War rages on. The Prussians and Austrians...
... have inflicted heavy defeats on French troops
August 10, 1792: French troops, with the citizens of Paris...
... attack the Tuileries Palace
The royal family flees to the National Assembly ; the King is removed from power
August 13, 1792 - The King and his family are imprisoned in the Temple...
... by order of Paris's Insurrectional Council
The French Revolution : "Years of Terror"
August 13, 1792
Come, Marie-Th??e
Smile, dear
Now sir, you're going where you belong : behind bars
I hope at least they'll put us in the same area where the Comte d'Artois--
No talking !
Don't raise your voice !
He raised his voice to me !
How dare you !
Don't touch her !
Where are you taking her ?
- I protest, sir ! - Naturally, Mr. Veto
What you have to say is no longer of any importance
Cl?y ! You here ?
Your Majesty... I begged them to let me stay
You've already done more than your duty for me
Never a moment's peace !
Robespierre is in his room
I'll take you up
How can you work in this racket ?
It's over, Maxime. The King has been removed from power
There is a provisional council of six ministers
Danton is Justice Minister
Over ?
We may be just at the beginning, Camille
Lafayette's Headquarters
I've searched my conscience, and can find no comfort
I cannot accept the legality of this government
In Paris they call me a traitor for my opinions
Me, Lafayette !
If by refusing to serve these men, who have destroyed everything...
... by striking at the Crown and the constitution, I am a traitor
Then so be it
Let slander triumph
I have no place here
As for you, follow your conscience
I have no intention of influencing you
Lafayette has deserted, Sire
The Prussians have taken Longwy
It seems nothing can stop them
In two weeks they'll be in Paris, and you'll be free
I'm leaving for Amiens tomorrow !
This government will not leave Paris
This government will not cower in fear
This government will stand and fight and win
No matter how, no matter the cost
Every man must fight, with every gun, sword or pike
And those who dare to show fear, will know an even worse terror
If we have 30,000 traitors, they must be arrested tomorrow
To beat our enemies we must demonstrate daring, more daring and even more daring
To save France !
Fabre, take these death sentences from Camille and put them on the list
Why haven't I received reports from the Special Committee in Nevers and Tours ?
Mercy for my son !
My husband is innocent !
Come on, time for bed ; leave Uncle Maxime alone
He's very funny... the way babies are
Especially when he wakes us up at 1:00 in the morning...
...and 2:00 and 4:30 !
Won't you say goodnight to your son ?
I know what you're feeling, Camille...
... but we can't wage war with a knife in our backs
But these are our own people
Our people don't want to go backwards
Our people know that we must win this war at any cost
The enemies in our midst are triumphant tonight
The Prussians have taken Verdun
The aristocrats, priests, traitors, plotters in our prisons...
... all await the arrival of their foreign masters
This will be the signal to rise up and join the forces of the King of Prussia !
Death to the traitors !
They've broken into all the prisons in Paris
They're slaughtering anyone suspected of supporting the King
This isn't a Revolution anymore !
It's a mockery of everything we've tried to change
Are you listening ?
Yes, I'm listening
- Then do something ! - Do what ?
Do you think I control these people ? Do you think anyone can ?
You are the Minister !
You want the Minister to give orders that won't be carried out ?
You want me to send in troops, who'll turn around and join in the slaughter ?
Is that your plan, to show who's in charge here ?
If you're not responsible, then who is ?
I don't know.
But the wise man know when he's powerless... and he keeps his mouth shut
Especially if he wants people to listen to him again, and believe me, I do
I do
Save me !
The horror of it ! The horror !
You have to do something
Talk to me
This can't go on
Everything's going wrong
This isn't what we wanted
God bless the King
God bless Mama
God bless the Princess de Lamballes
God bless Princess Elisabeth
How do you like your friend Lamballes ?
True, what happened is an outrage, an insult to the Revolution
And to everyone here
But we're at war
And today those in France who've conspired against us...
... are shaking with terror
Today, we have no enemies at our backs
It's an advantage I don't want to waste
Today our army can face the Prussians...
... without fear of the King's friends in Paris
Valmy, September 20, 1792
On this memorable day, the National Assembly...
... elected by all the people of France, meets for the first time
I put to the vote the motion of Citizen Collot-d'Herbois...
... proclaiming that the monarchy in France is abolished
The motion is carried !
I move that the new Constitution of the Republic...
... be put to the French people as a whole for their approval
The motion is carried
I move--
Please, Citizen, come to the lectern
I can say what I wish to say from here
I ask that from today, all public documents...
... be dated from Year One of the French Republic
I've observed you. I admire you
But I'm concerned
You're a leader ; right now you're leader of the revolutionary republic
At the same time, you have contacts with the most conservative members
It's understandable
As Mirabeau used to say, the hard thing is not to start a revolution...
... but to know when it's gone far enough
We all try to find a proper balance
Frankly, Georges, as a friend I must warn you
You're rich, powerful, and popular
It's a dangerous situation
The rich are afraid of your power and popularity...
... and will try to bring you down
The poor forgive your wealth...
... but only if you use it to bring the Revolution to its just, natural conclusion
"A just and natural conclusion"
The death of the King
Is that what you want ?
I don't wish to harm either the King or his family ; what good would it do ?
But the war is not over
We could reach a point where it's impossible...
... to save both the King and the Revolution
In that case, one must choose
We need to know how we'll choose, if it comes to that
Don't you agree ?
Your hat
- Is everything alright ? - He's right
He's always right
It's just that I'd like to break his neck
Don't worry, I won't
Unless I have to
I request the floor
Your name, Citizen ?
Saint-Just. From the Department of the Aisne
Take the lectern, Citizen Saint-Just
I, like most of you, would joyfully give my life for this Republic
I, like most of you, stand against all enemies who threaten this Republic
I, like all of you, know the name and face of this enemy
I, like none here, am ready to strike at this enemy
As long as he lives, Louis Capet will be a rallying symbol for the traitors...
... who remain hidden among us
And for all enemies abroad who wait the moment to crush us
In the name of all we've accomplished, we cannot weaken
We cannot hesitate
We do both, as long as the heir...
... of a long line of tyrants remains alive and in our power
Citizens, a king is not an ordinary man
He's a rebel - a usurper of the rights of other men
A king must reign--
Or die
Well done, Charles. Very nice writing - and reading !
Send the child away
May I know why ?
These gentlemen wish to speak to you
Go and play ; we'll continue later
What can I do for you gentlemen ?
My name is Chambon, Mayor of Paris
I'm here to tell you that the Convention has decided to put you on trial
On what charge ?
You'll be properly informed in due course
You may choose your counsel
Before and during the trial you are forbidden all contact with your family
Surely you're not going to prevent me from seeing my children !
If you insist, you may see your children
But then they will be forbidden to see their mother or aunt
A difficult choice
In fact, I have no choice
So be it
You've taken everything
It's natural that now you take my children
I am in your power, gentlemen
Just tell me what you want from me
Be seated
The National Convention, by the authority granted it by the French people...
...hereby charges Louis Capet with the following crimes :
Attempted corruption of deputies, starting with Mirabeau
Attempted flight
Massacre of the Champs de Mars
After your return from Varennes, French blood was shed on the Champs de Mars
A letter proves there was a criminal conspircy between you and Lafayette
What do you say ?
I knew nothing about the unfortunate events on the Champs de Mars
As to this letter, I have no knowledge of it
But it's in your handwriting
I don't remember writing it !
Your brothers have rallied emigr? to fight against France
You didn't denounce them
I denounced their actions as soon as I learned of them
After making sure you wouldn't interfere with their plans
You're entitled to your opinion
It's been proved that you encouraged regiments to desert
Never, sir
You vetoed measures against dissident priests
As the Constitution gave me the right
Why did you double the Swiss Guard at the beginning of August ?
The palace was in danger ; I was a legitimate authority
It was my duty to take defensive measures
On August 10, you caused French blood to be shed
No, it wasn't me
Did you have an armoury built at the Tuileries...
He knows it's hopeless, but he's brave. I admire him
Quick, I hear the guard !
What does he say ?
He's well... The trial is going slowly
We mustn't hold out much hope
Louis, we've heard your attorney's appeal for clemency
Before we give our verdict...
...have you anything to add in your defence ?
Yes, sir
This may be the last time I address you
My conscience is clear
But what wounds my heart more than everything else...
... is to be accused of having shed the blood of the people
I have so loved the French people...
... and thought I had given such proof of that love...
I never could have imagined...
... I would have to face such accusations
That's all I have to say
Carnot
Following the principle that all men are equal before the law...
... I vote for death
Collot d'Herbois
Death, within 24 hours
Vergniaud
Death. But I move that sentence be suspended
Lindet
He who hesitates to strike a tyrant does not deserve the name of republican
I vote for death
Marat
Death
Saint-Just
The Republic must not show weakness. Death
Brissot
Death. With suspended sentence
Robespierre
I am pitiless toward oppressors, because I pity the oppressed
Death
Desmoulins
I vote for death
Danton
Death
May God support me to the end
I'm ready
You can't see anything with the shutters closed
Leave them closed
Leave the whole house closed
Something is happening today that you shouldn't see
Citizen--
Tell me what to do, sir
Remove your coat and cravat
That's not necessary
I die innocent of all the crimes of which I am accused
I forgive those guilty of my death
And I pray God that the blood you shed may never be required of France
Take care of these
Antoine !
- Georges-- - Where's Gabrielle ?
Gabrielle died 3 days ago
Be brave, Georges
It was very sudden
We don't know what happened
We're here for you
I'm sorry to bring up sad memories
I know it's a difficult time for you
I understand
You wrote me a very nice letter
It helped a lot
I'm always better when I have time to think before speaking
As you've noticed
You should speak more from your heart, and think a little less
The fact is, we're facing food riots here...
... rebellions in the west, and the war is going badly
We thought we'd crushed the opposition
But it's back, like an incurable illness
Men who accepted the Revolution, or at least recognized...
... that change was necessary have now turned against it
They want a respectable revolution
A moderate government
We have to face it, Georges
The moderates are now our enemies
So we face it. The question is, how ?
Exceptional times require exceptional measures
In a time of mortal danger, the ordinary legal processes no longer fit
No one respects the law more than I, as you know
But if the law can't do what it was meant to do--
Summary justice
Is that what you want ?
What I want is a new Revolutionary Tribunal
They already call us dictators
This will give them reason to
We have no choice
At least until we have things in hand
You know I'm right
You're always right
You're the only one who can persuade the members who are opposed
We have to work together Georges
We can do it
See ? You speak with your heart and you've convinced me
No, Heaven help us !
It'll be the Spanish Inquisition, but a thousand times worse
The September Massacres will start again
But this time it'll be with government sanction
Not at all
The September Massacres happened because the people feared...
... the Revolution was helpless before its enemies
And no control over the people who chose to act like wild animals
It was a mockery of the noble ideals of our Revolution
I agree with you
But this will prove that the Revolution can legally judge our enemies
Including those who wish to take the law into their own hands
It's the only way to prevent random slaughter instead of encouraging it
I'm counting on you
Strike back ! I demand 100,000 heads !
Let 100,000 heads fall ! Paralyze our enemies with horror !
I'll support your tribunal, if your first act is to haul him up...
... before he does any more damage
Agreed
Danton has had Marat arrested !
Name, age, occupation, place of birth
Marat was acquitted
Of course
Danton knew he would be
No Revolutionary Tribunal will convict a revolutionary
But now we have the Tribunal
Get out !
Don't try to intimidate me !
Brissot ! What are you doing in my office ?
If you think you can trick me and the Girondins like that--
You're wrong !
Your friend Dumouriez has defected to the Austrians
You protected him - you're a traitor !
And as everyone knows - a thief !
Get out !
Get rid of all this, Dominique
They won't be so easy to get rid of next time
Look after him
I'll be back
Shall I continue the reading we started yesterday ?
I've forgotten it
Alright, then I'll start over
It's a waste of time
I can't concentrate
You must try, my dear
Make an effort - for the children
What do you want me to do ?
Talk of hope ? Lie to them ?
Yes. If you have to
Leave him alone !
The boy's education will be handled by Citizen Simon
The Council has decided ; we are carrying out its orders
We'll make a good Cordelier out of you !
Excellent, Camille !
You haven't lost your touch
That'll take care of things
It's very good of you
Slander ! And a lie !
It's not a lie, nor slander
The words are Camille's, but I recognize the ideas
Brissot and the Girondins want a federal republic on Swiss or American lines
They only believe in compromise
Our great French Republic must be one and indivisible
What do you want me to do ?
Nothing
Keep out of it, as I will
And let the Paris Commune do its job
You've already made us allies
Now you're making us conspirators
I warn you : I'm not like you
And I never will be
I know you've taken bribes
How could I not ?
I know your enemies' accusations are true
But do you hear me condemn you for it ?
What about you ?
You've never taken anything ?
Never ?
You could have
Often
How can I trust a man who doesn't want anything ?
You can trust me to tell the truth
At least, as I see it
And right now, the people of Paris - your people...
... not Brissot and the moderates - are your best friends
That's why it's best for you not to get in their way
Or yours ?
You just said I don't want anything
Not for yourself. But that makes you more dangerous
You want what's right for all of us
I want Brissot's head
Then I'll go along with you
Let us in !
Death to the traitors !
I'm H?ault de Seychelles, President of the Convention
By what authority do you bring your troops here ?
On the orders of the Paris Commune
The Convention orders you to withdraw
Not until we've arrested the 22 traitors protected by this Convention
We want the traitors !
These men were elected--
To your places ! Forward !
Silence !
I hope our colleagues will be reassured about their liberty
They went out to meet the people...
... and they saw that the people mean them no harm
Where does this mean ?
The Paris Commune has denounced 22 traitors who sit among us
I demand their immediate arrest
Give Couthon a cup of blood - he's thirsty !
I see here Chaumette and H?ert, representing the Paris Commune
The Convention should treat them with respect and attention
I ask them to give us the names of those they've denounced
You wouldn't dare !
I demand this list be read at once
And the arrest of all those named
What are you waiting for ?
The names !
Listen, citizens !
The Convention is dominated by madmen and criminals
Harsh words, but what else can you call someone like Marat ?
He'd cut off 100,000 heads as easily as say Good morning
These men threaten to turn the country into a huge charnel house
The great majority of honest people must rise up and take back power...
... before it's too late
Go see who it is
What do you want ?
I'm Citizeness Corday. I want to see Marat
Impossible. He's sick - he can't see anyone
I've come from Caen. I have information about a Girondin plot
- I must see him - I told you, he's sick
Who is it, Simonne ?
It's a woman from Caen
She says she has news about the Girondins
Send her in
He's very weak. Only 5 minutes, alright ?
You've come from Caen ?
Yes. I have much to tell you
I know - Caen is a nest of traitors
How many federalist deputies have taken refuge there ?
Eighteen
Here are their names
They'll soon be dead
In this stone urn is the heart of the great Marat
It will remain here always in his memory
It is the heart of a great man
A heart that filled all traitors with fear
And it was a traitor's hand that tore him from the people's love
But I promise you, his people, his friends...
... that the cause he fought for will survive
I've personally requested the Convention build granaries...
... to protect grain from speculators and all those who'd starve the people...
... for their own profit
Congratulations, Maxime, I've very happy for you
- Thank you - Congratulations, Robespierre
You're taking it very calmly
Frankly, I'm as happy to leave the Committee for Public Safety...
... as it is to be rid of me
Robespierre is better at handling boredom than I am
What now ?
I'll go fishing
I should have done it long ago
Do you think you'll come back ?
Not unless I have to
Come and see me
Good
October 15, 1793
Go on !
Who provided the coach you and your family rode in to Varennes ?
A foreigner
What nationality ?
Swedish
Monsieur Fersen, who lived at rue du Bac, Paris ?
- Yes - What ?
Yes
Bring in the witness H?ert
Name, age, occupation
H?ert, Jacques Ren? 36
Journalist and deputy attorney for the Paris Commune
Testify before the nation without hatred or fear
Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth ?
I do
Give your testimony
The facts I have to state are of a delicate nature
But they must be made public
The Commune wished the young Capet to receive a proper republican education
He was entrusted to an excellent Cordelier, Citizen Simon
We have a deposition from Simon, that he caught the child...
... engaged in indecent and harmful acts
He asked the boy who had taught him this shameful behavior
The child said his mother and aunt
Continue
Before the Mayor and Paris and Attorney to the Commune the child testified...
... that he was made to sleep with these two women
And in their bed they committed acts of debauchery
Accused, how do you respond ?
I will not respond
I will not respond !
Because Nature itself recoils from such an accusation !
I appeal to all the mothers here
I appeal to you
Antoinette, have you any reason why sentence should not be passed on you ?
The Tribunal unanimously condemns Marie Antoinette...
... widow of Louis Capet to death
According to the law, her possessions are forfeited to the State
This sentence to be carried out at the Place de la R?olution
And that it be printed and posted in all parts of the Republic
Thank you, Rosalie. Thank you for everything
It's time, Citizeness
Forgive me, sir
Courage, Madame
Perhaps I'm afraid of not understanding
It's this fear that disturbs my sleep
I appeal to the noblest instincts of the people...
... and I'm betrayed
Because I don't understand the people
No one inspires greater respect than you
But they still resist the Revolution
By the thousands
There's a royalist army in the Vend?
More than an army - an entire populace
Is it possible for a people to be traitors ?
They don't understand
There is much they need to be taught
And yet I've learned something
If Virtue is to triumph...
... it must be accompanied by Terror
Since Virtue is flawless...
... the flaw must be in man
But I can't believe it
Yet I must
To save the Revolution
This law is clear
We know our enemies :
Those among us who still hope that we lose this war
But they will no longer laugh at us, saying that we can't prove their treason
It's simple : let's force them to prove their innocence
All those who can't bring tangible proof of their work for the Revolution...
... will be automatically liable to arrest
We propose to enlarge the role of the Revolutionary Tribunal
Right now, only one session sits regularly
We propose to add 3 more...
... to help carry out this important patriotic work
In sum : Terror is the order of the day
And Virtue, Citizen
Virtue, without which Terror is deadly
Terror, without which Virtue is powerless
Married by a dissident priest !
You want to get me guillotined ! Little minx !
As far as I'm concerned, the Revolution is over
My life is here, with you and my children
And you'll give me more
Leave politics to the fools who are good at it
Camille Desmoulins : I'm a friend of Citizen Robespierre
No one has been convicted without good reason
People are in jail because they once said Hello to a dissident priest
They said something nice about Mirabeau, or have family abroad
You can be so naive, Camille
Need I remind you that we're still at war ?
Our army has exterminated thousands in the Vend?
An entire people !
Traitors and rebels
We're strangling Liberty in its cradle
If we falter now...
... all that we've built will crumble like a house of cards
Maybe we've built nothing
Just a dream
It frightens me
No one can talk to him
He's cut himself off from everyone except his friends on the Committee
He sees enemies everywhere
The situation is insane and getting worse
I'll miss all this
Taking it for a stroll ?
It never stops
Around the Place de la R?olution they complain about the smell of blood
The Bastille, same thing
People say it bring down property values
They've moved it 4 times ; always the same problem
It'll end up back where it started
I'll want your report tomorrow
Yes, Citizen
Danton is back
With Desmoulins
I hardly recognize this place
It's become a den of faction, lies and insanity
Outside, I see churches desecrated
Prisons full of poor devils...
... whose only crime is not being fanatics
Is this the Republic we wanted to create ?
I propose as an emergency measure...
... that the Convention create a Committee of Clemency
To examine the lists of all these suspects being held...
... and determine if there is just cause for keeping them in prison
"When the Republic is fighting for its life what does Danton propose ?
"Nothing more than to give way to corruption
"Corruption which has already made him rich"
- You can't print that ! - Why not ?
If Danton thinks he can just come back and take over, he's wrong
We'll use every weapon against him
Including the truth
Little Horace has grown !
Louise is adorable - congratulations
I'm happy that you like her
Did you see this ?
No
"This refuse, this waste product of the human intestines--
"This excrement, this infected heap of lying filth--"
Only H?ert would take an entire page to cover me with shit
But we'll give him an answer
To work, Camille
Don't underestimate him
Even Robespierre is careful with H?ert
Yes...
Neither H?ert nor Danton will stop until one of them is eliminated
Which one should we support ?
I accuse Danton of being a thief
A thief and a profiteer !
And of having betrayed the Revolution !
Where's your proof ?
Why prove what we all know ?
I propose a 12-man committee...
... to examine the accusations against me
Trust a thief to hide behind the law !
Traitor !
May I have the floor ?
We're listening, Citizen
A committee to examine the career and integrity of Citizen Danton
It's an interesting idea
I'm personally in favor it it
It's said that England and Austria are not the true enemies of the Republic
It's said that our worst enemy is Danton
It's said that Danton wishes to destroy the Republic...
... and re-establish the monarchy with himself as the ruler
A terrible crime, if true
And Danton stands accused
But if you accuse Danton, Citizens...
Danton, who has served this Republic better than any of us...
... then you must accuse me too
And I say that these accusations are as false and fraudulent...
...as the liars and hypocrites who make them !
And I, Robespierre, denounce and condemn them
It's good to see you again
We've missed you
Not everyone, it seems
Thanks for what you said
We're all endangered by lunatics like H?ert
We won't stand by while the inmates take over the asylum
We should meet - we have to talk
I hear you've remarried. I'm very happy for you
I'll introduce you to her
I hope so. Give my love to Lucie and little Horace
Thank you, Maxime
He's finally come to his senses
I was afraid it was too late, but if you can work together--
Everything will be fine
People of Paris !
You are starving and you are being lied to
They call me a fanatic because I call for death for profiteers...
... and enemies of the Revolution
But how can one be moderate in pursuit of Liberty ?
People of Paris !
We have one weapon which Robespierre and Danton's friends can't rob us of
Insurrection !
Why did you side with Danton against H?ert at the Jacobin Club ?
Why did you defend Danton against H?ert ?
One's as bad as the other
Couthon's right
We have to arrest them both
If we do that, we risk uniting them
Then the Committee will lose its majority in the Convention
We need Danton as an ally to deal with H?ert
Afterwards--
Let's vote on the arrest of H?ert. All in favor ?
- What is it ? - Ren?H?ert ?
You're under arrest
Whose order ?
Citizen Fouquier-Tinville, Public Prosecutor
On what charge ?
Conspiracy to restore the monarchy
The monarchy ?
What's wrong ?
H?ert's arrest
H?ert represented a threat
Maxime only did what I've been begging him to do for months
But calling him a monarchist ?
If the truth can be twisted as easily as that...
... then no one is safe
Neither you nor Georges
We must judge Maxime by his deeds, not his words
He needs Georges as an ally, not an enemy
I have work to do
Don't worry
Everything will be fine
Desmoulins is running wild
His calls for clemency are an attack on the Committee itself
We can't let it pass
It's Danton's voice
Camille is too easily led
Those who oppose Terror have no desire for Virtue
It's a crime against the Republic
Camille must be saved
He must be made to see that he's wrong
A word of warning, Citizen
If you didn't have powerful friends, you'd be dead by now
My God ! What happened ?
Why did they do it ?
I don't understand
He's my oldest friend
He was kind enough to warn me
I told you not to trust Maxime
It's so cowardly
You're right, Lucie
None of us should take Robespierre for granted
You must be very careful, Camille
"True love for the country cannot exist where there is neither love...
"... nor pity for one's fellow countrymen
"Only a soul dried up and withered by self-adulation"
How could he ? Someone I've tried so hard to protect
It's a challenge to you. Everyone knows it
It's not a question of my own pride
It's not just an attack on you, but also the Committee
Against everything we've worked for
I know
I understand
Just upstairs
My friends, we have an unexpected guest
Good evening
A pleasure, as always
May I give you a lift, Citizen ?
I prefer to walk
Excellent idea
You're right, as always
You'll be glad to know Camille is recovering
- Recovering ? - Yes, from the beating
Beating ?
A warning against opposing your policies too vigorously
- You accuse me of-- - Of warning him
As a friend
- I know nothing about it - My mistake
I think we should say goodnight
What happened between us ?
We wanted the same things
We never wanted the same things
Liberty, justice, equality ?
Words !
You've never understood that unless we're guided by the virtue of the people--
The virtue of the people ?
Bloodless abstractions !
You think that everyone is as corrupt as yourself
Your idea of virtue is absolute obedience to Maximilien Robespierre
This is pointless
Goodnight
Let me tell you what you're doing to this country with your bloody virtue
It's what I do to my wife at night, only she loves it
And doesn't have to be held down screaming with threats of the guillotine
Your reputation as a coarse, vulgar brute is well deserved
What about yours ?
You have no balls, Robespierre. You're a eunuch
Out of my way
Well, how did it go ?
I could have been more diplomatic
It's intolerable that the Committee fears this man !
Danton has a lot of supporters
You know it, Citizen
Danton thinks he's too strong to be attacked
If we're clumsy, he'll be right
Surprise is our best - maybe our only - weapon
I think we all agree that Danton's arrest...
...involves Camille Desmoulins' as well
It's inevitable
We agree on this point ?
I accept the will of the Committee
You're giving them your head on a silver platter !
You can't !
My head is more solidly attached than you suppose
- For your wife's sake-- - No, don't
All I care about is that Danton stays alive
And able to keep fighting
There have been too many battles already
And useless deaths
I don't want to add any more
What are you going to do ?
If they arrest me, they have to try me
If there's a trial, I promise you this :
They'll be the losers and I'll prove it
From the defendant's bench
After that, I'll go back to the country...
... and I'll go fishing
Who'd choose to waste his life in politics...
...when he could spend it fishing all day ?
What fools we can be !
Take your hands off her !
First group goes with me. The others, station yourselves around the house
Wait outside
I'll be back soon
I'm the happiest man in France
What are you waiting for ? Come on !
Step aside
Please, Maxime, listen to me !
How could you do this to Camille ? Your oldest friend ?
How can you forget what you've meant to each other ?
Please, Maxime !
You're godfather to our child ! Listen to me !
Silence, or I'll clear the courtroom !
You might have a little trouble with that
I remind the accused of the respect due this court !
And I remind the Citizen President of the respect due to Justice !
None of the accused was properly informed of the charges against him
From this bench I will confront my accusers, before the people
And when I've finished...
... I'll be happy to plead for clemency before you pass sentence on them
But for now...
... I demand to be heard
You are accused of taking money from fanatical conspirators against Liberty
I have never been bought
I have no price
No one can afford Danton
I challenge my accusers to produce their proof that I was bought...
... so I can throw it in their teeth
Going badly
The jury was hand-picked
But if they're afraid they'll be torn apart by the mob, they'll acquit
Of course I was in league with Mirabeau
In order to prevent his blunders
I knew what I was doing
I've never let avarice or ambition dominate me
True, I knew them both--
We've been intimate
Both, on occasion, have been my mistress
But never my master !
Go by the back way
Get this to Herman, but be discreet
What could be the motive for these attacks and lies ?
The accused will confine himself to his own defense
You're accused of having protected and favored the monarchy
It's a lie !
The monarchy ? Say that again, to my face !
Danton, a monarchist ?
The hearing is adjourned
We must retire to examine fresh evidence
What evidence ? There is no evidence !
Return the prisoners to their cells
You can't silence us !
Death to the tyrant !
Down with Robespierre !
We never should have risked a public trial
We had no choice
He mustn't win
At any cost
He won't
I have here a deposition regarding a conspiracy between Desmoulins'wife...
... and some aristocrats to free her husband and Danton
It's all we need to act
Any comments ?
I'll be brief
This is such a blatant forgery, no one could believe it
Let me remind you that if Danton is acquitted...
... he'll make a clean sweep of the Committee
And replace it with another one full of his partisans
If it's according to the law
Our duty is to follow the law and accept it
Citizen Robespierre, you have always been the most devoted to the Constitution
What do you think ?
If Danton wins, this Republic...
... that has survived the attacks of all the monarchies of Europe...
... will be destroyed from within, by corruption
We have no other choice
Accept the testimony Saint-Just has brought us
The testimony !
I move the Committee announce the existence of a conspiracy...
... to free Danton and his accomplices
And this testimony standing as proof of guilt...
... the prisoners are barred from publicly defending themselves
All in favor of Saint-Just's motion ?
The motion is passed
Be good
Why ? She's done nothing wrong !
They're going to murder my wife !
She's innocent, but they're going to murder her !
This is a parody of justice
When a government sinks to this level...
...it shows its moral bankruptcy to the whole world !
He's right !
Has the jury heard enough evidence ?
Yes, Citizen President
A lie !
You've heard nothing
This is Robespierre's doing - remember !
A scaffold is waiting for Robespierre
Take them away !
The law requires the jury to deliver its verdict before the accused
In view of the accused's behavior...
... I move this be settled in their absence
The Assistant Prosecutor's motion is accepted !
There would have been no Revolution without me
There would have been no Republic without me
You're not leading me to my death ; I will live forever
The world will look at us and ask what sort of men we were
Let them not say that we were no better than those we overthrew
We are all going to die
I know this court : I created it
And I ask forgiveness of God and man
It was not intended to be the scourge of mankind...
... but a last defense against madness, brutality and fear
Instead, it's become the murderer of conscience
And let it be known to those who come to judge us...
... that this is not what I wanted
If I speak today, it's to defend what we've created...
... for all that we've achieved
And not to save my life
We have broken the tyranny of privilege
We have cut the root of corruption...
... by abolishing those powers no man has the right to wield
We ended the monopoly of birth and wealth in all the great offices of the State
In our churches, our armies...
... all this vast complex of arteries and veins...
... that feed this magnificent body which is France
We've declared the humblest man is equal to the greatest
And we've offered to slaves the liberty we won for ourselves
We entrust to the world...
... the task of building the future on the hope we kindled
This is more than a victory in battle
More than the swords, cannons and cavalry of Europe
And this inspiration... this vision for all men everywhere...
... this longing, this thirst can never be stifled
We will not have lived in vain
Goodbye, brother
Sanson, take this lock of hair
It's my wife's. Send it to her mother
Show my head to the people
It's worth seeing
Now !
I was only a little boy when I met Jean-Jacques Rousseau
And we talked about God, fate...
... man's need to reach for something higher than himself
God knows, I've been a bad Catholic
But I've never wavered in my conviction...
... that there is some great Power watching over us
Protecting the innocent
Blessing the virtuous
Condeming the wicked
Men cannot live without such a belief
And should not even try
June 8, 1794
People of France, beloved Republic
By this Tree of Liberty, I declare that never has the world offered its Creator...
... a spectacle more worthy of Him...
... than the sight of Paris today...
... on this day of homage to His greatness
Here, beneath His gaze...
- What's going on ? - Oh, he's still talking
Wake me when he's done
... and your souls are but a breath of wind...
... passing into nothingness after death
- He thinks he's the Pope ! - Or God
The true priest of the Supreme Being is Nature
His temple is the universe
His religion is Virtue
And yours is Murder !
The Revolution has been a transition--
... a transition from the Reign of Crime to the Reign of Justice
To express the devotion of the French people to the Supreme Being...
... we reject the false god of atheism
And we welcome the sublime goddess of Reason
Kiss her for me !
Only the Supreme Being has the power to bring fear and remorse...
...into the hearts of oppressors and tyrants !
You should know, Robespierre !
Weaklings ! You don't understand a thing
The Law of Prairial was introduced to punish a few traitors in the Convention
You've executed more people in the last 2 months than in the last 2 years !
- I've executed ? - Yes, you !
Your justice ! Your law !
Your lack of justice !
Do you want to see more trials like Danton's ?
There are no more trials ! Just executions !
That's a lie !
You've placed your own handpicked men in all the key posts !
Another lie !
We've won a great victory at Fleurus
My enemies no doubt will use it against me
Like everything else
Everything will be fine
There's no one I can trust...
... except for you
My friends
My dear friends
Only you
You are my true family
It's time we took responsibility into our own hands
There is no more excuse for Robespierre's rotten tribunals...
... or his dictatorial airs
May I suggest we wait until Citizen Robespierre is with us before criti--
We've carried out Citizien Robespierre's commands for far too long
Robespierre is a member of this Committee, nothing more
Like you. And you !
Robespierre is not the Republic
Are you turning into a moderate, Lindet ?
Compared to you, a mad dog would be a moderate
Compared to you and Robespierre, the executioner is an angel of mercy
You'll regret those words
The only thing I regret is not saying it sooner
This is an insult !
Robespierre is the best among us
Except he's never among us anymore
Go see him
Tell the dictator this Committee is no longer his lapdog
- It's Robespierre ! - He looks ill !
I'll go warn the Committee
Citizen President, may I have the floor ?
Robespierre has just arrived
I, who was born a slave to Liberty, am called a tyrant
I, who have lived a martyr to the Republic, am called a dictator
Why ? Who spreads these lies ?
Who deliberately says them to deceive you ?
They say "The war is won, and all is well"
This is a lie
He's just started
- The law and Revolutionary Tribunal... - We have to do it today; now or never
... are instruments of tyranny
They're all that stand between Virtue and its murderers
Citizens, I was born to fight against crime, not preside over it
Hurry, hurry !
We can divide citizens into two parts :
Those in whose heart burns the sacred fire...
... of Justice, Liberty and Peace...
... without which revolution is nothing more...
... than the destruction of a lesser crime by a greater
And those whose hearts are empty...
... governed by bestial forces of greed and fear...
... ambition and corruption
There are those on the Committee who counsel despair
And I tell you openly, there are those here in the Convention who support it
I've come here to expose a vast conspiracy
One moment, Citizen
The Committee must be purged and its authority given to the Convention
Citizen ! I demand that you name those you refer to
This is not the time
This is a slander against the Committee, and the members of this Convention
Robespierre must name those he accuses
The names !
We want the names !
I stand by my proposal
You're a coward !
Let my attackers prepare hemlock for me now
I will drink it in this sacred place
Why go on living when truth and lies are indivisible ?
Everyone here would prefer to die...
... rather than go on living beneath a Tyrant's lash
Death to the tyrant !
I demand the floor !
You've no right to speak, Robespierre !
I demand the floor !
It is to those with virtue I appeal !
Not the false! The corrupt!
False ! Outcast from society !
Quick !
Danton's blood is choking you !
Get back ! These are the seats of good men you've murdered !
I move a decree of accusation against Robespierre--
Couthon--
And Saint-Just !
I put to the motion to the vote
All those in favor, raise your hand
Passed !
We must hold the H?el de Ville no matter what
It must be a fortress
And above all, we must appeal to the Army
Don't worry, we'll protect you
They've taken refuge in the H?el de Ville
The Paris Commune is in revolt against us
They must be executed without trial !
Show some guts there !
Where are you going ?
Long live the Republic !
Barras is in command and will take the H?el de Ville
By force if necessary
- Good luck, commander - Thank you
My God. Our soldiers must fight men wearing the same uniform
Make a note : we must close the gates to the city...
... shut down all newspapers, arrest all journalists...
... and issue arrest warrants for the leaders of the Convention
Bring anything you can find ! Barricade the doors !
A direct appeal to the Army : it's our only chance
Here they come !
At least we achieved something
We have broken the tyranny of privilege
Cut the root of corruption by abolishing the power no man has a right to wield
We've ended the monopoly of birth and wealth...
... in all the great offices of the State
In our churches, our armies...
... in every part of this magnificent body which is France
We've declared the humblest man is equal to the greatest
And we've offered to slaves the liberty we won for ourselves
We entrust to the world the task of building the future...
... on the hope we kindled
This is more than a victory in battle
More than the swords, cannons and cavalry of Europe
And this inspiration... this vision for all men everywhere...
... this longing, this thirst for Liberty...
... no one will ever be able to extinguish
Our lives will not have been pointless
We will not have lived in vain