Previously in the Service...
My name is Moïse.
-Are you ready? -For what?
It's confidential.
To be a secret agent?
If you pass the tset.
I'm ready.
VERY TOP SECRET
Looks like a peasant.
It's the suit!
I think he looks new.
When will the test begin?
It already has.
What did you see?
There was a man who...
Nothing.
What made you answer the phone?
It rang and... I picked it up.
This isn't a helpline.
Any misunderstandings could set off a world war.
-Get out. -Give me a second chance.
You qualify for further testing.
WHEREVER NECESSITY KNOWS NO LAW
ARRIVALS
Hotel Lutetia.
Hotel Lutetia, please.
Get moving.
I'm Captain Otto Schmidt.
He belongs to the Bundesnachrichtendienst.
The FRG thanks you for your help, but...
Understand his gibberish?
I think he said he's with West German intelligence.
He wants the man we arrested.
You speak German?
A VERY SECRET SERVICE
Flight 456 to Buenos Aires, via Paris,
booked for Miguel de la Punta.
Rio San Cristobal, Buenos Aires.
Caramba!
Tell me... Argentinean food must be lousy.
You've lost weight,
Señor de la Punta.
Or should I call you SS Colonel
Helmut von Potten?
Mr. Calot will be pleased.
This operation is top secret, Merlaux.
Only Moïse knows about it.
For example...
no need to tell Calot.
Not even Mr. Calot?
Especially not Calot!
He'll feel hurt to have been left out.
-He'll think it was intentional. -Anyway...
We count on your discretion.
Know how to lie?
Yes.
Which means no.
Learn your ABCs, old chap.
This blue suit of yours...
What a joke.
Clothes don't make the man, but they make agents.
Even ones in training.
MISSION REPORT:
CAUGHT COLONEL HELMUT VON POTTEN
VERY TOP SECRET
Is the size of Germany's territory...
large?
Small?
Too small?
No opinion.
Is the Jewish population...
low?
High?
Too high?
Was the Third Reich supposed to last...
one month?
Ten days?
1,000 years?
Was Adolf Hitler...
pleasant?
Unpleasant?
Complete this sentence...
So.
Nazi level six, category A.
A Nazi bonus of 1,300 francs.
Fighting barbarity is a joy.
The noblest mission there is.
Congratulations.
So he confessed?
This scientific questionnaire replaces a confession.
We can extort one from him.
Extorted confessions are not valid.
Except of course in Algeria.
Of course.
No need to tell Calot.
Not even Mr. Calot?
Especially not Calot.
Captain Otto Schmidt...
Wait your turn.
Don't take it badly.
We could have told you but we were in such a rush.
He's category A.
We're not sure.
Probably a B.
You're making a big mistake.
I'm a West German agent.
Stop! Can't you see we're talking?
Don't get mad over a category B.
No half-measures against barbarity.
He's mad at us.
He'll get over it.
How about him?
Von Potten must be returned to West Germany
to be tried by our courts!
Krauts want to try a Nazi?
We've tailed him for months!
They're trying Nazis.
Is this German humor?
They're trying our Nazi.
The same sticky fingers as usual.
Two wars lost to France and still so arrogant!
Hold on.
Excuse me.
The chief wants to see you.
Keep an eye on these clowns.
No bickering.
Damned suit...
RABIER - TAILOR
-How so, "friends"? -The Germans are friends now.
It came in by telex. From very high up.
How can we be friends with the Germans?
At peace, maybe. But friends?
-You have friends, Calot? -No.
-Moulinier, how about you? -Yes.
Why are you friends?
Over the years, we've been through things.
So we and the Germans can be friends.
I mean pleasant things.
The Germans are always on time.
They don't stop for lunch.
They only like opera. Not human!
And not too nice to Jews.
That's politics. They're not our concern.
No one makes friends by focusing on differences.
What do you say?
It's your domain.
I say friendship among Frenchmen is a problem too.
There are Germans and Germans.
East Germans, West Germans.
Friendly Germans, enemy Germans.
But Germans are German, be they German...
or German.
Be that as it may,
West Germany has sent an envoy to make it official.
A certain...
Captain Otto Schmidt.
Give him a warm welcome.
It's odd he's not here yet.
As you pointed out,
they're usually on time.
My friend, we were looking for you.
Moïse...
Forgive my men.
How do you do? I'm Moïse.
Can you uncuff our friend, Moulinier?
Captain Schmidt.
I demand the return of the Nazi von Potten.
On behalf of West Germany.
He's all yours.
You like Chartreuse?
Because I doubt we have beer.
Yes?
Something to say?
Wait, not so fast. I'll get a pencil and paper.
That's right.
If Von Potten is handed over to Schmidt,
you lose your bonus.
What? But we arrested him!
It means nothing to France?
Category A pertains only to the custody
of a high-ranking Nazi. Give him to Germany
and he's not in French custody. Right?
So we kiss our Nazi bonus goodbye?
1,300 francs!
1,294 and 70 centimes.
Who'll hunt Nazis after this?
It's as good as bringing back the Third Reich.
I've got liberté-ache.
Excuse me, but Von Potten has named names.
That damned suit!
Do me a favor and get a new one.
I was thinking, Otto.
Imagine you go back without our friend von Potten...
I mean, Colonel von Potten.
That won't happen.
Hold on.
Hear us out.
If you leave him to us,
we'll share the fruit of our fight against barbarity with you.
What fruit?
I'm talking 1,300 francs, Otto.
Trying to corrupt me?
How melodramatic!
It's not corruption among friends.
But we can collabor...
Help each other.
Now I must report your offer to your colonel.
Forced to befriend Germans the day we arrest a Nazi...
RABIER - TAILOR
Morning, Sir.
Morning.
How may I help you?
I need a suit.
You sure do.
This one isn't mine.
Obviously.
My luggage was lost.
A friend lent me this.
How kind of him.
You're both the same size.
We have work suits.
Modern fabrics, wrinkle-free.
And chic suits for fancy events.
It's mostly for work.
But it's pretty chic.
And there are fancy events.
There you go.
Perfect.
Shall we?
Yes.
71...
40...
91...
83...
You're an ideal model.
I guess the shirt and tie
are also on loan?
Time to return them.
-Your name? -André.
First name?
André.
André André?
I'm sorry... Merlaux.
André Merlaux.
Very good.
Your suit will be ready on Tuesday.
-You'll be here? -Ask for Sophie.
All right. Thank you, Sophie.
Goodbye.
What is this goddamn mess?
Moulinier!
Can you explain?
About what, sir?
Your attempt to corrupt our German friend.
How melodramatic!
Yes, Jacquard?
Can you elaborate?
The language barrier.
He misunderstood us.
Like with African dialects.
One misunderstanding leads to another. Utter confusion!
I spent five years here. I speak fluent French.
Germans love extended foreign stays.
I demand the immediate return of my prisoner.
And punitive action against these two!
Listen to his tone!
Colonel?
I have good news for the Franco-German friendship.
The Nazi prisoner has confessed.
Here...
names of former Nazis now in high office
in the West German government.
And here...
Frenchmen who collaborated.
We must never forget about them.
It's time to give shape to the Franco-German friendship.
To give it life
through powerful, symbolic acts.
Lufthansa Flight 438 to Buenos Aires:
boarding immediately.
Travel safely, Señor de la Punta.
Thank you.
How come you speak German?
I learned it at high school.
You're one hell of a liar.
I promise it's true.
Your promises are worthless.
What did you do during the war?
I was born in '37.
I was eight when it ended.
That's no answer.
Good evening, Mr. Merlaux.
Sorry I'm late...
It's because of work.
I didn't mind waiting.
Your suit.
You'll be very handsome.
Thank you, Sophie.
Well...
Goodbye.
Goodbye, André André.
Subtitles: Andrew Litvack