Two Men in Town (Deux Hommes dans la ville)

This film was restored by PATHE in 2014

I'll never see the law in the same light again.

I feel that I've discovered a hidden side of the law.

There's the legal system, procedure,

the almost theatrical aspect of the law.

And then behind all that...

TWO MEN IN THE CITY

My name is Germain Cazeneuve.

At the start of this business, I still believed in some things.

I never talk to my wife about this anymore.

She says fate is what caused it all.

She may well be right.

France has many prisons like this one.

And two guillotines: a large one and a small one.

One that travels and one in Paris.

My memories are full of suburban trains and prison walls.

Your Honor, last time

you transferred Gaston Fabre, the head barber, to category 1.

Today, I'm requesting partial release for him.

He still has six years left...

On life, then on 20 years, Your Honor.

He killed his mother to rob her.

I suppose he can only do that once.

Model prisoner.

Partial release can be tricky.

At least

I can watch him.

Approved. Next.

Gino Strabliggi, from category 2 to category l.

Two years left out of twelve. Gang leader,

bank robberies...

You want to see him out already? I don't.

I'd say he got off lightly.

Until a possible pardon, he'd only gain a year.

- It would help him to fit in. - Strabliggi?

Irredeemable. Have you seen his eyes?

- Hatred and contempt. - I've seen tenderness there too.

That's all we need! You social workers are too much.

I know how you see us.

You'd treat the civil code as a novel.

Personally, Mr. Cazeneuve, I don't trust this Strabliggi.

He's no rut, nor a coward who'd kill his mother if he'd known her.

Take my word for it as a magistrate,

a gangster like Strabliggi can often seem friendly.

- But he's a wolf. - Hungry for freedom.

So he pretends to play by the rules.

And he will.

He's learned a trade and has a good woman waiting for him.

He'll never return to jail. I give my word.

That doesn't prove a thing.

Your Honor, I have some experience.

I've worked with offenders since 1946.

In 27 years, I've seen more than all of you.

Including so-called "incurable" ones.

You see us as an annoyance but we know what we're doing.

So you vouch for Strabliggi?

As for myself.

You'll put it in writing?

Absolutely.

Approved for Strabliggi. I hope he'll behave.

Words remain, Mr. Cazeneuve.

And public officials move on.

All right...

Last time, we talked about trust.

That wonderful thing we can't control.

Is that it, Strabliggi?

I'm talking to you, pal.

I'm listening.

Today, we'll talk about revenge.

You come across a car accident,

with an injured man by the road.

Well?

Don't stop in case you're suspected of causing it.

If someone's hurt, you have to stop.

By chance, he turns out to be one of your enemies.

What do you do then?

Why is he an enemy?

Let's say he stole your woman.

No one.

What do you mean?

No one can steal my woman.

For 10 years now,

she's played their favorite song for him every week.

How is he?

Well.

A bit on edge because he's counting the hours.

Your record's worn out.

I've played it so much.

I've changed it 20 times.

I must have played it 1,000 times.

And he still loves it.

Next week, he'll listen at home.

I hope so.

He hasn't changed.

- Neither has she. - No.

- Neither have we. - No, we look good.

You guys are easy to please!

Taxi?

Could you stop for a second?

Feeling queasy?

That's freedom for you. You need to walk for a bit.

- Feeling better? - Yes, I'll be fine.

It's too much at once.

Fresh air, oxygen, freedom, it's all...

What's up with him?

You're too young to understand.

He's testing the breeze.

Get it?

- Hurry, please. - Yes, ma'am.

Well?

Marcel...

In person.

What are you doing here?

Me? Visiting friends. I heard Gino was out.

Yes.

And he's working.

No!

Aren't you?

You know, life is short...

So you shouldn't spend it in jail.

You're talking to a free man.

The last one alive maybe but...

It's Marcel!

- How are you? - I'm good.

- When did you get out? - Two weeks after you.

That's good.

Yeah, and already with wheels.

Congratulations.

And I've found two great guys.

- Is that Jeannot? - Yes.

And a young guy, a fan of yours.

Want to meet him?

Come on. It'll make his day.

Come on.

Gino, it's great. We're together again.

We'll do great things.

Especially with four of us now.

This guy has nerve.

I stick to my place.

That's a good start.

You have ideas?

Ideas?

No.

What the hell?

He's kidding.

I prefer that.

I'm not wasting my time then.

I think you are.

You're all wasting your time.

I don't like that.

Too bad.

Either you're wary or chicken.

I'm going straight. It's simple. I'm too old.

You got soft in jail?

Probably.

Hear that?

He's switched sides.

The authorities have turned him. We know now.

- And the authorities... - Enough!

Excuse him.

Do me a favor, Marcel.

Get lost. All three of you.

What's the problem, pal?

Why should I go on? It's not worth it.

Every week, I have to make 10 more a day.

Always at it, always at it...

It makes you crazy. Are they trying to drive us mad?

Don't they have enough?

Just be patient, pal. You'll learn a trade later.

Work all my life? Behind a wall?

No one gets pardoned now.

You weren't sentenced to be pardoned, right?

A pardon...

I'll give myself one soon.

Don't talk rubbish. I'll see the warden.

Are you kidding?

Have I ever lied to you?

You've lost all power.

We all think that in here.

Too bud, but you're no use anymore.

He has a job so let him do it.

I'm aware of that, warden,

But I'm paid to evaluate individuals and help them.

If you like. In any case, this fellow is an idler.

Not idle, just desperate, it's different. He can't go on.

Will the Ministry collapse if he makes 10 lanterns less?

Sorry, but the rules are the same for everyone.

Maybe, but despair isn't.

Mr. Cazeneuve... Showing zeal before retirement?

Shit!

- Too late to say that now! - Who could have known?

It's part of your job!

He hurt himself instead of you.

And you prefer that.

Where will this get you?

All your fellow prisoners will suffer.

Suffer... Did you hear that?

We've nothing to lose. We may us well crook now!

Drop your weapons or my men will open fire!

Let's do a report.