Original subtitles

Thank you.

Thank you.

Out of control.

Out of control.

New one calling. New one calling. Tally ho.

Tally ho.

Look out, Chip. Look out. There's one on your tail.

What?

I've bailed out.

Duty staff officer.

Priority call.

Dartcliff Coast Guard speaking.

Airmen bailing out five miles south of station.

Right. We'll send the lifeboat.

I've lost you!

Did they get him? No.

Too late.

Oh, Johnson, check up on the water for you, come ashore, will you?

Aye, aye, sir.

Got a match, Griff?

Yes, sir.

I'm thinking the wheelhouse could do without the coat of paint, sir.

Oh, all right.

Didn't get much chance for that on the old lighter, I suppose.

Never thought of it, sir.

You don't seem to fuss quite so much when you're carrying coal into Cardiff.

Blimey, is that six o'clock?

That's right. What's the matter? Afraid she won't wait?

Ah, she'll wait. It's that girl we met at the Pally. One said I was different.

Not a date, Pearson?

Just a sample one, sir.

My town ain't all right, though.

Is that why you borrowed my binoculars, to look at the town hall clock?

Good night, boys. Good night, sir. Good night. Good night, sir.

Now, come on. Let's make up this boat watch, Rota. I'm about to leave, Roger.

Blimey,

I'll have to get a move on.

Take it easy.

You'll get in a muck sweat.

Where's my comb?

Where the devil's my comb?

If any of you had my comb, I'll... What the hell are you getting there?

Don't get so flustered, mate.

Ten of one, she ain't worth it.

Oh, lass, that lace gun, huh?

I'm blowed if I'd ever let a woman upset my routine.

This is my routine, fly.

Wish I had my car still, though. Too much dew on the grass these nights.

I bet I've had more females in the back of my old bus than you ever will.

All of them horizontal, too.

What was it, a trolley bus? No.

Dame, lads.

Double six.

Run lovely, she did.

Grass fittings, plate glass sides.

Back entrance.

Ah, you're nuts.

Oh, no, I'm not.

My father's the poshest undertaker in Camberwell.

Cut it out, Wilkie.

Sorry, Flight. You ain't superstitious, are you?

No, I'm not.

I just don't like gab about coffins.

It's unlucky.

Oh, Flight. Sir.

All right, carry on.

Griffith, I'm just off to meet the new officer. See if he can whistle up some

transport to get his kit down, will you? Very good, sir.

I'll be at the Mermaid.

You can look in there for the cloakroom ticket. Yes, sir.

There, Eric. There's a job for you.

I'll take over your day.

She'd be no good to you, chump. She ain't horizontal yet.

By the way, that's my blue bow you're using.

Oh, Porter, will you look after these two cases for me?

Yes, sir.

Can you tell me the way to the harbour? You'll be wanted in the air-sea rescue

lot. Well, I don't want them. They want me.

No good you going down there now, sir.

Mr Murray will be on his way up here.

He usually calls in a bookstore for his paper about this time, on his way up to

the mermaid.

There he is now, sir.

Oh, thanks.

Rawlings, I'm Murray. Glad to have you with us. Glad you found me. I had

visions of wandering about like a lost soul.

Happen to know where I'm billeted? Yes, I'll take you there.

One of our chaps will pick up your bags. Come and have a drink. Good idea. Just

what I need.

Now, the great thing is to hit that front pin on its port side.

Shot!

Sign of a misspent youth.

Can't do it every time.

You see, I've got a lot to learn.

Ready for the other half.

Thanks. Ready?

Yes, Mr Murray. Better on a whiskey, please.

This is Pilot Officer Rawlings. You'll be seeing quite a bit of him now.

Hello, Mr Rawlings.

You settling down here, too?

Sounds as if I'm down here for a rescue.

Here's to a like on the ocean wave.

All the best.

Still, it does seem a bit cockeyed, doesn't it? I mean, frigging about in

boats.

Hmm. I suppose so.

Course is different for me. I'm an old sailor.

Hmm. The ancient mariner.

Well, not exactly.

I was with the P&O before the war.

Then when they started this outfit, I thought I'd give it a go instead.

Any regrets?

No, none at all.

I'd say a bit more of the wife.

Besides, they're decent chaps, and all of them dead keen.

Do they get much chance to show it?

We have our moments.

A little

more respect for your superior officer, my child.

Well, let's face it, you know, we've now got to call this terrible type, sir.

Correct. Excuse me, sir. Good afternoon.

Not so good.

You need a peaceful atmosphere for this game.

You know any of this crowd?

I know who they are.

Bomber boys from Folkestone.

Not a bad bunch, but they do get a bit rowdy.

It's only good luck to them.

I say I'm most awfully sorry.

Won't you two join us?

Celebrations, drinks on me and all that. Betty, two more, my love. Oh, thanks a

lot. We'll run our way. Oh, no, they're already poured out.

Here we are, down in one.

Down in one.

Here's to the new ring, sir. Me too.

Cheers.

Flaming Onion Wallace Waller.

Well, we've got time for two more now. No, really not, thanks. I must get back

to Sally. Who's Sally?

Might be the trouble.

I've got to introduce this chap. See that she's properly tied down and not

rolling.

Can I... Can I...

Did you hear what I heard? Yes, reminds me, I'm first with the news of the world

on Sunday.

I don't think you mean Sally of the Blue Boar, do you? Well, I don't think so.

She doesn't need tying down.

As if he didn't know.

I say, Mickey, who were those two wingless wonders?

Oh, accountancy officers, intelligent snarks, or some such. Ah, don't be such

a winged snob, Mickey.

I'd hide mine if I'd crashed as many crates as you have. Well, of all the

sorts... Sally!

Sally!

Lucky devils.

They don't look so glamorous shivering in a rubber dinghy.

And a cannon shell can make just as big a hole in you in a launch as it can in a

Spitfire. Oh, I don't want to be a hero.

All the same, it does seem ruddy silly not letting me fly. I did enough of it

before the war.

Now the damn fool doctors say I'm better off in marine craft and I'm dumped down

here. Sorry, was that rude?

Oh, it's all right.

But this isn't exactly a backwater, you know.

I hope not.

We call this Jacob's Ladder.

Leads to heaven, eh? You'll see. Not much like the pearly gates.

Hello. You're late, aren't you?

Dead punctual, my lad. Your thirst's a rotten timekeeper.

This is Rawlings. Rawlings, this is Lockwood. How do you do? The worst

skipper of the slowest boat on the base.

Jealous.

Well, cheerio, chaps. I'm off to sink a pint.

I like your art gallery.

Oh, he covers the cracks.

Art in its true perspective.

It's a bit early. We'd better do the blackout.

A Carmen Miranda or Dorothy Lamour would brighten things up a bit.

Well, here's a Mae West, if that's any good to you.

Can I help?

I shouldn't advise it.

These things were designed by jigsaw puzzle experts.

The government issue.

Hello, there are the boats.

Or should I say launches?

Call them what you like. We're not particular.

Leave that to the Navy boys.

Switch on the light, will you?

I call mine Sally.

Yours is merely 169 when you get it.

I suppose we're under direct naval orders once we're outside the harbour.

Oh, yes, they're the bosses.

Not more spit and polish than us.

Tradition, you know.

All the same, it's a good thing to have an RML with you and a scrap.

Can this be trusted?

Well, it hasn't let us down so far.

Tomorrow, by the way, you'll be with me and Sally.

It'll help to give you the hang of things. Anything you say.

Hello, crash boats here.

1-2-0's duty boat, sir. I've got them in a board.

1-8-3, me, sir.

Rendezvous at dawn.

Yes, sir. I'll see you there, told, sir.

Told you the Navy had got us for the short hairs. Now we're calling

rendezvous. Dodging about, waiting for nothing? Maybe.

Come on, let's go and meet the boys.

It's all very well for the RMLs. They're built to ride a rough sea.

Never mind, we'll oblige.

Why don't you blots bring your plates back? Don't mind. You're always moaning.

He could cook as long as he can whine.

What's the matter, Romeo?

Wasn't she there?

No. Sent a friend instead.

No wonder you come home.

I know them friends.

Bet she was a bit ropey. It wasn't a she.

It was a he.

You shouldn't have joined, Alex. Two lovely black eyes.

All right, carry on.

Flight Sergeant Griffith here. Yes, sir.

Sorry to interrupt you, lovely little Griffith.

It's not a love letter, sir.

I'm writing to Mrs. Griffith, sir.

Oh. Rendezvous at dawn. Pass it on, will you? Very good, sir. Let 183 crew sleep

aboard tonight.

Yes, sir.

Rawlings, this is Flight Sergeant Griffith, my coxswain. How are you,

Flight? How are you doing, sir?

Flight, Mr. Rawlings coming with us tomorrow.

I hope you like it here, sir. I hope so.

Uh, Wilkie.

Yes, sir.

This is Wilkie, who cooks for us. At least, that's what he calls it.

Used to drive a hearse before the war.

Bit of a change for you, dragging him out instead of pushing him in.

That's right, sir. Saving them for the business.

Sorry to spoil your game, Wilkie, but we missed our dinner.

Think you could knock us up something aboard?

Very good, sir. Right away.

Good. Come on.

Wilkie.

What do you mean talking about stiffs again?

I thought I told you it was unlucky.

Sorry, Flight.

But you've got to be polite when an officer takes an interest in your

professional career.

Well, I don't like it, so don't do it.

Okay, Flight.

Are you and Pearson asleep aboard tonight?

I heard.

You did change them socks, didn't you, Alec?

Motor gunboats, too, eh?

Yes. Wouldn't mind having a crack at them yourself.

Of course, the RMLs have got their pom-pom on the folks all.

Absolute battleships.

They're much more comfortable in a heavy sea. They've not got our speed.

I suppose about 18 knots is the most they can crack up. And we?

Oh, over 30.

Hello, there's Overton.

Good evening, John!

Good evening, Mr Murray, sir.

Is your toy boat wound up for tomorrow?

Just because he's got that ruddy pom-pom.

Ever hear of David and Goliath?

I can't hear what you're saying.

I'll take 64, the field.

Saucy young devil.

Never mind, wait till tomorrow, we'll show him.

Had a master's ticket when he was sailing boats in his bath.

Ready for dinner?

Well, he always rises to it, doesn't he? Yeah, bless his heart.

Must have been his new man with him.

I suppose so.

Wonder how he likes going to sea.

No tradition. That's their trouble.

Quite right, my boy, quite right.

And how's Lady Hamilton today?

I don't quite understand, sir. Never mind, son.

Skip it. Maybe you're not old enough.

So this is the grill room. That's right.

When you get your own launch, take my advice and keep these cupboard doors

wedged. You'll have to fly open when there's a swell on and drop a tin hat in

your soup.

Wilkie!

Sir, what's for dinner tonight? 365, I suppose?

No, sir, 52.

Meals in code.

Isn't that carrying security a bit far?

Break it gently, Wilkie.

Well, sir, it's like this, you see.

Every day we get an issue of spam, so we call that 365.

But once a week, Mr Murray likes me to fix up a real treat, and we call that

52.

And that is?

Brides fan, sir.

I'll take you along to your billet after we've eaten.

That'll be wonderful.

What's it like?

Small private hotel.

Usual sort of seaside hangout.

Commanding a delightful view of the sea, I suppose.

If you stand on a table in the attic.

You'll get used to it.

It's wonderful how the boys have taken to this life.

Yep.

I mean, considering how different it is from what they were doing before the

war.

Undertakers, clerks, solicitors, insurance agents.

Griffiths is the only sailor among them.

He was dead set on flying when he joined up.

You can get used to anything in time.

You know, old chap, I should reserve judgment a bit if I were you.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking aloud.

No harm done.

Let go forward.

Let go up.

Let go off the spring.

No head forward. Let go forward.

Let go off the spring.

Stop covered.

Stop forward.

They did that in Nelson's day.

Nice bit of drill all the same.

All right, Coxon, get cracking.

Stop, Murad!

He's off to a flight. Take her away. Take her away, sir.

Weather looks pretty foul.

Yeah, it's not too good.

This is where we arrived for today.

The Navy's 10 miles west of us. Just about there. Yeah, I see.

Ever heard of the tortoise and the hare?

You feeling all right?

Not so bad.

These craft upset me a bit at first.

Come on, let's go and test the guns.

All right, try it out, Pearson.

It

wasn't

so funny at first.

We were setting targets for Jerry until he gave us our pea shooters.

That's all right. It's one of ours.

Thank you.

I'll tell you, sir.

Thanks.

See it, Rawlings?

Yeah, thanks.

Quite a sandwich. Nice and greasy.

Thank you for the food.

Thanks.

Okay, flight, push off.

060 degrees.

060 degrees, sir.

Something up?

No, return to base.

Exciting, wasn't it?

Rawlings, will you take a word of advice?

Certainly, sir.

Well, this is your job now.

Get on with it.

War's 95% boredom, anyway.

It's no good hankering after something beyond your reach.

Stop being foolish.

I hope I haven't been offensive, sir.

If I'd thought that, I wouldn't have been quite so patient.

after what I've seen in the water.

They don't bite.

They don't have to.

Hope I didn't wake you up, sir. Just having a look at the headlines.

Oh, that's all right. I wasn't asleep.

I see we had a nice raid over Germany last night, sir. Have you ever been over

there? No.

I don't fly.

At least, I do fly.

But they won't let me.

A bit complicated, isn't it?

Maybe, sir.

Good day, sir.

Well, you come and have a bite first with me and Rawlings, the mermaid.

I hear rumours they're expecting some steak. Oh, grand.

It'll do Rawlings good.

Shake him out of himself a bit.

He's properly browned off. Oh, he'll get over it.

I don't know. He was dead keen on flying.

He'll be better than anything in the scrap world, too.

Maybe.

No good hanging around here, mate. We give our ways to the chickens.

We've only come to scrape the barnacles off your bottom.

Yes, we're just off Lockwood will be with me in one three four.

Oh, by the way, you know, I'm going on leave tomorrow lucky devil Yes Rawlings

been with me a fortnight now.

Oh, I think he's got the hang of things Looks as though might get some customers

today All right, we'll be looking out for him

Hope they make it all right.

Weather's pretty duff on the other side.

Say,

Murray, when do you think I could decently apply for 48ers?

Huh? 48 hours.

Leave? Yes, I've been here a fortnight. All right, all right, don't shout.

I've been here eight months.

And talking about leave, I'm going tomorrow and you're looking after Sally.

Well, I'm... My wife's coming down. I'm taking four days off. Four days? Then

can I go?

Well, you can apply through the usual channels.

Think I guess it?

Not a hope.

Hello, Pulley. Hello, Pulley. Grant at Red 2 calling. There's a Boston ditching

just below me. I'm orbiting for a fix.

Yes.

Right,

we'll get cracking.

Hello, Sledmere.

Is that Ops B? Group here.

ASR Operation SN6.

Boston ditched.

Position? Willey 0-5-3-5.

Walrus X stroke 3-7-4 will proceed to position.

Hello, Eastport.

Duty staff officer.

I've got a customer for you in Willie 0535 of Boston.

Can you get the boats out there?

If you'll give me their types and numbers, I'll see they get far to cover.

We'll send you RMLs 513 and 518 and HSLs 134 and

183. Willie 0535, sir.

Yes, right away.

Willie 0535.

Make a signal right away.

Looks as though they ditched in the new shallow draft minefield. I'm afraid

you're right.

Or just on the side of it, the wrong side of it.

Ah, the old walrus again.

Someone in trouble, I expect.

What's this?

W0535.

Blimey. We'll get there before the Navy anyway.

Course 120, coxswain. Course 120 too, sir.

Course

south

and east.

South and east, sir.

A star like the sea being as calm as this.

But his pleasure boats are shorter beaters, too.

Wish me a bit of a lop on it.

Blast this ruddy fog.

I know this curse.

It won't last.

I hope not.

Oh, well, let's get the equipment checked over.

Okay. Leave the radio to me. Don't touch it.

They've got a fix on us. If Jerry hears us chattering, there'll be hell to pay.

Can't I even try and get Tommy Handler?

Nice brolly up top.

Ought to keep the rain off.

It's not so good. Our chaps are in that dreary minefield I told you about.

One with the mines on the surface?

Yes, catch blokes like us.

That all right?

It's funny.

You know, I've often dreamt that I should die through

being shot in the back.

You aren't. You're shot in the front.

Go on, get this thing bailed out.

You use this boot.

Blimey, there goes the Paris Express.

I didn't know we were as close as that.

Don't worry.

They'll be here.

No, that's torn it.

1,400, Coxon. 1,400, sir.

Signal, sir.

Thanks.

Better get to Mae West on Sparks. Very good, sir.

Report says there are fog patches all the way to the French coast.

Just have to do our best to clear, that's all. Dead slow, Coxon. Dead slow,

sir.

Hello, Pulley. Hello, Pulley.

Starling One calling.

I've lost surface craft in fog.

I'm maintaining cover.

Over.

Funny how much comfort you get from seeing these rescue chaps when you come

out. I can remember back in 40 when there wasn't a damn thing.

If you came down in the drink then, you'd had it.

I'll have had it.

If they... If they don't find us soon... Wait a minute!

It's them.

It's them.

Here, help!

Shut up, will you?

It's the rescue line, Skip. I can hear them. I know, but I don't think it's one

of ours. Listen.

What did I

tell you?

If you open your mouth now, I'll suck you, wounded or not.

Sorry, skip.

Okay, daddy.

Stop engines, cops. Perhaps we'll hear something. Stop engines, sir.

Rawling, nip up on deck and keep a look out, will you? OK.

You see Sweetie Ray from here.

Any luck? Not a thing.

Cox and Starter up.

Keep it dead slow. Dead slow, sir.

That's better.

Come on, let's get cracking.

I'll put out the die, you fix up the aerial. Here's the pistol.

Okay.

Cunning contraption, this. Let's see now. Stick it up over here. Mind your

feet, Dewey.

I can hear an aircraft.

Any sign of that Jerry Trawler?

No, not a sign.

Well, wait till she gets a bit nearer and see if she's one of ours.

There she is!

There she is!

It's a walrus. A lovely, clumsy old walrus.

Up the glasses, Flight.

It's the ruddy walrus got there before us.

Maybe the dinghy isn't in the minefield after all. Step it up a bit, Flight.

Hurry, hurry.

She'll miss us. Here she goes.

Hold tight.

He hasn't seen us.

Give him a very light bill, quick. Yes, he has. He's turning.

Yes, look, he's seen us, all right. He's dropping a smoke float.

Hey, Skip.

What's that in the water over there?

Is it a shark?

Flaming onions. It's a mine.

Must be a loose one.

There's another.

We're in a minefield by hooky. You're right.

Clipes, the walrus!

Dewey, can you send a... Blimey, he's passed out. Bill, you fix up the aerial,

now send the message.

Mines, mines, anything will do.

Go on, get out!

Mind!

Go on out!

Mind!

Mind! You can't come down here!

Go on, get going!

My God, he's coming back!

Ben she's made it good old walrus

What

damn

bad luck Get out the hand

pedals give me one We'll try and paddle in towards the French coast.

That's the quickest way out of this blasted minefield.

The quicker the better for me. At present, we're just a decoy duck for

Jerry. What a damn bad luck.

Not a stick left.

She can't have been far from the dinghy, sir.

No, we'll have to go around. Harder port.

Harder port, sir.

This will work the bear out of you.

Before she blew up, the war was reported a German ship in the neighborhood.

Where the devil's our air cover?

Lost in the fog. Right, give her the gun.

I used to do this sort of thing for amusement.

Where? Regent's Park.

When we were kids, they used to have little boats with paddles on the front

of them. We thought they were great fun.

Not so funny with a lot of ruddy great minds, all right.

Take it easy. I think we're clear now.

Can you see any mines?

No, not one, thank heavens.

Here they come! Here come our boys! Yeah.

Yeah, they come.

Their boys.

Hello, 134.

Hello, 134.

Are you receiving me? Over.

Yes, okay, 183. Okay, over.

Hello, 134.

Enemy craft on Port Bow.

Enemy craft on Port Bow. I'm closing, sir.

I feel like something in a bargain basement just before they open the

doors.

Fire!

Have a solvent!

Ringside seat?

Yes, at an all-in wrestling match.

You never know what'll fall on your lap.

Talk about out the frying pan. This is getting a bit hot Not for

me

Turn it up, will you?

Cripes, look at that.

One of ours has bought it.

134 stopping, sir.

We're wrapped to cover, huh?

Parlor port.

Parlor port, sir.

Enemy bearing red, 1-5.

Force south, 55 east.

Good old Navy.

Good old Tortoise.

Hello, 5-1-3. Well done, Ovi. Well done, the Tortoise. Good old Navy.

Come on, Mermaid.

Party's over.

I hope they don't forget us in all this excitement.

Here they are. They're coming for us now.

Okay, Bill. We'll have about a minute.

Take him in, please. Badly hit.

Got him?

Got him?

We'll shout.

That's fine.

Okay, Bill. We'll have about a minute.

Yeah, take him in there.

You all right?

Yes, thanks. You and your chap will be all right.

Yeah. Here, have a cigarette.

Thanks very much. Make you feel better.

I say, you're the man with the swallow.

Oh, that's right.

I can do with a pint now.

This darn thing's no good. The area must have been shot away.

Yes, I'll go and give him a hail. Okay, sir.

Okay,

I'll come alongside.

I'll take you in tow.

All right, take her up to 134. We'll have to tow her.

What the hell was that? It wasn't a bomb.

513 calling, sir.

We've been shelled from the shore.

He suggests we feed it. He'll draw their fire. Right. We'll have to risk the

minefields. Rawlings, get up in the bowels and keep your eyes skinned, will

you? Right.

It's gonna cost Barry a pint.

We'll just dodge along on this same course till the others are out of range.

um

There's no need to melt the flaming thing.

Much more to go, Skipper?

No, I don't think so. As far as I know, the minefield isn't very big.

Aircraft on port quarter.

Good. Go and man the aft gun, will you? Okay, Skipper.

She's temperamental.

Cox. I'm all right, sir.

Mr. Rawlings!

Little Rawlings!

Blimey! Here's another.

Take her alongside, Flight. Starboard side two.

Starboard side two, sir.

How is it, old man?

Sorry.

Tricky first show.

You'll do.

Didn't I tell you?

About cannon shells?

Going up any moment now.

Right, we'll get the wounded across first.

All right, Flight.

Take her away.

Course 320, 1400.

Course 320, 1400, yes, sir.

You'll be all right now, too, old pal.

Okay, good show. Shove him in, boys.

Sorry, mate.

Bloody fine undertaker you'd make.

Make half your customers up, you would.

Well, quite a day, wasn't it? You all right?

Murray bought it, I'm afraid.

Oh, hell, you don't say.

Oh, hell, I am sorry.

And he done such a sweet job.

Hadn't he?

A really sweet job.

I'll have a bitter. What's the secret?

Aiming to hit the front pin on the port side.

Well, what are you going to have, you chaps? I'll have a beer. Can of beer.

Beer, okay.

Six very nice lights, please.

Where's Tiny tonight?

He pulled a fast one. He's wangled 48 hours leave out of the MO.

A crafty old devil. Any news of his wireless operator?

Yes. He's full of holes, but he's going to be all right.

Oh, hello.

Remember me?

We met the last time I was here. Oh, yes.

Come and have a drink. We're celebrating again.

Not another squadron leader?

No, the same one. You remember?

Old Tiny.

We thought he'd gone for a burton. He came down in the drink, but some of the

air-sea rescue boys fished him out. Got shot to hell, too, I heard. You'd have

to press-gang me before I joined that outfit.

Too dangerous.

Wasn't the chap that brought it in here with you that night?

You must have known him.

Yes.

I knew him.