The Train (1964)

Suzanne Flon: Mademoiselle Villard

Photos 

Quotes 

• Spinet : London agrees the art is important. Anything we can do to save it... but they leave it up to us.

  Labiche : Why not? What can they lose? This morning we had four men left in this group. Now we have three. One, two, three.

  Pesquet : Bernard?

  Labiche : We started with eighteen. Like your paintings, mademoiselle, we couldn't replace them. For certain things we take the risk, but I won't waste lives on paintings.

  Mlle. Villard : They wouldn't be wasted! Excuse me, I know that's a terrible thing to say. But those paintings are part of France. The Germans want to take them away. They've taken our land, our food, they live in our houses, and now they're trying to take our art. This beauty, this vision of life, born out of France, our special vision, our trust... we hold it in trust, don't you see, for everyone? This is our pride, what we create and hold for the world. There are worse things to risk your life for than that.

  Labiche : I'm sorry, mademoiselle, we can't help you.

• Mlle. Villard : I knew of books being burned, other things... I was terrified that these would be lost.

  Colonel von Waldheim : A book is worth a few francs; we Germans can afford to destroy those. We all may not appreciate artistic merit, but cash value is another matter.

  Mlle. Villard : You won't convince me that you're cynical. I know what these paintings mean to you.

  Colonel von Waldheim : You are a perceptive woman.

  [Schmidt enters, with several other soldiers] 

  Colonel von Waldheim : We're removing the paintings. Pack them carefully.

  Mlle. Villard : Where are you taking them?

  Colonel von Waldheim : To a safe place.

  Mlle. Villard : But no place is as safe as Paris!

• Mlle. Villard : They must not even be damaged. They could never be replaced. They're not just... Here, I have the list. Renoirs, Cezannes, 64 Picassos, 29 Braques. Degas, Matisse. He chose very carefully. Only the best. The national heritage.