The 52 nations which, under the name CIDALC,
make up the International Committee
for the distribution of the arts and literature in the cinema,
along with the four million war wounded and ex-servicemen,
united under the aegis CIAMAC,
are honoured to present,
with the aim of helping to maintain and safeguard peace:
I ACCUSE
A TRAGIC PORTRAIT OF MODERN TIMES
I dedicate this film to the dead of the next war,
who will no doubt watch it sceptically
without recognising that it is about them.
Abel Gance
God damn it! Have you quite finished playing tennis with my carcass?
They've spotted us, lads!
Do not drink. Contaminated water.
I've had it!
- Oh, a dove! - What luck!
- We'll draw lots. - It's mine!
Greedy pig! Are you gonna scoff the lot?
Want some peas with it?
Anyone who touches it will have me to deal with!
Don't be stupid, Jean. You'll win.
Hey, pal.
- Are you from the Second? - What of it?
- Do you know Jean Diaz? - Yes, the trench cleaner.
Where is he?
There he is, burying the dove of peace.
- Who's that? - François Laurin, the husband.
He found Jean Diaz writing letters to his wife.
- To Laurin's wife? - Yes. Look at them.
Laurin's a hard man. They'll kill one another.
How's the barometer?
The weather's fine.
It's stopped raining.
I don't understand.
What, that the war's become a private duel between us now?
Whichever one of us survives
earns the right to love Edith.
Your attitude doesn't surprise me.
It's only natural.
All the same, I'm glad you didn't become Edith's lover.
You think your wife has remained faithful?
Yes, I think so.
That's why I wanted to make up with you.
Won't you shake my hand, Jean?
Yes.
As long as you don't forget...
That you still love Edith?
Yes.
No.
I can never forget that.
But I do acknowledge
that when you fell in love with her,
it wasn't your fault.
It's good of you to admit that.
I was very hard on Edith,
brutal even.
She'd be happier with you.
Don't say that.
I say it because I think it, because it's the truth.
Listen, Jean.
Edith is my wife.
Isn't it natural that I should want to keep her?
Yes.
You said yes?
Yes.
That's part of our duel.
There.
That's all I wanted to say.
Goodbye, Jean.
Goodbye, François.
I hope now we can be friends when this is over.
Sure, why not?
Goodbye.
It was bothering me, it's true.
I thought you two were going to kill one another.
Forgive me for listening.
All that talk about a duel, as you call it.
No good will come of it.
Even if you come out of it alive.
Suppose François is killed.
Well?
It would be a hundred times more dangerous for you.
Then his wife will really begin to feel sorry.
And so?
Well, then, with your character...
you won't want to profit from his death.
Aren't you listening?
No, it's not that.
I'm watching.
Misfortune always looks the same.
You're not wrong there.
The cemetery is turning people away every evening.
Let's go and have a drink at Flo's.
Our brave boys at the front
What is their greatest want?
A woman
What kindly measure
Would give them pleasure?
A woman
Bastards!
Right now the thing they need
Is a saintly gift indeed
A woman
And so we pray with each day's end
The good Lord for us to send
A woman
A woman!
Cheer up, son.
Cheer up? We're sick of it.
We've been at it for four years. That's 50 months!
What would you have done in the Hundred Years' War?
She's eyeing up Gilles Tenant!
Romeo and Juliet!
- Flo! - Coming boys!
It makes me sad when you sing.
It's as if you were helping us to die.
Silly boy.
You're just sad because you're off to Verdun tomorrow.
It's not the first time, is it?
When it's the last, you won't be here to make light of it.
Douaumont?
That's nothing compared to Côte 304, and you know it!
Hands off!
It makes no odds. The boys from the 15th just got back.
They say it's quiet at the moment.
You're lying.
Just listen to how quiet it is!
Don't worry, you know I'll bring you good luck.
That Flo's a looker, I really fancy her!
- Cut it out! - It's true.
How's it going, Staminal?
We'd be OK
if it weren't for the fact that each week 12 men must go out on patrol.
Ah, yes, the famous patrol.
Yes.
And they never come back?
Never.
It's been going on for 10 weeks. 10 times 12, that's...
92, isn't it?
- No, that makes 102. - What?
I'll bet they were taken prisoner.
Prisoners?
The worms are eating them!
Talking of which, where's my grub?
He came back, though.
Jean Diaz, the death dodger.
He never comes here. Who is he?
A former officer and interpreter.
He was retired and came back as an ordinary trooper.
He's a strange fellow, but I like him because he's brave.
And stubborn!
Want some?
No. See you later.
Shit!
That was a close one.
Look at that crater!
Let's get out of here, boys!
Flo! What do we owe you?
- I'll see you when you get back. - Get back?
How does that new song go again?
Our brave boys at the front
What is their greatest want?
A woman
When they've eaten their ration
What arouses their passion?
A woman
And then to calm their nerves
What dessert must we serve?
A woman
To give in to her charms
And spend a moment in her arms
A woman
Goodbye, Flo! That was lovely.
They're leaving happy, Miss Flo!
Goodbye.
What is it?
Nothing.
They've separated us, boys.
They're going to call the roll for leave.
I'm afraid it's for the patrol.
Don't be ridiculous.
They'd never dare send out another.
What's the point? No one ever comes back.
They promised it was all over.
The chaplain's coming with us,
so I reckon it's a burial party.
Maybe a guard of honour for the Generalissimo!
Maybe they're handing out decorations!
Boys, the Captain's here.
My friends,
the 12 of you have been chosen by lots for the patrol of the Ravin des Dames.
I'd do anything to prevent your being sent.
You know, boys,
I got it wrong.
10 times 12 is 120. With us that makes 132.
Why us?
I'd like to have watched the drawing of those lots.
And you, my young friend?
I have a request, Captain: if they find me,
bury me in the square next to Flo's café.
And you, my friend?
Nothing, Captain.
No requests, Morat?
I hope they have enough trees to make crosses.
And you, Liotard?
I'm a machine for killing, not for talking.
And you, son?
Anything to reproach yourself for?
I haven't had much chance to sin these past four years.
To think I've made it this far only for this to happen.
It's hard.
Grisard?
I should have listened to my father and worked in a factory.
See you at dusk, then.
In one hour's time.
Look, there's Gilles Tenant crying in his corner.
Rémusad can't even light his pipe.
He's got three kids and an old mother.
And Damasot, talking to himself.
Don't make so much noise. I'm trying to write!
That's the seventh letter to his wife!
What's it to you, rat face?
I'm so sick of this!
You're not the only one!
I'm sick of it.
It's a miracle I'm here.
As you're the only one who's ever come back,
maybe you have some advice for my men.
If you like I'll tell them I got into the pillbox.
I took this angel's hand to prove it.
There's a pillbox in the crypt of the church?
Yes.
Can I speak frankly, as an ex-officer?
Yes, of course.
Well...
I doubt a single one will return from this patrol.
The Major thinks the Germans are digging out of the pillbox,
hence all these patrols.
Of course! Why else?
I give you my word that three days ago
there were no tunnelling works.
I hear you.
I'll tell you anyway.
To reach us, it would take more than three days of tunnelling.
So it's pointless sending out another patrol today.
You're right.
I'll let the Staff Officer know.
He's a nice guy. He's bound to understand.
- I'll send for you when he's here. - Great.
In the meantime, will you have a word with my men?
- The ones who are leaving? - Yes.
The fact that you came back from your patrol
would encourage them and you'd be doing me a favour.
- Is François Laurin one of them? - Yes. You two made up today, didn't you?
Only you can give them hope.
You can't deny them that.
No, I can't.
I brought this back from the pillbox a week ago,
and here I am, talking to you,
so...
Maybe the patrol won't go out.
Tell us again what the Captain said.
He said he'd send word to Headquarters.
Do you think they'll have second thoughts?
I don't know. I hope so.
You're just saying that to cheer us up. You know we'll be going anyway.
No one really knows.
It's absolutely certain.
Leave him alone.
It's me Jean came to see.
Not especially.
Three quarters of an hour to go.
The worst thing about this war is the waiting.
For me it's the cold.
I feel as if I've been cold non-stop for the past three years.
You're forgetting the vermin.
The most disgusting thing about this last war
is the filthy living conditions.
That I'll never forget!
Hey, Morat. You said "this last war".
- Was that a joke? - Not at all.
Well, that's good, because I've got children.
So have I.
So what?
If I thought they'd have to endure what we've endured,
I'd go and blow my brains out.
You're a good fellow.
Not really. I'm just saying what we all think, no?
- Of course. - Sure.
You said the one thing that is certain.
And I mean it.
Really certain.
What's that?
We are fighting the last of all wars.
- Do you really believe that, Jean? - Yes, François.
I hope so too, but I think you're expecting too much.
No, he's right.
We won't all die.
Some will return home.
That's the reality.
As long as some survive, there'll never be another war.
Yes, but what about afterwards?
Afterwards?
There will never be another war, I'm telling you.
- Explain yourself. - Why?
Why?
Because of an idea I have.
I swear it.
It's a nice idea, but it's wishful thinking.
No, it's the truth.
I swear it.
Yes, well...
all I know is, the war will soon be over.
I'd have been so happy,
so happy to hear the ceasefire.
What I regret the most
is never having kissed my youngest.
You know they wouldn't send a patrol unless it was necessary.
I get someone to call him. You must speak to your Colonel.
If you like, but it won't do any good.
For God's sake!
The Germans haven't had time to dig a tunnel in three days.
- Yes, I'll tell him that. - You'll do all you can to convince him?
Yes, I promise.
Listen, they want to speak to you.
- Listen, François... - Leave me alone.
- Shit! Shit! Shit! - Shut up!
I've got a right to speak!
Let them talk.
- Let me... - No, don't worry.
I've been here a long time.
Here.
Take these letters.
They're all for Edith.
Listen,
see that she gets one every two weeks.
I don't want her to know what's happened
until the last possible moment.
- All right. - Thank you.
You see,
she'll read things in those letters,
things I could never express while I was alive.
Excuse me.
I'd like to make sure this gets to my wife.
- Will you take care of it? - Yes, of course.
What makes it so heavy?
Five gold coins. Louise will need them.
Do you have any children?
Yes.
Four.
Did you tell the Captain?
What good would that do? We were chosen by lots.
I can't help wondering what will happen
to Hélène and Edith.
I can't make any promises, François, but if I make it back...
Yes, you'll take care of my wife and my daughter.
Of course you will!
Why didn't I think of it sooner?
- That's a terrible thought. - It's true, though!
- You still love Edith, don't you? - Yes.
Then you'd be a saint
if you weren't pleased that I'll soon be out of your way.
I'm no saint and I'm not pleased in the least.
All the same, you came to ask my permission to marry Edith.
No, I simply came to see you,
to help you.
I felt I had to come now that we're friends again.
- We're not friends. - You said we were.
That was before I knew you'd get my wife so easily.
I thought I'd make it home to defend myself.
- You talk as if I'm the enemy. - You always have been, always will be.
- No. - Yes!
It will be even harder for me,
because I'll die thinking of you two and hating you.
Calm down, François.
- Nothing will calm me down. - It will.
Just listen to me.
And look at me.
I swear to you...
Do you hear?
I swear to you
that Edith will never mean anything to me.
Well? Are they going?
Yes.
What? The Colonel says they must?
No. He was away on urgent business.
- Then I don't get it. - What?
You're free to stop them.
I don't have the authority. I'm not free to decide.
When I get an order I must carry it out.
What you're doing is despicable!
There are certain things even frontline officers don't understand.
Such as why to send a patrol to certain death?
You bet I don't understand that.
You think it's pointless? You're wrong.
- Really? - Yes.
If the enemy didn't know we were targeting the pillbox,
they'd put their sappers in there.
Take it upon yourself to stop the patrol.
I can't believe you'd ask such a thing.
You know my duty prevents me.
Goodbye, old chap.
By the way, lads,
if things get tough, to assemble the patrol...
three taps on the helmet.
- Got it? - Yes.
Your whistling gets on our nerves!
Stop whinging.
One, two, three...
Bastards!
Sons of bitches!
That was close.
380. We're off to a good start.
Do you understand?
Send one every two weeks.
Right.
And give this one to Damasot.
Why can't you give it to him?
It's a long story.
Listen.
Well?
I told him all that.
He telephoned the staff officer and insisted it was urgent.
And he wouldn't even see me?
No.
What's his name?
Henri Chimay.
Henri Chimay?
That's a name I'll never forget.
If he had any courage, he wouldn't have phoned.
He'd have stopped the patrol going himself.
You know that's impossible.
I can assure you, he's a brave man.
I was in Champagne with him.
What is it?
There's a lull, Captain. The patrol can go.
Right.
I'll go and see them at once.
- Let them know. - Yes, Captain.
Listen.
I want to leave with this patrol.
I'll take Damasot's place.
He's got four kids. You can't refuse me.
You're not one of my men.
Just let the company know.
- You might be punished. - So what? We'll never return.
You have no right!
I'm making it my right.
Good God!
DRINKING WATER
No, I can't.
Damasot, you're not going.
Jean Diaz asked to take your place because you have four children.
Thank you, old chap.
Thank you.
What about me, Captain?
I have nothing to say, my friends.
You have your orders.
Do your best.
You're mad!
- Haven't you done enough? - Leave me alone.
It seems to me
that we must take advantage of this lull
and leave.
Here, son. Give this to Flo.
Over here!
Help me!
Get me out of here!
Over here!
For God's sake help me!
”I'd' have been so happy, so happy to hear the ceasefire.”
Flo.
It's the armistice!
Victory!
Long live the people!
Captain?
It's the patrol.
It's over! It's over!
The last...
The last to die in the war.
- Rémusad? - Dead.
- Ligny? - Dead.
- Staminal? - Dead.
Jean Diaz?
Dead.
Langlade?
Dead.
- Liotard? - Dead.
- Grisard? - Dead.
- Laragne? - Dead.
Tell me Gilles Tenant isn't dead and that he'll come back!
He'll come back, Flo. No one found him.
Who'd have thought?
Let them be buried here,
in the village that they defended unstintingly for 16 months.
It was their wish.
It's my final duty.
Bugler, sound the call.
- Evacuate? - No point.
Let us make the sign of the cross together.
Keep your voices down!
He wants to be buried with his comrades.
Farewell, Staminal.
Someone cried out!
Hear that?
Jean!
He's not dead! Quick!
Take the other end! Quick!
Major, this one had a lucky escape.
He was about to be buried.
Of course he'll live.
Well?
Rest assured he'll pull through.
What about...
The other one?
I'll be back in a moment.
This one must be moved at once.
Yes, sir.
I'm losing you.
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
March!
Let impure blood
Water our furrows
To arms, citizens
Form your battalions
March!
Let impure blood
Water our furrows!
Why isn't Daddy here?
Because he's at war.
I'll ask him to bring me back a gun.
A gun? What for?
So I can kill the war.
Why have you put me in a black dress?
We put black dresses on little girls whose fathers are at war.
All those lies! I don't understand.
He wanted all those letters to be sent to you after his death.
That was even more cruel.
I answered every day!
That's probably what he wanted.
You should have told me.
There's no need to be so upset, Edith.
We did everything François wanted.
He thought of nothing else throughout the war.
Was he so sure he'd die when he wrote them?
Very sure.
Do you know how he died?
Yes, I do.
- Not on the last day of the war? - No, long before.
Oh, Jean...
Here, look.
There was this little village
full of flowers
where not a single...
stone remains.
Has Daddy gone far away?
Yes, sweetheart. Daddy has gone far away.
GLASSWORKS RESEARCH LABORATORY
My dear Jean,
I love you more for respecting my mourning.
Months have passed and my heart beats again.
Why are you avoiding me?
I cannot live without...
Don't you love me anymore?
No, Edith.
I don't love you.
It can't be true. I don't believe it.
There's something else.
Is there...
someone else?
I can't say.
Just answer me honestly.
It's easy to say yes.
If you say yes, I won't trouble you anymore.
Is there...
another woman?
No.
I couldn't hope for a better answer.
I promise that now...
I shall stop trying to find out what separates you from me.
Yes, but...
I can't stay here in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
I shall have to leave now.
Perhaps it's better that way, Jean.
Did you rent a place near Douaumont?
Yes.
But that's where you were wounded the last time.
Not far from there. I can see it from the window.
Do you think it's good for you to be in that atmosphere?
Not really, but that's where my life stopped.
That's where I must go.
We must let him go, Doctor. Jean is too unhappy here.
As long as the glassworks are mine, you can continue your research.
Thank you for trusting me. I won't let you down.
Take your time, Jean. You'll be paid regularly.
- You're too kind. - Nonsense.
- But you'll come back sometimes? - Of course.
Anything special you'd like me to do?
Yes.
I'd like you to let me know at once if Helene or her mother gets sick.
- Fine. - Passengers for Nice.
Mummy, what's the matter?
GALLWITZ SHELTER
JEAN DIAZ'S WORKSHOP
This evening, for the first time,
I have come back to you, my friends.
My 11 comrades,
killed on the last day.
I know you can see and hear me.
Remember I said this war would be the last
and your sacrifices would not be in vain?
Well...
Listen to me.
I live only for this promise.
Only to fulfil that promise.
I am just a poor man, alone,
just a shadow, nothing.
But I have so much of your strength in me.
All the strength of the dead.
I shall be your voice
and your hands
so that the war of tomorrow may be stopped.
I swear it.
I who knew you
and loved you.
I who love you.
Happy birthday, Jean...
Mummy, I'd love Mr Jean to be my daddy.
What about you, Mummy?
You shouldn't say things like that.
Naughty girl!
What will Mr Jean say?
- Letters from Mr Jean. - Go and get them, Hélène.
Naughty girl! What will Jean think?
Nosey girl!
- Hélène! - Coming!
Flowers from Mr Jean.
Jean must have the radio on now too.
I'm sure he has, Mother.
I want you to understand, Hélène.
I can't express it any better.
Jean is an intelligent and brave man
but above all, he has a beautiful soul.
You're always thinking about him, Mother.
Why do you say that?
Because I think of him all the time too.
You love him, don't you?
If that were true,
would it hurt you?
Terribly.
Darling Mother.
But I mustn't spoil your plans in any way.
But we haven't made any plans yet.
Listen, Mother... If Jean still loves you, I must know.
You can't be jealous
of the few looks,
the few words I've received in 20 years,
and then only reluctantly.
No.
You're the only one he loves.
I must confess, Mother,
even to make myself happy,
I wouldn't want to cause you sorrow.
I'm sorry, darling.
I'm being unjust.
This love between Jean and you was caused by me.
I spoke about him all the time.
I used you to get him to come here.
I loved knowing he was interested in my daughter.
It allowed me to see him
and hear him from time to time.
Then one day
in the garden, I remember,
I noticed him looking at you
in a certain way.
I can tell you now...
I considered killing myself that evening.
Mother!
Don't worry, darling.
I'll never be so weak again.
Due to the death of Mr Pierrefond
the factory will remain closed until further notice.
I trust that you will take over the factory as Mr Pierrefond wished.
His adoptive son, Henri Chimay, knows nothing of this industry.
"Henri Chimay?
"That's a name I won't forget."
The balance sheet for the past six months.
You've done a splendid job. I'm amazed you've succeeded so quickly.
The Minister is on the telephone.
- Tell him to call back later. - Yes, sir.
Thank you.
He's to call back later.
We'll have to build new workshops.
The land has been bought. I'll show you.
- Why? - What do you mean, why?
These glassworks belong to you as much as me.
- That's not true. - But without your methods...
No, I'm just an amateur.
If it weren't for you, the glassworks would still be as they were.
Then I'm pleased I came.
And became your friend.
That's not important, I assure you.
But I'm not wrong, am I?
I've always thought of you as my friend.
What's the matter? Have you something against me?
No, no. Excuse me. I must get back to work.
Hello?
The meeting tomorrow?
No, it won't be a political meeting.
I appreciate your coming, Minister.
You're exaggerating my influence.
You're not going up, Mr Diaz?
This is a real triumph for Mr Chimay.
You're not interested in politics.
Freedom is a prerogative of the Republic!
Armaments are indispensable
to a free and strong democracy.
Progress has made us what we are
and we shall build the future
in spite of everything!
"Resist and persevere" is our motto.
Let "victory" be our rallying cry!
- Thank you for coming. - You were wonderful.
A most excellent speaker.
Truly.
Were you waiting for me?
Why didn't you come up?
- I'm not interested in politics. - Yes, I know.
Anyway, I think you're all wrong.
You're heading for disaster.
- My friend Jean Diaz begs to differ. - Right.
Jean Diaz never argues.
No, he accuses.
You're right. I do accuse.
- But whom do you accuse? - Not those who won the war?
No, I don't accuse those who won.
I accuse yesterday's war of creating today's Europe.
And I accuse tomorrow's war of preparing its destruction.
Tomorrow's war?
I accuse mankind
of failing to learn any lessons from the last catastrophe,
of waiting with folded arms for the next war.
I accuse the careless,
the short-sighted,
the egotists
of having allowed Europe to be divided
instead of building a permanent alliance.
And I accuse the men of today
not only of failing to understand, but of laughing
when reminded of the most beautiful expression on earth:
"Love one another."
And I accuse you same men
of ignoring the voices of the millions who died in the war
who have cried out to you these past 20 years:
"Stop!
"You're taking the same terrible path!"
We haven't chosen the same path. The idea of a new war horrifies us.
But in order to survive we must struggle and overcome.
No!
In order to live...
we must...
We must love.
Well said!
But that doesn't change the fact
that France needs a leader.
Yes.
But the world seeks a heart.
Go.
Go and find the doctor.
- He's in the garden. - He's not, he's at the hospital.
He is here.
Go to him. I assure you he's here.
One day, 18 years ago,
François asked you to go into the garden
because I was here.
I have just witnessed the exact same scene.
You've recreated yourself.
It's cruel to say it
but Hélène is playing the part you once played.
She has your grace and your bearing.
Perhaps she will bring about the same drama.
Stay away from her.
If my love for Hélène pains you, I'll say nothing to her.
Why do you love her?
I told you, she reminds me of you.
She is your reflection.
Don't say any more.
"I swear to you
"Edith will never mean anything to me."
But help me.
Help us!
François is watching us.
Thank you, Jean.
Thanks to those words, I'll never stop loving Hélène.
But I love you too!
- Flo, another drink! - Yes, Mr Gatineau.
Here, look at this.
Making proposals to the government!
You make me laugh. You haven't a clue.
That's good.
Look, it's perfect.
It's striking.
It catches the eye.
Indeed.
- Many visitors today? - Yes, three families.
Three families!
When I say three families, I mean three women.
Yes, three women because...
whole families don't bother coming anymore.
That's obvious.
I wonder what it is that keeps Flo here.
She likes to stay near the dead.
- And for dessert? - An orange.
- Here. I thought you'd want that. - Thank you.
- Mr Jean Diaz. - Yes?
I've been meaning to speak to you.
- To me? - Yes, but I didn't dare.
I'm off to see about my potatoes.
So long, old son.
In 1917 I was at Chattancourt.
Chattancourt?
You've heard of the Elephant Bar?
Sure, I went there often.
Then perhaps you remember Flo?
Yes, of course.
I'm Flo.
Forgive me.
And you live here, near the front?
Yes. I kept returning so I decided to stay.
You did so much good for the soldiers during the war.
Maybe you didn't realise.
Did you know Gilles Tenant?
An orphan.
He was in the same section as François Laurin.
Yes. He went out with the last patrol.
They never found him.
I'm still waiting for him.
Perhaps...
Perhaps, Flo.
I can't believe I won't see him again.
Then you will see him again, Flo.
All my sad words must be boring you.
Far from it.
You're saying things I like to hear.
I wanted to say,
it's not only because of Gilles
that I came back here
and can't drag myself away.
I knew too many of them,
and they are still here.
You too...
feel that they are still here.
I've found 42 of them
whose voices I'm sure
I can remember.
The terrible thing is,
I can't forget their voices.
Perhaps it's because I made them sing too often.
Yes, yes.
Anyway...
I wanted you to know
there was someone else like you.
Someone like me...
Yes, someone who remembers.
I'm not staying.
The postman said you had received a letter from Jean.
Yes, here it is.
He speaks of his anti-war research. He hopes it will succeed.
What a poet!
Does my interest in Jean surprise you?
I must admit it does.
He never writes more than 20 lines to me once a week.
That's strange.
- I thought... - What?
No, I was going to say something silly.
Say it.
If you were waiting for my news, I'd send you a letter in every post.
Then we are of the same mind.
DEATHS IN THE 1914-18 WAR
9 million dead, 17 million wounded
Flo?
Where did you spring from, Mr Jean?
I live here.
I was so afraid to come in.
Yes, I see. The scythe.
The grass here grows so high.
Is it true that there are passages leading to the cemetery?
Have you come to ask me something?
Only how you're getting on.
Well, I'm pleased, Flo.
I've done a lot of work.
And if I'm not mistaken,
there won't be another.
Another what?
War.
If only that were true.
And yet they talk about it more and more often.
Yes.
- By the way, I must thank you. - For what?
Because I was thinking only of my happiness.
I had almost forgotten about...
them.
You've reminded me of my duty.
My Only duty.
What a quaint place.
It hasn't changed in 18 years. It's Jean's wish.
His plans, formulas, inventions are scattered everywhere,
as you can see.
Inventions for the Prevention of War by Jean Diaz
What a strange man.
You're suffering, Chimay.
Yes. I've decided to tell Hélène how I feel.
We both love her. It's for her to choose.
What a drama that will be.
There's no other way. I love her too much.
MORT-HOMME CEMETERY'S UNDERGROUND PASSAGES
18th Experiment
Research in Mort-Homme cemetery: 248,415 dead
If I die during my research
please inform Edith Laurin in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Oh, my God!
The mud...
The mud on your face!
I'm afraid.
I can't stay in my house any longer.
What is it?
Your hair has turned completely white!
It's beyond all human understanding.
I beg you, Jean, to tell me
what you do outside every night?
Never, since mankind has been on this earth,
has anyone seen such a thing.
Explain yourself.
No.
I can't explain.
Touch me.
I'm speaking, aren't I?
I'm not mad, am I?
No.
My reason is intact?
Yes.
Then...it's not possible.
You must go tomorrow. You can't stay here.
Yes, you're right.
It's too dangerous.
One shouldn't disturb the...
The what?
There they are.
No! Dear Jean!
No! No!
Don't go out there, Jean!
François!
Lagide?
- Gilles Tenant! - Gilles Tenant?
Ligny?
Liotard!
Rémusad!
Come here!
You frightened me.
I almost succeeded.
Be quiet!
Edith, you have no idea.
It's beyond understanding.
20 years.
20 years I've been searching.
And I've found it.
Jean, come into the garden.
Hélène and Henri are waiting for you.
Give your mind a rest.
You've changed beyond recognition.
No.
I know very well what I'm saying.
Something has happened to me,
something extraordinary.
So extraordinary...
that I shall be unable to bear
this fantastic secret for much longer.
But...
if my health can withstand
the tension I am experiencing
I'll be able to prevent another war.
I will prevent war.
Prevent war?
How?
That's a secret,
between the earth and me.
I don't recognise my Jean.
- Your Jean? - Our Jean if you prefer.
His work has been the ruin of him.
Did you see his face? He didn't say a word to you.
I'm afraid for him.
You see, Hélène? I was right.
His concern for humanity has driven him mad.
- What about his secret? - Come now.
That's just his utopian, poetic way of talking.
Add to that his war wound...
H's a pity.
A fine man like Jean.
So, how is Jean this evening?
He's overwrought, Doctor.
- Well, let's go and cheer him up. - Yes, come on.
- There. - I mentioned a walk in the garden.
Good idea. Come on, let's go.
Well, Jean?
What about that walk?
Hélène's pretty, isn't she?
What do you mean?
Nothing more than what you think.
- Explain yourself. Why do you say that? - No reason.
No reason.
Will you leave me alone with the doctor?
But...
I beg of you. Please.
My friend, I'm going to need you.
Of course. Speak, Jean. I'll do anything you like.
Thank you.
I shall soon be leaving here.
I shall disappear forever.
And I would like you,
once I have left,
to pass on my final wishes
to the two people I love the most:
Edith and Hélène.
I'll do that.
Why are you leaving?
Because...
Because the tragedy is now almost inevitable.
What tragedy?
The war.
Come now! Surely you don't think so.
And you?
What do you think?
You're all blind to the facts.
The political horizon is darkening.
Squadrons are on the move.
War is on the way.
It's coming. I can feel it.
But I'll prevent it, my friend.
Yes, yes! I alone.
- I alone will stop it. - Don't distress yourself...
I will stand in the way of this madness and I will stop it.
- I have the means. - Jean, listen.
Alone!
I will be the one to stand up
and shout, "No!
"It won't happen again,
"this stupidity,
"this abjectness,
"this monstrous absurdity.
"It won't happen again.
"The murder of millions of innocent people
"will not happen again.
"I, Jean Diaz,
"stand up and proclaim the sacred right to life.
- "I stand up and I accuse..." - Jean!
"I accuse... I accuse...
- "I accuse..." - Jean! What's wrong?
Hélène!
"I accuse!"
- "I accuse!" - Hélène!
"I accuse!"
Jean! Jean!
"I accuse!"
Jean, stop!
Jean, Jean...
- Jean! - Help me! Hold him!
- Jean! - He's gone mad.
- Jean! - It's his war wound, Hélène.
Put him on the bed. I'll be right back.
Quick, drive to Nice
and bring me Dartois, the great psychiatrist.
What are those doctors doing?
What did Professor Dartois say?
- He's examining him carefully. - And the truth?
Jean has gone...
Do you think all the excitement he experienced today brought it on?
No.
A shell fragment in his head from the war has shifted.
- I... - No.
- But I must. - No. Stay here.
Later.
I can't believe it.
Am I mistaken or are you not bothered that he's gone mad?
- Mother! - Hélène.
Oh, no.
He's ill, very ill.
Excuse me.
This is us in Venice.
Oh, look at Henri being a gondolier!
Jean didn't seem too upset about us leaving.
No. His poor head is still so removed from everything.
He was so used to seeing all three of us.
Yes, but he's dead to all human feelings now.
Why did you come back so soon?
- Was our absence so pleasant? - Don't be silly, Helene.
How could we honeymoon when Europe is mobilising?
Oh, that's right. I'm so stupid.
But that's been going on for months so I thought...
There's Henri.
Off you go, darling.
What are you doing here?
Hello, darling.
Hello, my love.
EUROPE IN ARMS
Perhaps Jean could have prevented it.
Don't believe it, darling.
No one can prevent war.
It's inevitable.
We must face up to it
and prepare for it with all our strength and faith.
We must see humanity as it is, and not as he wanted it to be
or as it should be.
I have work to do, my dear.
This morning's news is not good.
Sir, you're speaking in Angoulême tomorrow,
Marseille on Monday, Nancy on Saturday
and tonight at the Vél d'Hiv
to celebrate our party having two million members.
Yes, I know. Thank you.
Yes, all the precautions are in place.
An aerial attack?
Your attention, please.
The news worsens by the minute.
The government asks the people of Paris
to remain calm and disciplined.
Verdun.
Douaumont.
Fleury.
François!
Edith.
WAR INEVITABLE Ultimatum deadline passed
Read all about it!
Special edition!
Paris-Soir, special edition!
Special edition!
Negotiations fail!
Here is an announcement by the Minister for War:
The forces of evil are gathering.
Dark storm clouds are upon us.
The grave question of the day is: how do we prevent these evil forces
from spreading throughout Europe?
Hello?
Hello.
- Is this directory inquiries? - Speaking.
Can you tell me where I'm calling from?
Which town?
Yes, yes. I want to know the name of the town I'm calling from.
This is no time for stupid jokes!
A LEADER: HENRI CHIMAY
It is better to reveal one's strength than to have to use it.
Henri Chimay has given his country
the magnificent invention of steel-glass armour.
Not only has it provided France with its best arms defence...
TO HENRI CHIMAY FROM A GRATEFUL NATION
Edith!
When I think of the catastrophe that is about to strike the world,
I can't bear to be away from you.
You must remain calm, my dear.
Maybe I'm horribly selfish,
but I don't want anything to ruin my happiness.
The war will do just that.
Strange that no one knew
where and when he was killed.
They did.
Jean knew, I think, but he refused to say.
I see.
First my father and now they want to take my husband.
No, no.
Don't call anyone.
Don't be afraid of me.
I've just woken up.
And I know...
I know war is here.
And I know they've stolen
my formula for steel-glass to make a fortune
and to wage war.
I know I've been betrayed.
I've seen Hélène in Henri's arms.
I know they're married!
Why?
Why did you allow it?
Jean, calm down.
Yes, it's true.
Well, I shall destroy their love.
I shall annihilate it with a single word.
What will you do, Jean?
I shall say one word
to link Henri Chimay
to a point on this map.
No, Jean, I beg of you!
If you do that, you'll kill me and destroy Hélène's happiness.
I don't care what you do to me,
but spare her, I beg you.
Spare my daughter.
They're coming.
Henri must be with her.
She's my daughter. I'm begging you.
Do you think he's unwell?
He's paler than usual.
He looks more unhappy.
Mother, why are you trembling? You're scaring me.
Please don't get so upset!
Mother!
I must get dressed so I can see the Minister with Henri.
I'll fetch the doctor.
Call me straight away. And get my things ready.
His things?
Yes, he's leaving.
He just decided.
War is certain now.
Special edition! Negotiations break down!
Come with me, Hélène.
See you later, Mother.
They thank you, Jean.
I thank you.
No.
It's better like this.
I have escaped the risk of happiness.
I'm sorry for all the harm we have done you.
I'm the one who must ask forgiveness.
When I awoke, I could only find words of anger and hatred.
And yet...
I should have been...
in awe
of the marvellous discovery I made.
What discovery?
That there exists a woman in the world
who is capable of loving a madman.
WAR INEVITABLE
Read all about it! Negotiations break down!
Europe is mobilising!
Negotiations break down! Read Paris-Soir
We shall never meet again, Edith.
I'm leaving.
Now and forever.
Oh, no, no, no!
Be brave.
You must understand that I cannot stay here.
You can tell people
it was madness or an accident, so long as Hélène doesn't suffer.
Besides...
I have something to do there.
For the war?
Before the war.
You remember what I told you one evening?
- I must prevent war. - I'm afraid you're losing it again.
No,no,no.
It's not my ideas that drove me mad.
It's one tiny piece of the war
that has stayed with me, here.
Farewell.
Our first...
and last kiss, Edith.
For a man like you to be so unhappy
is so unfair.
To make unhappiness bearable
we must try to give happiness to others.
I only hope I'm in time.
What are you going to do, Jean?
I'm going to keep my promise
to the dead of Verdun.
I have come.
Did I understand your orders?
Am I the chosen one?
I am ready.
Is this the moment?
I will comply.
François Laurin
and the rest,
my friends.
I have returned to you.
I need you.
Listen.
Your sacrifice was in vain.
The living want to go to war again.
But I,
your spirit
and your will
on earth,
I oppose it.
This is the hour of our pact.
Help me, my friends,
my brothers,
my comrades.
One of your own is speaking to you,
crying out to you.
Men are going to war again.
I'm calling for help.
You must hear me.
You must!
I'm calling you!
Dead of Verdun,
arise!
I'm calling you!
You,
soldier laid to eternal rest by war,
I'm calling you!
IN MEMORY OF THE FRENCH SOLDIERS
WHO SLEEP STANDING UP, A GUN IN THEIR HAND
Arise!
German soldiers of the Great War,
arise!
I summon you!
Why are you drawing the curtains?
I don't want to see those crosses moving.
He's had too much red wine!
I haven't touched a drop!
Just now I saw...
Stop it! You're all mad.
We can't all be mad. It's impossible.
And why not?
They call it... What was it?
Collective hallucination.
It can happen.
I haven't seen or heard anything.
You're drinking because you're scared.
Me, scared? I'm off.
Will you come with me, lads?
Let's go.
After you.
The dead of Mort-Homme, arise!
I'm calling you!
I can't understand it.
It's going from dark to light and back again every minute.
I've never seen a sky like it.
If the animals are scared something must be wrong.
There's gonna be a squall.
It smells of sulphur!
Gabriel!
Gabriel, listen to me.
All the crosses have disappeared.
You're crazy!
I swear, Gabriel, all the crosses have disappeared.
It's the storm.
We're upset by the war.
We're going. Everyone's leaving.
- Where to? - I don't know but let's go.
This whole place is coming down.
Shh, listen.
Look!
There he is.
Well?
I don't get it. Nobody can get through. There's an awful traffic jam.
- What are people saying? - It's all nonsense, ghost stories.
There's fear in the air.
- What about the war? - War? It's been declared, apparently.
I'm calling you!
Sailors of all the seas
killed in the war,
I'm calling you!
Airmen of all the skies
killed in the war,
I'm calling you!
Artillerymen,
infantrymen,
cavalry of all countries
killed in the war,
I'm calling you!
My 12 million comrades
killed in the war,
upon whom men, blind and deaf,
have walked for 20 years,
arise,
all of you!
The living want to go to war again.
I'm calling you!
Arise!
François!
Gilles Tenant!
TO THE 10,000 DEAD HEROES
WHOSE BLOOD SOAKS THIS EARTH
Come on!
No! It can't be true!
Dead men walking! What a joke!
Here he is. Tell him what you saw.
Well?
What was that about the dead?
I saw them!
With my own eyes!
They're coming from everywhere.
Thousands of them, hundreds of thousands.
German, Italians, Russians.
Dead from every country.
They're going in all directions.
It's as if they were searching
for their country, their village,
their town.
It's enough to drive you mad!
It's the enemy.
War has broken out.
They're pulling a big hoax on us.
It's the enemy dressed as ghosts.
We must hold our nerve and shoot them as they pass.
It's no use trying to lead us on with your tall stories.
The war is behind this.
In France we believe our own eyes. I'll believe it when I see it.
He's right.
They're coming! They're coming!
I just went to the cemetery.
I saw them!
Take a good look at them
and let the desire to fight
be forever quelled in you.
Fill your eyes
with this horror
and let the weapons fall from your hands.
Operations suspended!
Don't talk nonsense!
Panic?
That's a good one!
Hello? Hello?
Call HQ right away.
They're not answering, sir.
I'm calling you!
Rapid Force 207 stopped in their tracks?
Panic-stricken soldiers? Have we been betrayed?
All continental trains have been stopped. The most amazing rumours abound.
- It's incomprehensible. - During mobilisation?
Hello? Hello?
TERROR IMMOBILISES EUROPE
That's impossible!
ALL THE DEAD HAVE RISEN FROM THEIR GRAVES
I'm calling you!
There are moments in history
when a terrible blow,
an upheaval that shakes society to its bones,
strikes on all fronts.
Such a moment is upon us.
The dead remained in our villages, in our fields,
all around us,
within us,
waiting for the living to act
as we are doing right now!
The abolition of war,
of all wars!
As a result of deliberations by the Universal Assembly
war is formally abolished.
Immediate disarmament has been unanimously declared.
War is dead!
The world is renewed!
This film, made in 1938, won the SDN gold medal in 1939
and America's prestigious four-star award in 1940.
It was shown in France a few months before the war.
Its success is irrefutable evidence
that the French championed universal peace
and exercised their right to counter violence and tyranny.
Echoing a time when Nazism was lurking in our shadows,
the value of this work is that it was a premonition.
May it speed up the final victory of the "offensive for peace"
for which France has always been in the vanguard.
THE END