Outpost in Morocco (1949) - full transcript

Yes.

Yes, sir, I'll tell him at once.

[knocking]

Yes?

Sargent.

Sir, Captain Lacoss reports
that the convoy for Bel-Rashad

will be ready to
start in the morning.

Send for Captain Gerard.

Gerard for the convoy?

You envy him the ride up
into those lovely mountains?

A few weeks on horseback.



Still, is he quite the man
for this particular mission?

After all, the girl is
the emir's only daughter

and well, you know Gerard.

That I do.

Nothing but scrapes.

All for the same reason, women.

How does he do it?

I've often wondered.

I know a little of such things.

But it's a long
way to Bel-Rashad.

And if Gerard's average hold
up, who knows what may develop.

Well, I must admit,
he seems qualified.

Bamboule.

Bamboule.



Oh.

Such a face.

One would think you're
carrying the worries

of the world on your shoulders.

The colonel wants
Captain Gerard.

But his leave started today.

He hasn't left, has he?

No, not yet.

But knowing the
captain, I'd look

for him in some nice, cool
room with a sultry lady.

There are so many
sultry ladies in Tesket.

Uh, uh.

Interesting problem, isn't it?

You're his orderly.

You solve it.

Yes, sir.

Good evening, Yasmina.

Have you seen the Captain?

No.

Well.

[knocking]

Is the Captain--

[knocking]

Captain, Captain.

Oh, oh, no.

Oh.

No.

Get out!

Cap-- excuse me, sir.

Will you please
call Captain Gerard.

It's very important.

Captain, your orderly is here.

He says he has something
very important to tell you.

Thanks, Henry.

Just a moment, please.

Captain Gerard,
a very lovely lady

wishes to dance with
you, the daughter

of the Emir of Bel-Rashad.

Oh.

I'm afraid, sir, she thinks
you are a professional dancer.

I tried to explain to
her, but I'm sorry, sir.

What's wrong with that?

At your service.

You're an excellent dancer.

A good partner brings
out all my talents.

Really?

Yes.

Shall I tell you
about some of them?

If you don't mind, just dance.

Looks like real gold.

But everything about
you looks real.

Thank you.

The pleasure was all mine.

Madam.

What is it, Bamboule?

The colonel wants
to see you, sir.

Hours ago.

Uh, huh.

Did you put my uniforms away?

No.

I never do until I--

With the compliments
of my mistress.

What's that for, Captain?

Services rendered.

Here's our farthest outpost
in the mountain country.

Fronval is the name of
the commanding officer.

And over here a few miles,
just outsider his authority,

is the citadel of Bel-Rashad.

It's ruler has a daughter,
a most attractive girl.

I know, sir.

I met her.

Already?

We were dancing
when you sent for me.

I guess I picked the
right man for this job.

Well, each spring
she goes to France

and returns here
in October when we

send a convoy to take her home.

October?

Why this is only June.

That's just what puzzles me.

Coupled with some
information I received,

it may be significant.

So you're to head her escort.

And once there, I
want you to find

out what her father's up to.

Yes, sir.

After you've left
Bel-Rashad, take the troops

on to strengthen
Fronval's garrison.

But, sir, my--

Your leave, yes, I-- I'm
sorry about your leave,

but you can have it
when you come back.

Thank you, sir.

The young lady might
prove a help somehow,

but of course, how you handle
that phase of the mission,

like the rest, is
entirely in your hands.

I understand.

Your record is a excellent
one, except for certain, shall

we say, romantic complications.

My duties have taken me
into many strange places.

So I notice.

Tangiers.

Fez.

Casablanca.

Larache.

In fact, in looking over
these escapades of yours,

I have a moment of regret
that I've become an old man.

Well, they say you're
only as old as you feel.

Unfortunately, I also feel old.

Good luck, Captain.

Thank you, sir.

The ladies are
getting hungry, sir.

Convey my regrets.

Tell them we have
a schedule to keep.

We'll be ready to
leave in about an hour.

Yes, sir.

Are we ready to start?

All but the ladies, as
you might expect, sir.

Shh.

She always rests
after lunch, sir.

I'm sorry, but we have
to start in 10 minutes.

The dancer.

And the captain in
charge of this convoy.

Paul Gerard.

With the same insolence,
refusing to stop when

I asked it.

And that miserable lunch.

I'll not have my
convoy run like this.

If this is your convoy,
it's faults of yours.

If it's mine, we
start in 10 minutes.

You're impertinent.

We're still a long way
from your territory.

By [inaudible], I'd like
to be where we can't

be used as target practice.

10 minutes, please.

Captain, sir.

Courier from Tesket
just got here with this.

Thanks, Bamboule.

Good evening.

I've been looking all afternoon
for a place to spend this.

We must be off the road.

Do you mind if I keep
it as a souvenir?

I'm sorry about that.

And if I sounded
arbitrary this afternoon.

Won't you sit down?

I'm afraid I don't have
a very even disposition.

That's not unusual
in a beautiful woman.

Thank you, Captain.

You sound like an expert.

Just a student.

And I have scars to prove it.

And wish for no others?

Tell me, do you think
we're safe here?

As much as can be expected.

You French don't
trust us much, do you?

Now, where did
you get that idea?

My father--

Yes?

I imagine talking to him
would be quite an experience.

You might find some of
his views quite different

from yours.

So many minds,
so many opinions.

And yours, of course,
are the correct ones.

Why not?

I'm afraid you're a
conceited man, Captain.

And so often, conceit is the
last refuge of a scoundrel.

Good night.

[inaudible]

[laughing]

That music, my men have
danced to it all over Morocco.

Tonight, it seems I'm hearing
it for the first time.

You're very sensitive.

And thoughtful, too.

You've made a dull
journey exciting.

Thank you.

I deliver you to
Bel-Rashad tomorrow,

Forbidden City for Frenchmen.

Have you a cigarette?

Thank you.

A note from the colonel.

Here is how wrong a
man sitting at a desk

can be about operations
in the field.

I'm sure the colonel has
complete faith in you.

Have you?

Well, a woman, it was
a woman, wasn't it, that

caused you to join the Legion?

Have you forgotten her?

Yes.

I never thought there
could be another.

No, Paul.

No, this can never be.

Not for us, Paul.

You and I are worlds apart.

It cannot be.

It can be.

Cara, I swear.

Nothing can stop me
from seeing you again.

The caravan has been
sighted, [inaudible].

Repeat my warning that
it shall pass safely.

The convoy arrives and tell
the officer I wish to thank him.

A Frenchman in Bel-Rashad?

Now?

Last year, she said if I
again failed to be courteous,

she would see to it herself.

So, better a small
risk than an awkward

and perhaps suspicious
scene at the gate.

Welcome home, Emira.

Thank you, Osmon.

Captain Gerard, the Caid Osmon,
my father's aide-de-camp.

The Emir extends
his compliments

and asks that you favor
him with your presence.

Delighted.

So, Captain, you are new
to this part of Morocco.

Quite, although I
served at other stations.

It does seem that we
provide a fine opportunity

for career officers.

Some of us wouldn't
choose it if we were asked.

True, I have no doubt.

Must be a dreary
life for a stranger.

I'm only a soldier of the
life who goes where he's sent.

May I point out,
Captain, that we

shouldn't be distressed
to see you sent back home.

If it weren't for
us, Caid Osmon,

you might find yourselves
a lot unhappier.

How typical.

Early Arab geographers
called this the Isle of West.

But to Europeans,
it's always been

Barbary, the home of
barbarians, unable to take

care of themselves.

But after your long
ride, I shouldn't

weary you with such discussion.

Thank you again for your
kindness to my daughter.

It was a pleasant
responsibility.

And if we meet again, I hope
to find you in better spirits.

One day, who knows?

You may find me quite happy.

Captain Gerard extends
his compliments, sir.

He will report after
he has turned his men

over to the Office of Day, sir.

I've been waiting this long,
I'll manage a few minutes more.

It must've been something
important to detain

him so long at Bel-Rashad.

I'm sure it was, Commandant.

Important?

Ah, nothing more important
than the smell of perfume.

If I can use the expression.

Oh sure, I heard of this Gerard.

A ladies' man, if
you know what I mean.

One of those fellows whose whole
life is just a parade of women.

And what a lovely parade.

What was that?

[knocking]

The Captain.

Captain Gerard reporting, sir.

Glad to have you
with us, Gerard.

Lieutenant Glysko,
my second in command.

We were concerned about you.

One of our scouts
reported your detachment

nearing Bel-Rashad hours ago.

I stopped to have
tea with the Emir.

Here are my orders, sir.

I've been out here for years
and the only invitation he ever

gave me was to keep my distance.

Maybe you never
had the pleasure

of delivering him his daughter.

I did.

Yeah, I did and he
never had me in.

He might have though
you'd scare the children.

Why?

Oh, oh, you mean the--

Yes, yeah.

Your orders state
that you're to report

only to Colonel
Pascal and that you're

to have complete freedom.

Very well, consider
us at your disposal.

Thank you, sir.

I'll try not to
ask for too much.

Not at all.

It'll be a novelty to
have a new face at mess.

It would be a novelty for the
Captain to be with no women.

The Captain might
find it uh, you know--

Dull, Lieutenant?

Yes, dull, Captain.

That's exactly what I
was just about to say.

The Lieutenant sounds as
if he was a ladies' man.

Who, me?

Ah, no.

never.

I see, a married man.

Was.

Very married.

But you know, my wife,
she like to fight.

And mind you, never straight
attack, always ambushing me.

You know what I mean?

Bombarding me with flat irons.

Ladies' man, oh no, sir.

As my late father would always
say, all women are unfair.

If they weren't, there'd
be no Foreign Legion.

Oh, I wouldn't say, sir.

You see, my late
fatter, he would--

Gentlemen, about a
drink, without ice?

Thank you, sir.

Has your game taken on
new subtleties, Cara?

I haven't played since
last with you, Father.

Then perhaps you're
out of practice.

Or thinking of something else.

Perhaps of being home
months earlier than usual.

Told not to leave the palace.

And no mention of why.

I'm afraid sending you
to Europe wasn't wise.

It's just as well
you're not to return.

Not to return, but-- every
since I arrived at Bel-Rashad,

I've sensed a difference here.

Why?

What's happened, Father?

Very little for too many years.

But, all conditions change.

Are you thinking of taking
up arms against the French?

Why are you so surprised?

You know how long that
has been my dream?

I always thought it
was no more than that.

Nothing that you
actually intended to do.

You think I only talk
of my obligations?

Yes, you have been influenced,
perhaps by some French officer.

If you will excuse me,
I'd like to go to my room.

[explosion]

Get him down to the dispensary.

Yes, sir.

That shot, it didn't sound
like one of their old muskets.

That bullet, when you-

Yes, when you
take it out of him,

we better have a look at it.

Have a look at it.

Hundred devils and
a cockeyed witch.

I was just about to say it.

Looks like it's from
a brand new weapon.

No doubt it is.

That explains why
you're having a lot more

trouble with snipers lately.

Yeah.

They're out there like
sand fleas and just as

hard to catch.

Maybe the Captain can uh,
you know, attract one for us.

Why not?

He's just from headquarters.

Nice tender,

That's a very good
suggestion, Lieutenant.

If you find me a
native's outfit,

I'll try catch one of
the Bel-Rashad kind.

Captain, I was just joking.

It can be a one way
trip, I might tell you.

I found the way out before.

Cigarette?

Thanks.

How long before we
get the bigger pieces?

I will do my best
to make it soon.

But there are problems.

Your wrist.

Pass Your wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Your wrist.

Pass.

Your wrist.

Who are you?

A foreigner!

[yelling]

[gunshots]

[gunshots]

[crowd noise]

[crowd noise]

Paul.

What are you doing here?

Right now, I'm being chased.

All that commotion
is because of you?

Yes.

I need to place
to hide and quick.

In here.

Paul.

Darling, you took
this risk for me.

It was worth it.

You're not sorry I'm here?

Sorry?

Oh, darling.

Emira?

[knocking]

Emira.

Emira.

A Frenchman has gotten
past the inner gates.

A Frenchman?

He was seen coming
toward the palace, Emira.

Come.

Those shots.

They've discover a
French spy at the arsenal.

A spy?

In the arsenal?

He was after one
of our new rifles.

I don't understand.

You would if you hadn't
become so fond of the French.

Go back to your
room and stay there.

You might not want to see one
of your dear French killed.

[whistle]

Open the gate!

[creaking]

[galloping hoofbeats]

Look at this sir.

One of the new Mausers.

Hundred devils and
a cockeyed witch.

That old goat Emir
has them. [inaudible].

Where did you get it?

In Bel-Rashad.

There are cases of
them coming by caravan.

And heavier stuff on the way.

Did you have any trouble?

Yes, the Emir
knows what happened.

Then you better start
for Tesket tonight.

Yes, sir.

Glysko.

Yes, sir.

You will go with him and bring
back any reinforcements Colonel

Pascal decides to send me.

Yes, sir.

I'll be ready as
soon as I change,

if you know what I mean.

What does he mean?

Oh, the old Cossack
doesn't like the idea

of dying in a dirty shirt.

Sounds like a good soldier.

He's the best one I've got.

Even if at times, I do
think he's really a horse.

That's good to know.

If I lose mine, I'll saddle him.

Try to get through
Sherifian Gap before daylight

or you may not make it.

Deliver this to Colonel Pascal.

Good luck and my
personal thanks.

Thank you, sir.

Ready, men?

[knocking]

Come in.

Cara.

Have you been ill?

No, Father.

Are you offended because
I had to ask that you

do not go outside the walls?

I'm content here.

I wonder if you're more
emotionally involved with that

man Gerard than you've told me.

To me, he's even more
despicable than the others?

Oh?

The other night, I thought
you felt somewhat differently.

That was the other night.

I hope you see that he's just
another enemy of our people.

You needn't worry, Father.

I know what he is.

I'm leaving for a few days.

When I return, I hope to
bring interesting news.

You're going to start it?

Goodbye, my dear.

March!

All armies are the same.

Hurry up and wait, if
you know what I mean?

A hundred devils and a witch.

Yes.

Cockeyed witch.

[laughs]

You know, that waiting,
that's the only quarrel

I ever had with Fronval.

For weeks, I wanted
to go to Bel-Rashad

to tickle that old goat where
he tickles most, but no.

Politics.

So what happens?

The snipers ping, ping, ping.

We wait and very soon, dead.

How would you know
the difference,

stuck up there in that hole?

Hole?

Let me tell you this.

That hole, that's
the best little--

I know, it's the
best little fort--

Gentlemen.

Come in, come in.

Bring the gun.

So altogether, it
looks like they're

arming for an open
assault. Tell Fronval we'll

need some more troops.

Let's go.

Yes, sir.

Take this to Captain
[inaudible] and tell him

I'll want those units
assembled at once.

Yes, sir.

You did a good job, Gerard.

You've earned your leave.

I don't like to
disappoint you again,

but I'm short of officers.

You'll have to go back.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Make it a forced march.

Iron rations.

Only enough rest
to keep them going.

Yes, sir.

Boys.

Tell our men to hold their fire.

Too many soldiers.

Hurry!

Hurry!

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot!

There are too many soldiers!

Let them pass!

Don't shoot!

Halt.

Anything wrong, Captain?

Look.

Get me some scouts
and a detail, I'm in.

You wait here for my signal.

Yes,sir.

Forward!

Sound the advance.

[bugle sounds]

Forward!

Dismount.

[bugle]

And if we follow you into this
rebellion, what of our sultan?

He's friendly to the French.

Would you go on to
take his power as well?

Forgive me.

Perhaps that is an
unfair question.

But let me say only two things.

The French have
helped us greatly.

And they are too
powerful to combat.

Wait.

For years, I've
heard that dismal

whimper from weary old men,
that we cannot face our invader.

But what will the
answer be to this?

To prove how weak
these French truly are,

I've wiped out their entire
garrison outside my city.

So again, I say, join me.

Go to your people and prepare.

And all over Morocco,
others will do the same.

No.

No.

[arguing]

I'm worried about
that broken wall.

Can't it be repaired?

Well, you know how it
is, we have no cement,

have to use mud.

Captain, you figure the
old goat will be back?

After what happened?

He has to.

Here, send this report
to Colonel Pascal.

And tell the courier
to make it fast.

And then the brains will
be entirely cut off.

Captain, you know,
I was thinking,

we cannot be reinforced for at
least a month, and even then--

That's why I'm not waiting.

Tonight I'm taking a raiding
party to Bel-Rashad to tend

to that ammunition dump.

Hundred devils.

How can you think
and talk so fast?

I was just about to--

Suggest the same thing.

Yes, sir.

Same thing.

Let me do it, Paul, please.

But I know where the place is.

So do I. And besides
that, if you pardon,

you have no right to go.

You are in charge now.

And I can give
myself the right.

But listen, Paul.

Listen, next to you, I'm
the senior officer here.

I'm a good soldier all right.

But you know, this, running
things, plans, organizing, no.

No, Paul, if you
get killed, under me

this post falls down
like a sick horse.

There are three
other officers here.

Oh, what are you saying?

Paul, officers, one is a
boy just out of [inaudible].

Two others just as new.

No, you and me, we are the only
ones with time in the field.

And if you pardon me,
I've had many commandants,

but Fronval was the only one I,
you know, I could really like.

So I've got to make
those butchers pay

a little for that [inaudible].

Son of a gun.

You won't stop me,
Paul, will you?

All right.

Take only volunteers.

And come back, you hear?

That's an order.

Yes, sir, an order.

I'll go as soon as I change my
shirt, if you know what I mean.

And thank you, Paul.

[gunshots]

Come on!

Come on!

Come on, men!

[gunshots]

Forward!

Break down the door.

Come on.

Come on.

The arsenal is empty.

The old goat has
taken everything.

All right.

We'll take the old goat himself.

Follow me.

[whistles]

First squad.

Follow me.

Rest of the men,
surround the palace.

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

Take her out of here.

What do you want?

Your father.

He's gone.

Days ago.

Glysko.

Captain.

-You made it.
-Uh, huh.

Have any luck?

Sure.

I got a prisoner.

A prisoner?

In here.

Hey, come in.

I thought you were killed
with the rest of them.

Kidnapping women.

What did you do?

Get your armies mixed up?

The old goat was gone so I
thought if we had a hostage--

You thought.

Where's your father, Cara?

Out boasting to
the other tribes?

Do you know we lost
over 100 men here?

Too bad you weren't among them.

Put her in my room.

I'll move in with you.

Come on.

Present arms!

[trumpet]

[muttering]

I wonder what
happened to the water.

I guess we'll have to
start water rations.

It's always low in summer,
but never like this.

We've got a lot
of men here now.

We might have to
turn the horses out.

But Captain.

Those cavalry men, they will be
like a hornet with a toothache.

The stream that
feeds this well,

you think you can get the
stock there after dark?

Oh, sure.

It's only a few miles.

Have your Sargent
take them over.

I'll do it myself.

I know the place.

But this time only do
what you're supposed to do.

Understand?

Yes, Captain.

[gunshots]

Fall back.

[knocking]

Cara, I want to
talk to you, and I

want you to listen carefully.

Listen to some
more of your lies?

I did lie to you.

I had to.

My return with that
gun meant the saving

of thousands of Legionnaires
all over Morocco.

Can't you understand that?

I didn't have time
for explanations.

I'm not interested in them now.

Why are you holding me here?

Because an entire garrison
was massacred here

and we can afford to
lose any more men.

But you can be sure
nothing will happen to you.

Have you finished, Captain?

No.

The night before our
arrival at Bel-Rashad,

I told you I loved you.

That happened to be the truth.

Unfortunate, isn't it?

[explosion]

What is it?

They're dynamiting the
river, change its course.

That means our well
will go completely dry.

We must let the horses go now.

I guess you're right
about the horses.

They'll be better
off than we will.

Well?

The stream is cut,
just as you ordered.

Good.

Soon that miserable fort
will start weakening.

Still, waiting
might be dangerous.

I know.

But I can't act with
my daughter there.

How did they take it?

A cavalry man with no
horse is like a foot

soldier with no feet.

Have the gate opened.

Open the gate.

Come on, pal.

Bugler.

Sound assembly.

[bugle]

Attention!

Men, our water supply has
been entirely cut off.

We might not get any more
until reinforcements arrive.

So hereafter, each man will
be limited to one cup a day.

I hate to give this order,
but anyone caught stealing

will be shot.

The Arabs may wait awhile
before starting over here again,

so we have conserve
as best we can.

At ease.

Attention!

Sip it slowly.

It will last longer.

You must be lucky
in love, Bamboule.

Loan me another cup.

You know I'm good for it.

You'd better be.

You're losing, huh?

You know, Lieutenant, when
you have to win, you never do.

Thank you.

Hey, drink it here.

No gambling.

What are you, Bamboule?

Card player.

Oh, no, sir, no.

But the men I play with are.

You heard the Captain about
how we have to hold out.

Right now you need water as
much as you need your gun.

What would you think
about a soldier who

went into battle without a gun?

Well, I'd think he
was an officer, sir.

Hm?

Hey!

If we can get the
channel back again,

the well might begin to work.

Water.

[laughing]

I never thought
I'd dream of that.

Water.

Water.

[gunshot]

Bamboule.

It's been a long time
since I talked to you.

I almost forgot how, but I--
our Father, which are in heaven,

I almost forgot how, but I--
our Father, which are in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy
will be done on Earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day
our daily bread.

And forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive

those who trespass against us.

and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory

forever and ever.

Amen.

[knocking]

Come in.

Poor Bamboule.

Just for a little water.

Yeah.

Our situation is
pretty desperate.

Cara, there won't be any
more water after tonight.

What's going to
happen to the men?

And to us?

Evidently your father's
satisfied to let

you die with us.

He's in too deep to draw
back now, even for me.

We're not going
to stay here and be

trapped like a bunch of rats.

We're going to make a
break for it tomorrow.

Paul.

Paul, I believe now what
you said the other night.

[pattering]

Listen.

[thunder]

Rain!

Rain!

Rain!

[thunder]

[cheering]

Paul!

Hey, you camel.

Why aren't you out there
sopping up some of this miracle?

What is it?

The wall, how
long will it last?

An hour, perhaps less.

You know, it was
made of mud and sand.

Most likely the
Emir will attack

as soon as it falls down.

Oh, no, he won't.

Don't forget our little pigeon.

She isn't here anymore.

Is she dead?

I couldn't let her
die for something

that wasn't her fault. So
I let her go last night.

You what?

I didn't think it would rain.

And after all, she's a woman.

Who is a woman?

She's a hostage.

And what if she did die?

She any better than
the rest of us?

Yes.

So that's it.

That's it.

You think she's
in love with you.

And because she's
in love with you,

she will talk her father
out of trying to kill us.

Maybe I made a mistake.

[crashing]

There goes the wall.

Come on.

Well, what are you going to do?

I'm going to get
the explosives ready.

You start setting
up the mine field

as soon as the rain stops.

Plant most in front
of the broken place.

Lieutenant.
-Yes, sir.

Get the machine guns in order.

Very well, sir.

The wires are all set
up and connected, sir.

Anything else?

Yes.

Have the men take
their stations.

Yes, sir.

Why aren't the others here?

Perhaps as I feared,
they have reconsidered.

We'll wait until dawn.

Cover this entire section.

[whistle]

Inside!

Everything is as
you ordered, sir.

Well, they can
come any time now.

They will.

What is it?

Word has come that
the rest of the caids

have refused to join us.

They want no more French killed.

Nor do I.

Have my horse
saddled immediately.

I must stop my father.

Still no sign of them.

Then we'll do it alone.

Ready?

Mount.

Forward!

Prepare for attack.

Glysko.

Look, Cara.

Paul, they are here.

About her, Paul.

Well, it's no use
to keep remembering.

In accordance with my
pledge, I've come to renew

our oath of allegiance.

In the name of the French
government, I accept your word.

And thank you for
your good offices

in helping to restore order.