Wooden Crosses (Les Croix de bois)

This film was restored by PATHÉ in 2014.

THE WOODEN CROSSES

The government counts on the resolve of this noble nation

that it may not succumb to any unjustified emotion.

They'll pay back our 5 billion.

- My turn. - We were here first.

We want to sign up.

The bloody standard is raised.

General Mobilization.

The Mayor of the 8th district informs its citizens

that Mobilization is set for Sunday August 2.

Time to open, shopkeeper!

Let me have my sausages!

He'd open faster if we were the Boches!

Look! The raw recruits are here.

Hey, there's no hurry! The war's over!

You men, that way.

Just a sec!

- Selling wreaths now? - Have to.

It brings in a bit more than canned food.

Reinforcements are here!

5th Squad?

- Corporal Bréval. - That's me.

You got a good deal. They look brand new.

What's your name?

Gilbert Demachy, volunteer.

Volunteer! Another tough guy looking for action.

He'll get over it!

Shut up, you fat coward!

Don't judge the squadron by that clown.

That's Bouffiou, our cook.

As he never washes he doesn't risk getting dirty.

His buddy there, Fouillard, our little dandy.

Here's our serious Hamel, the company elder.

And smart Belin, always a song on his lips.

Vieublé, who's much funnier than he looks.

Here's a fella from your hometown!

Vairon. A true gentleman.

So, how'd we end up here!

And our farm boys!

Lemoine, not to be taken for a fool.

And Broucke here, the man without fear.

Last but not least, Lagny, the liaison orderly.

I don't get an introduction?

I'm not worth introducing!

You'll hear him shooting his mouth off.

Sulphart, the company loudmouth.

Look who's talking.

If I were the corporal,

I'd start by giving these pilgrims some pointers.

Damn!

Doesn't he look cute in his little cap.

Let's see now.

A definite improvement.

Damn, this weighs a ton! Have you got paving stones in here?

No, cartridges.

It's safer to keep them in my haversack.

In case we get attacked.

Attacked!

He's mad! Get the dogs!

You may never fire a shot.

The fighting's over.

You're too late.

The Marne retreat was real sport.

If only I could've joined earlier and been part of the victory.

What a little warrior.

I'll tell you how it happened.

We went more than 15 days without pay,

after Charleroi,

and when things got tough, they tossed us each 15 cents.

If you meet guys who talk about the Marne, tell them:

"The Marne was a stunt that was pulled off for 15 cents."

You said it, Sulphart!

Not bad for a drunkard.

I didn't know. I thought we were going to fight.

I feel sorry for you.

You need some guidance.

I'm taking you under my wing.

- Thanks, I'd like that. - What luck!

Pass me your haversack, I'll blacken it with cork.

You're an easy target.

Let him settle in before you do your number.

Clam up, hayseed!

Let me have your mess kit too.

Come with me, fella.

If you want to pay a round of drinks, just give the signal.

- Sure. - Pass the flasks!

Order what you want.

- Bring back the change! - Don't worry.

They're not dishonest, they're thirsty.

He wants to make a good impression.

Take my place.

Don't worry, I'll find another.

Pass me your gun,

your backpack,

and your gear.

I'll get you settled. You'll sleep like a lord.

There you go.

You're all set!

Come have a drink.

Aren't they funny!

I knew this would be more fun than the barrack.

Don't be so sure.

It's not like this every day.

- Tobacco? - No thanks.

What'd you do in civilian life?

Student.

I was finishing law school.

What about you?

Pastry cook.

Married.

A little girl.

That's the hard part.

The party goes on!

I came across a tall plum tree that was covered in plums.

Here comes fair weather.

Here comes fair weather May it last forever.

Here comes fair weather For the lovers.

The student is suffering. That'll teach him.

Put a muzzle on it.

Hand me your rifle.

One more or less won't change anything.

Pass it on: barbed wire.

Pass it on: barbed wire.

Slow down ahead. We can't keep up.

Pass it on: slow down, we can't keep up.

Pass it on: rifle in hand, heads down.

Pass it on: rifle in hand, heads down.

Not you, Sulphart. We're going up.

What for?

You're on first watch with Lemoine. - Right.

Always the same ones to get killed.

The complaints window is closed.

You call this a squadron!

- Don't take your boots off. - Why not?

And if there's an alert? - I'll go in my socks.

'Night, guys.

I haven't had a letter from her in two weeks.

She's never taken this long.

It drives me crazy.

Say, Vairon.

When you go behind the lines, do you get a nice welcome?

Well, they don't poke us with pitchforks.

What a stink!

What's that?

A barber's shop.

The guy's worse than a broad.

Think we'll have war, farmer?

Damn the war. My lice are more important.

Nothing worse then lice, cops and profiteers.

But you can always kill cooties.

You dummy!

I'll do some target practice.

Don't wake them. They're not bothering us.

It's to clean the rust out of my gun.

Who fired that shot?

Here comes adjudant Morache.

Now you're in for it.

Did you fire that shot?

I want to know who!

You again, Sulphart!

I'd given orders.

That's my first shot in three months.

You'll be punished.

All right. We'll stop killing your Boches.

Then what the hell are we doing here?

Well, Bréval! It's patrol time.

- What are you waiting for? - Yes, sir.

Are there any volunteers?

Yes, me.

Gilbert Demachy.

I'll come with you.

Vairon.

It will stretch my legs.

You go with Sergeant Berthier.

Crawl to the German lines

and make sure the outpost is still manned.

But no shooting.

Follow me, guys.

Get down!

Demachy, come with me.

You others, stay here!

Go!

Alert! They're attacking!

Quick!

Where's my rifle?

My boots!

Hold your fire! It's the patrol coming back.

Sir, our artillery is too short.

Lannier, run to command.

Have them lengthen our fire.

There they are.

It's Sergeant Berthier.

Is everyone back?

No, someone's missing.

- Who? - Vairon.

Poor Vairon!

He was with us from the start.

Couldn't you bring him back?

No. He was killed instantly, hit in the chest.