Original subtitles

NARRATOR: When Europe went to war to stop the most ambitious man on Earth,

who, in 1813, was Napoleon Bonaparte,

London was a little world

that needed house cleaning and airing out.

A well-mannered, profligate world of ballrooms and gaming tables.

Almost nobody cared for tomorrow.

But tomorrow is many things in a man's life.

Tomorrow is old age which can be nothing better than regrets.

And tomorrow is a man's family.

There were those in 1813...

who hoped for a cleaner,

a better world than theirs to raise their children.

Such a man was William Robinson.

A Swiss, maker of fine clocks and watches.

(CLOCKS TICKING)

(TICKING CONTINUES)

(PLAYING SOFT MUSIC ON MUSIC BOX)

-(PIANO PLAYING) -(SINGING) The first, he was a gamey lad

The next was a spinner of yarn

And the third, to be sure

-Was a little tailor -(LAUGHS)

With a broadcloth under his arm

With a broadcloth under his arm

And the third, to be sure, was a...

-THOREN: Good afternoon, Master Jack. -Afternoon, Thoren.

(SINGING CONTINUES IN THE BACKGROUND)

-Socrates and Fisticuffs arrived yet? -Not yet, sir.

Thoren, you're... you're a disgrace.

-Me, sir? -Yes, you, sir.

Your... your stock is not starched. I noticed the prince's man yesterday.

-See to it, my good fellow. -Very good, sir.

And the tailor went forth And he stole broadcloth

For to keep those three scamps warm

For to keep those three scamps warm

And the tailor went forth And he stole broadcloth

For to keep those three scamps warm

The miller...

Jack.

Darling.

Upon my soul, Mother, you're lovelier than ever.

(LAUGHS) Flatterer.

-What a perfect coat. -This?

Oh, just a rag my tailor threw together.

Invitations for your New Year's party, Mother?

Lady Carter.

I abhor the woman. Such a pious bore.

Oh, Jack, darling, I do hope you will be here.

Too stuffy for me, my sweet.

Anyhow, the little Lady Angela has first claim on me now.

So serious. At your age?

There's five million in the family's stocking, my duck.

The old duke can't last long, thank Heaven.

I shall lie about my age and marry the little love.

-(SNICKERS) Jack. -I mean it, Mother.

And if father doesn't interfere,

I shall do it quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

Hearts, boots, and beavers, Mother, think what I could do with five million.

You'll make a far handsomer Beau than Mr. Brummell.

-ERNEST: Hello, Thoren. -THOREN: (EXCITEDLY) Hello, Master Ernest!

-(LAUGHS) It's nice to see you home again. -(CHUCKLES)

Thoren, you... you can't guess what I'm giving you for Christmas.

Uh, m... might be a... a book?

Why, yes. The Dialogues of Plato. A very nice edition too.

And I do hope you won't crease the pages as you did in my Marcus Aurelius.

Oh, no, no, no. I won't do that, Ernest.

-Hello, Mother. -Ernest.

-(LAUGHS) -I took the coachman

to drive like anything, and, Mother...

Mother, the head says I'm certain for an Oxford scholarship someday.

-Oh. -Oh, hello, Beau.

-Hello, Socrates. -ERNEST: Where's ol' Fisticuffs?

Our soldier must be dallying.

-A petticoat, no doubt. -Oh, Jack.

Oh, it's all right, Mother, we've heard of petticoats at school.

Yes, I believe Socrates even mentions them in his diary.

Uh, don't you, my little man?

Oh. Oh, hello, Francis. I didn't see you there.

Hello, Turk. Hello, Rover, old boy, how are you?

-THOREN: Good afternoon, sir. -Good afternoon, Thoren.

-You have decided, sir? -Decided? I've done it.

Fancy. I've actually done it, Thoren.

-I could read it in your face, sir. -It will not be a popular decision.

I'm afraid not, since Master Jack intends to marry Lady Angela

and Master Fritz can't wait to become a soldier

and begin shooting at somebody.

Well, those two noble ambitions prove how right I am.

I've arranged a comfortable pension for you, Thoren.

Thank you, sir.

I shall be able to end my days

-back in Switzerland, then. -(CHUCKLES)

-Everyone home? -All but Master Fritz, sir.

-Tell me when he arrives. -Yes, sir.

(CLOCK CHIMES)

-THOREN: Welcome home, Master Fritz. -How do you do, Thoren?

-The coachman has my portmanteau. -Very good.

Well, well, jump to it, my man, or I shall take my boot to you.

Yes, sir. Oh, yes, sir. Oh, yes, sir.

Oh, you military men.

-Hello, Mother. -Fritz, darling.

-You're late. -Colonel called me in.

-He was very complimentary. -Yes, I can hear him.

(IMITATES THE COLONEL) Uh, my... my dear, Mr. Robinson...

with your natural instincts as a killer,

I... I promise a brilliant career for you in your chosen profession.

FRITZ: You know, if we were still living in Switzerland,

I should run away and join Napoleon.

Fritz, you would join Napoleon and not Lord Wellington?

Napoleon is the greatest genius of our age.

What luck for Wellington that we're living in England now.

Jack.

Rarely heard a more elevating conversation.

BOYS: Good afternoon, sir.

-Welcome home, boys. -BOYS: Thank you, sir.

Kiss me, my darling.

ELIZABETH: Good afternoon.

Ernest, I want those invitations in the post tonight.

That will not be necessary.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, my dear, but there'll be no New Year's party.

And your plans for the holidays must be given up.

-Oh, but William, why? -Just a moment, dear.

You lads have five pounds a month for pocket money.

And I have no doubt your mother gives you another five.

Hmm, a mere bagatelle to a gentleman of fashion, sir.

I had a shilling a month when I was your age,

-and I had to work for that. -But there's no need for our sons

to earn their living.

WILLIAM: Could they if they had to, I wonder?

What a fatiguing suggestion.

-These are modern times, Father. -WILLIAM: And none the better for that.

I've been thinking a great deal the last few months

about this world we live in. We call it civilized.

And yet men are using their energy to destroy one another.

Little man with an insane ambition has set out to conquer Europe.

It doesn't matter to him that a million young men

will be killed and maimed because of him.

And that man is a hero to one of my sons.

You can't deny that Napoleon is a great man, sir.

But I do deny it. Napoleon is a great militarist.

He was a great man.

But, William... what has all this to do with my party?

Here's the brocade for my New Year's gown.

-Isn't it lovely? -Yes.

And you would have looked lovely in it.

Bear with me, darling, I'm trying to explain myself.

Because of your schooling, I've seen very little of you lads

since we've lived in England.

And what I have seen, I don't particularly admire.

Every family sends one son into the army,

and, of course, Fritz would never really join Napoleon.

Jack will marry the Lady Angela and become a great figure in society.

And Ernest...

he will become a famous scholar.

One son whose profession is to kill.

He doesn't care on which side so long as he can kill.

Another who idolizes fops and wastrels,

and would be content to live in idleness on a woman's money.

And another who is rather a priggish little bookworm.

-(FRANCIS MOANS) -WILLIAM: And one who thinks profoundly,

I'm sure.

But he refuses to speak and tell us what he thinks.

William, that's not just. They're splendid boys.

WILLIAM: I have ventured to disagree.

I love my sons deeply, but I don't approve

-the standard by which they live. -Why, sir?

Because I believe a man should create, not destroy.

He should build. If it's only a roof to give him shelter.

A garden to give him food, and a loom to make his clothing.

Well...

on this Earth there are places where we can live such a life

in peace and honor God.

Where my sons can learn to be men.

William... what are you saying?

-That we're leaving for a new land. -But what's to become of Lady Angela?

And my future, sir?

-I sent in your resignation. -My resignation?

-Mother. -William...

I beg you to take time to reconsider.

I've struggled and prayed for months, as you know...

but now my mind's made up.

I've sold my factory and this house and we sail for the colonies on Monday.

You dare to decide our lives for us like this?

I'm doing it to save our family, my dear. Not to destroy it.

I do hope you'll understand that one day.

To think that one might be sipping tea with Lady Angela.

Or drinking champagne with one's regiment.

-It isn't easy to forgive Father... -(WATER SPLASHES)

My snuff box! You clumsy lout, I ought to have the captain flog you.

At least the flogging would break the monotony.

It's exactly like the one Beau Brummell carries,

I had it made especially.

Anything I can do for your comfort, my dear?

This awful boredom...

week after week.

We had to be obedient and come, William, but...

it's hard to forgive you.

So I've been given to understand by all of you.

(WIND WHISTLING)

-(COWS MOOING) -(DUCKS QUACKING)

(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)

(WIND WHISTLING LOUDER)

(SHOUTS) Bosun, pipe all hands on deck to take in sail.

Aye, aye, sir.

(WHISTLE SHRIEKS)

-(CLUCKING INCREASES) -(MOOING LOUDENS)

Mr. Robinson, get your family below decks at once,

and make everything fast in your cabin.

Bosun!

-(CRIES) Why did we have to come? -WILLIAM: Here. Elizabeth, please!

Oh, but, Father, I'm afraid it sounds like Hell.

Get up there, four of you, and flail at t'gallant sails!

Faster, you swine.

(WIND HOWLING)

-The waves are as big as mountains, sir. -Look!

Look, that wave, it's bigger than the ship!

-It'll dash us all to pieces, sir. -We're right in its path!

-(WIND HOWLING) -(WAVES CRASHING)

Courage, my dears. Courage.

(WIND HOWLS LOUDER)

(BELL TOLLS)

(WOOD CRACKING)

(BELL TOLLING CONTINUES)

-(WAVES CALM) -(WIND SLOWS DOWN)

An island. An island.

Look. Look, Father. Look! Everybody, an island! An island!

-Oh! -By God, it is an island!

-Let's go and get. -Come on, then.

Our prayer's been answered, my dear.

FRITZ: Oh, I wonder how far away it is.

Boy, if we could have just been wrecked on the island

instead of on this old reef.

-I hope she stays on the rocks. -I could swim a little way.

Marvelous. What would you do after that?

-Walk? -(LAUGHS) I see what you mean.

And Mother and the baby, they can't swim at all.

What about me? After seven strokes, I'm shark bait.

ERNEST: We used to paddle in the river in half barrels when we were children.

Ernest may have an idea there, sir. There are plenty of them down in the hull.

Fancy Mother paddling in a barrel.

We might be able to make a raft out of them.

A raft? Oh, what fun.

Hardly fun in that sea, but a raft is our only chance.

Fritz, get the guns and powder out of the ship's magazine.

-We may have to deal with savages. -All right, sir.

Ernest, help your mother get food. Jack, come with me.

(FLOORBOARDS CREAKING)

-Pity to waste all this. -I don't regret the salt pork.

Such vulgar food.

-(DUCKS QUACKING) -(COW MOOS)

Poor brutes. They're headed for a watery grave.

-Not if we can get them ashore. -Oh, how can we?

The barrels that will serve for us might serve for them as well.

Come on, lad. Let's see if we can untie them.

A cow herd. Have I come to this?

-Now, steady, old girl. Steady. -(COW MOOS)

Uh, pardon me, old boy. Yes.

Well, if you're a good boy, well, I'll... I'll save you. Now...

Just my luck to have to sit in the pork tub.

Perhaps you prefer my herring barrel.

ERNEST: Here's another keg, sir?

-Watch out, Father, don't fall. -Just a moment, lad.

(WOOD CREAKING)

Those things cannot go, my dear.

-But they're our clothes... -And my books, sir.

It will haul a little more than ourselves. Hurry.

You mean, we can't take any of our things?

Look, my dear, I can risk only the barest necessities.

-Oh, but William... -I know. I know.

It's my fault that we're here.

But now that we are, we'll have to make the best of it.

Mother. Mother, look what I've found. It was in the captain's cabin.

It's gold for the colonists. It's ours now by right of salvage, isn't it, sir?

Yes, but we can't take it ashore. I don't dare risk the weight.

-Not take it? -What can we leave in its place?

Our food? Plane for the animals? The axe? The saw? Gunpowder?

They may save our lives. Hurry.

You pretty thing. You can fly ashore.

I wish we could.

-Come on, Lady Godiva. -(PIG OINKING)

-This is life and death, my girl. -In you go, Lady Godiva.

(BRAYS)

-(MOOS) -(QUACKING)

-(MOOS) -(SQUEALS)

(GOATS BLEAT)

(FRANCIS CRIES)

(DISTANT DOGS BARKING)

(SHOUTS) Turk! Rover! Father, we forgot them. Please, turn back.

No!

Turk! Rover! Come on! Come on!

Jump, Turk! Jump, Rover!

Swim! Swim hard, Turk! Swim hard, Rover!

Swim! Swim!

(GOATS BLEATING)

(MOOS)

(MOOS)

(BRAYS)

William...

-look at that surf! -(WAVES CRASH LOUDLY)

-Our raft will never live through it, sir. -It must.

(QUAKING)

Father, Father, the ducks and geese, they're going that way.

There must be a reason. Let's follow them.

-(DUCKS AND GEESE QUACKING) -(BIRDS CHIRPING)

-Untie the animals. -Yes, sir.

(SWANS SQUAWKING)

(PARROTS CHIRPING)

Dear Father...

in the fullness of our hearts...

we thank you for your great mercy.

You who have delivered us through storms and tempest

into this new land...

we pray you, guide us now...

and give us courage to obey your will.

-Amen. -ALL: Amen.

Now, now, don't be frightened.

You behave yourself.

-You too. -(COW MOOS)

Make your mother's bed soft. Remember, she's very tired.

It's not all beer and skittles for us, sir.

Well... I'll reserve my sympathy for your mother.

WILLIAM: Darling, you must be exhausted.

I've done very little.

I'm afraid that bed will hardly give you the rest you need.

William, I don't expect to live in comfort here.

We have no choice. I realize that.

I'll do my part.

-I'll do whatever you ask. -Thank you, my dear.

Obedience is a virtue.

Though it sometimes lacks charm a little.

-What're we having for supper, Mother? -JACK: I wonder what it'll be.

I don't know, darling. Our food is all spoiled.

The biscuits are water-soaked and our meat is ruined.

-(GRUNTS) The island will have to feed us. -(FRANCIS LAUGHS)

WILLIAM: When in doubt, ask the elder statesman.

-He's telling us our food is in the sea. -FRANCIS: Ah.

-There. -Come on, Francis,

show me where the little crabs are.

Fritz, I think those are date palms. Climb up and see.

-Very well, sir. -Jack, get the hooks and lines

-and try for fish off the rocks. -Yes, sir.

-You can dig worms for bait. -Worms, sir?

Worms.

Mm-hmm.

Mother! Mother! Father! Father! Fritz!

Dad!

-Look what we found. -(FRANCIS CHUCKLES)

-(ALL CHUCKLE) -The elder statesmen

is riding on our soup.

-(FRANCIS CHUCKLES) -(ALL LAUGHING)

(CRICKETS CHIRPING)

Turtle soup, crab meat, fish and dates.

Well, the king himself couldn't dine better.

All these served on such elegant gold plates.

-I never knew that you could cook, sir. -Neither did I.

That makes five of us who are surprised with the way this dinner's turned out.

(ALL LAUGH)

For one moment, I thought we were dining in Berkeley Square.

When you have to wash these shells, Mother, you'll realize

how brutally far this is from dear old London.

-Wash them? -Jack will do the dishes.

-Me? Wash dishes? -Why not?

Well, I... I...

First, a cowherd, then a scullion. Where will it all end?

Your lilywhite hands in the water, Ladybird.

-Shall I stand guard over him, sir? -You'll help him.

Father, the chickens. Shall I give them some wild grain?

Uh, no, lad.

They must scratch for themselves as we shall.

That grain is our seed for the next year's harvest.

Next year?

Oh, but surely we'll be rescued long before that.

By gad, I should hope so. Lady Angela wouldn't wait that long.

Still, the little wench may be true to my memory.

We better face the facts, my dears.

That storm has blown us far out of the trade routes.

It's only by chance that a ship will come this way.

Oh, no!

We'll hope for rescue, and one day, we may reach the colonies.

But in the meantime, we must plan our lives

as though that day may never come.

Oh, but a ship might pass in the dark and never see us.

-William, we must light a signal fire. -Yes, yes, a signal fire.

Yes, yes, come on, a fire, that should certainly do it.

Why do you look like that?

Don't you want us to be rescued?

I only want one thing of life...

your happiness, and that those boys may grow up into wisdom and strength.

My happiness? Here?

And what can the boys learn in this barbaric spot?

They can learn to be men...

instead of idlers.

They've begun to learn already.

They've shown courage in the last few days.

Do you know, for the first time in my life, I'm proud of my sons.

William... I believe you deliberately keep us on this island.

We've been saved by a miracle.

Perhaps it's His will that we're here.

WILLIAM: A pillow of wildflowers for your lovely head.

You will not miss your perfume bottle tonight.

Good night, dear.

(SOFTLY) Close your eyes.

-William? -Yes, dear.

You will keep the signal fire burning?

Yes, I will.

Mother, if we all prayed for a ship, do you think one would come?

ELIZABETH: I doubt whether Father's prayer would be very ardent.

WILLIAM: We've explored the beach for miles.

There's not a sign of inhabitants, not even a footprint.

-I think we can risk a trip to the brig. -Oh, no, William, it's too dangerous.

-Well, the sea is calmer today. -JACK: Only near the shore, sir,

but out by the brig, look, it's still choppy.

-Well, we'll manage it. -Well, William, please.

All your comforts are there, my dear.

You'll feel less strange here with your household things about you.

-You'll bring the gold, Father? -If there's room, yes.

But... but it's a fortune.

Oddly here, lad.

Gold is a symbol of riches only where things can be bought.

Yes, but William, think what it'll mean to the boys when a ship does come.

Very well, my dear, I'll bring it if I can.

Fritz, you stay here and guard your mother.

Jack and Ernest will come with me.

-More blisters. -(ERNEST CHUCKLES)

They still give you brawn and sinew, lads.

It isn't merely muscle driving us, but the proper application of it.

There's a right way and a wrong way.

Keep your paddles deep.

When you take them out, lift them cleanly. Never drag them.

See what I mean, lads? We're making much more headway now.

(LAUGHS HEARTILY)

(ALL LAUGH)

Look sharp, lads. We're getting into rough water.

-Untie the rope. -ERNEST: Yes, sir.

-(WOOD CREAKING) -(WIND HOWLING)

Well...

we'll have to unload the raft, lads, and carry our load.

Hail them on shore so they'll know all is well.

(YODELING)

(YODELING)

Now then, let's get to work.

Now, let's see if we got everything. Nails, pulleys, carpenter's tools,

tobacco, Mother's clothes,

sugar, salt, sailor's sewing kit, ship's compass...

It sounds like it's breaking up, Father. We better cast off.

Not without your mother's spinet.

All right, Jack.

ERNEST: Careful, Father.

-Hurry, Father. -The gold.

-It's too late, sir. Don't risk it. -I promised.

-(BILGE CRASHES) -(WATER RUSHING)

Easy. Easy, lad. Steady. Steady, lad.

(WILLIAM GRUNTS)

Yeah.

-(WILLIAM GRUNTS) -(JACK GRUNTS)

-Don't drop it. -(JACK GRUNTS)

That will make your mother happy.

-Get ready. We're going to cast off now. -JACK: All right, sir.

WILLIAM: The spinet.

(CRIES) Father! Father!

-Jack! Jack! Here, quickly. Jack! Jack! -What's happened? What's happened?

-Where's Father? Oh! -Look, the tow, it pushed him under.

Quickly, Jack! Quickly!

Jack, this way.

We've got to cast off. The brig is gonna break up any minute.

-(WOOD CRACKING) -(SHIP THUDS)

Jack! Jack, look, the brig, it's sinking!

-Come on, Ernest, hurry up. Paddle! -(WAVES CRASHING HEAVILY)

I shouldn't have let them go.

I'm all right now, my dears. Now, don't worry.

It was the spinet, Mother. He got hurt saving it.

-Father... -No, now...

now don't...

Don't tell me, lads. (GRUNTS)

Well, I...

I've never had quite so much attention in all my life.

Now, stay there because I've just got to have a pen.

-There. This'll make a fine pen, Francis. -(DUCK QUACKS)

These berries will make grand ink.

(FRANCIS CHUCKLES)

-Father, Father, look, look. (CHUCKLES) -Wait!

-Don't shoot. -Why not?

Well, he's not doing us any harm.

Besides, you can't eat them.

And that's clear enough for me, sir. I wonder if he likes coconuts.

Try it.

Here, here, here, Henry.

-Come on, Henry. Nice, Henry. -Don't be afraid. He's not afraid of you.

-Why, he's tame as a house cat. -Here. Nice, Henry.

Smart little brat, he even knows the bird's name.

He looks like one of the boys at school, that's why.

Here. There's some more here, Henry. Nice, Henry. Come on.

You know I'm going to make you my very own pet. Come on.

You know, I'm your master. Come on.

(GEESE QUACKING)

This is better than I hoped for, darling. We found the paradise.

Really, it's a new world unspoiled by men.

Look, Mother. Cane for sugar and pomegranates.

-They actually drip from the trees. -Rich soil, right for tilling.

A spring brimming with clear sweet water and over beyond the lagoon,

the ship's stern and timber have floated in. We can make a home here.

Build a house?

No, darling. A home not a house.

-What's this knobby thing? -It's a calabash.

-Father says we can use them for bowls. -I see.

We seem to be getting nearer and nearer the savage state.

I hope we won't come to nose rings and loincloths, Mother.

No chance for that. Fritz, take down the tent.

-Very well, sir. -Jack, gather the animals.

-Yes. -Ernest... Er...

-Ernest! -Coming, Father. Coming.

Now, isn't this inspiring, my dear?

Yes.

Oh, Father, wouldn't it be fun to build a house in the trees?

-Like the one I had at home. -That's a grand idea, lad.

Even better than your barrel boat.

A tree house would be cooler in the summer and drier in the winter.

Oh, Father, we'll live in a tree. We'll live in a tree.

Oh, dear, it sounds as though we're going to stay here forever.

JACK: You're right, Mother. I may suggest so

with the same amount of lumber and work we could build a boat to escape in.

Oh, William.

Please. Look at the leg, just like giants.

I read about places like this, but...

-but just fancy being in one. -FRITZ: I say, Jack, did you believe me

when I told you about the size of these trees?

Oh, Mother, isn't this paradise, isn't it?

Oh, Turk, Rover, what fun we'll have! Oh, what fun!

-(HORN BLOWING) -WILLIAM: This altar cloth...

the symbol of peace and goodwill among men...

shall be our flag.

I claim this land...

for all those who wish to live in peace with their fellow men.

May strife be unknown here and may happiness reign always.

Oh, dear, I do wish I hadn't been so frightened

of going into the kitchen at home.

Oh, don't worry, Mother.

Cooking is just boiling water with things in it.

But, uh... I know it is but...

this water is supposed to taste like fish stew.

Shall I add the clams, Mother?

Clams, flying fish, and lobster, crabs, mussels, and oyster.

Cook used to be awfully particular about her seasoning.

Well, um, we have some wild ginger.

-ELIZABETH: Wild ginger? -Yes.

Oh.

Um... (CLEARS THROAT)

-And salt. -Oh, yes, salt. Of course, Mother.

And, um... um sugar.

Sugar?

-Oh, do you think so? In the fish? -Yes, I love sugar in everything.

Oh, well, perhaps. We'll put in some wild honey.

Oh, here.

Now, you stir it while I go and get the plates.

All right, Mother.

Here, Francis, taste this.

(GROANS, SPITS)

(NEIGHS)

For what we are about to receive...

-may we be truly thankful. Amen. -ALL: Amen.

Is it as bad as that?

Not at all, my dear.

That's, uh, splendid. Full of flavor.

(CRIES) I tried so hard.

Go right ahead. My dear.

Darling. Darling, don't be upset.

None of us are fairly expert yet.

I made a very bad raft and the boys are all fingers and thumbs

but don't let's worry.

Learning to do things will be a great adventure.

I hope so.

JACK: You're both gonna stop together this time whether you like it or not.

Now stop. Whoa!

Wow. That's handling them.

Drop your load over there and unhitch. We've got to get this thing up.

-(LAUGHS) -Come on now. This is no time to sit down.

-Get up. -(BRAYS LOUDLY)

Well, now, this is ridiculous. Get... Come on. (GRUNTS)

Oh, come on, now. Get up. This is... this is being foolish. Come on now.

Get up you... you silly idiot.

Well, then, gee or... or haw.

(SIGHS) Odd Petticoat, what language do you understand?

Now get up, you silly ass.

Make way for the flying swan.

ERNEST: Whoa, Henry! Whoa, that's a boy. Hello, slowpokes.

Well, we better get to work.

(CHUCKLES)

(HAMMER BANGS)

(CHUCKLES)

(BOTH LAUGH)

(LAUGHS)

(FRANCIS LAUGHING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

(GIGGLES)

Can't you say, "Thank you, Mother, for cooking a very nice dinner"?

-(FRANCIS COOS) -Is he never going to speak, sir?

Mm-hmm, one day when he finds something worth saying.

(MOANS)

Then, he won't be a chatterbox like you.

These clothes never were comfortable.

I always wonder how you managed to relax in them.

Mr. Brummell said it was a gift, sir.

You practically have to pour yourself... (CHUCKLES) ...into them.

You know...

I would have gone far as a gentleman of fashion.

We've all gone far...

from those days.

(SIGHS) I'm sorry.

It's the way we're dressed tonight.

I think Fritz might smoke his first pipe tonight

with your permission, darling, in honor of his new beard.

-(ALL LAUGH) -FRITZ: Thank you, sir.

I find my heart very full tonight. Here we are all safe together.

Really, we can live a splendid life here.

I see fields of grain and our flocks increasing.

-Our flocks will, sir, but what about us? -Hmm.

Well, you have plenty of time to think of marriage, lad.

Your beard hasn't grown at all yet, and his is hardly noticeable.

Fisticuffs, I take wine with you. May every bristle grow long and curly.

-(LAUGHS, COUGHS) -My lords and ladies, a toast.

-(ALL GROAN, LAUGH) -To the king.

God bless him.

-The king. -The king.

(EXHALES)

For the queen of our island.

God bless her.

Thank you, my dear.

May we have some music, Elizabeth? Something gay and jolly?

ALL: (SINGING) Coyly the lady blushes Sighs and turns her head

-Merrily ring the bells to love her so... -(PIANO SHRILLS)

Mother's New Year's dress.

Don't... don't cry, Mother. A ship will come...

someday.

(CHIRPING)

-(AXE CLUTTERS) -Well, my dear.

(CHUCKLES) A gentleman of fashion.

This is my last pair, except for my evening trousers.

I'm in the same state.

Seems a pity to sacrifice our dress clothes.

They must be kept for the day that we are rescued.

Rescued? So far, our signal fire has attracted only moths.

Well, the island will have to clothe as well as feed us.

There are plenty of antelope on the island, sir.

When I see my boys in animal skins, then I shall know that they are savages.

Fisticuffs, my good man.

Tomorrow you'll go out and shoot me a pair of, uh, britches.

(ALL LAUGH)

Here goes.

-(GRUNTS) It worked. -Ah, it worked.

WILLIAM: Look at your sons.

Your sons, William.

-They're growing more like you every day. -Thank you, my dear. Thank you.

Oh, William.

My sons were growing up

to make great places for themselves in the world.

Elizabeth, darling, we are much better off in this new world

than we could ever have been in that turbulent one we left.

You know...

I doubt that there's a family living anywhere today

that wouldn't gladly change places with us.

You can be happy here if you'll try.

Will you try?

I am trying.

Father, Father, Mother, Mother, look! Look! Henry's laid an egg.

-Come quickly. -Oh, William!

-Come on. Come quickly, Father. -(WILLIAM CHUCKLES)

Look, look, look.

-Oh, he's done it again. -(ELIZABETH AND ERNEST LAUGH)

(COOS)

-You almost ready? -Yes, let me just get this right here.

ERNEST: Look! Look! The house is on fire.

-My pipe, you young sneak. -Look here, you won't give me away?

-You'll wash tonight's dishes, then. -And... and clean the pigsty.

-Oh, this is blackmail, you know. -You little milksop.

-You aren't old enough to smoke. -Here, have you noticed this?

Well, well.

-Ouch. -Here, my lad. Press them in your diary.

-Why, I'll show you! -Jack, get a grip, please.

Stop. Don't fight. Don't.

Huh, you think you're the only that can grow up?

You and your... and your whiskers and your... and your pipe.

Oh, Fritz was just trying to be funny. Weren't you, Fritz?

Of course I was. I thought Ladybird had a sense of humor.

They're gone.

All three of them.

I'm sorry, Ladybird.

I didn't know they meant so much to you.

Yeah, well, I hope the roots are still there. That's all.

FRITZ: I... Ow! (GROANS)

-(RAIN POURING HEAVILY) -(WIND WHISTLING)

(SPEAKS IN FRENCH)

-(FLUTE TOOTS) -(FRANZ MUMBLES)

ELIZABETH: Now translate it.

"By the light of the moon..."

Oh, Mother, what good will all this do?

(RAIN PATTERING)

Oh, this rain! It begins and stops the same time every day, doesn't it?

And then starts all over again.

Well, the rain's almost stopped.

Really? We sit here day after day

preparing for another summer, another year.

If only you build a boat, at least start one,

then we'd have something to look forward to, to hope for.

Darling, it would take a year to build a boat we could trust.

-And when it was built, who'd sail it? -You could do it, sir.

I'm only a landsman, lad.

We could learn to sail before we left the island, sir.

And we have the ship's compass.

And what land would you set out for, Fritz?

What about that island we saw a week before we were wrecked, sir?

The captain's charts went down with the ship.

How could I set a course?

Then, we go on like this.

Until a ship comes.

(WOOD CLATTERS)

The trap. I hope it's another wild boar.

-(FRANCIS CRYING) -ELIZABETH: It's Francis.

(SOBBING) Get him down. Get him down.

(FRANCIS CRYING)

-Oh, poor little fella's just frightened. -(CRIES) He might have been killed.

(FRANCIS CRYING)

I'm sorry, Father.

-(ELIZABETH SOBS) -(FRANZ WHIMPERS)

Elizabeth...

is it quite fair to blame me?

You are to blame.

Need you be so bitter about it?

How can I help it...

when you've taken from me all the life I ever had.

All your life?

William...

I loved you deeply once.

-Once? -You were so gentle and understanding.

But when we left Switzerland and came to England, you changed.

Elizabeth...

Are you telling me your love for me is gone?

Well, what can you expect?

Oh, William, you can't have wanted my love very much

or else you were stupid.

You must have known what it would do to me

to take me away from my home.

No, I didn't know.

But that's no defense.

I thought I'd find a better life for all of us here.

I didn't know or I'd never have come.

Because...

though I love my sons deeply...

I've always loved you...

so much more.

Suspect it's the boat again.

Father's probably refused to build it.

We...

we ought to talk to him, seriously.

-Make a stand. -Uh-huh.

-You do it, Jack. You're better at words. -Oh, no. No, you. You're the eldest.

We thought that...

well...

well, we thought that we...

that we ought to speak to you, sir.

Yes?

-You tell him. -No, no.

I'm not gonna tell him about the boat.

This timber will make a good keel.

(ELIZABETH HUMMING)

Over the hills and far away There's sounds of beat of drum

-(CONTINUES HUMMING) -(PANTING)

Over the hills and far away There's sounds of beat of drum

Oh, ra-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta, ta-tat See here the soldiers come

The sabers are flashing in the sun And silver trumpets blow

It's... it's nice to hear Mother singing again, isn't it?

Yes.

She... she used to be so gay at home.

Well...

she'll be gay again...

when the boat's done and she can leave the island.

(WIND ROARING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(RAIN POURING HEAVILY)

WILLIAM: (SHOUTING) Get the tools into the shed!

-(DUCKS AND GEESE QUACKING) -(SHEEP BLEATING)

(FRANCIS CRYING)

Hurry, get into the house!

(TURK AND ROVER BARKING)

-(FRANCIS CONTINUES CRYING) -(BAMBOO RATTLES)

(FRANCIS CRYING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(FRANCIS CRYING)

(WIND HOWLING)

(WOOD SPLINTERS)

(THUDS)

(FRANCIS CRYING)

Don't be frightened, Mother!

(WOOD SPLINTERS, CREAKS)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Oh, I can't stand it! Please let me go, I can't stand it!

Curse you and your beautiful island! Curse you!

-We might all of us have been killed. -Shut up.

I'm glad of what's happened, do you understand? I'm glad of it.

I dare to believe it was God's will that we were cast away on this island.

I believed my sons would grow to be men here. But I listened to you

and for a little while, you were too strong for me.

You persuaded me to build that boat.

Now do you see what's happened? God's lightning has destroyed it!

Well, I was right. I'll never be tempted or weakened again.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Well, we start all over again, lads, with less than we had before.

Perhaps we had too much in the beginning and our toil wasn't great enough.

The Lord's good to us, we have a male and a female out of each flock.

They'll increase and multiply and we'll build again.

You ready to go to work?

-Yes. -Yes, sir.

(KID BLEATS)

Look at Mother.

And I once thought that a woman had to be idle, in order to be beautiful.

Lady Angela, for instance?

Lady Angela?

Name sounds vaguely familiar.

Lady Angela...

Lady...

-(WATER PATTERING) -You know, I...

-(FRITZ LAUGHS) -Why, you!

ERNEST: That's a beauty, Francis. I must catch it to complete my collection.

Oh, come along, Francis, we can catch it now.

Spider. spider.

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

-Pider. P... (MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY) -Don't. Don't, Francis.

I must be very careful not to hurt his wings.

-Pi... -Stop it, Francis. I must get this one.

-(MUMBLES) -This one seemed lovely. I must have it.

(GROANS) Ow! (SHRIEKS)

That... that hurt.

(THUDS)

(BABBLES)

(BABBLING CONTINUES)

(BABBLES)

(GROANS)

(GROANS)

Fellow expert you've become, my dear.

Buckskin isn't easy to wash.

Hmm...

Oh, they're still soft and beautiful.

-Da. -Aw. What is it, Son?

(BABBLES)

William, he's trying to tell us something.

I believe he is. What is it, Son? Tell father.

(BABBLES)

-Francis, tell us what it is. -(BABBLES)

-What is it? What is it, lad? What is it? -(BABBLES)

-ELIZABETH: What happened to him? -He's been bitten.

Give me a knife, quickly!

Get some hot water ready.

He was always such a... such a good little fella.

Fever's still high.

I was too late to draw out all the poison.

I'll get another.

How is he, Father?

More hot water. He needs another poultice.

Let me, Father.

He could never have been struck down like this in England.

Accidents can happen anywhere, sir.

But I brought you here.

-Here, Father. -Hmm?

Oh.

I can't bear to see him so...

so broken.

I wish we'd been more decent.

I never knew how much I loved him till this happened.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

-His pulse is getting weaker. -The crisis is near, I think.

(BREATHES PAINFULLY)

Father...

how have I sinned?

He's... Darling.

(SOBS)

(CRIES)

(CONTINUES CRYING)

The fever's broken.

He'll live.

-(BIRDS CHIRPING) -(GEESE QUACKING)

Jack! Jack, look! Look, Jack! A ship.

Look at the ship! Look! Look at the ship!

-Look at the ship! Look at the ship! -A ship, a ship, a ship! (EXCLAIMS)

No, no. Come back, come back, we gotta tell them to stop.

Oh, hurry, Jack. Hurry!

Hurry.

Paddle, Jack! Paddle!

Shoo!

JACK: Father, Mother, an English ship in Deliverance Bay.

-A ship? -Yes, a ship! A ship!

-William. -A ship. Come, father.

They were blown off their course. Aren't we lucky, sir?

Napoleon's been defeated, sir. Europe's at peace now.

That ought to be a better world to live in.

William! William, we are saved.

Well, it had to come.

I always knew it would come one day.

-Seems a pity to leave all this. -Father, must we go?

Well, you lads are men now.

There are marriages to be thought of, and careers.

Your mother and I have always expected great things of you.

Well, now you're ready to accomplish them.

As for your mother...

she's far more lovely than when we were cast away.

The drawing rooms of London will again be at her feet.

William...

are you telling us that you are going to stay?

-Yes. -I want to stay too, sir.

I can, can't I?

You want me to go?

Hasn't that always been your wish?

You'll want to take the spinet with you?

You can be so brave about letting me go.

Brave?

-Elizabeth... -You thought I could bear to leave you?

All my life is with you.

My darling.

JACK: I hate to think of wearing clothes like these again.

Gad, they're uncomfortable after the buckskins.

WILLIAM: And try not to grieve, lads.

Of course it's only right that you should go.

But it means the breaking up of the family.

And we've been so... so close.

I know, but that's the way of families, lad.

Someday you'll come back with your wives and children and visit us.

Will a wife come for me, and... and one for Francis someday?

(ALL CHUCKLE)

Yes.

Now that the island's been discovered, other colonists will come.

Better hurry.

-ELIZABETH: Fritz. -FRITZ: I love you, Mother.

ELIZABETH: Jack.

FRITZ: Bye, sir.

-Goodbye, Ernest. -Bye, Fritz.

You've done your work well, William.

They'll never forget.