In the aftermath, Augagneur and Boissier want to steal the gold for themselves, but Mahuzard wishes to continue the original mission.

Helen helps Augagneur capture Karl and suggests they take the gold and sell it to an American launderer, Bob Turner, and split it three ways.

Mahuzard has dinner with François and Helene, who steals the key to the vault and releases Augagneur, Boissier and Karl.

They return with the tank and surprise Mahuzard and Béral, who have just completed the loading of gold in an armored car and prepare to leave.

Augagneur and Karl head south in the tank to sell the gold, but have to stop at a German filling station to refuel.

Putting up a patriotic front, he pretends to have rescued the gold, losing him the money but earning him military honors and the attention of Mrs. Chanterelle, the wife of the president of the French North African Bank Group.

Verneuil was developing the project for a number of years and was thinking of casting Victor Lanoux when Belmondo read the script and wanted to do it.