Original subtitles

(elegant orchestral theme music)

- Ha, what's that for, Rose?

Who's got the gripe?

- If you must know, it's for Mr. Bellamy.

(laughing)

- Don't tell Mrs. Bridges.

- Don't tell me what.

What are you doing here, my girl?

Come on, what is it?

- Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Bridges.

It's just Rose.

She's got some medicine for Mr. Bellamy.

He was after your special French cuisinery tonight.

- I only did it to cheer him up.

And it's not my cooking that's upset him!

It's all his worries and upheavals.

- Well, he must be getting over that by now surely.

- Be quiet, Edward.

What do you know about suffering?

- Nothing, Mrs. Bridges.

(hooves clopping in the distance)

(hooves clopping more loudly)

- Are you sure you wouldn't like to see a doctor, sir?

- Oh, no, it's nothing, really.

Thank you, Rose.

Erm, Rose,

- Yes sir?

- I've been meaning to say for some time

thank you for your support and loyalty

over these past months.

It's easy to forget or take for granted people,

to assume quite wrongly that only one's self is affected.

That other people close don't feel just as deeply.

- You must still miss her very much, sir.

- Yes.

(sighing)

(breathing heavily)

(knocking on glass)

- There we are, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh, thank you, Edward.

Oh, Mr. Hudson, I've been reading about health today.

It said it all depended on pure air.

- That's right.

It' does, Edward.

One's very life depends on the blood

gaining fresh oxygen and getting rid

of stale carbolic acid unceasingly.

- Rose, aren't you coming to have your cocoa?

It's cold.

- No offense, Mrs. Bridges.

I don't feel like any tonight.

- Oh yes, here it is.

It says that the dust in the air

and the smells from drains

give rise to pestilential disorders.

-[Hudson] That is also correct, Edward.

- What's the matter with that girl?

- Who Rose?

Oh, I just think she feels sad.

- Well, she'll have to take herself in hand, won't she?

-[Edward] I mean what chance have we got

stuck down in the kitchen all day?

There's not much pure air around down here, Mr. Hudson.

(mumbling from other room)

(clanking)

- Don't scream.

Rose, please don't scream.

It's only me, Alfred.

You remember me.

I used to be a footman here a few years ago.

A footman, remember?

- Alfred.

(gasping)

- I wouldn't ask you.

I mean I wouldn't ask you if

- Oh, god, it's Tourette's syndrome.

- Don't get like that.

It's just I thought it would have gone better.

Don't tell him, not him.

I need help.

- What sort of help?

- I can't tell you.

Can I come inside?

I'm freezing.

- But they're all in there.

- When they've gone to bed.

- What were you doing outside, Rose?

- Oh, I thought I heard something, Mr. Hudson.

- What did you hear?

- A noise, a cat, nothing.

- Oh, you want to be careful, my girl,

poking your nose out at this time of night.

There's a lot of ruffians and scoundrels

on the streets.

Better call me in the future.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Oh, I'm off to bed, Mr. Hudson.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Mrs. Bridges.

- Goodnight, Rose.

- Goodnight, Mrs. Bridges.

-[Edward] Goodnight, all.

(mumbling in hall)

- Are you not going to your bed, Rose?

- I've got to finish that first, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, don't be too long about it.

You've been looking a wee bit tired lately.

See that all the windows and doors are well snacked

and put the lights out after you.

Goodnight, Rose.

- Goodnight, Mr. Hudson.

(clicks)

(shuffling)

(creaking quietly)

(unlatching cautiously)

I must be daft doing this.

Go on.

Get in there.

And keep quiet.

Oh, you're soaking wet.

Get by the fire.

Take your things off.

Go on.

Don't stand staring.

You'll get pneumonia.

I'll get you a blanket.

(guzzling)

(sputtering)

- Will you be requiring anything else, sir?

- No, thank you, Hudson.

- And the colleague?

- No, no, that's gone, quite gone.

Mrs. Bridges' partridges were quite delicious

but just a little rich for my stomach at the moment.

- Yes, I thought they might be, sir.

I should have mentioned.

- No, it was a kind thought.

Does she know?

- I'm not sure, sir.

- Well, best not to tell her.

- Might I just have a word with you, sir?

It's about my wages.

You may recall that the female servants

received an increase in wages last year, sir,

and I think that you and the Ladyship

intended to make a small increment to my own wages

and to Edward's this year.

In view of the circumstances,

I hadn't liked to ask, but

- Yes, Hudson, I do understand,

but since Captain James and Mrs. Bellamy have taken

over the running of the house now.

I think you may have to make your request to them

when they return from their honeymoon.

- Yes, of course, sir.

- But I must warn you.

They may well feel the need to economize.

In view of the rising costs.

- Yes, I see, sir.

I'm sorry to have raised the matter.

- No, no, no, Hudson.

You were quite within your rights.

- I understand the position.

Thank you.

Goodnight, sir.

- Goodnight, Hudson.

- The Titanic?

-[Rose] Didn't you read about it in the papers?

- No,

not that she was on it.

How is Captain James?

- Oh, married just last month.

He's gonna live here in the house.

Of course, he's on honeymoon at the moment.

In Paris.

- Ms. Elizabeth?

- She lives in New York now, married.

- Why didn't you go with her?

- I wasn't asked.

- A lot of changes then.

- Yeah, but not everything changes.

- Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Bridges,

Rose.

- What about you?

What have you been doing all these years, eh?

- I went to Germany.

As valet to Baron von Rimmer, you remember.

Bad life really.

Lost in the mountains, beautiful scenery.

- How did you get on?

You can't get speak German.

- I learned it.

Quick ear for language.

Well, enough to get by on.

I would have stayed, only

- Only what?

- Baron got married.

He did, Rose.

To a beautiful princess,

ugly cow didn't like me.

Stinking.

The princess made some changes in the household.

Got rid of me, didn't she.

I wasn't required.

Like you and Ms. Elizabeth.

Of course, the Baron was sorry to see me go,

but she got him.

It was all very friendly.

Very civil, polite.

(speaking foreign language)

Fare paid on,

position arranged with a gentleman,

friend of the Baron.

- English?

- Lithuanian.

(muttering and crying)

- Don't, Alfred.

Don't cry.

It's alright.

- It hurts me nerves.

(sobbing)

You won't give me away, will you?

- Of course, I won't give you away.

Why should I?

- It's not a crime, is it?

- What's not a crime?

- Falling in love.

- You've fallen in love?

Who with?

- It should have been you, Rose.

- Don't be daft.

- It should have been.

I would have been happy with you I know it.

- Alfred, was it a man?

- I'm past all that now.

It was only just mania or something.

It's girls for now, Rose, girls.

Alive, bodiced, silken hair.

- Yeah, well, nevermind all that.

- Who was it with?

- The niece.

- The niece?

Oh, the Lithuanian's niece.

- Arabella.

Came to stay from Herrefordshire.

A vision of loveliness.

It was mutual.

Of course, we had to keep it a secret from him,

didn't we, that crusty old bachelor.

We used to write poetry for each other.

Leave it in flower vases.

(laughing)

What's the matter, Rose?

Are you mocking me?

- Of course I'm not, Alfred.

Go on, tell it.

- He found out, didn't he?

Found one of our letters.

- In the flower vase?

- Of course.

Where else?

- Sorry.

- It was a hobby of his, flower arranging.

Took it up after his wife died.

- I thought you said he was a bachelor.

- He was.

After she died.

- No, he wasn't.

He was a widower.

- Haven't got a woman,

that's what I meant, clever.

So well as don't you believe me, Rose?

- Oh, I do want to, Alfred.

- I'll prove it to you.

I'll prove it to you, doubting Thomas.

She gave me this,

and I swore it'd never leave my neck

'til the day I died.

- Oh yes, it's lovely.

Now put it back on.

That's bad luck.

- I need a thread.

- Give it here.

What happened next?

After he found the poetry in the flower vase?

- Sent me out.

Sent her back to Herefordshire.

- When was that?

- He was jealous, jealous, you see.

Jealous of her.

Promises made to her mother, something.

Make a good marriage.

But the valet,

I wasn't good enough.

I was dirt, vile,

filth, putrid, putrifying excrement.

- When did this happen?

- Two days, two days ago.

- Two days ago, and you've been moving out about

in this weather ever since?

You have no friends to go to?

- I had friends, but they were employed

by his friends.

I was exiled,

banished all for the love of that girl.

I was desperate.

I didn't notice the cold.

Wandering around, trying to think of what to do.

I thought of you, Rose.

- Me, why me?

- A friendly face

spanning the years.

Angel of Mercy.

- Yeah, what am I going to do with it now, eh?

(laughing)

- Somewhere

isn't there somewhere

back room or something,

just a night's rest for the weary traveler.

- Well, there's a small storeroom

where the coal hole is.

Old couch in there.

- Sounds cozy.

- Alright, then, come on.

Fetch your togs with ya.

(clock ticking)

- What do you want?

- Rose.

I've got an awful belly ache, Rose.

You've got any of that medicine?

Mrs. Bridges must have poisoned me.

- It's in there.

- In here?

Don't push.

What's going on, Rose?

Hey, you've got someone down here,

haven't you?

You're a sly one.

Who is it?

A cavalry officer, eh?

- Yes, that's right.

Swallow.

Hey, have you still got that old coat of yours,

the gray one, what you had before

Mr. Hudson went to summer and you got given a new one.

- Yeah, it's in the cupboard in the hall.

- Can I have it?

Only an old tramp came around this morning freezing.

- He's here now, isn't he?

Come on, I won't say nothing to Mr. Hudson.

Where is he? - Go get it.

- What now?

- Yes, now.

- Rose, that's my coat.

- Go and get it.

(clattering)

(rinsing quietly)

If you're still feeling so sick,

why don't you get back to bed?

- Goodnight, Rose.

(clicks)

(creaking)

- Alfred?

(stumbling)

(sighs)

- You, wretch,

you scared me.

- Just testing how well that nook would be.

- Mind, you've got to be gone first thing

in the morning.

- Alright, Rose, I promise.

- Oh, I did have some terrible belly aches last night, Rudy.

Did you? - No.

- Why was it just me then

that's not fair.

- You and Mr. Bellamy.

(laughing)

- Oh yeah, I forgot about him.

Good morning, Rose.

- Good morning, Edward.

- Sweet dreams, eh?

- Yes, thank you, Edward.

- All about the cavalry officers and everything?

- Why should she dream of cavalry officers?

- Rose knows, don't you Rose.

-[Rose] Rose knows, don't you Rose.

- That girl worries me.

It's time somebody had a talk with her.

- Rose, what do you want with that?

Can you not wait for your breakfast?

- Oh, that.

No, it's not for me, Mr. Hudson.

It's for a pigeon.

- A pigeon?

- I've been feeding it.

I think it's hurt its wings.

- It's not inside the house, I hope.

- Oh no, it's out on the back on a window ledge

in a box.

- A box?

- Hat box.

- Well, that's fresh bread you're feeding it.

That's very extravagant.

These are difficult times.

Here, give that to me.

- Oh, Mr. Hudson.

- Take this.

- Oh, it's a bit moldy.

- Now away you go.

You're far too sentimental, Rose.

That's quite good enough for a pigeon.

There are human beings in need of this.

(snoring)

(groaning)

- Alfred.

- Keep away from me.

Keep away from me, you bastard.

I'll smash your house!

I'll smash you, I'll!

- Alfred, it's me Rose, it's me.

(sobbing quietly)

- Do you think Rose is under the weather, Mr. Hudson?

Mrs. Bridges thinks she is.

- We are none of us in the best of spirits,

except possibly you, Edward.

The events have weighed heavily on us

for some time now.

- They weigh heavily on me as well, Mr. Hudson.

- Yes, well, hurry up and take that tray to the master.

Look sharp now.

- Mr. Hudson, I think you ought to have a word

to Rose.

I would do it meself,

but sometimes these things come better from a man.

There's something troubling her,

I'm sure of it.

(spitting)

- She's trying to kill me.

- It's Mr. Hudson.

I had to say you was a pigeon.

(imitating pigeon)

(laughing)

Listen, you get your clothes on fast,

and I'll see if the coast is clear.

(gasping)

(whispering)

- So this is where you keep your pigeon, Rose?

I thought you told me that you

Who is this?

- It's Alfred, Mr. Hudson.

You remember Alfred?

He used to work as footman.

- Alfred?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson, you remember me.

- What the Dickens are you doing here?

- He just dropped in last night.

Please, don't be angry.

He's lost his job, had no place to go.

- He stayed here all night?

- I said he could.

He was soaking wet.

- Don't blame Rose.

- You hold your tongue.

You have done wrong, Rose.

You should never have let a stranger in here

late at night.

- Oh, but you see, he isn't a stranger.

He's one of us or used to be.

That's why

- I know what he used to be, Rose.

And I know my duty.

- Please don't tell Mr. Bellamy, Mr. Hudson.

Don't give him away, please.

(elegant orchestral theme music)

- My dear fellow,

A glass of Madeira?

- Might it be a glass of milk?

I've been having a bit of bother.

- Certainly, Hudson.

Geoffrey,

- Thank you.

- I thought I'd move myself in here now,

make a bit more room for James and Hazel.

- Yes, I see.

I take it this is not altogether a social visit.

- Not altogether, no.

- What's on your mind?

- Money's on my mind, quite simply.

I've been doing my sums,

and I find that although James has taken over

the bulk of the running costs of this house,

I can't make ends meet.

My Parliamentary salary is 400 pounds a year.

Of course, that goes nowhere.

I have to contribute my share,

the cost of clothing is up,

club subscriptions, cab fares, everything.

I'm overdrawn at the bank,

and I need your advice.

- On how to increase your personal income?

- Yes, that is the immediate concern.

The law is agreed that the children would inherit

from their mother, of course,

but that was assuming that I would be old

when Marjorie died or dead myself.

We never envisaged.

- Quite.

Thank you.

- My only tangible asset is the lease of this house,

but of course, that brings in no money at all.

- Correct.

Is this goat's milk?

- I don't think so.

- What about your writing?

You had a considerable success.

- Biographies of dead politicians?

There's no money in that,

and you know it.

I shall continue writing

because I enjoy it.

It's no solution to my problem.

unless I turn to hack political journalism,

you aren't suggesting that are you?

- No, no, I quite appreciate your distaste

for that sort of thing.

But there are some reasonable outlets,

and in your position

- You are saying beggars can't be choosers.

Quite frankly, if I may speak frankly,

- Oh, please do.

- I'm in this position largely through your handling

of Marjorie's affairs.

- I don't quite follow.

- But I'm not blaming you necessarily.

None of us could have foreseen what would happen,

but you must admit I've been left in a devilish mess

by her death.

- Financially speaking.

- In all ways, dammit.

But particularly financially.

I am asking you to retrieve something for me,

but I get the impression

that you're sitting there complacently,

twiddling your thumbs.

- I find this quite extraordinary, Richard.

I've served the interests of this family

- The Southwold family.

You served the Southwold interests nobly,

but I am not a Southwold,

and there is a division. - Nonsense.

- A division between me and Marjorie

and between me and my children.

In your mind,

when it came to the pinch,

you put their interests before mine.

- Well, quite clearly the events of the past year

have effected your reasoning, Richard.

There's no question

- Alright, I'm not disputing it.

I'm simply asking you to involve yourself

with my dilemma and not stand aloof from it.

Advise and help me, that's all.

- Well, of course, there is one way

of raising small capital for you.

Might have crossed your mind.

- What's that?

- Well, if James and his wife are going to live

in this house now and in the future,

you could sell him the lease.

It's yours and still.

- As my son's lodger.

- I'm quite sure neither of you would see it in that light.

- Yes, Geoffrey, but even so,

- It would seem to be the immediate solution

to your problem.

- I take a very serious view of this ruse.

This young man brought shame and disgrace on this house.

It took a long time to recover from.

I'd sooner have 40 thieves in here

than see him back.

- What'd he do, what'd he do?

- Be quiet, Edward.

- Was it something serious?

- I always thought you was a forgiving man, Mr. Hudson.

- I am Rose, but there are some things

that can never be excused.

Thank you, Edward.

- Might I say a word?

- No, you may not.

- Don't worry, Alfred,

you won't be allowed a fair hearing,

not in this house.

- Rose.

- Well, you don't think he could be here for a reason.

He might be in trouble through no fault of his own.

Just kick him out in the freezing cold,

no money, no place to go.

All because we've judged him on his past.

Well, a man can change, can't he,

and one thing we've always done

is look after our own.

Remember Sarah?

Captain James and Ms. Lizzy found her starving

in White Chapel,

and they brought her back here.

Well, if they can show some decent Christian humanity,

why can't we?

- Alright, Rose, that's quite enough from you.

- Well, at least let him tell his story.

- I think he should be allowed to, Mr. Hudson.

- Very well, Alfred, go on.

- Go on, tell him.

- Tell him what, Rose?

- About falling in love and that.

- Falling in love?

Him, who with?

- The niece of my employer

that came to stay with him.

- From Herefordshire.

-[Edward] What was her name?

- Arabella.

- Arabella?

That's a cow's name,

a Herefordshire cow.

(laughing)

- Are they laughing at me, Rose?

- No, they're not going to laugh at you.

Go on, Alfred.

- What was she like?

- Be quiet, Ruby.

- What was she like, Alfred?

- She was like Rose,

kind and pretty.

- I don't think this is getting us anywhere.

Anyway, it's nearly dinner time.

Edward, go lay the table.

You, too, Ruby.

Look sharp now.

- Go on, Alfred,

tell them all about writing poetry

and hiding it in the flower vases.

- Flower vases?

- Yes, and then her uncle,

his Lithuanian an employer, found it,

and mad with fury, flung Alfred out.

Because he had promised her mother

he would find her a husband,

but not poor Alfred.

And that's why Alfred's here.

Isn't it, Alfred?

- It's a very fine story, Rose,

but how do we know it's true?

- Because

don't you believe in nothing?

- You believe too much, Rose,

more than is good for you.

- Alright then,

look at this.

She gave him this,

and when she placed it around his throat,

she made him swear

that he would never take it off,

not as long as he lived.

- He could have stolen that from anywhere.

- That's not true, Mr. Hudson.

I may have been many things,

but I've never been a thief.

- Look, I'm not putting up with any more of this.

Has it ever occurred to you, Rose,

there could be another whole sinister side

to this whole business,

that he has been gulling you

with his cock-and-bull love story

simply in order to get his foot inside this house again.

- But why should he want to do that, Mr. Hudson?

- I'll tell you why, Mrs. Bridges,

and anyone else who cares to listen.

Because there are certain people

who want to do mischief to this great country

and his former employer,

the celebrated Baron von Rimmer

was proved to be one of them.

- Oh my God.

A spy, you mean?

- That is correct,

And now he has the effrontery

to send his servant,

a creature of loathsome, perverted habits

to seek reemployment.

- Dammit!

- You've got foreigners on the brain, Mr. Hudson,

and you always have had.

I can remember when you thought

the whole German army landed,

and they was all working on the south coast

as waiters and hairdressers.

You said one day they'd rise up and slaughter us

in our beds.

They haven't, have they?

Still here, aren't we?

- Now, Rose, you've gone too far.

- Well, I may not be clever,

but at least I know real people,

and I don't just have to go on what I read

in books and newspapers neither.

Don't you worry because no one's going to harm you.

- Perhaps Alfred or Rose speaking for him

will kindly tell us the name of his former employer,

this Lithuanian, so we can verify

his touching story.

- No, no, I can't.

- I thought not.

- Why can't you?

- He doesn't exist.

- He does, I can't for Arabella's sake.

I promised.

- It would do no harm to tell us.

- I promised I wouldn't tell anybody.

- He's got to keep his promise, Mr. Hudson.

- I suggest your last employer was a German

living in this country.

- No, he wasn't.

- Wasn't?

- Isn't a German.

I told you he's a Lithuanian gentleman.

It's not even a German name,

Zabadoff.

- Zabadoff?

- No!

- Leave him alone.

(sobbing)

- Well, what would you do with him, Mrs. Bridges?

- Well, he's been a bad boy,

but let him stay 'til dinner.

That can't do no harm.

And then we'll think about it, shall we?

- Very well, for dinner only.

But after that, out.

(clattering)

- Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

You always were very considerate towards me,

very understanding.

- Was I, Alfred?

I suppose I was.

- Come on, Alfred.

- Yes, Rose, coming.

- Rose, come here a minute.

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges?

- You're really fond of him, aren't you?

- Fond?

- Well, you took a big risk hiding him like that.

You must be fond of him.

- Yes, I suppose I am.

- I don't believe all this

what Mr. Hudson was saying about spies.

Alfred hasn't got the brains.

- Neither has Mr. Hudson saying things like that.

- Now, Rose.

- I'm sorry.

- The point is what's going to become of him.

He can't stay here.

If we push him out after dinner,

where is he going to?

- That's what I've been wondering.

- I was wondering about this gentleman,

this Mr. Zabadoff,

this Lithuanian employer of his.

I wonder who his cook is?

- Oh, was you thinking

you'd talk to him,

get him to put a good word in for Alfred

to get his job back?

- Well, if it's only a misunderstanding over love,

I mean those things quickly pass over.

What with the late young lady

being safely away in Herefordshire.

- Out of sight, out of mind.

- Oh, well, Alfred,

you gave me quite a start.

- Sorry, Mrs. Bridges.

- Talk about it later, Rose.

- I couldn't help overhearing just now, Mrs. Bridges,

what you was saying.

It's very kind of you to think of me like that.

It's what I'd expect from you,

but you see, Mr. Zabadoff, my employer,

that's not his real name.

- Not his real name?

- No, I made it up

to keep Mr. Hudson off the scent.

To keep my promise to Arabella.

- Well, what is his real name?

You can tell me.

- It's no use

my going back there, you see,

he's going to live abroad.

- You mean he's going back to Lithuania?

- And you wouldn't consider going with him?

- I can't speak the lingo.

Besides, my heart belongs to England.

- I'm not a cold-hearted man, Richard,

and no one knows your position better than I do,

but I must remind you,

that only a few months back at Lady Southwold's suggestion,

I offered you a lucrative directorship.

- Yes, I Know, you did, Geoffrey,

but there were strings attached to that.

I was not prepared to surrender my political independence,

nor am I now.

- Let me talk to you

not just as a financial advisor

but as an older friend.

Now we'll both admit that you've always had

a difficult relationship with the Southwolds

on many fronts.

You feel that while they assisted you

in getting started in politics,

they've also held you back,

prevented you on occasion from being your own master.

But now, it could be argued,

however callous it may sound,

that Lady Marjorie's death has released you

from their patronage,

and you might find that you can move forward

with greater freedom in any field that you choose.

But for this, you need capital.

Very well, take my advice, pocket your pride,

and sell that lease to young James.

- I beg your pardon, sir,

Sir Geoffrey,

might I have a word, sir?

It's a matter of some urgency.

- Yes, well go on, Hudson.

- Alfred is downstairs.

- Alfred.

- Our former footman, sir,

you remember.

- Oh, yes, yes.

- Yes, he stayed here last night, sir.

I regret to say without my knowledge.

He claims to have left his last employer

after a misfortunate love affair.

- Well, what's the harm in that?

Give him some food and send him on his way.

- Now just a moment, Richard.

Didn't you tell me there was something strange

about this Alfred?

- Oh yes, he had some trouble with the German Baron,

but that's all forgotten.

- You can't be too careful.

- If I may say so, sir, I agree with Sir Geoffrey.

It's the security of the house

that I'm worried about.

- Does he tell you the name of his last employer?

- Might I be of some assistance, Mr. Hudson?

- That won't be necessary, Alfred.

Thank you.

- You go and sit by the fire.

You're supposed to be our guest.

- Too kind.

- I thought you were Rose's man friend last night.

You see I came down from my room with a belly ache,

and I heard you two.

I thought you were her secret lover.

- Who are you?

- Me? I'm Edward.

- He's your successor.

- Edward the successor.

- I thought you were her cavalry officer paramour.

- Did you now?

- Yeah.

- But then she asked me for my old coat,

so I knew it wasn't for a tramp.

I thought you might be a deserter.

- Deserter?

Git!

Desert me post?

(mumbling excitedly)

I would be such a blaggard!

- Yeah, he's good at the imitations,

isn't he?

Let go.

- It's alright, Edward.

He always was a bit funny.

- A cold day, isn't it, Mr. Hudson?

- It is, Mrs. Bridges.

- A cold day for tramping about the streets.

- I expect Rose to defend Alfred.

It's a romantic idea for a young girl

to harbor a lame dog,

but I must say I'm surprised at you, Mrs. Bridges.

- I'm not doing it for no romantic reasons, Mr. Hudson.

You ought to know me better than that,

but surely we can think up something better

than turning the poor boy out.

- So you think I'm mistaken in my suspicions as well?

Well, all I can say is, Mrs. Bridges,

I've been reading newspapers closely

due to the last few weeks,

and there's things in the air

that I find very disquieting.

- What sort of things?

- Of a political nature

between this country and Germany.

- But what's that got to do with Alfred?

(ringing)

- Sorry, Mr. Hudson.

Shall I go?

- No, Edward, you help with the dinner.

I'll go.

-[Richard] Hudson.

Is Alfred still downstairs?

- Yes, sir, he's about to have his dinner.

- See that he doesn't leave the house.

You were quite right to inform us about him.

- I've been in touch with my chief clerk.

He was able to ascertain that there was a gentleman

of Lithuanian origin called Zabadoff

living in Brighton.

- When we telephoned Mr. Zabadoff's residence,

the call was answered by a police inspector.

- Police?

- Mr. Zabadoff was found lying on the floor

of his bedroom, butchered to death

with a meat ax.

- He'd been dead for two or three days.

The police are on their way here now.

- Go on, Alfred.

We could do with some entertainment down here.

Go on.

(singing in foreign language)

(laughing and singing)

(singing in foreign language merrily)

(shouting)

- Edward, Ruby.

-[Edward] Well, it's only a bit of fun, Mr. Hudson.

- Fun?

-[Edward] Well, it's what they sing in German kitchens.

- Let it be confined to German kitchens.

I will not have that sort of thing sung down here.

Come on.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- My goodness, what a caterwauling.

Here, Ruby, move that dish.

-[Rose] Go on, Alfred,

you can come and sit here by me.

- For what we are about to receive,

may the Lord make us truly thankful.

-[Together] Amen.

(scooting chairs)

- What did they give you to eat in Germany, Alfred?

- Frankfurters, sauerkraut, black soldiers' bread,

called (speaking foreign language)

brown bread pudding.

Delicious, I cook it.

- Oh, no thank you.

- You really cook?

- Very good, no tricks.

- I can see they don't teach manners

in German kitchens.

- Well, he's hungry.

He hasn't eaten for three days.

- From love, I suppose?

- I've heard tell that you have snails

up in Germany.

- You do, but not your common garden snails,

big white juicy ones,

fattened on flour.

(squealing)

Delicious!

(murmuring amazement)

- If he really can cook, Mr. Hudson,

perhaps, you could talk to our person

in shipping down at the docks.

Get him a job on a boat going somewhere

as a ship's cook.

- Yeah

Honolulu!

- Maybe a German boat

then he could cook his bread pudding.

- Well, it would give him a chance, Mr. Hudson.

- I don't think there's a great call for bread pudding

on the kind of boats my posher friend is associated with.

- Well, you could put a word in with someone else.

- Yeah, go on, Mr. Hudson.

(ringing)

- We'll have to see, won't we.

- Well, it's worth thinking about anyway.

As long as you don't get seasick.

(laughing)

-[Mrs. Bridges] That wouldn't do.

- Detective Inspector Bowles, sir,

and Sergeant Maybury.

- Oh, yes,

this is my solicitor, Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

-[Inspector] How do you do?

- Will you be requiring me, sir?

- Yes, please stay, Hudson.

This is a dreadful business, Inspector.

- Well, we're not certain of anything yet, sir,

beyond the fact that Alfred Harris was seen

in his master's company on the evening of the fifth.

That's three days ago and has been missing since.

Until now, sir.

- Anything taken?

Money, valuables?

- It seems not, sir.

That's why we don't think it was an outside job.

Harris is still on the premises?

- Yes, Inspector, downstairs.

- How many people with him?

- Well, there's Mrs. Bridges, the cook,

Rose, the parlor maid,

Edward, and Ruby.

- You think he might be dangerous?

Well, you better go and collect him.

- Well, before we do that, sir,

I wonder can you throw any light on Harris' personal life?

The sexual nature of it, sir.

The Lithuanian, you see, was an unmarried man of some age,

effeminate, if you know what I mean, sir.

- Will Mr. Hudson be coming back for his pudding?

- Oh, better keep it off for him, Ruby.

It's one of his favorites.

- I wonder where's he's got to.

It's been a long time.

(clanking)

- Hey, there's a copper up there.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Did you like it, Alfred?

- I'm sorry, Mrs. Bridges?

-[Mrs. Bridges] My jam rolly-polly pudding.

Not as good as your bread pudding, I don't suppose.

(pots clanking loudly)

(mumbling beyond the door)

- Here, Alfred, there's a cop out there.

(shouting and struggling)

-[Edward] Alfred, Alfred!

- What's all the rumpus about?

- I'll stab him.

That'll help ya.

- Oh, Alfred.

- Don't come near, Rose.

- What should we do, sir?

-[Mrs. Bridges] Mr. Hudson!

-[Richard] Well, first get rid of the staff.

I'll talk to the Inspector. - Right, sir.

Come on, Mrs. Bridges, back in here.

- Mr. Hudson, what's going on?

- Nothing for you to worry about.

Quickly now, quickly.

Come on, Rose.

You as well. - No.

I'm staying.

- Alright, Hudson.

Inspector,

this young fool means business.

We can't take any risks.

- We'll just have to try and talk him out of it.

Who's the girl?

- Rose, the housemaid.

- Oh, he's just scared, sir.

He won't do any harm.

I'm sure of it.

- I'm not.

He's killed once.

- Killed?

- Here, let me talk to him.

- Be careful, sir.

- It's alright, Alfred.

I won't come any closer.

You know who I am.

- Mr. Bellamy, sir.

- Now just listen to me.

I don't know what you've done,

but whatever it is,

you're not making things any easier for yourself.

Do you understand?

You must let Edward go now

and hand me that knife.

I'll get you all the assistance you need.

- Sorry, I can't do that, sir.

- Well, why not?

- They think I'm guilty.

- They don't think anything of the kind.

- They do.

With respect, sir, they don't know what happened really.

- But then you can tell them.

They want to hear your side of things.

- And listen to me?

Not me.

Scum of the earth crawling on its belly.

(shouting)

- Alfred, what are you going to do?

You can't stay here forever,

and they'll wait.

(stammering)

- I want to talk to Rose alone.

- Alfred, please.

- Alone.

Doors shut, private.

- Please let me talk to him, sir.

I'm sure he'll listen to me.

- Rose, I can't take the responsibility

of leaving you in here.

- You must let me handle this now, sir.

Make no attempt to disarm him.

Just talk, alright.

We'll be just outside.

- I thought we weren't taking any risks.

- If he trusts her, then she has the best chance.

The rest of us frighten him.

- No nearer.

- Alfred, please.

What are they saying?

You didn't kill anybody.

Tell them you didn't do it.

- Can't.

- Why?

- There's evidence.

The bedroom carpet,

there's blood.

- Blood, whose blood?

- My Lithuanian,

but his face,

his smile disgusts me.

People I lived with

like here.

Decent people always here.

I wanted to be decent.

He wouldn't let me.

I always asked.

He'd push me to grovel.

I was like a serpent.

Like the lowest of the beasts.

Just wanted to get away

back to this life, anything.

He wouldn't let me.

He just laughed at me.

Stop, stop it, and he wouldn't.

I took a cleaver.

He was sleeping

in his sweetly smelling bedroom.

Oh, disgusting.

As he slept,

I finished him.

- No niece, no Arabella.

- A pure, free,

decent man.

Important,

new life.

Ship's cook, Honolulu.

Just look.

Ask them out there.

A chance.

Tell them, Rose.

- I can't.

- You must help me.

- I can't.

- You promised!

- I didn't promise.

I had to do something.

- Get out!

- No, Alfred.

- Poor, old, filthy, scum of a whore,

all very scum!

I don't need you.

Answer him!

Delilah, Jezebel!

(shouting incoherently)

(mumbling under shouting)

- If we withdraw into distance in silence,

it might bait him into a false sense of security.

- But he's got the boy with him.

- He won't harm him.

He's too valuable to him.

- I think it might be worth trying, sir.

- Very well.

- Simon.

(shouting incoherently)

- We wrestle not with the equals in this world!

(muttering)

We don't need

(sobbing)

-[Hudson] Did you want me to speak to him, sir?

- No, Hudson.

We're going to leave him alone for a while.

See how he reacts to it.

- Don't need them, do we, Edward?

Don't need the assistance of whores!

- Please let go of my neck.

Please let go, you're hurting.

- We'll make our own way.

- Don't kill me!

- Why'd you say that?

- I never harmed you.

(laughing)

- I never harmed you either.

I never intended to harm you.

It's just for them, protection.

We'll go to the docks together.

- I don't wanna go.

- What do you say?

- Yeah, alright, I'll go.

- You will?

- Yeah, I'll go to the docks.

- What's going on up there?

It's all gone quiet.

- Perhaps, we should go, eh?

- No, no, it's a trick.

They're waiting.

We'll wait.

(gasping)

- Please, let go of my neck.

- You won't do anything silly?

- I promise.

- We're the same, you and me.

Footmen.

Friends.

- There, there, Rose.

Let me go and talk to him, sir.

I always used to understand Alfred.

- Help me!

Help me!

Cuff him!

(struggling)

(sobbing)

- No, no!

(struggling and crying)

No, someone save me!

Rose!

(shouting incoherently)

Rose!

(shouting)

It hurts, it hurts.

(sobbing)

- I had been waiting for a chance, Mr. Hudson.

Then he let the knife drop, and I grabbed it quick.

- Well done, Edward, my boy.

- I'm sorry we weren't able to save you

all this trouble.

- You did everything you could, Inspector.

- Well, goodbye then.

- Thank you, goodbye.

- What exactly happened?

- I'm not quite sure,

but it seems your ruse was successful.

Now, you'll come upstairs and have some whiskey,

or would you prefer some milk?

- I think a small whiskey would be in order.

- There, there.

Don't fret, my girl.

Don't fret.

He always was a bad log, that Alfred.

(sobbing quietly)

(whistling)

- Edward, quiet.

- Whatever for, Mr. Hudson?

(bells ringing)

- They've hanged him.

- It was no more than he deserved, Rose.

May his soul rest in peace.

- He was ill, Mr. Hudson.

It wasn't his fault what he done.

It was other people made him.

You can't hang a man what's not right in the head.

- You can.

And you must, Rose.

No matter why, he took away a human life

and must pay with his own.

That is the law of civilized man.

And God's law, too.

If you'll read your Bible.

(elegant orchestral theme music)