Original subtitles

Oh, good, good, good. Thank you, thank you. Give me a scotch.

Hey.

Give me a scotch.

What's wrong? I say something stupid? Look, this is a bar, and I would like a

drink. You will find that this is intensely logical.

Let him get his paws on you, Johnny.

What?

When I say I want a drink, I want a drink. Do you understand that?

Put it down, Lou.

Well now, prof, let's have a nice, big, toothy, well -kept American smile.

Now?

Now.

Try and smoulder a little.

What, will that jerk?

Take him up the back stairs of the hotel.

George is expecting you.

And put him to bed nice and gentle, eh?

I'll sing him a song.

Yeah, do that, but keep your hand off his wallet. He's a very big -time

He says Dr.

Norbert wants to see him.

He says his name's McGill.

Hiya. I wonder if you have any means of identification, Mr. McGill.

Cease to wonder, my son.

How's that?

Thank you.

Are you the manager or the house detective of British security?

We have a lot of very important people staying here.

We like to see that they're kept comfortable.

Great. Well, if I need anything, I'll let you know.

I don't know who this McGill is.

I didn't make the appointment.

I'm capable of making some appointments for myself.

Don't you think you've got enough work to do?

Make him wait a minute, and then send him in.

Come in.

Mr. McGill. Thank you, Mr. Oliver.

Dr. Norbert's a very busy man.

I'm sorry to hear that.

That he sent for me.

I can't think why.

Don't try.

I would like to know your business, please.

Then ask Dr. Norbert.

Through that door there.

You've been like a breath of spring, huh?

All right, McGill.

I want to keep you a moment.

Well, you won't even keep me that long unless you tell me what you want right

now.

McGill, what do you know about me?

That's what I read in the papers.

You're an eminent lawyer.

You're an expert on international jurisprudence.

Advisor to presidents and so forth.

And you're in London now as the chairman of the first working committee on

legislation for outer space.

To protect the future rights of man. From what?

With your history, that remark is perhaps excusable, so I'll ignore it.

Don't bust a gun.

What's your problem?

Well, why me?

With your name, all you have to do is pick up your telephone. You'd be up to

your neck in nice, keen, young, Harvard -trained security boys.

Probably drum and bugle cord boots.

Yes, and those photographs will be in the FBI dossier.

Our private one.

I could make copies, see what they'd buy me. Oh, no, you've already answered

that.

My name's Norbert. You are a discredited American agent. No one will accept your

word against mine.

Good.

But I'm expensive.

And I call it my self -respect bonus.

And by the way, are these real or phony?

I don't know.

Who's the girl?

I don't know.

Well, who are you with?

I don't know.

Would you care to tell me something you do know?

Just anything, doesn't matter.

Well, I was up in Manchester. I was lecturing all day at the university. And

then I had this civic dinner.

Then more talk.

So I went out for a walk.

And somewhere along the way, I took a drink.

That's all I remember.

I think I have one you can't answer, Doctor.

Where did you wake up?

In my hotel room.

My clothes folded.

All my money was there.

Now, that is something that I do not understand.

Has it happened before?

Has it happened before, Doctor?

No. Are you sure?

You know who I am. Yeah, everyone says you're a very important man. And they

that you're falling down drunk. So I guess the truth must be somewhere in

between. Now, that's enough of that.

I don't like your sort, McGill. Whatever my sort is, and I don't care whether

you like me or not, and you don't have to like me. All you have to do is pay me

$500 a week plus expenses.

All my life I have worked within the framework of the law, and I trust that.

I don't like going outside the law.

Unless you have to, which is now.

So don't patronize me.

Now, how much do your playmates want for these things?

I don't know.

Well, that's what I want you to find out.

And you'll pay.

Yes. Once.

Not just for me.

For my work, for my reputation, for what I've done, for my position as chairman

of the Space Legislation Committee.

For all that. Not just for me.

Now, what about that committee?

Did there be any connection? No.

Only that I'm here.

I'm a lawyer, McGill. There are no...

Blueprints, no atomic secrets under the bed.

We are discussing legalities, not for it.

Good.

I guess I'll start in Manchester.

It's only the fourth largest city in England.

I was staying at Granton House.

Granton House.

Oh, Miguel, you can't take those with you.

Listen.

This is all I've gotten out of you since I've been here. I'm supposed to find a

bartender and a girl in the city of four million people. No.

You better get on that telephone then and get the official boys in.

McGill, no. No, wait a minute.

Oh, listen, uh... Where's the action in Manchester?

Action, sir?

Yeah, you know, all that famous North Country high life.

They're playing Choo -Ching Chow at the Empire, sir. I'm told it's very good.

What are you doing your day off? Singing the choir?

Yes, sir. Baritone.

for a club?

Yeah.

You know anything of a bar around here that has China dogs on shelves?

I don't know anything.

On principle.

Yeah, I could see that.

Any luck there?

Oh, hey, no.

How about you?

I've been driving here for ten years.

I never knew there were so many dives here.

Well, no one will ever die of thirst in Manchester.

One of the boys says try out towards Salford, a place called Gulliver's.

Okay, let's go.

If you do go, sir, you'll need to watch it. They're a bit rough.

Evening. Good evening.

What would you like?

A photographer?

Sorry, we only serve drinks here.

I'm not thirsty right now.

Well, have a glass of water.

On the house.

Thank you.

You had a fight with a middle -aged American.

Me? Mm -hmm.

And I have the photographs to prove it.

Nobody I know owns a camera.

We're too fond of minding our own business for that.

Where's the boss?

He's very shy.

You won't see him.

I'll wait.

Luke?

Keep an eye on him, will you?

I'll go and get Dickie.

Trouble?

Not unless you want some.

You came in here drunk and trying to make trouble.

This is my first glass of water.

Get off that stool.

I feel pretty good, just like I am.

Suit yourself.

Don't mess around now.

You could have hit him. He wouldn't have noticed.

Oh, thanks. I'll remember that.

Well, what do you want, darling, apart from the exercise?

I'd like to see a photographer.

You're in the wrong shop.

No, I'm not. This is the right place.

It's very highly recommended.

Service is pretty bad, darling. That sounds like a complaint, darling.

That's a fact.

I think I'll just stick around until it gets a little better.

We might move you.

Well, you can try. He tried.

He just used his hands. You should see him with a bottle.

All right, you'd better come on to our complaints department.

After you.

Hello,

Mr McGill.

I'm Joe Gulliver.

Sit down.

Well, lie down if you want to. The carpet cost 400 quid.

Thank you, Digby.

You had to turn crooked with a name like Digby to top you the kids laughing at

him.

That makes me feel at home.

We like it quiet.

Not like London.

They do all sorts down there, you know.

Shoot people's kneecaps off with shotguns, all sorts.

Not here.

Well, that's nice. Glad to hear it.

I'd like you to help me with some photographs.

Hey, be fair.

I'm a businessman.

You're a hood and a good suit.

What's the difference?

I do jobs for money.

If I went round telling everybody about the jobs, how long would I be in

business? Well, don't tell everybody. Just tell me.

Not worth it.

It's not your argument. It's Norbert's.

Leave it alone.

Do you know who he is?

Big stuff.

That's right.

He could blow you right off your throne.

Do you realize how much protection he could rustle up? Who did he rustle up?

You.

Well, after me.

I'm not bothered.

Even the police here.

Police?

They'd sweep you under the carpet, Miguel.

Passport, work permit, no one habits.

In ten minutes, you'll be a deportation case.

It's not your country, you know.

Can you afford a good lawyer?

Norbert could.

He'd never know.

Unless... You squeaked about the photos.

Don't wave protection at me, McGill.

Walk out of here, report me to anybody. It won't do you any good.

I work for lots of people.

Even the big lads with their special government passes and their several -row

suits.

Add that up for protection.

I'll pick that up and walk out while you can.

I see.

Here.

Here he is now.

That's our man, Frederick.

Let's offer him a lift.

McGill, it's a long walk to the station.

I can use the exercise.

Conserve your energies. Let's chat.

About what?

Space legislation?

Photographs?

Norbert?

Do put that away.

It's not the 4th of July.

Well, Daddy told me never to accept ride from strangers. This is about the only

way I'll do it.

And not the station. My hotel, please.

Mr. McGill's hotel, Frederick.

My name's Simon Craft.

We're all very interested in Dr. Norbert's work on space legislation.

Who are we all?

An international consortium. Oh?

If you'll forgive the little joke, space is a very large investment area.

Yeah, I'll forget that little joke.

Look, Norbert is a lawyer.

There are no blueprints, no secrets.

Of course not. What a naive thought.

What do you want?

We want to encourage you in your work, McGill.

Norbert's interests, whatever they are, are our interests.

That's more token of our sincerity.

500 pounds, whether.

Wow.

I just got a little filing advice from a hood. Now I'm getting some money from a

consortium. Take both.

Why? Money's always useful.

Advice is a matter of choice.

O 'Connor was right.

There's nothing for you here. You're just a piece in a large jigsaw puzzle

Norbert's daughter.

Or the top coming off a whiskey bottle.

What does everyone want with Norbert?

We'd like you to find out.

Oh, thanks.

One client at a time's enough.

You may need a second.

You're in a very delicate position, McGill.

In touch with Norbert, in touch with, how shall I put it, photographic

And nobody higher up to shelter you from the cold, cold snow.

Frederick knows where to go.

Take a look in the hotel lobby first.

Chances you're home a bit, aren't you, darling?

The one by the desk is London.

Yeah, I've seen him there.

The one over by the lift's American, Big Fry.

Police or intelligence?

Intelligence. Look at the other two herbets by the door.

Now, Gulliver told you to keep me out of trouble, or his bosses did.

They like you.

Frederick.

You trade places with me, and you keep low when we get out of here.

Oh, yes, I remember typing the manuscript for that in 1958.

It's the standard work on property jurisprudence now.

Yes, his full year in Washington was 1962.

Oh, look, I'm afraid you've got me there. I'll have to look it up. Hold on

minute.

The date of his Oxford doctorate was 1961.

Hobby?

Well, his work mostly.

He plays a little golf when he can.

Fishing.

Yes. Yes, he has come a long way.

Thank you for saying so.

Even though he is my famous father.

Oh, no, no trouble at all.

I saw your last release on him. It was glowing.

Yes, I'm sure this one will be too.

No,

not at all.

May I ask where we're going, sir?

London. Oh.

I've got a sitter in Battersea.

And Mr. McGill? Mm -hmm.

There's a car following us.

Perhaps two.

I know.

But there's already been one performance.

Now, I see no reason at all why the committee shouldn't meet tomorrow.

We're agreeable. I've said as much.

Even the Russians are cooperating.

The West Germans have got some technical quibble and your people are supporting

them. Well, all the evidence is in and assessed.

My report is ready to vote on it. What is all the delay?

It's only three days. You could rest.

Get a weekend in the country, do you good? That's not what I came here for.

There's nothing I can do, James. The committee meets on Monday. Well, as

chairman, I must insist that something be done.

Do I have no standing? I have spent two years on this project.

I realise that.

Who's behind this postponement? This isn't a plot.

It's par for the course.

You know that. Look at the countries involved.

He's very tired.

Get him away somewhere.

I've lost too many friends to coronaries on public service.

Bye, James.

Good night, my dear. Good night.

I'm sorry.

It's all right?

No, but I shouldn't have... It's more than just the committee, isn't it?

What do you mean?

I couldn't tell you.

You told McGill.

Well, I had to.

Who took these?

I don't know.

What do they want?

I don't know.

Oh, Father.

Not again.

I could have faced this matter at almost any other time in my life.

It's almost over now.

You've done all your committee work.

One vote on this report, and we'll go home.

Martha, I am not a child.

Don't offer me goodies.

Whatever I stop, you throw my stuff out and take over.

Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?

Yeah.

Give my love to your sister in Battersea.

All right, buddy. Now, what's going on?

Leave him alone, Mac.

Johnson!

It's unpatriotic to clobber a fellow countryman.

Well, it's an old American custom, mugging in parks. Just wanted to make

feel at home.

He'd like that.

How are you, Mac?

I'm okay.

Is he one of you?

No, he's not one of us. I'd like people to think he is.

Carl Gronowski.

West German.

Now naturalized American.

Back in harness for the fatherland.

I'm doing pretty well.

Until a minute ago.

Who are you working for?

The wife, the kids, Uncle Sam, as usual.

Come on, lad.

Let's go somewhere and talk.

About what?

Why you're working for Norbert.

I have a feeling you know.

Perhaps. If we do, we want to keep it exclusive.

You're no longer one of us.

Your days in this case are over.

Well, I suppose they authorized you to watch me. You might even give me an okay

to pick me up.

The question is, did they say it's okay to shoot?

Who? McGill. And I want you to meet me in the lobby of the Ritz. No, that's out

of the question.

It's necessary.

No, I tell you, it's just not possible.

It better be possible, Miss Norbert.

Now, the heat's on for me in three languages, and I want some answers from

father.

Nobody's after you.

And nobody will touch me if I'm with him or with you.

You've broken the law.

No, I haven't done anything. I don't have to. They call it detention for

questioning, and it's no way to grow old.

Now, you just be in the lobby of the Ritz in five minutes.

Be there.

Hi.

How you doing? It's good to see you again.

Aren't you overdoing it a little?

A little.

Come on, let's get out of here.

McGill. My old hound dog.

What do you expect? I told you he'd come.

Have a drink.

I'm sure there's only left.

Don't you dare patronize him.

Drunk or sober, he's done more than you'll ever know.

Including lying to me.

How often does he climb into the bottle? Now you keep a civil tongue in your

hand, McGill.

How often?

Manchester was the first time.

Well, this photograph wasn't taken in Manchester.

How many other times?

Twice before.

Once in Chicago and once in Toronto.

Over how long a period?

About three years.

What are they going to wait three years for?

Why would black makers wait three years?

Norbert, what do they want?

You are stupid, McGill.

It was a simple job, and you botched it.

They want money, of course.

No, they don't.

Listen, man, I've been bounced around from criminals to police to security

and I don't like it.

And I don't understand it.

Now, what else do you know that you're not telling me?

You're a small, seedy man, Miguel.

I have been drunk three times in three years, and you're standing there like

avenging angel?

Just because I didn't tell you? I'm trying to earn the money you're paying

Do you know what it's like to have to be right all the time?

A model of rectitude. A walking law book.

Never free of the front pages, cables, telephones.

Fourth generation of a family of legal saints who...

It dried up in the public service.

It just blew away.

Stick -like, devoted, desiccated men.

Do you?

No.

And I don't try to make laws for the whole world, either.

Have you no feelings at all?

None that bother me.

Except a lot of questions right now, and I'd like to know why those intelligence

people are so interested in you and me and a set of photographs.

Oh, they can't be. It's impossible.

The authorities never allow me to be investigated without my knowledge.

You better wake up, Judge.

No, I refuse to believe it. There is no security involvement.

How about it?

My father is telling the truth.

Your father is going to bed.

Oh, no, Father, don't.

I can't.

He's special.

He's human.

We all break sometimes.

I don't.

It's your life.

What are you doing?

Why are you burning that money?

Because it's traceable.

That's frame -up money. If I've ever seen it in my life, I can feel it.

When you're through protecting yourself, have you decided what to do about my

father?

Wait.

We have to wait, because whatever we do depends on the terms they lay down.

And we have to find out what they want for those photos.

So we wait.

You forgot to order breakfast.

Scrambled eggs, bacon.

Coffee, toast, and the times, please.

Hello?

No, I'm sorry, Dr. Norbert's not available.

Yes, he's here.

How did you know?

Yes.

I see.

Yes, yes, I'll tell him.

That was the exclusive photographic company of Manchester.

They want to meet you tomorrow morning at half past seven by the fountains in

Trafalgar Square.

What time is it now?

Half past twelve.

Seven hours.

Well, then we'll know.

Well, my dear McGill, this is a pleasure.

How did you get out?

Same way I'll get back with an escort.

Norbert's daughter.

Yes, she's rather attractive.

Pity about that father fixation.

I'll forgive the psychiatry, too.

Now, what's the pitch?

Well, how do I know that you'll take a swing at it?

Throw it and find out.

I can't buy you.

I can't frighten you.

So I'm forced to use you.

How come you're ordering intelligence agents around?

You're jumping to conclusions, McGill. They're watching you, not me.

Then why don't they pick me up? Perhaps our interests coincide.

Industry can sometimes take certain actions, which would be, to say the

impolitic for those in high office.

You really watch out for each other, don't you?

That's the beauty of it.

Don't count on it this time.

Norbert's rigid.

He'll break.

And this is what you tell him.

He is to suppress the conclusions and recommendations in his chairman's report

on space legislation.

He won't do that.

Then we'll publish the photographs.

He'll let you.

He's an idealist. If he has to choose between ideals and reputation, he'll

choose reputation.

There's a large empire up there, McGill.

Neither governments nor industry want its boundaries allotted just yet.

Now in ten years' time. Yeah, after everybody's already staked their claim.

Precisely. And when Norbert's given his committee some plausible excuse, such as

needing more time for study, then we'll return all the evidence of his tendency

to gaudy knife -outs.

Oh, what if I took this from you right now?

Oh, my dear McGill, even you aren't so optimistic as to think that possible.

He won't do it.

Yes, he will.

And you'll help persuade him.

You're holding 500 pounds directly traceable to me, and I reported the

last night.

The police will pick you up, and I'll see to it that you're convicted.

I'd burn that money.

Very good.

The pressure's off you, but it's still on Norbert.

Why do you think we recommended you in the first place?

You're a realist, McGill. You know what Norbert's got to do. Go and tell him.

You're both up against the machine.

No one beats the machine.

Not you.

Not me.

Not Norbert.

No one.

I'll never fathom these elaborate international committees.

Yesterday, nobody could possibly attend a meeting till Monday.

Today, everybody's clamouring for a meeting at 11 o 'clock this morning.

Why the sudden change?

Well, we are just important -looking puppets.

Our masters twitch the strings and we dance.

Tell James we'll have a round of golf tomorrow. That'll cheer him up. Yes, I

will. Goodbye, Fajard.

Goodbye.

Oh, thank you very much.

I brought you some coffee.

That's all right. I didn't drink.

Where's McGill?

They phoned last night.

He's gone to meet them.

Oh.

Well, I hope we can afford it.

If it's money.

Well, of course it's money.

All McGill's nonsense about a security man was just to increase his own fee,

make him look good.

Do you think so?

Oh, it must be.

Washington would have told me if there had been any security angle.

How did you get in? You didn't phone.

Well, they let me off my leash for a little while.

Well, who are they?

How much do they want?

They don't want money.

Well, then what do they want?

Quote.

Tell Norbert to suppress the conclusions and recommendations in his report on

space legislation.

What? That's right.

We don't want any boundaries allotted just yet.

Otherwise, we'll...

Publish the photographs, unquote.

But that's unthinkable.

I won't do it.

No, I am going to read that report to the committee on Monday.

Oh, Father, the meeting's been changed.

Sir Charles just came in and told me.

It's today at 11 o 'clock.

Look, no magazine would publish those photographs.

Well, I can name you three in Europe that would.

They'd just take a high moral tone and ask themselves if this man is fit to

frame laws for the future of mankind.

They wouldn't dare.

Oh, yes, yes, they would.

Fair comment on a matter of public interest.

But look, those conclusions are the most important part of that report. The

definitive legal framework for international jurisdiction in outer

Who did you see?

A man named Croft. Would you know him again?

Sure would. So we go to the police and tell them it's Croft. And what are you

going to use for evidence? His word against mine, my word against his?

Your father hired me because my word has very little value.

And you wouldn't give evidence.

That's all part of it.

You're working for them. You have been all along.

Yes, look at him.

For sale to the highest bidder.

All that garbage about security.

Washington wouldn't let me be made a victim of a thing like this. Not

Washington. One man. Two, maybe.

One telephone call, and I don't have to give you any reasons.

And the people doing all the work are too well trained to ask any questions,

no one else knows.

All very convincing.

Your old experience.

Oh, they picked the right man when they picked you.

You want me to help you out of this mess or not? You can't. I can if you cut out

the slop and listen.

Norbert, you're an idealist. You're supposed to be a leader. Don't you even

believe in your own slogans?

Don't you dare talk to him like that. Would you get off on my back?

What can I do?

You can go into that committee and stall, and you keep stalling until you

from me.

They'll publish the pictures. Not if I get them first. And why should he trust

you? Money, honey.

That's one good reason, because it's going to cost you $5 ,000 extra if I get

those pictures. Yeah, that I can believe. Great.

Now, what do you say?

Do you feel you can pick up the pieces?

I know I can. At this stage?

Only at this stage. Now I know where the pieces are.

Don't trust him.

What's he got to lose?

He'll fail and you're finished.

Outside Lancaster House, sir.

Whenever we get to Lancaster House, just pull up on the side.

Right. I'll show you.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Leave it a

minute.

You might be collecting autographs.

Father, it's easy for McGill. He's got nothing to lose.

He's at the bottom of the tree and you're at the top.

Well, my findings exist with or without McGill.

They could accomplish something important.

They could make a difference.

Not if you're discredited as an irresponsible drunk.

Do as they say.

What's one report?

It's not just one report. I am being asked to suppress the truth.

How can I?

Thank you, ma 'am.

Your car's here, Dr Norbert.

Curiosity. A vulgar desire to see the chambers of power.

I don't like lobbyists, Croft.

I'd rather you left.

Just as you wish, Sir Giles.

In a moment.

I think we'll take a turn through the park, Frederick.

And now let me put into words the tribute just offered to our

chairman and welcome him formally to this committee.

Now, sir, shall we turn to the agenda?

You must be a very bad poker fan, McGill. You never know when the cards

stacked against you.

Even if you took this, we have other copies.

Your lack of realism really rather surprises me.

We probably need some prayer. See to it, will you? There's a good man.

And you were the conquering hero my father was supposed to trust.

Will you give me a drink, please?

Half past two?

What happened?

He sold out.

You didn't read the report.

Liz was waiting for me.

They kept their word.

It's over. We can go home.

Then why don't you go pack?

Leave us alone for a little while.

I didn't have any choice.

Well, you had a choice between ideals and reputation, and you made it.

What do you know about ideals?

I have a lifetime of work and achievement and truth.

This is what you want me to destroy for one report?

Not just a report.

Yes, it is.

Just one report.

And I withdrew it.

I did what I was told.

What does it matter?

Perhaps, well, perhaps it's not even a good report.

How do I know?

Perhaps it's too theoretical.

Perhaps. Besides, you had a whole briefcase full of hard facts waiting for

didn't you?

How can you presume to judge a hired man sweeping up the dirt in other people's

lives?

I don't even know if the time is right for that report.

You may never know.

I'll come back in ten years, try again in ten years.

Yes.

Yes, that's right.

My name will still be good.

Nobody will know about this.

Except you.

When I went in that committee room, everybody stood up.

Not just for me, but for what I have accomplished, for the work.

Is that something that you want to destroy?

No, it's nothing to betray either.

Because of one isolated incident?

It's not worth it.

It doesn't matter.

McGill.

McGill, there are not going to be any copies, are there?

Everything's going to be all right now, isn't it?

Why not?

Send me a check.

I did the only thing I could do.

You can't blame me.

I don't blame anybody for anything.

He's Cliff.

There's no harsh feelings there.

I can shake on that, Johnson.