
We weren't asleep.
Sergeant Bosselet feels the moment has come...
to calculate the consequences of yesterday's unfortunate expedition.
He's asked me to study how best to correct the situation...
and I accepted.
But I'm well aware any effort will be of little use...
unless our entire community is behind it.
That's why we've come to consult with you.
Well done.
We appreciate your initiative.
I consider a German attack unlikely for the next few nights.
They'll need to check up on their equipment fiirst.
So the danger... The immediate danger...
Will begin Thursday or Friday night.
A very brief delay.
You're right. That doesn't leave us much time.
Also, given the improvised...
not to say idiotic, nature...
of our demonstration...
it's clear we should expect no mercy.
Especially, Father, given the "German mentality."
I'm afraid you're right.
Then we agree. Sergeant?
Please assemble our friends in the clubhouse in ten minutes.
The clubhouse in ten minutes.
Do we need to be there too?
Yes, of course.
What is all this about? I won't be led around by the nose!
This is a republic! Damn it, we're free men!
Paul.
Stop being an idiot.
Mr. Rechampot...
what do you propose?
We're here to listen to everyone's ideas.
Do you know what you want?
Of course I do.
We want...
We don't want the Germans to come here.
And if they do?
If they do... we surrender.
Maybe you, but not me.
I won't surrender.
A Frenchman never surrenders if he can do otherwise.
That's what I meant.
If Mr. Fresnoy fiinds a way...
of course I would not surrender. Just think of my inventory.
So, Mr. Fresnoy, here is my answer:
If they come, we don't surrender.
But...
they mustn't come.
- They mustn't come. - We won't surrender.
We won't surrender if they come, but they mustn't come.
If that's what you expect of me, I have a few ideas to propose.
One thing is certain:
Mr. Rechampot has just said he has substantial inventory.
Substantial... but not enormous!
Paul, don't start.
When destiny places you in challenging circumstances...
you must forget you're a businessman.
Precisely, Mr. Templier.
I propose you set out for St. Pierre de Samba tomorrow.
Yes, Mr. Hubert.
Sergeant Bosselet will give you a sealed envelope...
which you will hand over to the military authorities.
Your mission is to bring back precise instructions...
and all the men and equipment you can fiind.
Why me?
I have a store to run.
Everyone has a store to run. Do as he says.
But there are two of you. Why doesn't your brother go?
Because my brother is...
an idiot!
You've been chosen...
because you're best suited to such a sensitive mission.
Let's not get bogged down in shop talk.
Especially since the store is not very busy right now.
I could take care of it myself.
It seems everyone agrees.
- Yes, we do. - Certainly.
And how will you defend us until reinforcements arrive?
The sergeant admitted his volunteers keep disappearing.
We shouldn't expect miracles, you know. We're dreadfully low on natives.
You said it, not me. We shouldn't expect miracles...
and that's not what I expect of you.
Mr. Hubert.
What's going to happen?
Why, you're nervous too!
What's to become of us?
I'm frightened.
Jacques.
- Come with me. - Where?
Come give me a hand.
Put your hands like this.
For you, me and Maryvonne, in case things go sour.
QUiet, you fool!
We should add some sugar...
green beans, corned beeF and sardines.
And maybe a few bottles of wine?
Right. And we'll tell 'em it all went missing.
Please, the floor pads.
Of course.
Good day, Mr. Fresnoy.
Be seated.
Well?
The men have fled. The villages are empty.
- All of them? - Every one.
Yet as of this morning we know for certain...
that Lieutenant Krafft is recruiting.
And successfully, too.
Do you have something to propose?
Unfortunately, no.
The drums warn them the minute we leave here.
There's nothing we can do about their drums.
True.
There's nothing we can do.
Convey my greetings to the chief.
The chief says...
"It's a great honor to welcome the chieF of the white men in my home."
Tell the chief I've come because his village is in great danger.
The chief says, "I know."
Tell him the men of his village have attacked white men.
Now the German white men want their revenge...
and they're very ferocious.
The chief says, "I know."
To defend his village, the French will need 100 men.
He says, "I don't have 100 men.
I lost many of my best men in the great battle."
The French know the tribes on the savannah have many men.
If the chief can bring us many of those men...
the men of his village will no longer need to fiight.
The chief says, "I can capture many of those savages.
There are many of them. They are strong but stupid."
He says...
"The people of my village have never liked the people of the savannah."
He says, "Why didn't you think of this sooner?"
Come along. Mr. Fresnoy is waiting.
So how many have they captured for us now?
I say, how many have they captured for us now?
Counting the ones from this morning, 19.
Say what you like...
that man's really something.
He's something, all right.
And you only see him from a distance.
To really know him, you have to live with him.
Well, I don't live with him...
and I daresay I was opposed...
but I do recognize...
that's he's a real brain.
What is he really like in private? Is he nice?
No, nice isn't the word.
I mean, he may be that, but it's more like he's... he's...
He's what?
He's terribly refiined.
Terribly refiined.
And he hasn't changed.
We used to say he was like a young schoolboy...
a bit taken with his own learning.
But I'm here to tell you:
Despite his education, he's a real man.
I'll bet the poor baby's still a virgin.
I wouldn't put my hand in the fiire on it.
That's not where you're supposed to put your hand, you fool!
Madame Rechampot!
Madame times two!
The things she says!
Don't be embarrassed, Madame Caprice.
To Mr. Hubert!
On your inventory declaration...
you listed only 175 pounds of sugar.
Precisely.
And even that is gone. Demand has been very high.
With everything going on, I haven't had a delivery since...
June of last year.
- Madame Caprice is in the same boat. - Yes, the poor dear.
Yet she has listed 300 pounds of sugar.
Marius!
There are white men talking here!
It's the broom making the noise.
Of course, they have a different clientele.
They're small retailers, while we're wholesalers.
Wholesale, right.
Very well. We'll see.
As strange as it sounds...
a wholesaler will sometimes have less stock than a retailer.
But please go ahead and look around.
Mr. Fresnoy.
My brother made me do it!
What a liar! Who hid those things there?
Did you hide those things there?
"The yellow-speckled leaF in the fecund autumn...
surrenders gently all its golden grapes to the fruit-gatherers.
Thus will fall the passing flowers of life...
youth, love, pleasure and beauty."
Drink that.
Drink it. It's the white man's drink. Makes you strong.
It's good for you.
That makes 20.
An even 20.
It's getting harder every day.
They haven't captured one in three days.
I asked for 100 men, not 20 invalids.
If the chief thinks he can put one over on us, he's wrong.
Why not take it up with him?
Tell the chief I didn't come to listen to this idle chatter.
He promised me many natives. He hasn't kept his promise.
Therefore I won't keep mine either, and his men will have to fiight.
The chief says some of the captives know where the natives are hiding.
Well? Haven't his men been able to make them talk?
The chief says they tried...
but those captives won't talk.
You'd have to torture them brutally.
Damn it!
He's coming this way.
Is it serious?
Not serious. Important.
Let's see it.
It's not for you. It's for your brother.
My brother? I no longer have a brother!
It's for you, Cain!
Look at the yellow belly!
"Decision No. 23:
A military squad is hereby established to obtain the necessary information...
for the recruitment of a native militia...
to aid in the defense of Fort Coulais.
The squad will be led by Mr. Rechampot, Jacques Victor Louis."
Signed, Fresnoy. And that fiixes you.
Say something, idiot!
I'm so happy!
Look at that moron!
Bravo, Jacques!
See what you can do when you set your mind to it?
Hurrah for the squad!
These men are tall.
The ones they caught before were all so short.
Long live Mr. Fresnoy!
- The priests wish to see you. - Show them in.
The floor pads.
Be seated.
It's like this:
FatherJohn of the Cross and myself were thinking...
perhaps it might be helpful...
To help you get a fuller picture of the delicate issues in this situation.
Issues which, under the circumstances...
one might be tempted to deem secondary...
but which, nonetheless, must never be entirely neglected...
by a Christian conscience.
I'm listening.
Certain murmurings and rumors...
From native sources, I hasten to add.
Lead us to fear that certain means have been used...
to attain certain ends.
Highly commendable ends.
Means which are... how can I say?
Not in keeping with the respect due...
even to God's most humble creatures.
Mr. Rechampot is following my orders in an attempt to ensure your safety.
The thing is, we've heard rumors...
of brutality and injuries...
Did you hear rumors when the wounded were left to rot in the sun?
Was there any talk of the Christian consciences...
who fled those people in their moment of agony...
without offering even a drink of water?
Or of the Christian consciences who refused to lift a fiinger...
to prevent that massacre?
Remember: I didn't ask for this war.
The knife.
The cartridge.
The rifle.
Good day, Sergeant.
Good day, Mr. Fresnoy.
- The bayonet. - The bay-net.
The coast is clear!
Assomption, get the bicycle!
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
White men are stronger than black men. Why?
Because they have a better god!
The white man's god gives strength!
This is a bicycle.
Any black man who tries to ride it falls.
Who wants to try? You?
See what the white man's god can do.
The recruit says...
"That's a white man's machine.
But the white man's God doesn't give strength to the black man."
Then watch this.
Assomption, it's your turn.
This man is black...
but he believes in the white man's god.
Halt! Who goes there?
Creuse.
Don't be an idiot. It's me... Caprice.
- Creuse. - What do you mean, Creuse?
It's the password. You have to answer Chef-lieu Gueret.
Oh. Well, then, Chef-lieu Gueret.
Very well. You may pass.
Good evening, Mr. Caprice.
Good night, Mr. Caprice.
Gueret la Creuse is the password? Well!
No one can go in.
Isn't Fresnoy in?
Mr. Fresnoy is in.
What's it for?
That's my business. Did I ask you anything?
Give me that doorknob.
You can't have it.
Things not going well today, pal?
My name is not "pal." I am Barthelemy.
Do you know who I am?
You're Mr. Caprice.
- You know where I've come back from? - Yes. St. Pierre de Samba.
Fill in this form.
Watch it. Don't play games with me.
I'm warning you.
Mr. Fresnoy's been expecting me for three months.
I've worked my ass ofF for three months...
rounding up grenades and everything else for him!
Very good.
How many cases?
Bastard!
Must not disturb. You will see boss Sunday.
You can't be serious.
With a black woman?
Just like I said.
Him!
Bosselet I can understand.
But him?
Is she pretty?
Pretty?
She's black, like the others.
Just shows you everyone has their share of misery.
How awful.
Mr. Caprice, you were assigned a diffiicult mission in every respect.
I'd like to state publicly...
that you carried it out in exemplary fashion.
Madam, you can be proud of your husband.
Thank you, Mr. Hubert.
I'm sorry. Mr. Fresnoy.
Mr. Fresnoy, please take your place.
Attention!
Right shoulder... arms!
Present arms!
Company at ease!
I wish you all a pleasant Sunday.
I hope you'll stay with us.
Please.
Alas, we must get back.
Ladies, gentlemen.
He's leaving?
Well, that's that.
Before we go back...
I want to show you how they manage with the grenades.
Good idea. It'll give 'em some practice.
That didn't go down well with me.
I didn't fiind it heavy at all.
I'm not talking about the mutton!
I'm talking about him and his black woman.
Let us not judge, ladies.
True, there are some bizarre quirks in that young man's nature...
and his attitude seems designed to provoke us.
But we must at least give him credit...
for guaranteeing our peace and security.
And for giving us back so quickly our accustomed lifestyle.
Long live the Republic! Charge!
He's brilliant.
He took them by surprise.
- I didn't see it coming. - Me neither.
Of course not.
First section.
Come on, men! Line up for your wine!
You didn't drink it!
Open your mouth or you can't drink.
Good, eh?
It's the real stuff.
Go now, quickly.
Congratulations. It's as good a trench as we saw in the newspapers.
And without the mud, too.
That's for sure. With Mr. Fresnoy in charge...
we won't wait for the rainy season to give the Krauts a trouncing.
Soldiers of the French, surrender.!
We have machine guns.!
We have warm clothes.!
You don't stand a chance.
It's not true. We're going to win.
God's on our side. Take heart!
The Lord is with you.
- How are things? - All right.
- There's one man in bad shape. - Inside?
Let's go.
What a mess!
He's in sad shape.
- Are we losing a lot of them? - Two or three a week.
This one here is the sixth this week.
Can't you do anything for him?
Wait for the rain to stop.
The French are using you.!
You die to save their skin.!
Germany is kind to us.!
ComeJoin us.!
France says go to hell!
Tell him everything you just told me.
I have run a very long way.
The priests and ladies sent me to say they're coming with soldiers...
who wish to speak to you.
What's he talking about?
- Have they sent reinforcements? - You're not lying, are you?
- Are you pulling our leg? - I saw the soldiers with my own eyes.
French soldiers?
Not French.
Krauts?
No, not Krauts.
Then who are they?
I don't know.
How am I supposed to know? But their chief is a black man.
There they are.
Let go of my foot, for God's sake!
Give me your hand.
They're coming out into the open now.
Now I see them!
Move over a bit.
What if the branch breaks?
We have to let Bosselet know.
Absolutely not.
I shall translate...
what the captain says.
The Germans surrendered at Yaounde...
quite a while ago.
The Allies decided to send Captain Kapoor here...
with a letter that reads as follow:
"To the Germans still fiighting:
There's no point. The war is over. Stop it."
We beat 'em!
The Germans are to surrender...
only to Captain Kapoor.
Perhaps you're wondering why.
Because the Allies decided in London...
that this territory should be ceded to His Gracious Majesty.
We have come to take possession of it.
Where do we come in?
I'm sure the captain would like to freshen up.
Nice uniforms!
Hey, you, the smart one. Come over here.
Come here for a minute.
Tell me, did this agreement in London...
say that our land will remain part of France?
It will still be France up to the point...
where it used to be Germany?
Exactly.
So that means only one thing will change:
The blacks who were German before...
will now become English.
Exactly.
Let me tell you something:
It serves 'em right!
Arms!
Mr. Krafft.
Come closer. Don't be shy. How are you?
What a nasty business, eh?
My brother.
Let me introduce Mr. Fresnoy.
He's the young man who gave you so much trouble.
If it weren't for him, you might have...
- You put on some weight. - He looks good!
Yes, Sergeant?
Nothing.
White people.
Really!
Listen, don't worry about that bill.
We'll work it out.
Philology?
Yes, I was tempted at one point.
But I must say, our philologists can't hold a candle to yours.
- Which university did you study at? - Heidelberg.
Of course.
This will give you a laugh:
I was a socialist.
Mee too.
Oh, sorry.
Me too.