All language subtitles for Hidden City (Poliakoff_ Stephen 1987)_BDRip.1080p.x264.AAC_EN

Now, I want you all
to keep just where you are

and to keep watching your
screens just as you have been.

Because in a minute, there
is another interesting film.

It's about a piece of history...

our history... the abdication of
the English King Edward VIII.

And then Mr. Richards, who
has invited us all here,

will ask a few questions.

So you may write anything down
that comes into your heads

that strikes you as important.

Not a bad group here...

29 kids, 17% black,
4% Asian, 79% white.

Almost perfect.

Swooping hind quarters.

Pulled up.

Rough tail, head.

Uneven udder, long...

Jesus, not again.

Hind quarters split up.

Throat back.

With all the details...

Mr. Richards!

Mr. Richards!

Mr. Richards!

Wait!

I have to see about this.

I shall be back very soon.

But Mr. Richards...

Somebody ought to do something

about this leak,
wouldn't you say?

This is not going
to happen again.

Yes, yes, I did
hear what you said.

Yes, I appreciate that.

But... No.

No.

No, this is the second
time it has happened.

And that's twice too many.

No, no, I don't
understand, I'm afraid.

I would have thought it was
rather a simple matter of you

sending me the film I
asked for and not a guide

to breeding cattle
in Suffolk in 1941.

It should not be
beyond your competence.

I... Yes, may I make
one small suggestion?

Whoever was responsible for
this cock-up, maybe after today

they really oughtn't
to be working for you.

Yes.

I think we may have
to do something.

Mm, not unlike what
you're suggesting.

Yes, yes.

Yes, I agree.

Oh, yes, I see your
point, absolutely.

She hasn't been
with us very long.

The most
obsessive washers in the world

aren't the Germans at all.

The country with the
biggest consumption of soap

is Britain, believe it or not.

You're kidding.

I'm not kidding.

40 ounces per person per year.

Germans are third.

Yet another useless fact.

You may have guessed by now
that there is very little

that James does not know.

He's completely surreal.

Have some more.

When we were married,
we never seemed to stop

eating, especially dessert.

And we became pudding junkies.

It's that right, James?

I think that's a
little excessive.

Where do the Americans
come on this list?

I don't know about that.

Quick, try him... somebody
else, quick... somebody.

You won't catch him that again.

What's the longest living
animal ever recorded?

That's relatively easy, the
lake sturgeon at 152 years.

A fish?

Wrong.

It's the tortoise.

No, tortoise is
second at 116 years.

Man is third at 113.

The turtle is
fourth at 88 years.

Tapeworm has been known
to live for 35 years.

Aren't you writing a book?

Will it be finished soon?

No, he's still
researching, of course...

endless research.

No, no, no, no.

His last book, in
two editions... that's

your hardback and your
paperback... was all about sex.

Or rather, I shouldn't say
his last book... his only book.

He became quite literally a
statistician with sex appeal.

He spent two years
asking adolescent kids

how much they knew about it.

Not very much, as it turned out.

Caused a minor sensation when,
contrary to popular belief,

he proved that kids on the
whole knew less about sex,

or rather know no
more about sex,

than they did 30 years ago.

Although how he managed to
interview kids 30 years ago

remains a mystery.

You weren't really trying to
pair me up with that, were you?

How long ago was that?

How long since you
finished your last book?

Some people would say too long.

Some people might be right.

I should have gone to America.

Next time there's
an offer, I'm going.

This must be the blandest
city in the world.

I'm beginning to hate it.

No wonder I can't work here.

There's no bloody energy.

And there are no taxis anywhere.

Look, why don't we walk back?

I could stay the night.

We could go back and clear up.

Neither of us wants to sleep.

What a mess in there.

Do you know there are three
times as many taxis in New York

as there are in London?

Oh, good.

Maybe we'll bump into
one of those tonight

and I can take it.

New York... wouldn't
that be nice?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

God, you're in a terrible mood!

We never used to walk
anyway, you realize.

I said I wouldn't mind
staying the night.

I'm not sure you heard
me the first time,

so I'm trying again.

Yes, I'm pretty amazed myself
that I'm asking, but I am.

I don't think it
would be a good idea.

No, you're right.

It doesn't matter.

It's only cheap rubbish.

I used to wear it
when I was a student.

I don't know why I
put it on tonight.

What the hell?

I need your help.

What on Earth do you
think you're doing?

- My God.
- I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to
spoil your jacket.

Is it torn?

I'll pay for it later.

But I do need to help.

Spare me five minutes.

Excuse me.

God.

How can you resist
such an invitation?

How many times has this
happened to you before?

Will you let go of
my sleeve, please?

Thank you.

Not a great choice of
postcards round here.

Mr. Richards, I
need you to do it.

Have we ever met before?

You can walk down the
street now and never

know what it's all about.

Or you can come with me.

Come where?

I might even buy
you a cup of coffee.

Would you like a
scone or something?

You owe me a very big favor.

What?

Are you speaking to me?

I owe you a favor?

Very definitely.

I fail to see how.

Do you?

You lost me my job.

They fired me because of you.

Because of me?

That's highly unlikely.

Which didn't please me all
that much, as you can imagine.

Oh, yes.

For the cows, I presume?

Well, in that case, it
was more than justified.

Drink your coffee.

Don't worry.

I'm not going to attack you.

You like it here?

It takes a particular
kind of person

to know about a place like this.

I used to work here for a bit.

You see that man?

You can see the Masons go
scuttling to the back entrance

to their temples where they
do all that secret worship.

I've seen a lot of famous
people go scurrying in there.

The temples are
deep underground.

I have to show you something.

It's in here what
I've got to show you.

You don't think it
might be a good idea

to tell me what it is?

Certainly not.

If you knew, you wouldn't come.

Come where?

Come on.

Please, come.

What are you doing here, Sharon?

What a welcome.

I just felt like dropping by.

Don't you get in anyone's
way or I'll throw you out.

Five minutes, that's
all you've got.

No point asking
you to keep quite,

because that's impossible.

We can give you 35 by tomorrow.

Yeah, I know you're
leaving the country.

OK, well if you
can find another...

we are the fastest service...

What are you doing here, Sharon?

This is the job I used to do.

You seem to have worked
just about everywhere.

Yes, I used to work
in a film library, too,

but somebody lost me that job.

Sharon, how did you get in here?

Usual way.

Home movie, is it?

Don't worry about this.

This is not important.

Mr. Richards,
please concentrate.

I've watched this
film 1,000 times.

I found it where I used to work.

Now watch this.
Watch closely.

Look at the background.

Don't take your
eyes off the screen.

Now watch this street.

Can't you see what's happening?

What are you trying to show me?

Look in the car!

Now look in the park.

I think about this every day.

Now, this is the
most important one.

Hang on.

It isn't over yet.

So that's all you
wanted to show me, is it?

Didn't you see?

Didn't you see?

Didn't you see the
evidence of your own eyes?

Somehow a kidnapping has been
recorded there, an abduction.

It's all been filmed...
maybe a murder...

in the back of that
old film, and it's

been filed away for years among
those London street scenes.

Don't you understand that?

I'm sorry, I didn't see that.

I saw some people
walking, that's all.

Now how did you want
me to help you, anyway?

You have to find the
other film, of course,

the one it told us to look for.

Why can't you find it yourself?

I was about to tell you that.

You saw what it was
called, the film...

"The Hedgerows of England."

Well, I've looked it up in
the public records office,

and for some reason, it's not
available until the year 2050.

It's covered by the
Official Secrets Act.

And it's being stored by
the Ministry of Defense.

I can't possibly get
access to it, especially

now I no longer have a job.

But you could, an
important writer like

you doing significant work.

You could say you
need it for research.

You must have friends
in those sort of places.

You can find it!

Excuse me.

I have to go.

I'm sorry, but I have
somebody waiting to see me.

Now, thank you for
letting me see that, but...

We've got John's word.

Wait.

We said we'd deliver
25 by lunchtime,

so you only have half an hour.
I want a word with you.

Come on.

Wait!

Wait!

Perfect place for
a voyeur to spend his life,

don't you think, here?

What goes on in the bowels
of a multinational at 3:00

in the afternoon?

No wonder British
industry is on its knees.

On its back, more like.

Ooh, he's got his
priorities right.

You in a few years' time.

Maybe sooner.

What happened to your jacket?

That?

Oh, nothing.

I bitten by a mad
dog in the street...

a loony.

Thinking of going away soon...

sudden holiday.

I'm hungry for one,
I realized today.

Maybe Mexico, west
coast, complete change

of scene San Francisco.

Anthony, you know
about these things.

There wasn't anyone in our
year who ended up the ministry

of defense, was there?

Yeah, of course, yeah.

There was a couple.

Why?

Do you need a
traveling companion?

You're late.

I am never late.

Had to come a
long way, have you?

I think where I've
come from, since you seem

to have made a complete
study of me already,

wandering around
outside my house.

Maybe you can stop looking at me

like I'm some kind
specimen for your research.

I don't think I fit into
the right category somehow.

Gate's unlocked.

Come down!

Come down!

In fact, there, uh...
there really is no

need for me to be here at all.

I simply rang a friend of mine,
told him the title of the film.

He said, of course I could
have it, no problem at all.

I have a note from him.

I better have that.

Could be useful.

Here you are.

Thought you weren't
going to come.

Yes, it was a close thing.

This is my assistant, um...

Sharon Newton.
It's all right.

He's always forgetting my name.

It's quite normal.

It's a film you
want to see, is it?

Good.
Right.

Come on.

The last tram was here in 1953.

The busiest station in the west
end, the most popular station

in London.

People from the best hotels
came down here in their evening

dress, traveled to the theater.

Incredible place.

Film stars.

There must be so much low-grade

confidential material.

Nobody's had time
to sort it all.

They just dump it down here.

Celebrities came down here.

Trams ran right
through here once.

Come on.

Come on.

It would be a
great place to hide

out if you were on the run.

I'll bear that in mind the
next time it happens to me.

Beginning of the rush hour.

Get rubbish thrown on
our heads all the time.

Papers and documents
from God knows then.

They ought to burn it all.

Nobody's ever going
to look at them again.

Beautiful plans of buildings
that were never built.

God, it's only a bloody menu.

Now, the films are here.

It's the driest
part of the tunnel,

so we keep them just here.

- They've gone.
- Gone?

Yes, somebody's taken them.

They must have moved all the
films without telling me.

When was this?

Must have been last week.

Because I was here
the week before.

Where have they gone?

Gone to the shelter
in Tottenham Court Road,

of course.

They've got quite a
collection down there.

More secure place, better
conditions for them.

- Can you get us in there?
- Us?

Can you arrange it?

Is there anybody there now?

Maybe.

If it's Tuesday or Thursday.

There's no question
of me going there now.

Please, just be there
until they let me in.

I need you to make
it look respectable.

I'll drop you off,
though... that's all.

Nothing else.

Is this the bottom?

We must be about 200 feet
down, I should think.

Oh, no, no, no.

This isn't the bottom.

There's another two
levels below this.

Um, what

did you say the number was?
204-what?

2047.

Ah, that's in our section.

Do you know I can
never find our section?

Well, nobody comes to look
at this stuff, usually.

We don't get to stop down here.

That's where the officers-only
lavatories used to be.

Come on!

Come on!

Come on.

Come on!

You don't know what
this place was, do you?

But you're going to tell me.

15,000 US

troops were stored down here
at night during the war...

15,000 at once.

You can still see their
fingermarks, waiting for D-Day

or whatever it was called.

But nobody knew they
were here, plopped down

here at 4:00 in the morning.

It was during the sewers, too,
during the sewers business,

wasn't it, man?

Yeah, but nobody knew
they were here, either.

I might have been used
other times, of course,

but we haven't been told.

Now, tell me, did you know
these tunnels were here,

running under Oxford Street?

Yes, yes, I think
I knew they were.

Hm.

They're under shops now...

record shops, tourists.

Just coming up to Selfridges.

So, where amongst all
this rubbish is 204...

what was it?

6?

It's not here, is it?

That was the load we
were told to throw out.

2043 to 2049.

Uh, what?

I was thinking it sounded
familiar, that number.

I thought it only just got here.

Yeah.

Got a message day
before yesterday.

I was pleased.

At last we're getting rid of
some of these rubbishy cans.

How convenient.

When did you throw it out?

Yesterday.

We put it all in
black plastic bags

and threw it out
into the street.

No use hurrying.

Truck just took it away.

We heard the noise.

From 200 feet down?

Well, that's the end of that.

Where would it have gone?

To the tip.

Where else?

Of course, if you run,
you might just catch.

Which is the quickest way out?

That way, about half a mile.

If you're going to ask me
where the main rubbish tip is,

don't bother.

I know what you're thinking.

You're worrying about
your work, feeling guilty.

But it can wait a day.

Just a day won't
make any difference.

Won't it?

I'm not following that truck.

Of course not.

This is stupid.

There's no way anybody
can find anything in this.

Yes, there is.

We just see where the latest
deliveries have come in.

You can leave me
here if you like.

Oxfam should
hold a jumble sale here.

Ooh, somebody's school reports.

Must have a look at these.

I expect you were
really brains at school.

This looks like...

this could be a first
edition of a Conan Doyle.

You glad you came now?

Records of something
or somebody...

looks like medical records.

The whole world's here today.

Hey!

What are doing here?

This area's closed!

This part of the
park is closed today!

Why?

Park's closed!

Now come back another day!

Where would you find

a delivery from Central London?

From Tottenham Court Road?

Central London?

You'd be mad to look here!

No chance!

That would have gone
to the incinerator

in Edmonton, of course!

Why?

Thrown away something
you shouldn't have?

Yes!

Well, if it went away today,

there still might be a chance.

They always take enough
time with burning it.

Burn slow there.

Might not have got
into the fire yet.

And how long are
you going to be?

You're making a right
bloody mess here.

This is my favorite
view, from up here.

Good, isn't it?

I never get tired of it,
the magical world of waste.

You've got all the innards
of London down there,

every day of the year including
Christmas Day and Good Friday.

What more could you ask for?

Well, if it came
in this morning,

what you're looking for, then
it should still be down there.

Who are those people?

Oh, the Poles, of course.

We get the Israelis,
too, and the Americans.

They drive up from
their embassies,

make a day trip of it.

You see, some people
go to a lot of trouble

over their waste disposal.

They take care, if
it's of a confidential

or of a secret nature.

And they like to
handle it themselves,

see it go into the
fire personally.

I expect they look forward to it.

Well, I do, anyway.

I get a bottle of vodka
off them each time.

I've seen it!

It's there!

It's there!

How do you get down there?

Which way do you go?

Wow, it must be
something important.

Yes.

Or she's certifiable.

Come here!

It's here!

I can't get it!

It's in there!

It's in there!

No way am I going in there.

Charming.

Good God.

Found something of yours, then?

Made your trip worthwhile?

It's your film.

It's the wrong one!

Wrong sort of can!

Thought we'd found it.

Do you think the
smell will ever come off?

What smell?

The smell from all
that rubbish, the grunge.

It's on you, too, you know.

Why are you so interested
in all this, Sharon?

This film... you really
think there's something

off inside there, do you?

Yes.

I was wondering when you'd
start wanting reasons.

Because I'm curious.

Isn't that good enough reason?

Can I see your book, by the way?

What exactly is your work?

What's it for, all
these years of research?

You didn't think
I'd ask, did you?

It's an investigation
into educational methods,

into the way we teach and into
the way children see things,

I mean literally see things.

I'm testing the theory
that kids now no

longer can retain information
from the printed page.

And we should accept the
influence of television

on the image rather
than fight it and use it

as the main instrument
in the classroom,

staring out of the wall at you.

In a sense, throw all
the books out of school

and fill it full of screens.

Because you see, no
one under the age of 18

can concentrate any longer
unless the image moves,

and then only in 10-minute
segments before they need

a commercial, as you are
proving at this very moment

by not listening to
a word I'm saying.

So you know what you're going
to end up proving in the book,

even though you haven't
finished the research?

Possibly.

See, I knew it.

That's why you're here.

I may or may not be an
interesting case history.

No, you don't fit...

wrong age group.

How old do you think I am?

17 And 1/2, maybe
a month off 18.

You like figures,
don't you, percentages

and statistics and all that.

37.5% thinks this, five
out of seven people

sleep in pajamas,
that sort of thing?

Yes, that's what I
am, a statistician, not

a rather classic kind.

Do you think there's something

very odd about those people?

What people?

He's been watching us, I think.

I have to go.

I have to go now.

You never know!

I may need your help again!

You have my book.

My book.

Hello.

This is Janet, Mr. Richards.

I'm not sure where you are.

Are you all right?

You don't seem to have kept
any of your appointments today.

I hope nothing has happened.

Please ring me at home
if you feel like it.

I hope to see you
tomorrow as normal.

Goodbye.

Come on!

Come on!

If only I could have
a car like that.

Richards!

Richards!

I knew it was you!

Wondering what brought
me, aren't you?

No, sir, not really, sir.

I'm not going to tell you.

You're a bright little
chap, one of the best.

I'd say one of the
cleverest blighters

we have had here recently.

But he doesn't make
the most of it.

What don't you do?

Don't make the most of it, sir.

You're a clever little
shrimp, a surprisingly clever

little shrimp.

A pity to waste it.

Why doesn't he
fulfill his potential?

I wonder why.

You want to know what I've
written in this, don't you?

Well, it shouldn't be
so easy to find out.

God, I've lost your report.

You know what it says...

usual stuff.

For such a gifted chap, you
know surprisingly little.

Anybody can compile
a list of statistics.

You never take risks.

Why don't you achieve
something, for God's sake?

If only I could get
good enough marks,

I'd get into this car
and really drive it,

drive and drive, go
on the most incredible

journey ever planned.

Yes, go as far...

No.

All that goes.

We're throwing all that lot out.

Just keep everything
third number.

I don't want to have
to say that again...

every third number.

Watch where you're
going, for goodness sake.

Sorry.

Um... good God.

Mr. Jackson, it's you, isn't it?

Yes, who are you?

James Richards.

No, you're not.

Oh, yes, you probably are, now
I've come to think about it,

a little neater than usual.

Coming my way?

Well, actually, um...

I've thought about
you for a long time.

You couldn't carry
this for me, could you?

Uh, yes.

I have to get
out of this infernal city

before it drives me mad.

Day trips are about
all I can stand.

Damned ugly place.

You still live here, I suppose?

Yes, I do, yes.

Are you married or not?

I've lost count.

Well, I've only
been married once.

Once is enough.

You haven't any
loose change, have you?

I've only got five-pound notes.

I hate standing for change.

They're always trying to
short-change you in London,

aren't they?

I'll send you a book token
or I'll post an order.

So, still keeping this
writing thing going, are you?

What do you do all day?

My God, to have had
your spare time.

You'd better write ten
books a year on that.

I read your book, in fact,
now I come to think of it.

Interesting theme,
poor construction,

chapters all in the wrong order.

Could have been an
excellent book instead

of merely mildly informative.

Threw away a chance there.

So, when is the next one due?

Well...

Ha! you certainly
haven't got any quicker,

have you?

It will be an improvement,
no doubt, the next one.

By the way, you
couldn't, uh, just

be so kind to go in for
a taxi for me, could you?

I'm running a little
short of time.

Taxi, um... well...

- well... I'll... I'll try.
- Thank you.

Did I tell you much?

Ye... yes.

Great.

Good boy.

I'm going to count up to 10.

And when I've
reached that number,

and if you're still here,
I'm going to ring the police.

I've just found
out about this place.

I heard it on the grapevine
from my friend Curtis,

that this is where old
film's delivered, film that

was classified secret once.

Are you just a secretary?

Or are you the person in charge?

I'm afraid I
can't tell you that.

All I want to do is
have a look, that's all.

It must get lonely
here by the river.

You have a budget to transfer
exactly 1/3 of film on video.

That's right, isn't it?

I can't tell you that, either.

I'm neither confirming
nor denying that.

And I'm still counting.

All I want to do is have a look

to see if my film
was put on video

before you chucked it out...

that's all.

It's a very innocent
little film.

It's called "The
Hedgerows of England."

I'm working for a very important
writer, Mr. James Richards, who

you've undoubtedly heard of.

He has friends all
over Whitehall.

I have a letter
here to prove it.

It might not be such a dumb
idea to cooperate with me.

How do you choose the films that
are going to be chucked out?

Do you stick a pin in a list?

I'll have that one, please.

Or do you choose every
third number, 3, 6, 173?

I have my own methods.

They seem to be
giving satisfaction.

I bet they are.

Sorry.

Sorry, so he made
you carry his books?

Yes.

Oh, I'd love to have seen
that, you scurrying after him

along the street, old teacher.

Yes.

Take some more.

No, these will do.

For now.

It is extraordinary how
teachers don't age, isn't it?

It must be 27 years
ago since he taught me.

If anything, he'd got younger.

Smaller, of course.

Your old teachers always shrink.

But he did look
ridiculously young.

A meeting like that jangles
all sorts of things inside,

pieces of the past,
things you'd forgotten.

He just showed up in the street?

What are chances
against that happening,

the percentage the day
after you dreamt about him?

Coincidences
rarely happen to me.

It's something entirely new.

I've decided to go away.

Probably in the next...

When you're tired of
London, you're tired of life.

Didn't somebody say that?

That horrible man, Dr. Johnson.

Oh, answer the fucking
thing, James, please.

Hello?

It's me.

You have to come.

You have to come now.

I can't.

I'm busy.

You have to come.

I've found it!

You have to eat it quickly
or Brewster takes it away.

He always ends his
parties at 1 o'clock.

He's worried about losing
valuable working time.

He pulls the plugs
at 1 o'clock, so,

actually, grab something
quickly before he

takes it all away again.

- He makes everyone go home?
- Oh, yes.

Work hard and play hard.

That's what he likes
to see happen here.

She's put you to work,
then, the mystery in a film?

She used to go on to me about
it, how she had to find it.

She hasn't got many
friends, you know.

You been, um, messing
around in tunnels, I hear.

She's probably crazy, isn't she?

Still, it is fun, though.

I only wish I had
more time to help her.

Look at the uniforms.

Look how slick they are.

Look at this one.

What is he doing?

What are you gawking at?

You look completely
different every time I see you.

You don't.

Come quickly.

There's a problem...
a terrible problem.

I was right.

The film had been
transferred on to video.

It's all here, but
it's... but it's too dark.

There's something
wrong with the quality.

It's too dark.

But you can just
about see almost.

Look!

Hi, it's Ricky Diamond again.

You know, a lot guys...

You can see a face...

her face, I think.

...barrel
full of tits.

They come out
sucking their thumb.

Great camerawork.

An appropriate film for
Halloween, just a lot

of old shadows.

I think I can just
about see something there.

That's the one we have to find.

There's so much film
and tape sloshing about.

They'll never
notice if we nip it.

What's the quickest you've seen

the film all the way through?
Eight minutes.

Eight minutes?

How long was the film, then?

Three and a quarter hours.

Bullshit.

What sort of
machine was that on?

The best, of course.

Found something
else you didn't know about?

Maybe.

See what you find
when you dig away?

The title of your book
wasn't quite accurate.

Called, instead of sex, wasn't
it, The Young in the '80s?

It was such a pity
the film was ruined.

Sharon, how could
you possibly have

found something that
everybody else has missing?

I have.

I have.

So unlikely.

Why am I here, anyway?

Because you know
you have to help me.

Got asked the other
day for 50 copies of a tape

about ears being syringed.

To each his own.

Keeps people's minds off things.

You like the show?

Yes.

Two-minute version
of "Jane Eyre."

About all they can take.

I think on
fast forward, you know?

Suddenly watching the
news, I'm desperate to put

it on fast forward, but I can't,
because it's going out live.

I don't think I've
seen a film all the way

through for the
past three years.

I feel acutely depressed
if I see an ending.

I prefer everything
cut off in the middle.

I can't bear a sense
of completeness.

Do you always drink
as much as this?

No, I haven't
done this for years.

I'm suffering from
one particularly

agonizing complaint
at the moment.

I'm having the most
extraordinarily vivid dreams

this past year, but
I can't remember

a single moment of them...
not a single frame of them.

I just wake with a sensation
they were extraordinary.

But they vanished.

Before, I could remember
at least one in 10.

It's a form of modern
torture, knowing

they're getting
better and better

but I can't do
anything about it.

So I decided to
put them on tape.

I have all my
dreams on videotape.

They record
automatically as I sleep.

You've managed that?

I've always wondered about
that, wanted to do it.

I have a recurring dream
of having...

locked up in an old car.

Yes, I've got case on you.

This is one of my dreams?

It's locked!

I told you I can't
get it opened!

This is the bit.

It will start to
smell soon, won't it?

I don't know how
you could have got hold of it,

but this is it.

Very obviously a guilt dream,
more in the way of a nightmare.

Because no one under 18 can
concentrate unless the image

moves, and then only in
ten-minute segments before they

need some commercials.

There are hardly any exceptions.

Odd things keep
happening since I've met her.

None of them, but
it will stop soon.

It's the blandest
city in the world.

I'm not surprised by
anything that happens.

How much would it cost
me to take this home?

These coincidences

can't be stopped.

A copy of your dream?

Oh, 10 pounds for two
days, 20 pounds over that.

There are no surprises.

...just video junkie.

Do I have
to pay a deposit as well?

It's finished, this city.

It's just living off
tourists and pop videos.

So you really think you
know the city, do you?

Why, my wife, my estranged wife.

I've been meaning to tell
you for quite a long time.

I don't' know why
I didn't tell you.

But I do love you still.

I do love you.

Still.

But has your face
darkened, Barbara?

It's normal to knock, you know.

Go out and try again.

Where am I?

Where do you think?

In my flat.

Who's the child?

My daughter.

This is your idea of life
under Piccadilly Circus, is it?

And you're reading my book.

How could you possibly
have a daughter, anyway?

I mean, where has she
been all this time?

Where was she last night?

At my mum's.

I've just collected her.

Where's the mystery?

How old are you, anyway?

You told me how
old I am, remember?

I've been having the
most ridiculous dreams.

There was a party last
night, wasn't there?

Yes.

And you drank far too
much and started snoring.

Do you like the mess?

Like it?

What do you mean?

Do you think I did this?

This is how do you think I live?

Yes.

Somebody did
over the flat last night

while I was at the party.

It's been searched, every inch.

They seem to have kicked
the walls in frustration.

They obviously
didn't find anything.

Don't start that, please.

It's too early in the
morning for your paranoia.

They were looking for
the film, obviously.

I left it hidden at the party.

They'll never find it there
amongst that other celluloid.

For God's sake, Sharon,
stop this silly game.

It isn't particularly
funny anymore.

Where are my trousers?

They're over there somewhere.

And don't use that tone with me!

Who got your home from the
party last night, anyway?

For that I'm grateful.

Where's that book, by the way,
that first edition I found?

That moldy old
thing, I threw it out.

A beetle was crawling out of it.

You threw it out?

Yes.

Well, that's a
brilliant move, isn't it?

That book was quite a find.

About the only thing of
interest we have found,

and you throw it out?

What does one old book matter?

The idea that
you're interested in the past...

I don't know why I ever
considered you might be.

And all this nonsense, this
mystery about this film,

is just a puerile obsession.

And even if you were right, if
you bother to think it through,

the very best you could hope
for is some flickering old film

of somebody being clubbed to
death and raped in an alleyway.

That's the best.

I don't want that.

I'm not looking
for shock horror.

I'm just curious.

I can tell you
that party last night

was one of the most grizzly
evenings I've had recently.

And those kids there,
you, all of you

completely oblivious
to everything.

Yes, I saw you peering around,
voyeuristically taking notes.

You looked so ridiculous.

Don't you think there
must be something

funny with a person
who spends all

his time chatting up the young?

And you, the genius
who knows everything,

can't even tell when a
room is being searched.

I told you to stop that.

You tell me as many
times as you like!

You are not my father!

Or hers!

And don't ask.

You'd really like to
know, wouldn't you?

Now I have to go find
a new way of earning

my living because of you.

I'll be back at 3:00.

You can look after
her until then.

Look after... I...

I have an appointment.

What... what the
hell do you mean?

I...

Let her come back in here.

She won't need
feeding till I'm back.

Just stay with her and
keep her entertained.

Her toys are in bed.

She'll teach you
how to use them.

Don't let her out of your
sight, and be careful

when you answer the door.

Sharon, come back here at once.

Her name is Jody.

And like her mother,
she prefers to be

treated with some respect.

Sharon, don't be ridiculous.

You're... you're not
allowed to do this!

Is... is there such a thing
as a phone in this place?

Can you stop well
enough to tell me that?

God.

Let's put your hood up.

At least we managed to find
your raincoat, didn't we?

Come on, come on,
come on, come on.

All right, sit absolutely still.

Yes.

Now.

Now sit still, please.

Make allowances for
the inexperienced.

Look, I've apologized.

I can do no more.

James, I've had to wait
for you in this awful place.

Yes, I know.
I'm sorry.

No, you're gonna
tell me where you

found that child, with no
mucking about, understand?

Just a minute.

Just give me a minute, will you?

Come on.

Sit down.

Now, I didn't find her.

She was given to me.

I told you... give
me a straight answer.

It's this completely
nutty girl I've met.

She lives in a totally
paranoid world.

Everything she says, everything
she thinks is pure fantasy.

But she does turn out to
have a real, live daughter.

And how on Earth did
she end up with you?

She just threw her at me.

She's an extraordinary
scatty young woman,

isn't she, your mother?

Interesting case in many ways.

Strangely enough,
it's been rather

invigorating meeting her.

I wouldn't queue
up to be the child

left for you to look after.

We should have had children.

Oh, really?

We never seemed
to have the time, anyway.

No, that's the reason.

I never felt grown up enough.

And you certainly weren't.

I don't know why you mention
it now, for God's sake, anyway.

Why don't you let her
get down for a minute?

- Really?
- Yes.

Let her play just here.

Yes, Auntie Barbara
wants you to play here.

Why haven't you
gone away, James?

I thought you were meant to
be having your famous break,

disappearing somewhere, no?

I have been away.

Oh?

But right here.

I've discovered pieces of London
that even I didn't know about.

This place, the city, is
bulging with forgotten things...

I mean, underground tunnels.

Tunnels I half knew
about, of course,

but was never really
curious about,

that are stuffed full
of low-grade secrets.

The who town's
chockablock with them.

It's unbelievable.

Right here, so many things
that are hidden with no reason.

Really?

Now, you take a... take a cheese.

Bland English cheese.

Put it under a
microscope, and it's

full of thousands
of hidden holes,

crawling within
insects and bugs.

Next time I think of my cheese

like that, I'll think of you

Jody.

Jody, come back here!

Hey, come here.

Maybe they are
Masons like she says.

Jody.

Now hold on to me.

Please don't drop it again.

OK?

Now, we'll be at
the car at any moment.

Now please be
patient, all right?

It isn't very far to go.

I promise you.

What?
What?

Now just
tell us where it is and you

won't get another one around...

You want to play silly buggers,

we can play silly buggers.

Come on!

Car keys!

Do I have to say
everything twice.

Your fricking car keys!

All right.

If you don't let me put
this child down now...

What will you do,
hospitalize both of us?

Reckon I'll take the chance.

Won't be seeing that again.

That's not your house.

That's the girl's flat.

All right, come on.

Come on!

Why do you cause
us so much trouble?

Slightest satisfaction...
days of this... you understand?

Days!

We... before
we found out you had it!

You mean the film...
is that what you mean?

Film?

What film are you
talking about, eh?

You think you're
going to the pictures?

Is that where you
think you're going?

We're not talking
about any fucking film!

You were going to sell it
to the papers, weren't you?

Scoop of the century, isn't it?

How much have they given
You You bloody moron!

How could you be so stupid?

You've made us
look a penny a piece,

something we're not used to.

This has got to top.

Everything to do with
you has got to stop!

If we have to hear
your name one more time!

Who are you,
anyway, you bumbling creeps?

You can't get anything
right, can you?

Listen, we can pick you
up right now off the street

and you won't be heard of
again for quite some time...

not a trace.

You don't know what we can
do in a case like this!

So just tell us.

Where did you put it?

I think what you're
looking for might be in here.

You made your point,
doing that, you know.

We know where you
are all the time!

See you this evening!

One for you.

One for you.

For you.

For you.

One for you.

All right.

Anybody not got a form?

We've have so many
applications we're not going

to be able to see everybody.

But if you'd like
to hang on and hope,

then you're welcome to do so.

Fill them in immediately...

both sides.

Jesus.

You'd think you're looking
for a nuclear scientist,

not someone to answer
the bloody phones/ Do I

have more than three O levels?

Careful.

You're getting too good at that.

Oh, morning.

How was...?

Now, slowly, so that
even I can understand.

These people jump out of
a doorway and beat you up.

Holding a copy of
"The Financial Times?"

Yes.

And you don't know
who they were or why.

- No.
- Incredible.

Absolutely incredible.

And then they just
threw the child at you?

We've got one to spare.

Here, have this.

I'll explain later about her.

That's amazing, isn't it?

And what do the police
got to say about all this?

They told me to go home,
said they'd find my car for me.

The comics who attacked me were
some sort of police, anyway.

That looks like Jennifer and...

Jennifer, baby, I do
quite need to see her.

Have we got time?

All right, in a minute.

Jennifer, baby, try later.

Yes.

In a meeting.

What are you doing
in London, anyway?

You're not meant
to be here at all.

I know it's inconvenient
for everyone, but I am here.

Well, I don't understand
what it is you think I can do.

Why come to me?

It seemed the nearest
place of sanctuary

to the center of town.

And you always seem to have
a good supply of coffee.

Yeah, well, will you just

sit down then, please,
for God's sake?

You're making me nervous.

Well, my advice is...
and I'm flattered

that you want it... is go home.

Take the little girl...

it is a little girl, isn't it?

Take her back to her
mother, and go home.

Why there?

What do you mean why there?

Well, isn't that where
they'll be expecting me to go?

It's the obvious place,
the predictable move.

Oh, don't be so
stupid and paranoid.

I'm not paranoid.

You've picked up an
idle dose of paranoid

from somebody, haven't you?

Mean What, are you planning
to keep her forever, are you?

Like a stray dog,
a new pet, is she?

- Who's that?
- Hm?

Who the hell is that?

Oh, that?

Uh... that... I think
that is Bartlett.

Yeah. yeah.

I think that is Barlett.

We've got a planning
meeting looming, you see.

Yeah, it just won't be a moment.

Will you hang on, will you?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure
that's Barlett, yeah.

He must have put on weight.

Now, look, James, I really
do have to get ready.

Look, I have a strategy for
this meeting that is an opening

that I'm planning to exploit.

Now, I expected you
to be more surprised,

more outraged by all this.

Secret Service men beating
people up in broad daylight

on the street used to be
a favorite topic of yours.

James, you're quite certain that you

haven't acquired something?

Something that
they're looking for?

Who's been here, Anthony?

What you mean?

Someone been round here
to interview you about me,

haven't they?

No, of course not.

I'm just guessing.

It's an obvious guess.

What are you doing?

Don't dare you touch that.

Just keep away from this.

This is a private area.

Nobody touches my
desk, all right?

Nobody, but nobody,
touches my desk.

Just leave these... leave...
these papers are confidential.

Nobody, but nobody,
touches this...

right.

Eh?

You never could lie,
could you, Anthony?

Look, why don't you
just go, since you

obviously don't feel safe here?

And there are people stacking
up outside to see me.

Maybe your what can wait
forever, but mine can't.

- Come on.
- Get your hands off me.

Get... come on.
Move.

I've had it.

Just get out of my life!

Move!

Just get out of it!

Listen, would you
just... come on!

Is this from one of our
trips, this old stones, here?

No, I don't think so.
Maybe I did, yes.

Really?

Take a better look at it.

You're off your rocker!

Jesus Christ.

Leave the suit.

Watch the suit.

You're going to rip this.

How have you got that up there.

You could do that
for ages, it seems.

And a maniac!

Your paranoia is one thing.

Lunacy is something else.

Jesus Christ!

If you've ruined this suit...

I've got a planning meeting.

That guy is my oldest friend.

Bloody lucky if I get... hernia, you know.

She's got no hope.

Hair like that, she
definitely don't stand a chance.

Probably had it done here.

They're looking for
something we've got.

Let's see if we can do a
better job than them, shall we?

I'm sure we can.

Now, where is it?

I wonder.

I wonder.

I wonder.

I wonder about... let's
see what's in here.

Absolutely nothing.

What is it, Jody, hm?

What is it?

What is it?

They surely couldn't
have had the patience

to go through this lot.

OK.

View through London.

Yes, well.

Old girlfriends never die.

They just send you postcards.

The medical records.

Of course.

Very unimpressive-looking
document.

Recent medical records.

Jesus Christ.

Must be somebody
they think important.

That must mean a member of the
government or the royal family.

I don't think they'd bother
about anybody else, do you?

There's no name on
the papers we've got.

But they think I know.

They think I know the name.

Morons must have thrown
it away by accident.

Jesus.

You have to make yourself
look like Garbo now

to become a receptionist.

We're going to
just manage, I think,

because we've worked so late
ourselves, to see you all.

Barbara, please be there.

Hello.

I'm not in.

Oh, fucking answer.

Barbara, why aren't you there?

Barbara, I want... um.

I don't know how
much time I've got.

Must be only about 20 seconds
before the tape runs out.

Look, um, things have
got even stranger

since I left you this afternoon.

I've got something
important to...

I forgot to give
you the necklace.

I found it... you know, the one
that broke the other night.

I'll tell you about it.

Um... look, I have to see you.

Will you call me
as soon as you can?

I love you.

Of course, if your mother
wasn't such a lunatic,

she's actually
possess a telephone.

I never believed if I was
left alone with a child I'd

burble a way to it like this.

Thought you'd be up for you tea.

Why don't they come
in, the bastards?

Really stopping just for tea?

Don't worry about it.
Let's get going.

Come on.
You've had enough, haven't you?

Yeah, all right.

Listen, I'm going on
my half-hour tea break.

You want to get him, don't you?

Yeah, sure.

Don't you worry about it.

I know what he's got.

Yes, here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Look.

See?

We go all the way
down the other side.

We'll go in this.

We'll go in this.

We march down to Johnson
following him and get him.

That's right.

All right.

I'll do a half-hour tea break.

I hope you know that.

Oh, damn.

- Where the hell's your mother?
- Mommy.

- Mommy.
- I know.

Why isn't she here?

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Taxi!

Taxi!

Taxi!

I know.

I feel exactly the same as you.

I do.

I do.

What the hell's going on?

Like a fucking...

He can't keep us going till
the morning, a long night.

Better keep near that bastard.

That is not difficult.

What are you doing here?

Did you find Sharon's film yet?

If you ask me, somebody should.

Hello, Jody.

I wonder if...
Road is open.

Might be worth a try
at this time of night.

Anyway, I gotta rush.

See you.

Where the fuck have you been?

I've been going
insane with worry!

You idiot!

Why didn't you stay
where I told you?

I thought something
had happened to her!

Oh, my angel.

I came to look for you here.

I was about to leave.

Don't you ever listen
to what you're told?

Didn't you think?

Have you got no
bloody imagination?

I didn't know where my baby was!

It must be tiring
knowing everything,

not being surprised by
anything that happens,

always expecting it.

It must be tiring imagining
there's a mystery in the back

of every newsreel you see.

One could never relax.

How can you still
think I'm wrong?

Because you are.

People pursuing
you all over London,

and you still think I'm
wrong about everything.

It was a lucky coincidence.

We stumbled upon something else.

You didn't even
manage to find out whose

medical records they were.

What use are you, anyway?

Stupid idiots.

They threw out something
they should keep.

So drowning in secrets
they can't remember where

the import ones are anymore.

I don't think that's coming
from you, by the way.

You're not that important.

Also, you're wrong about
many things, you know...

about my age, for instance.

I'm 24.

I'm not the little
girl you thought I was.

Can't have been that much out.

You want to know why I'm
so obsessed, so paranoid?

I want to know more, that's all.

You could say I want to
know what to teach her.

But I have to teach
myself first...

my education being a
little rudimentary,

as you've so delicately
pointed out more than once.

My history is terrible, anyway.

So I might as well
teach myself my own way.

Maybe I see things other people
have missed, from my training

watching these.

But your interest is
so selective, Sharon.

That's right.

A lot of it leaves me cold.

But that doesn't make me wrong.

You know, I've often had a
very pleasurable dream, sort

of comfortable
nightmare, of being

pursued down night streets,
being chased through London.

Easy dream to analyze...
obviously a banal desire

for something else to
happen in one's life,

to achieve something else.

Well, now it's happened
for real, being hunted.

And I can tell you, it's
much like I expected.

There are no surprises.

Enjoy it while you
can, while it lasts.

I know what you're thinking.

And the answer is no.

Friends.

That's what we are.

That's much more
interesting, isn't it?

Far less predictable.

I'm getting very
fond of you, Sharon.

Don't let it go any further.

Besides, you want to
go back to your wife.

How did you know that?

I'll say this for you.

You're not a typical
statistician.

Really?

And what's a typical
statistician like?

Incredibly thin.

Besides, you still think I'm
a little mad, certifiable.

And that makes me angry.

You do, don't you?

Yes, just a little.

How do I convince you?

No.

Look, no one's allowed
down there now.

I can't let you in.

It's out of the question.

Look, I shouldn't even
have let you in here.

We couldn't think who it was.

I just thought you might
fancy some company, that's all.

I tell you what.

I've got a little something
here that might, um,

make the hours
under Oxford Street

slip away a little
more pleasurably.

This was General
Eisenhower's chair, you know.

When he used to come and visit.

It's haunted down
here, you know.

You can feel the
cold, can't you?

A real chill right here.

Someone sailed down a shaft
when they were digging a tunnel.

I feel like doing
that sometimes.

I hate this week of nights.

So bloody quiet.

Gotten all this shit.

Who cares?

Oh, a life.

Here.

Don't fuck about
with the lights.

Oh, my mistake.

Who found it?

Where did it come from?

Must be Curtis.

But that's not my woman.

That's somebody else.

That's not her.

Yes, I know.

This is a war-time film.

'40s.

Somewhere.

The tension.

Looks rather nice.

Huh.

There she goes.

Who were they?

Where is this place?

Was she...
or a major spy?

Where's my woman?

What's happened to her?

Is she in this film at all?

If they've left that bit off...

Champagne.

A celebration.

We're in the '50s now.

This is the '50s.

My father had a suit back then.

A discovery, uh,
an idea being born.

Maybe this is a new invention,
just been given the go-ahead.

And they've just got the news.

Perhaps it's the birth of some
major scientific breakthrough.

Could have been something
terribly important.

Come on.

Get closer.

A lot seems to
have gone on there.

Hm.

Whatever this great
idea was, it looks

very like it never happened.

One of the many.

Poor sods.

There's my woman!

It is her!

It is her, isn't it?

It's my woman from the film!

Get Jody.

I know where this place is.

Sharon, I know where this is.

We're closed.

This place is closed today.

Hey, you can't go up there.

It's private.

It's private, and it's shut.

Come on!

Come on!

Must have been some sort of
accident, why they were kept

here, probably one
of those really nasty

accidents in the early
days of nuclear power,

which they hushed up.

Men caught in a fire
in a contaminated area.

Hm.

I should think
this was some sort

of secure convalescent unit.

They may have told her
her husband was dead.

Maybe for months she
thought he was dead,

maybe for a year, for security
reasons until the situation was

under control.

So when those people came up
to her in the street and said,

we'll take you to your husband...

What sort of
man could have made this film?

Why on Earth did he do it?

Was it simply voyeurism?

Or did he think he was
making a historical record?

Hiding it, bits of it in
innocuous government films,

hoping it would be spotted?

Leave us alone!

Little did he know all the
films he chose were going to be

classified secret as well.

Probably by complete mistake.

My husband!

Why didn't you tell me?

What a curious place.

Careful.

It feels like it's all
over me, that building.

In one's clothes...
yes, I know.

Come on, angel.

We'll keep the film to ourselves
for the moment, I think.

I still have the medical
records, of course.

Oh, yeah.

You're still on the
run, aren't you?

You may need someone
to keep an eye on you.

Oh, put them back in
circulation, shall I?

Now someone else can find
them on the rubbish tip.

Are you all right?

You were so upset in there.

Yeah.

So were you.

I'm OK, thanks.

Hey, don't touch!

We're not ready to
start again today.

No, not just yet.

You're getting quite a taste
for it now, aren't you?

Maybe.

You'll probably become
worse than me about all this.

That could easily happen.

James?

I don't think I ever
called you that before.

What have you been calling me?

I don't know.

Nothing.

You.

Wait.

You there.

James, I think we
should follow this,

see what else there is to find.

There's so much... so much more.

Yes.

Are you going to do
it all on your own now?

Does it have to
become professional...

professional research?

I'll have to keep away.

I might let you come.

Once a month.

Once a month?

I'll come along when I like.

I rather thought you would.

We should start really soon.

It looks so different now.

Yeah.

Yes, it does.