Original subtitles

[music]

Carrisford!

My dear boy, how are you?

In the pink!

Well, as you can see, India's not been treating me too badly.

It must be twenty years. You still look like a mischievous schoolboy. What's the secret, eh?

Indian magic.

Must be pretty potent stuff. Perhaps I should try it.

You must be parched after your journey.

Fancy a (???)

If you have something long and cool, lead me to it.

Well don't they have magic in Africa too?

Oh, no, no. Not that sort.

African magic lies underground.

Ah, yes. I got your letter.

All true, is it?

Every word.

Splendid.

Is that your wife?

Yes.

Beautiful woman.

How old was she when she died?

Twenty-six.

Every thought of marrying again?

No.

Look, about this scheme of yours. I still don't understand why you need me.

Well, I haven't got the resources. Not for something as big as this.

Yes, but, I mean if it's such a cast-iron investment, I mean, why not go to the bank?

I want you to have a share in my good fortune.

You see, I've never forgotten our school days, Crewe.

When you took a friendless new boy under your wing.

Invited him to stay with your people during the holidays.

And now I've got a chance to repay you for your kindness.

Sure you don't want me to lend you the money?

Oh no, I'm quite sure.

I want you to have a share in the profits.

Which, according to the geologist's report, should be beyond the dreams of avarice.

Alright.

There you are.

What's this?

Are you sure you can afford it?

I can't afford to lose it.

But stocks and shares bore me.

I'd much rather invest in an old friend whose judgement I trust

Thank you.

To old friends.

Old friends.

By the time I return, I expect to hear you've made me as rich as Croesus.

And if not, may your goddess strike me down.

Are you going on leave, then?

Yes, I'm taking my little soldier on a tour of Europe.

Your little soldier?

My daughter, Sara.

Yes, she's going to boarding school.

May I ask how your client happened to hear of us, Mr. Barrow?

Through Lady Meredith.

I understand both her daughters were educated here.

Such sweet girls. Both of them presented at court, you know.

My client will be delighted to hear it.

Then I may inform Captain Crewe you will be expecting his daughter early in the new year?

Captain Crewe?

The captain is Sir Gerald's son, and the sole beneficiary of his considerable fortune.

Indeed.

Here is a note drawn on his London bank.

If you would be good enough to fill in the amount of the first term's fees.

As far as the girl's comfort is concerned, money is no object.

She is to have her own sitting room, her own pony and carriage, and her own maid.

Her own maid?

I'm sorry, Mr. Barrow, that is quite impossible.

It would only cause resentment among my other girls.

I'm sorry, too. It seems I must look elsewhere.

But of course if that is the captain's wish, then she shall have her maid-

A French maid.

He was very insistent on that point.

Good afternoon.

Oh, good afternoon

No! No, no, no, Missee Sahib!

You have to leave all your books.

Oh, Anna, please!

They'll be such a comfort to me when I'm all alone in that -

in that place.

Surrounded by fog and rain and cold

thinking of you, and Papa

Missee Sahib, you will be far too busy to think about us, learning how to-

-be a lady.

I don't want to learn how to be a lady.

I want to stay here with you.

What's this? Mutiny?

You know how we deal with mutineers, don't you?

Yes, Papa.

Up against the wall, then.

Want a blindfold?

No, thank you. I do not fear death.

Very well then. Firing party!

Present!

Aim!

Excuse me, Captain Sahib,

What is it?

I think perhaps the prisoner has a last request?

Yes, I have. I want to take my books to England.

Oh, you won't need books when you're dead.

Oh, please, Papa - I'm not play-acting now.

Oh, I'll buy you books. Lots of them!

French, German, Italian, all first editions.

But aren't first editions expensive?

Oh, hang the expense! We're going to be very, very rich.

We're rich already.

Yes, and now we are going to be millionaires.

I have just bought a half share in a diamond mine.

A diamond mine?

Yes! So you see, you can leave all your books and clothes behind.

I'll buy you a whole new wardrobe in Europe.

And a whole new library.

Oh, Papa.

I shall miss you, though.

All the books and clothes in the world won't make up for that.

I shall miss you terribly.

Promise me one thing, Little Soldier.

What?

Well, erm-

Don't spend all your time reading.

Girls of your age should be enjoying themselves.

Playing with dolls, or something.

Oh, I'm too old for dolls!

Except, perhaps-

Go on.

A very special one.

A friend I can talk to when you're not there.

Alright then. We'll go shopping in London.

See if we can find a very special one.

Oh, I'm sure we shall find her.

She'll be there waiting for us.

And her name

will be Emily.

Are you sure she's what you want?

Oh, yes, this is Emily alright

She recognised me before I saw her.

Doesn't seem very talkative.

She doesn't talk, she thinks.

And only I know what she's thinking.

I've got butterflies in my stomach.

Do all soldiers feel like this when they go into battle?

Oh, all of them.

Even the bravest.

Captain Crewe, Ma'am.

My dear Captain Crewe. What a pleasure it is to meet you at last.

And this must be Sara.

What a beautiful child. It will be a privilege to have charge of her.

I'm not beautiful, Miss Minchin.

Oh! You don't think so?

No. I believe I'm rather ugly.

Well, at least she's not vain!

Do come in.

Please be seated.

I have hired a French maid, as you requested.

Would you care to see her references?

Oh, no, no. That won't be necessary.

I'm sure she'll do very well.

I've also hired a pony and carriage,

and Sara will have the prettiest rooms in the house.

They are on the first floor, with a lovely view of the square.

Thank you, Miss Minchin. Emily thanks you too.

Emily?

My doll. She will be my intimate friend when Papa has gone.

What an adorable creature she is, to be sure.

Yes, Miss Minchin.

You'll, um, take good care of my little soldier for me, won't you?

She's all I have in the world.

Set your mind at rest, Captain.

My sister and I cherish these girls as if they were our own daughters.

Would you care to see your rooms, my dear?

Yes, please.

Mariette? This is Miss Crewe.

Oh! Belle, la petite!

Thank you, Henriette.

Bien, ma cheri. Bien.

Enchanté de faire votre connaissance, mademoiselle. [Pleased to meet you, Miss.]

So you speak French?

My mother was French.

I never knew her, but I think that's why I found it so easy to learn.

c'est très bien cela. [that's very good]

I'm called Mariette.

Yes. I know.

I've been unpacking your clothes.

What wonderful trimmings and fine petticoats!

Not even Marquis de Soulliac had such a trousseau.

Would you like me to help you?

Oh, no, ma petite!

Ladies do not unpack their own suitcases.

That is my task.

Oh, what a lovely room!

Don't you think so, Emily?

We should be happy here.

Good.

Thank you.

I, um, I shouldn't like Emily to be homesick.

This is your papa?

Yes.

Then I will leave you alone together.

Excuse me, monsieur.

Well, Little Soldier.

I'm afraid the time has come.

Yes.

Try not to be lonely, Papa.

Such a stare.

Look as if you're learning me by heart.

I don't have to learn you.

You're inside my heart.

And you're inside mine, too.

You'll be inside it even when you're three thousand miles away.

Never forget that, Little Soldier.

You'd better go.

You don't want me to see you cry, do you?

Mustn't cry in front of the men.

Frightfully bad form.

She's got seven petticoats, Lavinia,

and ten tiny pairs of shoes.

She must have very small feet.

Don't be ridiculous, Jessie.

Any clever shoe maker can make big feet look small.

And she isn't even pretty.

No, but she's got an interesting face.

What's interesting about it?

Her eyes, I think.

They seem to go right through you.

As if-

well, as if she were summing you up.

New girls have no business to be summing anyone up.

It's us who should be summing her up.

She's got one of those petticoats on now.

I saw it as she sat down.

Oh, don't stare! You'll make her think she's the centre of attention!

Silk stockings too!

And she has got small feet.

Oh for Heaven's sake, Jessie. I'm sick and tired of hearing about her feet.

It's the most boring subject in the world.

Good morning, young ladies.

Good morning, Miss Minchin.

Be seated.

First of all, I wish to introduce to you your new companion.

Sara, come here.

This is Sara Crewe.

Who has come to us from a very great distance.

From India, in fact.

Quiet.

India.

As soon as lessons are over, you must make each others' acquaintance.

Now, Sara.

Let us talk about your curriculum.

Do you know what a curriculum is?

Yes, Miss Minchin.

Oh.

I assume, that since your Papa wished me to engage a French maid,

He wishes you to study the French language.

I think he asked you to engage her because he thought it would please me.

Please you!

I'm afraid you've been a very spoilt little girl, haven't you?

You mustn't imagine that everything is done for your pleasure.

I don't imagine that, Miss-

Well brought up young ladies do not interrupt, Sara.

My impression is that your Papa wishes you to learn French,

and so that is what you will do.

Monsieur Dufarge will be here directly,

Take this book of elementary grammar and study it until he arrives.

But I can sp-

No buts.

Sit down, please.

At once.

And don't sulk, it is not at all becoming.

I wasn't sulking, Miss Minchin

You were looking cross, which is much the same thing.

You must learn to do as you are told, with good grace.

Bonjour, mes enfants. [good morning, my children]

Bonjour, Monsieur Dufarge

Asseyez-vous, asseyez-vous. [sit down, sit down.]

Ah, Madame.

You have a new pupil for me, I see.

Yes, Monsieur Dufarge. Stand up, Sara.

Her father is very anxious she should begin to learn your beautiful language,

but she seems to have taken rather a childish prejudice against it.

Hmm, indeed, mademoiselle?

Then I hope I may be able to change your opinion.

Monsieur Dufarge, je regrette que Madame a mal compris. [Monsieur Dufarge, I regret that Miss Minchin has misunderstood.]

Je pense que votre langue est le plus belle du monde [I think that your language is the most beautiful in the world]

Ma mère êtes Français, et c'est pour ça que [My mother was French, and that is why]

Papa m'a appris le vocabulaire du Basque, qu'il connait très bien. [Papa taught me the Basque vocabulary, which he knows well.]

Silence!

Blimey!

Your turn, Mademoiselle.

Allors.

Bonjour

Monsieur

le Boulanger

Avez-vous

lee bon pang.

No, no, no, no.

Not "lee bon pang", le bon pain. Hmm?

Répétez.

Le bon paing.

Please, please, young ladies.

Such an accent is not a matter of amusement.

We can't help it, Monsieur Dufarge. She's so stupid.

Shh! Nevertheless, we must perservere.

Translate, please, Mademoiselle.

Bonjour, Monsieur le Boulanger.

Erm. Good day, mister...

butcher.

Baker!

Avez-vous le bon pain?

Have you...

...paint?

How many times must I tell you, le pain, the bread, hmm?

It is eleven o' clock, the lesson is terminated.

Au revoir, mes enfants. [Goodbye, my children.]

Au revoir, Monsieur Dufarge.

What's your name?

Ermengarde.

Mine's Sara.

Yes.

I'm interested in names, so I looked mine up in a book.

Did you know the first Sarah was Abrahams wife?

Originally she was called Sarai, the quarrelsome,

but it was shanged by divine decree to Sarah, the princess.

Is it true that you have a playroom all to yourself?

Yes.

Would you like to see it?

Oh, may I?

Of course! Come on.

Oh, there y'are, you little slattern! Where on earth have you been?

Filling the scuttles, Cook.

It doesn't take half an hour to fill coal scuttles.

The coal bucket's that heavy, and with all them stairs-

Don't give me none of your lip, or I'll box your ears for you.

Are those hands washed?

That peeling these potatoes.

I haven't had no breakfast!

Oh, you're too late for that.

If she doesn't get a move on, she'll be too late for lunch, an' all.

She's beautiful.

Papa gave her to me.

As a going away present.

Do you love your father, Ermengarde?

More than anyone else in the world?

Not really.

I'd like to, but-

he thinks I'm stupid.

And if people don't like you,

you can't really love them, can you?

Well, I love mine.

But we're going to be apart for so long.

Have a good cry, then. I won't tell.

Soldiers don't cry.

Papa's a soldier, you see, and he taught me to bear my wounds bravely.

I cried the whole of my first term.

Even though I wasn't a bit homesick. Silly, wasn't it?

I expect it was shock.

Yes.

You soon get over it, though, don't you?

Once you've made some friends?

I haven't got any friends.

No friends?

How long have you been here?

A year.

That's terrible!

I'm stupid, you see. And fat.

People don't want friends like that.

I do.

But you're so clever, and I'm so boring!

I don't find you at all boring.

And I'll tell you what, Ermengarde.

If you'll keep Emily and me company when we're lonely,

We'll help you with your lessons.

Is it a bargain?

It's a bargain.

Oh, Captain Sahib!

I have been so worried about you!

We were expecting you yesterday!

Carriage lost a wheel.

The driver and I had to spent last night by the roadside with no protection from the storm.

I believe I've caught a chill.

Well, then, you must get warm!

I've lit a fire in your study room.

Thank you, Anna.

And - the Missee Sahib?

She'll be alright.

It's a fine school.

The house has been so quiet without her.

Yes.

Yes, to tell you the truth, I've been dreading these first few days back home.

You English. I'll never understand.

What?

Why you have to send your children away.

Teaches them to stand on their own two feet.

Yes, but childhood is so short.

When she returns, she will be a young woman.

For Heaven's sake, Anna, I'm miserable enough without you nagging at me!

Let's agree not to-

not to-

Something the matter, Captain Sahib?

'Scuse me Miss, any shoes to clean?

Oh, yes.

Voila.

They'll be outside the door, Miss, in the morning!

Thank you!

Who is that girl?

Oh, it's only Becky, the scullery maid.

She looks so thin and tired.

Yes, they do not treat her well downstairs.

Allez.

It must be awful to be poor.

Oh, do not concern yourself, petite mademoiselle -

fortunately, it is a condition that you will never, ever experience.

My dear Crewe,

I don't know how to soften the terrible news I have to tell,

so I must come straight out with it.

The geologist was wrong.

There are no diamonds, and we have both lost everything.

Oh my God.

My own ruin means nothing to me,

but when I think of the injury I have done to you, old fellow, I want to die.

Several times I have taken out my revolver,

and put it to my head - but that is the coward's way.

My punishment must be to live on to face my shame,

and your anger.

Consequently, as soon as I can raise the fare,

I will come to India and beg your forgiveness.

Your humble servant, for you will no longer consider me a friend,

Tom Carrisford.

Sara.

My poor darling.

It's just luck, though, isn't it?

I mean, that little girl

We're about the same age.

It's just luck that I'm not her, and she isn't me.

Not luck.

It is the will of God.

You mean God wants some people to be poor?

Perhaps.

But why?

As a trial. To strengthen their characters.

Allez.

Bon nuit, ma cherie. [Good night, my dear.]

Bon nuit, Mariette. [Good night, Mariette.]

Sahib?

Captain Sahib?