Question of Love (1978) - full transcript

What do you want?

A QUESTION OF LOVE

- Hello, Captain.
- My respects.

I saw the body.
A bullet in the head.

He died instantly.

Did you know him?

Philippe Dumais
was an architect.

A rich 58-year-old married
to a younger, Swedish woman.

Seven months ago
- you weren't here -,

he fired at some gypsies
who assaulted him,

injuring Sylvain Maller.



It could be retaliation.

I'll launch a search
on Sylvain

and his cousin.

How is Mrs. Dumais coping?

She's here.

We had planned to eat out.

When I saw the gate open,
I went outside.

I hurried down,
so he wouldn't have to wait.

I saw them.

Two of them.

One came up
against the side of the car.

He fired his gun.

I ran.

FAMOUS ARCHITECT KILLED



I believe your husband
owned a gun.

Yes.

Where was it stored?

I don't know.

It was seized after the fight.

But then he got it back.

Look. The point is that I can't
take that plane.

I don't care
if you pay me back.

I might leave again in two days.

Just tell me what to do.

I was here.

Right in this spot.

Getting some air.

I saw Mr. Dumais' car
up the road,

the headlights,

and a shadow creeping up
between the trees and the car.

I heard a shot.

I was dumbstruck.

I remembered

how he had been assaulted
in the past.

Then the man ran away,
that way.

- Two men.
- No.

Are you sure?

If there were two,
I'd have seen two.

But I only saw one.

What did he look like?
Tall? Short?

Rather tall.

But I'm not positive.

The one who fired was here.

And the other...

over here.

Excuse me.

You could be mistaken.
You're in shock.

No. I'm certain about it.

They both ran away that way.

Would you recognize them?

No, I don't think so.

You should rest.

Your husband's office is downtown?

Yes. 12 rue Manfredo.

Mrs. Ventoux,
my husband's secretary,

will be glad to help you.

- Who scheduled his meetings?
- I did.

He would also do it sometimes.

But I knew everything.

There are some things
you must know.

- You wish to depose?
- Yes.

- Formally?
- Yes.

No, not now.
I can't.

Yes. Call me back this afternoon.

I'll find a way.

I'd like you to look up
a certain Tom Hastings.

He's English.

He works at the IBM centre
in La Gaude.

Very well.

Do you know Tom Hastings?

Yes.

Was he your lover?

Yes.

Where is he?

Is this part of the investigation?

Absolutely.

He had a plane
for London today.

He didn't take it.

He just called me.

We're meeting
later today.

Ask him to stop by my office.

I didn't find much on Hastings.

He's a computer scientist.

He gave a series of lectures
at the La Gaude centre.

Unmarried.

His name turned up in a drug case,

marijuana trafficking, as a customer.

The consul interceded
in his defence.

What did he do, yesterday?

He went to the casino.

He was supposed to leave
for London this morning.

He booked two tickets.

- Are you sure?
- Yes.

- And the gypsies?
- We're on it.

They changed camps.

What are you doing?

I already looked for the gun.

I didn't find it.

It was in his car.

You're wrong.
It wasn't me.

I saw you.

- Me?
- Yes.

- Did you see my face?
- No.

So?

It was the way you walked and moved.
I didn't have a single doubt.

Then I'm crazy!

- Why not turn me in?
- I'd mean turning myself in too.

Why mention two attackers?

I was wrong, I know.
I wasn't thinking.

I remembered the first case.

I remembered the gypsies.

I thought the police
would do the same.

If it wasn't for that neighbour...

Philippe's gun is gone.

So?

What does it have
to do with me?

I didn't even know he had a gun.

You have to see the judge.

I'll contact the consulate.

Last night after dinner

I heard the sound
of an engine racing.

I live in that villa,

right behind the Dumais'.

I looked out the window

and saw a car
racing around the corner

as if it had the cops
on its tail.

I didn't make the connection,

but when I read the papers...

I came to check
and saw the wall was damaged.

The fender must be scraped.

Interesting.

How many people were in the car?
One or two?

I don't know!

What type of car was it?

Grey or beige...

or white.

That's all I can say.

I found it best to come here

and help you avoid the journalists.

I have a few questions
on my mind.

First, Mr. Hastings has yet
to show himself.

I saw him.
He will come to see you.

He's getting prepared.

Did your husband know him?

Yes.

Mrs. Ventoux said

Mr. Hastings had come to see him.

Were you aware?

Yes.

They refused to tell me
what was said.

Except for one sentence.
Your husband told you

- according to Mrs. Ventoux
who overheard it -:

"He came to negotiate
your leaving."

Maybe.

- A curious sentence.
- Yes.

Did Mr. Dumais know about
your affair?

Yes.

- Did he accept it?
- I was free to do as I pleased.

Even to leave him?

I never intended to.

What do you think?
That I killed him?

Hundreds of little punks in Nice
could have done it.

Did you question them?

The police found the Mallers.

They weren't in Nice that day.

Meanwhile you focus
on my private matters.

An investigation
explores many leads,

closing them one at a time.

Sometimes, none are left at the end.

"Case closed,"
is what we write.

May I question
your employee?

The bell is here.

You rang?

Could you give us some privacy?

You told the police you were
with Mrs. Dumais

when her husband's car arrived.

What did you see?

Not much.

She rushed down, I turned off
the lights in the den,

and I heard a shot.

I went to the window
and saw her running.

While you were waiting with her,

what was Mrs. Dumais like?
Nervous? Calm?

Calm. Very calm.

Thank you.

You may come in.

Forgive me for being so obnoxious.

A professional quirk.

Let's record your deposition.

CAR DEALERSHIP

Looks like cement.
Roughcast, to be exact.

I'm sorry to impose this on you,
but it's capital.

It this the car

you sold before leaving?

Or tried to leave, if I may.

This is the car.

Did you damage the fender?

No.

It happened that night.

I'd parked by the casino.

When I came out, I realized
there was a scrape

French drivers have no respect

for other people's cars.

I even showed it to
a casino employee.

You asked the man
who bought it

to lend you back the car.

That's right.

Why?

I wanted to enjoy
my last evening in France.

Is that a crime?

Here's what I collected.

Ask for a lab analysis.

Question:

you'd booked a morning plane
for London

which you didn't board.

- Why?
- Personal matters.

Is this "personal matter"
called Catherine Dumais?

No comment.

No comment.

You booked two seats
in the plane.

Why two?

You attitude is dangerous,
Mr. Hastings.

A silence is well worth an answer.

You met with Mr. Dumais.
Why?

I knew him.
I came to say goodbye.

Did you visit everyone

before not leaving?

That woman hates us.

She's doing her job.

It's a lousy job.

She always
suspected us.

Now she wants to prove she's right.

Stop.
I'll bet you anything

the guy in the brown vest over there
will stop too.

Missed.

That bitch is out to get us.

We didn't do anything.

But that's just it.
We have to leave.

- And go where?
- With me.

To London, then the USA.

I'm offered a position
in a university.

We can get married in London.

You'll become English.

They'll never hurt us then.

What we have to do is stall.

Things could change.

They find the culprit.
Another judge steps in.

I'm interrupting your work.

How lovely.

I wish I had time to garden too.

Unfortunately...

"As Secretary
of the Architects Association,

"I was surprised last Monday
to see Mr. Dumais

"leave during a session.

"He was usually very committed.

"He said he was dining
with his wife."

When was this dinner decided upon?

That afternoon.

So Mr. Dumais had to change
his plans.

Yes.

- At your request?
- A mutual agreement.

We didn't go out for our anniversary.

We decided to go out that night.

He could have chosen
another day,

given he had a meeting.

You believe I ambushed my husband?

It's a quirk,

a professional tic of sorts.

We seek logic in everything.

Even the smallest events.

Do you like your job?

Sometimes I do,
sometimes not at all.

Sneaking into people's lives,

hunting them down.

How exhilarating.

You're exaggerating,
Mrs. Dumais.

I find out what people
have or have not done.

That's it.

- Did you start young?
- Somewhat.

I wanted to know who was lying
and who told the truth.

Did you always tell the truth?

Not always, no!

For instance, when I'd done
something wrong.

You've hated me from the start.

I don't hate you.

but some things trouble me.

Like this.

A bill I found
in your husband's desk.

On Saturday,

he bought you a very expensive ring.

Did he already know
you planned to leave him?

It was a gift he planned to buy

for our anniversary.

May I see this ring?

Of course.

It's ravishing.

I have other jewels he bought for me,

they're all ravishing.

- Do you wish to see them?
- Not now.

He was a wonderful husband.

Why would I want him dead?

A wonderful husband indeed.

But weak.

Very weak.

He wasn't weak.

You were saying?

We had a moral agreement.

Catherine...

the doctor told me

it would be hard for me to regain...

what I've lost.

He's wrong, darling.

It's in your head.

So it's curable.

It's psychosomatic.

It means I'm a wreck,
both body and mind.

My heart has beaten for you
too much.

You mean I went too far.

We both did.

Catherine...

if one day, you like someone,

resist, but not too long.

Don't be foolish.

I've thought it through.

It's the only sensible solution.

It was three years ago.

He saw a professor, in Paris.

He didn't follow his advice.

I've heard it's rare for men
to be cured.

Yet, I still found some pleasure
with him.

I can also explain how,

if you wish.

Could you give me
this professor's name?

I'll look it up.

Tom is going to London.

He wants me to go with him.

I said no.

If you want to go, go.

Do you love Tom?

- No.
- I always figured one day

a man would matter more
than the rest.

It's how things go.

Are these "things" me?

I can't live without you, Philippe.

Never has any man

given me as much pleasure
as you have.

That was centuries ago.

It was yesterday.

Who did you love?

Tom Hastings?

Your husband?

Both?

My husband.

Don't tell me that, to you,
Tom was only...

May I ask you something?

Are you married?

No.

But if you must know...

I've loved two men,

one after the other.

These are the pieces

I showed Mr. and Mrs. Dumais.

The finest in my collection.

But she opted
for a very simple diamond.

Were you surprised?

Not surprised, no.
I thought

she would be attracted

by a more sophisticated piece.

But a diamond

can be converted into cash
more easily.

Here is the bullet
that killed Dumais.

Here is the one that injured
Sylvain Maller.

I want to know if the two
were fired by the same gun.

Give me 48 hours.
It's all I can do.

Call me when you know.

The judge has doubts.

She wouldn't, if it was
the same weapon. I hope.

French law allows witnesses
to remain silent

if they fear being misinterpreted.

Am I saying something
judicially wrong?

No.

But silence can harm a witness,

like Mr. Hastings.

And Mrs. Dumais.

- We...
- Never mind.

My silence is a feint.
My words are lies.

Am I right?

Not exactly.

But why won't you admit

the 2nd plane ticket
was for Mrs. Dumais?

Let's say it was.
What's it to you?

I'm asking you the question.

When you went to see Mr. Dumais,

was it to tell him she was leaving?

My visit is not connected
to Mr. Dumais' death.

You came to negotiate.

Your name turned up in a drug case.

Is this about a murder

or drug trafficking?

My questions pertain
to police intelligence.

I advise him not to answer
on this point.

This is a lecture,
not an inquiry.

Psychology, not an investigation.

Every crime has its motive.

Did Mrs. Dumais and her lover
have a reason

to kill Mr. Dumais

or did only one of two?

Shouldn't you

be looking
for material evidence?

True, Your Excellency.

Insofar as Mr. Hastings
accepts to cooperate.

Do you maintain your car
was damaged by the casino?

Yes.

We analyzed the roughcast

on the crumpled fender
and that on the wall.

Experts detected a match.

Another question.

- Do you own a gun?
- No.

A car, a gun,
no psychology there.

They're solid, material objects.

Isn't that right?

Captain Lachot and I
are passionate about them,

just like you.

It's quite a favour you're asking.

No one will know.

- All right.
- Thanks, man.

We're devastated.

You have all our sympathy.

- Thank you, Angelo.
- Please.

- Maurice.
- Yes?

I double-parked.
Take my car to the car park.

Right away.

You weren't scheduled.

Oh, I understand...

I understand you have other issues.

If you'll just wait a moment.

All right.

The Attorney General asked
to attend.

I agreed to it.

Tom Hastings
was indeed seen at the casino

that night,

but he could have left discreetly.

He indeed showed the bellman
the damaged fender,

but he cannot say

if the car stayed put all night.

No leads coming from local criminals

or gypsies.

The Mallers vanished

but they often have reasons
to do so.

Finally,
and this is the crucial point,

it's possible

Philippe Dumais
was killed with his own gun.

I'm waiting for the lab results.

It's crystal clear, Suzanne.

- Very clear.
- It's even typical.

An unwanted husband

a young wife, a lover
who satisfies her.

- Is Mrs. Dumais being watched?
- Yes.

- And Mr. Hastings?
- No.

The British consul is very fussy.

He complained about the press.

Call our man tailing
Mrs. Dumais.

Tell him to bring her here,
right away.

Even if she doesn't talk...

- The evidence we have...
- "We"?

- Where is Mrs. Dumais?
- Here.

I'll take care of her
in a moment.

Please, not here.

You better keep still, faggot.

Got it?

Oh, shit!

Hey.

Marcel, Catherine.

- Enchanté.
- Hello.

Here's my wife's passport.

I hope it'll all be all right.

Thank you.

Larcher Bianca

There's another one.

Right.

Cheer up.

You're just visiting Italy
with your wife.

PASSPORT

Park the car over here.

Over here.

Your ID.

Open the trunk.

Follow me, ma'am.

You stay here.

You can't!

Follow me, Mr. Hastings.

- I refuse.
- Follow me.

Let me call the consul.

You'll can call anyone
from there. Let's go.

If this is all the evidence
you have,

then arrest anyone,
except an Englishman,

and we'll remain on good terms.

Do you have anything else
against Tom Hastings?

We could have
some new developments.

In a month? A year? A century?

In a few hours.

You'll be sure
Mr. Hastings is guilty?

I could consider it.

He is a British citizen.

Either you indict him,

or you release him immediately.

Can I make
a private phone call?

This way.

Soon we'll be in Italy.

You will. I won't.

I won't abandon you.

We have nothing to hide.
Neither of us do.

I have nothing to be afraid of?

I have to make a decision, now.

I'd like to know your opinion.

As soon as an Englishman
is mixed up,

it's back to Joan of Arc
or Waterloo.

Keep him
and they'll all jump on you.

For the moment, you cannot

charge him
or keep him in custody.

It would have been different
with a positive result

on the weapons.

But now we're stuck.

What about Mrs. Dumais?

Keep her.
She's French and guilty.

If she is, then so is Tom Hastings.

He'll vanish forever.

But we'll be the heroes.
We acted appropriately.

They can't accuse us of persecution.

Mr. Larcher.

No one is charged,
no offense was committed.

You're free to go.

- Mrs. Dumais' luggage?
- Yes.

Bring them here.

There's a call for Captain Lachot.

Excuse me.

Picasso 1912.

You packed quality, not quantity.

Gifts from my husband.

Souvenirs...

priceless ones.

I must seize your luggage
for an inventory.

Ms. Corbier.

Can you tell me

how Mr. Dumais managed
to be shot with his own gun?

I didn't kill my husband.

And I didn't ask anyone else to.

Did Tom Hastings play
any part in this?

I suspected it, but not anymore.

It doesn't make any sense.

If he'd killed him,
he'd have boarded that plane.

A man like Mr. Hastings,
engineer, mathematician,

is easily convinced
of his superiority,

and his impunity.

No.

I can't imagine he'd do it.

It's not pleasant sending someone
to jail, Mrs. Dumais.

But I'm forced to do it.

Given the lab results
and your attempted escape,

no judge would do otherwise.

So if you have something to say,
say it now.

I beg you.

We'll call you as soon
as your things arrive.

What's your name?

Catherine Dumais.

I'm Gisèle Polmi.
You can call me Gis.

- Want a cigarette?
- No, thanks.

What did you do?

- It seems I killed my husband.
- Yeah. I read about it.

You had some British lover.

Where is he?

Gone.

I'll send your international warrant
to the chancellery.

England is free to keep Hastings
or expel him.

They're more fussy than ever.

As for us, we can't send a commando.

I fear we won't ever see him again.

And between us...

I don't care.

I'll give it back.

I took a few pictures
to add to the case.

When you investigate
a criminal case,

you explore a whole life story.

Mr. Dumais
visited Stockholm

for a symposium.

You were a hostess?

An interpreter.

He'd had a slight mishap.

His luggage was lost.
He was upset.

The lecture he was to give
was in his suitcase.

I have some news.

Your luggage is in Zurich.

What I liked about him
was his calm.

He wasn't mad.
He was entertained.

Say, I need to find someone

to dictate my report to.

It's what I do.

His luggage circled around Europe.

London, Berlin,
Amsterdam, Brussels...

They arrived on the very last day.

He invited me to dinner
to thank me.

So, of course, you don't get along
with your wife anymore?

How did you guess?

He wanted me to come to France.

He said I was born
to live under the sun.

He would call me.

Said he was divorcing.

I didn't believe it.

Catherine!

I didn't bring any luggage,

just this piece of paper.

I'll read it to you in the plane.

It's a fine document:

a divorce ruling.

You lived some months
with him

before marrying.

There were issues
with his ex-wife

who owned half
of the architect's office.

You lived a quiet life.
At least that's what it seemed.

We called the Stockholm police.

They confirm the account
you gave.

I'll send you the report.

There's a passage

I wish to read to Mrs. Dumais.

"Ms. Catherine Regvist worked
for a company

"which provides hostesses
for receptions.

"It no longer exists.

"It was dismantled when

"it was revealed it tolerated

"employee prostitution.

"Ms. Regvist, however,

"was never charged for such deeds."

I never took part in it.

Police reports are merely

a bunch of gossip.

They just can't get enough.

You say your husband
became impotent three years ago.

And no one else knew about it.

Philippe Dumais, impotent?

He was a man,
in every sense of the term.

I'm an old friend.
We were classmates.

I'd have known.

I'm Secretary of the association.

I'm surprised.

You usually end up
knowing these things.

I was married to him
for eleven years.

There's a lot I can say.
But not that.

These are just testimonies.

But we may form one hypothesis:

this impotence helps you explain

the liberties you took.

Why would Philippe
accept them?

Some men, impotent or not,

accept such affairs.

I sent at letter to Paris

asking to question the professor

Mr. Dumais supposedly consulted.

Say, wouldn't he be the one who...

"Who" what?

The Brit had the hots for you.

Seems like it.

Like everyone else,

you needed some dick
from time to time.

Maybe he was the one who did it.

- I don't think so.
- You could say so.

If I were you, I'd demolish him.

- I don't need to.
- Really?

Well...

Six years ago,
I drew up Mr. Dumais' will.

Mrs. Dumais became his sole heir.

Estimations show

personal and real property

amounted to one billion cents.

And in case of a divorce?

The Dumais
had a prenuptial agreement.

He didn't owe his wife anything.

It depended
on his sole generosity.

I didn't know what was in the will.

Philippe told me I was safe

if he died.

I refused to think about it.

I was happy with him.
It was enough.

If I'd left with another man,

I wouldn't have asked him for a dime!

I'd only have taken that suitcase.

No jewels.

Yet the suitcase I seized
contained the jewels.

I can get information

from that Swedish girl.

I thought it could be of interest
to the judge.

That's very honourable.

Before my incident,

I got along with the police.

I'd tell them some things,

and they'd let me work.

How can I thank you?

My judge thinks I'm a whore.

That's not true.

Maybe if you spoke to him...

What's the charge?

A difficult customer.

My friend punished him. He died.

You didn't take
his money by any chance?

Thank you, Miss.

Judge Corbier.

I wish to speak with the warden.

That Gisèle Polmi
is a charming nature.

Hello, Sir?

Could you have Gisèle Polmi
change cells?

Yes. Put her with Catherine Dumais,
a nice girl,

or as close as you can get

among your inmates.

HASTINGS: INTERNATIONAL WARRANT

DUMAIS CASE
BECOMES HASTINGS CASE

I spent Sunday,
on the eve of the crime,

on the golf course.

I'd met up with Mr. Dumais
on the green.

Mrs. Dumais was ahead of us.

She wanted to reach
the club house alone.

She was meeting someone.

That someone

was Tom Hastings.

I didn't know he'd come.

I was surprised to see him.

Why had he come?

He wanted to confront Philippe
in my presence.

Mr. Dumais, would you agree
to speak with me?

Let me catch up
with my wife.

I'm as hungry as a horse.

I felt Mrs. Dumais
was wrapping things up

because I was there,
and I was a bother.

LOVERS FROM HELL
PLOT PERFECT CRIME

WILL KILLER FROM NICE
BE PROTECTED BY BRITISH POLICE?

A MURDERER!

Your case
is causing us a lot of trouble.

The English want us
to hand over Hastings.

They resent how the press
has presented him,

which I can understand, in a way.

Our journalists are terrible.

Since England

dismissed its executioners,

they fear

he could face the death penalty here.

They suggested
that our Minister of Justice

renounce the international warrant.

Instead, they will judge Hastings

if there are sufficient charges.

He's said to be the son
of some official

who was quite popular.

That counts.

All this fuss about
the most authentic culprit

I've ever seen in my time.

Oh! By the way,
your dossier was extremely clear.

Congratulations.

Regarding Tom Hastings,

I'm sure of it.

Meaning?

I'm not certain Mrs. Dumais
is his accomplice.

Materially speaking.

We have evidence against her.
I locked her up.

But I'm not glad.

- Because she's a woman?
- No.

She just doesn't behave
like a murderer.

Please, Suzanne.
The facts are plain to see.

It's all connected.

We're the ones connecting them, sir.

And we enjoy it.

This is the life!

She eats, sleeps.

She leaves you alone.

Come. It's your lawyer.

Tom says he's all right.

He's thinking of you.

The English say the case won't hold

and there's no Ms. Corbier
over there.

And justice still prevails?

Will the judge let me see
Mrs. Dumais?

I have a few questions.
Mere clarifications.

She can't really refuse.

- Did you find a detective?
- He's here.

Call Mr. Alberti in.

An ex-policeman.

Clever, tenacious.

In France, witnesses easily get rid
of private detectives.

But he'll stick it out.

It's hard to say
that a customer

didn't leave the casino at all.

The cops would prefer
if I said he'd vanished

for some time that night.

You're no fool.

- You can fix that.
- Sure.

With the cops on my back!

I don't know...

The English lawyer.

Does he know anyone
in high circles?

I could go up the ladder
in London or Brighton.

Here, when you're not a wop...

Mrs. Sovégo,

you were Tom Hastings' maid.

when he lived here.

Tell us what you saw that day.

At 4 p.m. that day,

Mrs. Dumais
visited Mr. Hastings.

I left to go shopping.

When I came back,

Mrs. Dumais was gone.

Go on.

The room was mess,
the bed was undone.

I'd made it that afternoon.

There were traces.

That morning, Mr. Hastings
spoke with your husband

and you were, as you said,
"infuriated" by this.

Strange way to be infuriated.

Hours later, you had sex
with Tom Hastings.

It's true, I was a coward.

Then you saw Tom Hastings
do something.

What was it?

I saw him put something away
in this drawer.

What was it?

A gun.

A witness who saw the gun.

Interesting.

On that basis, couldn't we imagine

what happened next?

On Saturday 1st, Tom asks Catherine
to leave with him.

He buys two tickets,

indicating she probably agreed.

She announced this to her husband.

"You're free," he says,

though we may doubt it,
because...

on Sunday,
Tom tries to talk to Philippe.

At the golf course.

Mr. Dumais brushes him off,

but Tom insists,

stopping by the next day
at his office

to negotiate Catherine's leaving.

It makes sense.
If she leaves him,

Catherine is penniless.

Then comes the scene
with the ring.

For their anniversary,

Mr. Dumais took his wife
to a jeweller's.

Mrs. Dumais chose a diamond,

easily negotiable.

On Monday, Catherine and Tom
meet up.

Their scheme has failed.

They make love.

Did they decide to kill him then?

Did Catherine give Tom
Philippe's gun?

It's possible, since that very night,

the maid saw Tom
put it away in this drawer.

What we do know
is that moments later,

you asked your husband
to go out for dinner

and to come pick you up
after his meeting.

Why?

The lovers probably wanted
to reproduce the conditions

of the first assault.

One difference:

the gun was not in the glove box,

as Mr. Dumais expected.

He looked for it in vain.

Without the neighbour
and the maid to testify,

it was the perfect crime.
Nearly-perfect.

This is the logical conclusion
we can draw.

Do you have another version?

I won't turn it down.

Have you ever been
in Arab countries?

They're packed with storytellers,
playing the flute.

Thanks to their talent,
they captivate the crowds.

If only you had a flute.

I forgot something.

The doctor Philippe Dumais
supposedly consulted.

Due to doctor-patient
confidentiality,

he can't say
if he saw Mr. Dumais.

It's the law.

You're the only one to claim

your husband was impotent.

I recognize nothing.

Not even myself.

I don't recognize Philippe,
nor Tom.

I recognize no one.

Where were you?

Under the bed?
In the trashcan?

You understood, you guessed it.

You know everything.

You know I loved Philippe,

and slept with Tom.

One gave me money,
the other gave me pleasure.

You stand to the side of God
to judge men.

Are you God himself?

No! You're just a cop!

I loved like you never will.

I was happy.

So was Philippe.

Even if it bothers you.

I've known love, and I still do.

Think whatever you like,
I don't care!

How did it go?

You should get some sleep.

Jail is a good place to rest.

Look at me, I feel better each time.

Right...

Yes, come in.

Headlines: "Shocking." "Justice."

You get the picture.

It's about us.
You and I.

They state our names.
In England

you fire journalists

for not stating full names.

Why not give
our phone numbers?

Listen here.

"If England is to remain
in the common market,

"we ask France

"not to run a persecutory justice."

We're the persecutors.

Maybe the truth lies in here.

Another truth.

Sylvain Maller and his cousin Marc
were arrested

for burglary.

Marc is a talented guitarist.

Two days ago,
he accused himself

of Dumais' murder.

He gave details.

I asked for his transfer.

Sylvain was the instigator

and a witness.

- Aren't you hungry?
- My stomach is in a knot.

What about lunch?

Here.

Thanks.

What's this?
That's it?

It's all we have for today.

Don't choke on it.

Stop complaining.

If it was up to me,
I'd let you starve.

Fucking bastards.

I wonder why you confessed.

You'll see.

If Marc and Sylvain stick to it,

Hastings is innocent,

Catherine Dumais didn't lie.
She's free to go.

You look happy about it.

Why not?

Because I was too hard
on Mrs. Dumais?

I'd prefer if she was innocent.

Believe me.

I don't know why,
but I'd prefer.

Louise, they found the killer!

It was a gypsy: Marc Maller.

How about that...

Drop your guns.

- Come on.
- Let's go!

Let's go, or I'll kill them!

You too.

No.

Marc didn't kill Mr. Dumais.

Nor did Sylvain, naturally.

He accused himself
to escape.

Fine result.

They're both dead.
Plus a cop.

Can you prove

Marc Maller didn't kill him?

Of course.

He was in Arles that day,
at a music festival.

It's a solid alibi.
2,000 people

can testify
to Sylvain Maller's presence.

Hastings is once again
the main suspect.

They say you're the most
powerful person in France.

You can sign a piece of paper
and send anyone to jail.

Not always.

Hastings never went to jail.

- Why come to the trial?
- Hastings avoids me.

Is he more collaborative

in his own country?

And why are you in London?

To see Hastings' acquittal

and prepare my client's.

Is it thanks to you
the matter started?

Yes.

You saw a man.

Look at Mr. Hastings.

Is he the man?

I can't say.
I saw a man, that's all.

You said Mr. Dumais was shot

with his own gun.

Yes.

Have you ever handled this weapon?

No.

You never fired it
in order to compare?

Obviously not.

Would your conviction
be easier to justify

if you had the gun?

It'd be better.

All day long, Sir Geoffrey,
Hastings' lawyer,

scored points.

He kept the discussion

on purely material elements.

He is sure to win the trial,

as here, concrete facts
are preferred

to psychological ideas.

Only facts matter.
Not presumptions.

If Sir Geoffrey can instil
reasonable doubt,

as the English say,

he wins.

In Brussels...

How many cars damaged
in accidents

do you get in each day?

How many garages are there
in the Nice area?

500 cars a day may be
in the condition

Mr. Hastings' car is in.

How many roughcast walls
are there in the Nice area?

Tens of thousands, probably?

Is it then possible to say

that one of the 500 cars damaged
April 3rd

scratched one wall in particular

out of all the tens of thousands
of walls?

Sir Geoffrey is ridiculing
the accusation.

Witnesses lose their footing.

The case built by France

can't resist his assaults.

You saw Mr. Hastings
put a gun into a drawer.

Yes.

- Did he hold it like that?
- Yes.

- Did he place it like this?
- Yes.

Are you sure it was a gun?

Yes.

What was I holding in my hand?

I don't know.

- Could it have been a gun?
- Yes.

There's only one object here.
A camera handle

bought by Mr. Hastings in Nice.

It's a buffoonery.

Too bad we can't clown around
like that in France.

Sir Geoffrey wishes you
to depose as a witness.

I wished to inform you,
out of courtesy.

Will you come to the bar?

As you like.

Mademoiselle...

Did you state:
"I have psychological charges

"against Hastings and Dumais."

Did you say Mr. Hastings
had been involved

in a drug case?

Did you state Mrs. Dumais
had been a hostess?

We judge people, not shadows.

Did you find out at what time
the lovers made love?

If they left traces in the bed?

Such facts may be important

when the victim
is a cumbersome husband.

Is that what you call
psychological proof?

Presumptions.

Did the French papers print

the witnesses' depositions?

Some of them, yes.

Who gave them that information?

I didn't.

Then who?

Any courthouse
has its leaks.

Is there not a danger the jury
may be influenced by the press?

Despite the press,
defendants are acquitted.

Do you think Mrs. Dumais will?

She could be.

And if she is acquitted,

she'll have spent months in jail
for nothing.

It's true.

I've heard in England,
innocents had spent their lives

in jail for nothing.

Your colleague is right,

but I'm glad I put him
in his place.

After deliberating,

the jury gave its verdict.

Not guilty.

Consequently,
Tom Hastings is acquitted.

Acquitted!

He's acquitted!
He's acquitted!

Say...

I can't wait to see Corbier's face.

You see, sir, what I am aiming at.

I won't transfer
Catherine Dumais' dossier,

as I plan to dismiss
the case.

Why?
If Hastings is guilty,

as you believe,
so is Mrs. Dumais.

The English made a mistake

in acquitting him.

The public

will never accept
that we do the same.

If you do so, I'll file an appeal.

It's your right.

You're causing a lot of trouble,
Suzanne.

Why are you taking this to heart?

I'm worried about you.
Yes. I am.

You'll lose this battle

and Mrs. Dumais
will bear the blow.

I like you, Suzanne.

You care about justice,

but don't go overboard.

Think about it.

Attorney General, sir?
Suzanne Corbier.

I've dismissed the case
on Mrs. Dumais.

It's dully noted.

I'll file an appeal.

The court of appeal will decide.

... therefore states

that the case of Dumais, Catherine
must be referenced

to the Alpes-Maritimes court

to be ruled.

This case, my fellow jurors,

comes to us
in a peculiar light.

Try to forget

that a foreign justice system
already ruled on it.

You are not to take this ruling
into account.

I disagree.

The jury cannot ignore
Tom Hastings' acquittal.

Must I remind you the jury
knows only one rule:

their own conviction?

Can the clerk

read the charges brought
before the court?

We are stunned by the composure

you showed.

Waiting for Mr. Dumais,

moments before the crime,
you were absolutely calm.

Your maid said so.

Given what was to unfold...

I didn't know.

Here's a piece of advice.

Change your defence.
Confess.

The jury might understand.

More than they do now, anyway.

I can positively affirm

that Mr. Dumais was shot
with his own gun.

In London, I was told
I couldn't be sure

because I hadn't held the gun.

It's a theoretical doubt.

I saw Mr. Hastings place a gun
in the drawer.

Are you sure?

Yes. A gun.
Nothing else.

I'm certain.

Not a camera handle.

After the trial, it came back to me.

Mr. Hastings' belongings
were already packed,

including the camera.

Mr. President, with the court
and the defence's permission,

I'd like to take the opportunity
to question

a member of the public here today.

When you fled to England,

what were you afraid of?

Of being arrested.

Without being guilty?

Yes. I wasn't guilty,

but suspected.

Reasonably so, as I shall prove.

Fleeing the justice

is not how an innocent acts.

The judge won't listen.

His judgment is all ready formed.

She cheated,
she's guilty.

But the jury!

They deliberate with the judges.

Since London, the witnesses

have honed
their arguments.

You're lucky you were
judged first.

Yes.

I asked to depose again.

I am the sole culprit.

I killed Mr. Dumais.

Catherine didn't know.

Silence.

Go on.

I love Catherine.

I couldn't leave France without her.

She stayed with him

out of pity.

So I thought

I should speak with Mr. Dumais.

I don't see your point.

Catherine knows she's free.

You misunderstand.

It's not that. You must tell

her to leave.

- With you, naturally.
- With me.

When a woman lives with one man
and sleeps with another

she starts to think it's not normal.

We need to talk about it.

The three of us.
With Catherine, tonight.

Hastings...

can you guess
why I didn't throw you out?

I was curious

what an English uncouth was like.

Then I wondered:

am I wrong
not to abandon Catherine?

Now I know.
I'm saving her from danger.

No need to be rude.

Let's ask her together.

- She won't like it.
- Ask her!

Did she agree that you would come
to see me?

You lost, Mr. Hastings.

One day, you will too.

You're afraid of facing her
with me.

Here's some advice.
Go to London.

Keep your illusions.

You're bound to lose them otherwise.

We're too old to fight this out.

Don't you agree?

Now I know what a French sap
is like.

So neither of us has wasted
his time.

I hated him...

Despised him.

But I didn't think I'd kill him.

The day before I left,

Catherine came to see me
one last time.

In her husband's car.

I thought hers was in the shop.

I asked her to drive me downtown.

On the way,

she stopped at the salon
to make an appointment.

Without thinking,

I opened the glove box.

I saw the gun.

Then it came to me like a flash:

if Philippe vanished,
she'd come with me.

I took the gun.

You know the rest.

Is that all?

Do you wish to make a statement?

This trial cannot be pursued.

Investigation must resume.

Why? We can pursue,

since all the protagonists
are present.

I am not surprised
by Mr. Hastings' statement.

It confirms what I've believed
for some time.

Madam, if you recognized
Mr. Hastings,

which we now know,

why mention two attackers?

Because...

I advise her not to answer.

My colleague wants to prey

on the court's emotion.

I repeat: this trial
must be suspended.

Please file your pleading.

After many confessions
and statements,

the court left

to deliberate.

Join us for the next newsflash.

In response
to the defence's pleading,

given the presence of the defendant

and the witness,
Mr. Hastings,

the jury has all the elements

necessary to form their judgment.

They reject the call

for additional investigation.

The trial is resumed.

During your deliberation,

a witness has come forth

wishing to make a statement.

Her name will surprise you.

I remind the court

of your reserve power.

You may depose.

Ladies and gentlemen,

my case was the basis
for this accusation.

I built that case,

- yes, I "built" it -

on Catherine Dumais' sole lie.

That lie impressed me
at first.

It clarified all the rest.

And all the facts fell into place,
miraculously.

The story with the gun
encouraged me.

I just needed the human explanation.

I looked for it.

But I simplified it.

She lied, so she's guilty.

She's cheating, so she no longer
loves her husband.

She's poor if she divorces,

so she kills him with her lover.

When I started to have doubts,

it was too late.

The wheels were in motion.

Everyone thought I was right.

I wanted to back down.

And I saw Catherine Dumais...

for what she really is.

A victim.

Please.

No, no. A victim, I say.

The truth of this matter

is that Catherine Dumais
loved her husband.

She didn't want to kill him
or leave him.

I would have seen it.

had I not been blinded
by professional habits.

Yet something was missing.

Now you have it.

Tom Hastings' confession.

Had he confessed to me

I'd have believed it.

I'd have freed Mrs. Dumais.

So should you.

Unbelievable!

You can't tell the jury what to do!

Sir, any questions
for the witness?

Absolutely.

Did you affirm in London

that the English justice system

could make judicial errors?

Yes.

Are you trying to make a French court

commit the same error?

That was not what I meant.

You already know

Tom Hastings risks nothing in France

after his confession.

His case was ruled.

Can you not consider
he may be trying

to help his accomplice
avoid punishment

like he avoided it himself?

It's a hypothesis.

I embrace it.

So will the jury.

It's a nice trap you're falling into.

Unwillingly.

Are you losing your calm, sir?

I could say the same.

You lost your calm

when, fallen prey
to your emotions,

you only considered your impressions

and intuitions.

But I wish to thank you.
It is thanks

to your dossier

that Catherine Dumais
will be condemned.

You're not listening,
Catherine.

Everything will be all right.

Suzanne Corbier's testimony is vital.

If not for the judges,
at least for the jury.

She said:
"Catherine Dumais lied,

"so I believed she was guilty."

She's right.

I lied to everyone.

To Tom. To Philippe. To myself.

Everything happened because of me.

He died because of me.

No one can change that.

No one.

Let them do whatever they please.

It doesn't matter.

Listen...

Given articles 295, 304,

463, 59 and 60 of the penal code,

and the jury's response,

the court, after deliberation,

sentences Catherine Dumais
to five years imprisonment.

Two judicial errors
for one case...

that's a tough record to beat.