France, the early 1890s. While the Dreyfuss Case enflames France, a murderer (Michel Galabru) is apprehended in Lourdes. Clearly insane, he admits his heinous crimes and pleads insanity. Given the closed and intolerant social climate of the time, examining magistrate Philippe Noiret cannot absolve him. Tavernier examines the Judge’s personal life in the light of current “affairs.”

In French with English subtitles