La Comédie avant Molière

A friendly average Frenchman pretends to be a famous commissioner on vacation. He arrives in a castle converted into a boarding house where, after dinner, guests are invited to participate in a "murder-party". The so-called victim of this little game is really murdered and the fake commissioner must lead the investigation.

Emperor Napoléon Ier's prodigious destiny, from his childhood in Corsica to the Return of the Ashes from Saint Helena, on the one hand, through popular imagery, engravings and paintings by great artists like David, Gros and Prud'hon, and, on the other hand, the landscapes and monuments that are the reminders of this great figure. The whole thing is unified by a commentary meant to captivate the public.

A train driver has not slowed down at a signal and caused an accident whose victim is a gatekeeper. Two inspectors come to investigate the affair. During his interrogation, the driver refuses to provide an explanation for his action and is charged with malpractice. The only one he will tell the truth to is the gatekeeper's wife.

An impoverished girl tries to sell matches on New Year's Eve. Shivering with cold and unable to sell her wares, she sits in a sheltered nook. Striking a match to keep warm, the flame shows her what's beyond.