To the inhabitants of Tremolat, Périgord
What about the Périgueux sauce?
Get on with it.
Out of the way. We have work to do
I hope it's your best beef, Popaul.
I killed it myself. If it's not good I'll cut my tongue out.
We'll eat it with sauce.
I'll carve
How about that?
Why are you laughing?
It looks so good, that's all
Not like in the army
When they did have some good meat...
...they cooked it like leather
As father of the bride, I'm expected to make a speech
It won't be long, because I don't want to talk rubbish...
...and have my son-in-law correct my mistakes
When your daughter marries a teacher...
...you have to watch your grammar
Still, I know enough to say how this marriage pleases me...
...because I'm very fond of young Léon
He taught our youngest to read and write...
...he's a local lad and I'm certain he'll make my girl happy
You can be certain of that.
Funny things, weddings
Don't you think that weddings are funny?
Well, yes, everyone has a good time
- Things turn sour afterwards - Not always Well, yes, everyone has a good time
- Things turn sour afterwards - Not always
Some of my army pals were married
They weren't at home
Don't be evasive
They couldn't be certain
Miss Hélène, may I drink champagne?
Ask your mother
She says I can if you say so
- All right; do you like it? - I've never tasted it
Not bad
- You accept responsibility - Yes, I like that
He likes you; all the children do, you know
Well, I like them, too
By popular request, I shall sing you a song
The Little Isle of Capri
Why won't you dance the waltz?
- You dance too well for me - You're not so bad
I haven't danced much in fifteen years
The people are nice here, much nicer than elsewhere
Why did you join the army, then?
I'd have been all right here...
...but there was one rat among these nice people: my father
- How long have you lived here? - Ten years; I knew your father well
Wasn't he a real swine?
He was a butcher
He wasn't even a good one; he killed badly and chopped meat anyhow
Weddings... my mother may have been happy on her wedding day...
...but what she went through after, poor thing
- Why did you never come back? - To see the old man? No, thank you
I came back for my mother's funeral seven years ago
I was on holiday in Paris then
You holiday there, Parisians holiday here; that's logic
That's logic.
I'd liked to have seen you there
I wouldn't have minded; I'd have been a nurse
We had good times, but...
The rice was good, wasn't it?
The rice was all right, but the rice fields were treacherous
- You smoke in the street? - Are you shocked?
No, but it's unusual to see a woman smoke in the street
It's more hygienic than smoking indoors
Yes, that's logical
You're fond of logic, aren't you?
Well, I was fifteen years in the army
The army makes you appreciate two things you haven't got:
logic and liberty
Do you live above the school?
- How long have you been headmistress? - Three years
You're young for a headmistress
It's because I tread carefully
Are you fond of meat?
I ask because if I get a good animal some time...
...I could bring you some escalopes or choice joints
You know, some animals are better than others
What a dream... a butcher to choose your meat for you
How wonderful
While I think of it... do you have to learn to be a butcher?
Yes, you do really... and that's what's strange
I was a butcher with my father and in the army, too
I've always been a butcher, in Algeria, in Indo-China... a butcher
Soldiers have to eat
Yes, that's logical
Well, here you are; I'll go home now
Thank you for seeing me home, Popaul
- You look fed up, Léon - I'd rather have stayed at home
Not tired of married life yet?
I hope you'll be very happy
You'll see how nice it is to go home to your wife after work
I'm going home to lunch
You've had five minutes extra break in honour of Monsieur Hamel's wedding
Are you deaf, you two?
Riri's father told him that the postman said...
...a dead woman has been found in Saint-Alver woods
He breathed an air of grandeur... comma...
...a majestic resolution... comma...
...a certain profundity...
...by which...
...even the most vulgar mind...
...must be impressed
Honoré de Balzac... I'll write the name for you
Do you know who Balzac was?
A writer
He was a nineteenth century novelist...
...who portrayed the society of his time
But I'll tell you about that later
Hearing the door of her room open suddenly, Hélène...
Don't laugh just because it's my name
Hélène rose from the divan, but she saw the marquis...
...and gave a cry of surprise
He was changed almost beyond recognition
His pale face...
...had been bronzed by the tropical sun... His pale face...
...had been bronzed by the tropical sun...
...giving him a poetic appearance
He breathed an air of grandeur, a certain profundity...
...by which even the most vulgar mind must be impressed
I don't want to disturb you
I know I shouldn't call in school hours
I've brought you a leg of lamb
It's a special one, look
Perhaps you'll help me collect the books
I used to sit there
Were you a good pupil?
I was fine at French and history, but no good at problems about trains
Our teacher wasn't nearly as nice as you, the old hag
Her name was Vachin; cow by name and cow by nature
- You mustn't insult my colleague - Colleague or not, cow she was
They'd have heard about Vachin sooner or later
She'd never have let the butcher deliver during school hours
Have you got a fridge?
Wait, I'll walk as far as the baker's with you
Eat the lamb with me tonight, if you don't fear being compromised
- What's wrong? - Nothing. You took me by surprise
It would lose half its savour if I ate it alone
Well, will you?
What time shall I call?
About seven, after I've marked the books
I'm not very busy these days
I do the buying and slaughtering; my assistant runs the shop
It's different in the autumn, in the game season
That was a policeman from Périgueux
About the crime at Saint-Alver
The Gaillotin girl was found stabbed to death
Two weeks ago Jean danced with her
But I've not seen her since
I expect some tramp did it
I'm sorry, I was miles away
The police will be here for ages
I expect you're right
It'll give us something to talk about, but still...
Will you put it on my account?
- Am I too early? - No, come in, the door's open
Punctuality is the politeness of butchers
As Louis XIV said
- I've nearly finished - So I am too early
No. Would you like a drink?
I can do without a drink; I've drunk enough in my time
Why not sit there?
I'll be five minutes
- It must be fun to teach children - Yes, it's a worthwhile job
You smoke Gauloises?
What do you think of this?
It was so hot the air was like an overcoat
Well... is it good?
We could eat early, then go to the Sarlat cinema
Yes, but I don't like war films, they're disgusting
I made war for fifteen years; you must be stupid to enjoy war films
- Why did you stay in the army? - Because I am stupid
I've seen a few things... it wasn't pretty
It's a comedy film tonight. Shall we start cooking?
Downstairs to the kitchen?
I'm proud of my little kitchen
Did you see the police today?
It seems a girl was stabbed at Saint-Alver
They haven't found any clues
- How long to cook it? - Half an hour will do
No garlic?
Never with lamb.
- Shall I make my salad? - Yes, but you're my guest
Are the eggs hard-boiled?
What sign were you born under?
Libra, the Scales; that's why I swagger. I was born on 6th October
I'm Scorpio
- That's a bad sign - All signs are good
Do you need anything else?
Just a small knife
My van's not very elegant to drive to Sarlat
There's my little car
What's so funny?
You and your little car
Haven't you seen me drive it?
A small escalope, please
Congratulations on the examination results
My young brother would have failed, but for you
They're back
It seems they're on the trail of some vagabond
Perhaps they've found a new clue
It's dreadful; think of that poor girl
I've seen bodies, head in the muck, cut in two, mouths gaping
Piled three or four high, kids with their eyes out
I've seen an old woman like her cut to pieces
I've seen my pals rotting in the sun, eaten by vermin
Yes, war is horrible, but it's a job to be done...
...whereas a murder like this is savagery
We counted bodies by the lorry-load
Three francs. On your account?
There they go again
Monsieur La Hire, the school fête's on 22nd October
Can I come and ransack your costume collection?
You may have what you like
You said I could join in. I love dressing up and playing the fool
- And for you, Madame Tirant? - I've come for my minced beef
What about a nice steak? It would restore your teeth
Will you come mushrooming with Charles and Lisette this afternoon?
- What time? - About four
I may still be working then
Join us if you can, in the wood behind the grottoes I may still be working then
Join us if you can, in the wood behind the grottoes
How's this for a haul? I can sniff out mushrooms
Come and see the mushrooms Popaul's found
Do you think you've done enough for one day?
I like to watch you with the children
Can we go and play over there?
You know, Miss Hélène, there's one thing I've noticed
School teachers are usually known by their surname
I never knew Vachin's first name...
...but with you it's the opposite, always Miss Hélène
Everyone calls you that. What is your surname?
Do you mind me asking?
Not at all, why shouldn't you know my surname?
May I ask you another question? But it's even more personal
Ask, anyway
You needn't answer
I think I know the question; I promise I'll answer
Well, I'll take the plunge, then
Why is it you haven't a lover?
Because I don't want one
Yes, I understand...
...but the question is: why not?
Because I had a very unhappy affair ten years ago
I was deeply in love with a boy who was everything I wanted
Then, after some months, he just left me
Well, that...
...that made me physically ill and it took me a long time to get better
That's why I came here; now I'm very happy
I don't say you're not happy, but still it's not normal
It's quite normal
It's not difficult to do without things
But that's awful
I'm not in the least troubled, you know
I love the children as if they were my own
You don't convince me
And anyway...
I know what I'm doing
It's fine that people meet, fall in love...
...make love and so on...
...but I don't want to take any more risks
I know that it's not always so marvellous...
...but never to make love can drive you mad
Making love can send you mad, too
So it's irrelevant
Damn it all, if I kissed you, what would you say?
I wouldn't say anything
But I ask you not to
Are you giving me a present? What for?
What's the date?
It's my birthday
- How handsome you are. - It doesn't take much
You must understand the instincts, the feelings...
...even the intellect of Cro-Magnon man... were really human
Only his problems of subsistence differed from ours
What does subsistence mean? Keeping alive
He began to draw
Do you know what desires are called when they rise above the savage state?
Aspirations
If Cro-Magnon man hadn't survived in his world, you wouldn't exist
What if Cro-Magnon man came back?
I don't know. He might adapt himself to our conditions
He might die
I don't want him to die; I'm sure he was very nice
Has everyone brought lunch?
I've got some chocolate rolls if anyone is still hungry
I'd like a chocolate roll
Rain?
Of course not, the sky is clear
It's blood.
Don't move; I won't be long
I'm a police officer
I'm afraid I must ask you a few questions
I've come down on the night train, haven't slept a wink
This your classroom?
Young for a headmistress, aren't you? They say you're a wonderful teacher
Périgueux's a little out of its depth with these murders
They've called us in to cover themselves
Sadistic crimes are always a problem
So you found the body
I read your statement; no point in going over it
The children must have been shocked, especially the little girl
I'd like to ask you...
Interesting point from the autopsy: she wasn't raped
Not raped... that's extremely unusual
Usually... well, she can't have been dead long when you found her
Any unusual noises...
...before the blood and all that?
You didn't have the feeling that someone else was there?
You were going to say something
I'd been giving my attention to the children on the path down
- The children heard nothing? - Not as far as I know
We'll check that later. You say you approached the body...
Tell the infants to come in, too. Monsieur Hamel may be away today
Did any of you who were on the outing yesterday...
...hear or see anything unusual?
Now don't invent anything, tell me the truth
They're not liars
- Can we talk somewhere else now? - In the yard
Charles, I leave you in charge; I won't be long
Keep quiet, like Miss Hélène said.
I congratulate you on your composure; it must have been unnerving
I don't want to keep you, but think carefully
Have you any idea, however vague, that might put us on the track?
There's no doubt that in this area, not necessarily locally...
...there's a madman at large, do you understand?
Yes, but I can't help you
Between ourselves... her husband... Léon Hamel...
...could he have done it?
That's unthinkable
If you knew what we see, if you knew human nature...
You go to your pupils and I'll stew in my own juice
Can I use your phone?
Our line's through the post office and that's not open yet
- Every modern convenience - It's the school phone, not mine
You're living in the Middle Ages - Every modern convenience - It's the school phone, not mine
You're living in the Middle Ages
Not too squashed-up, children? I'll give you something to draw
Can I come up? I've a surprise for you
I've brought it from Périgueux
Come in
Cherries in brandy, I hope you like them
Big ones, too; none of the rubbish they sell in cafés
Are you all right?
I'm a little tired. Shall we taste them now?
Sit down, I'll find some dishes
This business is getting you down
They're the best I've ever had
They're good, aren't they?
This is the first time I've seen you out of sorts
Don't worry, Popaul, you're too kind
I'm not completely insensitive, I know you've had a shock
And poor Hamel must be in a state
He couldn't work today
So you took his class, too
You must take a holiday. If you fall ill...
No, I'm very strong
If you had seen her
I thought of the bodies you talked about
They couldn't have been worse
Don't think of her like that
Picture her on her wedding day, when we became friends
She was a little tipsy, flushed...
You're tired, and now you're crying
Dry your eyes
I saw some lambs at Périgueux; lovely joints they'd make
I'm sorry, I can't help it
You know what? I'll redecorate this room for you
Don't cry any more
It's over now
- Got a light? - That's better
That's my lighter
Of course. It works beautifully
Are you starting again? You're crying differently now
What shall I do? Go away?
Please stay. I want you to stay
I loved her so
Do you know Paul Thomas?
I had to question him, like everyone else. May I walk with you?
This is a dreadful business
No clue, no lead of any sort
The same sadist did both murders; the same wounds, no rape
If I don't stop him, he'll do it again The same sadist did both murders; the same wounds, no rape
If I don't stop him, he'll do it again
Interrogations get us nowhere; we can't lock people in their homes
We can't even be certain it's someone local
And the weapon... probably a flick-knife
Everyone has them in the country
I'm going to Miss Hélène's
- Is it nearly finished? - Just the ceiling to do
Do question 5 on page 72
"A train leaves Orléans..."
You'll never learn if I set you easy problems
- My place is a shambles - It'll be nice when it's finished
See you tomorrow
- Tomorrow's Sunday - See you on Monday, then
Poor man
I'm going shopping in Bergerac
Get to work, Charles; no slacking, both of you
She's always setting me problems about trains
Could you help me?
I've spilt paint on the carpet
You need spirit
Where is it?
You know everything
Since last year...
...she's been giving me train problems
Where are clean rags?
In the little table drawer
Shall I read you my problem?
Don't count on me
"Another train leaves Toulouse at 14.43..."
Any idea of the distance between Orléans and Toulouse?
I never could understand those problems
I must be going. I've done the first coat, now it must dry
Shall I put the ladder away?
Do you know another girl's been murdered? At Bergerac this time
Didn't you hear? I said another girl's been found murdered
I'm not surprised. Do you think it's going to stop all of a sudden?
That's true, you're right, Popaul
Another murder?
Never mind that, have you done the problem?
I couldn't
- Don't you understand the principle? - Not at all
You add together the distances travelled by each train...
It's double-Dutch to me
One train travelled 367 kilometres...
Charles, did you look for something in this drawer?
No, Popaul looked for a cloth to clean the carpet
- It's late, you're tired - Tomorrow's Sunday
Anyway, you understand the problem now
Let me in, I want to talk to you
Just for two minutes... please
Just a couple of words
I've got a headache. Come tomorrow
It's important now
Really, I'm not very well. Wait till the morning
I switched off the light. I got in through the woodshed
Keep still and listen
I saw you found the lighter
So you knew it was me
When I discovered I'd lost it, I bought another in Périgueux
I knew you'd notice if I didn't have it
But that was a waste of time since you'd already found it
This is what I killed them with, this knife
I can't help myself, it's like a nightmare
I can't breathe until I've done it, until I've stuck my knife
Trust me
Don't speak
I know it's finished between us, my shame is terrible
I couldn't bear to face you; I know I horrify you
And I can't bear that
Miss Hélène, help me
See, I've killed myself. Help me
Stay where you are, don't move
Let go
Press hard. I'm going to take you to hospital
Don't tell them why; don't tell them who I am
Hurry
I'm losing all my blood
Don't talk
I must talk to you now
I spent my nights thinking of you
I spent nights outside the school, looking at your window
You were the only one
When I saw your eyes...
...I forgot everything
I forgot who I was
I lived only for you
Please don't talk
You can't stop me
I want to take you in my arms
I would have liked to have been with you always, to love you...
...to protect you, to know you needed me
If I could have taken you to a desert island...
How far it is
I have so much blood
It keeps flowing
I know about blood, I've seen so much...
...so much blood flowing
When you were there, there was no blood
I didn't think about blood
I don't know if I can hold out
My blood keeps flowing
Once, when I was little, I fainted at the sight of blood
Have you noticed the smell of blood?
All blood has the same smell...
...the blood of animals and the blood of men
Some blood is redder than others...
...but all blood smells the same
How far it is
Keep quiet, we're there
Kiss me
He's dead
When the lift stopped he cried "Miss Hélène", then he died
You're tired; go home. We'll see about the details tomorrow