Outpost in Morocco (1949)

[bunniefuu]

Yes.

Yes, sir, I'll tell him at once.

[knocking]

Yes?

Sargent.

Sir, Captain Lacoss reports

that the convoy for Bel-Rashad

will be ready to

start in the morning.

Send for Captain Gerard.

Gerard for the convoy?

You envy him the ride up

into those lovely mountains?

A few weeks on horseback.

Still, is he quite the man

for this particular mission?

After all, the girl is

the emir's only daughter

and well, you know Gerard.

That I do.

Nothing but scrapes.

All for the same reason, women.

How does he do it?

I've often wondered.

I know a little of such things.

But it's a long

way to Bel-Rashad.

And if Gerard's average hold

up, who knows what may develop.

Well, I must admit,

he seems qualified.

Bamboule.

Bamboule.

Oh.

Such a face.

One would think you're

carrying the worries

of the world on your shoulders.

The colonel wants

Captain Gerard.

But his leave started today.

He hasn't left, has he?

No, not yet.

But knowing the

captain, I'd look

for him in some nice, cool

room with a sultry lady.

There are so many

sultry ladies in Tesket.

Uh, uh.

Interesting problem, isn't it?

You're his orderly.

You solve it.

Yes, sir.

Good evening, Yasmina.

Have you seen the Captain?

No.

Well.

[knocking]

Is the Captain--

[knocking]

Captain, Captain.

Oh, oh, no.

Oh.

No.

Get out!

Cap-- excuse me, sir.

Will you please

call Captain Gerard.

It's very important.

Captain, your orderly is here.

He says he has something

very important to tell you.

Thanks, Henry.

Just a moment, please.

Captain Gerard,

a very lovely lady

wishes to dance with

you, the daughter

of the Emir of Bel-Rashad.

Oh.

I'm afraid, sir, she thinks

you are a professional dancer.

I tried to explain to

her, but I'm sorry, sir.

What's wrong with that?

At your service.

You're an excellent dancer.

A good partner brings

out all my talents.

Really?

Yes.

Shall I tell you

about some of them?

If you don't mind, just dance.

Looks like real gold.

But everything about

you looks real.

Thank you.

The pleasure was all mine.

Madam.

What is it, Bamboule?

The colonel wants

to see you, sir.

Hours ago.

Uh, huh.

Did you put my uniforms away?

No.

I never do until I--

With the compliments

of my mistress.

What's that for, Captain?

Services rendered.

Here's our farthest outpost

in the mountain country.

Fronval is the name of

the commanding officer.

And over here a few miles,

just outsider his authority,

is the citadel of Bel-Rashad.

It's ruler has a daughter,

a most attractive girl.

I know, sir.

I met her.

Already?

We were dancing

when you sent for me.

I guess I picked the

right man for this job.

Well, each spring

she goes to France

and returns here

in October when we

send a convoy to take her home.

October?

Why this is only June.

That's just what puzzles me.

Coupled with some

information I received,

it may be significant.

So you're to head her escort.

And once there, I

want you to find

out what her father's up to.

Yes, sir.

After you've left

Bel-Rashad, take the troops

on to strengthen

Fronval's garrison.

But, sir, my--

Your leave, yes, I-- I'm

sorry about your leave,

but you can have it

when you come back.

Thank you, sir.

The young lady might

prove a help somehow,

but of course, how you handle

that phase of the mission,

like the rest, is

entirely in your hands.

I understand.

Your record is a excellent

one, except for certain, shall

we say, romantic complications.

My duties have taken me

into many strange places.

So I notice.

Tangiers.

Fez.

Casablanca.

Larache.

In fact, in looking over

these escapades of yours,

I have a moment of regret

that I've become an old man.

Well, they say you're

only as old as you feel.

Unfortunately, I also feel old.

Good luck, Captain.

Thank you, sir.

The ladies are

getting hungry, sir.

Convey my regrets.

Tell them we have

a schedule to keep.

We'll be ready to

leave in about an hour.

Yes, sir.

Are we ready to start?

All but the ladies, as

you might expect, sir.

Shh.

She always rests

after lunch, sir.

I'm sorry, but we have

to start in 10 minutes.

The dancer.

And the captain in

charge of this convoy.

Paul Gerard.

With the same insolence,

refusing to stop when

I asked it.

And that miserable lunch.

I'll not have my

convoy run like this.

If this is your convoy,

it's faults of yours.

If it's mine, we

start in 10 minutes.

You're impertinent.

We're still a long way

from your territory.

By [inaudible], I'd like

to be where we can't

be used as target practice.

10 minutes, please.

Captain, sir.

Courier from Tesket

just got here with this.

Thanks, Bamboule.

Good evening.

I've been looking all afternoon

for a place to spend this.

We must be off the road.

Do you mind if I keep

it as a souvenir?

I'm sorry about that.

And if I sounded

arbitrary this afternoon.

Won't you sit down?

I'm afraid I don't have

a very even disposition.

That's not unusual

in a beautiful woman.

Thank you, Captain.

You sound like an expert.

Just a student.

And I have scars to prove it.

And wish for no others?

Tell me, do you think

we're safe here?

As much as can be expected.

You French don't

trust us much, do you?

Now, where did

you get that idea?

My father--

Yes?

I imagine talking to him

would be quite an experience.

You might find some of

his views quite different

from yours.

So many minds,

so many opinions.

And yours, of course,

are the correct ones.

Why not?

I'm afraid you're a

conceited man, Captain.

And so often, conceit is the

last refuge of a scoundrel.

Good night.

[inaudible]

[laughing]

That music, my men have

danced to it all over Morocco.

Tonight, it seems I'm hearing

it for the first time.

You're very sensitive.

And thoughtful, too.

You've made a dull

journey exciting.

Thank you.

I deliver you to

Bel-Rashad tomorrow,

Forbidden City for Frenchmen.

Have you a cigarette?

Thank you.

A note from the colonel.

Here is how wrong a

man sitting at a desk

can be about operations

in the field.

I'm sure the colonel has

complete faith in you.

Have you?

Well, a woman, it was

a woman, wasn't it, that

caused you to join the Legion?

Have you forgotten her?

Yes.

I never thought there

could be another.

No, Paul.

No, this can never be.

Not for us, Paul.

You and I are worlds apart.

It cannot be.

It can be.

Cara, I swear.

Nothing can stop me

from seeing you again.

The caravan has been

sighted, [inaudible].

Repeat my warning that

it shall pass safely.

The convoy arrives and tell

the officer I wish to thank him.

A Frenchman in Bel-Rashad?

Now?

Last year, she said if I

again failed to be courteous,

she would see to it herself.

So, better a small

risk than an awkward

and perhaps suspicious

scene at the gate.

Welcome home, Emira.

Thank you, Osmon.

Captain Gerard, the Caid Osmon,

my father's aide-de-camp.

The Emir extends

his compliments

and asks that you favor

him with your presence.

Delighted.

So, Captain, you are new

to this part of Morocco.

Quite, although I

served at other stations.

It does seem that we

provide a fine opportunity

for career officers.

Some of us wouldn't

choose it if we were asked.

True, I have no doubt.

Must be a dreary

life for a stranger.

I'm only a soldier of the

life who goes where he's sent.

May I point out,

Captain, that we

shouldn't be distressed

to see you sent back home.

If it weren't for

us, Caid Osmon,

you might find yourselves

a lot unhappier.

How typical.

Early Arab geographers

called this the Isle of West.

But to Europeans,

it's always been

Barbary, the home of

barbarians, unable to take

care of themselves.

But after your long

ride, I shouldn't

weary you with such discussion.

Thank you again for your

kindness to my daughter.

It was a pleasant

responsibility.

And if we meet again, I hope

to find you in better spirits.

One day, who knows?

You may find me quite happy.

Captain Gerard extends

his compliments, sir.

He will report after

he has turned his men

over to the Office of Day, sir.

I've been waiting this long,

I'll manage a few minutes more.

It must've been something

important to detain

him so long at Bel-Rashad.

I'm sure it was, Commandant.

Important?

Ah, nothing more important

than the smell of perfume.

If I can use the expression.

Oh sure, I heard of this Gerard.

A ladies' man, if

you know what I mean.

One of those fellows whose whole

life is just a parade of women.

And what a lovely parade.

What was that?

[knocking]

The Captain.

Captain Gerard reporting, sir.

Glad to have you

with us, Gerard.

Lieutenant Glysko,

my second in command.

We were concerned about you.

One of our scouts

reported your detachment

nearing Bel-Rashad hours ago.

I stopped to have

tea with the Emir.

Here are my orders, sir.

I've been out here for years

and the only invitation he ever

gave me was to keep my distance.

Maybe you never

had the pleasure

of delivering him his daughter.

I did.

Yeah, I did and he

never had me in.

He might have though

you'd scare the children.

Why?

Oh, oh, you mean the--

Yes, yeah.

Your orders state

that you're to report

only to Colonel

Pascal and that you're

to have complete freedom.

Very well, consider

us at your disposal.

Thank you, sir.

I'll try not to

ask for too much.

Not at all.

It'll be a novelty to

have a new face at mess.

It would be a novelty for the

Captain to be with no women.

The Captain might

find it uh, you know--

Dull, Lieutenant?

Yes, dull, Captain.

That's exactly what I

was just about to say.

The Lieutenant sounds as

if he was a ladies' man.

Who, me?

Ah, no.

never.

I see, a married man.

Was.

Very married.

But you know, my wife,

she like to fight.

And mind you, never straight

attack, always ambushing me.

You know what I mean?

Bombarding me with flat irons.

Ladies' man, oh no, sir.

As my late father would always

say, all women are unfair.

If they weren't, there'd

be no Foreign Legion.

Oh, I wouldn't say, sir.

You see, my late

fatter, he would--

Gentlemen, about a

drink, without ice?

Thank you, sir.

Has your game taken on

new subtleties, Cara?

I haven't played since

last with you, Father.

Then perhaps you're

out of practice.

Or thinking of something else.

Perhaps of being home

months earlier than usual.

Told not to leave the palace.

And no mention of why.

I'm afraid sending you

to Europe wasn't wise.

It's just as well

you're not to return.

Not to return, but-- every

since I arrived at Bel-Rashad,

I've sensed a difference here.

Why?

What's happened, Father?

Very little for too many years.

But, all conditions change.

Are you thinking of taking

up arms against the French?

Why are you so surprised?

You know how long that

has been my dream?

I always thought it

was no more than that.

Nothing that you

actually intended to do.

You think I only talk

of my obligations?

Yes, you have been influenced,

perhaps by some French officer.

If you will excuse me,

I'd like to go to my room.

[expl*si*n]

Get him down to the dispensary.

Yes, sir.

That shot, it didn't sound

like one of their old muskets.

That b*llet, when you-

Yes, when you

take it out of him,

we better have a look at it.

Have a look at it.

Hundred devils and

a c*ck witch.

I was just about to say it.

Looks like it's from

a brand new weapon.

No doubt it is.

That explains why

you're having a lot more

trouble with sn*pers lately.

Yeah.

They're out there like

sand fleas and just as

hard to catch.

Maybe the Captain can uh,

you know, attract one for us.

Why not?

He's just from headquarters.

Nice tender,

That's a very good

suggestion, Lieutenant.

If you find me a

native's outfit,

I'll try catch one of

the Bel-Rashad kind.

Captain, I was just joking.

It can be a one way

trip, I might tell you.

I found the way out before.

Cigarette?

Thanks.

How long before we

get the bigger pieces?

I will do my best

to make it soon.

But there are problems.

Your wrist.

Pass Your wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Wrist Pass.

Wrist.

Pass.

Your wrist.

Pass.

Your wrist.

Who are you?

A foreigner!

[yelling]

[g*nshots]

[g*nshots]

[crowd noise]

[crowd noise]

Paul.

What are you doing here?

Right now, I'm being chased.

All that commotion

is because of you?

Yes.

I need to place

to hide and quick.

In here.

Paul.

Darling, you took

this risk for me.

It was worth it.

You're not sorry I'm here?

Sorry?

Oh, darling.

Emira?

[knocking]

Emira.

Emira.

A Frenchman has gotten

past the inner gates.

A Frenchman?

He was seen coming

toward the palace, Emira.

Come.

Those shots.

They've discover a

French spy at the arsenal.

A spy?

In the arsenal?

He was after one

of our new r*fles.

I don't understand.

You would if you hadn't

become so fond of the French.

Go back to your

room and stay there.

You might not want to see one

of your dear French k*lled.

[whistle]

Open the gate!

[creaking]

[galloping hoofbeats]

Look at this sir.

One of the new Mausers.

Hundred devils and

a c*ck witch.

That old goat Emir

has them. [inaudible].

Where did you get it?

In Bel-Rashad.

There are cases of

them coming by caravan.

And heavier stuff on the way.

Did you have any trouble?

Yes, the Emir

knows what happened.

Then you better start

for Tesket tonight.

Yes, sir.

Glysko.

Yes, sir.

You will go with him and bring

back any reinforcements Colonel

Pascal decides to send me.

Yes, sir.

I'll be ready as

soon as I change,

if you know what I mean.

What does he mean?

Oh, the old Cossack

doesn't like the idea

of dying in a dirty shirt.

Sounds like a good soldier.

He's the best one I've got.

Even if at times, I do

think he's really a horse.

That's good to know.

If I lose mine, I'll saddle him.

Try to get through

Sherifian Gap before daylight

or you may not make it.

Deliver this to Colonel Pascal.

Good luck and my

personal thanks.

Thank you, sir.

Ready, men?

[knocking]

Come in.

Cara.

Have you been ill?

No, Father.

Are you offended because

I had to ask that you

do not go outside the walls?

I'm content here.

I wonder if you're more

emotionally involved with that

man Gerard than you've told me.

To me, he's even more

despicable than the others?

Oh?

The other night, I thought

you felt somewhat differently.

That was the other night.

I hope you see that he's just

another enemy of our people.

You needn't worry, Father.

I know what he is.

I'm leaving for a few days.

When I return, I hope to

bring interesting news.

You're going to start it?

Goodbye, my dear.

March!

All armies are the same.

Hurry up and wait, if

you know what I mean?

A hundred devils and a witch.

Yes.

c*ck witch.

[laughs]

You know, that waiting,

that's the only quarrel

I ever had with Fronval.

For weeks, I wanted

to go to Bel-Rashad

to tickle that old goat where

he tickles most, but no.

Politics.

So what happens?

The sn*pers ping, ping, ping.

We wait and very soon, dead.

How would you know

the difference,

stuck up there in that hole?

Hole?

Let me tell you this.

That hole, that's

the best little--

I know, it's the

best little fort--

Gentlemen.

Come in, come in.

Bring the g*n.

So altogether, it

looks like they're

arming for an open

as*ault. Tell Fronval we'll

need some more troops.

Let's go.

Yes, sir.

Take this to Captain

[inaudible] and tell him

I'll want those units

assembled at once.

Yes, sir.

You did a good job, Gerard.

You've earned your leave.

I don't like to

disappoint you again,

but I'm short of officers.

You'll have to go back.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Make it a forced march.

Iron rations.

Only enough rest

to keep them going.

Yes, sir.

Boys.

Tell our men to hold their fire.

Too many soldiers.

Hurry!

Hurry!

Don't sh**t!

Don't sh**t!

There are too many soldiers!

Let them pass!

Don't sh**t!

Halt.

Anything wrong, Captain?

Look.

Get me some scouts

and a detail, I'm in.

You wait here for my signal.

Yes,sir.

Forward!

Sound the advance.

[bugle sounds]

Forward!

Dismount.

[bugle]

And if we follow you into this

rebellion, what of our sultan?

He's friendly to the French.

Would you go on to

take his power as well?

Forgive me.

Perhaps that is an

unfair question.

But let me say only two things.

The French have

helped us greatly.

And they are too

powerful to combat.

Wait.

For years, I've

heard that dismal

whimper from weary old men,

that we cannot face our invader.

But what will the

answer be to this?

To prove how weak

these French truly are,

I've wiped out their entire

garrison outside my city.

So again, I say, join me.

Go to your people and prepare.

And all over Morocco,

others will do the same.

No.

No.

[arguing]

I'm worried about

that broken wall.

Can't it be repaired?

Well, you know how it

is, we have no cement,

have to use mud.

Captain, you figure the

old goat will be back?

After what happened?

He has to.

Here, send this report

to Colonel Pascal.

And tell the courier

to make it fast.

And then the brains will

be entirely cut off.

Captain, you know,

I was thinking,

we cannot be reinforced for at

least a month, and even then--

That's why I'm not waiting.

Tonight I'm taking a raiding

party to Bel-Rashad to tend

to that ammunition dump.

Hundred devils.

How can you think

and talk so fast?

I was just about to--

Suggest the same thing.

Yes, sir.

Same thing.

Let me do it, Paul, please.

But I know where the place is.

So do I. And besides

that, if you pardon,

you have no right to go.

You are in charge now.

And I can give

myself the right.

But listen, Paul.

Listen, next to you, I'm

the senior officer here.

I'm a good soldier all right.

But you know, this, running

things, plans, organizing, no.

No, Paul, if you

get k*lled, under me

this post falls down

like a sick horse.

There are three

other officers here.

Oh, what are you saying?

Paul, officers, one is a

boy just out of [inaudible].

Two others just as new.

No, you and me, we are the only

ones with time in the field.

And if you pardon me,

I've had many commandants,

but Fronval was the only one I,

you know, I could really like.

So I've got to make

those butchers pay

a little for that [inaudible].

Son of a g*n.

You won't stop me,

Paul, will you?

All right.

Take only volunteers.

And come back, you hear?

That's an order.

Yes, sir, an order.

I'll go as soon as I change my

shirt, if you know what I mean.

And thank you, Paul.

[g*nshots]

Come on!

Come on!

Come on, men!

[g*nshots]

Forward!

Break down the door.

Come on.

Come on.

The arsenal is empty.

The old goat has

taken everything.

All right.

We'll take the old goat himself.

Follow me.

[whistles]

First squad.

Follow me.

Rest of the men,

surround the palace.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

Take her out of here.

What do you want?

Your father.

He's gone.

Days ago.

Glysko.

Captain.

-You made it.

-Uh, huh.

Have any luck?

Sure.

I got a prisoner.

A prisoner?

In here.

Hey, come in.

I thought you were k*lled

with the rest of them.

Kidnapping women.

What did you do?

Get your armies mixed up?

The old goat was gone so I

thought if we had a hostage--

You thought.

Where's your father, Cara?

Out boasting to

the other tribes?

Do you know we lost

over 100 men here?

Too bad you weren't among them.

Put her in my room.

I'll move in with you.

Come on.

Present arms!

[trumpet]

[muttering]

I wonder what

happened to the water.

I guess we'll have to

start water rations.

It's always low in summer,

but never like this.

We've got a lot

of men here now.

We might have to

turn the horses out.

But Captain.

Those cavalry men, they will be

like a hornet with a toothache.

The stream that

feeds this well,

you think you can get the

stock there after dark?

Oh, sure.

It's only a few miles.

Have your Sargent

take them over.

I'll do it myself.

I know the place.

But this time only do

what you're supposed to do.

Understand?

Yes, Captain.

[g*nshots]

Fall back.

[knocking]

Cara, I want to

talk to you, and I

want you to listen carefully.

Listen to some

more of your lies?

I did lie to you.

I had to.

My return with that

g*n meant the saving

of thousands of Legionnaires

all over Morocco.

Can't you understand that?

I didn't have time

for explanations.

I'm not interested in them now.

Why are you holding me here?

Because an entire garrison

was massacred here

and we can afford to

lose any more men.

But you can be sure

nothing will happen to you.

Have you finished, Captain?

No.

The night before our

arrival at Bel-Rashad,

I told you I loved you.

That happened to be the truth.

Unfortunate, isn't it?

[expl*si*n]

What is it?

They're dynamiting the

river, change its course.

That means our well

will go completely dry.

We must let the horses go now.

I guess you're right

about the horses.

They'll be better

off than we will.

Well?

The stream is cut,

just as you ordered.

Good.

Soon that miserable fort

will start weakening.

Still, waiting

might be dangerous.

I know.

But I can't act with

my daughter there.

How did they take it?

A cavalry man with no

horse is like a foot

soldier with no feet.

Have the gate opened.

Open the gate.

Come on, pal.

Bugler.

Sound assembly.

[bugle]

Attention!

Men, our water supply has

been entirely cut off.

We might not get any more

until reinforcements arrive.

So hereafter, each man will

be limited to one cup a day.

I hate to give this order,

but anyone caught stealing

will be shot.

The Arabs may wait awhile

before starting over here again,

so we have conserve

as best we can.

At ease.

Attention!

Sip it slowly.

It will last longer.

You must be lucky

in love, Bamboule.

Loan me another cup.

You know I'm good for it.

You'd better be.

You're losing, huh?

You know, Lieutenant, when

you have to win, you never do.

Thank you.

Hey, drink it here.

No gambling.

What are you, Bamboule?

Card player.

Oh, no, sir, no.

But the men I play with are.

You heard the Captain about

how we have to hold out.

Right now you need water as

much as you need your g*n.

What would you think

about a soldier who

went into battle without a g*n?

Well, I'd think he

was an officer, sir.

Hm?

Hey!

If we can get the

channel back again,

the well might begin to work.

Water.

[laughing]

I never thought

I'd dream of that.

Water.

Water.

[g*nsh*t]

Bamboule.

It's been a long time

since I talked to you.

I almost forgot how, but I--

our Father, which are in heaven,

I almost forgot how, but I--

our Father, which are in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy

will be done on Earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day

our daily bread.

And forgive us our

trespasses as we forgive

those who trespass against us.

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory

forever and ever.

Amen.

[knocking]

Come in.

Poor Bamboule.

Just for a little water.

Yeah.

Our situation is

pretty desperate.

Cara, there won't be any

more water after tonight.

What's going to

happen to the men?

And to us?

Evidently your father's

satisfied to let

you die with us.

He's in too deep to draw

back now, even for me.

We're not going

to stay here and be

trapped like a bunch of rats.

We're going to make a

break for it tomorrow.

Paul.

Paul, I believe now what

you said the other night.

[pattering]

Listen.

[thunder]

Rain!

Rain!

Rain!

[thunder]

[cheering]

Paul!

Hey, you camel.

Why aren't you out there

sopping up some of this miracle?

What is it?

The wall, how

long will it last?

An hour, perhaps less.

You know, it was

made of mud and sand.

Most likely the

Emir will attack

as soon as it falls down.

Oh, no, he won't.

Don't forget our little pigeon.

She isn't here anymore.

Is she dead?

I couldn't let her

die for something

that wasn't her fault. So

I let her go last night.

You what?

I didn't think it would rain.

And after all, she's a woman.

Who is a woman?

She's a hostage.

And what if she did die?

She any better than

the rest of us?

Yes.

So that's it.

That's it.

You think she's

in love with you.

And because she's

in love with you,

she will talk her father

out of trying to k*ll us.

Maybe I made a mistake.

[crashing]

There goes the wall.

Come on.

Well, what are you going to do?

I'm going to get

the expl*sives ready.

You start setting

up the mine field

as soon as the rain stops.

Plant most in front

of the broken place.

Lieutenant.

-Yes, sir.

Get the machine g*ns in order.

Very well, sir.

The wires are all set

up and connected, sir.

Anything else?

Yes.

Have the men take

their stations.

Yes, sir.

Why aren't the others here?

Perhaps as I feared,

they have reconsidered.

We'll wait until dawn.

Cover this entire section.

[whistle]

Inside!

Everything is as

you ordered, sir.

Well, they can

come any time now.

They will.

What is it?

Word has come that

the rest of the caids

have refused to join us.

They want no more French k*lled.

Nor do I.

Have my horse

saddled immediately.

I must stop my father.

Still no sign of them.

Then we'll do it alone.

Ready?

Mount.

Forward!

Prepare for attack.

Glysko.

Look, Cara.

Paul, they are here.

About her, Paul.

Well, it's no use

to keep remembering.

In accordance with my

pledge, I've come to renew

our oath of allegiance.

In the name of the French

government, I accept your word.

And thank you for

your good offices

in helping to restore order.