Merlusse

This film was made in the Lycée de Marseille,

thanks to the university authorities.

Arispuru.

Down there, on the coast of France.

With a huge expanse of sea.

In the sunshine of the Riviera.

There is a small piece

of paradise!

Robert, Pannard, Lapierre, Rossi, Rellys...

Arispuru, Fougeray, Prudhomme, Raymond,

Bronté, Olivier, Aneusčbe, Blavette,

Couder, Bouteillet, Pons,

Brun Lucien, Brun Ernest, Brun Jules.

To the visiting room!

Bernard.

Bernard... Bernard.

I must tell you that young Bernard will be in detention on 5th January.

Lucien! Is this true?

Oh, yes, madam.

He was caught cheating, copying his history essay.

He had a book open on his lap under the desk.

Young Bernard should really have been in detention tomorrow.

But as it's Christmas the Headmaster decided to postpone his punishment.

Not for him,

because he was indeed guilty,

but we didn't want to punish his family,

especially his mother.

Thank you.

You should thank the Headmaster.

See you soon, Bernard.

And don't get indigestion!

How many are staying at school for the holiday?

Twenty or thirty.

Villepontoux.

Has anyone come for you?

I want to get out.

You want to get out?

See if there's a letter.

Villepontoux...

Well, you're not going out this time.

Not till next time.

Yes, your mother thought it best to leave you here over Christmas.

Why?

Did you get bad marks?

First in Latin and second in French.

He's a very good pupil.

Not one punishment all term.

And your father?

Did he write?

He'd have let me out of school. But he can't.

He's dead.

- So I can't go out? - No, my friend.

You'll stay here, since it's the wish,

no doubt justified, of Mrs Villepontoux.

She's not called that any more.

Now she's Mrs Lavigne.

Go and play with your pals.

Don't waste time in here.

Don't be too sad.

After all, we have fun here at Christmas.

I only wanted to be like the others.

But if I have to go to the Lavigne house,

I might as well stay here.

- Poor kid. - Yes, poor kid.

But what can we do?

Come now, let's not have any tears.

You're a young man.

No, I'm not. I'm 12.

Well, 12 is already quite old.

12-year-olds don't cry.

I didn't when I was 12.

Your mum hadn't remarried.

No. When I was 12

she was dead.

And that's a lot worse.

You'll see your mother again.

Yes.

She's beautiful too.

So was mine.

Like all mothers.

Only I'll never see mine again.

But I don't cry.

So come on, be a man. Take life as it comes.

Now go and play with your pals.

Thank you.

Not many customers today.

They're all saving themselves to eat at home.

- Are you going? - Don't know.

So why are you all dressed?

Poor kid!

It's here if anyone wants any!

What was that?

- It wasn't me. - I saw you!

A parabola described by a ball

passing directly through the point in space that is occupied

by a hat,

even mine,

is not such a dramatic event.

I see in it no evil design.

It would in fact be surprising

if, having aimed for it, you did in fact hit it.

Your mistake begins with your lie.

Do not lie, sir.

Say, "I didn't do it on purpose."

Don't say, "It wasn't me."

The lie is written across your face.

And disfigures it.

Turn around.

On my part this is not revenge.

It is not even a punishment.

It's a lesson.

Learn it well.

If it's between Mr Delattre and Mr Blanchard,

who both qualify for promotion,

you prefer Delattre?

By far, Mr Headmaster. Mr Blanchard hasn't been here long...

But he has 24 years' experience.

Digne,

Toulon,

Montpellier, Aix...

Yes, I know.

But so has Mr Delattre.

And he's a fine teacher.

Precise, conscientious, pleasant...

With connections! His brother-in-law is in the ministry.

Yes, but that isn't why

I know.

But I had a letter from the brother-in-law.

But for Mr Blanchard the promotion is more important.

If he doesn't get it this year, when he retires

his pension will be much lower than the best he could hope for.

With the promotion he's almost assured of the maximum.

Yes, that's a point we should consider.

But Mr Delattre is interesting too.

Do you have anything against Mr Blanchard?

No, I wouldn't go so far as to say that.

But I must tell you that he has a very nasty temper.

Yes, so I've heard.

Ten days after he arrived here,

there was a violent incident with a parent, a butcher.

He said that his son had been unjustly punished, adding,

"One-eyed masters distribute punishments blindly!"

Nicely phrased!

Mr Blanchard replied with a couple of slaps,

heard in the playground.

The butcher couldn't see to leave.

Mr Blanchard was wrong,

very wrong, to do that.

But why wasn't I officially informed?

As I was writing my report, the butcher came to me.

He'd found out that Mr Blanchard's eye injury

was a war wound.

He apologised to him and asked me to let it drop.

He was right to. A decent butcher.

But when it got around about him hitting butchers,

his colleagues took him for a savage.

And I have to say they're not completely wrong.

All he ever does is moan.

Today, when he was told he'd be taking prep on Christmas Eve,

he protested violently. He said he'd come to you.

He didn't come, though.

No, he didn't, and I know he'll do his duty.

Is he a success with the pupils?

His classes are very orderly.

The discipline is perfect.

But the boys don't like him. He's one-eyed, ugly.

I'm sure he would much prefer to be handsome.

I know, I know

I'm not blaming him for not being an Adonis.

No, I'm trying to explain... the atmosphere around him.

He's ugly.

And, being single, he's quite...

Well, he looks dirty.

The pupils call him Merlusse.

Merlusse? Why?

They say he stinks of cod.

How odd.

Does he smell of cod?

I don't think so. He smells more like a wet dog.

But he isn't nice to the boys. In fact, he terrorises them.

Too many punishments?

No. The way he looks, he doesn't need to punish.

His pupils are more afraid of being thumped than getting detention.

No, he's never struck a boy!

But the boys feel he'd be capable of it.

Those are my impressions of him.

Precise, conscientious, but not very friendly with his colleagues,

and hated by the boys.

And if I ever see him outside the school,

he never greets me.

I won't be taken for a fool!

But, Blanchard, it's the custom here.

The newest teacher takes prep the night before a holiday.

And you're the newest teacher.

But I'm not some beginner!

I may be the newest here, but I've got 24 years of experience.

Until some other teacher arrives, I'll always be the newest.

I've done prep for the weak pupils,

I've done the second half of recreation, 4 till 5,

when it's dark in winter,