Troops are assembled before the chateau, with officers in full dress uniforms. In the tense firing squad scene, drums monotonously sound in the background as the prisoners are marched between lines of soldiers to the open area near the chateau, where three stakes are set up. The upright execution stakes grow larger and larger as the men and the camera approach. Ferol whines and hangs on to the priest. The men are tied to the stakes, and Lieutenant Roget offers them blindfolds.
Caskets wait in an open cart to the side.
The words of the indictment and official execution are nervously read by Major Saint-Auban. Generals Broulard and Mireau stand nearby. The victims momentarily twitch and then collapse. I'm awfully glad you could be there, George. I have never seen an affair of this sort handled any better.