1:03:00
How can you understand that
and allow these men to be shot?
1:03:04
You're taking a rather simple view of this.
1:03:06
The attack was impossible. The
general staff must have known that.
1:03:12
Colonel Dax, we think we're doing
a good job running the war.
1:03:15
You must be aware that
the general staff is subject
1:03:18
to all kinds of unfair pressures
from newspapers and politicians.
1:03:22
Maybe the attack against
the Ant Hill was impossible.
1:03:24
Perhaps we made an error of judgment.
On the other hand,
1:03:28
if your men had been a little more daring,
they might have taken it. Who knows?
1:03:32
Why should we have to bear any more
criticism for the failure than we have to?
1:03:37
Aside from the fact that many
of your men never left the trenches,
1:03:40
there's the question of the troops' morale.
1:03:43
- The troops' morale?
- Certainly.
1:03:44
These executions will be
a tonic for the division.
1:03:47
Few things are more encouraging and
stimulating than seeing someone else die.
1:03:52
- I never thought of that, sir.
- Troops are like children.
1:03:55
Just as a child wants his father to be firm,
troops crave discipline.
1:03:59
One way to maintain discipline
is to shoot a man now and then.
1:04:03
May I ask... do you sincerely believe
all the things you've just said?
1:04:13
It's been a pleasure discussing this with
you, but I'd better get back to my guests.
1:04:18
Forgive me for having
kept you from your party.
1:04:23
By the way, sir,
have you heard that General Mireau
1:04:27
ordered his own battery
commander, Captain Rousseau,
1:04:30
to open fire on his own positions
during the attack?
1:04:36
Of course, the captain refused
without a written order.
1:04:40
But General Mireau demanded that
he commence firing on our own trenches.
1:04:44
Rousseau refused
without an order in writing,
1:04:46
but again he was ordered, and again
he refused... all in front of witnesses.
1:04:52
Do you actually believe
this fantastic story?
1:04:55
Here are copies of the sworn statements
from all the principals involved.
1:04:59
Battery Commander Rousseau,
Captain Nichols, the artillery spotter,