Original subtitles

Come on then.

I'll be just outside.

I thought it might help.

Make it feel real.

Excuse me.

I don't go on a lot of dates.

How are you today?

Are you asking the mind wooing you,

or the mind you're here to cure?

Let-- let's just forget about all of that for now,

and get to know each other.

My name's Dorothy.

But my friends call me Dot.

I'm new to working with patients like these, like you.

This is my first date in the ward.

Why don't you tell me a bit about you?

I've never met a writer before.

Well, please tell me you write plays.

I was quite taken with the most recent production.

No, not plays.

-Novels. -Novels?

I'm busy with my second, in fact.

Really? I'd very much like to read it.

It's not on paper yet.

They won't allow my typewriter in here.

Well, the more reason to get better fast then, isn't it?

How does the story begin?

You really want to know?

Owen.

Philip.

There's this woman there before us,

and she's a cadaver, mind you,

and she's there for the very purpose

of our anatomical education,

but this Lord Gregory's so concerned for being a gentleman,

he can't even bring himself to touch her.

Beg your pardon.

"Now, see here, fair colleagues,

how the subject's spinal column descends

into the breastbone area region.

All-knowing entity above,

please forgive the swelling in my trousers."

Oh, you still are an insufferable bastard.

Okay.

That's all we have time for, for today.

What a shame.

I'm sure there's a woman out there

that you're going to make very happy one day.

And what do you know about romantic bliss?

I thought I was your first date.

Oh, no, I only--

No need to beat around the bush, Dottie.

You managed to cure me.

I'm all yours.

Is this what life is for you now?

What's that?

Picnicking in the hills,

waxing poetic about the nature of reality.

Wanking poetic, more like.

My days are usually spent alone,

chain smoking, staring at a blank page.

Oh, and recently,

procrastinating with needlepoint,

of all things.

-Needlepoint? -Mm-hmm.

Busy hands quiet the mind.

Well, there are worse ways to spend the life.

In a hospital, for instance?

I was thinking more along the lines

of a battlefield, but...

a hospital may, in fact, be worse.

Are you in touch with any of the other lads from school?

Here and there.

All quite the same, really.

Stodgy pricks with silver spoons up their arse.

What would they say now?

The miner's son from Yorkshire.

Doctor.

The sensitive Irishman, celebrated novelist.

Hmm. An exaggeration, to be sure.

Fine, then.

An old bear who likes to keep her hands busy.

You're quite a different man to when I saw you last.

I'm quite the same.

You haven't changed a bit.

♪ Out in the windy land ♪ ♪ Out in the windy land ♪

♪ I met that swan ♪ ♪ I met that swan ♪

No, seriously.

Don't let them come towards me.

I'm getting slow. It's fast!

Following. Keep up!

Oh.

-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

I'd love to know more about you, Owen.

Tell me about your childhood,

about growing up.

If you want that story, you're going to have to go out

and buy my first novel.

An Unfit Soldier.

-I haven't read it or anything. -Well, I insist that you do.

I hope I won't offend if I ask.

A childhood bout of pneumonia.

My brother fought in the war.

May God bless his soul.

If only all good men were as unfit as I was.

How's the book coming?

Um, rather well, actually.

For an author without a typewriter.

It's pretty helpful having someone to tell my story to.

Well, I'm more than happy to listen.

If it helps you get better.

So you can make an honest man out of me?

You should be so lucky.

So?

Philip?

Hmm?

Why did you stop writing me?

Doesn't really matter now, does it?

You wrote me lamenting how painful it was

being unfit to fight in the war

and I was busy trying to survive it.

Watching men die.

Killing.

Why did you decide to come here?

I...

needed to...

see you again.

Change made the war.

I thought that maybe...

Maybe you were changed in the way you'd always helped.

Were you?

This is why you've come.

I've always known, Philip. All those nights back at school.

Control yourself, Owen.

-Who are we resisting for? -The laws of man.

-Of God. -Well, no man can judge us here.

We're alone.

And no God would fall to love he's nurtured for 15 years.

-Science, then. -God, science.

You can call it whatever you want.

We are how we are.

We don't have to be.

What's the other option?

Misery?

-Denial? -Not anymore.

There is finally an alternative.

Owen, that's why I've come.

They've found a cure.

"He glanced at the pages with disinterest

and promptly reported an absence of any desire.

The doctor inspecting his anatomy

confirmed this statement.

Within two weeks, he was fully recovered physically.

Within a year's time, he was engaged to be married."

Have you come here to hurt me, Philip?

I-- I came here to ask for your help

and to offer mine.

What exactly do you want me to do?

Perform a simple procedure

and I'll return in kind.

What would the simple procedure entail?

Do you trust me?

That's besides the point.

Whatever you're suggesting

presumably would require some professional ability.

-I have it. -I don't.

I-- I can teach you, Owen. You can learn.

Uh--

If I were to consider this...

wh-- whatever-- whatever it is, Your-- your proposal...

...first I want to know what it's like to be together.

Because we wish.

All right.

Then...

when my treatment is successful,

you must accept my help in return.

I need us both to be well, Owen.

If it's successful, I'll-- I'll accept your help.

But if it's not, you surrender.

You choose me.

You stay.

Don't make me laugh or I'll drop it.

Oh, bollocks.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Would you like a taste of medical school?

I desire nothing less.

Give us a needle.

All right.

Simple interrupted stitch.

They used to make us practice on fruit because...

it's surprisingly akin to human flesh.

Easy.

Mm-mm. Mm.

You're a natural.

Perfect.

Up.

If the matron finds out about this,

I have nothing to do with it, understood?

I'll be back in two hours.

How did you do?

Thank you.

Are you not hungry?

I couldn't possibly.

Are you ill?

My have made me.

I hope the typewriter will help you.

I do want you to get better, Owen.

To be normal.

How's being normal better?

Uh, I want you to be happy is-- is what I mean.

Listen to this.

"Lilies."

Lilies not for me.

Flowers of the pure and saintly.

I have seen in holy places...

Where the incense rises faintly...

And the priest the chalice raises...

Lilies in the altar vases.

Not for me.

I'm not one for poetry.

Well, you're a romantic at heart.

I'm not like you, Owen.

-Just a moment. -Who's that?

so you hear me, devil cunt.

Mr. Green.

Charlie.

Oh, boy.

Oh, boys, I'm finally home.

You tell your mother to take me back.

I don't want to die alone.

Bessie.

Where are you, you pitiful cow?

This has happened a few times before.

-He used to live here. -Come out, you whore.

Come out!

- Mr. Green. - Ow!

You're all right. Just--

- Who are you? - I'm Owen.

Now I got no home at all.

No family.

Abraham dead. Bessie gone.

Charlie off in the city.

Not a soul in the world.

Good night, my boy.

Good night.

Philip?

Philip?

This is it, Owen.

He's the perfect candidate..

He has nothing. No one.

-No one will miss him. -Perfect candidate for what?

For becoming my donor.

What are you talking about?

Everything you need to know is here.

I'll be awake to talk you through every step of the way.

Through what?

We are physically ill, Owen.

This desire we feel, it's not in our minds.

It's in our bodies.

The only path to relief is to replace the sick parts,

which requires a healthy donor.

You're the only one that can do this for me, Owen.

You're the only one I trust.

Have you lost your mind?

I will take care of everything.

All you have to do is just...

stay here,

read the instructions,

drink something to calm your nerves,

and then it's just you and me.

Hey?

This is wrong.

Trust me, darling.

All will be well soon.

Can you feel anything?

Please, Philip.

I don't want to do this.

It's too late for that.

Scalpel is sterilized.

First step, simple, small incision.

Just like the pictures.

Hold the skin taut, then light pressure.

Owen.

You can do this.

Fuck-- Fuck.

Well, we can-- we can stop.

We can stop, it's not too late.

We've got the next step.

Next step, next step, next step...

Right, you can do this.

Owen, just-- No!

Stop.

-Please, stop. -What do you mean, stop?

-I can't do this, Owen. Please. -You-- You said you

-wanted to hear the story. -I do, Owen.

Then you hear all of the story. You hear all of it.

You don't just get to hear the bits

that sound harmless and-- and pretty.

Owen!

You take all of me, or you get nothing.

What did he do?

Nothing. He's just-- He's just tired.

Coward.

Water.

-Water. -Water.

How do you feel?

Free.

Well done, friend.

Rest.

Ah, breakfast.

We need to change out the bandages.

I'll see to it.

I feel perfectly fine, Owen.

We can't risk infection.

It's all going well.

Just a clean and fresh bandage is all.

I should be fully recovered soon.

Yes.

And we can get to work finding a donor for you.

That won't be necessary.

Won't be necessary?

We had an agreement.

You got what you wanted, Philip.

What does it matter what I do?

He's a stubborn little flower, that one.

-Is he? -Oh, he's hopeless.

Why do you think we assigned you to him?

I want to know you, Owen.

All of you.

-Evening, sir. -Evening.

Sorry to bother you.

Might I step in under the rain, sir?

I promise I'll only be a moment of your time.

Thank you kindly.

Just as I remembered.

You missed one.

Who are you?

I'm Charles, sir.

Is there something we can do for you, Charles?

A little something to warm my bones would be nice.

If you're in search of shelter, I'm afraid we're at capacity.

I'm looking for the fella on the right.

My father.

What makes you think he might be here?

Thank you.

Uh, I lived here.

As a boy.

My mom, rest her soul, said my father

would turn up here time to time.

Drunk out of his tree.

Begging her to take him back.

Now I'm a father myself.

Um...

My wife insists I go and find him.

Tell him the good news.

Plus we're hoping he could maybe help with the cost.

Any chance you've seen him?

-Afraid not. -No, I'm-- I'm terribly sorry.

Would it be a terrible bother if I took shelter for the night

down the way in that old stone bothy?

My wife wouldn't be happy if I slept out in the cold.

Of course.

Are you certain that wouldn't be a bother?

Positive.

Thank you.

Thank you kindly.

- Good night, then. - Good night.

Excuse me, ma'am.

What is it?

My patient, Mr. James.

Out with it, girl.

I believe he's beginning to develop feelings for me.

Romantic feelings.

Well, he'd have to start somewhere now, wouldn't he?

That is my task, isn't it?

Did you just come here itching for praise?

Or is there something else you need?

I'd like to be assigned as his attending.

I believe that more frequent contact will help

his progress and ready him for earlier discharge.

Well, you're the expert, aren't you?

Did you talk to Kathy about Sunday?

I don't know if I'll be able to make it.

Robert's parents are coming to visit this weekend.

-Morning. -Morning.

Hello!

Thank you kindly.

I'm famished.

Eat with me?

Oh, no, I-- I already ate.

Thank you.

Sit and have a chat with me, then.

It's like eating the sun.

Well, don't burn yourself.

Hello, Owen.

Hi.

How's the book coming?

Uh, very well.

Thank you.

Owen.

In a few minutes, you'll feel very ill.

Please make sure it sounds as such.

I'll be back in two hours for your next injection.

All right?

All right.

What is that?

A grizzly bear.

My father taught me. He used to love going dancing.

-Come. -No.

-Yes. -No.

Just, uh... Just do as I do.

Step, step, step.

- Back to back. - Okay, no.

No. Start again.

-Ready? -Mm-hmm.

Bow.

♪ You like me ♪

♪ There's no reason that we can't agree ♪

Turn.

Then like this.

Nice.

And... back, forward,

back, forward, and back, and forward...

Back-- No, with my legs. Follow my legs.

Left-- Stop laughing.

And back.

And-- how do you expect me to get better if

you don't act like a lady, Dottie?

Come here. Come on.

Ho! Step. Ho!

And now...

Come on, once more.

♪ I like you ♪

♪ You like me ♪

Step, step, step...

Turn around.

Lean against me.

And back.

Forward.

Back.

Forward.

Back, forward.

♪ You for me, me for you ♪

♪ From now on ♪

♪ I'll take you for me ♪

Patient bit the matron.

Again?

He didn't break the skin or anything, but...

Left a bruise.

I owe you an apology.

What for?

Underestimating you.

For hardly knowing a thing about you.

-Don't be silly. -No.

There is nothing more dull than

a friend that doesn't ask questions.

Why did you become a nurse?

My brother Rory fought in the war.

Rory took after our mother.

Not like me.

People could immediately see that he was...

His best mate, Declan, made it out and told me.

Rory wasn't even allowed to fight with them.

None of the Black men were.

Rory died in an air raid.

Alone in a field.

Laying telephone lines.

I became a nurse because people aren't meant to die alone.

For you.

Turns out you can get quite a lot

done when your head's not stuck in a bucket all day.

What's your son's name?

Victor.

Vicky, we call him.

And Alice, your wife?

Yes.

Do you love her?

She...

Understands me.

Who I am.

What I need.

Read me something.

Lilies.

Lilies not for me.

Flowers of the pure and saintly.

I have seen in holy places.

Where the incense rises faintly.

And the priest the chalice raises.

Lilies in the altar vases.

Not for me.

Don't stop.

Leave untouched each garden tree.

Kings and queens.

The flower land.

Hello.

You scared me.

How was your day?

Lovely, thank you.

What did you do?

-Today? -Mhm.

I just went up to the hills.

Did some reading.

-You feeling all right? -Mm-hmm.

I'm close to fully recovered actually, maybe a day or so.

Would you like to, uh, take a look at the wound?

Change out the bandages.

Seems like you've been managing fairly well on your ow, Phil.

I could use another pair of eyes.

Don't want it to get infected.

It's time for you to return to the life that you've chosen.

Leave me to mine.

You've done this before?

I've been with other men, if that's what you mean.

Men?

Do you really want to know?

Mm-hmm.

There's a pub...

near our flat.

Nightingales.

Place where...

men like us can go.

Seems dangerous.

It's the place I feel safest.

I don't think my father's going to turn up.

Why do you say that?

Just a feeling.

Besides, I...

should be going soon.

Get back to Vicky...

and Alice.

Your nightingale.

Yeah.

I far prefer it here with you.

I can promise you that.

Then choose this.

Stay here.

With me.

Phillip's gonna be gone soon.

We can live however we please.

You can write.

You can work.

Or no, you don't have to work.

if you work or not.

You wouldn't have to worry about money.

We could build a life here.

the rules.

H-help!

Someone!

Help!

He needs a pillow or a blanket or something.

-Stop right there. -You need a--

Go! Go!

Oh, I'm here. I'm here.

You're all right. You're all right, hey.

Shh. Come on.

Leave him.

-I could just-- -Leave him, I said.

He'll bang his head on the tile.

You're all right.

Nurse Ellis?

I beg your pardon, I--

Looking for someone?

He's gone off to market, I think.

Won't be long.

Owen is my dearest friend in the world.

You're a very lucky man, sir.

What do you imagine the authorities

would say about your...

blossoming friendship?

I'm sure I don't know what you mean.

Life with your wife must be preferable to imprisonment.

Hard labor.

Are you threatening me?

What has Owen told you about me?

You're an old friend.

That's all?

I'm in the medical profession, Charles,

and a group of my colleagues have developed a cure

for the condition afflicting you and Owen.

A procedure guaranteed to eradicate immoral desires

and set you on the path to becoming a healthy man.

I could help you, Charles.

If you'd like.

I'll help you get back to your wife and child,

put all of this behind you.

My wife and I are perfectly happy.

We understand each other.

For now, perhaps, but a sickness like yours

doesn't lessen with time.

It grows.

What then?

Procedure?

I'll be gone by the time you wake up.

Owen...

I loved you.

I loved you, too.

Charlie?

Charles?

Where's Dorothy?

Gone. Turn over.

I cannot stay to oversee your recovery,

but Owen is a fine nurse.

Congratulations, Charles.

You're free.

Charles?

Charles...

Charlie...

what did you do?

Excuse me.

Can I help you?

Charles was a fine swimmer.

How could he...

You were with him?

I was, yes.

You were friends?

He-- he showed up at my cottage...

looking for his father.

I offered him--

his father used to own it, and I offered him

accommodation for a few days to see if he'd show up.

Did he?

I'm terribly sorry.

Would you like me to...

Yeah.

Yeah.

Come with me. Up.

Come on, you.

Oh, forgive me.

I must depart.

I'll miss the last train.

The-- the clock is broken.

Charlie was going to fix it.

Do you mind if I smoke?

Charlie always wanted to smoke.

I wouldn't let him.

I can't stand the taste.

May I?

Here.

Did he speak of me?

He said you were his best friend in the world.

All right.

All right.

Alice?

Alice?

He wants me to dance.

Charlie and I, we would--

We would dance.

What can I get you, love?

A pint, please.

No, no, no, no.

Let go!

Let go!

Phillip?

Why won't you be cured?

I cannot be cured because I am not ill, Phillip.

You saved my life.

Now I'm...

I'm going to save yours.

Is it finished?

I can't find an ending.

The truth is too horrible.

Well, it's a happy ending, then.