Original subtitles

Aden-- where east meets west.

Vital as an oil refinery, as well as a Gulf trade route.

The beach here at Aden is lovely.

The sun is warm

and the sharks are not always hungry.

The occasional outbreaks of violence are caused

by what are officially called dissident tribesmen.

As long as there's trouble, there must be troops.

The Queen has full confidence

in Aden's future,

describing it as the perfect example of colonial rule.

What time will he get to Aden?

Uh, well, he sets off from Greenland

at around 3:00, so...

Daddy says he lives at the North Pole.

Didn't you, Daddy?

He's right. Huh!

What am I thinking?

- Greenland! - Hmm.

You wouldn't lie to me, would you?

Father Christmas will be here

to put your presents in your stocking,

provided you're asleep when he gets here.

And tomorrow, he'll be at the BP Club, I promise you.

Bath time, George.

Off you go.

Well, I believe you.

Father Christmas definitely exists.

We've got him, Joe.

Sorry, sir?

Starfish.

Kadir Hakim.

The Paras picked him up last night.

We've got the bastard.

That's, uh...

It'll certainly help the men deal with...

what happened.

I can't put it out of my mind.

His head.

Who would do such a thing?

- What kind of...? - Listen, about that reporter.

The world cannot see the photographs she took.

This comes from the top, Joe.

She shouldn't have been there,

she shouldn't have seen what she saw.

And those pictures are...

Just see to it, would you? There's a good chap.

I have to go out.

Oh.

I might be some time.

Can I ask what it is?

- Checking on one of the men. - What's the matter with him?

You should learn not to ask, darling.

He's a long way from home.

I could come with you and talk to him.

I could come as your wife and...

Makes it sound like it's a part I'm playing.

"She comes as Captain Martin's wife".

It's fine.

It's not really a wife thing.

Don't wait up.

It's Christmas Eve.

Maybe "Life Magazine" will do a profile.

The private life of a private soldier.

In real close.

Honestly?

Sure.

Let me ask you something.

Why are you here?

Because I like you.

You meant Aden.

You meant, why are we here in Aden?

Do me a favour.

Take this. Don't come back.

Get up and walk away now.

Don't look behind you.

Take the back alley.

Where's Lance Corporal Stoneham?

I ate him alive.

I'm afraid those photographs you took can't be published.

I'm interested in one thing-- the truth.

Can I have the film, please?

Or what?

I'm asking politely.

You know, I think, finally,

I understand how much distance there is between what's said

and what's meant when an Englishman opens his mouth.

You're threatening me.

How would you feel if you saw a picture of your brother's head

on a spike in a Sunday newspaper?

You're not here

representing the interests of the Dimarco family.

Corporal Dimarco has three sisters.

The youngest is called Elaine.

She's 9 years old.

If she were to ever see those photographs...

I'll use the other ones.

- Hm? - The dead soldiers.

They make the same point.

Which is?

This is a war.

Your government would like us to call it something else.

A little "local difficulty".

But these pictures and this reporter tell us otherwise.

The third-busiest port in the world

and the most strategically important

doesn't want to be a part of the British Empire anymore.

Is the capture of Abdul Kadir Hakim supposed to be secret?

Because my waiter knows, and he's not happy.

My nose needs powdering.

Hey! What do you think you're doing?!

How dare you!

- Thief! Harami! - Okay.

This man was trying to steal the bag!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's alright.

It's okay, it's okay. Okay. No, no, no.

Stay back! Stay back!

Huh?

Thief!

He looked in my bag.

Just below the wrist, off with the hand.

But the victim has the power of forgiveness.

And I'm the victim.

♪ There could never be ♪

♪ A portrait of my love ♪

♪ For nobody ♪

♪ Could paint a dream ♪

♪ You will never see ♪

♪ A portrait of my love ♪

Do you remember Berlin?

Don't.

Why not?

♪ I'll never see ♪

It was a long time ago.

Is it very painful?

♪ Soon forgets the Mona Lisa ♪

You must be missing him terribly.

Is it so obvious?

It's everything you say and do.

You don't mind if I join you?

♪ The sky above ♪

♪ To try and paint ♪

He was good to me.

Nick.

I've wondered...

I was wondering whether it was guilt, or...

But I don't think it was, you know,

I think he just liked me.

Ed, you don't have to do...

No, of course.

I love you.

Part of me was pleased when he died.

Maybe this won't work.

Ed...

Oh, come on.

Ali, if you can't talk to me, I mean, if you can't...

talk to your own husband, then, I don't know, just...

Your new friend, Honor? I mean, she...

- Oh, I had hopes, but, um... - What?

Joe warned her off me.

It's the usual thing. Rank.

Can't keep you in line if she's too close to me.

He said that?

He said that!

You know Stoneham's half in love with you?

Only half? I thought I was doing better than that.

- You're using him. - Oh!

That's obvious. That's life.

- It's what everyone does. - A cynical view.

Anyone who's any good has a ruthless heart.

They just may not want to admit to it.

Ruthlessness is...

Half-a-dozen ghost soldiers facedown in the sand,

Corporal Dimarco's head on a stake

in the middle of the desert.

They're great photographs.

Mea culpa, Joe.

I confess.

I'll tell you where the film is.

On the condition you meet me tomorrow.

Oh, why would you do that? This isn't a game!

Isn't it?

Tomorrow is Christmas Day.

On which everyone is required to behave

in exactly the same way.

Eating the same food, singing the same songs,

praising the same great leader.

Christmas Day is like going to live in a one-party state.

You can do that.

Or you could be with me.

Hello?

- Harry, it's me. - Mary.

The electricity's off here and the phone's out...

Mary? Hello?

- Please. - Hello?

- Mary, can you hear me? - Daddy?

- Not now. - George, come on!

Hello?

- Bang! Got you, Daddy! - Jesus Christ!

Yusra!

Right, George, bed now or Santa won't come.

I haven't got it.

I think that's unlikely to be true.

I haven't got the film, sir.

I could have you court-martialled, Stoneham,

if you keep this up.

She's playing you along.

You think she'd really be interested in you?

She's using you.

She's a journalist, it's what they do.

I'm sorry, sir.

I know you're awake.

Shall I read to you?

I have to be asleep or Santa won't come.

Maybe don't try so hard.

How do you get to sleep?

I listen to the breathing of my little brother,

who sleeps next to me.

Can I visit your house one day?

Um... I don't think that's possible.

Oh! Why not?

Um... But, um...

Green Teddy could come visit my house

and then he could tell you about it.

- What do you think? - Really? Tonight?

Why not? Yes! It's a good idea.

Ah! There you are! I'm looking for your wife.

I think she's in there.

Come in!

Uh, excuse me, our nanny needs to leave,

so, Honor, I wondered if you might look after George?

So I can get to the hospital.

Oh, of course. Is she all right?

♪ When I'm finally through, through, through, through ♪

♪ I'm telling you now ♪

♪ I know it's be-- ♪

Ali, why don't you go with Honor?

Keep her company.

Joe, did you deal with that reporter?

Yes, sir.

Once you start, it's hard to stop, you know.

- Sir? - The secret's not to start.

Sweating, old chap.

- Oh. - Reporter?

Ah. Yes, uh, confession...

I'm afraid I sent your husband out to chat up another woman,

all for Queen and country, of course.

- So, you got the film? - Yes.

And destroyed it?

Yes, sir.

Good man.

Who was the one he didn't marry?

Oh, I don't know.

He hasn't said?

He loves me.

We're in love, that's all.

Well, that's all we've done, really, is get married,

and be in love, we haven't talked.

But you will.

I'll miss my parents tomorrow.

They did me a stocking every year, even though I'm...

even though I'm-- I'm-- I'm not a child.

A satsuma with a penny in the bottom.

Sorry, I'm talking too much.

The one thing the Army offers by throwing us women

together with nothing to do in dangerous places?

Proper friendship.

Don't tell Joe about what I said

about missing Mummy and Daddy.

I can tell you now, if you lead your life

doing everything your husband wants, nothing he doesn't want,

and without the friendship of women, 30 years from now,

you'll wake up on the first day of his retirement

and realise you hate him.

And worse than that, hate yourself.

I should check on George.

Oh, Alison, take your shoes off or you'll wake him up!

Shh!

Has he been?

Who's that?

Father Christmas.

No.

You smell nice.

Thank you.

That's called gin.

I like it.

Good.

Go to sleep!

If my mummy wasn't my mummy, I'd want you.

Your mother is a wonderful woman,

and she loves you very much.

How do babies come out of their mummies?

Uh, they come out of our tummies.

- No, they don't. - Alison!

They come out of our vaginas.

Uh...

Hmm...

Are you going to be a mummy?

George?

Yes?

There's something you need to know.

- Alison, I... - You should sit up for this.

What is it?

Alison, honestly, I don't--

Father Christmas doesn't exist.

No! No! No, he does.

He does. Listen to me.

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

He does exist.

Look at me, George.

Father Christmas is real.

Promise.

Now go to sleep or he won't come.

Get to sleep.

I'm sure it's fine, sir.

I'm sorry to drag you out on Christmas Eve.

I'm Jewish, sir.

Yes.

Of course. Sorry.

So, what will you do on Christmas Day?

Oh, prepare for a full kit inspection.

That's a bit harsh on yourself.

You're polishing your Sam Brown

while everyone else is having fun.

I was a kindertransport child, sir.

Great Britain took me in when I was 13 years old.

I owe my new country everything including my wife,

so, once a year, while everyone else

is busy pulling crackers and eating turkey,

I take the time to contemplate my good fortune.

Who carried out the inspection last year?

Captain Page last year.

Sir, you should go and see your wife.

1900 hours, tomorrow.

Be ready for my inspection, Corporal.

Sir. Yes, sir.

Take me home for Christmas, Harry Markham.

Yes.

I'll just go and see George.

Hello, young man.

♪ O little town of Bethlehem ♪

♪ How still we see thee lie ♪

♪ Beneath thy deep and dreamless sleep ♪

♪ The silent stars go by ♪

♪ And in the dark night shineth ♪

♪ The everlasting light ♪

♪ The hopes and fears of all the years ♪

♪ Are kept in thee tonight ♪

Teach me to sing.

Teach me to smoke.

Hello.

What time is it?

It's Christmas Day.

Oh, I got him his, um...

his stamps.

They're Austro-Hungarian Empire.

- What? - Nothing.

What?

Well, they're for you, really, aren't they, darling?

Oh.

Oh, sorry! Should I...? Should I go?

No, no, it's fine. We'll, um...

Well, no, no. No, no, you stay here, I'll...

We'll both stay here and I'll just...

I won't look.

- Oh! - Oh, good grief, George!

- Hello. - Hello.

Father Christmas won't come if he's crying like that.

Darling, darling, darling.

Oh. Shh.

He's not real, anyway.

Who told you that?

Mrs Laithwaite.

Ah.

Now, you listen to your father.

What have I said to you?

You promised he'd come.

And have I ever broken a promise?

Back to bed.

Where are you going?

I won't be long.

- Baxter! - Sir?

I need you to do something for me.

Above and beyond the call of duty.

Now, how much can we fit in there?

Little George has been a very good boy.

By arresting Hakim, you have kicked a hornets' nest.

Well, I'm just surprised he evaded us as long as he did.

He had help.

From who?

A village, 12 miles west of the base.

What kind of a village?

Goats and goatherders.

NLF?

A growing influence.

Hmm. So they'll be looking for revenge?

Sooner or later.

It looks that way.

Shh, shh, shh.

Go! Go!

He knows me.

Ed...

- ...do it! - Please.

Do it.

He knows me.

♪ In the bleak midwinter ♪

♪ Frosty wind made moan ♪

♪ Earth stood hard as iron ♪

♪ Water like a stone ♪

♪ Snow had fallen, snow on snow ♪

♪ Snow on snow ♪

♪ In the bleak midwinter ♪

♪ Long ago ♪

May the joys of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds,

the perseverance of the wise men,

the obedience of Joseph and Mary

and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas.

And the blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit...

- I was wrong. - What, when you said...

I am a mistake.

- Yusra... - It's not possible.

Please leave alone.

No, hang on, I don't understand.

Do not read this until tomorrow.

- But... - Promise me.

Yusra...?

Almighty God, by whose grace we are called

to positions of responsibility and trust...

If you want to sit and start on the melon, um, yeah?

George, shall we go to the table?

I love melon.

Oh, yeah, watch that shirt.

Don't tell anyone.

I'm pregnant.

It's nice to see you both

praising the Lord with such gusto.

Oh, well, I like the words.

I've always loved Blake.

It's Christina Rossetti.

I'm sure it's Blake.

Alright, Harry. Let's just say it's Blake.

Ready for grace?

George.

For what we are about to receive,

may the Lord make us truly thankful.

- Amen. - Amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

Do you believe in God, Honor?

Of course she does.

Yes, it's a good way to live.

No one could disagree with that.

Love thy neighbour and so on.

- Do you think? - Alison...

...whoever they are, Mary?

Whoever your neighbour happens to be?

How about Josef Mengele?

Should the family Schmidt next door

to the monster doctor love Joe Mengele?

Or Joseph Stalin?

Should the Dimitrievs at 21A love the man next door?

Just to stick with the Josephs.

Stupidest advice I ever heard.

I'm in favour of hating those who deserve to be hated.

Can we open another bottle, Honor, darling?

Maybe we should wait for the turkey.

Alison wants a drink.

It's Christmas.

Believing in God is about as intelligent

as believing in Father Christmas.

Father Christmas isreal.

- Is he? - Indeed he is, George.

You see how easy it is if you catch them young enough?

You see how you can get small human beings

- believing anything? - Do you know what I say...

Do you know what Alfred Hitchcock says?

The most terrifying thing he's ever seen?

A priest...

talking to young children.

Run for your lives! What do you say to that, Harry?

Father Christmas isreal.

No, that's something called faith, George.

I saw him last night in my bedroom.

The crackers! We haven't pulled the crackers.

Yay.

- George? - Ready? Can you reach?

- Merry Christmas, everyone. - Merry Christmas.

One, two, three!

Listen, everyone, Simple Simon says touch your toes.

Sir.

Simple Simon says clap your hands.

Simple Simon says rub your tummy.

Pat your head.

- Ahh! - No!

Can we go now?

I think the Markhams might skip the BP Club this Christmas.

- Mummy! - George.

- But... - George!

Well, we could take George.

I could look after him.

It would be such a shame for him to miss out on all the fun.

It's not funny!

It's funny.

Can we swim to the raft?

Oh, I'm sorry, George.

I'm not a very strong swimmer.

Ohh!

Maybe if you ask nicely, Joe will bring you, hmm?

- Please! - Joe?

- Oh. Uh... - Go on!

- Mm-hmm. - Please?

Yes!

♪ How do you do what you do to me? ♪

♪ I wish I knew ♪

♪ If I knew how you do it to me ♪

♪ I'd do it to you ♪

Where are you off to, young man?

We're just going to check the film.

♪ How do you do what you do to me? ♪

♪ I'm feelin' blue ♪

♪ Wish I knew how you do it to me ♪

♪ But I haven't a clue ♪

♪ You give me a feeling in my heart ♪

♪ Like an arrow passing through it ♪

♪ S'pose-- ♪

All of us here are asked on this special day

to choose our own favourite carol.

And this is my choice.

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"

reminds me of Christmas as a child in Canterbury.

A carol for the ages, I hope you'll agree.

♪ O come, all ye faithful ♪

Markham.

- ♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪ - Yes.

♪ O come ye, o come ye ♪

- Yes. - ♪ To Bethlehem ♪

Thank you.

Everything alright?

♪ Come and behold him ♪

I have to go to the BP Club.

- ♪ Born the King of Angels ♪ - Why?

♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪

♪ You have a date for half past eight tonight ♪

Your wife, she's, uh...

♪ Some distant bell starts chiming nine ♪

What? My wife's what?

♪ You wanna see her ♪

She's, uh...

♪ So you wait, you wait and wait ♪

What's the word you're finding so hard to say, Joe?

She drinks too much.

♪ The time rolls on those minutes fly by ♪

Maybe not enough.

She's embarrassing herself... and you.

No! Not me.

I'm not embarrassed.

♪ You wanna see her, oh, yeah ♪

♪ So you wait, you wait and wait ♪

It's Christmas Day.

I, uh, don't want this to...

Spit it out, Joe.

Just go and tug him on the back.

Hmm?

Joe, can we swim to the raft now?

Please?

Come on, Joe, don't be embarrassed.

Go on, Joe, you promised.

♪ Some distant bell starts chiming nine ♪

Okay.

♪ You wanna see her ♪

♪ You wanna see her, oh, yeah ♪

♪ So you wait, you wait and wait ♪

Congratulations.

Hmm?

Alison told me.

About the baby.

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ You wanna see her ♪

♪ You wanna see her, oh, yeah ♪

♪ So you wait, you wait and wait ♪

♪ Girl don't come ♪

♪ Girl don't come ♪

♪ Girl don't come ♪

Whoo!

♪ When you're alone and life is making you lonely ♪

♪ You can always go ♪

♪ Downtown ♪

♪ When you've got worries all the noise and the hurry ♪

♪ Seems to help I know ♪

♪ Downtown ♪

♪ Just listen to the music ♪

- There you are, sir. - Thank you, Armstrong.

♪ Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty ♪

♪ How can you lose? ♪

♪ The light's so much brighter there ♪

♪ You can forget all your troubles ♪

Baxter.

♪ So go downtown ♪

♪ Things will be great when you're ♪

Is it my father, sir?

I'm afraid so. Last night in his sleep.

I'm so sorry.

We'll get you on the next flight back to RAF Lyneham.

It's almost time.

- What? - I have to get ready, sir.

You know, Alec, you really don't have...

Yes, I do, sir.

♪ Downtown ♪

♪ Where they never close ♪

♪ Downtown ♪

♪ Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova ♪

♪ You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over ♪

♪ Happy again ♪

And don't forget, children,

Father Christmas is going to be here at 4:00!

Are you a good swimmer?

Sorry? What?

Are you a good swimmer?

Oh, uh, yes.

- How about you? - Very good.

I forgot my trunks.

- Oh. - I can't swim without my trunks.

Oh.

I'm sorry. Next time, hey?

Yeah.

It's a promise.

Now, let's get you back.

Hello, George.

I'm afraid I've disappointed him.

He wanted to swim to the raft.

I can take you to the beach.

Uh, paddling only, but better than nothing.

What do you think?

- Yes? - Okay. Here you are.

♪ Everything's waiting for you ♪

♪ Downtown, downtown ♪

♪ Downtown, downtown ♪

♪ Downtown, downtown ♪

♪ Downtown, downtown ♪

♪ Downtown ♪

Crater.

The Gordon Hotel.

See you on the other side.

Hello, little man!

Do you all know who I am?

Father Christmas!

- Yes, I'm Father Christmas! - Honor, where's George?

Oh, they were going swimming in the sea-- Joe and George.

George can't swim in the sea!

What?

- George! - George?

George!

- George! - George!

I'm so sorry!

They were going to swim to the raft!

Oh, God! George!

Help! There's a child missing!

George!

George!

- Joe! - My son's out there!

George?!

Joe said there were sharks. Joe!

What did you do with the film?

Destroyed it.

Good.

- Good? - It's a better story.

I don't understand.

The lengths the British Army will go to cover up the truth.

It's better, it's bigger.

Listen, it's not that simple and you know it isn't.

Did you tell your wife

where you were going on Christmas Day?

Excuse me.

I gotta go.

His name is George. Most of you know him.

He was wearing a red football shirt

with the number 7 on the back.

If we could look everywhere, please, every room.

He's probably just playing somewhere, I'm sure.

- He was with Joe Martin. - No, no.

I saw Captain Martin leave.

- Oh. Was he...? - On his own.

- He was leaving on his own, sir. - So George...?

He wasn't with him.

Honor.

Honor.

It's all my fault.

No, I-- I-- I was supposed to look after him.

Look, drink this down.

And this.

Good girl.

What am I going to tell Mary?

What about Mary?

Oh, Joe! Thank God!

Where's George?!

I haven't seen him.

Well, what-- what do you mean? Where were you?!

You were supposed to be with him,

and you were to bring him to the raft!

I-I left him with Yusra.

Well, where's Yusra?

Where's Yusra?!

- Harry... - I have to tell her.

- I have to tell Mary. - Harry!

Mary.

Mary, George is, um...

George was, uh... We don't know where he is.

If he's with Yusra, then he's safe.

They'll have gone somewhere together.

Where does she live?

Think, Mary. You must know.

- Crater, I think. - Where in Crater?

Come on.

Jesus Christ, Mary! Why don't you know?!

Crater isn't a bloody village!

- I'm sorry. - Sorry.

Right.

Crater.

Now, I'm sure this is all some sort of misunderstanding.

Um, we think he may have gone off with the...

the local woman who, um...

Uh, her name is Yusra.

And we're not sure where exactly she lives.

It's somewhere in Crater.

And I'm asking for your help.

The phone call was anonymous.

The parcel was on my bed in my room.

This was inside.

They've taken him.

The NLF.

They've got George.

It's alright, it's alright.

Shh.

Have you got your flight home, Baxter?

- I'm not going, sir. - Go home.

That's an order. Your father would...

My father is dead, sir.

There's nothing I can do for him anymore.

Your son has his whole life ahead of him

- and we're going to find him. - Are you disobeying my order?

Yes, sir. I am.

I'm leaving Orchover here to look after you.

And I'm going to lead the search on Crater,

with your permission to do so, sir?

Permission granted.

- Sir, you don't have to... - 1930 hours.

Sorry I'm half an hour late, Corporal.

Shoes, excellent.

Sir.

Sam Brown...

- Perfect. - Sir.

He wants to be a Royal Military policeman when he grows up.

Then he will be, sir.

These corners are the best I've ever seen.

Sir.