All language subtitles for Personal Affair_1953

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

Now we come to Johnson's party piece.

Virgil wrote,
"Fert horrida iussa per auras."

"Sends through the air this
dread command."

Now, Johnson, in a perhaps
natural desire...

to desert the classroom for
the playing field,

translates this as, uh...

"carries horrid orders in his ears."

Now, I don't want to emphasize
your individual mistakes.

But I would like you to realize that...

although this perjury was written
2000 years ago,

the people it was written for had feelings
and emotions just as modern as yours.

In many ways far more sophisticated.

Now, just to end the lesson,

I'm going to read you a translation
of one of these poems...

by a modern poet who understood it.

And I want you to try and appreciate
its timeless beauty.

You've shown me, Chloe, like a fawn...

that on the wild untrodden scree
seeks her shy mother...

startled as the breeze rustles
among the trees.

For if the first faint shivering dawn
of earliest spring...

sets the young leaves awhispering,

or the green lizards shake a bramble
in the break...

she stands with knocking heart
and trembling knees.

Hello, darling.

Thought you might be walking
back this way.

I've some shopping to do in town
and I must change a library book.

Come with me?

Maybe I'm not so fond of
walking after all.

He's always with that wife of his.
Never leaves her out of his sight.

- Don't you think she's pretty?
- Oh, not very.

- Old, too.
- Thirsty if she's a day.

Two of your brood are watching
us, darling.

As though I were going to eat you.

I wonder if they realize how
lucky they are.

To see more of you than I do.

They'd probably settle for seeing
a good deal less.

Latin isn't their favorite subject.

- What are you looking for?
- A new one called "Sudden Madness"

or "Sudden" something or other,
I can't remember.

- They'll know at the desk.
- Oh, I don't want to ask.

They're always so superior. They have an
idea Americans are practically illiterate.

Oh, darling, you've got to remember that
this is the equivalent of your small towns,

where they think that all Englishmen
are stuffy.

No town could be as stuffy as this one.

Oh, yes, it could.

Anyway, it's got nothing to do
with either you or me.

Ours are friendlier.

We'd have plenty of friends if only
you could be bothered.

Oh, darling, I have been bothered.

Maybe it's old-fashioned of me but...
I'm no good without you.

I seem to live in a vacuum.

With you I could even enjoy tea parties,
with vivid chats about mumps and measles.

Besides, even if it's only part-time,
I've got a friend.

Then what are you grumbling at?

I don't know really. But sometimes I wish
you were a writer or something.

Then we could live where we liked...

and you wouldn't have to teach school
and leave me alone all day.

But I like school-teaching.

Besides, what would I do
in this utopia of yours?

Go crazy, I guess.

Because you couldn't do without your work.
You're one of the dedicated people.

- Shhh, someone might hear you.
- You are, too.

One of these days you'll find
a new pupil in your Latin class.

And it'll be me, just sitting there
looking at you.

Come along, Mrs. Barlow,
let's go and find that book you wanted.

Oh, Mrs. Barlow, what luck
catching you!

We've wondered whether you'd come over
and watch television this evening.

- Well, I have...
- Oh, it's a good play!

I forget who it's by or who's in it,
but I know it's good.

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Rush,

but I've got a pupil coming in
tonight for extra coaching.

- Oh...
- Thanks, though.

Well... another time, perhaps?
- Oh, yes indeed.

Thanks for getting us out of that.

- It's true. I've got a pupil coming.
- Oh, Stephen, why?

Because it's only a week to the
exams, darling.

Oh, there you are, Mrs. Barlow.

Now, is there anything else
I can do before I go?

- Not a thing, Mrs. Usher.
- Well, good day, mum.

- Hello, Mrs. Usher.
- Good day.

- Is he coming for dinner?
- It's a girl.

- Oh. One of your many fans, darling?
- Naturally.

She's a nice girl, intelligent, too.
But her Latin's terrible.

- What's her name?
- Barbara Vining.

Baba, come and get your food before you
ruin your appetite chewing that pencil.

Will Henry be home for lunch? I've taken
a great deal of trouble with this stew.

The brewers take a great deal of trouble
with his beer too.

Ring him up, Evelyn. Try the paper.

Charlie, I assure you.
The whole climate of that thought...

You know, this stuff tastes
much better in a pub.

Yes?

- For you.
- Who is it?

Evelyn.

Hello, Evelyn.

Dear Evelyn, she devotes her morning
to experiments in the kitchen.

They have to be treated
with great respect.

Well, come home and eat it while it's hot.

All right, ten minutes.

And it'll be the longest ten minutes
we've ever known. We'd better carry on.

Come on, Barbara. Leave your old
books for a bit. And your old Latin.

All the Latin I ever knew
was fee-fi-fo-fum.

- Fee-fi-fo-fum isn't Latin.
- It's as nearly it makes no odds.

You need taking out of yourself.

Come to the pictures with Aunt Evelyn
and me tonight. Do you good.

I've got to go to Mr. Barlow's.
He's coaching me in Latin.

Oh, isn't that kind.
What a nice man.

I don't see that one evening's coaching
can make all that difference.

- Can it?
- And all next week.

Will Mr. Barlow's wife be there?

Well, for heaven's sake, the things
that go on in your head.

Do you think a man like Mr. Barlow
would ask a girl to the house...

if his wife weren't there?

You see sex in everything, Evelyn.

- Sex is everything.
- Well, you can have it.

Anyway, what a way to talk
in front of a girl.

Don't pick at your food like that, luv.
It's as if Evelyn had put arsenic in it.

Now I'll have to go and tell her I didn't
mean what I said about the arsenic.

I seem to spend my life apologizing
to Evelyn.

# The very thought of you #

# And I forget to do #

# The little ordinary things #

# That everyone ought to do #

I think you've had enough
for this evening.

I'm afraid it's hopeless.
I'm so sorry.

Not hopeless exactly, it just isn't good.

You may get through with that.

You're very kind to take
so much trouble with me.

Nonsense.

You work hard, you deserve to pass.

Anyway, you can have another go
in the autumn.

I'm getting so old.

You'll probably find several other
old ladies of 17 in the same predicament.

# You'll never know how slow #
# The moments go #

# Till I'm near to you #

# I see your face #

I don't believe you even know
the grammar properly.

No, I don't think I do.

It's a serious reflection on this fine
new school of ours.

It isn't the school, it was my father.

He didn't bother much about grammar.

He used to teach me
by crossword puzzles.

- Latin crossword puzzles?
- Yes, he made them up himself.

What does he do, your father?

- He's a reporter.
- Here in Rudford?

Yes, he's on the Rudford News.

He writes political columns too
on the Kettering Star...

the Lester Gazette and
the Buckingham Journal.

Hm, busy man.

Are you happy at home?

- Oh, yes.
- Good.

I sometimes wonder about my pupils.

They come into the classroom
for an hour...

and submit to having their minds improved
in a state of armed neutrality.

I don't think we're really ourselves
during school hours.

No, I don't think you are.

When does your lot go out into
the great big world, six weeks, is it?

Five.

Counting the days?
Marking them off for Canada?

Yes, but not because I want
to leave school.

I thought the end of school was
the great emancipation.

I hate the thought of leaving.

That's very unusual, surely.

I don't know what I shall do.

Your career, you mean?

No, that's not what I meant.

What do your parents want you to do?

They want me to train as a secretary
or something.

I wouldn't think that was
your destiny.

I don't know about destiny.

It's a word my aunt uses a lot.

In what way?

Romanticly?

Yes.

Don't let your aunt beguile you, Barbara.
Your character's your destiny.

I don't know my character.
To me it's a muddle.

- Hello, darling.
- The lesson over?

- Half past nine already?
- I must go home.

Oh, don't go just as I come in.

I have so few opportunities of talking
to my husband's pupils.

Let's have some coffee.
I'll make it myself.

I'm the only one in this house who makes
good coffee. All I ask is lots of praise.

What a good idea. And you,
you'll have some coffee, won't you, er...

- Barbara.
- Barbara.

Yes.
Yes, thank you.

Sit down. Relax.

You live in Rudford?

All my life. I was born here.

How terrible for you.

Tell me, who's idea was it that you
should have extra coaching in Latin?

- Mr. Barlow's.
- What do the other pupils say?

Doesn't this individual attention suggest
favoritism of some kind?

Oh, no. He would do the same
for anyone.

You know, this intenseness about this
conversation, it isn't really necessary.

You think you're in love with
my husband, don't you?

No, no...

Don't say anything.

But have you ever thought of how
embarassing it might be for him?

I would never embarass him.

Are you in love with him?

I didn't say I was.

Now don't be upset. I'm not accusing
you of anything.

- Let's talk about this calmly.
- I can't talk about it calmly.

Please let me go home.

I seem to have stirred something up.
I'm so sorry, I didn't mean...

I'm going home. Please forgive me.

- Is something the matter...
- Stephen, why did you bring her here?

You know perfectly well why
I brought her here.

She's madly in love with you.

Kay, darling, be your age.

- What's got into you?
- Don't pretend you don't know.

Do you suppose I spend the day
puzzling out...

whether or not one of my pupils
is in love with me?

I'll go get the coffee.

Stephen, there's been something
about you lately.

You sit behind a book but you're
not reading it.

You sit in a chair and go off
into a trance.

Are you going back on some nostalgia
journey to your own youth?

It's you who should remember
to be your age.

What did you say to her?

I told her I knew she was in love
with you, that's all.

- You...
- All I did was warn her, darling.

Kay, have you forgotten how serious
one is at that age? How vulnerable?

If she has a crush on me, believe me,
I didn't realize it.

They fall in love.

From the age of 13 they fall in love,
not with me in particular.

I thought you'd treat the whole
thing intelligently.

If you'd told me, asked me, I...
I might have.

But you saw it.

Through my own eyes, not through yours,
until now.

When the mischief is done.

Stephen.

Stephen, where are you going?

You're going after that girl,
aren't you?

Hello?

Yes.

Yes.

I'll come now.

Have you had any food tonight?
I bet you haven't.

- I had a sandwich.
- A sandwich, is that all?

Barbara can't be home yet.
Her coat isn't here.

- But she must be, it's so late.
- I'll go and look in her room.

Barbara.

- Evelyn, is she in?
- No.

At least I know where she is. Though it's
a long time for a lesson to go on.

- Too long.
- Too long for what?

For the lesson to go on.

Barbara went to the Barlow's
for some coaching in Latin.

- Isn't she back yet?
- No.

She ought to be in bed, silly girl.

Don't you think you'd better go
and fetch her?

I don't like her being out alone
at this time of night.

- All right, my dear.
- And don't you get talking, Henry,

and keeping people out of their beds
half the night.

- Even if they offer you a drink.
- Don't you worry.

- Mrs. Barlow?
- Yes.

- Good evening, I'm Henry Vining.
- Oh.

- Come in, Mr. Vining.
- Thank you.

I thought I'd better collect that daughter
of mine, since it's getting rather late.

I'm afraid she's not here, Mr. Vining.
She left about half past nine.

Where can she be?

She must have called in on
one of her friends.

Thoughtless creatures, children.

Streets are empty.
Most people seem to be in bed.

In this town they draw a very definite
line between night and day.

- Come on in and have a drink, won't you?
- That's a charming idea.

What'll you have, scotch and soda?

Thanks.

I promised my wife faithfully
I wouldn't, still...

Where can that girl be?

Is it usual for her to be out
at this hour?

No, but the unusual happens.

The personality at that age seems
held together so very precariously.

Especially hers.

Why especially hers?

Tell me about her.

What can I tell you?
I'm a careless parent.

I bob like a cork on the currents
and undercurrents of my household.

I only know it at second hand, really.

Through my wife, who throws me scraps
of domestic drama from time to time.

She tells me Barbara has something
on her mind.

But then, my dear wife thinks
that human happiness...

depends on everyone's mind being
an amiable blank.

- Do you mind if I ring up my home?
- Do, please.

Thank you.

What could she have on her mind,
at her age?

Some aspect of sex, I should guess.

You know those first impacts.

They can be very disturbing,

I suppose.

I've forgotten.

- Hello, Vi.
- Hello, Henry.

Darling, I'm speaking from the Barlow's.

- Is she back yet?
- No.

- No, Henry, she's not.
- She's probably called on a chum.

No, I don't think she could be with
any of her friends at this hour.

Well, my dear, where is she?

I just don't know.

Hurry home.

Evelyn, where can she be?

She left there at half past nine.

Strange, isn't it?
Difficult, too.

One doesn't know where to begin
to look for her.

Could I have a word with your husband?

Well, he's not here, Mr. Vining.
He went for a short walk.

When she left...

did she seem depressed in any way
about her chances in this examination?

Well, I don't know her well
enough to say.

They worry about such things.
Get them all out of proportion.

- Stephen.
- Hello, Kay.

This is Mr. Vining, Barbara's father.

- How do you do?
- I came to fetch my daughter.

Isn't she home?

No.

- She must be.
- I assure you.

Did you see her when you were out?

No.

Is she so elusive?

Kay, please.

Is there something you know
that I don't?

I'm afraid she's in love
with my husband.

You can't be taking this seriously.
She's a child.

I'm suddenly very anxious about her.

When you were out just now,
Mr. Barlow,

were you with my daughter?

Yes, I was.

This is very disturbing.

Well, at least there's no mystery now
as to her whereabouts, you've...

You've just take her home,
have you?

No, I left her about an hour ago.
I put her on a bus at the bridge.

At least I stood on the path...

and watched the bus stop
and start off again.

You didn't actually put her on the bus.

No, it seemed unwise for both of us to be
seen together at that time of night.

- That was an hour ago?
- Yes, roughly.

If she'd been on that bus she'd have
been home in 10 minutes.

- Less.
- Yes, she would.

Then where is she, man?

I don't know.

Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Wilde.
Have you seen Barbara this evening?

No, we haven't seen her.

Sorry if I woke you up.

Excuse me, sir.

Since it is the last week before
the examinations,

I propose to recapitulate
on the terms well.

Who covered Peter up?

I did. He was singing.

Where's Henry gone?

He went back to the police station.

One of the search parties has
just come in.

He must be worn out.

He had about an hour's sleep
in the chair.

My dear, for the last two days
you've done nothing...

but wander about in that
old dressing gown.

What else can I do?

Well, you could get dressed
or you could go back to bed.

Why do you think you've been having
all these sleeping pills for?

They don't do anything except
slow everything up.

I can't think properly.

I feel as week as a cat.

Vi, they've found something.

- What?
- Her beret.

Where did they find it?

Below the bridge somewhere.

I was remembering things about her.

Do you remember when she used
to think the that Equator...

was an imaginary lion around
the earth?

- So it is.
- No...

"Lion", l-i-o-n.

She thought it just kept running
and running around the earth.

That's just plain silly.

It isn't silly.
She was only six.

The trouble about trying to talk to you
is you've no sense of humor.

I don't see how anyone can have
a sense of humor at a time like this.

I'm her mother and I'd give
my life's blood for her.

- Why doesn't Henry come back?
- Those drugs are making you childish.

Better get a grip on yourself.

What are you doing with
Barbara's things?

Henry asked me to go through them.

I'm never one to pry, as you know.

He wanted to spare you
having to do it.

What are you looking for?

Anything that would give them a clue as to
what may have been going on in her life.

I knew everything that was
going on in her life.

Nobody knows everything about
another person's life.

She had no secrets from me.

Everyone has secrets.

You think everybody's the same
as yourself.

You'd better get to bed, Vi, dear.
You're not fit to be up.

I've been thinking...

that maybe it was not the right atmosphere
for a young girl to be brought up in.

- You, and your strangeness.
- Strangeness?

That man you were in love with.

The one we never talk about.

For twenty years you've acted as if
every time the door opened...

he would come in.

- He does.
- You're nuts, Evelyn.

Somebody should have told you
years ago.

You fell in love once and you've
never let go of it.

And look what your life's been.

No need to pity me, Vi.
My life is complete.

Far more than you would ever understand.

I still know love in my own mind,
my own way.

Well, whatever it is, it addles your brains
and everybody else's.

I'm sick of it.

Maybe Barbara was sick of it too.

And that's why she's run away.

Is that what you're thinking?

It could never be me she ran
away from, or her father.

These drugs have got you all mixed up.

You never talk to me like this
in the ordinary way.

We've always been good friends,
haven't we, Vi, dear?

No.

Better get to bed.

Henry.

I found this.

It's a calendar belonging to Barbara.
You see those marks?

Some of the days have got circles
around them, others are underlined.

She seems to be terribly concerned with
the days and the passing of time.

Why? What does it tell us?

Well, this had a meaning for her.

Not for us.

What are they saying in the town?

- Was that another of those calls, Madam?
- Yes.

Oh, if we could only get away from
this town until we know the truth!

- You shouldn't answer the phone.
- I have to.

It might be the news we're waiting for.

Did you hear anything when
you were out shopping?

- Oh, gossip, that's all, madam.
- What do they think it is, suicide?

Maybe. Maybe done in.

You mean maybe she met
some kind of maniac?

Evelyn, did Barbara ever talk
to you about Barlow?

No.
But I knew about him.

It appears that he was her great love.

Yes. Strange, isn't it?
Very strange, Henry.

You realize it's my story
repeating itself.

He was the first and he was unobtainable.

Don't let's talk nonsense.

My story isn't interesting anymore but don't
forget it was the same as Barbara's.

Rubbish!

Henry, when she comes back,
you must leave her to me.

I'm the only one that can understand her,
I can help her.

Why did she go?

Why?

Why?

I can't think anymore!
My mind is full of horrors!

Whichever way it turns it runs into horror.

You're quite sure this meeting with
the girl was accidental, Mr. Barlow?

No, Inspector, that was a lie.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't foresee
that this would happen.

I told you it was accidental because
I didn't want to hurt my wife.

You arranged to meet her?

I telephoned her.

There'd been some small incident during
the evening between my wife and her.

She was rather upset when she
left the house.

I had the idea it was something
that ought to be put right.

So you rang her up and asked her
to meet you.

- Yes.
- I see.

That seems to put rather a different
light on things, doesn't it?

- She's still only a missing girl, Inspector.
- Yes, sir, one of hundreds.

Every day dozens of them are reported
missing in the metropolitan area alone.

Even so.

Is there anything else you want
to ask me, Inspector?

No, not at the moment, Mr. Barlow.

There are bound to be further inquiries,
of course.

But we'll try not to embarass you
unnecessarily.

Thank you, Inspector.

To make an assignation with
a girl pupil?

That was an incredibly foolish
thing to do.

I realize that.

Make no mistake, I shall tell
the headmaster exactly what I think!

He was out with her that night and it
wasn't the first time, not by a long way.

I'm not going to have my girl
coming to this school...

so long as that Barlow goes on
teaching here.

What guarantee have we got that he
won't go and do another of them in?

But we don't know that he's done
anyone in, do we?

I have very good reason to
suppose we have.

And I'm certainly not going
to let it rest there.

Ladies.

Jimmy!

Good evening.

You're Mr. Barlow.

- Yes.
- Won't you come in?

Thank you.

Could I have a word with Mr. Vining.

- It's this way.
- Thank you.

Henry. It's Mr. Barlow.

Good evening, Mr. Vining.
I hardly expect a welcome.

But I would be grateful if I could have
a word with you.

Well, come in.

Evelyn, go and see if Vi's all right
and keep her in her room.

Mr. Vining, I'd like to talk to you
about Barbara.

You know, I suppose, that you know the
whole town has its finger pointed at you?

I could hardly fail to.

There's been some wild talk.

- Wild exaggeration.
- Who is to say?

The police have started building
a picture of her life.

I don't recognize it. A lonely girl
given to days of silence.

Long walks alone by the riverside.

The headmaster's been examining
her work.

Essays, comment, opinions.

They're subtle and mature.
To me she was a child.

She wasn't a child.

They've started dragging the river.

Yes, I know that.

What do I do with my wife
if they find her there?

What have we become?

Old, sad people staring into the fire...

wondering where we failed.

Do you think they'll find her there?

I know no more of that than you.

But I did want you to know...

that I never harmed her.
That's what I came to tell you.

Then where is she, man,
is she dead or alive?

I can't answer that any better
than you can.

Mr. Barlow, I am now facing two
possibilities about my daughter,

suicide or some crime against her.

I realize that. That's why I came. To assure
you that I'm a perfectly normal person...

and as far as I know incapable
of physical violence of any kind.

They all talk like that.

When the passion of the thing
is over they're...

clear and lucid, more normal
than the normal.

They're polite and restrained too.

Like you.

There's nothing more to be said,
then, is there?

I want to believe you, Barlow.

You have all the outward signs
of a civilized mind.

But I've been a newspaper man too long
to be beguiled by that.

We often meet them, doctors, scout masters,
ministers of religion,

who suddenly find a frightening spotlight
on themselves.

But you!
What sort of a man are you?

You have a beautiful wife,
a good position at the school.

Couldn't you have seen if you were
the normal person you say you are...

that any relationship between
a master and his pupil...

had the very texture of
catastrophe in it?

- There was no relationship!
- Situation, then.

Not until that night.

The more I talk to you, the more ominous
the thing becomes.

Mr. Vining, please believe me.

I am not a seducer.

Then why telephone a girl of 17 to meet you
late at night in an isolated spot?

It had to be an isolated spot.
You know this town.

I daren't be seen with her or she with me,
and I had to talk to her.

At least I thought I had.

- To make love to her!
- No, Vining!

Now let's have the truth!

Will you listen...

if I try to explain with absolute honesty,

the situation between your daughter
and myself?

That you loved her as a father,
or a brother.

Vining, please, listen to me.

I'll try and find the truth.

If I loved her...

it was from a distance, from...
from a long way off.

As the dead might love the living.

I'd been aware of her for some time.

There was a new excitement
in my daily life.

Sometimes as she sat there in the class,

it was as though I'd gone back to the age
of my own innocence,

having forgotten everything that I had
learned in between.

There existed...

in the air between us...

How shall I put it...

a state of love.

That's how it was.

What you say... has the ring of truth.

But where is she now?
Where did she go?

- The river?
- I can't believe that.

I won't!

Well, we shall soon know.

Have a drink.

No, thanks, I must go home.

Barlow... I've said some harsh things.

I feel easier on my mind for having
talked to you.

So do I.

Don't worry, I'll see myself out.

Good night, Vining.

Good night.

- Oh, darling.
- Hello, dear.

Where have you been?
I've been so worried about you.

I was on the verge of calling
the police.

Gosh, I'm tired.

You should have gone to bed, Kay.

- You look worn out.
- I need a drink.

Do you have to go to that
school tomorrow?

No, I don't have to go to that
school tomorrow.

I've been asked to resign.

But why?

They can't dismiss you on rumors.

The headmaster was very reasonable...
and just.

I saw his point of view.

Stephen, have you any idea what a thing
like this will do to your career?

My career is of no great importance
to me just at the moment.

Your only concern is for that girl.

I've just come from seeing her father.

I think at least I was able to convince him
that I did her no physical harm.

Did he imagine you had?

It's been nearly three days, Kay.

Three long days and nights.

Oh, if I could just for one moment
penetrate this darkness.

This darkness of not knowing.

Not knowing whether she's alive
or dead.

Not knowing your part in it.

I told you, dear.

All you told me was an innocent story
that puts the affair in the class of...

of an indiscretion.

That kind of indiscretion gets you sacked
from that kind of a school.

Stephen, I don't want to keep
on at you because I love you.

But you've never told me the whole truth
about that girl, now have you?

I can't talk about it to you.

Why not to me?
I'm in this with you.

I'm sorry, but I don't want you to be.

Stephen, darling, we're stuck
in this apartment...

with police activities, and rumors,
and scandals going on outside.

We've no choice!

We had no choice, Mr. Vining,
we all feel terrible about it.

All the girls. Nobody at school can
think of anything else.

But, you see, we know...

- Well, Phoebe had better tell you.
- Well, it was because...

You'll be very angry, and we're not
saying anything against Bar...

I was her best friend.
I mean, I am...

The class thought that I should
be spokeswoman.

All we want to see is that
the person responsible gets his desserts.

- Responsible for what?
- For what ever happened to her.

We don't like telling you, but we had a
meeting and we thought it was our duty.

It's about Mr. Barlow.

- Yes?
- Mr. Vining, in the last few months...

Bar became quite different from what
she used to be.

- In what way?
- Well, she wasn't one of us anymore...

just different.

- Wasn't she, Phoebe?
- It was Mr. Barlow.

She had a terrible crush on him
and he used to lead her on.

In class he never took his eyes off her.

You're sure you're not exaggerating?

Henry, let them say what they
have to say.

We wouldn't exaggerate, Mr. Vining,

because we don't want to add
to your troubles.

But it's dreadfully serious.

Tell him, Phoebe.
Begin at the beginning.

Well, she used to go for walks alone.
Along by the river...

And so did Mr. Barlow.

It's been going on for months.

He would go along by the river...
alone.

And then shortly afterwards,
Bar would follow.

Doris Morgan's mother's seen
them often.

- Has she seen them together?
- No, that's the point.

They wouldn't want to be seen together.
At least he wouldn't.

He's got a wife and they say
she watches him like a cat.

A chance meeting with a girl
on a road at night...

doesn't warrant your being asked
to resign.

But you say it was reasonable and just.

It was late at night and the road
was lonely.

The headmaster asked why I didn't
see the girl safely home...

if my conscience was clear.

- What did you say?
- I said my conscience wasn't clear.

What does that mean?

It means that I felt sufficiently guilty...

not to want to be seen alone with a girl
at that hour and in that place.

We're not condemning her, Mr. Vining.

He's angry with us but we've known
ever since she disappeared and...

- ...we couldn't keep it back any longer.
- He's not angry.

You see, only three things could
have happened to her.

She's run away to hide, or she's thrown
herself in the river, or it's him.

He committed a crime that night
to cover everything up.

You better get along home.
Mr. Vining has a great deal to think.

- We all knew something was happening.
- Don't suppose it's malicious gossip.

- No, no, we don't think that.
- There he was, carrying on with his class...

- ...as if nothing had happened.
- Say good night to Mr. Vining.

Oh, yes.
Good night, Mr. Vining.

Henry, say good night.

- Good night.
- Good night, Mr. Vining.

Kay, darling, let's talk the language
of things.

It was you who first mentioned
the word love to the girl.

You accused her of being in love
with me.

I don't believe she had the slightest
idea of it.

That's childish.

Well, anyway she didn't recognize
it as love. I asked her.

Then you both lied to each other
like mad.

Taking your awareness of it from the
moment I mentioned it.

As if I handed it to you on a plate.
With my blessing, no doubt.

It wasn't like that at all.

How was it then?

Kay...

Don't you turn against me.

I couldn't turn against you any more
than I can live without you.

Oh, Stephen, what's happening to us?

Sometimes I find myself hoping
that it's true...

that she really is out of our
lives forever.

You know, I could almost hope
she were dead.

Don't say that!

You must love her very much.

I love her at the moment in the way
that one must love a child that is lost.

Don't you see, Kay, if she's dead,
she'll never be out of our lives.

You can't think or speak of anything
else, can you?

Naturally, I can't.

She's crossed my path with
a vengeance.

She's made me take stock of myself,
of my relation with you,

of the whole routine of our lives together.
Of course I must think of her.

You love her.

All I'm concerned with is that she
should be found alive.

Do you mean that?

Of course I mean it.

And if she isn't, what then?

I don't know.

Oh, Stephen, I had a warning of this.

I've been uneasy for weeks
and I didn't know why.

Until she stepped into the house
that night. Then I knew.

That's why when I joined you both
I behaved so abominably.

But I wasn't jealous of us, Stephen.

I was frightened for you.

Henry.

They could have been wrong,
those girls.

He came here like some smooth counsel
for his own defense.

Talked me out of my doubts, my own
instincts. And I believed him.

He took me in as he took her in.

Henry, where are you going?

Henry!

Make no mistake, if you don't do something
about this, I'll print the whole story.

And accuse the police of ineptitude
and incompetence.

- Now, look here.
- I tell you, those girls knew...

what they were saying. Suddenly
I could see it all. He's a good talker.

A good manner.
You take a look at him.

Behind that smooth delivery there's
a world of subtlety.

If you don't do something about this,
I'll make such a spectacle...

Henry, I know how you feel, but it's
no good going off the handle like this.

This isn't your job, this is ours.

I promise you that we will deal with it
as faithfully and speedily as we can.

Now, good night, Henry.
I'll call you in the morning.

Why is it so many boots lie
at the bottom of a river?

Who puts them there?

Not me.

Nor me either.

Henry...

I thought of looking in to see your wife
this afternoon, but then I changed my mind.

Why?

Because you can be more help
to her than I.

Go home, Henry.
You can't do any good here.

Here you are, darling.

Hello?

Hello?

- It's gone off.
- Was it a man?

- I have no idea. Nobody spoke.
- It was a man!

He keeps ringing up saying
horrible things.

- What sort of things?
- Filthy things about you and the girl.

He rang several times already today.

- Why didn't you tell me?
- He sounded like some kind of lunatic.

I suppose it couldn't be that Barbara
was waylaid...

by someone that night afterwards?

- Someone like that, you mean?
- Yes.

Why should he ring up here?

Anonymously, from a call box?
Gloating over details?

Anyway, I'd better let the police
know at once.

- Oh, darling, don't. They might think...
- What could they think?

That I was looking for a scapegoat?

Kay...
Kay, darling.

- Good evening, sir.
- Barlow, I'm very worried.

Even though it's so late, I thought it
better to come and see you...

rather than to try and talk to you
on the telephone.

Won't you sit down?

We were just going to have
some coffee, won't you...

No, thank you.

I don't think your husband realizes the
seriousness of his position, Mrs. Barlow.

We both do.

Obviously it's very serious for my husband
to be dismissed from the school.

That was necessary.

Nobody regrets it more than I do,
but you know...

a mixed school, an experimental school
of this nature,

even a slight indiscretion is a
serious matter.

This was rather more than that.

- Do you agree?
- Yes.

I'm not given to dramatizing things...

but if you knew how the school and the town
were seething with rumor.

One has to call it rumor because one isn't
yet in possession of all the facts.

If you knew the shape this story
was taking...

our immediate worry wouldn't be
your resignation.

- My immediate worry is the girl.
- She will be found, if she's alive.

Opinion, I'm afraid, inclines more and more
to the view that she isn't.

Public opinion.

Police opinion, too.

I hate to say it.

That's why I couldn't rest, for thinking
of you and your position.

When we talked yesterday I realized that
you had no idea of its seriousness.

Barlow, have you seen a lawyer yet?

- No.
- I think you should at once.

Explain the situation and ask his advice.
I think it's most urgent.

Mr. Griffith, you dismissed my husband
on the one fact you know.

That he had met this girl
alone at night.

The meeting was an accident.

If you were wise, you'd tell your wife
the full implications of this case.

I've tried to.
It's difficult.

I didn't want to involve Kay,
or hurt her.

To me it seems so terrible that Stephen
should be victimized.

Merely because he's become the focus point
of an adolescent infatuation.

I'm afraid, Mrs. Barlow, you don't
know the full facts.

I'm sorry, if I'd realized that,
I wouldn't have begun this conversation.

Darling,

I didn't tell you this before...

because I'd hoped it would never
be necessary for you to know.

My meeting with Barbara that night
wasn't accidental.

I telephoned her after I left the house.

I asked her to meet me.

My dear Mrs. Barlow, try to keep
an open mind.

You'll need one another's help at this
moment more than anything else.

I don't know if you know,
but the police have started...

dragging operations below the bridge.

If she's found there,
your position will be pretty grim.

- Evening, Brown.
- Good evening, sir.

Is Mr. Barlow still in?

All I can see is our whole life together
collapsing around us.

That's not true, Kay.
Everything's just as it always was,

Then you can have no idea
what it meant to me.

Look, darling, everything I've said
or not said...

has at least been in the spirit
of the truth.

Truth? Suddenly we've been brought
face to face...

with the extent of the pretense
in our lives.

There's been very little pretense
in our lives.

Your creeping out at night to keep
an appointment with one of your pupils.

That was the beginning.

Where do we go from there?

But all I wanted to do was to talk to her
to put things right.

No, I can't convince you, can I?

And you've got the advantage
just because you've caught me out in a lie.

Can't you see I'm terrified
because of what I don't know.

One lie, one inaccuracy.
But how many more, Stephen?

What kind of a mess are you in?

It's the police, sir.

- Good evening, officer.
- Good evening, Mr. Barlow.

I'm sorry to bother you
at this time of night.

But it's about the suit you were wearing
the night Miss Vining disappeared.

- Yes?
- It was a grey tweed, I understand, sir.

- Yes, it was.
- Is it here?

- Of course.
- If you don't mind,

the inspector would be interested
to see it.

Certainly.

Mrs. Usher, would you mind getting my grey
tweed suit and putting it in a suitcase?

Perhaps you'd also like to see
the raincoat.

If you please, sir.

And the shoes.

And the dark brown shoes, Mrs. Usher.
The old ones.

Here you are.

The inspector would also like you to accompany
me to the station, if you don't mind.

He's making out his report.

Very well.

Thank you.

Shall we go, sir?

Look out for her, Mrs. Usher.

All right.

- Mr. Barlow.
- Yes?

- What's that for?
- We haven't got a picture of you...

- ...in the files, Mr. Barlow.
- And why should you want one now?

We heard that you'd resigned.
I work for the Rudford Gazette.

We're always very interested in any changes
that might take place in the school.

And why a picture with a police station
in the background?

You don't have to worry about that.
It might be anywhere.

May I advise you to watch your step
as to how you use it?

Certainly. We have to.

It doesn't mean that it's
an arrest, mum.

At least it didn't look like that to me.

That policeman's spoken very civil to him.

Now don't you go upsetting yourself, mum.

Mr. Barlow wouldn't like that.

Oh, would you like me to freshen
this coffee up a bit?

Oh, no, thanks, Miss Usher.

- You should have gone home long ago.
- No, I'm staying with you.

It doesn't do to sit brooding alone
at a time like this.

It doesn't do any good at all.

Oh, there you are, Henry.

I've just made some tea.
Still fresh, in the kitchen.

- Where are you going?
- Out.

Miss Vining, you've chosen a bad
moment to come here.

It's far too late and I don't
want to see anyone.

I didn't choose the moment.
The moment arrived.

Well, I'm very worried and tired.

Too tired to talk now.

You think I've been talking nonsense,
don't you?

Like my brother and his wife.

I don't know whether you have
or not, and I don't care.

All my thoughts are with my husband.

Why? His are not being with you.

What do you mean?

My niece was the great love
of his life.

It's ended in tragedy because
you were too small to see it.

They've been lovers for months.

Finally it reached the stage when
her life has had to be sacrificed.

Whether by her own hands or his.

We don't know yet.

You see, I'm the only one who
really knew Barbara.

Really understood her.

I live in the same house with my brother
and his wife.

I knew what was going on.

Mrs. Usher!

Mrs. Usher!

Is it true what she says
about that girl?

What that man said on the telephone?

What did you want to come here for?

She'd have learned in God's good time from
people who'd know how to break it to her.

I knew I should never have let you in.
Go on, get out!

You've done enough damage
for one night.

And whatever's happened to that girl
it's no more than she deserves...

and good riddance to her.

That girl must have led him on, mum.

It was you he really loved.

There was never a shadow
of doubt about that.

I'd swear it before the whole world.

Is it possible?

Is it really possible?

That's all I know, Inspector.

But this is the third day, Mr. Barlow,
and there's been neither sight nor sound...

of her from the moment you say
she left you.

You must see that our investigations will
have to take a more personal turn.

- Towards me.
- Who else at the moment?

You were the last to see her.

But I've told you, that's all I know.

You have told us practically
nothing, Mr. Barlow.

These are the clothes you wore
that night?

Yes, they were.

Well, I'm glad to see you didn't send them
to the cleaners or anything like that.

Why should I?

Well, clothes do go to the cleaners
occasionally, don't they?

I believe in him but...

am I so in love that I can't
see properly?

If only I could think clearly.

Even for a moment.

Is there any news?

Nothing new, my darling.

Come and sit by me.

It may be we shall only have
each other.

But at that we shan't be utterly lost.

Will you be going out again?

Not if you want me to stay in.

Don't go out, Henry.

- Had anything to eat?
- No, not a thing.

She must... you must, my love.
Go and get her something, Evelyn.

Go and be a drudge, Evelyn.

You who have no mind,
no heart, no soul.

What on earth is all that about?

It means that I, who am supposed to know
nothing of human love or passion,

am good enough to do the
household chores.

She talks about nothing but love.

Hifalutin talk that drives you silly.

She went to see Mrs. Barlow.

Tonight? Why did she want to butt
in there for?

I don't know.

What in heaven's name could she
have had to say to her?

- She didn't tell me.
- I'd better go and talk to her.

Mummy.

I thought you were dead.

Henry!

It's Bar.
Baba's home.

Daddy.

Are you very angry?

We thought we should never
see you again.

Oh, darling, it's been so awful.
We've been in such a state.

She even stopped talking,
believe it or not.

They've been giving me drugs to make me
sleep, that's why I look so terrible.

But I didn't care.
Oh, baby, where have you been?

No questions, Vi, no reproaches.
Not now she's home.

Oh, Daddy, I'm so sorry.

You both look so worn out.
How could I have done it to you?

Don't worry about us.
We're all right.

God's good.

And I've been saying such wicked things
about him in my heart.

I heard voices.
I couldn't believe my ears.

Look, Evelyn, she's back. It's my
little girl, safe and sound.

Why, what's the matter
with you, Evelyn.

You love her too.
Don't you care that she's back?

Come and sit down and get warm.

The police have been dragging
the river for you.

- The police?
- They've been looking everywhere for you.

Inspector Garland, please.

Oh, baby, it's so wonderful
to have you back.

Hello, Fred!

Well, Henry, nobody could be
more glad than I am.

No, don't worry about that,
he's here with me. Hold on.

She's back.
She's all right.

Thank God.

Thank you for letting me know at once.

And I'm very happy for you.
Goodbye.

Inspector, would you have a call
put through to my wife...

and tell her I'm on my way home?

- Yes, of course.
- Thank you.

Get Mrs. Barlow on the telephone.
But I'd like to tell her the news myself.

You must be starving.
I'll get you something to eat.

I'm all right, Henry.

I'm alive again.

She hardly knows what she's doing.

Daddy, she looks so ill.

She'll be all right now you're home.

I feel so ashamed, I don't know
what to say to you.

Here.

Drink this up.

It's neat.

- It'll make me sick.
- No, it'll do you good. Stop you shaking.

Where have you been?

I've been to London.

To stay with a girl.

She used to be at school with me.

- I owe her two pounds.
- Oh.

I was going to stay there until I'd
worked things out in my mind.

Then I thought that you and Mother
might be getting anxious.

We were a little.

What did Mummy mean about the police?

We had to report you missing.

But I've only been away three days.

Three days can be quite a long time.

I didn't think.

Life is very difficult, isn't it?

Very.

I was so desperately unhappy
and muddled.

One is at times.
One goes into the wilderness.

Yes.

One tries to reach the last line
of the sonnet.

The truth, you mean?

But when the truth is something
you can't bring yourself to face?

What does that mean?

I love him.

I shall always be in love with him.

He loves his wife.

I know.

Baba...

I don't know quite how to tackle this.

From its very secretness and inwardness,
love in not easy to talk about.

But you're my child.

and I hate to see this distress go on.

I know I shall have to get over it.

- I will.
- And quickly, my darling.

But how?

What should I say to you?

Perhaps I'm the wrong person
to attempt it.

My contribution to the high passions
is a very small one.

I fell in love with your mother,
married her...

and lived happily ever after.

That's all.

But because I found love in my own
back garden...

it doesn't blind me to the fact
to the jungle outside.

I can't laugh at this turmoil
of first love.

Not after the anxiety of these
last three days.

Then how do we treat
this episode?

Let's face it as it is.

Love misplaced. Love incomplete.

Love to which you have no
right whatsoever.

Let's rely on your own dignity of mind
to see you out of it.

Does all that seem just a torrent
of words to you?

No.

There's something else I'd like
to say to you.

We have a living example in this house.

Of the twists that extravagant,

frustrated emotions can take.

Aunt Evelyn?

She had a love affair that went wrong.

She wouldn't let go.

She clung to it, stored it up.

And you see me like Evelyn
in twenty year's time.

No, I can't see that.

I've been thinking too much.

Worrying too much.

Every bush has been a bear.

Besides, it doesn't apply.

Her affair came to a disastrous end.

This hasn't... thank heaven.

It's just come to an end.

Yes.

Baba...

What happened that night?

Did he telephone you?

Yes.

To meet me. I met him and he
talked to me.

He tried to make me see.

Then he sent you home on the bus.

Yes.

But I didn't go.
I ran back to find him.

But he'd gone.

He often went for walks there.

I used to follow him.

- Did he know that?
- No.

Had you ever met him there before?

No.

Baba...

Is that the absolute truth?

Of course it is, Daddy.

Then there's never been any...
affair between you.

No.

How could you think that
of a man like him?

We're going right past the Vinings.

I wonder if you'd mind if I dropped off
for a moment

I would like to see her for myself.

- It's the least we can do.
- Thank you.

He's been under suspicion
from the police.

Persecuted by his pupils,
slandered in the town.

He's had to resign.

Oh, Mr. Barlow!
Do come in.

- She's back home.
- Yes, I know, they told me.

We're so excited we hardly know
what we're doing. She's in there.

Here's Mr. Barlow.

I'm in the middle of getting her
something to eat.

I won't be a moment.

Hello, Barbara.

- Are you all right?
- Yes, thank you.

Late, late in the gloamin' Kilmeny
came home.

I think she must have looked
rather like you.

She learned something in her wanderings,
didn't she, Kilmeny?

Did she? I don't remember.

If she had any sense, she did.

Barbara has sense.

I'm very sorry for all the trouble
I have caused you...

and your wife.

You just walked away in the
opposite direction.

There's no need to apologize for that.

Forgive me, Barlow, won't you?
For all my doubts.

You were entitled to them.

I should have recognized the truth
when I saw it.

Well, I must get back to my wife.
She doesn't know the good news yet.

Goodbye, Barbara.

Goodbye.

I'll see you out.

Kay.

Kay.

Oh, Kay...

Hello, Mrs. Usher.
Where's Mrs. Barlow?

Well, I don't know, sir. The telephone rang
and she didn't answer it...

so I came in from the kitchen and the
front door was open and she'd gone.

It was the police to say
you were on your way home.

They'd been lovers for months.

I knew what was going on.

- I would never embarass him...
- They fall in love...

From the age of 13 they fall in love...

- Are you in love with her?
- I didn't say I was.

I asked her to leave.

My niece was the great love
of his life.

It was you he really loved. There was
never a shadow of doubt about that.

Kay, don't you turn against me.

I couldn't turn against you any more
than I can live without you.

Kay!

Kay!

Kay!

Kay, she's back!
She's all right.

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes