King of Hearts (re-release)

In November 1918, the German army retreats from Marville, a French town that had been occupied throughout World War I. The tension in the town escalates as the remaining citizens prepare for potential threats from the departing soldiers.

A member of the French resistance discovers that the Germans have planted a bomb somewhere in Marville, set to explode at midnight. He quickly informs a nearby British regiment and urges the town's citizens to flee the impending danger.

Colonel MacBibenbrook decides to send Private Charles Plumpick, a nonviolent Scotsman known for his poetry, into Marville to disarm the bomb. This decision highlights the contrasting methods of dealing with conflict during the war.

Upon his arrival, Private Charles is quickly chased by the remaining German soldiers. In a frantic attempt to find safety, he takes refuge in a local insane asylum, marking a pivotal turn in his mission.

The asylum's inmates believe that Charles is the 'Le Roi de Coeur' or King of Hearts who has returned to them. Their joyful confusion leads to a celebration within the asylum as they mistake him for their beloved monarch.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the inmates escape the asylum and roam the empty town, embracing their past occupations and indulging in whimsical activities. Their carefree spirit contrasts sharply with the earlier tension of the town.

Charles eventually regains consciousness and mistakenly believes that the townspeople he meets are actual citizens rather than the escaped inmates. They crown him King of Hearts, imposing a sense of duty on him to protect them.

As some German soldiers return to Marville, a comical turn of events occurs when the inmates, embracing their newfound freedom, steal their tanks and chase them away. This unexpected response highlights the absurdity of the situation.

Charles meets Coquelicot, a young woman working in a brothel, and quickly falls in love with her. She has been assigned to provide companionship for him, deepening his commitment to finding the bomb and ensuring her safety.

After piecing together clues, Charles realizes that the bomb is located in the town clock. In a race against time, he climbs the clock tower to prevent the imminent explosion as midnight approaches.

Just as the clock strikes midnight, Charles successfully disarms the bomb just in time. The inmates celebrate his bravery, deciding to hold a festival in his honor for a grand three years, reflecting their joyous outlook on life.

As the celebrations are in full swing, the British army arrives in Marville, unaware that the eccentric group they are encountering are not citizens but the escaped inmates. Colonel MacBibenbrook mistakes the situation for a triumph.

The peaceful atmosphere abruptly shifts when a German regiment marches back into town, leading to a climactic battle between the two armies. This conflict ends in tragedy as both sides suffer losses, highlighting the futility of war.

Following the battle, the townspeople return to Marville, reclaiming their home now steeped in chaos. The melancholy reality of war sets in as the inmates slowly make their way back to the asylum.

After receiving medals for his bravery yet feeling detached from reality, Charles chooses to shed his former identity. He walks naked back to the asylum, willingly rejoining the inmates, embracing the absurdity of life.