Jacquou Le Croquant Page #2

---

anything to buy time

until the next court sits.

I'll call you as a witness.

Don't worry, I'll shield you.

Try to look plain.

Tuck in your hair,

cover up your chest.

The lady's with me.

Sorry. No children allowed.

But I'll tell him you're here.

Ready?

Is it your first time?

Mine too.

After you.

Me first!

Give me a leg up.

Next case!

Martin Ferral, alias Le Croquant.

Bring in the prisoner!

I want to see my father!

- Let me up!

- How much?

- Move!

- Pay up, kid.

No money, no looky.

He's chained up like a mad dog.

Wake up!

It's all over, kid.

Your dad won't bully you no more.

He copped thirty years!

Thirty years hard labor!

He's paid. Pull him up.

This is intolerable! Scandalous!

lmpudence!

Silence!

Remove the prisoner!

Silence in court!

- I appeal the verdict!

- All in good time.

Clear the court.

Watch your arses!

Here come the thugs!

Come on.

Where can we go?

They took our house away.

We'll find a home.

Nobody will take that from us.

I'm worn out.

We'll fix up gutters tomorrow.

I'm ready to drop.

We can't complain.

It's worse

for your father in chains.

Don't forget to say your prayers.

Morning!

- Are you in charge here?

- Only recently.

It's the big spring wash.

Can you take my son?

lt'll be a break from farm work

and less far for him to walk.

Please.

All right. On one condition.

Don't mention your name.

I'm nursing the Count's

youngest daughter, Galiote.

- Agreed?

- Yes.

Come along.

Thank you.

Help carry those baskets.

Ten minute break!

Galiote!

Galiote!

I saw what you did.

You were very brave.

This is for you.

I couldn't find a smaller one.

Thanks.

You have a funny voice.

What's your name?

I know!

I know everything!

You're Jacquou!

Shut up and keep moving.

- Mayor, about my son...

- I'll fix it.

There you are!

I have good and bad news.

Good news

from your father's attorney.

He obtained a retrial.

Bad news, your father's dead.

Shot the first day,

trying to escape.

Some people don't change.

You there!

Watch out for my clothes!

Damn it!

Stop! Stay out of this.

What's he doing here?

A murderer's son!

Would the Count of Nansac

like seeing him

next to his daughter?

- I didn't know.

- Now you do!

Beat it!

Any comments? Speak up.

It'll be your last time.

Lina!

Back to work!

They killed him.

Come!

Swear, my son!

Swear to avenge your father

for as long as you and that thing

are still standing!

Swear to keep your word!

They couldn't break him down

so they killed him!

Let them fear him in death

as much as they feared him in life!

Curse you, vile creature!

Stone by stone!

One day you will crumble to dust!

Curse you for what you are!

Curse you!

Mama, can you hear me?

Come away or we'll freeze!

I'll take you home.

I'll be right back.

Leave everything to me.

I'm cold.

It's cold!

You'll be all right.

Stay, Jacquou.

Don't leave me.

I'll stay with you.

I'm cold.

That's better.

I feel better.

The storm has passed.

Tufty, do your eyes!

Charity, good people!

Charity for a soldier boy

slashed by an English sword.

For pity's sake! A crust

for my deaf and dumb brother,

a poor drummer boy

gelded by a Polish sword.

A penny for my brother, please!

No use.

They've all got hearts of stone.

There's no pity, only misery.

I'm sick of eating candles.

They bloat me up.

Got nothing to drink?

Come on.

Let's find a place to sleep.

I'll catch up. I'm tired.

You sure?

Let's go, Cockeye.

Papa, help me.

I've lost my strength.

I want to be with you two.

Strange! He's early.

Don't try to distract me.

Queen takes bishop, mate in five.

I'm doomed so easily?

And by a lady.

You don't say!

Let me see...

I'm going up, Father.

Good night, Sir Knight.

- See you tomorrow.

- Good night, Fantille.

Curate!

Take him indoors, quick.

Rub him with snow,

away from the fire.

I'll get my medical bag!

Snow! More snow!

His pulse is fading. Camphor!

Fight, little fellow!

Keep rubbing. I'll look at his foot.

Fantille, hot water!

- Yes, Sir Knight.

- And a big sheet.

I'll try to save his leg.

Now we can see your nice dark eyes.

The Knight says you're much better.

Much better.

Time will do its work, he says.

He's never wrong.

But you must eat.

Build up your strength,

little mystery man.

Eat, dear boy.

I know you can hear.

I know you're not...

Lord, help him.

What's making you twitchy?

Nothing, Mama. Can I go for a walk?

You'll miss lunch.

I've got an apple.

Come back, Jacquou.

Come back.

Lina?

I'm hungry!

Father!

What's your name?

Mathieu, Sir. I mean Father.

Where are you from?

Bergerac.

You're far from home.

Which way did you come?

Through Auberoche or Sainte-Foy?

- Through Suzardie.

- You can read?

Here, only Protestants can read.

Is this your first time here?

You're lying!

I saw you when they caught

the Bonapartist.

You knelt in the snow

at the edge of the village.

I'm Jacquou Ferral.

My dad died in chains

and the grief killed my mother.

I set fire to the Count's forest.

If God exists,

he should have let me die.

He should care for the poor!

May I join you?

Man to man,

how do you like this bacon?

Too salty, right?

But I can't tell Fantille.

She swears by it.

It's the same with God.

I often think His world is hard

but I keep quiet

because I don't know if it's me

or the world that is faulty.

The smith gave them work.

He's too soft.

Right!

I need a plucky altar boy

to come with me at night to visit

the dying and women in labor,

to chop wood for the poor,

eat what I eat, see life as a gift

and not waste time on self-pity.

It's thankless work.

You'll stay thin.

Think about it.

I'll take it.

I know that man.

He scares me.

Don't be scared.

I'm the one he's watching.

Why you?

Because I signed.

During the Revolution,

I recognized the Republic.

Most priests did.

Now we're suspect.

The Count of Nansac dislikes me

and so does his Jesuit chaplain.

Some people see guilt everywhere.

Remember.

Only forgiveness makes us great.

You did well for a beginner.

Now run along.

Be back for supper.

I could never leave here.

I feel like I'm part

of every plant and pebble.

Want to see a cave

with a river and bear skulls?

Want to see my trout lake?

My tree house?

Show me the tree

where fairies dance.

There's no such thing, Lina.

There is! Down there by the river.

Boys are so silly!

Wait for me!

Wait!

Is the Curate in?

Give him this from the Bishop.

Go on in, I'll join you.

Bad news, Father?

As usual.

Don't tell Jacquou.

Let's eat.

One trouble at a time.

Supper, Jacquou.

Rumor says the King

wants to muzzle the press.

To keep control, the Ultras

want to set us back 100 years.

The King's an Ultra,

all the ministers and laws

are Ultra.

They're in power everywhere.

But they want more.

Every village, every church.

Their arrogance

blinds them completely.

He's having a revolutionary fit!

Don't be a fool. Look at me.

The Ultras are stupid

but not foolish.

The Count of Nansac is an Ultra.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes