Original subtitles

Ruth!

Time to go!

Ruth!

Ruth, your mum wants you.

He'll get yourself run over going off like that.

He will not.

Come on, Ruth, love, your dad wants to get off.

Hey, where are you going?

Off to the cliffs to see my granddad.

Can I go too?

You ask your mother and I'll ask mine.

Mommy?

Mommy?

Mommy?

Mom!

Can I go down and play wit Ruth?

You can go anywhere you like

if you belter with that racket.

Have you been asked, Teddy?

I will be in a minute.

Oh, very well then.

Thanks, Mom.

Oh, great lump you're getting.

Oh, Daddy.

My dad says I can come to the cliffs with you, Mr. Harris.

Did he?

All right, jump in then.

Seems your Teddy is coming up to the cliffs with out Ruth.

Very kind of you, John.

Hey, hey, my ball, I forgot it.

- Here it is. - Thanks, Mommy.

Forget your head next.

Now give our love to your granddad

and tell him I'll be down when done with the shopping.

Be a good girl.

I'll keep an eye on her, Mrs. Harris.

- Bye. - Bye, love.

See you after work.

Bye, bye, Daddy.

All right, love?

Smashing.

I'll take this wood up to your granddad.

Oh, I'll go up with it now.

No, it doesn't matter, you stay and enjoy yourself.

I'll give you a shout when your dad comes.

Okay, Mommy.

Hello, son.

Hello, Father.

Where's Pat?

She's down on the beach with the children.

A lot of driftwood came in last night.

The getting some for me.

Hey, that's my ball!

Well, you could always swim for it.

You swim!

You kicked it in!

She's afraid of the water.

Go on, I dare you.

Come on, Ruth.

Teddy, honest, it doesn't matter.

We'll take that boat there.

Can we get it loose?

We'll have a go.

I can't see it.

There, there it is.

Well, I don't think I'll climb that again.

Thank you, Pat.

I've got a nice fire going.

It'll be warm for you when you come in for your tea.

It's bleak for him living up here.

I wish we could persuade him to stay with us.

Oh, he'd never leave, he loves it up here.

I know how he feels.

John!

They're going on the rocks!

Get father, tell him to get a boat out there quick.

Dad!

Daddy, Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Daddy!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Daddy!

Help!

Hang on, Ruth, I'll come back!

Dad, come back, come back!

Don't leave me!

John, get Ruth!

Ruth!

Come back, Daddy, come back!

Give him to me!

Get back to Ruth!

We'll get as near as we can.

We can't go alongside, they'll tear us to pieces.

The boy's all right, packed him off home.

Girl's parents here?

Yes, they're waiting.

What are they like?

Young, nice.

He's a maintenance engineer at the pit.

Uh-huh.

Good evening.

I'm Dr. Brown.

How is she?

How's Ruth?

Is she in danger?

Please, tell us the truth.

Your little girl is very ill.

She has a haemoglobin reading of only 30 percent.

What does that mean?

It means that she has less than half

the amount of blood she ought to have.

I'm afraid it severed an artery.

Ruth is well below the danger line, Mrs. Harris.

What are you going to do?

We're going to give her a blood transfusion straight away.

Fortunately, she belongs to a common group.

She'll be no trouble in that direction.

Once the new blood begins to work,

she'll pick up, be well on my way to recovery.

You know, it's astonishing recuperative powers

young children have.

No.

No, what, Mr. Harris?

She mustn't have a blood transfusion.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear.

The child is dying.

Yes, Mrs. Harris, dying.

She needs red blood cells at once.

But giving and taking of blood is against our religion.

Religion?

What's religion got to do with it?

A transfusion will save her life.

It will deny her everlasting life.

Everlast...

A blood transfusion?

It's against God's law.

What law?

There can't be any law that...

"Whatsoever man eateth any manner of blood,

"I will set My face against that soul."

That's just a legend, man.

Thousands of years old,

but we're not living in the Dark Ages now.

God's word is as true today as it was then.

Mr. Har...

Wait here, please.

He said he could save her.

You must see the choice for her.

- I don't want to. - You must.

A momentary existence now or...

Or the glory of eternal life with God.

If we weaken, Pat, we destroy her.

Richard!

Richard!

I've got one of these religious cranks on my hands.

Refuses to allow his child to have a blood transfusion.

If she doesn't get it, she'll be dead in an hour.

Can you come, please?

Oh, I wish I'd left five minutes earlier.

Good evening.

Evening.

This is Dr. Harvard, he's just examined your daughter.

Would you listen to him, please?

Mr. Harris, I know something about your faith

and I'm fully aware of the rule concerning transfusion

but you've gotta think clearly now.

Your daughter will die unless she receives

immediate and proper attention.

Dr. Brown just told us that.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Harris.

No.

No.

Are you going to be able to live

with her death on your hands?

She's in God's hands.

How old is your daughter, Mrs. Harris?

Eight.

Have you any other children?

No.

Do you at least understand what is happening?

Ruth is dying.

Would you please try make your husband see

that the Bible is not law in every word?

It is for us.

My husband speaks for both of us.

That's it then, Jim, the parents are agreed.

We shall have to ask you to sign a declaration

taking full responsibility for your decision.

Yes.

When will the crisis be?

The crisis is now, Mrs. Harris.

If you'll just sign here.

It's a statement exonerating the hospital from any blame

if the child dies.

You should be in bed.

You'll get pneumonia if you hang about much longer

in those wet clothes.

There's nothing you can do here.

We'll let you know immediately if there's any change.

May we see her?

Yes, of course.

There isn't much time.

I'll ask again.

Will you allow me to give the transfusion?

He's already signed.

He can change his mind.

No.

Please.

No!

You'd better go now.

Jim?

You can't do it, Harris has signed the paper.

You'll lay yourself open to a charge of assault.

The hospital too.

Got a call through to Marshall, he's the chief.

If he'll risk the hospital, I'll risk the assault charge.

I just want to be ready, that's all.

Why doesn't he ring?

Take it easy.

Easy?

Whole thing's so stupid, I could...

We're doctors, aren't we?

We're supposed to make any decisions

we think are right for a patient, aren't we?

When it comes to an operation

or transfusion to save a child's life,

do we make the decisions then?

Do we do what we know is right?

No, we don't

because we have to have the consent of some crank

or halfwit who happens to be the child's father.

Be thankful it doesn't happen more often.

That's a great comfort, it's happening now to this child.

Your call, Dr. Brown.

Leave me alone for 10 minutes,

she's have a blood transfusion, all right.

Rules are not made for nothing, nurse,

especially in a hospital.

She's so young.

That's why her parents make the decisions.

We're helpless.

Oh, it's awful.

Well?

Marshall's on his way to a meeting in New Castle.

Blast.

He arrives in half an hour.

His wife's getting in touch with him right away.

Did you tell her?

She'll leave a message for him to contact me

as soon as he arrives.

Half an hour.

Well, too late.

No!

Not without Marshall's consent.

Go home, Richard.

Sorry?

The child's my patient.

The hospital's my responsibility.

What are you talking about?

I'm senior to you, Jim, and I'm telling you,

we're going to wait for Marshall.

It's no good looking at me like that.

If there'd been the slightest sign

of weakening in the father, I'd chance it.

But there wasn't!

Harris was adamant.

Yeah,

he was adamant.

What's going to happen, Doctor?

We're waiting for Mr. Marshall to call.

How long do we wait?

Just as long as she's alive, sister.

You better change your clothes.

You'll be ill if you don't.

Pat, listened to me.

We're doing right.

Look at me.

In God's law there's no compromise.

You have to go the whole way or not at all.

Ruth will be dead by morning.

We don't know that.

She's only eight.

She's hardly lived.

Don't.

Please, don't.

I can't help it.

If you tried to sleep now.

Sleep?

You ought to be in bed.

You're shivering.

I'll come up soon.

Pat, I promise you, she...

Ruth's going to be all right.

I want to see Dr. Brown at once!

What name, please, madam?

Harris.

Hurry!

Please, hurry!

Wait here, please.

Give the transfusion.

Please, give the transfusion now!

Thank you.

Where have you been?

Back to the hospital.

Ruth's dead.

She...

She...

She can't be.

She's dead.

I saw her die.

No.

I saw Ruth die.

I hope we're not too early.

Well, they're up.

Saw the lights on earlier.

Aye.

- Morning, John. - We want to come in, John,

but we couldn't go another minute without saying thank you.

Well, you know, you can't say thank you really,

- it's not enough. - Hmm.

Well,

you know what you did for Teddy.

Saved his life.

Yes, that's it.

He's a bit down now,

but the doctor says he'll be right as rain in a week.

We've come to thank your husband, Pat.

He's a brave man.

How's Ruth, love?

Ruth's dead.

Dead?

She's what?

If you'll excuse us.

Come in.

Morning, sir.

Morning, James.

Sorry you had such trouble

trying to track me down last night.

Sad business about that little girl,

but you mustn't feel responsible.

I couldn't have gone against the parents.

I've asked for a postmortem.

Why?

There'll be an inquest, isn't that sufficient?

No, sir.

A postmortem will show that she died from lack of blood,

which I could have given her.

I watched her die knowing I could have saved her.

Now that shouldn't be hidden.

It's a bitter tragedy, I agree, but...

It was murder, he killed her.

Oh, now, now, just a moment, James.

You've lost your sense of proportion.

Have second thoughts about.

I've had them all through last night.

Plain superstition and bigotry killed that child.

That's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

But people like Harris believe in

the literal word of the Bible and they're entitled to that.

Entitled to what?

Entitled to kill?

Oh, be sensible, it's hardly Killing.

What is it then?

Their misfortune.

They have their own beliefs.

It's no good having a set of beliefs

if you're going to throw away the inconvenient ones.

Beliefs?

Insanities.

Harris is a walking example for some other fanatic

to go and do the same thing elsewhere.

I'm not going to let him quietly bury her.

Harris was within his rights

to refuse a blood transfusion, there's nothing you can do!

Aren't these people suffering enough?

Perhaps if you had a wife

you'd realise how Mrs. Harris must be feeling.

Oh, I know how Mrs. Harris feels all right, in her heart.

She feels exactly the same as I do.

It's true, Father.

She's dead.

Ruth's dead.

Can't grasp it.

I just can't grasp it.

Ruthie.

- Ruth. - Mommy.

Well, I...

What can I say?

Come and sit down, John.

I'll get you a drink.

You look done in.

Not just now, thanks.

Pat?

Will you come outside for a moment?

What do you want?

It's about the funeral.

What is it?

There's going to be an inquest.

Postmortem.

Oh my God, no.

Why?

Is it because of the accident in the sea, John?

No,

it's not that.

Its because Ruth needed a blood transfusion

and we refused to let her have one.

Could Ruth have lived with a blood transfusion?

The doctor said yes.

You psalm singing bastard!

- That's enough! - Come, John.

I should have never let her marry him.

You couldn't have stopped her.

She wanted him.

What sort of people are they?

What sort of religion is it

that'll take a child's life like that?

Come inside, son.

Father,

tell me,

what would you have done?

I should have done what my faith required of me.

What you did.

But you never had to do such a thing, did you?

You never had to say,

"There,

"there's my child.

"Let him die."

God never put me to that test.

But if he had...

You would've let me die,

as I did Ruth?

I would've asked myself, why is this happening?

What is God asking of me?

And answered?

That he wanted my child to grant it

everlasting joy in his presence.

I know how you feel.

Ruth was my granddaughter, I loved her.

I doubt myself, Father.

I doubt myself for feeling as I do.

What should, it was right, John.

If you had answered "yes" to that doctor,

Ruth's life would've ended on this earth.

We know now that life is only a preparation

and that the best comes after

and you made sure that Ruth had the best.

It all sounds so simple said like that.

We've set ourselves a hard task to live by God's word

and never deviate.

My grandfather taught me the strength of our faith

and I've taught it to you.

And who have I to teach?

Who?

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ His name was Bobby Bingo ♪

♪ There was a farmer had a dog ♪

♪ His name was Bobby Bingo ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ His name was Bobby Bingo ♪

♪ There was a farmer had a dog ♪

♪ His name was Bobby Bingo ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ B-I-N-G-O ♪

♪ His name was Bobby Bingo ♪

What did your father have to say?

How good we were?

How right we were?

We followed the word,

the faith?

Everything's in pieces, Pat, I know that.

Your heart's breaking, so is mine.

We can only help each other.

Like we helped, Ruth?

You saved Teddy and left Ruth in the sea!

How could you do that, how could you?

Ruth had a chance, Pat, Teddy was almost gone!

That wouldn't make any difference to me!

Well, what sort of decision was it for me?

I'll never get the sound of her cries out of my head.

Never.

I'm sorry, John.

I shouldn't have said that.

I didn't mean it.

What's happening to us?

Pat.

No.

There's something I must tell you.

Last night, I went back to the hospital.

I know you did.

I went back to ask them,

beg them to give Ruth a transfusion!

I got there too late and she died.

Pat.

I wanted Ruth to live.

But...

If we...

If we had gone back on our faith,

she would've lost her eternal life.

I don't believe that.

And I realise now I never did believe it.

Pat!

I married you because I loved you.

When you asked me to promise certain things,

I promised them because you asked me.

That's as far as my belief went, just as far as you.

But I never really thought until last night.

And last night I knew that living was here on this earth.

Now!

Ruth warm and breathing.

Stop!

That's what I did.

I tried to save Ruth's earthly life.

How do I know there's any other?

I've only been your wife in love, John,

never in faith.

Now that you know, I don't really belong here, do I?

Accidental death caused by emersion in the sea.

If it had been a cat or a dog or a horse,

they'd have been howling for his blood.

Like you are doing.

The coroner should have torn Harris in half,

not acted like a wet nurse.

Passing the buck, Jim,

this touches religion and that's dynamite.

Ah, so it is.

Maybe it's time someone got blown sky high.

You sound as brutal as you're making Harris out to be.

Maybe I am.

It's not the man himself I'm after,

it's the fact that he can,

he can kill and be allowed to get away with it.

That makes more sense.

I feel so damned helpless.

Come on, you've done everything you can.

Forget it, it's finished.

That kid gets buried tomorrow.

Richard, will you drive my car back to the hospital for me?

I think I'll just walk it off.

Come in.

- Well? - There's a Dr. Brown

to see you, sir.

Well, well.

Sir?

Show him in.

Dr. Brown, sir.

Come in, Doctor.

I shan't keep you a minute.

Well, what can I do for you?

You were at the inquest on Ruth Harris, weren't you?

Uh...

Yes, I was.

What's gonna happen?

Happen?

I'm not sure I'm with you.

As a result of the verdict.

Oh, I see.

Well, sit down, Doctor.

Well, I've heard the evidence,

the coroner has given his verdict

and everyone will be satisfied, I'm sure.

The coroner's verdict isn't final.

Is that so?

No.

The police could take the matter further.

Oh yes, that has been done.

Well, first of all,

the police have to disagree with the coroner's verdict.

And, even then, they don't move, they can't move, in fact,

without a lot of evidence to support them.

Harris was responsible for his child's death

because he refused to let me give her treatment

that would've saved her life.

I should have thought that was evidence enough.

Ah.

So I heard you say at the inquest.

Are the police going to do anything more?

Religion's a tricky business, Doctor.

Very tricky.

Everyone feels, nobody thinks.

So, you're not gonna do anything?

There's nothing I can do.

I'll take further advice.

Well, that's your privilege, Doctor,

as a private citizen.

Pat?

Pat, are you here?

Yes, Mother.

It's after two.

Is it?

She'll be buried today then.

This won't do, Pat.

I wish I were dead too.

That's cowardly talk and I won't have it.

You should be with John.

Must be awful for him, all alone in that house with,

with Ruth's...

No.

You love him, Pat.

Do I?

Can I go back and pretend,

pretend all over again that I believe like he does?

Maybe give him another child?

You're worn out.

Come on to bed, love.

No, I'll just sit here for a bit.

I couldn't sleep anyway.

Well, don't get cold then.

Ruth.

My baby.

Pat?

Call yourself a father?

They should put you away, that's what they should do!

You won't get away with it though.

You don't deserve to have a child.

Leave him alone!

It's got nothing to do with you!

Get out!

No, I can't.

The meetings for Ruth, Pat.

It's the only service there is.

Come home, John, please come home.

Dr. Brown!

I nearly missed you.

My name's Clyde, I edit "The Citizen."

Oh, that's funny.

I've made up my mind to come around and see you.

I just read your article.

You took a strong line.

Glad someone here had the guts to speak out.

I'd like to help if I can.

What's your next step?

What gave you the idea I was going to take one?

I watched your face at the inquest.

All right, I won't deny it.

I want to find out the exact legal position.

There must be a right of appeal somewhere.

Who's a good solicitor?

Hart Jacobs in Durham, he's your boy.

I've known him for years, we play golf together.

Do you want to meet him?

Yeah.

Yes.

Those are the full facts?

Yes.

Well, there's no doubt that you can lay information

before the magistrates.

If they think there's enough evidence

to put Harris on trial, they'll commit him.

He'll go to asylum on a charge of manslaughter.

Not murder?

No, no premeditation, no intent to kill.

You'll have to be satisfied with "manslaughter.”

What do I do next?

You'll find yourself a solicitor.

- Well, that's you. - No.

I'm completely out of sympathy with you, Brian.

Why, for heaven sake?

Because I think he's cutting across

the most private things in a man's life.

What right of you to criticise Harris's beliefs?

Because the child's dead.

Dead to you, not to him.

Superstitious dogma.

I believe you're a Catholic, Clyde?

Yeah.

Well there's another decision

you might have to make one day, Doctor,

whether to save a mother's life or that of an unborn child.

Clyde's church would sacrifice the mother's life.

Clyde would sacrifice the living mother

for the unborn child.

Harris would sacrifice the living child

for its life to come,

it's everlasting life.

Look, I'm a doctor.

It's my business to save life here.

That's simple enough, isn't it?

Then you mean to go through with this?

Yes.

I do.

Well, I'm not taking it on.

I'm a Jew.

The thing smacks as persecution to me.

Persecution, my foot!

We've got to make an example of Harris

to stop this happening again.

You and your crusades.

Last month, it was fox hunting.

Now, look...

All right, I know you right from the heart.

Well, if you won't take it on, you won't.

Think I'll go and see Mapleton.

Yes, Mapleton's your man, Doctor.

Cold-blooded fish.

He knows law.

Coming, Clyde?

I think we need a drink.

You have it, I need some exercise.

Goodbye, Doctor.

A private action on a charge such as manslaughter

is unusual, of course.

For the right of any man to bring a charge against another

is old as the law itself.

Goes right back to the days when the village elders

held court under the oak tree.

Yes, well our authority will be Regina vs. Serne, 1899.

In many ways parallel,

the case turned upon the interpretation of the words,

"willfully neglects.”

The father refused medical care and the child died.

He killed her then.

Well, at any rate, they got him on a manslaughter charge.

What happened?

The jury found him guilty.

Yes, well, we can get Harris under section one

of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1894.

Renamed the "Children and Young Persons Act" in 1933,

but basically still the same.

Will it take long?

No, no, this is brief, simple.

Facts as plain as day.

All contained in your statement,

corroborated by affidavits from the other doctor

and the sister.

Say nothing of the declaration that Harris signed,

taking full responsibility for his action.

No, in my opinion,

I don't see how the magistrates will be able to say

there's no case to answer.

Superintendent Finley didn't take that view.

Well, he's a cautious man.

Anyway, the police have to think

past the magistrates, doctor,

right after the judge and jury.

But don't ask me for an opinion there.

All right, Mr. Mapleton, thanks very much.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

My I see Mr. Reynolds?

Vicker's around a youth hall.

They repaired a leak last week.

Now they're doing the wall.

Thank you.

Mr. Reynolds?

Pat.

Patricia Harris.

Sorry to interrupt you while you're working.

Oh, that's all right.

This job will go on for months.

Why,

I haven't seen you since...

Since I married into another church.

It isn't the church that matters.

Do you know what's happened?

Yes, I know.

Your husband,

does he approve of you're coming to see me?

He doesn't know.

We're not together anymore.

Oh, that's sad.

Did you expect me to stay with him?

I'm old fashioned.

I believe "until death us do part."

Why did you leave him?

I wasn't ever really with him,

not the way he thought I was.

Mr. Reynolds,

is everything we read in the Bible true?

Did God want Ruth to die?

Your husband thinks so.

He believes his God called Ruth unto himself.

Why do you say his God?

It's the same God for us all, isn't it?

No, it isn't.

What's the difference, then?

We all read the same book.

The difference is very simple.

We pick and choose from the same book, as you say.

One man reads God is merciful, one man reads God is wise,

one man reads God is the law.

We all treat the church like a supermarket,

go in and buy half a pound of the belief

that pleases us best.

You did that, didn't you, Pat?

You chose a belief that pleased you

because it pleased your husband.

Yes, I did.

That's exactly what I did.

Well, your husband didn't.

His faith came from within.

His faith killed Ruth.

I don't believe she should have died, do you?

No, I don't.

I believe God gave us the gift of earthly life

and meant us to sustain that gift.

Pat, why have you come here?

I love John,

and I want to go back to him.

But it won't work unless I can pretend

I think what he did was right and accept his beliefs.

Can I go back and pretend?

That's what I came here to ask.

When I prepared you for confirmation,

I taught you God is truth.

Well, just now, you said "till death us do part."

One contradicts the other.

There's no magic answer, is there?

No "you can" or "you can't."

Half a dozen times in my life

I've had the chance of being a real priest.

Now you offer me another chance

and I don't know what to say to you.

But this I do know,

you must not go against the truth.

That's the supreme law

and the truth for you is in your own heart.

Well, that's it then.

Your God doesn't seem

to have helped me very much, Mr. Reynolds.

The world's a very lonely place without Him.

I'm lonely without my husband.

I suppose the truth is we all have to find our own answers.

Goodbye, Mr. Reynolds.

Goodbye.

We'll try traction.

I'm against operating in these cases.

Come in.

Oh.

Oh, come in, Jim.

- I'm just going. - Oh, that's all right,

Richard, if Mr. Marshall doesn't mind, I don't.

I'm going to instruct Mapleton, the solicitor,

to ask the magistrates to issue a warrant

for the arrest of John Harris.

I thought you should know.

Arrest?

He was cleared at the inquest.

Aren't the police satisfied?

Well, maybe they are, I'm not.

I'm taking an action against him for manslaughter.

Manslaughter!

But this was out of the inquest.

Why do you want to go further?

I've got to.

Can't leave things as they are, it's too important.

Jim, this is all very public-spirited

but it could clear your whole future.

Remember, you are a doctor.

We are very vulnerable.

This might be interpreted

as trying to draw a lot of attention to yourself.

But I want attention,

I want people to know what happened to this child.

Harris had the right to say now and he said it.

But that's what's wrong, you see.

He shouldn't have the right.

No parent should have that responsibility.

And that's why I've got to fight him.

The medical profession is concerned with healing.

You'll do well to remember that fact, James.

So forget the child.

She's dead and buried.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.

I didn't become a doctor to act as an undertaker.

James, James!

Doctors should stick to doctoring and leave law to lawyers.

Do you like a high court judge to take out your appendix?

Evening, John.

I wondered if you'd like to come over for a bit of supper.

Oh,

I was just going to put the kettle on for a cup of tea.

You're coming with me, lad, come on.

Hello, Harry, that didn't take long.

Is he coming?

Come in.

Come on, lad, sit yourself down.

There we are.

He was just gonna make himself a cup tea, Mother.

- Oh. - No,

I won't have any tea, thanks.

Oh, well sit down for a minute.

I...

I want to talk to you.

I've got to talk to someone.

Well, you know what I did,

you know the result.

Well, I have to know what you think.

People have seen it every day for years.

What do you think?

Teddy's alive, John.

If it weren't for you, he'd be dead.

Well, a man can only speak for himself.

If it would have come to my kid's life,

I'd have done what the doctors told me,

whether it was against my religion or not but...

Well, we don't live by the cut and dried rules you do.

No.

We go to church for christenings and marriage,

but we don't think all that much about it.

For us, it's the simple things.

Do unto others as you'd have them do to you.

You know, just the simple things.

You see, it's much easier for us than it is for you.

So,

well, we're not really able to answer your question.

We will never be put to the test.

All right.

I'm glad Teddy's all right.

I won't stay for supper, thank you.

You've been very kind.

Well, you know what's best, John.

But if you feel like company, just come over.

Aye, well, you'll always be welcome.

Thank you.

- Good night. - Good night, John.

Good night, lad.

I wish there was something we could do.

He's a good man, you know.

Are you sure that we'd think that

if he hadn't saved Teddy's life?

Elliot!

Elliot!

Yes, sir.

I've just come from the magistrate's court.

Dr. Brown got his warrant.

What's the charge?

Manslaughter.

I was at school with John Harris.

Known him all my life.

Well, get on with it, Elliot.

Don't just stand there.

Yes, sir.

Fred.

Hello, John.

Come in.

Well, come in.

Now, what is it?

It's not bad.

No, no, John.

Well, this is the way it goes, John.

John Paul Harris, I hold a warrant for your arrest

that you did on the night of Saturday, the ninth of January,

caused the death of Ruth Harris,

and it is my duty to warn you that anything you say

may be taken down and used in evidence.

How'd they make that out?

Well, they've got you on

the "Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act."

I'll get my coat.

Sorry, John.

It's all right, Fred.

Pat!

No, Ken, let her go alone.

What's gonna happen to her?

Too early days to say yet.

How could you rush to him like that after what he did?

John's alive, Ken.

And Ruth is dead.

But I've got to see him.

He's made his mind up, he won't see you or anybody.

Maybe, maybe he'll feel different tomorrow.

Try and see him early before he comes up in court.

Mrs. Harris, could I talk to you for a minute?

My name's Hart Jacobs.

Yes?

I'm afraid this is rather unprofessional

but I want to handle your husband's defence.

Who are you?

A solicitor.

Why do you want to handle my husband's defence?

Because I think he's innocent of the charge

laid against him.

You do?

You really do?

Would you like to get in my car

and talk for a few minutes?

Please.

I don't understand how they make it out.

Well, they've charged your husband on the.

"Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act."

Cruelty to children?

Well, how can they say a thing like that about John?

He was the best and kindest father that'd ever lived.

I'm sure he was.

Now, this is how it goes.

Tomorrow will be just the preliminary hearing

before the magistrates, when he'll be committed for trial.

Trial.

I shall reserve defence, apply for bail.

Have you had any ideas who might?

Oh, yes.

He's not alone in his faith, I know where to go.

It won't be an excessive sum.

I'm going to see Dr. Brown.

I'm going to ask him to withdraw his action.

I don't think he'll do that, Mrs. Harris.

Well, I must try.

Dr. Brown, I must speak to you.

I was just after the hospital,

- Mr. Harris. - I must speak to you.

Come in.

They've arrested my husband.

I know.

Yes, of course you know, you did it.

I want you to drop the case.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

But it won't do any good.

Ruth's gone...

and nothing you can do will bring her back.

Why do you hate John?

I don't hate him.

I hate what he did.

I believe in living, not dying.

But who's going to live because you put John in prison?

Some other child in some other place, I hope.

One hanging doesn't stop the next murder.

You've said it now, haven't you?

He killed Ruth and you know it.

I know I love him.

That's the only thing I do know now.

And love goes with charity and forgiveness,

things you could never understand.

What John did was right to him.

You don't share your husband's convictions,

do you, Mrs. Harris?

If it gives you any satisfaction to hear it, no, I don't.

I know that now.

But I understand how real they are to John.

He did the same as his father would've done

and his grandfather,

they hand down their faith.

So, no,

perhaps his father's the real criminal, or his father.

They influence their children's minds

before they're old enough to make their own decisions.

You're very good at making other people

look at themselves, Dr. Brown.

Well, you've got blindness too.

There is something beyond science.

You don't see it but John does

and he has the strength to live by it.

All right.

Carry on with your case.

But I wish I knew what you think you're going to gain by it.

I've told you.

Another life in another place

and, perhaps, another mother save the,

the heartbreak you're feeling now.

Mrs. Harris has nothing to say.

Do you agree with your husband's views?

I told you, she has nothing to say!

- Now, leave her alone. - Come on,

let her at least make a statement.

Have her heart, a couple of words, please.

Were you in the hospital when your daughter died?

- Did you see it? - Yes.

What happened, did she die quickly?

Was she in pain?

Get away!

Let us go through.

No time now.

How are you?

John,

this is Mr. Hart Jacobs.

He wants to conduct your defence.

I don't need a defence.

I've committed no crime.

That may well be, Mr. Harris,

but you've been accused of committing one.

It's up to us to show the court that the charge is false.

Mr. Hart Jacobs wants to help you, John.

He thinks you're innocent.

Please, John.

John.

No.

I see your point, Mr. Harris,

but don't you think that if no defence

is put up on your behalf,

it'll be taken not as a sign of innocence

but as a proof of guilt?

The guilty man, of course, has nothing to say

but the innocent man will say, at least, "I am not guilty."

I will say that.

But then, you see, they'll ask you why you're not guilty.

And that's where I come in.

For a man with no legal training,

to try and answer the questions of the prosecutor

and defend himself at the same time is very difficult,

believe me.

John,

you are not the only one to be tried.

It's everybody who believes as you do.

We are all on trial.

Your father's right, Mr. Harris.

He and every single member of your faith is in the dock.

All right then.

You're up next, Harris.

Come along, now.

This won't take long.

I'll have a car round at the back.

You can slip out that way.

Oh, I've arranged with Superintendent Finley

to give your husband 48 hours protection.

Protection?

I want mislead you, Mrs. Harris.

He's gonna need it for a bit.

This trial number five,

John Paul Harris.

John Paul Harris.

Quickly as possible, please, sir.

"Father."

You dirty the word.

You can't stay here, Pat, I'll telephone your father.

Afternoon.

I'm from the Gazette.

Could we have this for publication?

Get out!

Just doing me job.

You've got no right to come in here.

Give me that, is nothing sacred to you?

And what's so sacred about the kid's picture?

You let her die, didn't you?

Watch it, lad.

Where's that Christian charity of yours?

Will you please get out of here?

Will you please go?

All right.

Well, you better get used to this though.

Your headlines, they're going national this morning.

It's a big story...

and it's gonna get bigger.

Come on.

I'll take you to your father's.

No.

Let me stay.

Good morning, Mrs. Harris.

- Good morning. - Mr. Harris.

Good morning.

Please sit down.

Mr. Harris.

About the money, Mr. Hart Jacobs.

Yes, I wanted to talk to you about that.

We could sell the house but I'm afraid it's mortgaged.

Well, there's the car.

Aye, we could sell that.

Won't that much, but...

You can, of course, apply for legal aid.

This will cover my fees and a defending council of sorts.

Well?

Well, I wanted to brief Hilary Pearson

but he costs money.

Real money.

We couldn't get him on the legal aid.

No.

Not a hope.

There is a way, however.

Yes?

I don't like suggesting it

but there's no doubt that any newspaper

would pay handsomely for your story.

I don't quite follow you.

Well, whichever way the case goes, Mr. Harris,

there's a big story here.

All the papers, the Sundays especially,

will be after the rights.

No.

I'm not having that.

Now, let's look at this

from a practical point of view, Mr. Harris.

I'll not look at it from any point of view at all.

Now, I know you're doing your best for us, Mr. Hart Jacobs,

but I'll not have it.

Everything we are, everything we think,

is going to be chewed over, I know that.

But at least they'll only be guessing.

If they buy my name, they can print anything they like,

and I can't stop them and I'll not have that.

So we'll just have to do without Hilary Pearson.

So we...

we apply to the court for legal aid then.

Who will we get?

A young, ambitious man, Mrs. Harris.

But it won't be Pearson.

In my view, we need him.

I think the prosecution will put up a top notcher.

I don't feel guilty of any crime.

As long as the facts are presented fairly,

I shall be satisfied.

So be it.

Your integrity impresses me, Harris.

Let's hope it impresses the jury.

John Paul Harris,

you stand charged upon indictment with manslaughter

and a particular state that you, on the ninth of January

of this year in the county of Durham,

unlawfully killed Ruth Rosemary Harris.

To that charge, do you plead guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

John Paul Harris,

the names you are about to hear called...

What happens now?

All the preliminary business,

the jury and panelled and sworn,

opening speech for prosecution.

It won't take long.

Sir Humphrey's noted for his brevity.

He'll stick to the bare facts.

They're so damning, aren't they?

And so, members of the jury,

you will give the evidence most careful consideration

and you will ignore all rumours

and you will put out of your mind anything that you've read.

It is upon the evidence presented before you

that you must decide.

And, remember, whatever Harris' motives,

they in no sense mitigate his guilt.

And now with the assistance of my learned friend,

I will put the evidence for the crown before you.

First, I shall call Dr. James Brown.

Take the Testament in your right hand

and read the oath aloud.

"I swear by almighty God that the evidence

"I give to this court shall be the truth,

"the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

You are Dr. James Brown?

I am.

Ruth Harris was in your care on the night in question.

She was.

Tell us exactly what you told Harris, Dr. Brown,

after you'd examined his child.

I told him his daughter was dangerously ill.

She needed a blood transfusion.

And what was Harris's reply?

He said no.

And what did you say then?

I said that she hadn't a chance

unless I gave her what she needed.

Red blood cells.

Did Harris understand what you were telling him?

Yes.

So when he refused to allow you

to give his child a transfusion,

he knew he was condemning her to death.

What happened then?

He came into the ward to see his child.

I asked him again to allow me to save her life.

What was Harris' answer?

He repeated, no.

That was his final word?

Yes.

He'd already signed the declaration

accepting full responsibility for his decision.

My lord, I now produced the declaration signed by Harris.

Is that the declaration?

It is.

My lord, that will be exhibit one.

As I told you in my opening address,

we have only two exhibits.

The second is Ruth Rosemary Harris's death certificate.

"The whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

You are Sister Dora Young?

Yes.

A state registered nurse on the staff

of the East Durham Memorial hospital?

Yes.

Were you in charge of the children's ward

on the night of Saturday, January the ninth?

Yes.

Were you there, Sister,

when Mr. Harris came to look at his little girl?

Yes.

Will you describe the scene, please?

He came to the foot of the bed

and stood there and looked at her.

How did the child look?

Her eyes were closed and she was very still.

White too...

She'd lost a lot of blood.

What happened then?

Dr. Brown asked him again.

He said there wasn't much time left.

He said the child would die.

Really, there wasn't any need,

anyone could see she was dying.

And what did Mr. Harris say?

He said no.

Where was he standing?

At the foot of the bed.

Where he could see the child?

Yes, he never moved.

What happened then?

He left the ward.

Wouldn't have been any good him staying.

He would just have gone on saying no until the child died.

And she did.

Who was there when Ruth died?

Dr. Brown and me and Mrs. Harris.

The child's mother?

Yes.

Why was she there?

Mrs. Harris came back.

She'd changed her mind.

But it was too late then, much too late.

One last question, Sister.

When Mr. Harris stood at the foot of the bed

and looked at his child,

are you quite sure he knew what Dr. Brown was telling him?

Oh, yes, he knew.

But he still said no.

Thank you, Sister.

Any questions, Mr. Kent?

No, my lord.

That is the case for the crown, my lord.

Thank you, Sir Humphrey.

Perhaps this is a convenient time to adjourn, Mr. Kent.

As your lordship pleases.

Members of the jury,

we will now adjourn.

Please be back in your places by 2:15.

Very emotional atmosphere.

Yes, Judge.

Sir Humphrey certainly played on the nurse to good effect.

Unnecessary.

The evidence of the doctor

and the declaration Harris signed was sufficient.

He caused the child's death so he's guilty of manslaughter.

No matter what, he's in no terrible state of mind,

that's good law.

But my experience is, in cases of this sort,

juries don't want to know the law.

They want to know the man.

They've got a string of character witnesses, of course.

Quite useless.

Only Harris, himself, can decide the case.

Whichever way it goes, there's a weakness here.

No single man should be allowed to face

the responsibility of the decision that Harris faced.

A man can only carry so much.

That's why he created the State

to shoulder the heavier burden.

Mmm.

There should be a legal curve on parents' powers.

Then Harris would never have been placed

on the rack like this.

I find this a very disturbing case.

I could bear it more easily if Harris were a fool.

If he loses what sustains him,

God help him.

I think your lunch will be ready, Judge.

Oh.

All right, Frank.

Go ahead.

Now they strip the case down to facts

and the bare facts are the last thing we want.

Now we've got to convince the jury

that Harris's decision was dictated by his conscience.

As for testimony about his character,

Teddy's father will praise him for saving his son

and there are a few more friends.

Are you calling the fellas that went shirty?

Members of his sect, his father?

No.

No more cranks, no.

No, to my mind, there's only one thing to do.

Chuck them all overboard and put up Harris.

It's always a risk to put the prisoner in the box.

Harris is already overboard.

He's only got one chance,

to sink or swim on his own integrity.

Tell me what you think.

About what?

John Harris.

His action, guilty as hell.

His reason, innocent as heaven itself.

You know, I wanted Hilary Pearson.

I'm glad we got you.

Put him up, Kent.

Put John Harris in the box.

Silence!

Mr. Kent.

May I please, your lordship?

Members of the jury,

this is, as you must certainly feel, an important case,

both from the public and Harris' point of view.

And it's a tragic case, whichever way you look at it,

because it concerns the death of a little girl.

A death that was caused by her father.

Now, we don't dispute the fact,

and I repeat, "the fact,”

that Harris caused the death of his daughter by omission.

But that is not the issue.

Harris is on trial for the heresy

of setting aside medical knowledge for a religious belief.

In 1689, there was passed the "Toleration Act,"

which was the beginning of the full rights

that man enjoys today.

In law, in this country, a man may worship as he pleases.

Harris chose a set of beliefs.

There's no secret about them,

they constitute a general, recognised faith

practised by thousands and thousands of people

all over the world and the state allows it.

Great deal has been made by the council for the crown

of the declaration that Harris signed.

But if the law required him to sign it,

then I submit it presupposes a right of choice.

Members of the jury, I'm not going to wear you

with a lot of unnecessary witnesses.

If you're to understand why Harris behaved as he did,

which constitutes innocence and not guilt,

then you must know the man.

And that is why you must meet him and hear him

and judge the extent and sincerity of his beliefs.

I call John Paul Harris and only John Paul Harris.

You wish to affirm?

Yes.

Read the affirmation from the card.

"I, John Paul Harris, do solemnly, sincerely

"and truly declare and affirm

"that the evidence I shall give will be the truth,

"the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

You're John Paul Harris?

I am.

Was Ruth Rosemary Harris your daughter?

Yes.

Did you love her?

Yes.

Did you love her when you refused the blood transfusion?

I never stopped loving her.

I love her now.

Now?

Ruth is dead, Mr. Harris.

To be with God is not to be dead.

Will you do your best to speak up, Mr. Harris,

what did you say?

I said to be with God is not to be dead.

How do you make that out?

By the evidence of the Bible

and the example of Jesus Christ.

How deep is your faith, Mr. Harris?

It's what I am.

Who taught it you?

My father.

Who taught him?

His father.

With respect to my learned friend,

Harris' religious convictions are not under dispute.

We know the details of his faith.

We understand them and their consequences only too well.

My lord, I'm trying to establish

that Mr. Harris' faith constitutes his conscience.

May I then remind the court that a man

may reasonably and notably follow

the dictates of his conscience?

There's no guilt there.

Mr. Kent, I don't want to stop you

from behaving and speaking.

The way you decide may be best for the defendant.

And if it will assist you,

I shall direct the jury that the defendant

is perfectly entitled to his own beliefs,

but that is of course a very different matter

from omitting to fulfil the duty laid down by statute,

which he had towards his child.

I'm obliged to your lordship.

With respect to your lordship,

I'm endeavouring to show the jury

what Mr. Harris considered his duty.

Mr. Harris, what did you consider

your paramount duty to Ruth that night at the hospital?

To protect her everlasting life.

How did your action achieve that?

Now tell the jury in your own words, Mr. Harris.

We live by the literal word of the Bible.

We believe in its prophecies

and look forward to the reward of eternal life

on a perfect earth if we follow God's law.

In which it is written,

"You shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh."

And you interpret that to apply to blood transfusion.

Yes.

In the original Hebrew scriptures,

the word "eat" means to absorb into the body.

In transfusion, blood is taken into the body.

If you had agreed to a blood transfusion,

what do you believe would've happened to your child?

By deliberately trying to prolong.

Ruth's earthly life in that way,

we would've sacrificed her chance of resurrection

and everlasting life in a perfect world.

Why do you believe Ruth would've been punished

for a decision that was not hers but yours?

Because it is written that the sins of the father

shall be visited upon the children.

And what specific grounds do you base your belief?

On the written word.

Thank you, Mr. Harris.

Harris,

I want the jury to understand your motives

for the decision you took.

Now, will you listen very carefully to what I have to say

and answer us carefully?

We're dealing with very difficult theological issues.

So I'll put my questions as simply as possible.

Now, on the night in question,

were you guided solely by your religious principles?

Yes.

Is religion a selfless thing?

Religion's a personal thing.

I think it should be selfless.

You heard Dr. Brown's evidence?

Yes.

Is there any single part of it with which you disagree?

Did it all happen as he said?

Yes.

How old was your child?

Eight.

Was she a happy child?

Yes, very.

Did you know her well?

Ruth, did you know her well?

Did she spend much time with you?

Yes, we went everywhere together.

A devoted family.

Very devoted.

Was she a religious child?

Ruth, was she a religious child?

Yes, I think...

"Think!"

What do you mean "think?"

Was she or wasn't she?

Ruth was a good child.

You say that your father taught you your faith.

He did.

Did you teach that same faith to Ruth?

Yes.

Did she understand?

Did she understand what you were teaching her?

Ruth, did she understand?

Well, how could I know, she was only eight.

Oh,

but you behaved as if you did know.

What was your wife's religion before she married you?

Church of England.

Church of England.

The mother changed her religion, and why not the daughter?

I put it to you, Harris,

that Ruth might have grown to womanhood

and shed your faith like an outward skin.

By your own admission, she was happy.

She enjoyed her temporary life.

But you didn't pause to think that that little girl

of eight years old might want to cling to this world.

You hurried her into the next.

No.

Not, "no," Harris, yes.

No, no!

In my submission, you didn't take in

what was being said to you.

You weren't really thinking.

You relied on a miracle to save Ruth and that's the truth.

Well, the miracle didn't happen but you risked her life.

You put your personal faith before her welfare

and you let her die.

You let Ruth die!

Mr. Harris!

Face the jury, please.

Do you miss Ruth?

Every moment.

You miss her, you loved her,

yet you willingly gave up to God, why?

Tell the jury why!

He's eternal.

Everlasting.

His goodness is infinite,

there's nothing comparable on Earth.

You mean to you Heaven is a very real place.

Yes.

As real as your own living room?

Yes!

Thank you, Mr. Harris.

My lord, that's the evidence of the defence.

What's the matter, Kline?

It's hot in there.

Courts are always hot.

Even in winter everybody's sweats.

I'm glad that part of it's over.

I couldn't have taken much more.

You know, you're like all hot heads.

Once you see the results for your clamouring,

you want to pull out.

I'm not sure now if crucifying Harris is the right answer.

A bit late for that, isn't it?

Anyway, the judge gave the right answer.

Hmm?

In law, Harris neglected the child

and that's manslaughter.

Let's hope Harris didn't affect the jury

the way he affected you or we're sunk.

You're very quiet, Brown.

Has the real thing disturbed you too?

No, the real thing for me is still that child's death.

Then what's on your mind?

Harris.

He's a sick man, he hasn't slept for nights

and that shock in there didn't help him.

What shock?

He saw himself.

You mean he realised he was a fake?

No, I didn't mean that.

Harris believes, all right, he believes in God the Father,

but he found out something in the dock

that he's been trying not to face.

What?

Jury coming back, Mr. Clyde.

Silence!

Members of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict?

We are.

Do you find the prisoner at the bar John Paul Harris,

guilty or not guilty upon this indictment?

Not guilty.

You find him not guilty.

And that is the verdict of you all?

It is.

He's guilty!

Silence!

Silence!

Silence!

Let him be released.

No, I'm guilty!

I'm guilty!

He told the truth!

I saw myself as Abraham when God tested his love!

Told him to sacrifice his son,

only God sent an angel to hold back Abraham's knife

and I thought he'd do the same for me!

I never really believed she'd die.

I wasn't thinking about Ruth's afterlife.

I was thinking of a miracle to keep her alive.

I sacrificed her, I sacrificed Ruth and I'm guilty!

I'm guilty!

Jailer's office, where is it, please?

Over there, sir.

I want to see Harris, quickly, please.

They took him out the back, through there.

I've got to pay for what I've done.

I killed her, I killed her!

You can't bring her back to life again.

I trusted God blindly not to take Ruth away from me.

I can never redeem what I've done!

Your God forgives, doesn't He?

Are you telling me to pray?

Yes.

Don't tell me you've had a change of heart.

Oh no.

No, what I did I'd do all over again.

I can't bear to see life wasted.

That's why I want to save yours now.

You're too late.

I died in that courtroom.

No, it's too easy.

You've gotta go on living.

Find your God again, and this time,

don't load Him with the whole responsibility.

You could've saved Ruth.

I stopped you.

Yes, I could've saved her.

I can save you now.

John.

Oh, thank God.

Come home.

Ruth would always stand between us.

We must learn to live with that.

- John? - Let him go.

Yes.

If he's going to come back,

he was come by himself.

Ruth.

Ruth.

] Give me my ball!

Come on!