Original subtitles

(theme music plays)

(lively jazz music playing)

I believe they call it ragtime.

I think that's excessively vulgar.

Oh, come now, Henry,

we must move with the times, you know.

I'm told that in America, it's all the rage.

All the rage.

I'm also told that some people even dance to it.

Dance to that? It would be improper.

Well, I don't know. I think it's rather jolly.

Well, I think it's decadent.

Thank you, Henry.

We now have your opinion, and we will mind it.

But that's by the by.

Pandora, my dear, what do you think?

Am I not right? It is very amusing.

Mr. Rupert, the news!

What is it, Rupert?

The Kaiser has ordered an offensive on the Somme.

And your to be called to the front?

Inevitably.

But...

they cannot contact me before tomorrow,

So I shall not miss your wedding day.

I could not miss your wedding day, Pandora.

John: Tara, surprise day.

I've received a hamper of cold goodies

from my Aunt Emily.

So I've dug up a couple of bottles from the cellar,

and I'm inviting you to lunch.

What do you think about that?

- I'd love to. - Right then.

- But I don't know if I can. - Oh, dear.

Well, you know how long I've been looking

for a 17th-Century French bracket clock.

Well, I've found someone who thinks he has one,

and I'm going to look at it at 12:30.

Where is the appointment?

It's at Xavier Smith's in Sturmer Street.

Well, that couldn't be better. It's just round the corner.

You go along, see the clock,

and then whiz round to my place.

Nice.

The bottles will be on ice and waiting.

Hello?

Hello?

Shop?

Well done, Henry.

Tara? Tara?

Ah, Mr. Steed.

Pleasure to see you again, sir.

Good afternoon, Mr. Smith.

If it's flintlock pistols again, I have a fine pair coming in

later these month, chased in gold and silver...

No, that's not actually what I'm after.

- Oh? - No.

What I'm after is about so high,

warm, round, sweet, and extremely feminine.

Sir?

Miss King, is she poking round the back there?

Miss King, sir?

Well, yes, I couldn't possibly have missed her.

I came here the shortest route, she didn't pass me.

Well, sorry, Mr. Steed.

I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.

But she was coming here at 12: 30 to buy a clock,

French bracket clock, 17th Century.

Ah, then there must be some mistake.

I haven't got an item like that in, oh, months.

12:30, you said?

Yeah.

But I was closed for lunch at 12:30.

- Closed? - I've only just this minute got back.

Somebody's been in here.

I better check the rest of the shop.

"The Fierce Rabbit."

This is utterly unprecedented, Steed, sending for me,

dragging me down from my headquarters.

Well, it's like... It's like...

Like a cuckoo leaving the nest.

It's your own fault, Mother,

establishing yourself in a balloon.

It makes communications very difficult.

It also ensures uninterrupted bliss.

Well, that's the theory of it...

Goodness gracious me.

Do we have any more news from Tara?

As you can see, she hasn't come back yet.

Her car's still gone.

Oh, there's no real cause for alarm.

The antique shop!

Oh, yes. One broken ornament.

Well, that's not solid evidence of a struggle.

And the fact that the place was closed

when she was told to go there.

Yes. We haven't got much to go on.

- What do you think happened? - She was kidnapped.

Or she was eaten by the Fierce Rabbit.

Fierce Rabbit?

I found that close by.

Was Tara on a mission?

Well, not to my knowledge.

Must be a coincidence.

There can't be any connection.

With what?

Fierce Rabbit was a code name for one of our operatives.

I see.

Well, in that case, then Tara is on a job.

No, out of the question, Steed.

The Fierce Rabbit was our man in Armentieres

in the First World War.

- Man: Fierce Rabbit... - John: It was some time ago.

I know she's indestructible, but it's further back than that.

About 1914.

1914?

That's a tall order.

Probably packaged up and put in amongst

the dead files by now.

Be of help if I can find the controller's index.

Otherwise, we'll have to search through every file,

and that could take some ti... Ah, here we are.

A, B, C, D, F...

Fast Runner, Fat Lady...

Oh, the Ferocious Mouse.

(chuckles) Yes.

Fierce Rabbit, file 109, rack 12.

Oh, what a pity about him.

Ah, here we are, the Fierce Rabbit.

Mm-hmm.

Alias Simon Henry Juniper,

entered the service 1915.

1915?

Woman: Wake up, Miss Pandora.

Miss Pandora?

Wake up.

Pandora, I'm glad to see you're rested after your journey.

Mr. Rupert and Mr. Henry are downstairs,

and would like you to join them for dinner.

(door opens, closes)

Ms. Faversham, I think you might serve now.

Oh, my dear, we were just about to start without you,

weren't we, Henry?

We were afraid that the journey

might have proved too arduous for you.

Henry?

There. Now do sit down, Pandora.

Pandora?

You look so pale.

Ms. Faversham, I think a glass of sherry.

We'll soon bring the color back into those

- pretty cheeks, eh? - Pandora?

Why did you call me Pandora?

Oh, your hands are so cold.

Here, now drink this.

Drink it, my dear.

King, my name is Tara King.

My dear, we all want you to get well again.

- Don't we, Henry? - Very much.

Believe me, you are our only concern.

King...

Tara...

Tara King.

Don't you think you're rather overdoing it?

The drug, shouldn't we cut back?

Cut back?

My dear Henry, we're only just beginning.

The whole thing's mad. You're mad.

Henry, you were the one who found the photograph.

You were the one who brought it here.

I-I wasn't serious.

I was joking, Rupert, joking.

My dear Henry, we are going to do this thing,

and we are going to bring it off.

(pounding)

Only beginning.

(clocks ticking and chiming softly)

Mr. Juniper?

Yeah?

Mr. Simon Juniper?

Right.

The Fierce Rabbit?

John Steed.

The Ministry.

That's right.

Get out!

The Ministry.

(mutters angrily)

Do unto others what they do unto you.

Get out!

That's what the Ministry told me.

You were a long way past the retirement age.

I was fit, active, still am.

Didn't make any difference.

Get out!

But you were in service a long time.

It's hard to forget, eh, to kick over the traces?

Once it's in your blood, old agents never die.

What do you want?

Tara King.

Name mean anything to you?

Should it?

I like to think that it would.

She's disappeared and the only link,

the clue, was the mention of the Fierce Rabbit.

Well, I still got all my faculties,

memory's sharp as a razor and I never heard of...

You know her?

(chuckles)

Just taken aback at the idea of a young filly

like this in the service.

Wasn't like it in my day, you know.

And you've never seen her before?

Never.

Missing, you say?

And all those modern resources

you've got nowadays still can't find her, eh?

(chuckles) No.

I bet I could find her.

If I was still in the service, that is.

Have you told me all you know?

(laughs) Not quite.

All those modern resources, eh?

What are you driving at?

The Fierce Rabbit.

I wasn't the only one.

Ha ha, you didn't know that, did you?

All these modern resources.

The codename was used twice before I inherited it.

You go and try the other two.

Perhaps they know where your girl is.

Thank you.

Bet I could find her.

And I will.

Miss Pandora?

Good morning, Miss Pandora.

Oh, please, why are you doing this to me?

I'm afraid I don't understand you, Miss Pandora.

I'm not Pandora.

Poor child.

What are you trying to do to me?

Do? We're just trying to make you well again.

That's all, Miss Pandora.

I'm not Pandora. I'm not!

1915.

(cheerful whistling)

("Shave and a Haircut" knock on door)

I still say we're playing with fire.

- These things take a long... - (floorboard creaks)

Good morning, Pandora!

Oh, thank you.

Clerk: Yes, Mr. Steed. Yes, I've checked.

I told you I didn't completely understand the system.

No.

No sign of the other two Fierce Rabbits yet,

but don't worry,

as soon as the controller comes back,

he will pull them out for you in no time at all.

Yes.

Yes, I'll call you as soon as he arrives.

Thank you. Bye.

(knock on door)

(knock on door)

Yes?

Simon: This is the Lasindall residence?

Yes, that's right.

Just a minute. What do you want?

Old friend of the family.

Mr. Lasindall the elder at home?

- Yes, but... - I want to see him.

Well, that's impossible. Mr. Lasindall is asleep.

Wake him up!

Tell him it's the Fierce Rabbit calling.

The Fierce Rabbit?

What is it, Ms. Faversham?

Ah, you must be Rupert or Henry.

Rupert. And you?

I wanna see your uncle, now, immediately.

That may be possible. But your name, sir?

Simon Juniper.

I knew your uncle many years ago.

That may be so,

and my uncle may be delighted to see you,

but at this time of night...

It concerns Pandora.

You, uh... You know about Pandora?

Well, let's just say I knew of your uncle's...

obsession.

Well? Do I get to see him or not?

Of course. This way, please.

This way.

Mr. Juniper?

Uncle Gregory, you have a visitor.

(Simon screams)

Pandora!

Pandora...

- (screams) - Not yet.

(pounding)

He mustn't see her yet.

(pounding continues)

I'll see to it.

Evening, sir.

Got an urgent problem, one I couldn't solve.

Mr. Steed and the Fierce Rabbit.

I managed to find one for him.

It appears there are two others skulking around somewhere.

I said we'd phone him, sir.

(telephone rings)

Steed.

Carter here, sir.

Yes, yes, the controller's just arrived, sir.

Have you got the information?

Yes, sir, just as I said,

controller pulled it out of the file in two ticks flat.

About those other two Fierce Rabbits,

one was named Pettigrew, Hubert Pettigrew.

Got an address for him, too.

10A Hewitt Court, Knightsbridge.

Right. I've got that.

Now what about the other Fierce Rabbit?

There isn't, sir. Or at least there isn't now.

The other Fierce Rabbit is dead, sir.

Dead? Are you sure?

Well, the controller's sure, sir.

And that means absolutely sure.

Yes, the third Fierce Rabbit died five years ago.

His file was taken out and destroyed

in accordance with regulations.

I see.

Well, I'll try and get something out of Pettigrew.

- Thank you. - Glad to be of help.

All right if I go off duty now, sir?

- Good night, Carter. - Good night, Mr. Lasindall.

(door closes)

Rupert, it's not gonna work.

Henry, will you please allow me to...

(both shouting)

You're mad, Rupert.

You're raising your voice, Henry.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

- You're mad. - Henry, your voice.

Now we don't want to wake Pandora, do we?

To think I let you talk me into this.

But everything's going very well.

Oh, yes, very well... Steed is snooping on the trail.

A dead body lying in the cellar. Things couldn't be better.

I explained about him. It was inevitable.

And as for Steed,

who put him on the trail in the first place, Henry?

We don't know that for sure.

I'm sure, Henry.

I'm sure.

Carrying those little pieces of paper in your pocket, hmm?

And losing them?

Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.

Very clumsy, Henry.

Well, what's it matter now whose fault it was?

- The fact remains... - You're raising your voice again, Henry.

It's gone too far.

- We didn't mean anyone to come this close. - Henry!

We must stop, stop now...

Henry, please.

Let's be civilized about this.

Oh, and do get up.

Lying there, you look so...

So down.

That's better.

Now, let us reappraise the situation.

Without raising our voices.

I agree that Juniper and now Steed are eventualities

that we did not expect or anticipate.

- Well, that's why... - But that does not mean

that we can't deal with it.

(pounding)

Let us not forget that we are doing this for him,

on his behalf.

And remember what is at stake.

That's all very well, but what about Steed?

I've done all the covering up I can,

- but if he should find his way... - If he comes here,

he'll be looking for Tara King, isn't that right, Henry?

Yes.

Very well then.

We must make sure that he finds her far from here.

And dead, of course.

(pounding continues)

Henry: Well, I think it's gone far enough.

It should be stopped now.

You don't know what you're talking about, Henry.

- It's criminal. - But necessary.

I believe that Lord Kitchener knows what he's doing.

And another thing, there's talk of the Americans

coming into the war,

but President Wilson has already said...

Oh, Pandora, my dear, do come and join us.

Henry here is trying to persuade me

that this war is unnecessary.

- Now, what do you think? - Well, come along now.

She's just a woman. What would she know about it?

Now don't be too sure, Henry.

There's already a big movement towards women's suffrage.

Before we know where we are, they'll be given the vote.

That'll be the day.

There's no need to scoff, Henry.

I think it's very likely.

Never. Women given the vote?

What would they do with it?

You'll be suggesting women in the government next.

- I think we may live to see the day. - Now, Rupert...

Now listen, Henry, the other thing...

Stop it. Stop it!

Pandora.

Tara, Tara King.

That's my name.

But, my dear...

The time is now.

Now!

- Henry, some water with a little... - No!

Why are you doing this to me?

Why?

You must not overtax yourself, my dear.

Why are you doing this to me?

The physician was very clear about this.

Why? What have I done to...

You must have no excitement, no stress.

Here, take this, take this. Come on, come on, take it.

There.

Pandora.

Dear Pandora.

Pettigrew, one of those rabbits was Simon Juniper.

The other is dead.

That leaves you!

Just me, last of the line.

All gone now, all gone.

Pettigrew, what do you know about Tara King?

Bleedington Rumperton, that was his name.

It wasn't Shodders at all.

Or was it, Trevor?

Now, listen to me, Pettigrew.

Tara King, do you know her?

King?

Where's the king?

Must put on a good show.

Jolly good whisky.

Yes, isn't it?

Now listen, Pettigrew,

do you or do you not know the name Tara King?

No. Never heard of it.

Sorry, old boy, must sit down.

Rupert: Pandora?

Pandora?

Yes, Rupert?

You're not eating, my dear.

You haven't touched a thing.

Now that won't do. It really won't do at all.

Apart from deeply offending Ms. Faversham,

it won't help your convalescence.

I've been ill?

You remember that? You actually remember?

I've been ill.

You hear that, Henry?

Well, I think that under the circumstances,

a small glass of port would not be amiss.

Oh, my dear, Pandora,

I cannot tell you how I have hoped

and prayed for this moment, your first step to recovery.

(chuckles) Complete recovery.

- No, no! - Nonsense, Pandora!

It'll do you good.

Besides, you mustn't deprive us of the opportunity

of drinking your health, must you now?

To you, my dear,

your health, happiness... and prosperity.

Pandora.

Pandora.

(pounding)

Excuse me.

- What is it? - I can't handle him.

He's like a wild thing tonight.

Tonight and every night. What is it this time?

He refuses to go to bed.

For God's sake, why?

He just sits staring at the portrait,

the portrait of Pandora upstairs.

(pounding continues)

(echoing) He just sits staring at the portrait,

the portrait of Pandora upstairs.

(fades) The portrait of Pandora upstairs...

I'm going to my room.

(door closes)

Portrait of Pandora.

Gotten him down?

Yes.

And where is our dear Pandora?

Gone to bed.

Oh?

Well, perhaps it's just as well.

We have a lot to do tonight, Henry.

- Juniper's body... - Must be disposed of.

And, of course, we must think about killing Miss King.

I mustn't sleep.

(sighs)

I must stay awake.

I mustn't sleep. I mustn't sleep.

I mustn't sleep.

I must stay awake.

(echoing) The portrait of Pandora upstairs.

(man groaning softly)

Pandora...

(groaning)

(pounding)

(Rupert laughs) I think it's very effective, Henry.

Well done.

Don't be ridiculous, Henry, really.

(both laugh)

(screams)

Pandora? Pandora?

Pandora!

Oh, my dear.

And you seemed to be making such good progress, too.

Here.

Take these, just to help you sleep.

They were prescribed by your physician.

That's it.

Rupert... I'm so confused.

I know.

I mean, I do want to remember.

I am trying.

Tell me about...

About?

Me.

Well...

to begin with, your name is Pandora.

Yes.

Pandora. You understand that?

Yes.

I am Pandora.

That's good!

That's really excellent.

Pandora.

And the year is 1915.

November the 18th...

1915.

November 18...

19...

15.

19... 15...

As soon as Henry returns, prepare dinner.

Then we'll wake her up

and play the whole thing as rehearsed.

And you'll be paying me off soon?

Yes.

Very soon.

(lively jazz music playing)

Dance to that? It would be improper.

Thank you, Henry.

We now have your opinion, and we will mind it.

But that's by the by.

Pandora, my dear, what do you think?

Mr. Rupert, the news!

What is it, Rupert?

The Kaiser has ordered an offensive on the Somme.

Then you'll be recalled?

Inevitably.

But they cannot contact me before tomorrow,

so I shall not miss your wedding.

I could not miss your wedding day, Pandora.

Are you sure there's no further news?

What about our European agents, haven't they seen or heard

- anything of Tara? - (doorbell rings)

You put every available man on the job.

Yes, I'll take your word for it.

But if there's any avenue you haven't explor...

Thanks. Call me if you hear anything.

Mother!

But I thought this was unprecedented,

you leaving your headquarters.

What's happened? The balloon sprung a leak?

It is unprecedented,

but I don't want you to hear it from somebody else.

Tara?

I fear so.

W-what's happened?

Have you found her? Where is she?

Why don't you sit down, Steed?

The news came in a few moments ago.

How'd it happen?

We don't know all the facts yet.

They're still piecing the thing together.

But we do know that Juniper was involved.

Juniper?

They found his body nearby. Shot.

And Tara?

In her car, what was left of it,

burnt out, a complete wreck.

I'm sorry, Steed, very sorry.

- The car was burnt out? - Yes.

- Well, then how do you know it was... - Do you recognize this?

Hmm.

Oh, possible something will happen.

As I say, they're still putting the pieces together.

Would you like to take a leave of absence, Steed,

- go away for a while? - No.

No, I want to find out.

Naturally. I understand completely.

(doorbell rings)

Good afternoon, dear lady.

Oh, dear. Tall lady.

And you elegant, sir. Steed, old boy, me again.

My wife's instigation, really. Terrible nagger, the wife.

Still, sometimes she's right. It's about last night.

Afraid I made a bit of a fool of myself.

- Apologies are in order. - That's all right.

Afraid I wasn't much help either.

Still, I hope everything turns up trumps for you

and you find the little lady all right.

That's quite all right.

Yes, well, wife thought I ought to apologize, hmm?

Well, that's that then. Well, cheerio.

Oh, one thing you were wrong about,

about one of the Fierce Rabbits being dead.

You did say that, didn't you? Oh, quite wrong.

All three of us are still alive and kicking.

- Well, goodbye again. - Ah, just a minute.

Did you say alive?

Yeah, that's what I said.

There were three Fierce Rabbits, right?

There still are three.

But that's impossible.

The file room.

The controller confirmed that the third Rabbit was dead.

Must be then.

I've never known Lasindall to make a mistake.

Lasindall. But that's him!

The name of the other Fierce Rabbit...

Lasindall, Gregory Lasindall.

No, Rupert.

We're nearly there, Henry.

Nearly there.

Lasindall's address? Well, he has two.

A flat in town and a house in the country.

In the country?

Well, that's where Gregory Lasindall lives.

- Where is it? - Seven Pines, Barsworth.

There's just one other thing.

Has Tara King been here recently?

Yes, she came in about a week ago looking for the files of...

Was Henry Lassindall with her?

- Yes. - Did he talk to her?

Well, yes, they chatted on about antiques, as a matter of fact.

He put her onto something she'd been looking for, a clock.

A 17th-Century French bracket clock?

Why, yes.

My dear, you look spiffing.

Absolutely ravishing, doesn't she, Henry?

Oh, yes, ravishing.

Traditional for the bride on her wedding day.

Fortifies the nerves.

I'm to be married?

Happiest day of your life.

And who am I to marry?

You remember.

Rupert.

Gregory.

Gregory Lasindall.

You remember, Pandora.

You've been sweethearts since you were children.

Look, you remember.

You remember Gregory?

Yes... Gregory.

We must hurry, my dear, he grows impatient.

No, no, my dear, this way.

Uncle Gregory?

Uncle Gregory!

It's not gonna work.

Of course it'll work.

She's identical, the living image of the real Pandora.

Come into the light, my dear.

Let him see you properly.

Tara: I'm to be married?

Rupert: Happiest day of your life.

You remember? Gregory Lasindall.

You remember Pandora?

You've been sweethearts since you were children.

You remember Gregory?

Speak to him.

Speak to your love, Pandora.

Gregory?

Just Gregory? After all this time?

Gregory, my love?

No, I am not Pandora!

- Pandora... - She's back.

Now your promise, uncle, you remember your promise?

Hmm, your promise?

Pandora's dowry? Her dowry.

The fortune, the vast fortune that you've hidden away,

set aside against this day.

You've tormented Henry and me with it

ever since we were children!

Your gift to her!

The dowry, uncle!

Dowry?

Now, you do understand, Uncle, don't you?

That we have found Pandora and brought her back to you.

Pandora's back.

So now you must tell us where the treasure is

so that we can fetch it and give it to Pandora

to make her happy.

And you want to make her happy, don't you, Uncle?

Oh, yes, yes, happy.

Yes.

And for you, my love, for you...

a fortune.

But where, uncle?

Where did you hide it all those years ago?

Now, tell us where it is and we'll go...

In here...

here in this house.

Well, it can't be! We've searched every inch...

Shut up, you fool!

In this house?

Where in this house?

Don't tell them... (screams)

Uncle Gregory, where?

Ohh...

The portrait.

Behind the portrait.

A knife. Where's a knife?

Nothing.

There nothing.

Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

Nothing! Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!

(moaning)

You see?

There.

There it is.

There it is.

A Rembrandt.

A Rembrandt?

A priceless Rembrandt.

All destroyed.

All...

You fool!

Agh!

Tara?

Tara!

Are you all right?

Say that again?

Tara, are you all right?

Oh, Steed...

I'm Tara.

(groans)

(doorbell rings)

- (door slams) - Hello, hello!

Softly, softly.

Got a headache?

Oh, is it bad?

It's like the augmented London Philharmonic

playing the Thunder and Lightning Polka

with real thunder.

It arrived.

Do you like it?

(chuckles)

It's beautiful, thank you.

Tara, I don't know how to say this.

I don't want to appear ungracious, but...

do you think you could change it for something else?

You don't like it?

Oh, no, no, it's lovely.

It's just that...

I don't think I can learn to live with it.

Why, what's wrong with it?

It's the chimes.

They don't work?

Oh, no, they work all right.

Well, then what?

They're just the... Just the teeniest bit...

(chiming musically)

Now, what's wrong with that?

(clock tower bell gonging)

(theme music plays)