A French-Polish Coproduction
What are you doing? lt's just wood
- lt's only firewood for Paris
- We'll check it anyway
l want those books checked too!
Take nothing for granted
Spare no-one!
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Spring 1 794
Year 11
of the Republic
A good revolutionary must be hardy
- Article One
-''All men are born free and equal
''Social distinctions...
''...can only be founded...
''...on common interest
- The principle ...
- The goal...
''The goal of all political associations
is the good of the nation
''Liberty is the right to do anything...
-...not harmful to...
- Your fellow men
Why is there still no bread?
They're blaming the war
The bread shortage has nothing
to do with the war. lt's a ploy...
By whom?
Those who want to discredit the
government and make the people revolt
- Or it's the government
- To what end?
Power corrupts, it's an old story
You speak for Robespierre?
They're starting early this morning
- Who's that?
- An emigre, caught on his way out
He's so handsome
You make them walk there now?
- The walk back won't be so easy
- Not with your head under your arm
Give me your card
- Why? What have l done?
- Your card
But l've done nothing wrong -
will you cut off my head?
Look! lt's him!
lt's Danton
''The despot says: let many innocents
die rather than have one culprit escape
''The Public Safety Committee sees
despotism as a necessary measure
''They agree with Machiavelli that the
greater good excuses minor evils...
''...that liberty, like a child, needs
tears and pain to reach maturity
''ln fact, the mere desire for liberty
is enough to make one free
''The people won their right to freedom
the day they claimed it: 1 4th July
''The final safeguard against despotism
is a free press
''lf Moscow had a free press it would
be a republic tomorrow
- ''lf it's destroyed in France...''
- Be quiet
- Has it been distributed?
- No, it's still at the printer's
What are you waiting for?
Citizen barbers, come in
Greetings and fraternity!
What a fine day!
Spring is here at last
You don't look too well
Well, you've been ill for five weeks
We'll soon fix that
Hairpins...
Tomorrow l'll trim your hair
What are you doing?
Hiron, you have no right
You should arrest Camille Desmoulins
He's right, he's just a printer
Sorry, we have no orders to
arrest you, Citizen Desmoulins
No, l'd rather not look
Come back tomorrow, as usual
You're better
How fortunate
Danton is back
He's plotting a coup
- Have you read it?
- Not yet
Desmoulins urges the people to rise
against the Committees
All of Paris is talking about
a coup d'etat and a dictatorship
Who's the man?
No name's been mentioned yet,
but l think it's...
Danton!
Has he gone mad?
The Republic will be spared much grief
if we send Danton to the guillotine now
Danton is an idol
He's not really dangerous
lf it isn't him... it's Desmoulins
Real bread, citizen?
- Yes, but there's no sugar
- Never mind
- There's no sugar
- Thank you, l haven't slept
l'm exhausted
Danton is behind those attacks,
Camille Desmoulins is in thrall to him
- What is our true goal, Antoine?
- The triumph of the Revolution
But not at any price; why all this
carnage? There are easier ways
Such as?
Desmoulins and Danton will be
beheaded whatever you say
ls it really so cold?
Can l have my coat, please?
ls your fever up?
lt'll pass
Don't you dare stare at him
''Committees Equal Dictatorship''
The attacks against the government
are growing too frequent
Desmoulins' newspaper calls for
war on the Committees
- l accuse Danton and his friends...
- Forgive me, l'm a little late
Just like school
l accuse Danton and his friends of
counter-revolutionary activity
Would you deprive the Revolution of
its best servants?
You can't be serious
You surprise me, Robespierre
- Danton, a servant of the Revolution?
- You're raving
No, Billaud, l remember
even if you don't
You forget all that Danton has done
in your eagerness to cut him down
Citizens...
lt was he who got the ball rolling...
...by setting up our revolutionary cell
in 1 790 and 1 791 - remember that!
Remember the Champ de Mars
massacre? Danton instigated it
Then fled to the country
Let's stop all this
The letter found in Mirabeau's safe
openly denounced Danton's plotting
Can we trust a traitor's word?
Lawyers' tricks
ln any case, we cannot base
such a serious charge...
...on rumours alone
l insist we call citizen Amar
Amar of the Security Committee
ln no case can l allow Danton
to go on trial
Robespierre, you're afraid
l know it's easier to execute him,
but l say that his good faith...
...is beyond question
Killing this defenceless man
is barbaric and senseless
- Defenceless
- Quite!
His only weapon was that newspaper
Was?
l had the paper closed down
Desmoulins will replace it with
another
- Then we shall...
- Eliminate Camille!
No, we'll win him over
Camille's our most fervent
propagandist
Citizen Amar...
You have evidence against Danton
Go on!
Read it!
Are you praying?
What l'm about to say must remain
confidential
Citzens, like all of you,
l doubt Danton's good faith
At last!
And yet...
Yet l object categorically...
...to his execution
Justice is a divine virtue,
hence unattainable
The Revolutionary Tribunal cannot
embody justice
lt can only be a tool to punish
the nation's enemies
But it cannot clamp down on criminals
Fabre, Danton and the rest are guilty
of numerous crimes
The axe will fall on Fabre who
undermines the Revolution
But we won't touch Danton
who bears the most blame
Executing Danton would only plunge
the bourgeoisie into counter-revolution
The Convention would rise against us
We'd shake the people's faith
in the Revolution
And in that case...
...we'd have to rule by terror alone
You know what that means?
Terror is despair, nothing else
Yes, l'm afraid
So afraid of terror that to avoid it...
...l'll make any compromise,
stoop to the basest humiliation...
...any lie
The traitor, Danton, must be granted
an exorbitant favour: amnesty
For the good of the country,
we must submit
We can't afford to be just
You're here, at last!
- So you're back
- Yes, l was bored
- l've come for my orders
- What orders?
Here's what l say: first,
free all the prisoners
l'll summon our fighting men, raid
the Convention and kill the leaders
Splendid! l wish you luck
But you don't understand,
Robespierre's on the move
The Committee is about to pounce on
us, and you, after what you've done
Why me? What have l done?
Not much, but if the Supreme Judge is
mentioned and your name comes up -
Easily done
''Danton is after a dictatorship!'' One
single whisper, and you've had it
Who'd dare condemn me?
The Committee, of course
- Robespierre's on his feet again
- Oh, that puny Committee
You're so sure of yourself
Use your head, Westermann,
l have all of Paris behind me
lt's now or never, believe me
lt's a wonder you're still free
lt's not a miracle, it's because
you're my friend
They cannot arrest my friends
l have one thing Robespierre lacks:
my newspaper
lt makes me far more powerful than
that powdered charlatan
Does that reassure you?
The paper's been seized,
the printer arrested
Very reassuring! We've had it
Can't you say hello, Camille?
And you, Lucille, how are you?
Maybe we've gone too far
lf you're scared, run to Robespierre,
tell him l forced you to write
Stop it, l did what l had to do!
l urged the people to end the terror
Now it's your turn to make a move,
otherwise my action was pointless
- We must act at once
- Why?
- The printer
- l know
- Don't you care for your life?
- Of course
What about yours?
- We must strike
- You talk like a butcher
This is politics.
Come, use your heads
So Camille's humiliated Robespierre
To salvage his prestige he arrests
the printer and seizes the paper
lt's a provocation
He just wants us to show our hand.
So we do nothing, we stay calm
Understand? Calm
- Philippeaux wants you
- Who's he? Liberal? Moderate?
A spotless record, he's perfect for us
- You're for attacking the Committee?
- Not yet
l'm also thinking it over
- l'd like to know what you're after
- So would l
- Would you end the terror?
- Would you topple the government?
l'd join you if l trusted your motives
Don't you believe me?
Why?
You formed the Revolutionary Tribunal
and voted to execute the king
So did you
This leads nowhere
Did l ask for your help?
Georges, Phillippeaux and his kind
want to support you
Reassure them you won't
abuse your power
- l don't want power
- You say that now
No, l don't want power. l'm 35
and l look 60, l'm tired
l'd like to retire
But first l must end the terror,
because l'm partly to blame for it
Fine words, but we know you too well
You're rich enough to give up politics
Take care, Philippeaux!
lt's you who asked to talk to me
Calm down, Georges
All right, I'm listening, but make it short, what do you want?
Disarm the Public Safety Committee,
it has outlived its usefulness
Do it without causing an upheaval.
Only you can do it
Frankly, you disgust me, but
l've decided to back you
Thank you, l'm flattered.
How will you do it?
With armed men, if need be
- Are you worried?
- Yes, everyone is
- You really want to move?
- Strike now... l told you
lnsurrection is a terrible,
uncontrollable force... no!
Robespierre has one weakness: his
secret police, loathed by everyone
Bourdon, in the Convention today,
attack a top secret agent
- Hiron?
- Yes, for example
Accuse him, mention informers,
searches - the nation will support you
lt'll say this is its last hope for
freedom, and we are that last hope
- ls that enough?
- Yes, they'll calm down
So will Robespierre. Go on
Georges is right
Always heed your wife, it'll be
the start of a new era
Then back to our modest, quiet lives
Yours will be quiet and ours modest
lf you see poverty as a revolutionary
virtue, join Robespierre
And you change printers
What can be more destructive,
more anti-Republican...
...than this invisible police,
with its numerous informers...
...that infiltrates everywhere,
spreading lies and threats?
This police which endangers
individual liberty...
...which foments mistrust
between fathers and sons...
...and sees itself as above the law?
This police...
...is headed by an ex-criminal
named Hiron...
...who, under the guise of...
Who, under the guise of public
service, settles private scores...
...and openly favours
the rogues he recruits
He seems in a rush,
where's he going?
The Committee, of course, got up
as soon as Hiron was mentioned
The Convention voted to arrest Hiron
Our best man? Lose him and
we lose control of Paris
So much for your defenceless Danton
l want to see him today
See that traitor?
Set up the meeting
This session is over
You'd lower yourself to ask Danton
to receive you?
When it comes to the good of the
nation, l'd stoop to anything
l've just spoken to the Committee
Secretary
Some members are accusing you
of high treason
- Just me?
- The others too, all of them
Robespierre agrees?
- l don't know yet. l'm going
- Afraid?
l'd rather not be seen with you
No, change all that, please
Only blue flowers, he only likes blue
New style turbot,
formerly ''maitre d'hotel''
We'll start with stuffed cucumber
Then vol-au-vents
Vol-au-vents in ''Convention sauce''
Formerly known as caper sauce
Quails ''emigre'' style with onions
And to finish, fruit in Varennes sauce
- ls it to your satisfaction?
- Perfectly, thank you
l'd have made him wait, dressed
carelessly, anything... but not this
- lt's a gesture, it's now or never
- Just leave me alone! Go home
Let me see him humiliated, please
Go home! You too, Bourdon
No! Certainly not!
- l must know how to vote
- l said go home!
Everybody out
Now that's blue, exactly
Get rid of all these people, quick -
l must be alone
Right away
Clear out, all of you
Sorry, security
Good evening. l kept you waiting,
l'm sorry
No matter, for once we're alone
together
Just you and me
- ls everything all right, citizens?
- Fine, thank you
- Would you like some?
- No, thank you
And this?
- Magnificent, isn't it?
- No, thank you
- A quail, perhaps?
- No, thank you
lt's not poisoned. Look
Delicious! No?
Sit down
- You're really not hungry?
- No, thank you
What do you want?
To talk frankly with you
Haven't you always?
Why did you attack Hiron?
Why did you arrest Dessenne
and ban the paper?
l must protect the government,
but l don't understand you
They say that you are plotting
lt's not true, you know
l'm as pure as snow
Your many enemies want you dead
You too?
Stop attacking me and l give you
my word you'll have nothing to fear
Because l do now?
l thought you didn't drink?
To our understanding
What do you want?
l like your directness
State publicly that you're joining us
- l can't
- Why?
Because l don't approve of the
government, l have that right
But not to proclaim it.
Especially not you
You expect me to bow down to them?
You think you're above
the government?
The individual is above the masses
We both despise the Committees,
but l say so
They mustn't come between us
Not the Committee, not the
government - nobody
Divided, we both fall
lf you continue your reign of terror
l cannot support you, no one will
The people, our strength,
will destroy the Revolution
Who's to blame?
Not l, and certainly not you. So
it must be the nature of things
l've never believed in
the nature of things
Nor l
ln fact, our convictions are the same
Not any more
We fought a revolution in the name
of righteousness and equality
Now you chop off any head that
stands out - was that our goal?
l defend the people where no one did
Against whom?
Men who grow rich from
the Revolution
Yes or no?
You want men to act like
the heroes in novels
You forget we're made of
flesh and blood
You want to raise us to heights
where we can't breathe
And so you isolate the Revolution,
you freeze it
Even the most fervent recoil
Your advice?
Come back to our level, right away
Stop the revolutionary impetus
and you kill the Revolution
People want to eat and sleep
in peace
Without bread there's no law,
freedom, justice - no Republic
To hell with the Committees
l admire you
l'd love to follow you,
but not just anywhere
I just want to provide normal living
conditions for 80% of the people
Come now, l know you
We're not at the Tribunal
That's not all you want
Men shouldn't stay in power too long
You dream of power?
l don't have to, l've got it
The only real power:
from the man in the street
l understand him and he understands
me, never forget that
l shan't, but don't forget that l'll stop
at nothing to ensure his happiness
You want his happiness
You know nothing of the people
How could you? Look at yourself!
You don't drink, you're powdered
Swords make you faint, and they say
you've never had a woman
For whom do you speak?
You want to make men happy
but you're no man
l'll show you the people
Let's take a walk through the streets
Forgive me
l've always been brutal and clumsy
l woke up last night thinking: how
could we two have been driven apart?
How could we two be taken for
enemies? lt makes no sense
We must stop it at once
Then do as l ask
What's that?
l'm asking you to join us
l went to the country to think things
over, and l'll tell you something
Frankly, quite frankly...
l'd rather be executed than
executioner
You're drunk
lf you insist...
You see this head? Do you see it?
Feel it?
lt's you who'll have to cut it off
l'm sorry, we both made a mistake
Good night
l have witnesses who heard
everything
That's why l said nothing
- Where did he go?
- What happened?
Now l've got him
I've got him!
So, l got it wrong?
Now you see, we must put an end
to the Committees
You were wrong about Robespierre
Come now! Quickly!
- They're waiting
- There's no point
Your plan is childish
lt 's now or never!
- Come with me
- No!
No more bloodshed - that's what
l'm fighting for
That's what l'm fighting for
You say that to me?
Yes, to you
You'd see your friends' blood flow?
- lt's good to see you
- How's your mother?
Worse than ever
This is Sophie... from Nantes
Go to your meeting
l can't come tonight
Are you coming?
What happened?
Why are you silent?
- Tell me!
- lt's war
- Danton forced the issue
- What?
Robespierre is due for a lesson
Tell me what happened,
everything they said
l don't know, l couldn't hear
very well
That's what l've been dreading
For three months l've had
these forebodings
ls your husband in?
- l'm glad you came
- Why?
You've changed a lot
l don't know... you're like
a stranger now
l've aged, if that's what you mean
That's not it, but...
Maxime, is he really in danger?
Yes, he is
You're my only hope
Tell me, why did you reject him,
why did you abandon him?
lt was the other way round
Really? Then l misunderstood
How could you? Camille was
your friend
That's why l came
l said l was out
We must talk, it's serious
Why bother?
Listen! You're in grave danger.
l came to warn you
You don't realise, your life's at stake
Your friend Danton is using you
He's exploiting your talent,
unscrupulously
He's only interested in
personal ambition
That's not real friendship,
it's a dubious alliance
Enough!
You don't frighten me
He who fights for freedom does not
fear the ultimate price: death
By advocating charity and
tolerance...
...you believed you were saving
our country, did you not?
But in fact you're aiding subversion,
which is precisely Danton's goal
You must understand
So what should l do now?
Address the Convention tomorrow
Take back all your attacks
Then, in the next issue of
your paper...
...retract what you said
in previous issues
You're demeaning yourself
like a slut
Danton threw you out, so you
come and crawl to me
You're terrified
Remember, Maxime...
Burning a newspaper...
...is no answer
This is your last chance, listen to me
or you're finished
You must believe me
l swear it's true, Camille
Get out
What happened? You must tell me
What was the point of this meeting?
Danton and Robespierre have been
at odds all this time
They won't change now
He's not here yet? Good
No, but you're ten minutes late
What joy, you remind me of
my youth
Forgive me for being so late
Spoken like a king to his ministers
Then how should l speak?
ln one hour, at 3.30 a.m. you'll
send the police to arrest Danton
Tonight? So soon?
lt's madness!
Out of the question, citizen
Danton and his accomplices too
Without preparing the people?
lt's political suicide
We'd expose ourselves to
certain defeat
l say the Committee must first
prepare public opinion
Let me have my say
Danton has the bankers' support,
you yourself told us that
lt will be the Committee's death
and Danton's triumph
You're right, Danton has support
everywhere
lt won't work
l wish to speak
Not about that
We must strike swiftly
Give him three days and he'll
get gold from the bankers
He'll raise an army and scatter
leaflets all over Paris
He won't hesitate to address
the Convention
You all know he's a great orator
We must do it tonight, or never
You're right
lf it upsets the Convention,
l shall intervene personally
We need an indictment
Who'll write it?
lt's done
Read it
l'd like to read it over again first
Citizens, we need the approval of
the Public Safety Committee
No argument!
Call them in
- Are they still here?
- Yes, the session's just ending
Ask them to come in
What changed your mind?
Who else besides Danton?
Here's my list: Lacroix, Philippeaux...
Totally innocent
Their intentions may be,
we're judging the facts
Legendre, Bourdon...
lnnocent puppets, let's avoid
a bloodbath, please
The first humane words of the night
All right, let's spare them
Desmoulins?
Desmoulins is my friend...
...but l shall abide by your decision
Perhaps we should give him
an extra day...
...to think it over
lmpossible
Very well, those three will be jailed
with Danton
We've just signed
Westermann's arrest
- He was recruiting fighting men
- Perfect timing
The Committee's just decided to
arrest Danton and three accomplices
- Who?
- Georges Danton
- You want him arrested? When?
- Tonight!
You're all mad
We need your approval
- lf we refuse?
- You're the secret police
You can make preventative arrests
That's our privilege, not yours
You can delegate to us
- That's illegal
- Not if you agree to it
- Who the devil...
- Calm, Vadier
- Do you know what you're doing?
- lt's a heavy responsibility
We are prepared to accept that
responsibility, entirely
Write!
''We, of the Public Safety
Committee...
''...and of the Security Committee...
''...have unanimously agreed...
''...that Danton...''
Who else?
Lacroix
Philippeaux
Desmoulins
Desmoulins?
''These four members of the
National Convention...
''...are under arrest...
''...and are to be imprisoned in...
''...Luxembourg Prison''
Sign it
Your signatures, please
Lindet, you didn't sign
l was elected to bring revolutionaries
to life...
...not to kill them
The session is over
l always said you were a great man.
l was ready to die for you
l take it all back, all of it!
l was as blind as a bat. Now
my eyes have been opened
What are you talking about?
What are you trying to tell me?
Robespierre came to see you
How do you know?
Don't talk about him,
you have no right
- l hope you heeded his advice
- No, l rejected it
Poor Camille, you realise we're
doomed yet you reject your salvation
Why doomed?
lt means the decree's been signed
- What decree?
- Our arrest
You're the only man alive
that monster still holds dear
He tried to save you. lt's over
What are they afraid of?
They could stomach your insults
But to condemn them in writing -
that was unforgivable
And you?
l rejected a handshake and signed
my own death warrant
- You don't mean that
- l do
Why refuse?
His hand's too bloody
Fight back! The people are with you
Can we complete the jury list?
Renaudin
Royer Collard
- Sigur
- Cross him off
Sourboul
Can we depend on him?
Cross him off
Vinot
No, Vinot's out, is that all?
No one else you're sure of?
That's enough
No, we only have seven jurors
- What of it?
- We need twelve, by law
- Haven't you got twelve?
- Only seven
lf you haven't got twelve,
seven will do
Add a few criminals to
the accused list...
...and include Chabot, Fabre
and Basire
- The charge?
- Anti-patriotic activity
Do you know them?
Round them up
That's all
The Public Safety Committee
has just come out of session
Lindet sent me to warn you
Run!
What do you want?
There's money in the safe
Take it
Just make sure our wretched
Republic doesn't confiscate it
l'm coming
Citizen Danton, you are under arrest.
l have the warrant
''By order of the Security Council
you are arrested and taken...
I know, I know!
- ls it still raining?
- No
Then l won't need a coat
Let's go then
Citizens...
Danton has been arrested
Danton was arrested last night
The terror strikes again
We must act
We could be arrested any minute
- Bourdon, you take the stand
- l can't, l won't know what to say
lt's our last chance
You're scared? Look, he's shaking
You go
l'm a poor speaker
- Legendre, you go
- Go on
l'll put down my name
l wish to speak
The session is open
Speak
We've just learned...
We've heard, to our amazement...
...that four deputies of the Convention
were arrested last night
Danton is among them
Long live Danton!
I demand...
l demand that they be heard
in this house
You may then judge for yourselves...
...whether personal enmity or
jealousy are the root causes...
...behind this outrageous decision
Put down Citizen Robespierre's name
- Whose turn is it?
- Yours
You have no right to speak
lt has been quite a while
since our debates...
...were fired with such passion
The issue is of great importance,
and the argument is this
Do we place certain individuals
above the Republic?
Legendre demands that the accused
be allowed to take the stand
- We all do
- Let's hear Danton's side
So you are willing to grant this man...
...what you have refused all others
On what grounds?
Does Legendre maintain...
...that Danton is a privileged citizen
who may be placed above the law?
He deserves some consideration
So say we all. Let's hear Danton!
The Republic...
...was built by the people
as a whole
Who among us would dare say:
''l and l alone had the right''?
No one merits the right
to claim privilege
For us, the privileged do not exist
A defendant's right to be heard is
not privilege, it is simply justice
Justice?
Have you lost faith in the
Revolutionary Tribunal?
The Tribunal is beyond reproach,
we all trust in it
We shall see...
...whether the Convention stands firm
and brings Danton to justice...
...or whether it contests St Just's
report
- We challenge the indictment
- No, you've done well
Do those who shout
''Long live Danton!''...
...believe that he deserves
a special justice?
lf so...
...abolish the Public Safety
Committee and try us instead
- We find no fault with the Committee
- Long live the Committee!
Every day the world is watching us
We must show no weakness,
nor moral cowardice
What would become of France...
...if we lost the trust of the French?
l wish to have beside me...
...upright and just men
For innocence, that primordial
virtue...
...should not and cannot
fear public scrutiny
l propose that Legendre's motion
be rejected
Then St Just will read the indictment
Who is for Robespierre's motion?
Who is opposed?
You're mad. lf Danton fails we all do
Fools! You'll all be massacred
Such statements make you guilty
in my eyes
After deliberation, the Convention has
reaffirmed its faith in the Committee
Only the guilty tremble
This crime will bring you
crashing down, Robespierre
Of course, there we have the most
common of arguments
Well, what of it?
Assuming there is some such
obscure law of providence
lf a criminal's fall must bring me
down with him, then what of it?
There is no instance...
...when personal danger outweighs
duty for the revolutionary
l never said Danton
was above the law
l never doubted you
l wish to speak. Silence
l wish to speak
For a long time l was misled
by Danton's duplicity
But today...
...l at last see my mistake
We should show our trust
in the Committee
Let us approve the indictment...
...without hearing St Just's report
Stop snivelling or l'll ask
for another cell
Don't leave me alone, l'll go mad
Shame on you
- l don't know what's happening
- You're going to die in five days
Better to know it and give up hope
When death is certain, suffering
suddenly comes to an end
We may win
No, it's a political trial
Politics has nothing to do with
justice
l don't want to die, l have a right
to live
Man has rights as long as he can
hold on to them
lt's Georges
l was afraid you wouldn't be here
You there! Let's have wine for
the representatives of the people
You're crying? Then you
understood nothing
- Understood what?
- That we had to let them do it
- Why?
- To open the people's eyes
To show what the Committees
are capable of
There was no other way
That's why l let it happen
Are we to drink from the bottle?
They haven't even got glasses
Not bad
The Convention approved
the charges
The cowards
We're to go to the Conciergerie
- We're doomed
- Why doomed?
We still have our heads, fists, teeth
and claws to fight with
A political trial is a duel
They'll accuse us, we'll accuse them,
and let the people be the judge
We'll sow doubt in the minds
of the people
- They'll execute us without trial
- No, l have a voice
- The people follow me when l talk
- The people can be fickle
We demand witnesses.
lf they refuse we don't talk
lf they agree, we can win
You have a visitor
Who? My wife?
What is it?
Follow me
Robespierre's waiting for you
Go, he'll save you
- Go on
- No one's stopping you, Camille
Go
We'll all die, but you needn't
die with us
What shall l do?
Go to him, he's come only for you
Go on
Tell the gentleman l don't
want to see him
l can't tell him that
Then say...
Camille is not at home
People of France
What have l in common
with this scum?
Who dared put these thieves
next to me?
Are we, spearhead of the Revolution,
to be tried as petty criminals?
You don't hold the floor yet, Danton
Keep the journalists out,
taking notes has been banned
l can't take notes?
Has the Committee gone mad?
l write for the Rheims Standard
Down with the Committees!
Chabot, Delaunay, Basire, Fabre
You are accused of conspiring
to bribe elected delegates...
...and foster a revolt
of the nobility...
...with gold stolen from
the East lndia Company...
...by your crooked financial schemes
Desmoulins, Philippeaux, Danton...
...are also guilty of the crimes
l have just described
An indictment? You call this
tissue of lies an indictment?
Shall l sully my mouth replying?
The accused won't reply? No matter
- Let him talk
- Answer, Danton!
Have you anything to add?
Add what?
We haven't spoken yet
Has the jury heard enough?
You're in a hurry, Fouquier
l'm not finished
lf you hope to address the people...
...just remember, the law forbids it
l founded the Tribunal, so
l ought to know the rules
Very well
You may speak
For the last time
Yes, for the last time - the last time
France...
You may not address the people
Five years l've led you, my name is
stamped on each page of your history
- True or false?
- True!
You're accused of corruption,
you sold yourself
l sold myself? There is no price
for a man like me
l'll have to adjourn
Don't expect a revolutionary to argue
coolly, l'll take all day if need be
l will shout and l will be heard
The law forbids you from addressing
the public. Back to your seat
They pretend the trial is at an end
when it's barely started
The braver the man, the harder they
try to destroy him. lt's infallible
When you seek to ruin a man you
throw the book at him, an old trick
l see it's been improved
to fit the times
Now it ignores the law
it claims to serve...
...deluding those in power that fear,
which comes with power, is banished
The just have always hampered
politics
Today more than ever
Why must l be killed?
Only l can tell you
Because l'm sincere
Because l tell the truth
And because l scare them
Three reasons to condemn
an honest man
Guards! There's a reporter in court
l am one of the creators
of the people's justice
Do you think you can pervert it
without my noticing?
This is another of your tricks
Trying us with infamous criminals so
people take us for thieves like them
Congratulations! An excellent idea,
too bad l saw through it
What is this parody of justice?
Where are our witnesses?
We are entitled to witnesses
People of France,
you are the Tribunal
Bring in our accusers,
the two Committees
No, you haven't the right
Let it all be public and you decide
Panis, run to the Convention
Say we want the Committee
Say we're being muzzled. Run!
Count on me
Down with the Committees
Justice? lt's a massacre
- What are you doing here?
- You let him go on and on
Shut him up
You think it's easy, so easy
We expect you to be more forceful
- More what? Forceful?
- That's right, more forceful
Come on into the court
and see for yourself
We know what's been going on there
- We know what you said
- Or rather didn't say
So you're spying on me?
Well done
Your diffidence worries us
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?
You understand nothing - nothing!
We'll let them have their witnesses
- We can't refuse them
- Out of the question
Then l can't answer for the
consequences. Do as you wish
Are you sure we can't bar
their witnesses?
No, not right away
But the trial is in your hands
The trial is in my hands?
Fine, get out then
Go on, get out
Since it's entirely in my hands
ls the trial going so badly?
- Why do you ask?
- l've never seen you like this
Please leave me alone
Not until you've told me
The Danton trial is a dilemma
lf we lose the trial,
the Revolution is lost
lf we win, it is also lost
But l ought not say so
Are they out to destroy you?
No... at least, not openly
Please, eat before you go
- No, that's pointless
- Just sheaves, then
There'll be lots of fruit and
carts of olives from Avignon
We'll depict peace, happiness...
...and serenity
The Supreme Being
Try this
Simple and rustic
No, it's like a martyr's palm
We're in trouble, the trial is going
badly, Robespierre
Danton's so sure of his public
he's attacking the government
We want Danton's death, it's
up to you to justify the verdict
He must not be allowed to speak out
The people will rip our guts out,
and another thing...
The accused demand witnesses
- Yesterday we sent a letter...
- l know
Where is it?
Did you send it or not?
The Convention will answer it
after l tell them what l think of it
We can't wait
ln any case, the answer will be no
Barhre, do you approve of this too?
You can't do that
Fouquier, if we retreat
we're all lost
l am a judge, l'm not your...
Your private executioner
You're an executioner!
Not mine, no. The people's
executioner, you serve justice
We send you the Republic's enemies
Your duty is not to judge them
but to eliminate them
The law is no longer with you
When the wellbeing of the Republic is
at stake, the law is totally behind us
One more thing
- lt'll be you next
- We'll see about that
We'll see
Still working on the Pledge scene?
What's Fabre doing there?
- Come now, Maxime
- l swear he wasn't on the list
l say he wasn't there
Besides, he's a traitor, remove him
Are you a close friend of Danton?
l insist on being identified,
obey the law
A pointless formality
Like this entire trial
Danton, you've already testified,
be quiet
l've hardly begun, this trial will
not be over until l've had my say
People of France!
l, Danton, appeal to you! You alone
have the right to judge me
Why are the witnesses being
delayed? l want them here
l demand that the two Committees
be tried by public opinion
After we have both spoken,
you, the people, will decide...
...whether the guilty party is me
or the all-powerful Committee
Stop addressing the public
l am accused of conspiracy
l admit to it
l am guilty of having conspired
Deep in my heart l have conspired,
but only with myself
l conspired for peace, for amnesty...
...respect for law and public order
l conspired for happiness and justice
These errors, since they are deemed
to be such, l admit to them...
ln fact l proclaim them
l admit to them, but only them
Another of my faults is being
popular and strong...
...when only anonymity and pettiness
can guarantee a long life
lf you wish to survive,
do not be loved
That's one of our newly invented
laws
One of those laws that is all the more
powerful for being unwritten
Woe to the strong who are
loved by the people
Long live the mediocre,
the taciturn...
...the bitter, who skulk in offices
The Revolution is like Saturn,
it devours its own children
What forces us...
What fate compels us to condemn
rather than forgive?
To kill instead of save life?
What brought forth this bloodbath...
...and where will it end,
if it ever will end?
l thought l could calm the storm
of the Revolution
I believed it was desirable, I still do
But in your cold eyes l can already
read of my inevitable death...
...to which you condemned me
before entering this room
l wonder: was l wrong?
Some men disagree with me
Their thirst for ideals
knows no bounds
They no longer see people
around them
They see only speculators,
villains, traitors
Dazzled by the Revolutionary
ideals...
...they have forgotten the Revolution
itself
Their dictatorship is more ferocious
than its precursor
Fearing the return of tyrants,
they have become tyrants
Fouquier, you said the people
wanted blood
Liar! lt's a lie!
lt's not the people who want blood,
it's you
The people want only to live
in peace
Don't saddle them with
your thirst for blood
You've betrayed yourself, Danton -
betrayed!
Only a conspirator, an enemy of
the government, could thus insult...
...the People's Tribunal
The people have only one
dangerous enemy
The government
Don't stop the trial!
Set Danton free!
Call the guards
Soldiers, look! Seven scars
on my chest
Shoot me in the back
People of France! Do not
abandon your defenders
They kill your freedom before your
eyes and you let it happen
Danton, come here
So you've been arrested too
So there is justice
The Tribunal's creator
condemned to death!
I'll die, but so will you
How can you bury the living
in a hole like this?
Where is he?
Here
You have his confession?
l never said this
l did it only to avoid disaster
What disaster?
Sign the statement
Sign it
- But it wasn't a plot
- Then what was it?
Just this
Desmoulins' wife thought
it would help...
...if Danton's friends got together
Such a list amounts to a plot,
doesn't it?
lt wasn't a plot
You will sign this statement
unless you wish to die
We have unveiled a plot, all Paris
is involved, thousands of people
What plot?
Organised by Desmoulins' wife
and Danton's friends
Many took part, a great many
They were planning to blockade
the courtroom tomorrow
We're done for
Well, Robespierre, this trial
was your mad idea
What now, Maximilien Robespierre?
What do you want?
What do you want?
- What do you want?
- You ask us?
We've won against Danton
Open your eyes, citizens
Your necks are safe, you've
been spared the blade
Listen, any plot poses a threat...
...to the safety of the Convention
ln that case it must submit to
the Committee's decision
We must move fast to get
this decree passed
What decree?
The Convention must bar Danton
from speaking at the trial
You must warn the Convention
about the plot
l can't, l have no strength left
l'll go and get it then
Danton insists on calling witnesses...
...but that is out of the question
You know we're innocent but
it doesn't matter to you
lt doesn't matter because you're
just following orders
But you, Fouquier, you know well
what those orders are, admit it
So l too am to have the honour
of tasting the kiss of steel
But mark my words, Fouquier...
...you may cut off my head but the
man who issued these orders...
...will soon be rotting beside me
He knows that if he kills me
he will die too
You want to murder me without
leaving any trace
You won't let reporters take notes
The clerks are sitting idle
with their arms folded
They too have been given orders
to write nothing
Am l to vanish into thin air?
No! l will not!
l shall talk and continue talking to
the end, because l am immortal
l am immortal because l am the
people, the people are with me
And you murderers, you will be
judged by the people
l'm talking now...
...and l'll go on talking
Perhaps the air in this room will carry
the echo of my voice, which you muffle
Delegates of the Nation
Here is the Convention's latest
decree
The Convention has voted
the following decree
The Tribunal will conduct the trial
without interruption
Any accused disrupting
the course of justice...
...will be barred from
the proceedings
We have unearthed a conspiracy...
...to set free the accused and
bring down the Republic
The Desmoulins woman is in
the streets inciting the people
Beware!
This room harbours agents of
subversion
lt's a lie! They want Lucille's death
lf you oppose justice
you'll be barred
l ask you: have we ever opposed
the Tribunal?
- Have we ever abused it?
- Never!
Yes, you did
- Well said, Georges
- Thank God it's over
Glorious Tribunal...
...nest of thieves, blackmailers
and pimps
l have one thing to say to you:
you're not fit to spit at
ln obedience to the decree...
...l bar from this court...
...the accused, Danton
Take him away
Murderers!
You won't silence us, Fouquier
The accused, Lacroix...
...barred
Allow me to bar myself
Me too, it might as well have
started this way
Now go to the devil
Are you convinced that the accused
took an active part in the conspiracy?
Do you find Fabre, Chabot, Delauney,
Basire and their accomplices guilty...
...of participation in a plot...
...to corrupt the nation's
representatives...
...in order to discredit and destroy
the government?
We do
We will proceed to announce
the sentence
Lacroix, Danton, Herault,
Philippeaux, Westermann...
...Desmoulins, Fabre, Chabot, Delauney,
Basire and their accomplices...
...are condemned to death
Their goods are confiscated
for the benefit of the Republic
Execution is to take place in Paris
within 24 hours...
...and notice posted throughout
the Republic
Without me it will all collapse,
there'll be nothing but terror
What shame on the Revolution
- Hiding your fear?
- No, l'm hiding nothing
l'm scared too. l thought l could look
death in the eye, but l can't
lt will all collapse in three months
at the most
Three months, no more
No, wait
l don't feel well
You're about to enter history
and you feel unwell?
Let him be
Steady, l don't want to cut you
l remembered what old Guillotin said:
''You feel nothing when
the blade drops
''Just a pleasant, cool sensation''
What a fraud l am
For years l yelled ''Long live virtue!''
with the rest of them, and they got me
To each his own defence
l was had by the civilians
Get on with it, my life has been short
but beautiful
l have no regrets
You'll follow me soon
No one will remember you, your
house will be razed to the ground
Show the people my head,
it's worth it
lt's over, Maxime, our victory is
total, and the people let it happen
You must accept the dictatorship
now
lt seems to me...
...that all l've believed in, all l've
lived for, has collapsed for ever
l don't understand
The Revolution...
- lt's taken a wrong turning
- How can you say that?
l don't know what l'm saying
You see now that a dictatorship
has become a necessity
The nation can't govern itself
Democracy is only an illusion
- l'm crazy
- No, just desperate
- So blow your brains out
- Good idea
lt would end my troubles
l just want to sleep
Sleep...
Don't wake me when you leave
My little brother has learned
something for you
''Article One: all men...
''...are born and shall remain
free and equal...
''...before the law
''Social distinctions can only be
based on the common ground
''Article Two:
''The goal of all political associations
is to safeguard...
''...man's inviolable rights
''Article Three:
''The concept of all sovereignty
must emerge from the people
''No group or individual may rule...
...without the express consent
of the people
''Article Four:
''Liberty is the right to do anything
not harmful to your fellow men
''Thus man's freedom to exercise
his natural rights has no limits...
''...beyond those that ensure the same
rights to all other members of society
''Only the law can set such limits''