Original subtitles

It's making for the village.

If we're quick, we can head the bugger off.

It doesn't seem fair,

all those hounds and just one fox.

It's not meant to be fair.

Come on, or we'll lose them.

Your grace, doctor said you weren't to exert yourself.

Are you a student of medicine, Watson?

No, your grace. I'm a chauffeur.

Then let's stick to what we know, shall we?

Well, then perhaps you should let me drive.

He's right, grandpa.

The doctor said that you should...

Fresh air and light exercise.

That was the doctor's advice, and I'm taking it.

Come on, William.

Doesn't this thing go any faster?

That's my girl. Hang on!

What's going on?

Come on, pomfret!

Mushroom! Hey, come on!

Would you mind controlling these animals, Sarah Carraclough?

It might help us all if you'd mind your own,

Edward Hynes.

Come on, lass.

Who threw this, hey?

Who threw this?

I'll have the police on you.

Do you hear me? I'll have the police!

Ruddy rabble.

Come on, pomfret. Out of it!

The, uh... the pack are in a bit of a tangle.

I'm just getting it sorted, your grace.

Never mind the hounds.

Did anyone see which way the damn fox went?

Towards the mine, they say.

Well, what are you waiting for?

- Well, I... - This is a fox hunt, isn't it?

Yes, your grace.

A fox hunt.

Right.

Come on, open these bloody gates!

Hey? Come on, you lazy swine!

Open these gates.

All right, come on, boys.

Come on! Come on!

Your grace, you can't come through.

It's impossible.

There are men working down there.

They may be down there, Mr. Patterson,

but they're not working.

We both know the seam's exhausted.

Now get out of the way.

There's still coal down there. I'm sure of it.

What the bloody hell was that?

A fox, I reckon.

Well, what's it doing down here?

Shh! Listen up.

So...

Are we going to let them catch it?

How can we stop them?

It's just a matter of putting them off the scent.

Don't you think?

You daft bugger.

All right.

Let's see what they make of that, then.

Goes 7, remainder 4,

which gives us 8 into 40.

Anybody?

Joe Carraclough.

Yes, miss?

What did I just ask?

A question, miss.

Stand up.

And what question was that, Carraclough.

Don't try and get the answer from somebody else!

Well?

Didn't hear, miss.

Come here.

Left.

Up!

Right.

Three more for answering back.

But, miss, I didn't.

Are you asking for another three?

No, miss.

Back.

Now 8 into 40.

Quickly, anybody.

Yes.

Is it time, lass?

I don't understand.

If they don't want to eat it, why do they want to catch it?

- Sport, my dear. - For the sport.

They love it.

But they don't look very happy.

- They don't like to lose. - Neither do I.

- She does. - What?

Look happy.

She's beautiful, isn't she?

You've got a good eye.

You've got my good eye.

Hynes?

Hynes!

Let's see if we can't catch something today.

It's all right, lass.

They're not hurting so much now.

Come on.

Let's go home.

- Snap! - Blast!

You're not concentrating.

You can't play snap if you don't concentrate.

I suppose it's dull for you here

after the excitement of London.

Daddy says London isn't safe anymore

'cause there's going to be a war.

Nonsense.

Snap! Now we'll see who's concentrating.

Daddy says everybody has their heads in the sand.

Are you contradicting me?

Yes, grandpa.

You dare say yes,

you impertinent little scallywag.

If I said no, that would be

another contradiction, wouldn't it?

Snap!

That's a draw, so they all go into the pool.

What do you mean?

We both said "snap" together, so that's a draw.

Now if you get a 7,

you have to say "snap pool" instead of "snap."

Who invented this idiotic game?

You did.

Skipper. Boatswain.

Well?

He wouldn't sell, your grace.

What do you mean?

How far did you go?

15.

He wouldn't sell for 15 pounds?

Carraclough said the dog wasn't his to sell.

Probably stole the damn thing in the first place,

if you ask me.

Well, we'll see about that.

Snap!

Thought I wasn't looking, didn't you?

My win, I think.

We don't need his money.

Not today, perhaps.

But for how much longer?

Three hundredweight we brought up today,

and we worked a double shift.

The seam's dead.

Everybody knows it.

They'll find another seam.

You can't find something you're not looking for.

And no one's looking, not anymore.

Come on, lass.

You know you're not supposed to be up here.

Good night.

Mum?

Joe.

What did that man want?

Nothing to bother yourself with.

Now, come on. Go to sleep.

Dad wouldn't sell her, though, would he?

Those big ears of yours

are going to get you into trouble one day.

- But he can't. - Lassie's my dog.

She's our dog.

And we're not selling.

Love you.

I want eight men round the back.

Yes, sir.

Give me a straight line for the gate.

- Sarah, quick. - Get your coat.

Is someone hurt?

It's worse than that.

Well, what's this, John Fordham?

Are we not to be allowed in to see our men?

You'll soon be complaining you see too much of them.

Here they come. Look.

Come on. Get back.

Back, please.

Come on. Move back.

What is it? What's happening, ma?

Closing the mine down, Joe.

They said there's not enough coal.

What's the matter? Does he not see us?

- No, he sees us, Joe. - He sees us.

Come on.

Thank you, pattinson.

Daisy, my dear.

You look exhausted.

Charlie sends his love.

His commission just came through,

and he's had to report to some barracks

in the middle of nowhere.

- Where is she? - Just gone upstairs.

- Oh, do you mind if I... - Of course not.

I didn't tell her you were coming,

just in case.

Nothing arrives on time these days.

Why couldn't daddy come?

Because he's a soldier now, darling.

He has to do what he's told.

Grandpa says there isn't going to be a war.

He says everybody's just playing silly games.

Well, let's hope he's right.

Now hop into bed, and I'll read you a story.

Oh, I've missed you so much.

Then why don't you take me back with you?

I can't.

Not yet, anyway.

Don't know where daddy's going to be posted.

It's all very last-minute.

They very nearly wouldn't let him join up at all.

I wish they hadn't.

- I know, my darling. - So do I.

It's not just me, you know.

There's others talking the same.

And what good will it do us

if you go and get yourself killed?

What else am I supposed to think of?

I walked my feet off

for 20 miles in every direction.

There's nothing in the whole county.

Lass.

Lassie.

I know we can't.

It's not fair on the boy.

And how am I expected to put food on the table?

We'll find a way.

There's a Mr. Carraclough at the door, your grace.

Shall I send him away?

No, no, I was expecting him.

I'll see him in the study.

Do you have to go today?

Yes, darling. I'm sorry.

But I'll be back as soon as daddy's settled.

We have to find you a new school.

Why can't I stay at my old school?

Because, darling, London's not safe.

I'm sure we'll find you somewhere nice.

Be brave, darling.

I'll be back before you know it.

Say hello to Charles for me.

Tell him I still think he's a blithering idiot.

I'll tell him.

Look after her for me.

Don't worry about us.

Young lady?

I've got something to show you.

Someone, I should say.

Where's Lassie?

She wasn't at school.

I think something's happened to her.

Have you seen her?

Someone has to tell him.

Isn't she something?

I thought you said they wanted to keep her.

Well, they changed their mind, didn't they?

Couldn't get rid of her fast enough

once the subject of money was mentioned.

She doesn't look very happy about it.

Nonsense.

Where is that dratted fellow hiding?

Hynes!

Just coming.

Yes, sir.

What's the matter with this dog?

Um, matter, your grace?

Look at her, man.

Well, you mean her not taking her food and that?

Used to table scraps and all sorts, I should say.

They have no idea how to handle dogs

down in that village.

Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, miss.

I'll have her eating kennel-style in a day or so.

What's her name?

They never bothered to give her one.

Called her "lass" or "Lassie."

It just means "girl."

No feeling for animals, in my experience.

Don't worry; We'll give her a proper name.

I like the one she's got.

Lassie?

See? She knows it's her.

Come on.

You can come back and see her later.

Why can't we take her up to the house with us?

When she's settled.

Let her get used to us first.

I'll see you eat

if I have to push your bloody food down your throat.

Yeah, that's right.

Take a good look at me.

I'm in charge now.

Good boy.

Thanks, Peters.

Lassie, I've got to go and have a bath before tea,

but I'll be back straight after.

I promise.

5 sevens are 35.

6 sevens are 42.

7 sevens are 49.

8 sevens are 56.

9 sevens are 63.

Lassie!

Lassie.

How did you get here?

Come on. I'll take you home.

Get in there!

And I don't want any more of your tricks, young man.

Do you understand me?

You can't blame the boy.

It's not his fault

you can't look after your own property.

Hey, you've no cause

to talk to me like that, Sam Carraclough.

I know you've trained it to run.

But it won't happen again, make no mistake.

Will you get them out of the way?

Come on!

Oi!

Oi!

Somebody stop her!

What's going on here?

It's your dog. She ran away again.

Again?

I'll deal with this, your grace.

I brought my lad with me to pen her up this time.

This'll be the last time.

It had better be.

Cilla?

Coming, grandpa.

Let the boy do it.

It's him she runs for.

Go on, lad.

Get it over with.

Stay here and bide happy, lass.

And don't come home no more.

You're a bad dog, and we don't love you no more.

So stay here and leave us be.

Do you understand?

Bad dog.

She isn't happy here.

That's why she runs.

Course she's happy.

She runs because they've trained her to do it.

Then they can steal her back and sell her to somebody else.

Bloody yorkshiremen.

They're nothing but thieving vagabonds, scum.

If they wanted to steal her,

why did they bring her back themselves?

Well, because they're always up to tricks, aren't they?

But we're too smart for 'em.

Hey!

Don't try that with me, you little beggar.

You stay away from her, miss.

She'd bite you as soon as look at you,

if I knows dogs.

You just want to go home, don't you?

Well, that makes two of us.

So do I.

Don't even think about it.

You'll not get under that.

It's buried too deep.

We're going on a nice trip together tomorrow,

and it'll be good-bye to Yorkshire for you, my girl.

Get out of the way, you idiot!

Where is she, eh?

I say, where the bloody hell is she?

- Well, she's not here. - Where's Joe?

I don't know. He's not back yet.

- He won't have got far. - I'll find him.

I'll come with you.

We don't want any more funny business.

- Just go right home, Mr. - Hynes.

Your dog'll be back to you just as soon as I find her.

Yeah, well, she better be.

The Duke's going to Scotland tomorrow,

and he's taking the dog with him.

Joe?

You can't make this right by stealing her back.

It's not stealing when she comes by herself.

It is if we keep her.

She don't belong to us, Joe,

not anymore.

Come on.

Lass.

She'll come back again, you know.

They'll not keep her caged.

Not this time, she won't.

She will.

They're taking her away tomorrow, to Scotland.

Where's that?

Long, long way, Joe,

much farther than you'll ever travel

even if you live to be 100.

So let it go, eh?

Maybe when times are better, we'll get another dog.

I don't want another dog, do I?

I never want another dog.

Yeah, yeah, I'm in, all right.

Don't worry about that.

Hey, hey, keep your hands where I can see 'em.

Here. Let me help you.

Oh. She brushes up nicely.

Good posture.

Great energy.

A little lacking in confidence, perhaps.

Let's see what they make of each other. Come on.

She could be just what we've been looking for.

Good morning, grandfather.

Morning, cilla.

Good morning, Lassie.

Careful, now, miss.

She's a nasty temper on her.

No, she hasn't.

What do you think, hey hey?

Huh?

What do you think of her, boy?

Look, she's saying hello.

Best keep 'em apart till she learns some manners.

Exercise is what she needs.

That'll cheer her up.

Keep her on a lead to start with,

but I want her to get used to the other dogs

as soon as possible.

Come on, you.

There's a kipper in the dining room

with your name on it.

Come on. You get in here.

Oi! In here.

Joe?

Come on, Joe. You have to eat.

Please, Joe?

I love Lassie just as much as you.

And if I've done something wrong,

it's loving you more.

We'd barely enough food for the three of us.

It would have been cruel to keep her.

Sometimes you have to let things go.

You can't hold on to everything.

Be happy that you knew her

and that you watched her grow

and that you helped make her strong and beautiful...

So beautiful that everyone who saw her knew it.

Think of it as an adventure for her,

and be proud of her.

Eh?

You just want to get out, don't you?

Go back where you came from, like you did before.

I'll be the same

if they send me to some stuck-up boarding school.

Get here!

Oi! Come here! Get here!

You go on.

Don't worry; I'll deal with this one.

I think it's time we started your education proper.

That's it, in here.

Come on. Oi!

Get here.

Right.

Come on.

I'm not going to hurt you.

See?

Come here, will you?

Stop her!

Stop her, you stupid Scottish clods!

Are you deaf or something?

The dog, you idiot!

Thud!

I'll do it.

Come back here!

What's going on?

I think Mr. Hynes is playing a game with the dogs.

Well, he's no business to.

Don't open the gate!

What did he say?

Don't touch that bloody gate!

Nothing.

What did you say?

Are you mad? I said don't touch the bloody gate!

Oh, sorry.

What's going on?

The stupid girl's let the collie out.

What happened to your belt, Mr. Hynes?

- Um... - Were you using it on the dog?

No, I was just teach...

Mr. Hynes, please do not say another word.

Never, under any circumstances whatsoever,

will I allow anyone to attack an animal of mine.

Collect what wages are due to you,

and leave my property immediately.

Otherwise, I will not be answerable

for the consequences.

I'll look after this for you.

Into the car, young lady.

But, your grace...

Your grace, you don't understand!

Your grace?

Never mind that.

I want to talk to you.

Come here.

Have you lost your tobacco?

No, just forgot I'd given up.

Because we're poor?

Well, times are not what they were, Joe.

And your mother said I was smoking too much anyway.

Listen.

I'm going to have to go away for a little while.

To fight in the war?

No, no, not to fight, I hope.

Just to train and such.

It probably won't be any more than that.

I'm going to need you to look after your mother

while I'm away.

But what about Lassie... - Joe.

Joe.

You love Lassie, don't you?

You know I do.

Then be happy for her.

She's better off where she'll get fed proper,

with a grand kennel and a fine big run,

with stable boys to wait on her hand and foot.

So let it go.

Eh?

If she's not found quickly, she'll die.

She won't be able to survive on her own.

Why not?

Because the instinct for knowledge

has been bred out of her.

She's a pet.

She won't be able to fend for herself,

so she'll starve.

And that's if she doesn't fall down a cliff first

and break her legs.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I shall call the police one more time.

You don't mean that.

You're just saying that to make me feel bad.

And do you feel bad?

Yes.

Good. Now go to bed.

Bloody lunatic animal!

Go on! Get out of here!

Before I do something I'll regret!

Go on! Get out of here!

Hungry, are you?

I always eat when I'm worried.

Now, there's no time for that. She's been spotted.

Where?

On the road about ten miles south of here.

A farmhand saw her on his way to work

and called the police.

Then what are we waiting for? Come on!

What about your breakfast?

I'm not worried anymore.

Wait a minute.

There she is, by the postbox.

We've found us a dog!

Come on, Nellie. You'll be late for school.

Isn't she bonny?

Take it easy. We don't want to startle her.

Young lady!

Will you step away from the animal, please?

Come on, Nellie.

- Just step away, please. - I've got her.

Come on.

I'm not going to hurt you.

- We'll not catch her now. - She's frightened.

She'll come back when she's hungry.

I don't think she will come back.

She's trying to get home, like she did before.

What made you so late?

I got kept in.

What for this time?

- Nothing. - Nothing?

Miss told me to sit down, and I didn't hear her.

Daydreaming, I suppose?

I couldn't help it.

What do you mean, you couldn't help it?

It were near four, and I heard a dog barking,

and I thought it were Lassie.

Lassie?

Bloody Lassie?

If I hear that dog's name mentioned

one more time in this house,

I swear I'm gonna walk out and leave the pair of you!

As if I haven't got enough to cope with!

Who's there?

Is somebody after my chickens?

Go on. Go on!

Go on!

Go on, you filthy mongrel!

You stay away from my chickens,

or I'll give you a taste of this!

236 against surrey.

239 against somerset, not surrey.

I saw it myself.

Bowled leg stump for 239.

In '32?

Summer of '33, at the oval.

Rained a bit in the afternoon.

Wait a minute.

I think I've just seen something.

I can't see anything.

- Markland. - What?

Name of the bowler. I'll never forget it.

Yes, look. There.

In those bushes.

No. There's not a thing, old boy.

Well, give me those.

I think that's a dog you're looking at.

A dog? Don't be ridiculous.

Well, that's a dog, of course.

But what's it doing?

It's acting very oddly.

Perhaps it's seen the monster.

Very sensitive, you know, dogs.

Wait a minute!

That would be me, sir.

Yes, of course.

Well, what is she doing?

I'm not sure.

Maybe she's wanting to cross the loch

and cannae see how to do it.

- That's impossible. - Aye.

She would have to go round.

Go around? Well, how far is that?

You've 100 miles before she's back on this track.

Why would she want to do that?

She has business on the other side, maybe.

Your collie's a Scottish breed originally,

and the scots can be awful determined

when they put their mind to it.

You know, I think you're right.

What about?

It was the summer of '33, and markland was the bowler.

Well, I told you so, old boy.

There's not much you can teach me about cricket.

It's getting a bit choppy, isn't it?

Come on, darling.

This is where cilla will sleep.

All the beds are marked, dear.

So if you find your number,

you'll know where you're sleeping.

Off you go, dear.

Do you remember your number, darling?

110?

Do I have to be a number?

- Of course, dear. - Every girl is.

Like the army.

Don't worry about me.

I know how to look after myself.

I know.

Joe.

I'm relying on you, lad.

Don't let me down.

Come along, girls.

No talking.

Lights out in three minutes.

And you, young lady, into bed.

I've got to do 100 strokes.

I promised my mother.

Well, hurry yourself up, then.

Everybody out now!

Lights out in two minutes.

Come along, everybody!

Rise and shine!

Oh!

Thanks a lot!

At last.

Don't even think about it, young lady.

You're in enough trouble as it is.

Withers, if you'd be so kind.

That's a definite.

I'll give you odds of 100 to 1.

No accompanying adult, poor appearance,

weary demeanor.

I think you're right.

- Pincer movement, Mr. - O'Donnell.

Classic maneuver.

You drop off here, approach from the rear.

I move ahead, halt,

take up a covert position.

And, bingo, we attack from both sides

with maximum effect.

Right, sir.

Stand aside.

Come to the nice gentleman.

Yeah, steady.

You don't have to treat a dog like that.

Sorry, mum, it's for the protection of the public.

You see, there's a lot of mad dogs around.

Well, you don't have to do it like that.

She's right, you know.

I beg your pardon, sir?

Well, you're upsetting the dog.

- Oh, am I, really? - I'm so sorry.

Am I upsetting diddums?

Get up. I'll put her in the van for you.

It'll get away from you, mum.

Stop calling me "mum" and stand up.

I think you should let her try.

We'll just have to go through it all over again.

Stand up!

Hey, girl.

And take that away.

There you go, girl.

Would you please open the doors of your van?

I...

Don't stand there gawping like a halfwit.

There.

You don't have to treat stray dogs like wild beasts.

Very grateful, I'm sure.

Thank you. Thank you.

Show's over.

Can I just say,

I thought you were absolutely brilliant.

The rest of us just stood there, and you did something.

I had a dog like that when I was a kid.

Same eyes.

What'll they do with her?

I'm not sure.

Keep hold of her for a while, I suppose.

And if no one shows up, they...

Well, they...

They'll kill her?

I'm sure it's quite humane.

Just put her to sleep or something.

No, you're right. You're absolutely right.

Where is the pound?

I don't know, but I'm sure we can find it.

No more nonsense from you.

Shut up, the lot of you!

You're not going anywhere.

Get in there. Go on.

Oh!

Mind the door, lad!

What are you doing, you stupid idiot?

No!

Watch out.

Step aside. Step aside. Mind your back.

- You cannot come in. - Court is in session.

My lord, if I may respectfully...

Mr. Mctaggart.

Is this the surprise witness the defense has promised?

My lord...

I take it that is an answer in the affirmative,

and I can congratulate the defense

on producing, finally, a witness

who is capable of answering "yes" or "no"

to a simple question without equivocation.

Have you lost a dog?

Yes, we have.

Mr. Mctaggart, whom am I addressing?

It's a dog, my lord.

You confirm my own suspicions.

Well, well, well, a dog.

Sergeant of the court, what do I want done with it?

You wish it removed, your lordship?

May I congratulate you on your powers of deduction?

Well, go to it, man.

There's two men outside.

Silence, everybody.

Please don't startle the dog.

She cannot jump from there,

so please let the officers do their duty

quietly and safely.

Come on. There's nothing to be frightened of.

Come on. Come on.

I've told you already.

We don't have a collie...

Not for a number of weeks, as a matter of fact.

I have a whippet and a couple of very annoying terriers,

if you're interested.

That's them all back at last.

Fancy a cuppa? - You were there.

The collie. We've come for the collie.

We've brought money.

We'll pay for her, whatever it is.

She escaped.

Oh, brilliant.

Bloody brilliant!

Now we've got to fill in a missing dog report.

A perfect record lies in tatters.

We don't have a perfect record.

Well, we haven't now, have we?

You mean she's gone?

Yes, madam, she's gone.

Now, if you and your husband wouldn't mind doing the same,

my colleague has a report to write.

What a couple of idiots.

Yes.

Husband, indeed.

Oh, that. Yes.

- Look... - Yes?

I don't suppose you'd like to...

I mean...

I'd love to.

You would?

Most definitely.

Good.

I'm so sorry. About the dog, I mean.

Sorry?

Don't be. She's free now.

That's all I ever wanted for her.

I think we got company, toots.

I wonder what she wants of us.

I think perhaps

she "vants to be alone."

Whoa!

Let's see if miss garbo's hungry, shall we?

Hey, it's not for you, you greedy beast.

You're not a film star.

Not yet, anyway.

You're no wild dog, are you?

There's a tyke.

She's shy and canny,

and she's slowly coming near.

She's as cautious as my granny

but will overcome her fear.

Whoa!

Ho ho! Ho ho!

Now, we know a trick or two, don't we, toots?

Let's see what your majesty thinks of this, shall we?

There's your dinner, your highness.

Eat up.

Come on, toots.

We seem to have made a friend after all.

Put it down in the road, and it's no good.

Too well trained.

Put it down in a bowl.

That was the secret.

That made it all right.

You're going to have to come along with us

if you want any more.

Hello, Joe.

How was your day?

Miss branson liked my poem.

Well, that's a surprise.

I didn't think she liked anything

other than the sound of her own voice.

Did you hear from dad?

No, but he'll be home for Christmas.

I'm sure of it.

We can't be beaten on our prices!

Fresh eggs! Get your fresh eggs here!

Hello, everybody!

Hello!

Has anybody seen my dog, toots?

No!

Well, are you sure?

He's behind you!

Where?

He's behind you!

- Oh! - Oh oh oh oh oh!

Roll up, roll up,

ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

for the terrifying tale of androcles and the lion.

What are you doing up there, toots?

Come down.

Were you looking after the children?

Who wants to see a trick by toots the wonder dog?

Me!

Up you go.

There you are.

A round of applause, please.

Now, ladies and gentlemen,

the terrifying tale of androcles and the lion.

Your highness, if you please.

You're doing fine, your majesty.

You're doing fine.

So androcles found himself alone in the desert

when suddenly he heard a strange sound.

The poor slave androcles was very frightened by the lion,

but then he noticed something unusual.

Looking closely, androcles saw

there was a Thorn in the lion's paw,

and that's why the lion was so unhappy.

So plucking up his courage, he took hold of the lion's paw

and plucked out the Thorn.

The angel Gabriel got a bit of a black eye last year,

so this year, he'll have a new head.

I reckon he'll be all right for Christmas.

What do you think?

Beginning to feel the cold, are you?

Ah, winter's coming.

I think we're not going to make the riviera this season,

your majesty.

It's time to head back.

You'll like it at home. Won't she, toots?

Well, we best get tidied up,

get an early start tomorrow.

What the hell is that?

It's a bloody midget.

Is it, now?

Or are we looking at a bloomin' dwarf?

What?

Dwarves or midgets.

You have to be sensitive about these things.

- Dwarves are richer. - They dig for gold.

Then let's call it a dwarf.

Do you think he'll have it with him?

The gold?

Let's go and ask the little fella, shall we?

Watch your dog, little fella.

It's all right. We ain't doing nothing.

- Quiet down, your majesty. - Quiet down.

Toots.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You having a cuppa?

Isn't that nice?

Could you just spare a swallow

for a couple of homeless chaps looking for work?

We've got a fresh-caught rabbit

we could let you have by way of exchange.

You're welcome, friend.

The water's almost boiled.

The tea's in the wagon. I'll just get it.

No hurry.

Is there, mate?

No hurry at all.

Only sorry we missed the show.

Big audience, was it?

Bet you make quite a killing this time of year...

Christmas coming and all that.

Come on. Where is it?

The gold.

'Cause if you're nice and hand it over,

we won't hurt you, will we, Mr. S?

No. We won't hurt you.

Afraid I haven't got any gold, just tea.

So you want it the hard way, do you, little 'un?

Fair enough.

Ow!

Don't just stand there.

Get in after him, you blooming coward!

Ah! You little beggar!

Stay out of this, your majesty!

Toots and I can take care of ourselves.

You want some of this, do you?

Is this what you want?

Come on, my little beauty.

Now go home!

Get out of it!

What a dog.

You see, little fella,

even your best friend can't stand b...

You get underneath the wagon. I'll get the cash.

Right.

Snickers, where are ya?

There's no sign of him under here.

I'm aware.

No.

Ah!

Ooh!

Toots, get away!

Toots!

You bloomin' rat.

Thud!

Get it off!

I hate dogs.

I always have.

Hello, there, my darling.

You put up a pretty good fight, didn't you, now?

Quiet, your majesty.

She hasn't much time left.

Seven years, we've been together,

and I couldn't have asked for better company.

What blessings he has to spare,

may god give them to you now.

The lord says his father notices

even the fall of a single sparrow.

So trusting in him, we commend our dear friend to his bosom.

Come on, then, your majesty.

Don't want to?

Well, perhaps it's best that way.

Still want to go south, do you?

Winter in the riviera

with all the other LA-di-dahs.

I'd like to go with you,

but winter's coming,

and I'd best be getting back home.

Besides...

You'd always be reminding me of my toots, wouldn't you, lass?

Hey.

That's the pity of it.

You can understand my language, but I can't understand yours.

And it's us that's supposed to be

the most intelligent.

We had some pretty good times together, didn't we?

Yeah. Well...

Off you go, then.

And may luck go with you.

Off you go.

Come on, then, old girl.

Time to head for home.

What was that?

Some kind of animal, darling.

A fox, I should think.

It looked bigger than a fox to me.

Look, we're here.

Will grandpa have a Christmas tree?

Of course.

It'll be the biggest you've ever seen.

Can we light them now?

- No, darling. - It'll burn down.

It's all we've got left.

We'll light them when we get back from church.

Come on. You'll be late for practice.

happy Christmas.

I knew you'd make it.

Is it snowing?

Aye. Aye, it's beautiful outside.

And inside too.

Cricket, what's the matter with you?

You're not supposed to be in here.

What are you doing?

Where's Joe?

I don't know. He was right here.

Lassie.

It's Lassie! She's come home!

Listen for yourself, Joe.

The heart's very faint, but it is there.

She's had a terrible ordeal,

and I can't say whether it's possible she'll survive it.

An animal doesn't know how to fight for life

in the way a human often can.

It may be that, having got home

and having achieved what she wanted,

she'll be content to just go to sleep

and pass on.

Is there anything we can do?

Try and get her to eat something.

Warm milk and Brandy, I would suggest.

We haven't got any Brandy.

I've got some.

We were saving it for the Christmas pudding.

We'll all see how she is in the morning.

I'll come round first thing.

This is for you. I made it myself.

For me?

At school, I wanted to remind myself

that it was still possible to escape.

Did you indeed?

I know she's here,

so don't try and make any trouble.

And I've got officers of the law with me

just in case you do.

He can't take her, can he?

This is a sick animal.

She can't be moved.

We have a certificate from the vet here

saying she's fit to travel.

Well, go on, then. Get on with it.

Don't touch her.

I'm sorry, Sam. We've seen the papers.

Everyone knows you sold her.

She's not going anywhere unless I take her myself.

That won't be necessary.

Officers? - She's under my care.

I'm responsible for her.

What difference does it make?

You want her back. He'll take her back.

- No! - You can come too, Joe.

I'm not stopping here by myself.

Well, I demand an escort in case they run off with her.

They've tried it before, you know.

Oh, shut up.

Right, you keep an eye on them.

I'll get it sorted.

That's it.

Your grace? Your grace!

Mr. Hynes is here, your grace, and he was most insistent...

I've found her, your grace. I've found her.

I've got her outside, just like you ordered.

Lassie. He's found Lassie!

Please, everybody stay here.

I told you she'd not get past me.

Detective work, your grace... months of it.

I knew it'd pay off in the end.

She arrived here Christmas Eve

very poorly.

We were just looking after her

until she were well enough to bring back.

Mm-hmm.

And what are these officers doing here, exactly?

- Well, your grace, Mr. - Hynes here says

that this here animal is stolen.

Quite insistent, he was.

Was he indeed?

Well, let's have a look, shall we?

Would you allow me to examine your animal, young man?

Well, I'll be blowed.

All the way to Bermuda and back again, what?

- Please... - Quiet, boy.

I suppose you think I'm an old buffer

who's easily fooled.

This isn't my dog.

Any idiot can see that.

She must be some kind of stray you picked up.

Well, don't try palming her off on me.

The dog I bought was big and healthy,

not a worn-out old mutt like this one.

Mr. Hynes here knows that very well.

Your grace, look at these markings.

I'll stake my reputation...

Reputation?

Mr. Hynes, I think we are both aware

what a fragile little creature that is.

Don't be ridiculous, man!

How could a dog get all the way here from Scotland?

It's nearly 500 miles for a bird,

let alone for a dog wandering about,

trying to make its own way.

It's impossible.

Wouldn't you agree, officer?

Yes, your grace.

If you say it's not yours,

then that's the end of it.

You keep her if you want her.

Nothing to do with me.

Nothing to do with me. Come along, girlie.

That was kind of you.

Nonsense. I'm not a kind person.

I'm not finished yet.

What do you mean?

Your grace.

I swear that was your dog.

She knew me. I could tell.

Mr. Hynes, are you still here?

Yes, sir.

I mean, your grace, sir.

I'm sorry, but you must excuse us.

We were in the middle of lunch.

Some other time, perhaps.

But I'm telling you...

Skipper, boatswain.

Hello, boys. Remember me?

Now, then. Now, then.

Let's not get too excited, eh?

Stay. Stay.

Cor lummy.

I have a proposition to make to you, Mr. Carraclough.

Since the sad departure of Mr. Hynes,

we have a vacancy at the hall.

I wondered if you'd be interested...

Head kennel man, looking after my dogs.

When the army is done with you, of course.

The pay is fair enough, I should think.

And how much would "fair enough" be, exactly?

Ooh, I should say...

Seven pound?

Good lord, no! Five and not a penny more.

Six pound ten shilling.

Shall we call it six guineas?

Done.

You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Carraclough.

And what about the kennel man's cottage

on the moor?

As head kennel man, yes, the cottage would be yours.

You'd have to take the family

and, of course, any animals you have.

Would that be acceptable?

Thank you, your grace.

That would be most acceptable.

That old mutt of yours

is looking a little better, young man.

You won't be able to recognize her

in a couple of weeks.

I don't doubt it.

I don't doubt it.

Come on, girlie.

Now, don't wriggle.

I can't stand anyone wriggling.

See? You are nice after all.

Nonsense.

I swore I'd have that dog, and now I've got her.

I just had to buy the man as well.

I think I've got a bargain. Don't you?

- Good morning, Mrs. - Carraclough.

Is Joe here?

Hello. Aye, he's inside.

Go on. In you go and see him.

Where are they?

Shh. Under the stairs.

How many?

- Seven. - Seven.

They are so beautiful.

Are they still blind?

No, they get their eyes open when they're ten days old.

They'll be running about on their own soon enough.