Original subtitles

Subtitling by Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)

This cold lamb's hardly been touched,

what she had for her dinner last night.

Oh, Mrs. Bellamy has never been

what I would describe as a hearty eater.

Not hearty, no.

Respectable.

Oh. No pleasing her nowadays.

Pick, pick.

I don't like it.

If Mr. Bellamy had been here,

he would have done it justice, all right.

It mustn't be wasted.

Well, that's just it.

With no gentlemen to cook for,

it's nothing but hashing and currying and making over.

It's the sort of cooking I don't like doing at all.

Oh, I don't know. War's getting on my nerves.

Tradesmen getting rude, shorthanded in the house,

standards lowered all 'round.

Oh, never yours, Mrs. Bridges.

If I may make a suggestion, why don't you send up some rissoles

for Mrs. Bellamy this evening with that delicious sauce?

You've never failed with your rissoles.

Oh, yeah.

The bigger raid.

Mm. Perhaps I might take your suggestion.

Oh.

In Lady Marjorie's day,

we'd never have served rissoles for dinner.

Oh. Just imagine.

Still, got to finish up the cold meat somehow.

Oh! That Daisy's not cleaned my mincer proper.

I meant to speak to her about it.

Where is the girl?

Rose wanted her for clearing out Mr. Bellamy's dressing room.

But she ought to be down here laying up our dinner.

Always behindhand nowadays.

If she don't have a letter from Edward, she's mopey.

If she do, she gets above herself.

Up and down, up and down. No normal behaviour at all.

DAISY: [Singing indistinctly]

♫ Are you there, little teddy? ♫

Oh!

- I'll give her teddy bears! - Oh, no.

That's enough, what it is!

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Daisy,

singing them disgusting songs and crashing about like that.

She slipped on the stairs.

And don't you start excusing her, Rose.

- That I will not stand. - HUDSON: Hurry up, Daisy.

There's the servants' hall table to be laid.

It's nearly 12:00.

And when you have a moment, my girl,

perhaps you could look at my mincer.

I'll lay the table.

You go and help Mrs. Bridges with her mincer.

Yeah, all right, Rose.

One thing I will say for Ruby -

She may have been slow, but she always cleaned things proper.

[Bell rings]

You ought to have more control over that girl, Rose.

Really, you ought.

I can't stop her slipping on the stairs,

can I, Mrs. Bridges?

Oh, mind as you go up the stairs, Mr. Hudson.

- There's wet on them. - And all that singing.

I don't know where she picks it up from.

Well, she goes to the music halls with her friend, Violet.

Takes her mind off Edward.

Anyhow, she washed down the paint

in Mr. Bellamy's dressing room very good.

I daresay she did,

but she ought to be down in here on time to help me.

I would have thought

you would have had more consideration, Rose.

Really, I would.

[ Sniffs ] Oh, what do I smell?

My pie catching.

Oh, my goodness! Oh, goodness me!

Oh, leave that now, Daisy. Help me lay the table.

DAISY: What's the matter with Mrs. Bridges?

She's cross as two sticks.

Got out of bed the wrong side this morning.

- Yeah. - Never mind.

You'll probably get a letter from Edward soon.

You'll be getting one from Gregory.

Yeah. I dreamt about him last night.

Go on.

Dreamt he took me to see the Crystal Palace.

And that's funny 'cause I ain't ever been there.

Oh, how did you know what it looks like, then?

Don't know. Must have seen a picture, I suppose.

It was huge.

All glistening in the sun.

But when we got near it,

we could see that the glass was melting, like ice,

all dripping and falling away.

And I went to ask him why it was, and it's funny.

I couldn't see him, my eyes were so dazzled by the sun.

But I could hear him say,

"We don't have palaces in Australia, Rosie,

-but you'll always have me." - Aww.

And then he said, "Darling."

He ain't ever called me that before, Daisy.

Oh, it was beautiful.

Makes me feel all warm and shivery inside

when I think of it.

You are lucky, Rose.

I don't never dream of Edward.

Well, I better help Mrs. Bridges with the dishing up.

It's fish pie and plum duff.

I'm ever so hungry, aren't you?

Uh, Mrs. Bellamy out for lunch today, Mr. Hudson?

That is correct, Rose. No dining-room luncheon today.

Oh, then I won't bother to change till after.

- That the post? - Yes, Rose.

And there's one here for you.

Oh, Mr. Hudson.

What did I tell you?

Fetch in the greens, Daisy, and the pot.

Funny. It's not his writing.

This journal appears to be for you, Mrs. Bridges.

"Occult."

Yes.

It's my friend, Mrs. Chambers. She sends that to me.

She gets in touch with her husband on the other side.

Does she, now?

Oh.

Rose!

Rose!

She's fainted.

Daisy, get some water.

Here, undo her collar.

I'll fetch a wee drop of brandy.

Oh, there, Rose.

Oh, you poor thing.

It's all right, Rose dear. It's all right.

- DAISY: Is she all right? - She's only fainted.

Here we are, now, my girl. Here we are.

Here, let me try.

Mm.

Me letter.

It's in your hand, Rose.

Is it about Sergeant Wilmot?

There, now.

No, no. Read it.

I can't see.

Please, Mr. Hudson.

It appears to be from his company commander.

"Dear Miss Buck, I am very sorry to have to inform you

that Sergeant Wilmot was killed in action this morning.

He was returning from an early patrol

when he was shot by a sniper.

He was killed instantly and suffered no pain.

I want to tell you how very much

we valued his cheerful and courageous nature

and what a great loss he will be

to the company in which he served.

No officer could have had a better sergeant

or a more resourceful soldier.

May I offer you my great sympathy

for your most tragic loss?

Since no next of kin was recorded,

all Sergeant Wilmot's letters from yourself,

together with all his personal effects,

will be forwarded to you in due course.

I am so sorry to have to write this.

Yours sincerely, Peter Graham, Captain."

He died instantly, Rose...

...and suffered no pain.

Died instantly.

Suffered no pain.

[ Crying ] No.

No! He can't.

He can't be dead!

He can't be dead!

He's the only man I've ever loved.

- He can't be! He can't be! - There, there, Rose.

HUDSON: Daisy. Daisy, go and put the kettle on.

MRS. BRIDGES: Try and calm yourself.

Rose'll be wanting a hot water bottle and some tea.

- She's in a state of shock. - Calm yourself a little, Rose.

Oh, Mrs. Bridges, have you not got something to cover her with?

- She's very cold. - I'll fetch a blanket.

Oh, God, please don't let Eddie die.

Oh.

My dear Rose.

We're - we're all so very sorry.

I shall be alone now for the rest of me life.

Not alone, Rose.

You've got us.

It's not the same. I know, my lamb.

But we are your old friends.

It's not the same, Mr. Hudson.

MRS. BRIDGES: Here.

Here we are.

Nothing like crochet for warmth.

There.

And Daisy will make you a nice cup of tea.

Where is that girl? Daisy!

Tea's just drawing, Mrs. Bridges.

I'll push you closer to the fire, Rose.

You must be careful.

And then put the pie in the bottom of the oven

and the vegetables over some hot water in a colander.

There we are. Now, then.

Oh.

Oh, her feet is like blocks of ice.

HUDSON: It's shock, Mrs. Bridges.

- We must expect that. - Yes, yes.

I'll...

I'll pour out her cup of tea meself.

Perhaps he's not so bad.

He was killed, Rose.

MRS. BRIDGES: There we are, now.

Drink this up while it's nice and hot.

Plenty of sugar in it, I trust?

Yes, yes, Mr. Hudson.

I'm sorry to be such a nuisance.

MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, you're not a nuisance, Rose.

You suffered a most terrible shock.

I'm sorry. Can't manage it.

Rose, you are going to drink every drop of that tea.

Mrs. Bridges will stay with you while you drink it.

I shall inform Mrs. Bellamy

of Rose's bereavement as soon as she returns.

Daisy had better go 'round and tell them at the bus depot.

Now, then, Rose, you heard what Mr. Hudson said.

Come along, now. Drink it up.

There's a good girl.

[ Door opens ]

HUDSON: You rang, madam.

Yes, I should like some tea, please, Hudson.

Madam.

Madam, I'm afraid that Rose has had some very bad news.

What news?

Of her young man, madam.

I'm afraid Sergeant Wilmot has been killed in action.

Killed.

Oh, no. Poor Rose.

Oh, I must go to her, Hudson. At once.

If I may suggest, madam,

it might be better to leave her for a wee while.

Daisy has at long last got her to rest her in her bed,

and I believe she is sleeping.

Mrs. Bridges administered a few drops of chloral

in the hope that she would drop off.

Yes, I see.

I'm afraid that she's considerably upset, madam.

She really loved him.

I know that.

So I understand, madam.

Of course I'll wait till she wakes up,

and then I'll go up and see her.

It's cold in here, madam.

I'll make up the fire.

[Telephone rings]

I'll answer it, Hudson.

Hello.

Oh, this is Mrs. Bellamy speaking.

Bunny.

Oh, where are you?

Dover. Are you on leave?

Oh, good. I'm glad for you.

James?

Is he? when?

Two or three days, Bunny. That is rather vague.

Oh, I see.

Yes.

No, he hasn't.

I haven't heard from him for about, oh, a fortnight.

Has he?

Well, how wonderful.

Well, of course I'm proud, and so will Richard be,

and very glad for him.

Thank you for telling me.

Enjoy your leave.

Goodbye.

Major Bellamy is coming home on leave.

Yes, madam.

Oh, might I ask when?

Lord Newbury wasn't quite sure.

He's on his way back to the base.

Two or three days, he thought.

Well, then I will bring up the major's favourite claret, madam.

And should I inform Mrs. Bridges?

I know she will be most anxious

to do her best for the major when he comes home.

Well, by all means.

Oh, Hudson, you might like to tell the others

that Major Bellamy has been awarded the Military Cross,

for his conduct in a recent action on the Somme.

That is indeed a great honour, madam.

The Military Cross.

That is good news, madam.

Yes.

Shall I bring tea, madam?

Oh, yes, Hudson. I...

I should like some tea.

May I say, madam, how glad we shall all be downstairs

that you will soon have a short respite from anxiety.

What?

Having the major safe at home for a while.

Oh, yes.

Thank you, Hudson.

What I think is, if the major's getting some leave,

it's high time Eddie got some, too.

Eddie hasn't gone and got himself a medal.

That's what Major James is getting his leave for.

You mark my words.

Besides, he's an officer.

There's a difference.

And so it should be.

I'm sure if Eddie wanted a medal, he'd get hisself one.

He's been fighting in just the same battles

as the major all these months.

Mr. Hudson says it's been the worst battle of the war.

It's called the Battle of the Somme,

and more people have been killed in this battle than any -

Daisy! - What have I done?

I was only saying what Mr. Hudson said.

- Oh! - MRS. BRIDGES: What is it, Rose?

I stuck the blessed needle in me finger,

and I've sewn the blessed ribbon on all crooked.

It'll have to be done again. I wish I was dead.

Rose, you mustn't say such dreadful things.

It's all your fault, Daisy.

You ought to have more consideration for other people.

Jabbering on about people dying in battles.

That's no way to cheer Rose up.

Well, it's not as though she was married to him, is it?

How can you be so wicked, cruel? How can you?

It's all very well for you, Daisy.

- You're all right. - Sorry.

I hate you for saying that!

That's enough, Daisy.

Go to your room at once.

Do as you're told. Leave that ironing.

[ Sobs ]

[ Sniffles ]

MRS. BRIDGES: Rose.

Come here.

Come over here to Mrs. Bridges, then.

- Come along. -[ Sniffles ]

There, there.

There, my lamb.

Oh, Mrs. Bridges, what shall I do?

There, there, my lamb.

She didn't mean to upset you.

She just don't know what she says.

You suffered a terrible disappointment, Rose,

the worst thing that can happen to a respectable young woman,

you have.

Don't think I don't understand, 'cause I do.

You'll get over it, believe me.

You will get over it in the end.

That's what Mrs. Bellamy says.

But I can't believe it.

I can't believe it's happened.

Half the time, I feel numb. Don't feel anything at all.

Then I have to tell myself he's dead, he's been killed...

...and it's like reading that letter all over again.

It won't keep on like that, Rose.

After a bit, it won't keep slamming at you so often,

and it won't be so hard when it does.

It's not that I don't believe you, Mrs. Bridges.

I know, my girl.

I've been through it.

Long time ago, of course,

but it's not the kind of thing you forget.

I've never told a soul about it.

Oh, Mrs. Bridges.

You remember Mrs. Beadows, the one I baked the cake for,

the one that Mr. Wilmot -

Well, it was before she was with Lady Templeman.

She was with Lady Basingstoke,

and I was under her there as kitchen maid.

They had a big place in Scotland, the Basingstokes.

And I was sent up there once

for the house parties for the grouse shooting.

Oh, it was a huge place.

20 in the servants' hall.

And the water for the hip baths of an evening

was something I shan't never forget.

Where was I?

You was telling me about what you'd been through.

Oh, that's right, yes.

Well, there was this Frederick.

He was a groom there,

and he come down one day to help with the hampers.

Oh, he was a good-looking young man.

He had the bluest eyes I've ever seen on anyone in all my life,

and his hair was real copper colour.

[ Chuckles ]

Of course I was different in them days.

Mind you, it was over 30 years ago.

He told me I had the trimmest waist he'd ever seen.

How did you manage to see him,

him not having his meals in the servants' hall?

Oh, well, I didn't see all that much of him, of course.

They was ever so strict in them days.

But I was invited up to tea with his mother.

They had a croft, they called it, on the estate.

Mrs. Beadows give me permission.

I dressed up in me Sunday best for the occasion,

and he come and fetch me.

So we had the walk there and back.

One day coming back it rained, cats and dogs.

There was no two ways about it.

We just had to take shelter.

Did you get engaged to him?

Well, not exactly engaged, but we come to an understanding.

Mind you, we'd seen one another

quite a few times before that occasion,

when he'd come in for the hampers.

Well, after a bit, he took to getting them every day,

and I took to being as the one as took them in.

'Course we had to be ever so careful.

You see, it was only on the walk to and from his mother's cottage

that I had the chance of surmising his intentions.

Then what happened?

We didn't tell a soul.

I didn't have nobody to tell.

When I come back to London, he wrote to me twice.

'Course I answered,

but we was neither of us much gone on writing.

Then there was this fighting out in the Sudan.

One of the sons of the household was an officer in the cavalry,

and Fred went out there as his groom.

He caught some fever and died there...

...all amidst them savages.

His mother wrote to me. Else I wouldn't have known.

After that, I took to polishing all the pans in the kitchen...

...till me arms were so tired I could hardly move.

- Poor Mrs. Bridges. - Oh.

It was not having anybody to tell.

I thought I'd never get over it.

When someone dies, it seems so final, don't it?

Well, yes and no.

Things have changed, Rose.

I mean, when a loved one passes over,

there are certain special people

who can take and receive messages from the other side.

My friend, Mrs. Chambers, knows one of these ladies.

That's spiritualists, isn't it? And Mr. Hudson says -

You don't want to take too much notice of him.

Not on that account.

I mean, he's a man.

They don't have the same feelings as us women.

How do you know it's all right, spiritualism and that?

Well, that's what I was coming to.

You see, Rose, I was so dreadfully upset the other day

when you - when you got your tragic news

because I remember I'd been sharp with you

right up to the time when the letter come.

And so after we'd got you to have a little bit of a laydown,

I popped 'round the corner to my friend, Mrs. Chambers,

in Chester Square.

Now she's somebody I really trust.

Well, her lady lost a son in August,

and she'd been to her, I know,

because Mrs. Chambers told me she had.

Been where?

To this Madame Francini.

Wait. Wait a bit.

I'll show you.

There's something about her here.

Yes, there we are.

It says, "Many titled ladies

have received consolation in their tragic losses."

Well, I asked Mrs. Chambers if she thought it would help you,

and she said it was her considered opinion

that it would.

What happens?

Well, you just sit very quiet,

and then Madame Francini goes into a trance.

And then her control -

that's the spirit what she gets in touch with -

gets you a message.

And then you know that he's all right and happy where he is.

And you could send him a message, too, Rose.

And it'd be ever such a comfort to you.

Believe me, thousands of people are doing it nowadays.

Would I...

Would I hear his voice?

You might, if you was lucky.

Mind you, sometimes you have to go more than once.

Oh, it's probably ever so expensive.

No.

Madame Francini never charges more than a person can afford.

You try it, Rose.

Here, there's the address.

Not a word to Mr. Hudson, mind.

All right, I will.

Might as well.

Definitely someone there.

[Tap]

Everyone keep very quiet

and help Mrs. Speedwell to concentrate.

Look above my head, Mrs. Speedwell, and behind it.

I feel a presence forming.

A handsome young man is there.

A young man.

He looks pale.

That's my Billy.

Have you a message for your mother, Billy?

[Tap]

Yes.

He has a message.

Keep looking.

Can you see anything yet?

No, not yet.

He's very tall, isn't he?

Well...

Compared to you. - Yeah.

And such a lovely, generous expression.

Now, you should be able to see him any moment now.

Billy, don't be shy.

We know you're on the other side.

We want to know whether you are happy.

MAN'S VOICE: Very happy here.

Oh, Billy, my darling.

I can see you now. I know I can.

Oh, Billy, are you really all right?

I miss you so.

MAN'S VOICE: Quite all right.

But spirit...

...must go now.

Oh, Billy, don't.

Please don't leave me so soon.

[Voice breaking] Oh, my dear one, don't go.

We mustn't try to stop them.

I'm sure he'll want to come again on your next visit.

Now quiet, everyone.

I think I have another message.

Is it for the gentleman?

[ Tapping ]

Is it for another lady?

[ Tapping ]

Steady, dear.

We understand that it's for a lady.

Everyone keep very quiet and concentrate.

Is there anyone there?

WOMAN'S VOICE: ♫ And his ghost may be heard ♫

♫ As you pass by that billabong ♫

♫ You'll come a-waltzing, Matilda, with me ♫

[ Tapping ]

That's an Australian song, isn't it, dear?

Is it an Australian gentleman?

WOMAN'S VOICE: ♫ waltzing, Matilda ♫

♫ Waltzing Matilda ♫

No. No. I don't want to.

No, no. Stop.

[ Panting ]

Oh. Oh.

Oh, thank you, Hudson.

[Sighs]

ROSE: [Crying] Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hudson.

HUDSON: Rose. Rose, not here.

Control yourself.

Now pull yourself together, Rose.

This is no place for such a scene.

No place?

Where is the place? That's what I'd like to know.

I can't help it. [ Sobbing ]

I'm afraid Rose is hysterical, madam.

She'd better go upstairs to her room.

HAZEL: No!

No. Rose had better come in here with me.

Very good, madam.

Come along, Rose.

Make yourself presentable.

Mrs. Bellamy is waiting.

Quickly, now.

ROSE: You wish to speak to me, madam?

Come in, Rose, and sit down.

Tell me what's the matter.

Why were you so upset?

I've been to see Madame Francini.

Who's Madame Francini?

Oh, she's a very well-known lady.

She - She talks to people on the other side.

She gets messages from them and to them.

Titled ladies go to her.

She's a great consolation

for those in mourning for their loved ones.

I've never heard such nonsense in my life.

She sounds like some kind of spiritualist.

Oh, yes. That's what she is, madam.

Rose, that's wicked.

Those people are charlatans.

You must know that. You're a good Christian.

Well, I didn't know it, did I? Never been there before.

And I sincerely hope

you'll never go to one of those places again.

I'm shocked, Rose.

Well, I left before anything happened to me.

- I left when a lady saw - - I don't want to hear about it.

No, madam.

But if there is anything else, I can help you.

I know you've suffered a dreadful blow.

I do feel deeply for you. We all do.

I know Gregory's dead all the time now,

not just in waves like before with forgetting in between.

It's come to be the only thing on me mind.

But it's not just being alone 'cause he's dead.

It's being alone 'cause of how I feel about it.

I understand how dreadful it is for you, Rose.

You can't.

Excuse me, madam, but you can't have no idea.

Well, ever since I was 13, I've lived in other people's houses.

I never, ever had a room of me own.

Never had a life of me own, really.

But that's 'cause I've been in service all me life.

Don't know anything else.

Then at last I was going to another country, live on a farm

and be a mistress of me own household

with a husband and children to look after.

Then when I got old, they'd have looked after me.

Now I haven't got anything.

When I get too old to work,

I'll have to find meself a little room somewhere,

and I won't be able to have saved enough

to do more than scrimp and pinch through to the rest of me life,

so I don't know what it's all for anymore.

I know.

Before I met Gregory,

I never thought about my life as a whole.

I'd never thought that I'd meet a man who'd love me...

...ask me to marry him, want to look after me.

But I did meet him, and it made me think about it.

[Voice breaking] And now he's gone,

and I'm worse off than back where I started.

Now, whatever position you find yourself in, madam,

that's never gonna happen to you

so I just don't see how you can understand.

What you've said has made me understand a good deal more.

But, Rose, we'd never let you

end your days in the way you describe.

We're all much too fond of you.

Yes, well, that would be charity, wouldn't it, madam?

I think we all owe you far too much for it to be that.

Oh, madam, I'm most dreadfully sorry.

I've said such terrible things.

No, Rose.

You haven't said terrible things, only true ones.

And I do understand, a little.

So much that is dreadful is happening in this war

that no one can be immune from grief or the possibility of it.

Immune?

Untouched.

But you will find comfort in prayer

much more than anything else.

God will not forsake you if you pray to him.

Look, why don't you go 'round to St. Peters

and see the rector, Mr. Andrews?

He's an old man, but he's very experienced and very kind.

He's seen a great deal of bereavement...

...the anguish of loss, and the strain of fearing it.

I know because I've talked to him myself.

I will ask him if he'll see you, if you like.

Oh, madam, I didn't think.

The first weeks are the hardest.

But you will get through them.

You will find that other threads of your life have some meaning.

One does not forget,

but one learns to live with the loss

until very gradually it becomes something that can be accepted.

But you must come and talk to me whenever you feel like it.

Won't you?

Yes, madam.

Thank you for talking to me, madam.

I'll try and do what you said.

Are you all right, madam?

Oh, it's all right, Rose.

You may go now.

I'll ring if I want anything.

But will you go now, please?

[Door opens, closes]

[ Cries ]

[ Door opens ]

HUDSON: Welcome home, Major.

JAMES: Thank you, Hudson. ls Mrs. Bellamy in?

Yes, sir. She's in the morning room.

Oh, good. You're looking very well.

HUDSON: Thank you, sir. Did you have a good journey?

Yes. Thank you. Leave those downstairs.

- I'll take the rest up later. - Oh, very good, Major.

[Clicks tongue]

Mr. Hudson, they was up and dressed,

but I think the major's been in his dressing room

writing all night 'cause the floor was covered in paper.

And I don't think he's been to bed all night -

That will do, Daisy.

It is no concern of yours.

'Cause the other half of the bed hadn't been slept in.

Take that tray and go down to Mrs. Bridges.

She'll be waiting for you.

And after the major and Mrs. Bellamy have come down,

you'd better go up and see what has become of Rose.

Oh, shouldn't I go up now, Mr. Hudson?

Certainly not, girl.

The major will not want you all over the stairs

when he's coming down them.

There are times when I despair of you, Daisy.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I coddled Mrs. Bellamy's eggs,

seeing as she had no dinner last night, poor soul.

Oh, my goodness.

I quite forgot.

I roasted this special for the major.

The newspaper's there.

I don't think I can bear to look at it.

You look very tired.

I didn't sleep last night.

Excuse me, sir, but Mrs. Bridges forgot to send this up

with the rest of breakfast.

A cold partridge, sir.

She roasted it especially for you.

Oh. How very good of her.

Put it on the sideboard, would you, Hudson?

Sir.

Oh, Hudson, would you tell Mrs. Bridges

I shall be out to luncheon?

Yes, madam.

What about you, James?

I shall be out, too.

Very good, sir.

Oh, Lady Prudence telephoned, madam.

Oh?

She wondered whether you read about Lieutenant Dyson

in last night's evening newspaper.

Yes, I did.

Is that all?

- Yes, madam. - Thank you, Hudson.

Who was Lieutenant Dyson?

He was one of the wounded officers

that came here to Prudences tea party.

He was in the Royal Flying Corps.

He's dead.

He was killed.

Will you go to your club?

Oh, no.

Can't face all those old chaps asking me about my medal...

...wanting to be told a pack of lies about how the war's going.

In fact, the thought of meeting anyone I know fills me with...

What?

With panic.

What do you mean?

It's the war.

I don't believe in it anymore.

Do you mean that we're not going to win?

Oh, Hazel, it's not a question of wining or losing.

It's not that.

It's the appalling waste...

...of thousands and thousands

of ordinary men who aren't really soldiers at all.

Farmers, post-office clerks, tradesmen -

barely schoolboys, some of them...

...simply getting slaughtered like cattle.

And for what?

A few yards of mud.

I remember once at school I played Fortinbras in "Hamlet."

These soldiers are fighting for a patch of land

that they said wasn't any good anyway.

They said it wasn't even big enough to bury their dead.

"We go to gain a little patch of ground that hath in it no profit

but the name."

There can't be any argument, any dispute

that is worth so many people's lives, so much blood.

There's something monstrous, evil, mad about it all.

And it's all bolstered up by people here

not knowing what it's really like,

like some vast confidence trick.

You see, even now I can't really tell you how awful it is.

We perpetuate the lies, even from out there.

The letters I've written to the wives and mothers of my men...

..."He died like a man," "instantly and no pain."

"His supreme sacrifice will not be in vain."

I haven't written a single letter

that didn't have one of those lies in it.

And all the time, you see, it seems to me clearer and clearer

that they died for nothing.

I-I shouldn't be talking to you like this.

It's against the rules.

We're not supposed to demoralize the civilian population.

You should talk.

You need to tell someone.

I've told you hardly anything.

A tithe Of it.

You couldn't stand much more of the awful details.

I spent all last night writing it down, what I feel.

And I want you to keep it somewhere safe.

If I'm killed, I want you to get it published somewhere.

Perhaps Geoffrey Dillon can arrange it.

I know we haven't always understood each other very well,

Hazel, but you will promise me that one thing?

I promise, James.

Well, I...

I'd better go and see how Rose is.

Mm, what's the matter with her?

Her fiancé was killed last week.

She's dreadfully upset.

Mm, the Australian fellow?

Yes.

I've tried to comfort her, but I don't seem to do much good.

Mm. Perhaps I should go and see her.

Well, if you feel like it.

I'm sure it would help.

Then I shall.

I shall speak to her very frankly.

I'm so sorry, Rose.

I was trying to pull meself together.

Then his things come.

I expect you had a letter

from his company commander, didn't you?

The officer. Yes.

It says how much they valued his cheerful and courageous nature

and what a great loss he'll be

to the company in which he served.

It says he died instantly and suffered no pain.

Well, that's one mercy, isn't it, Rose?

Yes, sir.

I know it is.

Only he's gone, see, and...

What is it, Rose?

Well, sir, I know it's 'cause I'm ignorant,

but I don't understand the war.

I don't see what it's really for.

I mean, if I could understand why he had to die and leave me.

You must remember, Rose, that...

...that this is the war to end all wars.

You must remember that Sergeant Wilmot died

as a dominion soldier fighting for the British empire.

The greatest sacrifice a man can make for his country

is his life.

It places him among the heroes for all time.

Does it?

Does it, really?

Of course it does.

When this war is over, people will raise memorials everywhere

to our glorious dead in thanksgiving

and to honour them forever.

His name will be inscribed with...

...with the others.

His name will be on a memorial tablet, so he'll be remembered?

He will be remembered forever, Rose.

Like the heroes in history.

And you, too, Rose.

You, too, have made your sacrifice.

You have given the man you loved

to safeguard the future for others.

You mustn't forget that.

It puts you in a very special position.

Does it?

Among the gallant women

who have given and lost their nearest and dearest.

You should feel very proud, Rose.

Very proud.

Thank you very much, sir,

for talking to me and explaining things.

It made all the difference.

I am proud of him, and I shan't never forget what you've said,

and I shan't never forget

that he's done something good and useful for everybody

and that he died to make this country safe

for everyone forever.

That's what you said, isn't it?

Something like that, Rose.

I shan't forget what you said about me neither, being special.

That'll be a great comfort to me.

That's right.

I must go and find Mrs. Bellamy.

Oh, well, thank you, sir.

I've seen her.

Poor Rose.

How is she?

[Sighs]

Like all the other wretched Women who've lost their menfolk.

Needing to feel that it was in a good cause.

I did try to comfort her.

But when something like that happens,

there's not much you can do, is there?

Not much.

James...

...I've read your paper.

I hope you don't mind.

But I'm glad I did.

Not really stuff for a woman to read.

Did you see what I meant?

Yes, I saw what you meant.

But it makes me feel...

What?

That I hardly know you.

You've changed.

May I put these away now?

How can you go back to fight now, feeling as you do?

That's quite simple.

It's my duty.

I have no choice.

But I shall feel better about it

now that I've made some gesture to posterity.

Even if we have no children of our own,

perhaps other people's children

will one day read it and understand.

I was wondering...

...if perhaps you might like to come out with me

and have some lunch.

Afterwards we could go for a walk in the park.

I should like that. Very much.

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