Original subtitles

It was many and many a year ago

in a kingdom by the sea

that a maiden there lived

whom you may know

by the name of Annabel Lee.

You needn't worry.

He wouldn't have suffered.

Ahhh!

Alex.

It's 5:00.

This is the XFM news.

Another body has been found

in the River Thames today.

This is the third unidentified body to be recovered from the river

since the beginning of this month.

Alex, this is what you wanted, I believe.

Sorry it took so long,

but we're very short-staffed,

and it took a great deal of persuading

for the archive to let it go.

Thank you, Denise.

That's very kind of you to go to so much trouble.

The book's reference only, I'm afraid.

I'll leave you to it, then.

Going already?

Alex?

See you tomorrow, then.

Got a fag, guv?

You're a pal.

Mmm.

Here. Got another?

Thanks.

Thanks, pal.

Sorry to have kept you waiting.

I heard you, but I was on the phone.

Now, can I help you in any way?

I received this this morning,

telling me to come for an interview.

When did you say you got this?

This morning. It says to come today at 5:00.

Yes, I see that, only I don't remember sending it.

So there isn't a job vacancy?

Well, yes, there is, actually.

I was about to put in an ad,

only I haven't got round to it yet.

It's most odd.

Still, now you are here,

you'd better come and sit down and have a chat.

We are terribly short-staffed.

I suppose head office must've sent this out.

Either that, or I'm getting

even more forgetful than I thought.

It's overwork, you know.

Actually, I'm terribly glad to see you.

I've been on my own for over a month now

and it's far too much for a single member of staff.

Excuse me, Denise.

I'm sorry to bother you again,

but I need the manuscripts relating

to the fifth century Alexandria riots.

I could photocopy what I need,

and let you have them back immediately.

Do you need it urgently?

I do rather.

Okay, I'll go and make a phone call.

Do you mind hanging on for a moment?

No.

I'll have 20 of the usual, please.

Actually...

Can you take that back?

♪ Boys and girls come out to play

♪ Moon is shining bright as day

♪ Leave your supper and leave your sleep

♪ Join your playfellows in the street ♪

Ready for a break?

There's coffee and a kettle in the office,

or tea if you prefer it.

I wouldn't mind.

Come on.

How you getting on?

Uh, it's a bit strange at first,

but I'm getting used to it.

It's your first day.

It takes time to learn all the different sections.

I've had some assistants who never lasted it, but,

you're not gonna be one of those.

No, I hope not.

One of the things you do have to watch out for

are some of the regulars.

One or two of them can be a bit of a handful.

Not the genuine researchers,

but those who take up residence

because they have nowhere else to go.

Like the magazine man.

Well, he's one of them.

He just doesn't want anyone else to touch his magazines.

Otherwise he's harmless.

He used to be quite a scholar in his time, I believe.

At least I know he won't disturb the people with real work to do.

Uh, thank you.

Thank you.

Alex, for example.

Now, he's a real scholar.

He's writing a thesis about religious martyrs.

People who were burned at the stake, that sort of thing.

This is an unusual place.

Unique.

That's why we attract people like Alex.

He's always so appreciative of what we do for him.

Still, not everyone can be like that.

In a way, I like to think of as a sort of, um,

family.

All the individual members

with their own little foibles to be catered for.

Hmm.

I suppose you think that's foolish.

No, no, not at all.

There should be room for everyone.

Um, perhaps, we should be getting back to work.

You're right.

Duty calls.

Do you like Forneret?

Do you know him?

Poet, novelist, dramatist,

early precursor of surrealism, French.

That's right.

You know,

you're only the second person I've met

who's even heard of Forneret in England, let alone read him.

It's not your chosen subject, though, is it?

One of my favorite poems by Forneret

is Un Pauvre Honteux. Do you know it?

It's about a starving man who eats his own hand.

Yes, I know it.

I had a friend who loved its quirkiness.

You have very nice hands.

You don't like being touched?

I do. It's reassuring.

I can be sure that the person's there.

Now, give me your hand.

Why?

I can read palms.

I don't believe in all that.

Then don't.

Let's see.

You'll live a long life. That's for sure.

At least 80.

That's good to know.

You have the temperament of an artist.

Probably don't have any trouble finding admirers.

For a scholar, you tend to be

dangerously untidy in certain things.

You may lose something very precious to you.

If that happens, you'll never be able to find it again,

so just forget about it.

How many men have you seduced in this way?

I think I'd better be going.

Oi.

You fucking bastard.

What are you doing here?

I've lost my way.

And what's your name?

Virginia.

♪ Leave your supper and leave your sleep

♪ And join your playfellows in the street

♪ Come with a rope and come with a cord

♪ And come away through it and over it all

♪ Up the ladder and down the wall

♪ A penny loaf will feed us all

♪ Boys and girls come out to play

♪ The moon is shining as bright as day

♪ Leave your supper and leave your sleep ♪

God! You scared me.

I'm sorry.

I've been looking for you.

For me?

Why, what do you want?

I want to give you something.

A present.

For me?

Why?

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Yes, yes.

Yes, it is.

Good.

I'll get back to my studies, then.

I should never have trusted the forecast.

I could have told you.

The smell was becoming unbearable.

You smell rain?

Yes.

Will you come for coffee with me?

No, thank you. I want to get home.

I need an early night.

Then take this.

What about you?

I don't mind.

You'll get soaked. You'll catch a cold.

I won't.

You could... walk me home.

Then I will.

Will you?

I hope it's not too out of your way.

It isn't.

Thanks.

This is it.

I'll be on my way, then.

Got a fag, guv?

Uh...

Uh...

Uh...

No.

Don't hurt me.

I didn't see nothing. Honest.

Don't hurt me.

Why are you afraid of me?

I gave you cigarettes.

Don't you remember?

Thank you, thank you, dear Alex.

Are you happy now?

You always know just what I want.

I mean, your marriage.

That won't make a difference.

Besides, I'm sure Edgar will find you most agreeable.

Will he?

How could he not?

Nothing can ever separate us...

forever and ever.

There.

I've promised.

Forever and ever.

You must have been very deeply in love.

I see you come here almost every day.

You work at the Foster Library, don't you?

Yes.

Are you happy in your new job?

There is something exquisitely satisfying

standing here amongst the dead

on a beautiful morning.

I've never looked at it that way.

Perhaps it's an acquired taste.

Well, I'd better be off to work.

Maybe I'll see you at the library later.

Can I help you?

About that girl by those shelves over there...

Yes?

She's our new assistant.

What do you think?

Isn't she remarkable?

Yes. I'm very glad she came.

Hello, Denise.

Hello, Alex.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

The body of a man was found today

on Dean Street in London's Soho.

He was the principal witness

in the brutal murder of a man and a five-year-old girl.

The police have doubled their efforts

to hunt for the murderer

who they suspect may be responsible

for both of the killings.

It's 9:15. Back to the music.

This is the new one from...

Oh, it's you. Hello.

Hello.

Can I come in?

Yeah, sure.

There's a power cut.

So I see.

It's very nice here.

It's all right.

Sit down.

Can I get you tea or coffee?

Am I disturbing you?

No.

It's good to see you.

Then I'll have whatever you're having.

Vodka, then.

Vodka's fine.

Who's he?

A friend.

What's he like?

He's dead.

I'm sorry.

Do you miss him?

Yes.

What about you?

Do you have someone?

I did, a long time ago.

You said that once before, "A long time ago."

It makes you sound like an old man.

What happened?

Like you,

I lost her.

But I think about her all the time.

I want to be forgotten completely

when I die.

I want all trace of my existence

to be completely wiped out.

Just one of my romantic ideas.

There are some things

that cannot be destroyed.

Are you talking about love?

Pain.

That passes.

A year or two of grieving, and you're over it.

This is what matters...

Here.

Now.

Ow.

It's so good.

Ahhh...

Ahhh!

Ahhh!

I love you.

You must believe me.

I really do.

Alex.

I must go.

Virginia.

Where are you, Virginia?

Alex.

You've used your magic again.

I thought you weren't coming.

We made a vow.

You're not hurt?

Were you able to get enough blood?

I managed.

Were you lonely, my love?

I thought of you always.

Virginia...

you must choose now.

There is not much time.

You can die a human death

or live on forever as an immortal beast.

I don't want to die.

I'm afraid.

I cannot bear for you to forget me.

I want you never to stop thinking about me.

Then you will come with me?

Yes, Alex, I will.

I will live with you forever and ever.

Oh, Virginia.

Drink, Virginia,

for this is your blood.

Good girl, Virginia.

Good girl.

Virginia.

Virginia.

Where are you, Virginia?

Alex hasn't come today.

I hope he's all right.

I've got the book he wanted.

He's been asking for it urgently.

I expect he'll be in tomorrow.

I suppose it can wait till then.

Excuse me.

Could you possibly give it back to him?

I'm sorry, but he does get so distressed.

If you come over to the magazine rack,

I'm sure I could find you something equally good.

Thank you, but this is what I want.

I shan't be a moment.

Look, I wouldn't ask

if it wasn't serious.

This is a public library.

There.

I said I wouldn't be long.

I know who you are.

I've seen your picture somewhere.

I'm sorry. I don't wish to disturb your work.

Attending to people is part of my work.

What can I do for you?

Forgive me,

but I hate to see you looking low.

You had seemed much more cheerful of late.

I'm fine, thank you.

It isn't any of my business,

but it's such an intimate little world in here

that one can't help noticing people.

It isn't perhaps anything to do

with that charming young man

not being here today?

Of course not.

But you know who I mean?

Yes, I think so.

In my opinion,

he needs the friendship

of a strong young woman like yourself.

Something vulnerable about him.

Do you always concern yourself

with other people this way?

Obviously, some people are far more interesting than others.

Well, as you say,

none of this is really any of your business.

You're right. It isn't. It isn't at all.

I'm holding you up.

It's all right.

I'm not terribly busy at present.

Do you know him?

Alex, I mean.

I have the feeling we met once,

some time ago in France.

Oh, I see.

Look, what about a spot of dinner

to show you're not angry with me?

I don't think so. Thank you.

When was the last time you went out to dinner?

-I can't remember. -There you are.

It would do you good and give me the greatest pleasure.

-You're very persuasive. -I hope so.

All right, then, but only a quick dinner.

I don't want to be home late.

We're closing now.

I said we are closing.

"Quails with cherries."

What are they like?

Cailles aux cerises. They are delicious!

Would you like to try them?

Okay, never had them before.

To start, I can recommend tripes de noisette.

I think the cailles will be plenty, thank you.

And to drink, a nice claret?

Fine.

The cailles, a green salad,

a bottle of Chateau Lafite.

Very good, sir.

Do you come here often?

When I'm in London.

It's quiet.

The food is excellent.

What do you do?

Do?

I mean, what's your profession?

I'm a writer.

Really?

Should I have heard of you?

Have you been published much?

Quite a lot.

I have to say, though, that in all my travels,

I've rarely come across a library

as fascinating as yours.

You're very lucky to be working there.

Yes, I suppose I am.

I'd never heard of it before.

I just needed a job. And it came up, so I took it.

But you're glad now?

Yes, I am.

Fate often leads us in the right direction.

Um...

Are you studying those things?

Mysticism and occult?

Well, they interest me a great deal.

Vampires especially.

Really?

But I suppose you haven't much tolerance

for such superstitious nonsense.

Well, certainly if you think it's nonsense,

it hardly seems a subject worth pursuing.

Oh, no. I was thinking

how the ignorant

and uninformed masses would take it.

But you know better?

Precisely.

As a matter of fact,

it is my sworn belief that vampires,

mythical and metaphorical beings that they are,

have by now turned into an everyday reality.

I've traveled far and wide in search of evidence,

and my studies have led me to believe

that the most concrete and substantial evidence

yet to be found on the subject is here in London.

That's very interesting. If you need the services

of our library, I'll be happy to help.

I thank you.

I'm sure that if I could enlist your help,

my problems would vanish instantly.

In truth, however, I'm pursuing a slightly different line of inquiry at the moment.

What's that?

A minor dramatic work of American origins.

It's a highly poignant and tragic love story.

Are you in love with Alex?

I don't think that's any of your business.

No, you're right. I'm concerned for you.

I want us to be friends.

Well, I'm here, aren't I?

Yes, and I'm delighted to have your company.

Perhaps I should explain.

I did know Alex once.

It was a long time ago.

We had some sort of...

misunderstanding.

I heard since

that he had an unfortunate accident.

Lost his girlfriend.

I don't see what this has got to do with me.

Well, I was wondering

if you would do something for me?

Like what?

I want to send him a gift,

a token gesture

of renewed friendship.

Perhaps you will

take it to him.

I presume you know where he lives.

I'm sorry.

But I really don't see why you think

this has got anything to do with me.

Bon appetit.

You go. I can't run anymore!

You must, Virginia. I'll help you.

I can't.

I'll head them off.

You stay here and find a place to hide.

I'll come back and find you when they've gone.

Now, listen.

I didn't kill him,

that villager.

You didn't? Well, then, who?

I don't know.

Somebody else like us.

Virginia.

Quickly.

-You will come back? -Of course.

They mustn't get you.

They won't.

Promise!

I promise.

Hide.

Alex?

Oh!

Oh.

Oh.

Come here. Here we are.

Come here.

Oh, hello.

It's time, Virginia.

Why? You promised.

Alex!

What are you doing here?

Virginia...

Virginia...

I've missed you so much.

Alex...

are you all right?

Anne?

Come on. Sit down.

Is that better?

What happened to you tonight?

I promised Virginia once

that I would always be with her.

You can't feel guilty

about a promise made to the dead.

She's alive!

Alive?

She's somewhere suffering...

and there's nothing I can do to ease her pain.

Her pain.

No one can take away another's pain.

No one can do that for anyone.

But we can

comfort one another a little.

No!

The old man's died.

I've just been informed on the phone.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Yes.

Oh, if Alex comes in, don't forget to tell him about his books.

They're due back at the archives soon.

-He's here again. -Who?

Him, the man in the hat.

Don't trust him an inch!

Good afternoon.

I wonder what she's got against me.

Well...

Well, this is a splendid development.

What?

This calls for a celebration.

We'll go and have a drink.

I haven't got a clue what you're talking about.

Besides, I've got work to do.

Make an excuse.

It's almost closing time.

There's things I need to tell you.

I'd really like to get on with my work,

If you don't mind.

Look, I can see what he did to you last night.

You want to know how I know?

Come and have a drink with me.

You'll regret it if you don't.

I think you should be told of his secret.

What secret?

Will you come?

All right.

I'll go and tell Denise. I'll meet you outside.

I'll be waiting.

You said you know Alex's secret.

Are you sure you really want to know?

It's what I'm here for, isn't it?

Sometimes the truth isn't always so pleasant.

I'd rather face the truth

than wallow in deception.

He will destroy you.

He cannot help it.

It is his nature.

Is that all?

You think that's nothing?

It's more of a judgment than a secret...

Your judgment.

What I'm saying is a fact,

something so loathsome,

I doubt it can be assimilated

by a confident little schoolgirl's mind like yours.

Go on.

He lives by blood.

It feeds

and nurtures him.

To kill is the greatest

sensual delight he knows.

We call such beings

vampires.

That is the man you think you love.

It is the truth,

I assure you.

Such beings as Alex

inhabit the valley of unrest,

between life and death,

and they devour the living

in a vain attempt

to assuage their hunger,

the emptiness and horrors

of everlasting life.

He will devour you.

That is what the vampire calls love.

I don't believe you.

I don't believe a word you're saying.

Why did you come here then?

Isn't it because you, yourself,

entertain some doubt

about what Alex is

and what he does?

Tell me...

What did he do to you last night?

A love bite?

But I have other proofs.

Would you like to see them?

This is a diary

written by a 19th century American woman,

Virginia Clem.

It records her correspondence with Alex.

Here, see this signature,

"Always yours, Alex,"

and there,

"5th of February, 1846."

Read all of them.

1827 to 1846.

Quite a little archive.

How do I know these are genuine?

Take them to an expert. Have them authenticated.

The library will know someone.

You recognize...

the handwriting, of course.

Quite distinct.

And then...

there is this.

The work of Julia Margaret Cameron

is very highly regarded these days, I believe.

You must admit,it's a remarkable resemblance...

to you, I mean.

I have to be going now. Thanks...

But we've only just started,

and there's something else.

All these unsolved murders.

Many of them look to me

to be the work of a vampire.

You cannot escape from the truth.

Hello, Denise.

It's Anne.

I woke up this morning feeling terrible.

Yeah. Do you mind?

No. I'll just stay in bed and rest.

I'll be all right.

Thank you.

Bye.

Go on.

I will make it easy for you.

I never thought you would follow me here.

You have more courage than I believed.

You're a vampire, aren't you?

If you want to call it that.

You kill people...

for their blood.

Yes.

Will I become one, too?

No.

It's not that easy.

Why me?

Because I look like her?

I'm sorry.

I'm going to kill you.

I can't.

You would be doing me a great service.

Do you want to die?

Why don't you kill yourself?

It's no use.

You mean you don't die?

Not as far as I know,

but you can try.

If anyone can do it, it's you.

How do you expect me to do it,

just kill in cold blood?

Remember, I'm not strictly human.

The things that cannot be destroyed...

You were talking about yourself then.

This is very funny.

Take me.

I'll be another Virginia for you.

Make me into a vampire.

No.

I want to be with you!

I can't.

I've made this mistake before.

Alex!

Forgive me dropping in so late.

There's something I need to tell you.

You've told me enough already. It's finished.

Oh, no.

It's just started.

Denise.

Alex. You've left it a bit late this evening.

Where's Anne?

She isn't in today. She called in sick.

I've been trying to get her on the phone,

but I get the answering machine every time.

I suppose she's just not up to taking calls.

Is anything wrong?

I hope not.

I've longed to see your face

like this, Alex.

The man had killed

the things she loved,

so he had to die.

Poor Alex, you can't die, can you?

You are immortal.

We both are.

I'm so glad to see you

after all these years.

I haven't introduced myself yet.

I am Virginia's husband...

Edgar.

Virginia made you a vampire.

Correct.

Where is she?

Locked in a lead coffin,

deep at the bottom of the North Sea,

where it is forever cold,

and no moonlight ever reaches her.

She has been there a century.

She will be there till the end of time.

Alex, have I bored you...

so much?

Alex...

You're brilliant.

So were you, Anne.

I haven't forgotten you.

You were delightful.

I can't tell you how much you remind me

of my beloved wife Virginia.

She'd been made perfect in loveliness

for the single purpose of attaining death.

Unfortunately for her,

she did not die.

She dared to betray my high ideals.

I had to punish her.

Oh, you...

You thoughtless, Virginia.

And, Alex...

Anne! Anne.

Drink.

Drink.

Drink.

Drink!

Anne.

Anne!

Drink.

Drink!

For the moon never beams

without bringing me dreams

of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

And the stars never rise,

but I feel the bright eyes

of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

And so all the night tide

I lie down by the side

of my darling, my darling,

my life and my bride.

In the sepulcher

there by the sea...

In her tomb

by the sounding sea.