All language subtitles for The Day Of The Triffids (1962).eng

In Nature's scheme of things, certain
plants are carnivorous, or "eating plants".

The Venus flytrap is one of
the best known of these plants.

A fly, drawn to the
plant by a sweet syrup,

brushes against
trigger bristles.

Just how these plants digest
their prey has yet to be explained.

There is much to Learn about
these fascinating "eating plants".

This is a newcomer,
Triffidus selectus,

brought to Earth on the meteorites
during The Day of the Triffids.

Al! Reports confirm that
the world is witnessing

an unprecedented
shower of meteorites.

There is no record of a display
such as this in recorded history.

At observatories, astronomers are
noting this fantastic phenomenon...

and carefillly calculating
the effect on our solar system.

The consensus of opinion is that the
meteorites burn up from the intense heat

before they reach the Earth.

(KEYS JANGLE)

(NEWS on RADIO)

The show of meteorites
continues unabated.

This is a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime
spectacle that simply must be seen.

"Once-in-a-Lifetime spectacle"!
Free tickets, take any seat in the house!

Here I am!

Dr Soames to see you, Mr Mason.

Doctor, why can't I look at what's going
on? The bandages come off tomorrow anyway.

I'm afraid not, Mr Mason.
After an eye operation

like yours, it's best
to wait the full 10 days.

— Eight o'clock tomorrow morning,
Nurse. — Yes, Doctor, eight o'clock.

— Goodnight, Mr Mason. — Thank
you. See you in the morning, I hope!

| hope so!

I'll have that cigarette.

— Open your mouth,
please. — Ahh.

Now, this should give
you a good night's rest.

Lie back. I'm going
to put your bed down.

Miss Jameson, are you really
as pretty as they say you are?

Tomorrow morning, you can
answer that question for yourself.

Hmm. Tomorrow morning.

Do you really think
I'll be able to see?

Tomorrow night you'll be in Southampton,
on board your ship and ready for duty.

Aye, Ma'am.

— Goodnight. — Goodnight.

(RADIO) ..And we remind you
the spectacular display of meteorites

is turning the night sky into
a blazing display of fireworks.

All over the world
at this moment...

(TURNS RADIO OFF)

I can't leave this specimen.
Why don't you go up

the tower and have a
look? It sounds spectacular.

Sure! The tobacco company
probably found a way

to Light up the sky
to sell more cigarettes.

— Where did you hide it this
time? — It's in the cupboard.

It's always in the
same cupboard.

I was, er...

I was hoping we could get back to
dissecting that stingray this evening.

Here we go again!

The subject is Torn Goodwin,
brilliant marine biologist.

I'm bored with stingrays. I really
don't care what a stingray stings.

What DO you care about, Torn?

Really want me to tell you?

Sooner or later, you're
going to have to face the fact.

Day and night, drunk or sober,

in a Lecture room or a lab or a deserted
Lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall.

To hell with it! Meteors
and all, who cares?

I care what happens to us.

Karen, you're...
You're a nice girl.

At the most... You talked
yourself into marrying me.

All right... What do
you want us to do?

I don't know what you want. But I
want to get away from this island.

— This pretence of doing important
experiments. — It was your idea.

— Six months away from university.
Fieldwork... — Let's clear out of here!

Let me go where I can buy a
bottle of scotch when I want,

not wait for a rotten boat to
bring me one bottle a week!

— What about the
equipment? — Leave it.

— What about the fish? —
Throw them back in the sea!

Fine. We'll leave the island tomorrow.
The boat's due in the morning.

(RADIO) We are awaiting
word from Australia.

Reports will confirm we
are witnessing the most...

"the most beautiful
display of meteorites..."

The BBC will be on
the air all night tonight

to keep you posted
on this truly historic

and marvellous display
of Nature at its best.

"From time to time
with the latest reports."

(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYS)

(SUCKING)

(TURNS VOLUME DOWN)

(LIQUID DRIPS)

(MUSIC RESTARTS)

(SQUELCHING AND SLURPING)

(CHIMES)

Eight...

Nine.

Nine?

Miss Jameson!

Hello? Hello?

Hello?

Miss Jameson?

Dr Soames?

Miss Jameson!

Can anybody hear me?

(TOTAL SILENCE)

(WOMAN SCREAMS IN DISTANCE)

— Phew! Dr Soames. — Bill Mason?

Sorry, I just couldn't wait
to get those bandages off.

— You can see, Mason? — Yes.

But I can't believe what
I see. What's happened?

Would you please
take me to my office?

Now try the other eye.

— Certain the beam's
on the pupil? — Yes, sir.

All right. That's enough.

— Is the blind drawn
in here? — Yes, sir.

Would you be kind
enough to pull it up?

What is it, Dr Soames?
What's happened?

The optic nerves have gone. The
glare of the meteorites last night.

You're probably one of the few people
in London who can still see, Mason.

I don't envy you.

I wouldn't care to see the
things you're likely to see.

In the outer office, in my desk,
you'll find a black leather kit.

Would you get it for me?

Of course.

No, it's not there.

— Ah, here it is. —
(GLASS SMASHES)

— No sign of the boat?
— No sign of anything.

It should have
been here hours ago.

Nothing on the radio, either.
I've been trying all morning.

I suppose you're losing
valuable drinking time.

I'm sorry.

"(RADIO)" look-out. Repeat:

the entire population of
England is afflicted with blindness

after watching the
meteorite shower last night.

This is the Royal
Dockyard at Devonport.

A number of naval personnel
have escaped blindness.

We are trying to set
up a rescue centre.

All those who are still able to see are
urged to make their way to the dockyard.

Urgent warning:

all of England appears
to be infected with a

strange new plant that
can inflict a fatal sting.

It is rumoured this plant can
uproot itself and move about.

H' you are blind, stay indoors.

Ff you can see, keep
a constant look-out.

We will return to the
air with further bulletins.

Stay tuned to this wavelength.

Blindness, men-killing
plants... I'm not drunk, am I?

I wish you were.

And how do we
get off this island?

Where would we go?

(TANNOY) We are still
trying to reach the police.

Please remain calm.
Do not move about.

The only danger is that you will injure
yourselves or accidentally start fires.

Do not smoke, do
not light matches.

Stay clear of all
electrical equipment.

We are doing everything
possible to get help...

— Are any trains
running? — I don't know.

Suddenly it went
dark and I can't see.

Can you help me, sir?
Please, can you help me?

Beg pardon, sir,
can you help me?

— I couldn't help overhearing...
— Can you get me a taxi?

— If you could phone my wife... —
I'm happy to pay. Here's my purse.

I'm sorry. There are no taxis
and the phones don't work.

(RUMBLING OF TRAIN)

(CONFUSED SHOUTING)

(SCREAMING)

Peter, my Little boy, where
is he? I must find my boy.

— What's your boy look
like? — You can see?

— Of course I can see. Why shouldn't
I? — Perhaps you can help me...

— Where's the one who
can see? — This Little girl.

— Can you see, girlie? — Yes.

— Come on! — No,
let me go! Let me go!

(em SCREAMS)

Let me go!

(MAN) Out of my way!
Go away, I tell you!

Drop that child!

Thief! You thief!

— Were you in that train by
yourself? — I was in the Luggage van.

— What were you doing in there?
— I ran away from boarding school.

— Where are your
parents? — I haven't any.

— The bank in London takes care
of me. — Well, the banks are closed.

(DOG BARKS)

— Why is he barking?
— I don't know.

Come on, we'll find out.

(FRENZIED BARKING)

Ah, it's nothing. Come on.

(DOG YELPS)

Stay here.

Come on, Let's go
down to my ship.

Wait here.

Let's see if we can
find some rocks.

(russnve)

(SLURPING)

Susan!

— Susan! — Arghhh!

Get in the car!

(FAINT VOICE NEARBY)

(FRENCH VOICE ON RADIO)

— I wish I could
understand French. — I can!

— What's he saying? — .. Catastrophe.
Les services sent termrhés.

ALL services stopped...

Will continue sending
as long as he can.

That's a big help (!)

"Approximately 400
miles east of New York."

All officers, crew and
passengers suddenly stricken blind.

H' you read me, come in, please.

SS Midland calling.
Mayday, mayday.

H' you read me, come in, please.

SS Midland calling. Mayday.

— Is the captain
here? — Yes, what is it?

The passengers
are panicking, sir.

— Can't you contact
the doctor? — No, sir.

This is the captain speaking.
Attention, all passengers.

There is no one on board who can help
you. We're radioing for a rescue vessel.

The only immediate danger is that you
may injure yourselves by moving around.

Everyone stay where you are.

And if there is anyone
who can see, even a child...

please, come up on the bridge.

(MAN SPEAKS IN JAPANESE)

Ici Paris. Tous Les
gowemements sont priés

d'envoyer immédiatement
leur représentants...

It's Paris. He says they're calling
a meeting, a disaster meeting...

at the Palais du Charot.

Ici Paris. Ici Paris...

There must be others who can
see. If we could make contact...

"Flight 556 from
Cape Town calling."

Request tower stand
by for emergency landing.

Please talk us down.
Tower, can you read me?

Tower, can you read
me? Mayday, mayday.

Tower, please come in.

Please talk us down.
Please talk us down.

— Still no reply,
sir. — Keep trying.

— Flight 556 from Cape
Town... — Fuel's about gone, sir.

— How much longer?
— Any moment now, sir.

Please talk us down.
Tower, can you read me?

Tower, can you read me?

Mayday, mayday!
Tower, please come in...

I've got the passengers
quiet again, sir, but it won't last.

They want to know what's happening.
I have to tell them something.

Tell them... Tell them everything's
all right and not to worry.

Tell them to fasten their safety
belts. We're coming in to land.

Yes, sir.

Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten
your safety belts, as we are about to land.

I assure you everything's
all right. Thank you.

Fasten your
safety belts, please.

Fasten your safety belts,
and no smoking, please.

— Belt all right? — The
pilot, is he blind too?

— (MAN) Blind?
Blind? — Don't be silly...

— Blind? — Don't
panic! Don't panic!

(GENERAL COMMOTION)

— We're going to crash! —
(STEWARD) Please sit down!

Arghh!

Mayday, mayday!
Tower, please come in!

(AIRCRAFT APPROACHES)

(DRONING INCREASES)

Torn! Torn, there's one of
those plants growing out there!

— Where? — On the
Ledge by the cove.

How about this?

I'm coming with you.

Keep behind me. No sense
in getting killed by a plant.

— I thought you didn't care
what happened to you. — I don't.

But I picked a much
pleasanter way to die.

Torn... It was here.

I know it was here!

Come on. Let's get back inside.

Arghh!

Arghh!

Arghh!

Arghh!

It's all right. It's all right.

(RADIO) Ici Paris.
Bulletin in English.

Because of worldwide disruption, it
is impossible for delegates to gather.

Paris, with its millions of helpless
inhabitants, has become dangerous.

This will be our last
broadcast. No one here can see.

There is no one Left.

There's nothing, Bill.

(THUNDER ROLLS)

We're lost, aren't we, Bill?

Let me see that map again.

Bill, Look!

Thank goodness, Mr Coker!

— Bait you are not Mr
taker. — You can see'.!

— You too! — Do
you Live near here?

— Five kilometres.
— Show us the way.

— Miss Durant, thank heavens! — Mr
Coker, this is Mr Mason and Susan.

— Hello. — How do you do?

— You've found some more! —
Miss Coker, Mr Mason and Susan.

— How do you do? — They can see.

Oh, good. I hope
you'll stay and help us.

— How many blind people
do you have here? — About 40.

But you must be very hungry.

My sister and I were touring France.
We collided with Miss Durant's car.

Both our cars were ruined.
No one was badly hurt.

But we were all three
under sedation that night.

Thanks to Miss Durant, her
chateau became a hospital.

Yes, a tragic irony. The sick stayed
well and the healthy became blind.

— Your daughter is
very sleepy. — Hmm?

Come along, my dear.

Good night... Daddy.

— How old is your daughter, Mr
Mason? — Susan is not my daughter.

We met in London and we've
sort of been stuck with each other.

(STORM CONTINUES)

There's nothing to be afraid
of. We're all friends here.

Bettina, I want
you to meet Susan.

— She's an English girl who's
just arrived. — Hello, Susan.

Hello.

I brought her to you because she
feels strange here and you speak English.

I'll call by Later
and tuck you in.

But you can see!

— How can you tell? — I'm
finding I can tell many things.

I can tell the way people
react when you touch them.

— See if I can tell anything more
about you. — Can you tell how old I am?

— About 13. — I'm only 12.

— But you're a very
grown-up 12! — I think I am.

Cu rLy... bLonde hair, right?

Right.

— And brown
eyes? — That's right!

And a good sense of humour. You have
the nicest Laugh lines round your mouth.

I'll tell you
something else, too.

We're going to be good friends.

Until things get back to normal,
you're welcome to stay and help us.

In the past few days, I've seen
London, Paris and a lot in-between.

— Things will never be "normal".
— So I've tried to tell Miss Durant.

— I have faith, Mr Mason.
— Faith is fine, Miss Durant.

— But we need a lot more than that to
survive. — Why shouldn't we survive?

In France alone there are over
50 million people, almost all blind.

There's going to be
starvation, fire, pestilence.

Anyone caught in the
middle has no chance. I

think we should get
out and go on to Spain.

— How do you know
it's any better? — I don't.

And even so, how could
we get all the people there?

— We couldn't. — Mr Mason,
you're just running away.

Miss Durant, I've told
you what things are like.

If you sit here with
your eyes closed and let

this run over you, it's
YOU that's running away.

Perhaps you'll change
your mind. I hope you

and Susan will decide
to stay and help us.

— Goodnight. — Goodnight.

A warm, generous-hearted
woman, but I'm afraid very stubborn.

— The Lights are on again! —
They've got the electricity going!

— Who turned all the Lights on? — It's
happened! France is back to normal.

— Maybe I can reach someone
on the phone. — The Lights are on?

Yes, isn't it wonderful?

AM? AM?

— You won't get an answer, Miss
Durant. — Why are you so sure?

I put some fuel in
the auxiliary motor for

the generator. While
it lasts, we have light.

But there's nothing I
can do about the phone.

Cortex of the root system.

It's good to see you
working again, Torn.

I assure you it's not for the greater glory
of science. I just want us to survive.

— We will. — Huh!

Damn it all, I'm
not even a botanist!

— Is it a plant or an
animal? — Who knows?

Doesn't seem to have a
central nervous system.

— No circulation. —
Then, how does it move?

All plants move. But
they don't usually pull

themselves out of the
ground and chase you!

If we could find out
how this thing functions...

we might figure out an
easier way of killing it.

Look, you must get some sleep.

— There's no time.
— just an hour.

Then I'll wake you, I promise.

Torn...

You really must get some sleep.

Sleep now. I'll
wake you in an hour.

(CLATTERING)

Arghh!

(THUDDING)

Torn...

It got out! It came
to Life and it got out!

They regenerate.

Like worms — cut them
in half, you can't kill them.

There's no telling how many are
out there. Get the hammer and nails.

It's like being nailed
in your own coffin.

— Bettina, what are you doing
out here? — I wanted to talk to you.

— You shouldn't wander round
by yourself. — I had to talk to you.

Is it true you're going to
leave us to go to Spain?

— Yes. — But what
about the rest of us?

Bettina, the only way I can help
is to try to find some real help.

— I can't do it by staying here.
— Then you're coming back?

Yes... if I can.

I hope you do come back.

Come on, I'd better
get you back inside.

(SLURPING)

(FIRES TWICE)

— A triffid. — A what?

A triffid.

The original triffid, the kind I
saw in a greenhouse years ago,

was known to have come
to Earth on a meteorite.

This reappearance must have been caused
by the meteorite explosion the other night.

Why should they attack people?

Most plants thrive on
animal. Waste. I'm afraid this

mutation has an appetite
for the animal. Itself.

This must be how they propagate.

— There are millions of them. — One
Light wind and they're everywhere.

— Susan, where's
Miss Durant? — In there.

— I've something to tell
you. — Wait a minute.

— Miss Durant. — One
moment. Please sit down.

Now, Miss Durant, whether you like it
or not, we have to pack up and Leave.

— Did you bring some more
supplies? — You tell her.

Mason's right. In 24 hours the
vicinity will be swarming with triffids.

I cannot leave all
these people here to die!

I grew up with them.
They're my friends.

Listen!

(DRONING)

Bill, it's that plane again! It flew over
before. That's what I wanted to tell you.

(ENGINE STALLING)

— (EXPLOSION) — Come on, Coker!

He says Toulon, the naval
base, is a rescue centre.

Toulon. 'Course, the French base
in the Mediterranean near Marseilles.

He's dead.

(SLURPING)

Ahh!

Are you all right?

— What's the matter? —
My ankle, I can't go on.

I'll carry you.

Kicker?

Kicker?

(MUSIC BLARES)

(GLASS SMASHES)

— Bill! — What's going on?

— Shh! — What is it?

Some men, convicts, I think. They've taken
the girls in there and made them dance.

— They brought food
and whisk y. — How many?

— I don't know, a
lot. — They can see?

— Yes. — Where's Miss Durant?

She's with them. They
said they'd kill anyone who...

(WOMAN SHOUTS)

No! No!

Stay here and lock the doors.
Don't open for anyone but me.

Go on. Susan's in the car.

You're not one of us!

Come on.

Susan, open up!

I can't open it!

Arghh!

(GUNFIRE)

Susan, get over the other side!

Arghh!

Arghh!

Arghh!

Arghhh!

The things I said to you back at the
chateau, I had no right to say them.

Well, if it makes you feel
any better, I'd probably

have said the same,
under the circumstances.

Feel guilty, huh?

Maybe.

— You know why? — Why?

Because you survived.

Bettina, Coker and
all the rest dead.

And you're alive
and you wonder why.

— That's exactly right.
— I know the feeling.

In the war, you get a ship
shot out from underneath you...

all your friends gone,
only a handful left.

You ask yourself, "Why me?
Why not someone better?"

Where will we go in Spain?

There's a big American naval
base in southern Spain, at Cadiz.

They're equipped for
disaster. They've got supplies.

So were the French at Toulon.

Negative.

Five per cent nitric
acid solution: negative.

Not that I expected a miracle. I
didn't think we'd find a magic bullet.

But absolutely nothing
seems to affect this tissue.

They live, they grow,
they take nourishment.

They have sensory response,
they absorb and expend energy.

No matter what they're made of,
something must interrupt their Life cycle.

Fundamentally, it's a simple
problem, like finding a weedkiller.

(KNOCKING)

No help out there. There's
been nothing on the air for days.

Can't help thinking about that
last radio call from Devonport.

The way the place
caught fire and blew up, it

was like listening to
the end of the world.

Well, it's not the end
of the world, not quite

yet. There's an answer
here, there has to be!

— We'd better find the answer pretty
soon. — What are they doing out there?

Staring in at us like guards
outside a condemned cell.

— Let's get through this
checklist again. — Right.

Whoa.

You're a good horse. You must be tired. I'm
going to find you some fresh green grass.

— Bill, may I go and look at the
fair? — Yes, but don't wander off.

If we can find something,
we'll eat right away.

— Ooh! — Sorry, did I burn you?

No, it's nothing.

Bill, do you think
we have a chance?

Once you taste this coffee of mine,
you'll know nothing worse can happen!

Your coffee is very good. In fact,
you're a handy man in the kitchen.

I've been doing for
myself a long time.

— You have never
been married? — No.

— Why? — Never been around
long enough to get caught.

Now you're saddled
with a family.

It might have its points.

(MUSIC PLAYS)

Susan!

Look what I've found!

We could use it. We'll take it.

We can't leave our horse!

— We'll leave him in a field. He'll be
fine. — We can't leave him! I won't go!

— Susan, be reasonable. We can't take him.
— Don't let him, Christine! It isn't fair!

— It's mean! He doesn't have any
right! — But it's not Bill's fault, Susan.

He's only doing
what's right for all of us.

He'll never hurt you,
never, if he can help it.

— You know that. — I know.

— Are we on the right
road for Cadiz? — I think so.

(SUSAN) What's the
matter? (BILL) Let's find out.

Hello? Is anybody here?

Please... Please
come in, come in.

Oh, God. Teresa!

Teresa, ven pronto! Ha llegado
gente. Pueden ver. Nos ayuderén.

I knew it. That's my rope.

— Luis de la Vega. — I'm Bill Mason.
This is Susan and Miss Durant.

But, please...
Teresa... three guests!

— This is my wife,
Teresa. — Welcome.

We are not the only two people
Left in this part of the world.

I believed someone would arrive
to help. That's why I put up the rope.

We are expecting a baby
and need someone to help.

Perhaps the two ladies could...?

You can't see?

— You both seem so natural. — My
wife has been blind for many years.

Now she's teaching me to get around.
But you ladies will stay and help her?

— Of course. — Please be
seated. I'll go and get some food.

We'll help. Come along, Susan.

— We were trying to get to Cadiz.
— You don't know about that?

— Know what? — They had
to evacuate the naval base.

— They did? How? — By
submarine. I heard it on my radio.

Some submarines were
submerged on the night

of the meteorites. The
crews were all right.

I tried to contact them with my
transmitter but something went wrong.

I can neither
transmit nor receive.

— Let's take a Look. Maybe I
can fix it. — Oh, are you familiar?

Yes, as first mate, I have to
have a working knowledge of it.

(INTERFERENCE)

"(RADIO)" from the
Gibraltar Rescue Centre.

Final survivor pick-up will
be on Saturday at Alicante.

We repeat our warning. Vast
bands of triffids are roaming the area.

Do not travel at night.
Barricade all doors.

We repeat our warning. Do not
travel at night. Barricade all doors.

Final survivor pick-up will
be on Saturday at Alicante.

That's tomorrow! We'll
leave first thing in the morning.

I think that'll work.

When I tell you,
turn that switch.

OK, Susan, turn it on.

(ELECTRICAL BUZZING)

Well, it works.

All right, Susan, you
can turn it off now.

— Baby born? — Yes, it's a boy.

— How is he? — Fine.

— And the mother? — She's
weak, but that's to be expected.

— Hmm. — (SUSAN) Bill!

Susan!

Look!

Susan, go turn on the switch.

The current's weakening.
Susan, get back to the house!

We just don't have enough power!

Come on!

Keep the engine running.

— Why do they keep coming
back? — I don't know, Susan.

There must be some reason.

(TRIFFIDS SLURP)

— Maybe they can hear us. — Hmm?

(GENERATOR HUMS)

Hey, maybe that's it.

Maybe it's sound
that attracts them.

That generator...
Come on, Susan.

(WHIRRING STOPS)

(SLURPING STOPS)

You're right. It's sound
that attracts them!

If sound leads them to us,
it can lead them away, too.

— Like the Pied Piper
of Hamelin. — Yeah!

Yeah, the Pied Piper.
Susan, you've hit it! Come on.

When it's dawn, open
the gates and take off.

But until then, no
noise at all. All right?

Come on.

— What about you? —
I'll see you in Alicante.

Windows up, hmm?

(SIMPLE TUNE PLAYS)

(SLURPING RESTARTS)

Time to get aboard,
Miss. We're sailing.

Miss Durant, we have to go now.

(TANNOY) The
submarine will depart in five

minutes. Life rafts will
search for survivors.

Hey!

Ahoy!

Hey!

This is the Gibraltar Rescue
Centre for the Mediterranean area.

Our pick-up at Alicante
has been made on schedule.

This is the final rescue
operation for the present.

Stay tuned to this
wavelength for further bulletins.

Repeat: stay tuned to this
wavelength for fimfher bulletins.

— How far is Gibraltar? — Too
far to swim. Let's get back to work.

Get away from that
window! Stop staring at them!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

(THUDDING)

Karen, they're dissolving! The
sea water's dissolving them!

— Torn! — Get back!

Arghh!

Turn the pressure up!

Sea water! Two-thirds of
the Earth is covered with it.

You hunt and you search and all the
while the answer's right in front of you!

A simple method had been
found to destroy the triffids.

Sea water, from which
life on Earth had sprung,

became the means of
preserving life on Earth.

Mankind survived

and once again had
reason to give thanks.