Original subtitles

Go on.

Whatever a man's role in life,

it is not for mortals to judge.

Rufus Sinclair is now laid to rest.

Let us pray to an eternal sound sleep.

You all have my deepest sorrow,

and especially you, Mrs. Sinclair.

Responsibility now rests on your shoulders.

I would like that your mother is well taken care of.

Fear not, Reverend.

We'll see to it.

Well, it's over and done with.

I thought we'd never see the end.

Bruce, please, not now,

not here while we're in his.

Oh, really, Mother.

Piety doesn't become you.

Of all of us you've suffer the most.

Of all of us you should be the first

to breathe a sigh of relief.

In the name of sanity, leave her alone.

Let's get out of here I can't breathe.

Seth put out the torches!

No, there's a specific provision

in the will that forbids that!

I'm master here now, Seth!

Put out the torches,

and lock the door after we leave.

I warn you I'll not be responsible for the consequences.

I told you your father's wishes,

and you've gone against all of them.

Philip, I don't think this place

is healthy for any of us.

Come along.

Philip.

I'll see you at the house.

I need a drink.

I'll lock up, Seth.

Yes, ma'am.

Once, too long ago to remember,

you gave me this diamond pin.

So unexpected,

and I might have treasured it.

But that was not to be.

Once every fortnight,

you wanted at me to wear it,

reminded me of its value,

used it to torment me.

At last unable to touch it,

I hid it from sight.

That look when I told you it was lost,

like some terrible device clamped to your face

closing,

contorting,

until the last final stroke.

And so, now in this bleak and barren vault,

I must return it to you,

Rufus Sinclair.

Philip.

You shouldn't do that, my dearest,

at least not until the buried treasure is divided.

Can't you wait until after the reading?

The others will soon be here.

Besides what if you.

You were about to say if I were disinherited?

Father's threats can't harm me now.

No longer need I lie cowering in my bed listening to him

thump, thump, thump with his cane.

No longer need I swallow his abuse.

Nor listen to you, my dearest,

cautioning me not to enrage that cursed tyrant.

You disgust me.

No, no, not now.

Noblesse oblige.

Now that I'm master, I can do what I please

when I please and where I please.

Are you so callous as to deny rank its privilege,

or so fickle as to have forgotten our nights in the kitchen

bathing desire under a full moon?

Bruce!

Oh, Mother.

I was just about to go in for the festivities.

Robert, is everyone here?

The servants are in the hall.

Well, have them come in quickly, please.

Yes, sir.

"I, Rufus B. Sinclair,

"being of sound mind and body."

"Sound mind?"

You've gotta hand it to papa.

Right up to the bitter end he thrived on the ironic.

It better be accepted that papa

was of sound mind when he made his will,

or we'll never see a penny his money.

Now as a doctor where I called in for an opinion...

You might have become a doctor, but you didn't.

As I was saying,

were I called in for an opinion, I would certify

that at the time papa was sound enough to compose his will.

- And, furthermore... - Right you are, Dr. Sinclair!

And that I am sufficiently competent

to have certified and reported his death!

Now would you like to have a go at that, my learned brother?

Lead us not into the twilight region

of doubt, Dr. Sinclair.

Being of sound mind and body,

do declare this my last will and testament.

First, my servants,

those who have been in my employee for less than 10 years

shall receive the sum of one silver dollar

for each year of service.

Those who have served over 10 years

are to receive the sum of $1,000.

Now that's all that concerns the servants.

May I ask that you leave the room.

Except, Seth.

Seth, only you among the employees

are to share in the bequest,

and only you are to be bound by its terms.

I can tell all of you that there were considerable holdings,

and all of you will be amply provided for

if, you abide by the provisions of the will,

some of which I'm afraid have already been ignores.

"For many years I have been afflicted with a strange malady,

"which in its most severe state, leaves me helpless

"and with the appearance of death.

"Because of it I have always had a morbid fear

"of being buried alive."

You were aware of this weren't you, Bruce?

I was.

A rare atrophy of the nervous system

where the muscles become coldly ridged.

"Each of you must fulfill certain conditions.

"Abigail, you are to be sure

"there is no funeral for at least five days

"to be certain I am really dead."

I must remind you, Abigail,

that you let certain members of the family

persuade you to have the funeral after only two days.

It was the only thing to do.

Bruce, examined him.

He was sure he was dead!

Mr. Benson, is there more to this enlightening

and magnanimous document?

What else has dear father left for us to do?

"Bruce, must call in a consulting physician

"to make doubly certain that I am in reality dead."

This you did not do, Bruce.

Don't worry, Benson, he's dead.

"Philip, is to see that the door of my tomb

"is never locked.

"Vivian, must faithfully keep all my belongings in tact

"against my possible return from the tomb.

"Seth, is to be responsible for keeping lighted torches

"in my tomb both day and night,

"and my nephew, Robert, is to see that all the others

"keep the provisions of this my last will and testament.

"For this period of one year,

"my attorney, James Benson, is empowered to dispense

"such monies for the maintenance of the household

"but only for absolute emergencies and dire necessities."

Well, does this mean that I...

Well, that we can't receive any money at all?

It means precisely that.

But we can't behave like paupers.

What's the matter, Doctor?

Your gambling friends will have to wait.

"Each of you has certain phobias

"and certain fears as terrible as mine,

"and if you do not follow my wishes,

"I solemnly vow I shall see that each of you perishes

"in the manner you most dread.

"Abigail, to you fire

"is as horrible as being buried alive is to me,

"and flames shall be your fate if you disobey me.

"Bruce, my first son,

"and the first of my many disappointments,

"what if your arrogant face should be disfigured hopelessly?

"My second son, Philip,

"weak, wheezing Philip,

"you fear being chocked or smothered.

"If you disobey me,

"I shall return to see you

"draw your last suffocating breath.

"Vivian, Philip's mate, "you married a Sinclair,

"and you must bear the family responsibilities.

"If you fail to do so now,

"a watery death will fulfill your fear of drowning.

"My nephew, Robert,

"who acted as I wanted my sons to act,

"unless you follow my instructions,

"I shall take from you whatever you love most,

"and finally, Seth, who has loyally served me,

"unless you keep my torches burning,

"you shall join me in the tomb.

"In the event that at the end of one year,

"none of my heirs is living,

"the money shall go to my attorney, James Benson,

"to do with as he sees fit.

"Given this 29th day of March 1892,"

etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Are there any questions?

I feel it's my duty to warn you

that each of you has already violated

the sacred trust the deceased placed in you.

Is it right for us to hold out our hands to Benson

for him to dole out our money like charity?

You heard the will.

What else can we do?

Oh, he's dead, I tell you.

He's dead.

If only I could be certain.

Don't worry, Mother.

Look I've got to have some money right away.

My creditors are after me.

You must have something of value,

something I can put them off with?

No, all I had was that diamond pen,

and I gave it back.

Gave it back?

But you said it was lost.

Well, wasn't that what brought on his final seizure?

I couldn't stand it any longer.

I hid it and said it was lost.

When you all left the tomb, I went back to return it.

I put it on his coffin.

On his coffin!

Maybe it's still there?

Unless he decided to claim it.

Calm yourself, Mother.

You better go upstairs and get some rest.

There's something I must attend to.

Come on, Letty.

There's no time to waste.

Bruce, kiss me.

Not now!

Why a girl might be offended.

You didn't call it a waste of time when we...

There's a time to love,

and a time to attend to important business.

But this is the path to the graveyard?

At the end of the rainbow to riches and dreams,

a path to pleasure.

I'm frightened.

I never did like it out here.

Who's master now?

Nothing's going to happen.

Nothing you won't like, my dear.

Can't I wait outside?

As you wish.

But out here are the eyes of night,

and in there no living eyes can see us.

What the devil, she said it was on the coffin!

In her anxiety she must have dropped it.

She was more nervous than I thought.

Look here, Letty.

Now do you know why we came here?

Oh, it's beautiful.

You're not so frightened now, are you?

Is it for me?

Perhaps.

Perhaps one of these days

if you serve your master well.

Hmm?

Well, it would seem advisable for us

to return to the house separately.

Oh, no, I don't want to go back alone.

Nonsense.

Wait here five minutes and follow me.

Here, in here!

Well, of course.

Let me out!

It's getting late.

Are you gonna sit there all night?

Splendid idea.

The body is a long insatiable tomb

in need of drink and relaxation.

Sometimes you're the most revolting person I know.

Philip Sinclair,

you are uncompromisingly, obscenely revolting.

Get ready for bed.

Thy tongue and my flask shall comfort me.

Lovely evening for a stroll.

May I join you?

I was just going downstairs for a book.

About perfume nights and ladies ravished

by swooning admirers.

What's the matter has brother Philip lost his touch?

Ladies in distress should always anchor in safe ports.

You have many talents, Vivian,

but I'd never guess reluctance to be one of them.

Shall we call it patience.

In a short time Philip will receive his inheritance

and dissolve like the mist into a sea of alcohol.

Patience is the least of my endearing charms.

The night is fraught with incense

and direfulness ladies flirting about staircases

in flight from their husbands.

Not now, I beg you.

Bruce.

Patience, my dear.

Patience.

Letty!

Dammit!

She knows I like my breakfast ready when I come down.

Show a girl a little attention

and first thing she thinks it gives her license.

Letty!

Letty!

Where's my breakfast?

Where's Letty?

Begging your pardon, sir.

That's why I came up from the kitchen.

Letty hasn't been there this morning,

and her bed wasn't slept in.

I don't like what's going on around here.

If it pleases, Mr. Sinclair,

I think I'll be leaving.

It pleases Mr. Sinclair to have his breakfast.

Now go back to your kitchen and fetch it!

Yes, sir.

That would be the dumbwaiter.

Letty must have returned.

Oh, well, what are you waiting for?

Yes, sir.

Not a word to anyone, you understand?

Yes, sir.

Now go back to your kitchen.

Don't, not there!

That's where that came from.

I'm going to my room

to pack me things!

What's the matter?

Good morning.

Would you prefer a different menu?

My god, cover it up!

Do something!

Precisely what I intend to do,

and you're going to help me.

I would suggest changing into your riding habit.

It's more suitable.

I have an idea where the body is and how to dispose of it

where it can't possibly be found.

I can't, Bruce.

I can't.

You can, and you will!

I wonder if papa had anything to do with this.

But you told us.

He was pronounced dead.

Reality has a way of betraying one's pronouncements.

Then he wasn't dead!

Well, let us see that even the most painstaking physician

can render a faulty diagnosis.

Well, if he's still alive, then we're all in danger.

Well, it's rather a simple matter to find papa,

and persuade him to go back to his coffin permanently.

But that'll have to wait.

Meanwhile, no one must know about this.

Now the sooner you get ready the better.

I can't, Bruce.

I feel sick.

Don't be stupid!

If the police drop in and start snooping around,

they may get the idea that papa's still with us,

and if they do, then papa's will would be declared invalid.

And you wouldn't like that, would you, Vivian, my love.

Without money what good are dreams?

Just do as I say.

You think of everything, don't you, Bruce?

Not quite.

Or else I would've made quite sure that papa was dead.

And as far as personal expenditures are concerned,

I think, you'll find me generous.

Thank you.

You're very kind.

Just have the trades people send their bills to my office.

Speaking of my office, I must get back into town.

If you'll come downstairs,

and sign those papers for me, we'll be finished.

I hope he's found peace at last.

He never could while he was alive.

I'll miss you, Robert.

Will I see you soon?

As soon as possible.

I wish you were coming with father and me.

So do I.

But I feel I must stay and see if I can be of help.

Something about this house I can't touch it.

I can't feel it.

Something indefinable as if the walls

suddenly wanted to cry out and tell me what it is.

Oh, Robert, are you sure you won't change your mind?

Why the graveyard?

Well, that's where poor, headless Letty was last seen.

Here, my dear.

Hold on to it, will you?

Bruce!

Seth, what in the devil's name are you doing here?

I was going to light the master's torches

like his will said.

Did you see or here anything unusual at the tomb?

I haven't been to the tomb.

I just this second came from the house.

I didn't know it was you and Mrs. Philip.

Well, off with you.

I'll take care of the torches.

Yes, sir, thank you, sir.

I'll sleep better tonight.

What are you doing?

I can't!

Certainly, you can.

I'm sure you'll manage.

You'll suffer, but I'm sure you'll manage.

Do you realize you might have scarred me?

I think, I've got everything here.

No need to read all the details, just sign them.

Is the carriage ready, Seth?

Not exactly, ma'am.

Carriage is but the horses.

The horses what?

They ain't with the carriage.

Mr. Bruce came and took them away.

He said he and Mrs. Philip were going for a ride.

I saddled the horses,

and I ain't seen them since.

Let me know the minute they return.

Yes, ma'am.

You never know what Bruce will do next.

But Vivian,

surely, she has more sense than that.

Than what, Mother?

Vivian knows exactly what she's doing.

Vivian and Bruce out for a ride

how charming.

I'm delighted that at least one member of the family

has a flair for recreation.

They're probably having an exhilarating romp together.

Why does it take so god awful long to sink?

Slower to you perhaps,

but much more reliable than a woman.

Quicksand never reveals its innermost secrets.

Come on.

Bruce!

No, not my face!

Bruce?

Oh, my god.

Mr. Benson.

Hmm?

You said you would grant any reasonable requests.

That's correct.

There are certain changes I would like made

as soon as possible.

Higher lightening rods in the event of storms,

and, I would like to have all the fireplaces bricked up.

What will you do for heat?

Has your fear of fire...

I would rather endure the cold!

Mr. Benson,

all I want is peace of mind.

As you wish.

Horrible.

What is it, tell me what is it?

We were down by the bog

and papa's still alive.

I saw him.

He's down there with Bruce.

What are you saying?

- Where's Bruce? - He's down there.

It happened so fast.

That laugh,

I'd know that laugh anywhere.

He sounded like a madman.

You were down about the bog.

Philip.

Leave her alone, Philip.

Can't you see she's upset?

Sometimes the mere mention of water sets her off.

She has nightmares about drowning.

Here maybe this will help.

There's not a drop of water in it.

You're as sadistic as your brother.

It's only myself that I harm.

He made me hold it.

He made me go with him.

He made me carry that thing!

What's she saying?

She's lost her reason.

Letty is dead!

Murdered!

Her head was on a platter!

Her body was...

Only a madman would do a thing like that.

Papa was insane.

He's down there with Bruce.

Where is Bruce?

Where is he, take me to him!

Said he was gonna put papa back in his coffin.

Seth, where's Bruce?

He's down at the stable.

Are you sure?

I think it's him.

My son!

No.

Good god.

His face.

Oh, his face.

He was always so afraid.

Wait.

Your diamond pen.

I left it on the coffin.

Oh, no!

This is a matter for the police.

Robert, you ride into town and ask them to come.

Sir, I don't like the idea of leaving Deborah alone.

I won't let her out of my sight.

Until we get to the bottom of this,

I feel that we have to stay here.

Yes, sir.

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh.

Last chain of responsibilities

now rests on your shoulders, Phillip Sinclair.

Yours is a double obligation to become head of this family

and to protect your mother.

I'll do my best, Reverend.

I'm glad Rufus is alive

because now he'll have to pay

for what he did to my poor Bruce.

Well, it doesn't look as if it's been disturbed.

Looks the same as when we left it, Mr. Benson.

I must differ with both of you.

Stop talking in puzzles, Philip, and say what you mean.

Look.

Those marks are the marks of bloody hands.

You're trying to frighten me.

Seth, open it.

It don't seem proper to be disturbing the dead.

Or the living?

I can't go against what he said.

You've nothing to fear.

We're here, aren't we?

If you're so sure he's still alive, then open it yourself.

It's empty.

He's not dead.

He's not dead.

He's wandering around

somewhere out there

waiting to kill us one by one.

He's got no reason to be after me.

Don't be too sure.

You put out the torches.

You're one of us now.

Thus far we have nothing which requires police action.

All of this could've been entirely accidental.

And the missing corpse?

Almost slipped my mind.

Theft of a corpse is a crime.

In cases like this we send out a bill of particulars

to hospitals and medical colleges.

Difficult, most difficult.

Supposing this corpse wasn't stolen?

And you mean it got up and walked itself away.

Precisely.

That'd be quite a spectacle.

What are you suggesting?

There never was a corpse.

Then who was in that coffin?

It was papa all right.

But we have reason to believe he wasn't dead.

That he was buried alive.

Burying a person alive is distinctly an offense.

If he was buried alive, you can be sure of one thing.

By now he is hopelessly insane,

a homicidal maniac bent on only one thing,

revenge by the most horrible means imaginable.

Then, Mr. Sinclair must be found.

Where was he last seen?

Alive?

Living or dead we're not quite certain which.

I found it, I found it.

I found it, Chief, right where I thought it would be.

- The corpse? - No, the stable.

Well, what about the caretaker?

Nobody there, the place was empty.

Well, keep on looking for him!

Now you.

After you took the platter from the dumbwaiter,

you set it down,

and there was the head of this unfortunate girl?

It was Letty, all right.

It seems we have two unsolved murdered on our hands.

Mrs. Sinclair, would you describe your husband?

Well, he was tall, somewhat taller than you.

Winters, take this down.

He had a lean, hard unsmiling face.

His hair was rather straight.

He wore it long.

About six-feet, long straight hair.

When we laid him to rest,

he was wearing his favorite coat,

Prince Albert suit, hat, shoes, spats, and.

His cane.

Prince Albert suit, spats and a cane, got that?

Excuse me, Chief.

- What? - What's the date?

Don't worry, I'll remember it!

Now which leg was injured, the right or the left?

I beg your pardon.

Neither, papa didn't limp at all.

But you said he carried a cane.

Only for effect to let you know he was coming,

to intimidate the servants,

a symbol of his authority.

Strike that from the record.

Prince Albert suit, stylish dresser, spats,

with this description we'll have no difficulty.

The culprit will be captured.

Why don't you leave us alone?

Did you see him?

I know Rufus is somewhere.

I know he is.

Calm yourself, Abigail.

It's just your nerves.

We're all here.

No, I tell you he's after us one by one.

Philip!

Won't you stay with me tonight, Philip?

I suppose I can.

Thank you, Philip.

Thank you.

Constable, did you see or hear anything?

Quiet as a church loft.

Well, keep a sharp eye open.

Begging, your pardon, sir.

What time is it?

Must be around midnight.

Thank you, sir.

I always write down the time of a disturbance.

Really, Mother.

This room is as bright as a solarium.

But, Philip.

Philip, where are you going?

Relax.

You promise you'd stay.

I'm merely getting something to keep me warm.

There's a blanket on the chaise.

Something liquid to keep my innards warm.

This time I got you.

That's a little trick I practice.

You see, I pretend to be asleep,

and that gives the criminal confidence.

And then all at once I slap on the handcuffs?

This is yours, I presume?

Since I'm not your man, do you mind if I go inside

and pour myself a drink?

Oh, not at all.

Sir, if it'll ease your doubts,

I'd be glad to give it a little taste.

That's official procedure

just to make sure it hasn't been tampered with.

Right you are, Constable.

Cheers.

As I understand it,

if the taster encounters difficulty,

then the intended victim shouldn't drink it?

Right you are.

You don't mean! Poison?

Perhaps we should investigate.

Since we're not allowed to handle fire,

this is the next best thing, eh, Constable?

Well, there's the fireplace.

Let's throw on a few logs.

Prometheus is an unwelcomed guest in this house.

Mother wouldn't like it.

She has a morbid dislike of fire.

No.

Help!

Help me!

Please help me.

Help me.

Somebody help me.

Help me.

Water, gt some water quick!

The flames, quick.

It's your mother.

Oh, my god!

Here.

Your breakfast is ready in the kitchen.

Coffee's all I need.

Well, there's a big pot of it on the stove.

Mr. Philip insists on it.

That's all he takes in the morning.

Are the others up?

Not one of them.

You'd think we're resort hours.

Constable, after last night,

I'm sure that I want to leave.

Have you given notice?

To whom?

First, I gave it to Mr. Bruce, and now he's gone.

Then I asked Seth to drive me into town,

and he hasn't been seen.

Then I told Mrs. Sinclair,

and, oh, that terrible fire.

- Now I'm telling you. - No, you don't.

My authority is.

Where's Constable Winters?

I have a good mind to break him.

Somebody got in here last night.

Somebody got in and started that fire.

Did you check for footprints

- underneath the window? - First things first.

Rufus Sinclair must be found that's for sure.

Now my men are ready with dogs outside.

We've got to track him down dead or alive.

- Can I be of help? - The more hands the better.

Well, come on then let's go.

I wish we weren't being left alone.

Vivian you're not left alone.

There's the cook and me.

This way, men.

Mr. Sinclair?

Are you here, Mr. Sinclair?

Those dogs they're after you, Mr. Sinclair.

They sent dogs after you to track you down.

What have I done?

Oh, god, what have I done?

I shouldn't have listened to them others.

I shouldn't crept back here and lighted your torches.

I failed you.

I should've lightened your torches

just like you told me to in your will.

One dog coming closer.

Maybe they're after you, Mr. Sinclair.

Maybe your corpse is alive,

and you're cursed to live in one.

I'll light your torches for you now.

Good god.

It's a wonder in this house if your hair turns gray.

Now that the police are here,

I'm sure everything will be straightened out.

I wish I could be as certain.

The others should be back by now.

Vivian, I never asked you before.

Why did you go to the bog with Bruce?

Bruce was a Sinclair he made me go that's how.

You honestly think I wanted to be with Letty's body.

But why?

Because he wasn't certain papa was dead.

Is that what you think?

Not certain what I think anymore.

The light's fading.

They'll have to stop and come home soon.

I'd like to go away on a long trip,

far away to somewhere I've never been before.

I know.

Why don't we both dress up.

Perhaps Philip will see things differently and Robert too.

Well, that's a wonderful idea.

Here.

Oh, I forgot you're still in mourning.

Oh, curse this mourning.

Curse this house.

Curse this constantly living under a cloud of gloom.

Curse everything.

Maybe if I get dressed up,

Philip will look at me as he once did, maybe.

Well.

If you need me just call.

Oh, yes.

Come on.

Come on, come on.

What's the matter boy?

You got a scent?

Find them, find them.

Find them, find them boy, find them.

- Where are Philip and Robert? - I just saw them go off.

Which way, maybe they found a trail?

That way.

Well, come on then let's go.

This way, men.

Seth.

Deborah.

Is that you Deborah?

No, ma'am, it's me.

Come in.

Your tub is ready.

Is it nice and warm?

It is.

And I'll have you know I wasn't hired

to heat and haul water up two flights of stairs.

This time it's final.

I'm giving my notice.

Speak to my husband when he comes home.

That I will.

I'm really going to tell him what I think of him this time.

Vivian?

Vivian?

Winters.

- Mr. Robert! - What is it?

Mr. Robert, it's Miss Deborah.

Deborah what's happened?

The backdoor I saw her being carried out.

- By whom? - I don't know.

I couldn't see.

I can't make out who it is.

There're dragging her to the bog.

I'm going after them.

Philip, it was you

all the time.

The only Sinclair with true genius.

But why?

Why?

Because no one ever appreciated Philip.

Because Philip was expendable.

Because Philip was sick.

Because papa used to torment me all the time.

But then I get everything.

Everything!

Deborah, sweet chaste, Deborah,

I hadn't intended to put you on my list,

but you walked in while I was helping Vivian take a bath.

Robert, help!

Help!

Robert, Robert, help!

There you have it.

He come in through that panel

and murdered them all one by one.

I just checked Mrs. Sinclair's

bedroom upstairs, Chief, same thing.

He cut the eyes out of the old man's picture,

so he'd know when to come in and murder her.

It was so terrible.

Don't worry, my dear, it's all over now.

Well, the hearse is here.

We can't delay any longer.

Come Deborah, Robert.

Goodbye, Barnes.

Thanks for everything.

Bruce.

There they go.

Interesting case, eh, Chief?

Remarkable.

To think that one man could murder

with such single-minded cunning.

Well, let's drink to him, eh, Chief?

I don't see any harm in it.

Philip Sinclair won't be needing it any longer.

To you, Constable.

Good health, Chief.

That's not spirits.

It's tea.

And rancid at that!

And all the time pretending to be drunk.

You know, there's one thing I can't abide,

and that's a liar.

Yep.