Return of the Hero

In the Burgundy countryside during the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Neuville [Jean Dujardin] of the hussars becomes engaged to Pauline Beaugrand, whose elder sister Élisabeth Beaugrand [Mélanie Laurent] quickly realises that the man is a liar and a fraud. Just before the wedding, Neuville is ordered to rejoin his unit marching against Austria and rides away, promising to write every day. When no letters arrive, Pauline grows anxious, and Élisabeth begins forging letters to ease her sister’s worry. After the Austrian campaign ends, Élisabeth’s messages claim that Neuville has been posted to India, where, besides fighting the British, he tends a tobacco crop and raises elephants. Tiring of the deception, Élisabeth writes that he is engaged in what may be his last battle, and the letters abruptly stop. Pauline marries a shy neighbour, Nicolas Bonvallet [Christophe Montenez], and the couple has two children.

One day in town, Élisabeth spots a stinking vagrant who turns out to be Neuville, now a penniless deserter. He accepts money to leave, but uses it to clean up and, to her fury, visits Élisabeth’s family. The Beaugard household is overjoyed to discover that the gallant captain is alive and eager to hear his adventures. He reveals that he now has a diamond mine in India and is prepared to sell shares in the enterprise. Élisabeth is furious, realizing that he has hijacked the story she invented to profit from her neighbors. Moreover, Neuville begins an affair with Pauline, adding another layer of hurt to the already fraught situation. Élisabeth makes sure Nicolas knows about the affair, igniting a clash of pride, suspicion, and affection.

Back at home, Nicolas, an excellent shot, challenges Neuville to a duel with pistols. When Pauline bursts in on the duel, Nicolas has to take her home, postponing the combat to Neuville’s great relief. An artillery regiment arrives in the area to curb marauding Cossacks, and the general comes to lunch with Élisabeth’s parents. Neuville’s tales of war captivate the general, who is soon called away as the enemy closes in. In a tense moment, Russian cavalry line up to strike Beaugard’s house. Neuville tries to flee but decides to stand and fight, facing the charge with a rifle and bringing down several opponents. The assault ends when artillery find their range and crush the Russians, leaving Neuville hailed as a hero and reinstated in his regiment. At last, Élisabeth agrees to marry him, but the wedding is interrupted when Neuville receives orders to rejoin his unit. He rides away once more, solemnly promising to write every day.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:04