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 !

Death to the tyrant !

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--

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