La Grande Peur dans la montagne

- I wish I never had to go home.. - Victorine...

Take me away.

- Let's go and live in the valley. - What would we live on?

I can't stand this village.

Who's there?

Come on, quick!

FEAR ON THE MOUNTAIN

Missed!

By a good ten yards.

Your mind isn't on this at all.

What's the matter?

Victorine wants to move away.

And you?

I love her. I want her to be happy.

Do it, then.

But I don't have a penny.

I could barely feed my animals last winter.

If it weren't for this damn drought...

Three years now!

If we grazed in the right place...

What?

I mean Sasseneire.

That's where we should go. There's grass all year round.

No one goes there.

Do what you like. I'm going!

Joseph.

Put it there!

You didn't think I'd let you go alone.

Knowing you... no!

Six thrushes and a hare.

Joseph wasn't so lucky. His mind's not on it.

I wonder why!

Next summer

we're going to graze higher.

Derborence?

No. Higher.

Not Sasseneire?

Remember uncle and the others.

Twenty years ago. All that grass going to waste!

That place is cursed.

You're not going up there with my animals!

I'm your wife and I don't want you to go.

I'm going, anyway.

I bet this was Joseph's idea.

Always up to mischief.

Is that true?

Was it Joseph's idea?

And obviously you're in on it too!

No, Aline. I swear I'm not.

- Why didn't you tell me? - News travels fast.

Aline's furious. As for my parents...

They've never liked me, anyway.

Joseph!

Please... Do you really have to go up there?

I'm doing it for you.

We need money to get wed.

I don't care about money.

I'm afraid.

I can't even afford to buy a bed.

Do you want us to live at your parents' farm?

Victorine...

I've thought about it and it's the only way.

Three months isn't long.

I think you're mad, Joseph.

I'm going to marry a madman.

You can go on starving if you want.

But not us youngsters.

What do you hope to find?

It's been abandoned for twenty years.

Whose fault's that? Leaving it to the wild goats.

We had our reasons for abandoning it.

Ask Barthélémy why. He's the only one who can tell you.

You think you know it all.

You're too young.

We could make over 600 cheeses in one summer!

Money... that's all you think about!

If we lose our cows, what good'll it do us?

I'm keeping mine!

Then graze them at Diablerêts or Derborence.

You'll make one pat of butter.

That'll do!

We have to vote. Sit down.

How will you pay for the rent?

I'll see Crittin. He'll put up the money.

Crittin might give you the money. But no one'll go with you.

Do you hear me?

No one.

I'll go.

Clou...

Are you mad? What do you expect to find up there?

Thanks, Clou.

Joseph!

I'll come too.

He's barely out of nappies...

Please, Joseph, let me come. I want to work.

He could help

with the water, the fire...

Can you cook?

Yes.

And you're not afraid? The curse and all that?

That's just old stories. Anyway, you'll be there.

With you, I'm not afraid.

All right.

We're agreed.

A kid and a nutcase. What a great start!

Barthélémy, only you know the way there.

Don't try to flatter me.

- Anyway, I'm too old. - Come off it!

Anyway, the village voted yes.

The mayor talked to Pierre Crittin.

We've got almost 50 head of cattle. All we need is you.

Like father, like son! Nothing would stop him, either.

Don't tell me you prefer this. Your life's up in the mountain.

Leave me alone, Joseph.

I'm fond of you and your mother, but I'll tell you once more...

No!

So we're agreed.

A third now, the rest after the summer.

Do we have a choice? We're taking all the risk.

Stay in the valley, then.

You're only going

because you're my nephew.

Up there,

you'll be working hard all day long.

And you can't waste a drop of milk or a single cheese.

Up at the pasturage, Joseph will be the boss.

Why?

No peasant's going to order me about!

You know nothing.

On the way up,

you'll each be responsible for 10 cows.

- Can you manage that? - Clou can, I'm sure.

Right.

What about Barthélémy?

Still refusing.

You promised!

We can't force him.

Don't worry.

I've studied the route.

This is your expedition, Joseph. Don't let me down.

Victorine, wait!

I thought you weren't going to the ball.

Can you give me a hand?

Always ready to flirt, eh?

Victorine!

Give that back!

You're not funny.

We'll get you a drink.

They're having fun while they can.

Who does he think he is?

Once up there, he won't have much to laugh about.

Shall we dance?

And have you fall over? No, thanks!

You haven't danced with me.

- Go home, Jean. You're drunk. - What do you care?

- Come on. - Let me go!

- Leave her alone. - Shut up, you!

Joseph, calm down.

Come on.

You'll never have Victorine! You'll never come down again!

You'll all die up there, like the others!

Come in, Barthélémy.

Not at the party, Henriette?

I'm packing Joseph's bag. It gets cold up there.

What are you doing here?

You'll miss all the dancing.

- I used to manage all right. - Best dancer in the village!

All the girls wanted to dance with you.

There was only one I wanted to ask.

It's the youngsters' turn now.

I'm worried about Joseph.

He chose to go up there!

Barthélémy...

Go with them.

Please.

He's all I have.

As you know.

If anything happened to him...

You're the only one I can ask.

Take care.

Let him go! You'll turn him into a big girl's blouse!

Now that he's working... Off you go!

O salutary victim who opens heaven's gates

The enemy forces us into combat

Grant us succour...

Barthélémy?

Without me you wouldn't get very far.

It must have cost Crittin to persuade you.

I didn't want to see your face all summer long.

Not scared of the curse?

It is time to part.

May almighty God

bless and protect us.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

- Wretch! - I didn't mean to.

Don't worry, mum.

Everything will be fine.

Lamb of God, who redeems our sins,

have mercy on us!

It's all in ruins.