Original subtitles

While Hitler edges on the Japanese, while Japan stirs yet another crisis.

Britain continues to strengthen her defensive position in Malaya.

The crown jewels of the British Navy are steaming toward Singapore to strengthen defenses.

The Prince of Wales and the Repulse fought off any aggression.

Playing their part in the defense of Malaya are squadron of Brewster Buffaloes.

Ready for the time comes to win the battle of Malaya.

Observe a plane of suddenly report seven Japanese ships off the coast of Siam.

Damn cloud only cleared in an hour. Hundred miles out stay safest in Gora.

Bold as brass. Would you believe it?

Have you decided not to launch Matador?

They're still all standing by.

But they won't get there in time, will they?

Symwatts, I keep getting telegrams from Cosby about alienating the Thai government.

They can't even get to the ledge in time now, I don't think.

I think the 11th might there be in too.

No. I think we have to abandon Matador.

I'll keep them standing by...just in case.

The Repulse and the Prince of Wales are swooshing up the east coast, are they Tom?

Yes.

Well then...

there's nothing to worry about.

Uh...y...your father...I...

I wanted to to say, um...

to...to...to say how sorry I am.

Thank you.

You can have a quick shifty at the house and

then chum along pack you and change yourself for dinner.

Come on.

Wake up François. The Japs have landed in the garden.

This is Matthew, François. You're to bring him over to dinner.

Technically, he's your employee. What you might call "a sleeping partner".

No. We're helping him out because when the Japs took Indo-China,

he made a run for it with only the clothes he was standing up in.

Ah! Monty. Good. Could I've a quick word with you?

No! You bloody couldn't. I'm busy.

What the hell are you doing here, anyway?

I just came in this evening.

Oh! You just came in this evening did you?

Well you can just bugger off back this evening all well.

You're supposed to be running the bloody estate!

It is rather important. I...I spoke to Major Archer...

I don't care who you spoken to. I told you hop it.

Scram!

I'm sorry to tell you that miserable cove

is the manager of your rubber estate in Johore.

His name is Robin Turner.

He was at school with me, and I don't mind telling you,

I pulled a lot of strings to get him that job.

Is he no good at it?

What?

Oh! Alright, I suppose...but...that's not the thing.

The thing is he married a stinger.

- Stinger? - Either one thing or the other.

A mixed drink.

A Eurasian.

Oh.

See the thing is Matthew,

nobody cares out here who here you've having fun with,

as long as you show a bit of discretion.

But he insisted on marrying her, so well...

Of course he had to resign from all his clubs.

Uh...anyway.

This is your father's office.

Not bad eh?

It's very nice.

Let's get you to your quarters. It's not long till dinner.

Thank God for that! I could eat a horse.

How much do you think I weigh?

Um...

- Go on, have a guess. - Um...

I...

Eight stone exactly. Knew you wouldn't be able to guess. Nobody can.

Ah.

How very nice to meet you at last.

Yes. I...yes very much so.

- Bonsoir. - Bonsoir.

Well François?

Drinks?

- Tell us what you think? - Thank you.

About what Mrs.Blackett?

About the...uh...s...situation.

If you want my opinion Mrs.Blackett, the Japs would've over-run us in a twinkling.

The exhaust us in the jungle...

then they seize us by the throat.

You are terrible, François.

I believe you enjoy trying to scare us out of our wits.

Not at all. My apologies.

The Air Chief Marshall has been cited at the end of the drive.

Let's keep him away from François, daddy.

François thinks the Japs are going to attack any minute.

Yes. He's had us all shaking like jellies.

Sometimes it is possible to eat well here.

But today, no.

Well, tough luck.

The cook must be on his day off.

Sorry I'm late, Walter.

Old chap.

He'll get over...this is Charlie. The brother of Mrs.Blackett.

Side water.

Glad to see you haven't polished all off the grub.

I say Harrier, jolly luck that the Japanese don't have

a fighter to match our Brewster buffalo

otherwise they might be tempted to try something up.

Matthew here, has been telling us Charlie,

that he has recently come from the 'Committee For International Understanding'.

Well they've been doing a sensational job.

Well...not recently. They closed down last year.

'International Understanding' having as you say, ceased to exist.

Yes, sir.

I volunteered of course but compares me with someone with my feet.

Not to mention my eye sight.

I was saying Sir Robert,

I don't see how one can blame the Japanese.

I understand as a businessman why they would invade China.

It's chaos.

For business to succeed...there has to be security.

Hmm.

The security for business doesn't give people the right to murder their neighbors.

Trouble with the Japanese is they eat to much fish. Plays hell with their thyroids.

Hmm.

I am here to help you back.

Oh. I...wasn't planning to...

I'm sorry.

Mr.Blackett needs this room tomorrow morning.

How do you make it?

It's very simple really.

Stale bread, raisin, sugar, an egg. Dash of milk and a pinch of nutmeg.

Vraiment incroyable.

That what always puts me in mind of the Great War.

Exactly what the man in the barilla factory said...

Oh.

Yes 'vraiment incroyable' he said.

When aboard a new airplane, everything gold bars.

You see, my plane have been shot down from under me.

There you are uncle Charlie.

Now take your pill.

Don't worry about it.

I'll be back in my Regiment in a couple of days.

Back...with all those young men

being paid next to nothing...to die.

Defending your commercial interests.

I don't know about dying. All I've seen you do, is drink.

Need to put it, darling.

Hard to believe when you look at him now but...

uncle Charlie was a Cambridge cricket blue.

Really?

- Now he's in the Indian Army. - And he's a poet.

Is he?

Yes he wrote a very long poem about some place in Spain.

- Guernica! - Yes! That's it.

He read a bit to us. And mother had to warn us all not to laugh.

Do you always looks so serious?

I don't know.

Come on old girl. That's more less city limit. Time to get back.

Good night.

Good night.

You're so romantic, François!

Why can't Englishman be like you?

Do you like women?

Yes.

- You never know with the English... - Oh?

As a matter of fact I'm rather an admirer of D.H.Lawrence.

Ah!

The trouble is, there are not so many women out there.

White women I mean.

Of course there are some mature ladies,

with what we call "Les cinq hospitaliers".

The hospitable five.

And they are...they're not honnête.

The idyllical women.

But you English...are always worried.

Like Hitler!

For the purity of the race. For us in Indo-Chine it's completely different.

If you wish to marry a native, no problem.

- Such marriages can have a great utility. - Yes I'm sure.

Perhaps you like Joan?

Well I...

- Cigarette? - Thank you.

Well?

A pushover daddy.

Your relic.

More than half-way there already.

Do you know what the "Singapore Grip" is?

Yes. 'A grip Singapour' is a tropical fever you must watch out for it.

It says in the paper this morning that

the Japanese have a convoy approaching the east coast of Siam.

Doesn't sound very good.

No. I fear the worst.

Still...the only way onto Singapore Island by land is the Causeway.

So...they may have to start thinking about blowing that up.

Anyway...I'm sure the military wallows are on top of the situation.

Huh.

So, this is what a rubber plantation looks like.

- And this is our estate. - Your estate.

Can you explain why those mature trees are being dug up and replaced with saplings?

Well...

I mean I thought rubber trees last 30 years or more.

- They do. - Surely those ones been replaced aren't that old.

No.

And I thought there was a really urgent demand for rubber at the moment,

so I don't see why...?

Were these orders from Walter?

Yes. I'm just following instructions that come direct from head office.

I don't understand why? That's why I came to Singapore the other day.

Strange.

- T...thank you. - Thank you.

I say, this your wife?

Well...yes.

Very very pleased to meet you.

Very pleased to meet you.

- H...how do you do? - Fine thank you.

Should've seen old Langfeld's face when he heard

that I bought a 100,000 tons of rubble two days before the Americans closed the door.

Did you?

Did I what?

See his face.

Well no, but I can vividly imagine.

Cheered me up no end on a rather trying day.

Oh dear. I'm happy to hear it.

Ah. There you are. Good.

Get yourself looking spruce.

We're heading to 'The Great World' in a couple of hours.

'The Great World'?

Yes. It's a sort of a funfair river on Kim Seng Road.

Some Irish woman is going be fired from a cannon.

Whatever for?

I don't know...it's a profession, I imagine.

There's some jolly good singers too. The D'souza sisters.

You and me and Joan.

Well good. Thank you.

- Uh...Monty? - Yes.

Went up the estate in Johore yesterday.

Found they were digging up a lot of mature trees

replacing with saplings.

Yes?

Seem to be an odd thing to be doing.

Uh, well don't ask me. You better bring it up with the Pater.

Hmm....it's all to do with the excess profits tax.

Um?

At the beginning of the war they brought in a new regulation.

Find your standard profits and took 60% of everything over and above that.

But enough I suppose but bearable.

Then if you believe it, they upped it to a 100%.

On the other hand, replanting expenses are allowed against tax.

Even if you re-plant perfectly healthy trees?

Huh, well...

they are in no position to know what state of health the tree is in.

Yes, but...what about the war effort?

Uh...no, I don't see your point.

What I mean is...surely at the moment everyone's crying out for rubber.

Come on. Enough of this shoptalk, otherwise we'll be late.

Excuse me.

(Run Rabbit Run By Flanagan and Allen)

* Run rabbit run, rabbit run, run, run *

* Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run *

* Bang, bang, bang, bang goes the farmer's gun *

* Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run *

* Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run *

* Don't give the farmer his fun, fun, fun *

* He'll get by without his rabbit pie *

* So run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run *

The place has been heaving since all the troops started arriving.

Hi. How are you? How are you?

So, all of this and the human cannonball?

And I know there's all sorts here, food music dancing.

They're crazy about dancing.

Just about everything you can think of.

Oh my God! There's Ehrendorf.

Oh! Yes, I phoned us just before I left and told him we'll be coming down here.

No! That's all we needed.

Why do you have to go and do that?

- Hey! Monty? Matthew? - Hey.

- Hey Joan! - God sake! Let's get in before we're crushed to death.

Shouldn't we wait for Jim?

He'll find us.

I'll catch up! Oh. Yup.

Joan?

Matthew!

Yes. How did you...?

Do I know you?

My name is Vera Chiang. I knew your father.

He was very kind to me.

- I was so sorry when he died. - Oh.

- Well... - I saw you...

when you arrived at the Mayfair with Mr. & Miss Blackett.

Oh I see.

So...Matthew,

you are all alone in the world.

It's true, I suppose.

Your dear father was a saint.

I was in such bad trouble.

And he gave me a bunk up.

Did he?

Good gracious!

Yes.

Sometimes I cry about him still.

But...

must be so much worse for you.

Well...actually we weren't all that...uh...

Your father showed me a snap of you, when you were a small baby.

Yeah?

And he told me, when he was gone, you would be all alone in the world.

Because long ago your dear mother kicked the bucket.

Matthew...

you see how my heart is beating?

Well...yes.

So there you are! What have you been up to?

- This is very strange, I just... - Come on! You're going to miss the fun.

Oh! Damn a blast! We missed the D'souza sisters.

Oh! Thank God!

Uh, sorry.

Sorry....I'll jump over helm of Monty. Uh...sorry Joan.

I would not miss this for anything.

No...I'm going to sit next to Matthew.

- Hmm. - What?

But...I...

No!

Ladies and gentlemen!

This Olivia Kennedy vault.

Please on time count backwards from ten to witness destruction of enemy.

Watch her hurl through the air.

And smash Japanese and greater.

This is a everything!

British Empire will triumph as always and destroy the cowardly enemy.

Hello?

What!?

Ju...jus...just a minute.

It..it's the aerodrome at Kota Bharu.

Shipping thought to be Japanese is standing off the coast.

What!?

Well they are going to land in the middle of the monsoon, are they? Are they?

They've already landed.

...nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!

- Oh. What happened? - Oh!

Jesus!

Mother of God! Can't you people do anything?

According to Walter,

him and my father completely transformed Burma.

Apparently before they arrived, they haven't got any suffering for coconuts to fell a tree.

Well that's nonsense. Burma was always a fertile and prosperous country.

But, there are certain advantages in changing from a barter to cash economy, sure.

No. Cash economy just means: Survival of the cheapest.

No...see there's something missing there, Matthew.

There is an overriding principle which applies at the West as well.

- I call it: Ehrendorf's law. - Oh!

Survival of the easiest.

So anything demanding like reading a book or

learning playing an instrument or...our conversation even.

It's all dying out. It's too much effort.

It's Ehrendorf's law.

You alright?

What are you thinking?

I'm thinking...Joan's ass.

Could it possibly be too perfect?

- Will you just stop that? - Stop what?

Looking at me like that.

I'm not looking at you. I'm reading the goddamn menu.

Of course you could always say we brought them education

but, what's the result of that?

Far to many graduates.

Ten thousand clerks in Singapore at starvation wages.

You can't expect me to put up with this can you?

- Clear off then. Nobody invited you. - Matthew did as a matter of fact.

As a matter of fact, clerks or coolies or whatever the hell they are.

The reason they are coming from all over India and China

is because there are jobs here

and they think they have a better life. Which they will.

But you said you were leaving.

Well that would suit you just fine. Wouldn't it?

Bring them in as cheap labor. Shortage is not much better than the slave trade?

We have their interests more at heart.

We do you have their interests at heart.

We are giving them jobs, they can't get where they come from.

Got a serious proposition I want to put to you.

What's that?

Couple of weeks ago I came across a very nice Chinese girl by name of Sally.

Very clean and she has her own flat.

No.

Really Monty.

Listen, before you come to a decision she's clean as I say.

Very good at her job.

You can do anything you like.

And with you and me and these other two friends of mine,

we can split her four ways for M$1750 a month.

And you could have her one evening guaranteed. Two evenings most weeks.

It's an incredible opportunity.

Look, I want you to come and dance with me.

- That's the least you could do. - Can't you see I'm in the middle of eating.

You don't have to decide this minute.

You can have a couple of days to think it over.

I might be able to get her down to 15. She goes at it hammer and tongs.

No! Monty, I told you it's not my line.

It's not the price.

It's the idea of it.

Oh. I see.

I might try my luck with the taxi dancers in a minute.

What?

Those girls over there in the corner, work for the club.

Occasionally you can strike it lucky.

You buy a little book for a dollar and that entitles you to four dances.

Tear off a ticket and give it to them.

- Come dance with me please. - I said, "No"!

Alright. I'm...

I'm going. But um...

I'm call in at the house later in the evening. We need to have a serious talk.

Do what you like.

Will you dance with me, Matthew?

Of course.

- ...VNC ready and waiting till furthur notice. - Very good sir. Good....

Sir?

Message from the GSO-2. They'd like to know if we should impose a blackout?

Blackout? Yes...well yes certainly worth considering.

I rather think that's the Governor's responsibility.

Safety measure. I don't see why he would object.

On the other hand, don't want to spread alarm and despond, do we?

Let's get onto it tomorrow.

Just as you like.

Thank you Jack. Tell them to hold off for tonight.

Sir.

We're next.

I don't know about you but I'm heading home.

I know you can't.

Night is young.

I know it's quite old enough for me.

Well you can take the car and Matthew and I'll get in a trishaw.

Actually I don't mind going home. I'm feeling a bit...

That's nonsense! It's not even 10 o'clock.

At least we can get a drink somewhere.

Come on.

If you're turning down a share of Sally

because you think you'll get it from Joan,

I'm here to tell you you're barking up the wrong tree.

- She doesn't. - Doesn't what? Oh! I see what you mean.

No. She doesn't. Not even occasionally.

Well?

Didn't quite go according to plan I'm afraid.

He invited Jim Ehrendorf.

Yes I know. He's here. Waiting for you on the ground.

- Uh! Good God. - He seemed quite upset when he arrived.

Obviously not upset enough!

I better go find him and finish the job.

Ye...but the evening? It went well otherwise.

Oh. Yes daddy. Don't you worry.

Monty has dragged him somewhere. But he's definitely in the bag.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey! - No, no,no, no. This...this is no good. This is no good.

No, no. On. Go. Get out of here! Out of here! Out of here! Out of here!

It's funny, I thought things were getting better lately with all the refugees.

- Better? - Well you know what I mean.

- How can you be so heartless? - I just meant younger. You know.

No need to get worked up old boy. It's not my fault.

It's all our fault.

We send all these huge profits home and we can't even provide

enough to keep few refugees from going to the streets.

It's really no good taking this high moral tone

out here in the East you know.

Try to remember people have been here awhile that much go in for pious homilies.

I suppose we better get you home to bed, old man. You look ghastly.

I'll drop you off.

- Aren't you going to? - No. I'm carrying on until I find what I need.

I'm going to ask you to do one last thing for me.

Just to show there's no hard feelings.

Well..then.

Alright.

Come with me.

Joan is giving Jim Ehrendorf his marching orders as we speak.

And you should be happy to hear that things are moving

rather promisingly between Joan and young Matthew.

Oh! Do you think...?

Well...we mustn't count our chickens but...

I think we can start ordering the wood for the coop.

Your father...father...mixed drink...

There are no certain...reason they're coming all over from India and China...

...defending your commercial interests...I'm going to sit next to Matthew.

...why can't Englishmen be...will you dance with me, Matthew...

...how much do you think I weigh...occasionally...

...sometimes I cry about him still...

Watch out...watchout for the Singapore, 'Singapore Grip'.

- Wa...war... - What!?

What!?

Warning Red.

- Air raid: Warning Red. - What!?

Pl...pl...pla...pla...

planes are due in less than an hour.

- Wake up, Matthew. Are you alright? - Matthew?

Matthew?

Yeah?

Jim was on his way home when we saw your light was on.

Oh.

That's nice.

Jim wanted to have a word with you.

Jim...you are dripping wet.

No! It wasn't about that. He will tell you.

Go on.

I just wanted to say Matthew that...

I'll be leaving Singapore soon as I can arrange it.

I realized this evening that...um...

well...I...I...I can see that there's no real future...

for...for Joan and me. We'll stay best of friends.

Naturally.

There! Wasn't so bad. Was it?

Leaving Singapore so soon after I arrived? Seems really bad luck...for me, I mean.

Yes we're going to miss you.

- You're not looking too well Matthew. - No.

Got a touch of the old 'Singapore Grip'.

- No. That can't be right. - Why not?

Singapore Grip's like a rennet suitcase or a say of Shanghai basket. only smaller.

- I know... - No it's not. It's a kind of hairpin.

Whatever it is...I have to go.

- It's really good to see you again. - Yes. Yes.

Goodbye then.

Come for a walk. It's lovely out.

- No. I think I'm going to...um.. - I want to show you something.

Really?

Are you in love with me, Matthew?

Were are you?

First, you have to answer.

Are you in love with me?

Let me....

Yes.

I...mean...where are you?

I'm over here.

First there's something you have to do.

What?

Jump in the pool with your clothes on.

What did you say?

- Jump in the pool with your clothes on? - Are you joking?

- Not at all. - What?

Why?

That's what I want you to do.

I wouldn't dream of it.

I'm going to bed now. Good night.

Wait.

Oh. No. No. Don't. No.

You are most surprised to see me.

Oh..yes.

I still have some things here in the house.

In the bedroom your dear dear father gave me.

Some snaps I would like to show you.

Ar..are you all right dear Matthew?

You look...rather hot about the collar.

I think it's the 'Singapore Grip'.

Joan. Um...you know Miss Chiang?

She wants to show me some photographs...I think.

Gracious Miss Blackett! You are soaking wet.

- Let me get you a tower. -It's quite alright Vera. I like it.

It's nice and cool.

You like that dress, do you?

Heh! Oh yes!

When she was staying here, Matthew,

we made a happy discovery that my old clothes were a prefect fit for Vera.

So lucky for me.

I've never had such lovely clothes except of course when I was little in Russia.

My mother was a Princess.

Do you know our family we always give our cast-offs to servants?

Of course it's not quite a perfect fit.

This dress is a little tight across the chest.

Not that the servants are ever very grateful.

- What do you think Matthew? - Um...

If I were a little more flat chested?

It'd be a perfect fit. It's far more comfortable when I open these top buttons.

See?

That's better.

There's nothing more disagreeable than a damp bra.

I...I...really must go to bed. Um...

Uh! You must come and look at my snaps on your way.

I need to show him something first out on the compound.

Doing that might take some time.

In that case, better I take him first to my room.

Matthew!

Shouldn't you eh....scramble a few fighters? Or something.

Well...no,

I'm not sure the anti-aircraft people here would be able to tell the difference.

We don't want our Buffaloes getting shot down by our own side.

Do we?

- Ja...Ja...Ja...Japs have bombed America. - What!? Where?

- Pe...Pearl Harbor. - That's Hawaii not America!

It's where their fleet is stationed! Sir, Roosevelt has declared war.

Bhah! Now that little yellow man is for it!