Original subtitles

A story based on the life of Mary Anning

Hi, Mum.

Morning, Mary. Did you wake your brother?

- No, I don’t have the time. - Joseph!

- Mary, eat something. - Yes, Mum.

Have a good day, Mum!

- Hi Jo, see you later. - Hi Mary.

Tray! Tray!

Tray! Stop it!

Let’s go!

That girl, for sure... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Nice dog!

Oh dear! I nearly got it!

- Why did you want to catch him? - Let's eat it!

- I've never tasted seagull before. - Can you eat it?

You'd be surprised, young lady of everything you can eat.

Ah, that's a nice fossil you've found!

- May I? - You know,

a long time ago it was an animal, but it doesn't exist anymore...

Indeed, I would say that it's an ammonite.

A fine specimen!

- Can I buy it from you? - Of course!

Would 5 Shillings be enough?

- 5 Shillings! Wow. - There.

I'll also leave you my card

because I'm leaving soon.

Professor William Buckland...

Mary! Mary!

- Mary, the school! - I’m sorry, I have to go.

- Goodbye! - Goodbye young lady!

I don't understand it, I did your hair this morning.

What have you done?

Ahh, are they wet?

- Have you been swimming again? - No, Mum!

You're driving me crazy by wandering off and...

- Muuummmm! - What? You don't agree?

- Yes, but... - No ifs or buts!

I don't want you to look like a little savage.

Tomorrow we'll go to the hairdresser. Come on, our reverend is waiting!

- Hello Reverend! - Hello Miss Miller!

- Hello Reverend! - Anning!

You’ve been at the beach again.

How many times should I tell you that a young girl mustn’t...

must not...

But, but...

Ah, damned dog! Anning!

- Anning!! - Tray, run home.

Sorry about that.

When the lightning struck it struck Mary!

Since then they call her Mad Mary!

Let’s go inside!

And on the 7th day God said to himself

that he had worked well and rested.

So the world was created in 6 days

and our Earth is now 6000 years old.

Have you finished your reading, Miss Anning?

If the world is only 6000 years old,

why are there tracks of animals on the beach

that disappeared so long ago they have become stone?

Come on, extinct animals don’t exist,

as you all know, it's a load of nonsense!

Who can tell me what happened during the flood?

- But... - Miss Miller?

Noah saved two of each species.

Yes, and so?

And so no species has disappeared?

Exactly!

But some fossils show that there existed extraordinary animals.

Enough is enough!

What is the title of the chapter that I asked you to study?

In conversation women must know how to shut up

when the subjects discussed are beyond their reach.

Thank you, Miss Anning!

This is a perfect example what not to do

if you want to be a woman worthy of her husband.

Let's start again.

- God created the world... - It's all bullshit.

...as it is as it has always been.

Mary, look,

your father's waiting for you!

Go!

Hi my little fool!

I'm too stupid to tell the difference

between a snail and a stone...

Come on, Fanny!

- Don't let her get to you! - Come on!

Don't ever do that again or I'll tell everyone what you're doing in secret!

Mary, that's enough!

It's a shame she survived the lightning strike.

- What's going on here? - Fanny!

I'm here!

- Fanny my darling! - I'll see you tomorrow.

Goodbye Fanny my darling!

You know Mary you shouldn't react to their provocations.

They're just waiting for that, it makes them so happy.

- But Fanny laughed at Dad. - So what?

Who cares what people think, right?

- Yeah, but... - But nothing.

Don't waste your time with people like that.

You know, Joseph, I wonder

how will I manage without you next year?

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Look!

- Daddy! - Mary! Joseph!

Daddy look how much I earned with just one fossil.

5 shillings! Wow, that's much more than usual.

Will that be enough to pay off the debts?

Not quite but it's good enough!

Joseph, will you help me finish building the shed?

- Of course, Dad! - I'll get Tray.

I'll join you.

Tray!

I'm coming.

Hello Mary!

Hello.

Who was that lady?

Miss Philpot, the rich Londoner

who moved into the house in the hills 3 months ago.

- Does she have a child? - No, no.

She's in charge of him for a while.

His name is Henry. She teaches him in the morning

but in the afternoon she has to get back to her work.

Starting next week we’ll be taking care of him in the afternoons.

- She's afraid he'll be bored. - You said no, I hope?

Sorry, we can't turn down an extra shift right now.

Not that I particularly like her, but oh well...

- Why do you say that? - It's weird though, isn't it?

All alone in this great big house studying science?

And I spend all day doing laundry for peanuts.

Anyway, I'm counting on you to look after Henry after school.

What? No! I haven't got the time to babysit.

Firstly, Henry is not a baby, and secondly, you don't have a choice.

Two hotels are being built in the neighbouring village.

They say bathing in the sea is good for your health.

That means more sheds to build, doesn't it?

Oh yes!

There you go!

Perfect timing Mary, we've just finished.

- How about a trip to the rocks? - Yes, Daddy!

It's not too late, we could start building a new shed?

No, the tide will turn and the fossils won't wait.

Look what I found for you this morning!

A sea urchin fossil!

It is magnificent, thanks Dad!

I'm not selling this one.

Dad, look!

- I found a Gryphaea. - Great!

- You know what the Reverend would say? - That it's a devil's toenail.

And then he calls us mad and nutty.

Well, ignorance sometimes makes people nasty.

But try to put yourself in his shoes,

the fossils contradict everything that poor man teaches.

How could he imagine that millions of years ago,

all of that, was underwater?

And that there were molluscs and huge shellfish

which resemble nothing we know.

Not to mention species that haven't been discovered yet.

One day, no one will question the existence of fossils.

Not even the Reverend.

- That'll teach him! - Mary!!

But you're right, if it would shut him up.

Oh no, there's that big oaf Curios coming our way!

Don't talk about the captain like that.

Didn't you see how he looked at me? It's like he hates me!

But no, he's just a bit gruff he's like that with everyone.

I'm going to see him, wait here.

Tray, come back!

Yes, stay here!

It's fine, everything's okay. I'm here.

- Dad, why did he run off like that? - He hates storms.

He saw pieces of ebony wood washed up on the rocks.

I'll take a look before the sea washes everything away.

Can we come with you?

I’d prefer you not to with this weather

and Molly will be very angry if you come home all wet.

Off you go!

See you later then.

It's Curios' fault that Dad is outside in weather like this.

Don't say that, he was just trying to help.

I don't understand why you always defend him.

I think he's mean.

And on top of that, he's competing with us for fossils.

You know he hasn't had an easy life.

He lost his daughter a long time ago, she was 20 years old.

He never got over it.

He became increasingly reclusive

and he had to sell his house.

Your father helped him build his cabin on the cliffs.

Oh yes, that's right.

How did his daughter die?

We're not sure.

Joseph, can you set the table?

But what's going on?

Mum, what's going on?

My brothers, my sisters, we are gathered here today

to mourn our dear Richard Anning.

His death has left an honourable family in mourning

that God is testing severely.

Of course, the loved one we’ve lost was not beyond reproach,

but God in his immeasurable goodness

will forgive him his occasional misdemeanours.

And his irrational passion for curiosities.

These are just a venal sin.

- Knowing that... - Stop it!

Stop it! You can't say that!

- Mary! Please. - No, leave me alone!

Let us give thanks to the lord

who welcomes...

What do you want?

During the storm...

a whole section of the cliff collapsed.

Your father managed to get to my house.

He was all wet and excited.

And he didn't answer my questions.

He took a piece of coal and drew this on the wall...

whispering your name.

And then he started feeling ill.

I finally realised that he had suffered a blow to the head.

I went to get help, but when I came back...

Why did he draw this? I don't understand.

What is it?

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

Is it true that your daughter is dead?

It's none of your business! Go away!

Stay on your own, then!

You're just a grumpy old man!

Tray! Come on, let's go.

I shouldn't have left like that.

I'm very sorry.

But I don't understand

why you let the reverend talk rubbish about Dad.

You know, Mary,

many people found his passion for fossils a bit weird.

Oh, no, you don't! Don't you start too.

Mum!

You don't understand a thing about fossils!

One day I'll prove Dad was right.

That'll teach that reverend's blessed ass!

Don't talk like that! And you're not going back to the beach!

It's dangerous and it’s no place for a young girl!

- But... - No buts about it!

- You're going to look after Henry after school! - It's not fair!

What's going on?

A bailiff has just been here because of our debts.

- Is it really that bad? - It looks like it.

We had to borrow quite a lot of money

to repair the roof after the last storm.

But do we owe a lot?

I think so.

- We can sell fossils! - We're already doing that, aren't we?

- No, I mean these ones. - Your favourite fossils?

Would you be willing to part with them? Some of them you found with Dad.

I can find others. But we'll have to sell them for more.

Like the one I sold to the man from the town.

I'm not sure we'll sell many at that price, but...

Tomorrow after school we'll set it up in the square.

- And we won't tell Mum, we'll surprise her. - Okay!

What's this drawing?

I'm not sure. Dad drew it before he...

It looks like a wheel.

Miss Philpot was amazed that I know all this

when I'm only 8 years old,

well almost, my birthday is in a month.

For my birthday, my dad was going to give me an encyclopaedia.

These books contain all the knowledge in the world.

I find it incredible.

Did I tell you that I want to be a scientist when I grow up?

- That's a nice one, what is it? - Listen, Henry.

Selling fossils is big business.

So, if you want to stay with us, you can't say another word.

- Is that clear? - Okay, fine.

Aren't you being a bit hard on him?

Okay.

So Henry, I'm putting you in charge of finding us some customers, okay?

Oh yes! Cool! You'll see you won't regret it!

I've found a customer!

Actually, I don't really want those!

You mentioned precious stones,

but they're actually just ‘curios’.

Yes, but look at these, take a closer look!

It's magnificent, come on, please!

Oh darling, look at the strange stones those children are selling!

It's an ammonite, a very ancient mollusc.

A mollusc is so quaint!

Fanny! Fanny, you don't belong here!

Hello Madam, we have some beautiful stones for sale.

But! But these prices are absolutely outrageous.

- Is it expensive? - Oh yes, unbelievable!

Sorry, but it's not that easy to find fossils.

- We're not thieves. - Oh yes, you are.

Captain Curios sells them for at least three times less.

Really? And where is this Captain Cure-os?

‘Curios’, it’s exactly what these stones are called:

curiosities!

Ha! Thank goodness we're here!

You would have been ripped off like... anyway, follow us!

As for you, I don't want see you hanging out with anyone.

What business is it of hers?

She ruined everything, let's tidy up!

But where did you find such treasures?

Mary finds them, in the rocks near the cliffs.

A lady said that they were too expensive.

- It was a good price. - Maybe, but we didn't sell anything.

And we're not exactly rolling in money.

It must take a keen eye to find all those in the wet rocks.

- That's true. - I'll take this little belemnite.

I would have bought you more

but I don't have much left to end the month.

Contrary to what people say, I'm not rolling in money.

And what do you do for a living?

I study science. I'm looking to get published

but it's not easy being a woman in this field.

- Yeah, that's lousy! - That's how it is, but never mind.

I'll keep going. We have to stay hopeful.

Fortunately, my small income allows me

to support myself and buy a few books.

In fact, I have a book on fossils.

I'll show it to you, if you like.

We tried to sell my fossil collection,

but it didn't work out, I'm sorry.

- That's all we got. - I'm sorry, my darlings.

It isn't your responsibility to worry about that.

I promise to become the best cabinetmaker in the region.

We won't have any more money problems.

What will happen if we can't pay back the money?

We'll have to sell the house and move to town.

What? No!

We may have more opportunities there.

We can stay with my sister in the meantime.

No way! I'll never leave here. Never, is that clear!

All right, I'll go and see her.

You know, maybe the town isn't so bad.

It's really lively, not like here.

And there’ll be loads of new things to discover.

I'm sure you'll like it there.

- Mary? - No.

- I can't leave here. - Why not?

Why? But just look at it.

It's true that it's pretty.

But it's not just pretty, you don't understand!

Dad loved this place and I'm just like him.

Mary, look, someone's swimming!

It's Fanny!

You don't look surprised! Did you know already?

Mary! Mary!

We're going to be late for school. Come on!

Of course, it goes without saying

a woman must remain dignified in all circumstances.

And I ask you what could be more undignified

than to wallow in the muck of the seaside

like a dirty little pig?

But above all, women must not flaunt themselves,

so certain leisure activities are totally inappropriate,

such as swimming in the sea.

Isn't that right, Miss Miller?

Well, that's enough fun, for tomorrow I'd like to....

Mary, Joseph, I've got something for you!

That's all the money I have. I hope it's enough to pay off the debts.

That's very kind of you Henry but we can't accept it!

Mary has found another solution.

She sent a letter to Prof. Buckland,

a fossil specialist from Oxford.

She is sure that he will buy her collection.

- William Buckland? - How do you know his name?

- He's my tutor. - Your what?

He is my tutor and looks after me with my dad not around.

- But isn't that Miss Philpot? - Yes, it is, at the moment.

Before that it was Mr Buckland.

And you couldn't have said that earlier?

Then you should have let him speak!

That's true. Sorry, Henry, I wasn't very nice.

That's all right.

Which address did you send the letter to?

Because he's not in Oxford at the moment.

He's on the coast studying the soil.

- Oh no. - Well yes, that's why I'm here.

My father builds hotels.

He's always very busy, so he asked Mr Buckland to look after me.

Mr Buckland entrusted me to Miss Philpot, who is a friend of his.

Miss Philpot entrusted me to you because she works in the afternoon.

- My father has to return to Lyme... - Ok! Ok!

I'm not sure I understand it all but where is Mr Buckland at the moment?

Ah, that's easy, I always write everything down in my notebook.

There! This is it! Seatown.

Okay, it's on the stagecoach line.

We could do that, but we don't have enough money for the journey.

- Of course, with my money! - That's kind of you, Henry, thank you.

Well, it's looking good, we just need to check the weekend timetable!

No, we can't wait until then, it's urgent.

- Are you planning to skip school? - Yes, I am.

Oh no! Not me!

There's no way we're going to skip school or we'll get punished.

And Mum wouldn't agree.

And yet, it's also for her that we're doing this.

Books don't belong on the floor. You're not dogs.

Sorry, Reverend.

Tray. I think I have a plan.

Don't look so down, Joseph.

You're the one who has the easiest role.

Nevertheless I don't like it at all.

Is that okay, Henry? Are you feeling brave?

- Yes! - Let’s go!

You're the boy the lady from London is looking after, aren't you?

Yes. I wanted to know if the church was built by the Vikings.

WHAT! Come on, the church was built in the Middle Ages

by good Christians.

The Saxons built the foundation of this building,

at the end of the first millennium.

And the Normans completed the construction around 1220, see?

Is it true that the bell tower was built with stones from Egypt?

What? No! Why would we bring stones from Egypt?

Where did you get that nonsense?

We have all the stones we need here.

Is it the Londoner teaching you this nonsense?

No, it's not her.

And I've been told that bells can cure colds.

- Is this true? - That’s enough!

Don't make fun of me! Get out of here!

- But... - But nothing.

Mary get out!

Now.

What now?

I said go away, you little... Oh, it's you!

Reverend,

I wanted to apologise for leaving

the books on the floor.

Come, come, my little Joseph,

it's nothing serious, just don't do it again.

Thank you and good day, Reverend.

Good evening to you young man.

We put hair everywhere, even in his bedroom!

I'll never do anything like that again, we were lucky.

What's wrong?

- Nothing. - Yes, I can see.

It's just the kind of adventure that I would have loved to tell Dad.

Oh Mary... I know.

Come on, let's catch up with Henry!

Mary, Joseph I've just heard that the reverend is ill.

You won't have school today.

And I have a full day of laundry.

Mummy? Do you promise if we find the money, we'll stay?

Yes, but stop talking about it.

I'm off, be good.

Coachman, hang on!

So coachman, shall we go?

Mum?

Oh dear! Are you coming or not?

- What's up? - Oh, I swear!

What's mum doing in the stagecoach?

That's it, our mission is ruined!

Not yet! I've got another idea.

There! It's Mr Buckland! Look!

Hello Mr Buckland!

Oh Henry, you're just in time. Help me lift this rock.

- What are you looking for? - I don't know.

Wait, we'll help you.

- Are you looking for fossils? - Fossils?

No, I don't eat fossils!

I was looking for a small crab that looked very appetising.

Henry, what are you doing here?

We have fossils to sell. That is, if you're interested.

And Joseph has taken over in the meantime. And Mary

climbed out of the window with her dog. And Miss Philpot believes

I'm collecting fossils.

When we wanted take the stagecoach,

Mary's mum was already inside. Crazy, isn't it?

Well... yes, yes, it's crazy!

I'll take everything!

It's a magnificent collection, how about 10 pounds?

From your smiles I can tell you agree.

We're going to the inn.

I take this opportunity to place the stagecoach at your disposal.

There's no way you're going back to Lyme in a rowboat.

Mr Buckland, I wanted to ask you something else.

This drawing, Could it be a fossil?

Like, I don't know, an eye or something like that?

It's hard to say! This drawing is a little vague.

I'm surprised you mention an eye because

at a pinch, it could be a sclerotic ring.

- A what? - A sclerotic ring.

This is the eye bone of certain animals,

but we've never found a fossil of it.

- Don't tell me you've found one? - No, no.

I thought so because it would make quite a discovery.

There she comes.

- Mum! - Well, what a greeting.

We were just wondering what you did today.

But I told you I...

Okay, I took the day off to go for an interview in town.

Nothing is certain yet, but if it works out, I'll have a new job.

Just as tiring but slightly better paid.

I'll receive the answer in a few days' time.

But how much money do we owe?

Far too much...

But it's not for you to worry about that. Okay?

Thank you for folding the clothes.

We sold the fossil collection and got 10 pounds.

That's more than enough to repay debts.

What's the matter?

It's not enough, is it?

I'm very sorry.

We owe a lot more.

But it's still wonderful.

This money will be a great help to us when we go into town.

What? No, we’re not going to town!

I'll find the eye and pay off the rest of the debt.

What are you talking about?

Before he died, Dad drew this picture.

He had discovered a very rare fossil.

If we find it we won't have to leave anymore.

Is this story true?

I'm not sure. We don't really know.

Joseph, I don't understand how can you say that.

Why would he have drawn this, if not to help us?

Listen, Mary, I know you're going through

a difficult time and when we suffer

we often cling to false hopes.

But we have to keep our feet on the ground.

This drawing could be anything.

Well, I think it looks like a plate.

Why would he have drawn a plate?

You don't understand anything.

It's a fossil, I tell you, I'm going to find it.

Sorry Mary, I don't know why your dad drew this picture,

but I'm sure I don’t want you hanging around the beach anymore.

It's too dangerous. Did you hear what I said?

You know, Mary,

I imagine that it wasn’t easy for you

to get rid of all your fossils.

Thank you very much.

In honour of this small fortune

I'm going to bake us a cake.

Today there's no school

We're so lucky

The reverend is ill

So we're going for a walk

It's a day of freedom

And we'll make the most of it

Hush, Henry.

Why was the girl crying?

Come on, tell me, what a day.

She's not exactly a saint!

When the water reaches the highest rocks,

- it's time to go home. Ok? - Ok.

- Ok, let's go! - Yes.

...five, six, seven.

She's here.

I saw the reverend. He's feeling much better.

School starts again tomorrow.

Don't tell me that you went looking for that fossil!

I don’t believe it! But I told you not to go back there!

And I imagine you took Henry with you.

I'm sure that Dad's drawing...

Your father died on those rocks. Isn't that enough?

- And you let her do that? - But...

Mary, look at me!

Promise me you won’t go back there.

Hi, I'm here to pick up Henry.

I heard a thing or two and...

I said to myself maybe it's not so bad

if they're careful and...

Who are you to interfere?

You've never had children and you're lecturing me!

No, not at all, I'm sorry, I just wanted to...

Don't worry, she's like that our mum, quite explosive!

And things aren't going very well at the moment.

I shouldn't have interfered!

Either way, it's kind of you to defend us.

But we went back to the beach

to find an eye fossil my father had seen.

And if we find it, it can pay off all their debts.

But my mother doesn't want to understand. And neither does Joseph.

Oh, come on! Mum's already angry with me because of you!

Now, now, don't argue.

Henry spoke to me about this eye fossil story.

You even went to see Mr Buckland, apparently.

You'll have to tell me more.

According to him, if you find it, it will be an exceptional discovery.

Oh, how exciting!

We really must convince your mum

to continue searching, but carefully, of course.

If you want to I can try to talk to her.

Oh no, I don't think that’s going to help.

Yes, I sensed that she doesn't like me very much.

I can only think of one person who could convince her.

What? No way!

Come on!

What's the point? You spent the whole day and didn't find anything.

Please, Jo!

- We just need time. - All right, Ok.

- I'm willing to try. - Oh, thanks, Jo!

But I can't guarantee anything.

When do we start the game of he goose?

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Here you go.

Listen to me. I wanted to apologise.

- I'm sorry I got carried away. - No, it's me.

I'm very sorry, I shouldn't have.

I'll allow you to go back and find that eye.

But only this weekend! If you come back empty-handed, that’s it.

- Thanks, we'll find it. - Wait, there's more.

I have several conditions.

1: Don't get too close to the cliffs,

they can collapse.

2: The smallest cloud on the horizon, and you come home.

And 3: I want Joseph come with you

and an adult person to accompany you.

I can't see many people here who have time for that.

Oh no. No, no. I've got work to do.

- I study physics and... - It's that or nothing!

Good, very good.

I should be able to free up a few hours.

On the other hand you'll need shoes.

So, for women we have a pair of small pumps.

We don't want pumps we want boots.

Leave it, Margareth, I'll take care of it.

We don't have this item in 5, the smallest size is 5.5.

Would the little lady like to try them on?

No, the little lady doesn't want to try them on!

I'll leave it to the little gentleman to do the adding up.

Come on, Miss Philpot, don't be afraid!

The boots cling to the rocks!

Hey, you're not doing so badly!

Yeah, right, make fun of me!

I know I look like an elephant on ice skates!

- Oh, Miss Philpot, all right? - Yes, I'm fine.

Well, well, a belemnite!

Great, a lovely first fossil.

Congratulations, Miss Philpot!

- Do you need any help? - Thank you, Joseph.

Unfortunately, we’re not Looking for a belemnite.

You're right, back to work!

Let's find that famous eye!

You know, I was thinking about something.

What if we asked him where the ebony wood came from?

- We could start from there. - Yes, why not.

Better leave the talking to me.

What do you want?

We'd like to know where

you found the ebony that my dad...

It's too late for that, the tide took it all!

Yes, we can imagine that, but we'd like to know where it was, please.

It was near the three witches' hills.

Ah yes, I know where that is.

- But you won't find anything. - Thank you, Captain.

Indeed.

Are you okay, Mary? You seem a bit off.

It's Curios. Can't you see how he looks at me?

He's jealous because you find better fossils.

No, that's not it. There's something else, I'm sure.

Joseph, what is it? Tell me.

- Come on! - Well...

- Mum didn't want to tell you about it. - Tell me what?

But I think you should know.

You know, when you were a baby and you were struck by lightning

you weren't there alone. You were in the arms of a girl.

The captain's daughter, actually.

And... she died instantly whereas you...

Obviously, there's nothing you can do about it.

That's it! That's the place! The black wood!

There's no doubt about it, it's ebony.

Mary, look!

Wait, Henry!

It's not you, she just needs to be alone.

What's wrong with her?

There was a bolt of lightning...

Mary didn't know about it...

- How are you? - Not good!

You're right, we'll never find it!

It's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Mary, look!

The eye!

We've found it! Madame Philpot! Henry!

Look, Mum.

Mrs Anning, today is a glorious day!

For the first time we have irrefutable proof

of animal species that disappeared millions of years ago.

That'll teach the reverend. Dad wasn't mad.

Fanny, go fetch the reverend immediately.

- No, Mum. - What do you mean, no?

I wouldn't do that!

Very well, then I'll go myself!

Mum!

What did you find there?

It's the head of an extinct marine animal.

- Wow! - I'm sure there must be others.

Little by little we'll find them.

Right, let's calm down.

I knew it!

Still trying to make us eat humble pie.

Before coming here, I remembered to bring this book,

entitled "God's creatures".

What you have there is nothing but a crocodile skull.

It’s no big deal.

A crocodile? What's it doing here? There aren't any in England.

They don’t exist anymore.

I imagine that they didn't like the climate.

They probably went elsewhere.

That looks pretty big for a crocodile, doesn't it?

When the world was created, everything was bigger.

Humans and animals alike.

It's just a crocodile, and not an imaginary creature

that certain scatterbrains like to invent.

It's not a crocodile!

- Miss Anning, control yourself! - You're talking nonsense again!

- Mary! - Apologise immediately!

- Never! - Mary, that's enough.

You've made enough of a spectacle of yourself. Go to your room.

Reverend, please forgive her behaviour.

And to think she was going to make us believe that nonsense!

Each to their own and all will be well.

I should never have said yes. Look what happened.

Excuse me, Mrs Anning, the reverend knows nothing.

What he says does not cast doubt

on the exceptional nature of this discovery.

Your daughter could help advance science.

Science is a man's business, don't you understand that yet?

- No, it's not a... - Enough is enough!

Stop filling my daughter’s head with impossible dreams.

It's easy for you to say, you're rich and have no children.

Mary's future is at stake! I'm sick of this nonsense!

Sorry. I'm sorry.

I received a positive response to my job interview.

And in the light of recent events I decided to accept.

I start in 3 months and I'm going to put the house up for sale.

We're moving to Exter in 3 weeks' time.

This is an opportunity not to be missed,

especially for Joseph. As a cabinetmaker, he will have more customers.

And you, my darling, you'll be able to find a husband there.

- But! - I don't want any buts!

I've made up my mind.

And I want you to go and apologise to the reverend.

Mum can't make us move house.

I will never leave here.

Listen, Mary,

I agreed to help you but now it's over.

It's pointless, you know.

The whole village laughs at us.

Mum's right, it's time to grow up.

I'm really sorry.

Come on, Tray. It's going to be okay.

Mary, how are you?

I got up early

and I followed you.

What were you looking at?

Nothing.

- Was it the big monster? - Did you see it too?

- Are you leaving? - No.

- But I can't go home. - Why not?

You could come and live with Miss Philpot. She has a big house.

- Do you think so? - Oh yes!

What's more, my dad wrote to me. He's moving to Lyme.

That's great, we can go fossil hunting together.

And I didn't tell you, Miss Philpot wanted to talk to you.

I think it's about the crocodile.

Miss Anning!

I imagine that you've come to apologise.

What's with the bag? Are you running away?

No, I'm carrying Henry's bag.

Don't make girls carry your things, young man.

- Sorry. - Well, I'm waiting!

I suppose you came to apologise?

I don't know what you're up to young lady, but it won't last.

- Come with me, let's talk. - We don't have time.

- Now! - Tray! Go give the reverend a hug!

Anning!

Please call your dog back!

Tray, stand guard! We'll be back!

Do you really think that this is a good idea?

Yes, it is! Hush now.

Wait.

I'll show you. That's not how you do it.

Wow, you're good!

But tell me, did you know that belemnites

were the hard part of prehistoric cephalopods?

No, I thought it was some kind of squid.

But squids are cephalopods.

Look at this beautiful fossil.

I wonder if, like the squid, it could make ink.

- Interesting question! - We'll find out.

Mary, don't you think we should go and get Tray?

Are you all right, Henry? You look pale.

Look, Miss Philpot, it's darker than the rest!

That's true. I think, you need to moisten it.

- It works, it's brilliant! - Incredible.

I think we've got a new topic for an article.

In my opinion this one's going to be published.

- Do you want to try, Henry? - Yes.

You know, Mary,

I'm delighted to have found a research colleague.

Miss Philpot, would you agree to Mary living here?

- What? - Mum wants to move to the town.

But I don't want to leave!

I can't take you in without your mum's permission.

She'll never agree, she doesn't like you.

I can't take you in, but I can help you avoid moving.

I don't know

if Henry told you but I had an idea.

Wait!

Look, it's a science book about animal skeletons.

Open the page on crocodiles.

Don't you notice anything?

The eye! It looks nothing like the fossil we found!

Crocodile don’t have sclerotic rings

and it wasn’t the head of a crocodile that we found.

The reverend was mistaken.

But that's great, we now have proof!

Hold on, don't get too excited just yet.

You know the reverend!

I had something else in mind.

The rest of the body could be completely different

from that of a crocodile!

We need to find that fossil! Right, Henry?

Ah, never mind.

The hunt resumes.

Hey, isn't that your dog outside the school?

Yes, he likes to hang around there.

Perhaps it's not wise to go down to the beach.

No, it's fine. They're just little clouds, nothing to worry about!

- Are you sure? - Yes, yes.

If you say so! But don't get too close to the cliffs, okay?

Mum and Jo are coming.

Hide there and leave it to me.

Ah, Mrs Anning, I'm looking for Henry.

- You haven't seen him, have you? - No.

We're actually looking for Mary.

We went to the beach but no sign of them.

We were wondering if she was at your place.

No. Well, I'm glad that the two children are probably together.

And if they're not on the beach maybe they're on the hills.

Yes, that's true. Mary likes to go there.

Henry, don’t worry about it. I'm the one who’ll get the blame.

I know, that's why I'm worried.

You're sweet.

I'll see if I can find the rest of the animal further up.

Mary! Miss Philpot said not to go near the cliffs.

Be careful!

Don't just stand there!

It's crumbling!

Mary!

- Henry! - I'm fine, I'm fine! I'm okay.

You could have been killed.

Are you completely insane or something?

Well, it was more of a scare than harm.

I heard that your daughter was holding me in her arms when...

I'm really sorry.

You don't have to be, you don't attract lightning as far as I know.

Now get out of here and be careful.

You know, we were looking for the rest of the fossil.

Miss Philpot has proof that it can't be a crocodile.

- And so what is it? - We'll never know.

It's my fault that the rest of the animal fell into the sea.

- What? You found it? - Yes.

Well, that's that, do you think you're a fish?

We need someone who can swim.

- And I only know one! - Where can we find this person?

In my opinion she'll be on the beach.

But her mother will also be there.

- Yes, she won’t leave her alone. - Let's go!

Tray! But you left your post!

Uh oh, that means we have to hurry!

The reverend must be furious.

So, can you see her?

Yes, she's there on the pier. Her mother is over there.

We have to play it safe.

Hi, there.

This is going to sound strange but...

- We could use your help. - What for?

You're going to call me crazy again

but we are searching for the body of our animal.

It fell into the water.

And you said to yourself, ‘Just ask Fanny’ right?

Yeah, well. I thought...

That now they think I'm crazy like you

I'll agree to help you?

Would you?

- Yes! - Yes?!

Well, I must be a bit crazy myself.

What's more, I like this story it's like a treasure hunt.

- Do you think your mum will agree? - Definitely not.

- But don't ask her. - Fanny?

Come here! Don't stand around! Fanny, what are you doing?

Come back here right now! Fanny!

Is it normal that it takes so long?

- What's up? - Nothing.

You know, there are tons of big rocks down there

and it's all muddy,

there's not much to see.

You're the only one who saw it.

I think you're the only one who can find it.

- But I can't swim. - I'm going to help you.

Do you have a rope?

So, if you pull twice on the rope

it means you've run out of air and you need to resurface.

- Exactly! - Are you ready? Let's go!

Good luck.

- Well? - Nothing! I can't see anything down there.

But I haven't finished yet.

Let’s go back.

Mary! I've been hearing things about you.

And you encourage them in this nonsense?

Fanny, how could you do this to me, your mother?

Miss Anning, your little trick will cost you dearly!

You’re suspended from school for one week

and I'm going to ask to have your dog locked up!

- It's a savage beast! - No way, that's out of the question!

But, Mrs Anning...

And we're leaving soon, you'll be rid of us.

That's not for sure! Look what we found!

What on earth is that?

Oh, my!

Mum, come and see!

- That's the rest of the body? - I think so.

- Let's drag it along the ground? - Aye, aye, Captain!

But this crocodile is gigantic!

Take a closer look, Mrs Miller. Is it really a crocodile?

Crocodiles don’t have fins. So what is it?

It doesn't have a name yet. I'm sorry, Mrs Anning,

but your daughter has just made a remarkable discovery.

We can't deny that!

Strange animal, I've never seen one like it.

- So what is it? - A sea monster for sure!

An animal this big...

with fins, I... Ummm... Strange!

So, Reverend, what is this creature?

There must… There must be an explanation.

- God wouldn't have... - Isn't it in your book?

I... I... er... I...

I need to think.

You’ve really upset the reverend with that creature!

And it's not finished, I'm sure there are others like it!

- Yes, without a doubt! - Will you help me look for them?

It doesn't change things, we'll be moving soon.

- What? No way! - Yes, we are.

Let's go!

- Where are you going? - We're going swimming!

- I want to learn too! - Oh my God, Fanny, wait for me!

Ladies!

Will you show me?

You bend your arms, you straighten your arms,

then go back down the body.

That's good, Henry!

You should try it too! But without a rope this time.

What's the point? I'm going to move.

Trust me! Water has magical powers.

Come on, try it!

Don't go too far, Mary.

Mary!

Mary, come and see!

You should learn too, Mum, it's good for you.

Oh my god! Look at her hair!

- Young lady! - Mr Buckland?

What exactly are you doing here?

"Dear Mr Buckland, I have more fossils for sale and they are very beautiful",

signed Mary Anning. Is that you?

Yes, but...

And to be honest, I wasn't expecting such an extraordinary fossil!

The gentleman will promise to sell the fossil to a museum.

He assures me that it will more than cover our debts.

I have no doubt that museums will fall over themselves for such a find.

And bid higher to gain exclusive rights.

Mr Buckland would even be willing to help us financially.

I must say, I've never seen anyone so talented at finding fossils.

And... well, this bunch has managed to convince us.

Don't pull that face, you should be happy.

That means we're staying!

Thanks, Mum! Thank you!

Oh, Mary, you're soaking wet!

Mr Buckland?

What's wrong with him?

I've caught a seal!

Tray!

Oh... shame!

But what would he have done with a seal?

Knowing him, I think he would have eaten it.

Say, Mary...

I wanted to ask you...

would you teach me to look for fossils?

I'd be delighted!

Dedicated to everyone who worked on this film. Thank you for teaching me so much. M.B.