The Horseman on the Roof (Le Hussard sur le toit)

Aix-en-Provence, July 1832

Carla?

Angelo!

Run...

Go on, getaway.

Godspeed.

The Horseman on the Roof

From the novel by Jean Giono

- You want a room? - No, only a rest.

But your horse looks worn out.

Put some wine in his oats.

- My sister's ill... - Do as I ask.

- Why are they ringing? - For the doctor.

He's out and 5 villagers are ill.

- Our water's gone sour. - Is Manosque far?

You won't arrive tonight. It takes a day.

You feeling ill too?

I'm cold.

Someone's making hot wine. Want some? It's good.

- I'm cold. - Here. Sweat it out.

"Dearest mother, you tell me never to be cautious .

"Well, you'd be proud of me, I've had to escape again .

"I've left Aix so don't write there again .

"Austrian spies are in France, they're on our trail .

"All Italian patriots here are in danger .

"I must try to warn them .

"I'm heading for Manosque .

"I've exiled friends there who are at risk .

"I hope this letter reaches you .

"Are you still in Turin ?

"Italy seems faraway .

Many perils lie between us. "

Maggionari!

I went to Meyrargues to find you.

I was in Aix before. They got Giacomo.

Maggionari!

Not you, Paolo.

Maggionari, where are you?

Here.

"Always fleeing... .

"When can I fight and show what your son can do ?

"You taught me how to live, everyday I thank you for it .

"I hear your every word, I feel you watching me .

I'll free Italy single handed, to please you, and find you again. "

Lie down!

Lie back. Are your legs cold?

They're fine. Let me go.

Stay calm. You're all white.

Let me see your eyes.

Feel this pinch?

Stop it!

Drink this.

I'm a doctor. Drink it.

Go on. It's kept me going for 3 days.

- Were you in thevillage? - Yes.

- Anybody ill? - Only corpses.

- Did you touch them? - No, I...

Stay here. Mind the horses. I'll take a look.

But I told you they're all dead.

Some hide. I found one in a pigeon coop.

- Everywhere's the same. - What's the same?

Cholera. From Asia. Where've you been?

It's the worst epidemic I've ever seen.

Stop that. Don't you recognise me?

Don't be afraid. I'll look after you.

- I'll help. - No, go. Save yourself.

- Just tell me what to do. - Alright. Hold him.

Hold tight. My God, he's already blue.

It spreads so quickly.

Just rub him.

Rub the cyanosis away.

Hold him down.

I knew all of them. This is my valley.

I come winter and summer, now I'm losing them.

I must get to La Gardiole. I can do no more here.

I'll be on my way. Up there...

Someone may still be alive.

What a curse.

Go free the animals.

Or they'll starve.

Want one?

Why not? Under the circumstances.

I've never smoked but...

You smoke like a rich man.

And you have nobleman's boots.

I'm a colonel.

Forgive me.

In the Hussars.

Not here. In Italy.

Have you been to war?

Never.

My mother bought my rank.

A generous mamma, eh?

Anyway, I'm nothing now.

An outlaw?

An outlaw. Yes.

Sentenced to death.

Poor Italy.

Austria has her by the throat.

Get away!

Don't touch me.

Getaway, up north.

Keep calm.

Drink.

Who's crying?

Someone need help?

Don't be afraid.

Answer. Where are you?

Here... Monsieur.

Are you from Arnoux?

Not at all.

Thank God! The people from Arnoux prey on travellers.

- They lock them in a cellar. - Why are you here?

Nowhere to go. Their father was to meet us in Aubignosc.

I'm fleeing the disease back to Manosque.

But all the roads are blocked.

He must wonder where we are.

- Will you go home one day? - I hope so.

- To fight? - Of course.

To drive out the Austrians.

Back there, when you arrived.

On your horse, among the flames.

I thought of "Orlando Furioso".

Have you read it?

In Italy.

We read it at school.

When Orlando is angry...

...he uproots oak-trees.

Well, that's only in books.

Reading is my cure for everything.

That's why I was hired.

To help the children enjoy books.

My bag is always full of them.

Camille! Edmond!

Look, Manosque!

- Who are you? - We'regoing home.

You can't. Nobody is allowed into town.

- How long must we stay? - 3 days. To be on the safe side.

It's my fault. Without us you'd be far away.

- I'd better stay. - So, nobody hungry?

If you change your mind, tell me.

- On the menu? - Everything.

- Chicken? - Why not?

2 roastchicken. Wine bread, cheese, and cigars.

We have rules. Nothing enters but hard-boiled eggs.

- We want chicken, don't we? - No chicken comes in.

- We'll eat it at the door. - Done!

Pay up, then. 30 francs in advance.

I have expenses. It's not easy.

- Don't pay. It's robbery. - I don't like haggling...

- Call a doctor. - You'd have to shout.

- Why? - He scarpered this morning.

Get her outside.

In the sun.

Who'll help me?

Further away.

Wait!

Alcohol.

Mme Terasson...

Bring your bottle of spirits.

What for?

Hurry up.

Everyone back inside.

The servant gave a furtive smile.

She held the secret of awakening Tristan's love.

And watching over Isolde forever.

She held out the cup to him.

Tristan thought it was choice wine for King Mark.

He drank it down to the last drop.

What then?

I heard it came from India on a boat.

What are they doing?

- How many guards at night? - Two at the door.

I'll deal with them. You can all go.

- Go? Go where? - To the fields.

- You'll have to run. - They'd never leave their bags.

That's your food.

- In two days we get passes. - In two days you'll be dead!

- Likesome? - No... honestly, no.

- Don't stay there. - And the others?

- What others? - The ones with him.

We found only him. You knew him?

Your horse?

Too bad.

My God! Don't stay there.

Come in, children.

Theair has tiny flies in it!

Close your mouths.

Mme. Marguerite.

Monsieur has a friend here. An Italian.

From Piedmont. A cobbler.

Behind the church. Giuseppe.

You have to cross town.

I'll find it. Thank you.

Goodbye, Mademoiselle.

Goodbye, Monsieur. Godspeed.

Take "Rinaldo and Armida". Return it later.

Yes, but at present...

At the end when he leaves to save Jerusalem...

...she says something beautiful.