Original subtitles

RADIO SHOW HOST: The gentleman in the front row.

MAN: The question that the country undoubtedly wishes to know the answer to

is if there is to be a ground invasion in Egypt and when?

No announcement has been made yet saying that the police...

I am curious that Eden calls the intervention in Suez a police action.

With a ground invasion imminent,

are we in fact at war with Egypt and Israel?

HOST: Thank you.

As you may appreciate, under the restrictions of the 14-day rule,

this programme is unable to comment on events unfolding in Suez.

However, we are able to discuss events in Hungary.

And I would like to open questions from the floor.

You sir, in the bow tie.

MAN 2: What legal right does Eden have to leave...

- Are you expecting someone? - No.

Don't answer it.

Sorry, am I late?

- Freddie! - I'm starving.

Sorry, already eaten.

Hector. You haven't even got it on.

We lost track of the time.

- Open it. - Fine.

- It's French. - I can see that.

Is stew all right? It's not very warm.

FREDDIE: Marvellous.

- Oh. - Mmm.

(FREDDIE SNIFFING)

Oh, your nose is freezing.

I swear it's colder in Belgravia.

BEL: Colder than Clapham?

FREDDIE: Yes. I've just spent the last four hours

waiting outside the Elms' mansion block.

He's on!

FREDDIE: Cheers!

Do you mind?

Suit yourself.

EDEN ON TV: Again and again, passions have come to the bail.

Ever since the uneasy armistice of 1949,

Israel and the Arab states...

Ah! This jolly.

...Egypt has been insisting ever since then

that she is still at war with Israel.

The other reflection is this.

It's a personal one.

All my life, I've been a man of peace,

working for peace, striving for peace,

but I'm utterly convinced

that the action we have taken is right.

There are times for courage, times for action.

Our passionate love of peace,

our intense loathing of war

have often held us back from using force,

even at times when we knew in our heads,

if not in our hearts,

that its use was in the interests of peace.

And I believe with all my heart and head,

for both are needed.

Good night to you all.

Eden was certainly resolute.

They'll have to let the opposition respond.

We cannot call ourselves a public television service

and not let the opposition... Gaitskell bat back.

Oh, brilliant, we'll have McCain on our backs again.

I don't know, he's gone pretty quiet.

We normally have a call or one of his visits.

It's been three days.

And less than 72 hours we go out.

Why is he not hovering to see how we will sell it?

If we can sell it, with their fortnightly gag.

- There are ways around these things. - Are there?

I've been lying awake for the last three nights trying to come up with one.

We can't debate, we can't comment, we can't analyse,

we can only deliver the most basic facts

until two weeks after they've discussed it in Parliament.

It makes a mockery of what we do.

So we make a mockery of it.

We present the facts in a way that points to the truth.

We garner opinion from abroad. What?

Comment and assessment from our American cousins

in the light of Eisenhower's election campaign.

They can't stop us broadcasting the views of foreign nationals.

You're brilliant.

Why should we be gagged

when the newspapers can print what they like?

Where did you get this?

I cannot divulge my sources but suffice to say

that will run as a leader in tomorrow's Observer.

"We wish to make an apology.

"We had not realised that our government was capable..."

...of such folly and of such crookedness.

Hector,

you have the country in your palm.

They'll listen to you, to us.

We show the public what the world thinks

and we affirm what they already know.

The rumours are out there, the press are talking of collusion,

that this is a rushed war,

secretly orchestrated by Britain and France with the help of Israel,

to get the canal back.

And we overlook that there's no proof whatsoever of collusion?

We can't just assume that our government's guilty.

That's hardly impartial journalism, is it?

You'll bring the show down. McCain would have a heart attack.

And?

Go easy because McCain's cage is a little bit rattled?

We get out on the streets tomorrow.

We canvas opinion from the people at the rally and fire the debate.

- Let me go. - FREDDIE: Where?

Tomorrow. To the demonstration. Keep you in line.

You don't mind slumming it on the streets with a microphone?

Sound judgment is required on occasions like this.

One must be light on one's feet and mercurial of mind,

ready to adapt to any situation.

Tomorrow's the 4th. We go out on the 6th.

Well, it's a date.

Hell, last bus.

Shall I kip on the sofa?

Good bye.

Good night, then.

(BEL GIGGLING)

What?

I'm one of the last women to tolerate him.

It's not that.

You're different with him.

Different? How?

How you should be.

How I think you are when you're not being head girl...

(BEL exec-us)

...News Chief.

Or an irresistible woman.

- Don't be silly. - Am I being?

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Uh, yes. But Clarence...

Yes.

I wasn't sure if you'd still be up. Hector?

Oh, we were going over the outline of the show with Freddie.

Well, you may as well join us now you're here.

If Gaitskell insists

on responding to the Prime Minister's broadcast tomorrow,

it will only fuel the flames.

You are asking the BBC to waive its policy of impartiality?

It is the duty of the BBC to offer the opposition the chance to reply

to a ministerial broadcast if it is deemed controversial.

It will be neither useful nor reassuring to the public.

We expect The Hour to redress the balance somewhat.

And present the government's view?

Miss Rowley, that's not helpful.

The government's actions are not universally supported,

that's your problem.

Be aware that if your programme fails to fall into line,

it will comfort the enemy and undermine our country at war.

Angus,

the BBC would never jeopardise the security of our nation.

We are experienced in news management in times of peace and war.

I am merely obliged to tell you that there may be funding implications.

CLARENCE: Are you threatening us?

DOUGLAS: Clarence.

Always advice, Douglas.

Always advice.

Never to be taken as prescriptive.

- Let me talk to him. - He doesn't talk. He dictates.

Angus? Angus!

You look like you haven't slept for a week.

And you're the same.

I hope you sleep better tonight.

You were two a penny at my school,

four a penny during the war.

Little men desperately trying to make themselves bigger.

A little quieter, Hector.

Or do you wish the world to know that you have your producer's ear?

These are testing times for us all.

The mark of a man is how he conducts himself in these times.

It is? Does Wallace know how you're conducting yourself?

You may not be fearful for yourselves but it would be such a pity

if Miss Rowley found her career blighted by mere temptations of the flesh.

And she seems such a dear girl.

Dad?

Dad?

Yes. Same look in his eyes.

Visitor.

What's happened?

It was like this when I arrived.

Dad, you all right?

He was looking for something, apparently.

You've paid me so many visits recently,

I thought I should return the call.

We were just catching up on old times. Weren't we?

Go to bed, Dad.

- Bed? - Yes.

I'll be through in five minutes.

My goodness! What a room.

So many of one's most treasured things.

Your father seems well.

He was remembering the tea party

that we had when he came down to visit you once.

Ruthie had one of her awful nosebleeds.

The doctor said it was her nerves.

Stop coming to our house.

Stop loitering on the pavement.

Stop bothering us.

You're defiling our memory of Ruth.

And stop with these persistent phone calls to myself and my husband.

You will leave this alone, Frederick.

Oh, good, it is him who answers the telephone. I'm never sure.

The silence at the other end of the line when I ask why his wife is lying to me?

You don't know who you're dealing with.

Yes, I do. They're outside now, sitting in their car.

Apparently they are convinced that I am a Soviet agent.

Which I'm not, by the way,

in case you're at all concerned.

As someone who once knew you,

I am imploring you to leave it.

Just leave us alone in our grief.

Grief?

This isn't grief. This is shameful denial.

I will never let this go.

Ruth came to me to ask me to help her

and I will not stop helping her until the truth is known.

She knew something, something that was terrifying,

something that threatened those who wanted her dead.

Oh, you're terrified.

How brave you are.

We're not all as brave as you, Frederick.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Why did she come to me?

Why did Ruth come to me?

Because you're tenacious.

Because you care more about the truth than you do about your own safety.

Because if I was scared for my life, I would run to you.

And trust that you would know the answer.

Because there's no one else like you, Freddie.

Who is he? Who is Brightstone?

Freddie.

Is it me?

This is why you shouldn't drink bad wine.

Why else are they following me?

Because you're an irritant.

(SIGHS) You obviously know something, even if you don't know what it is.

You get under people's skin.

Are you still there?

Yes.

They're scared.

McCain, Eden,

they're petrified.

FREDDIE: They should be.

Douglas called me in tonight.

With McCain.

He's worried.

We're getting to them, Bel.

I'm putting the phone down.

- Not yet. - Go to sleep.

McCain knows.

About us.

We have to play it carefully now, Bel.

I don't know what you mean.

He will use it against us.

Now, don't be naive.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Not tonight.

Dad?

I never wanted you to go there.

But your mother thought it would be safer.

I always thought a little piece of you never came back.

I packed your case.

I found your bathers.

CROWD: (CHANTING) One, two, three, four! We won't fight in Eden's war!

(BEVAN SPEAKING ON MICROPHONE, INDISTINCT)

Here... Here.

Get it, Isaac. Get it.

(CROWD CHANTING)

- Where shall I stand? -To the left. Here.

ALL: One, two, three, four...

Go, go, go!

We are standing in a side street by Trafalgar Square.

You can see the crowds behind me holding up their placards.

Bevan's words have united the people as they march towards Downing Street.

You can hear the crowd chanting,

"One, two, three, four! We won't fight in Eden's war!"

as they snake their way along from every corner...

Hector, you need to come down here. We need to talk to more people.

Freddie, it is a waste of time

canvassing opinion if it can't be broadcast.

Nothing's ever wasted, Hector. Come on!

- Isaac. - One more minute.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

-(SISSY GIGGLES) - What's so funny?

Isaac's asked me to look over some of his sketches.

They're ever so funny.

He wants me to proof them.

- Is that what he calls it? - No, he's not my type.

- Sadly, I think you're his. - Really?

Ah, Bel. Freddie in?

He just asked me to do something for him.

What?

Oh, nothing. It can wait.

Has he taken you to the cinema yet?

French? I bet French.

You know he doesn't speak a word.

It's infuriating.

I can only apologise because I more than anyone know how irritating

a trip to the cinema with Freddie could be.

But perhaps you don't feel that way.

Feel what way?

About Freddie.

About how infuriatingly irritating he is.

There is a fine line between fury and desire, I tend to find.

I've never seen a film with Freddie in my life, nor do I intend to.

I can't stand the cinema.

The darkness. The sense one has of being trapped.

Now, a little fun?

Freddie is most certainly that.

But what did he ask you to do for him?

He wanted some information on Peter Darrall.

It's nothing, darling. His heart is still with you.

- We're just friends. - Of course.

I had a friend once.

Treated him like a dog.

Adorable man, absolutely useless at seduction.

Then he married someone else

and I realised it wasn't him who was absolutely useless, it was me.

My man in Cairo managed to smuggle out these memos

before British Embassy staff got to them.

They've been burning documents all weekend.

(WOMAN LAUGHING)

(CLARENCE AND MARNIE TALKING, IN DISTINCT)

It's getting rather heated. There are people running everywhere.

The sense of anger today is overwhelming.

(CROWD CLAMOURING)

There are police on horseback desperately trying to control the fray.

Keep the heart out and head focused.

Don't queer the pitch with your emotions.

Yeah, this from a man who can't drink a cup of tea without worrying

about the impression of tea leaf pickers in Ceylon.

POLICEMAN: Stay back, stay back!

Freddie, we should get out of here.

Get out? We've got to get further in, Hector, come on!

Isaac, come on, over here.

I can't keep the camera straight.

We need to find somewhere and stay there.

I need this microphone.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

(GROANS)

I don't know what time they'll be back.

It's utter mayhem out there.

Bedlam all the way down the Strand. The world has gone quite mad.

- I hope they'll be all right. - Oh, I never worry.

Hector can always look after himself.

Your poor wife, Mr Fendley. Doesn't she miss you? Working all the time?

She is very accommodating. Marry the man and you marry the job.

Yes, well, isn't that so true?

I'm gasping for a cup of tea.

Yes, of course. Perhaps you would, Bel?

Of course. If you go through to my office.

Yes, it's quite all right. I do know the way, thank you.

No excuses.

I have more pressing matters on my mind.

Just get her a cup of tea and be nice.

HECTOR: You're all right.

We're getting you help. just grip my hand.

- What's your name? - Harry.

Harry. Keep talking to me, Harry.

Here you are, now. Have some of this.

We need to get him closer to the road. The ambulance can't get through.

Um...

This is just one of many protestors injured today.

A day of peaceful protest soured by violence.

This is Frederick Lyon reporting for The Hour in London.

You're very lucky.

I have a very small corner in my living room

to do all my thank-you cards and letters.

Um, if you'd care to leave a message,

I can ask Hector to telephone you when he comes back.

I don't usually come into town if I can help it.

It very odd, me being here today.

Puts one's whole week out.

Well, there's always the country at the weekend.

Yes.

Monday is my art class.

I'm absolutely hopeless.

Last week we painted a gentleman in the nude.

Wednesday, Thursday's Bridge.

I'm in a club. I'm actually rather good.

And Fridays is the country.

Except if Hector has to work, and he has had to work a lot.

Yes.

This whole week, in fact, he's not been home.

I say, "Hector, they should pay you more."

Daddy thinks, well, knows,

that Hector won't be staying in the BBC forever.

Daddy says there's a lot of interest around Hector and The Hour.

And that's good, that's what I want. It's very, very good.

Will you just excuse me a moment?

At least you're not his secretary.

You see, I knew you were an intelligent woman.

I knew that I wouldn't have to say much.

Normally, it's with one of those silly little girls.

I'm just glad that with a clever women like you,

you do fully understand.

(SIGHS) He just can't control himself.

I think it's the creative in him.

Picasso has a heap of lovers.

Not that I'm putting Hector on a par with an artiste like that,

but there is always someone.

And normally I have to unpick their little fingers from his arm.

But it is such a relief to finally meet a proper woman.

I do like you very much.

You're such fun.

He's always just on loan. And he always comes back.

Do you love him at all?

I love him.

Warts and all. That's me. That's what I do.

And no matter...

And whatever you see of Hector,

I know who he really is.

Do you?

- Would you like me to call you a taxi? - No, thank you.

Do tell Hector I called by.

-(KNOCKING) - Yes, come in.

- Are they back yet? - Not yet.

- Clarence... - I can't believe you've been so stupid.

I can't explain.

Bad luck. I want you to.

I want you to explain to me why you're throwing away your career

for an affair that means nothing,

that will not last beyond this news story, Bel.

And if you're telling yourself anything other, then you're lying.

So explain, because in five minutes

I will receive a concerned call from Douglas.

I will defend your actions,

I will reassure him that you've come to your senses...

I am not a child.

No, you are not! You are producer of this programme.

A programme that is already under pressure.

Can you imagine how McCain will use this against us?

Against you? Against Hector?

It is inappropriate, it is unprofessional

and it must end.

I will defend your right to make this programme

in whatever way you want to

but I cannot defend someone who has sold herself so short!

So fix it.

Fix it now.

So is that how you got your second medal? Saving lives?

No, I got my first medal saving lives.

The second one was for an act of heroism, which we need not dwell upon.

You're God's cruel joke.

Sent to throw horrible relief on all our personal inadequacies.

It's only what anyone would have done.

I would have possibly have given him an aspirin, if pushed.

(LAUGHS)

We open with the image of thousands amassing in Trafalgar Square.

Why not?

The newsreels will already have run it.

Peaceful protest or attempt to control the voices of the masses?

Or something a little less leading.

Then we return to an in interview with, um...

Someone who matters. Someone with a voice.

- Eden. - Macmillan.

Calm down!

Yes, we show the protests. Yes, we cover Bevan's speech.

- You weren't there. - I'll look at the footage

and decide what to do from there.

But I'm serious. We need to find a way

of addressing the suspicion of collusion between Britain and France and Israel.

Like in a sketch.

- What kind of sketch? - A satire.

This is a news show, it's not Vaudeville.

A satirical sketch.

Why not? Works on the radio.

I would like to see McCain's face.

And it gets us round the fortnightly gag, doesn't it?

It could be disastrous.

Or daring.

It makes me nervous.

Always a good reason to do it.

- Keep it simple. - Really?

I want it by the end of the day.

- You can't run it. - We'll see.

Have you gone mad?

Report the demonstration, yes. But you can't...

The Russians have taken Budapest.

Hundreds of tanks.

It's all over the radio.

Nagy himself making a desperate appeal to the West to intervene.

And we're too busy with Suez.

I've got something for you.

I'm going. I'm going.

A memo from Tom Kish about Peter Darrall in May this year.

They were both in Egypt, on secondment from M16.

McCain was copied in.

They were meant to be there specifically to dig up

dirt on Colonel Nasser.

But it looks like that there were already questions about Peter Darrall.

He'd clearly turned.

They allude to him passing secrets between Egypt and the Soviets.

Reading between the lines,

poor Kish is clearly frantic.

Why the hell was Tom Kish reporting to McCain?

He was reporting to a lot of people.

He’s just one of several names on the memo.

You all right?

Why can you never get hold of the British Embassy

in Moscow when you need them?

Marnie came by today.

She said it was a nightmare getting in.

She knows?

It was quietly humiliating.

Apparently, you've done this kind of thing before.

There's a call for you from...

Take a message. I will call them back.

Clarence has warned me that it has to end.

It's not up to bloody Clarence.

We have put ourselves in a ridiculously precarious situation, Hector.

Wallace is on the BBC board.

He has friends in high places. He's friends with McCain.

Christ sake, you're friends with McCain.

Angus McCain is not a friend of mine. You know that damn well.

But I'm not foolish enough

to make enemies with people close to government.

Your words, Bel. Remember?

I never thought your ambition would compromise your integrity.

It hasn't.

It doesn't.

Look, we can't talk here.

I'll come to yours tonight.

I want to watch the Gaitskell's broadcast.

- Let's watch it together. - No.

- Verda needs a bed. - Oh.

And you should go home to yours.

Hector, just the man I'm looking for.

Sissy, put that call through.

You have to call McCain.

Take him out for a drink, butter him up.

- Do I? - Yes.

- Crikey. - He knew.

About Peter Darrall. He was in on whatever was going on.

You want me to find out?

Get him plastered if you have to.

He talks to you.

Have you been talking to Bel?

You seem friendly enough.

I tolerate him. Doesn't mean we talk.

- Someone is on edge. - I'm not on edge!

(DOOR CLOSES)

You heard the news from Budapest?

Bloody tragedy!

We're ignoring it because we're lost in our own mess.

He'll have to call a ceasefire.

The pound is spiralling down out of control,

even his own cabinet are voicing their concern.

We can't afford a war.

We're strapped in to our seats, unable to truly get up and shout.

They can't shut us down, Clarence. Douglas is...

Is our ally, but Douglas is only one man

and this Corporation is a machine of many cogs and wheels.

There are still those inside, as well as out, under pressure

to support Eden in this campaign.

That doesn't mean we buckle.

Christ Sake, Freddie, I've waited my entire life

to run a programme like this.

It's not going to be snatched away from me now.

You have several opportunities still ahead of you.

But this... This is it.

There is not another Hour for me.

And now I am late

and Edith will be furious because dinner will be spoilt.

You're right. That doesn't mean we buckle.

Clarence.

They're still following me.

- Still pursuing the Elms story? - Yes.

Then you must get quicker on your feet.

Put me through to Whitehall 2995, please.

Thank you.

Thank you. Angus McCain?

Sissy, would you read this?

Miss Rowley wants it any minute.

- I'm very busy, Isaac. - Please.

It's just the bare bones.

I don't get it.

It's too complicated?

- Get what? - Isaac's written a sketch.

Hand it over. Immediately.

It's not ready yet.

(LAUGHS)

- It needs to be balanced. - Yes.

We're not looking to lynch anyone, just to stir debate.

I need those cartoons.

- Does it work? - I think it does.

A sketch on Suez. They'll pull the plug on us.

What for?

I'd rather debate a question without settling it

than settle a question with no debate.

HECTOR: I've got McCain.

One hour. Executive bar.

Shall I come?

BEL AND HECTOR: No.

- Anyone for a drink? - No, thanks.

Looks like it's just you and me, then.

Something like that.

Isaac, want me to type it up?

Oh, would you? My handwriting's pretty illegible.

It's characterful.

And after we could go and...

Oh, he's here. I told him to wait outside.

Oh, sorry, Isaac. Go and...

Nothing.

Okay. Mind if I type it up tomorrow?

Of course.

Hello.

How tall do you reckon he is?

5'9", 10".

MAN: Ready? Let's go.

Did you take those?

Yes.

Don't you miss it?

Yes.

And you wouldn't go back?

Report overseas again, take photos again?

Too old, too slow and...

That one

was taken just outside of Madrid.

They were one of the last to surrender in '39.

She was running away from her house, leaving everything.

A row of men are being executed just behind that door.

Amongst them, her husband.

She... She didn't look back.

And I was irritated because I had my camera in my hand

and I couldn't find another film.

They were being shot one by one and all I could think was,

"I've got no bloody film."

I'm still proud I got it.

Got to grab it while you can.

- Another? - No.

I've reached my limit.

You got glasses.

Yes.

You didn't tell me.

- Well, I don't tell you everything. - Yes, you do.

You all right?

Absolutely.

What's wrong?

It's my father who's been messing up the house.

Making it look like it's been burgled.

Why?

He's always trying to find something.

Hmm. That sounds familiar.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Hello?

Is that you?

FREDDIE: Lora' Elms.

Lord Elms?

WOMAN ON PHONE: Hello, Operator.

Operator, from where was that last call placed?

- Framlingham 2355, sir. Thank you.

Guess who just...

- BARTENDER: Good evening, sir. - Glengoyne, please.

Certainly.

Thanks.

(CLEARS THROAT)

- Same? - Mmm-hmm.

- Would you like to sit here, sir? - Uh...corner table, please.

I can't stay long.

They want us all after Gaitskell's broadcast.

Well, they will have to wait.

Oh, Hector, that's not like you.

Whatever you think you have on me, I have something more on you, Angus.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Mmm-hmm?

And what might that be, dear boy?

Your relationship with Adam Le Ray.

Hector.

Oh, I'm not interested in the details of your private life, Angus.

But other people certainly might be.

Why did Tom Kish copy you in on a memo

that was clearly a matter of national security?

My father was a drinker.

Gave it up when I was 19.

He swore he could never remember a word during one of his episodes.

Whisky does obscure the memory, doesn't it?

- I won't remember any of this tomorrow. - Of course.

May I hold on to it?

Last spring, I was approached by Lord and Lady Elms.

Our families had been acquainted for years.

They asked me to allay their concerns.

- They're daughter had become involved. - With Peter Darrall?

They knew I had connections at the Foreign Office,

they asked me to make inquiries.

I dutifully agreed.

I had hoped to reassure them.

Much to my surprise, it was revealed that

Darrall worked for M16

and that they clearly had concerns of their own.

This was verified to me in that memo which I was included in.

So you informed Lord and Lady Elms?

I informed Lord and Lady Elms

their daughter was involved with a very dangerous man,

a SPY. a traitor.

They in turn had discovered that she was...in trouble.

So, you introduced the idea of Adam Le Ray.

She talked to the press.

No, sorry. She talked to Mr Lyon.

Whatever lengths had been gone to to protect her,

she had now made her own bed.

Oh.

Miss Elms had been singled out by Darrall,

by the Soviets.

The KGB have a list circulating, which M16 managed to intercept.

On this list are the names

of young men and women, bright, intelligent,

often connected, who might be susceptible,

open to betraying their country.

Apparently they call them their Brightstones.

(LAUGHING, DOOR CLOSES)

(LAUGHING)

If you're cold, there's an extra blanket.

Or you can turn the gas on if you wake in the night.

I used to think the worst possible thing would be to be like you.

But I can never be like you.

I can never live so lightly.

It all matters too much to me.

(SIGHS)

It all matters very much to me, sweetheart,

I just don't let my face show that.

It's all about how you sell it.

You have a suitcase and five pounds in a savings account.

But that very nice lady who sold me a cup of tea

in that little hovel that you call a café on the corner,

she doesn't know that.

Well, what does it matter?

Hmm?

(TV AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

Why do we have to be married?

Or not married?

Why can't we do what the hell we like?

Men can. They can sleep with women without getting a name for themselves.

They can have careers.

Darling, you... You have a career. You have a career.

Well, I'm going to do exactly what I like and to hell with the rest of them.

What?

You're more like me than you know.

Come on.

Come on.

GAITSKELL ON TV: Good evening. It has been a tragic and terrible week,

indeed a tragic and terrible day.

How tragic it is that we, by our criminal folly,

should have lost the moral leadership of which we were once so proud.

Here at home, the government policy of war with Egypt

has produced terrible heart searchings.

The Archbishop Of Canterbury has led a deputation

of all denominations of the churches to the government.

What are the consequences?

We have violated the Charter of the United Nations.

We have betrayed all that Great Britain has stood for in world affairs.

Since the war, at least,

we have supported every stand against aggression.

We did so...

(SIGHS)

- About... - Yes?

Uh, the other night.

What?

We are, you and I...

We are...between you and I...

all right?

We're marvellous, Freddie.

Good. Good.

Mmm.

- Did Hector say what time he'd be back? - Uh, no.

Damn!

Freddie.

- The code. It said something about... - Brightstone, revert to...

Brightstone. She was a Brightstone.

- Who? What? - Ruth Elms was a Brightstone.

- What are you talking about? - I'll tell you in the car.

Where are we going?

Well, I don't know. I'd thought you'd know.

They were in on it. The Elms were in on it.

- They live in Suffolk. - I'll drive.

You can't walk in a straight line.

Does it matter? It's nearly midnight. There will be no one on the roads.

Here.

Put this on.

Not yet, not yet.

Wait until I've pulled away.

A lady never removes her hat in a gentleman's car.

Hector.

One more minute.

I've been here three hours.

- Just wait until... - They're awake.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

- Good morning, sir. - Are they in? Are Lord and Lady Elms in?

I wish to speak with Lord Elms, excuse me.

Lord Elms!

FREDDIE: Lord Elms!

I know!

I know! I know about Tom Kish and Peter Darrall.

I know that you married your daughter off,

I know what you did!

Good morning, Freddie.

What I don't understand...

Shall we come in here and talk?

What I don't understand is why you came to me if you don't want me to help...

Shall we sit?

- Thank you. - No.

Ruth came to see me because she couldn't talk to you,

because she was so frightened.

She was frightened and pregnant and you did nothing.

You did more than nothing, you married her off.

Don't speak to him!

Don't say anything to him, Richard.

She didn't kill herself. Admit it. Say it!

No. She didn't.

Please, Richard. Please.

We've tried silence, Alice, and it doesn't work.

We tried doing what they asked.

And it still didn't save her.

They thought she was a liability to herself

but the biggest liability to her was us.

We knew what that threat meant.

We were trying to save her life!

(MRS ELMS, SOBBING) No, please.

Who are "they"?

"They" are us.

Men like me.

There was a list.

Yes.

Did you see it?

The list of Brightstones?

- Was there anybody else you recognised? - Yes.

You, Freddie.

You.

If Sir Anthony Eden is sincere in what he is saying,

if nations more powerful than ourselves

accept the absence of principle,

the anarchistic attitude of Eden, and launch bombs on London,

what answer have we got?

They have besmirched the name of Britain.

They have made us ashamed of the things of which formerly we were proud.

(CROWD CHEERING AND CHANTING)

CROWD: One, two, three, four! We won't fight in Eden's war!

BEVAN: They have offended against every principle of decency

and there is only one way in which they can

even begin to restore their tarnished reputation.

And that is to get out! Get out! Get out!

(CROWD CHEERING)

CROWD: Eden must go! Eden must go!

(CHANTING CONTINUES)