Original subtitles

*

Thanks very much, Ronnie.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

You'd better go, Mummy. Goodbye, darling!

Goodbye.

Somebody catch!

Goodbye!

Goodbye!

(whistle blows)

Good evening, Miss Layton!

Hello.

I'm afraid everyone else is lying down.

And you?

I'm waiting for the fireflies to come out.

The last place the light goes from is the lake.

But when it's really dark, the lake's darker than anything.

Water reflects the light.

Will you have a drink, Ronald?

If you'll have one too.

Whiskey, if I may.

Kesar, ek burra peg aur ek Tom Collins laie.

You feel I need a burra peg then?

I don't know about need.

Deserve.

No, thank you.

Haven't you had a rest?

I've been writing letters.

Well, one letter.

To Father in Germany about the wedding.

They'll be in Nanoora soon.

Teddie and Susan.

Yes.

I've really come to say goodbye.

I'm off to Calcutta first thing in the morning.

Oh, I'm sorry.

The signal was waiting for me

when I got back from the station.

Things are on the move.

Will you write to me sometimes?

Yes, of course.

Thank you.

(cups clatter)

Bus!

Cheers.

I'm glad you were alone.

I wanted to apologize.

That stone that someone chucked this morning...

was meant for me.

It sounds melodramatic, but persecution of that kind

has been going on ever since I left Mayapore.

That stone and...

that unpleasant scene at the platform.

I was the worst best man Teddie could've chosen.

Oh, no.

It made me feel ridiculous.

As though I have something to hide.

When all I want is to forget.

I hope your mother in particular understands that.

I'm not unconscious of my obligation to her.

We all understand.

Thank you.

But I don't really understand about the woman at the station.

Was she the mother of one of the boys who got arrested?

His aunt.

The man who was with her put her up to it.

He knows there's nothing I can do.

The case is useful to him; it serves his purpose.

Bye-bye!

Somebody catch!

Bye!

Bye!

(speaking Hindi)

What the devil?

FENNY: Who was that?

A madwoman.

Some madwoman.

What was she like?

The girl in the Mayapore business?

Rather like you.

Not physically.

Well... not as pretty.

She was a bit clumsy.

She made a joke of it.

But she was sensitive.

The kind of girl you could talk to.

Although our backgrounds were quite different.

Were you in love with her?

I don't know.

I thought I was for a while.

But if I was, it wasn't love at first sight.

I thought she was another of those English girls

who'd come over here with a bee in their bonnets

about the rotten way we treat Indians.

She didn't see why a line had to be drawn--

has to be drawn.

But it's essential, isn't it?

Poor Daphne tried to do without all that.

I tried to stop her.

And found out she wasn't just another English girl

with a bee in her bonnet, she was this girl.

And... it wasn't a bee.

I don't know what it was.

But it destroyed her.

I'm sorry.

I said she was like you and I'm describing

all the things that made her different,

but then...

This may sound impertinent.

No, I'm sure it won't.

Well...

That first morning when I joined you at the station restaurant

and you sat in the front of the car next to the driver.

I thought... please, forgive me.

I thought, "Here's another one who doesn't see

why the line has to be drawn."

That's why I started talking about young Kasim.

I think subconsciously he'd impressed me

as being a man of Hari Kumar's type.

Hari Kumar?

Oh, the chief suspect in the case.

The man she was friendly with.

In that car, there was a sort of fantasy in my mind

of Hari and Daphne about to come together again.

But...

I was wrong.

Mr. Kasim knows where the line has to be drawn, doesn't he?

So do you.

I can't speak for Mr. Kasim.

Well, then, for yourself.

What are we talking about, Ronald?

The social pressure that keeps the ruled at arm's length

from the rulers?

Or the biological pressure that makes a white girl afraid

of being touched by an Indian?

I think they're connected.

A white man...

I or Teddie, for example, if one's tastes ran that way,

could marry an Indian woman or live with her.

He'd have the dominant role whatever the color of his skin.

But an Indian man touching a white-skinned woman

would always be conscious that he's...

What's the word?

Diminishing her.

And she'd be conscious of it, too.

I'm sorry.

I've put it very badly.

And I've broken one of the sacred rules.

One isn't supposed to talk about that kind of thing.

One isn't supposed to talk about anything very much.

I know.

It's how we hide our prejudices and go on living with them.

Would you say goodbye for me?

And apologize to your family.

I expect Aunt Fenny will be out in a while.

No, I really must be going.

I'm only half packed.

There's a firefly.

The end of your vigil.

ANNOUNCER: It's alive with Japs.

First evidence of the enemy as Jap booty captured

in a previous encounter,

evidence of the turn of the tide of war,

clearing the Arakan of Japanese strongholds.

On the lookout for snipers.

"Duck your head over the next hill, signed Tojo."

And it's sound advice as Allied bombers go into action.

(explosions)

(rapid gunfire)

The Japs retreat, but weary soldiers search the area

for snipers left behind.

A Jap hideout.

Japan boasts her soldiers never retreat, never lose their nerve,

fight bravely to the death rather than face capture.

Well, here's the truth.

A Jap soldier surrendering as frightened as a cornered rabbit.

Wounded prisoners are taken back for first aid.

A captured flag marks the end of the engagement,

but there's excitement ahead.

In fact, Dorothy Lamour three jungles up,

to say nothing of Tarzan.

*

You have a question, Lady Manners?

Yes, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name.

Rowan.

Rowan.

It's a curious thing, memory.

My husband had an excellent one, a great asset to a governor.

You were in Burma, Captain Rowan?

Until my dose of fever.

And shall you go back to active service?

No, no, I'm told not.

I've applied to get back into the political department,

which is what I've always wanted.

Have you the photograph there?

H.E. gave me an envelope, which he said you might ask for.

I'd like to see it, if I may.

Would you unseal it for me?

You can see Kandipat now.

I should explain, before we reach the prison

I shall pull down the blinds over the window.

I have all the necessary documents to pass us

through the gates.

Would you like me to go through the arrangements?

I'm sure H.E. has arranged everything as I would wish.

But in case I forget to say it afterwards, Captain Rowan,

thank you for everything you've done for me.

ROWAN (via speaker): Are you ready?

MAN (via speaker): Quite ready if you are.

(buzzer)

(intercom crackles)

ROWAN: Your name is Kumar?

Haan.

Sit down, please.

Baito, baito.

These proceedings are authorized by order

of the Governor in Council.

The purpose is to examine any facts relevant to your detention

under the Defense of India Rules.

I am instructed to advise you that the purpose

of the proceedings is only to examine,

not to make a recommendation in regard to your detention.

I now ask you, do you agree to this examination?

Haan.

Do you wish it to be conducted in English or in Hindi?

Angrezi.

I'm sorry.

I mean in English.

I seldom have an opportunity of speaking English

to anyone but myself.

I see.

ROWAN: Then we will proceed in English.

Your name is Kumar, your given name, Hari,

son of the late Duleep Kumar of Didbury,

in the county of Berkshire.

(laughing): Honestly, Mildred, that's a laugh.

Someone threw a stone at the Nawab's car?

Teddie and the best man were in it.

I'm glad you're amused.

You must admit it does have its comic side.

Teddie at the altar with a lump of sticking plaster on his face.

Only 72 hours of honeymoon before he has to buzz off

and fight the Japs.

How did Susan take it?

Susan was splendid.

She saved the day.

And it's not comic for her.

Back to life as bloody usual in Pankot.

And in the bloody grace-and-favor, too.

I must say she's looking radiant for a grass widow.

Mildred, you don't suppose...

Really, Nicky!

I don't suppose anything.

This whole stupid business could have been avoided

if Captain Merrick had only said.

What?

What he should have said to Teddie.

That he was the policeman in that ghastly Manners case

and he'd been tracked down ever since.

Then why didn't he?

Perhaps because he wanted to be best man.

Seems rather an off thing to do as Teddie's fellow officer.

He's hardly that!

I thought you said he was.

Nicky, Captain Merrick is not a Muzzy Guide.

If fact, he's scarcely a gentleman at all.

Not top drawer?

Not by any stretch of the imagination.

(chuckles)

Oh, well!

That's that.

Is Sarah making the fourth?

ROWAN (via speaker): I would like to return for a moment

to the time when District Superintendent Merrick

made what you claim was an obscene remark.

You had refused to answer any questions.

Because Merrick had refused to give me the reason

for my arrest.

But then at 22:45 you made the statement

as it appears on the DSP's report.

"I haven't seen Miss Manners

since the night we visited the temple."

Yes.

And until this examination you have persistently refused

to make any other statement.

Yes.

How long did the interrogation continue?

I lost track of things like time.

Two hours? More?

Could have been.

So you were alone with the examining officer

for two hours or more?

No, other people came in after a bit.

The two constables?

There may have been others.

It seemed like it.

Are you saying you were confused?

A little giddy perhaps, standing for a long time?

I wasn't standing then.

You were allowed to sit?

No.

I don't understand.

You were not standing, but you were not sitting.

What were you doing? Lying down?

I was bent over a trestle.

Bent over a trestle?

Tied to it.

For the more persuasive part of the interrogation.

You told us you were naked.

Were you physically ill-treated?

A cane was used.

You say you were caned?

How many times were you hit?

I don't know. Six times?

12 times? More than 12?

I didn't count.

You have no idea?

Did you lose consciousness?

It's very difficult to breathe in that position.

It's all you think of in the end.

After a time they brought Vidyasagar down

to hear me confess.

But I said nothing.

Then Merrick sent everyone out.

We were alone.

He spoke and acted even more obscenely.

That is the second allegation of obscenity

you have made against an officer of the Indian police.

But the word is not precise.

You must give examples

so that anyone reading the report can judge

whether its use is justified or not.

He asked me if I was enjoying it.

He said...

"Aren't you enjoying it?

"Surely a randy fellow like you doesn't exhaust himself

just having it once."

He had his hand between my legs at the time.

Strike that from the record!

Delete everything that followed the prisoner's statement:

"We were alone."

Why are you lying?

I'm not lying.

I'm answering your questions.

I put it to you that you are.

You still have an opportunity to retract.

I advise you to think most carefully

whether you should take that opportunity.

I have nothing to retract.

I'm sorry.

I seem to have misunderstood.

Misunderstood the questions?

No.

The reasons for asking them.

I made the wrong guess.

Something's happened to her, hasn't it?

You mean Miss Manners?

Yes.

I agreed to this examination because I thought Daphne

had finally persuaded someone to believe the truth.

This begins to smell of uneasy conscience.

Something's happened to her and I'm the loose end

you want to tie up.

What's happened?

Is she dead?

I've sometimes felt it, but...

(voice breaking): If she is,

you should have said.

You should have told me.

We presumed you knew.

She died of peritonitis.

That's blood poisoning, isn't it?

Burst appendix, that sort of thing.

I gather the peritonitis was the result

of a Caesarean operation.

A Caesarean.

Yes, I see.

She married?

No.

She didn't marry.

I see.

Do you still have nothing to retract?

No.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Auntie Mabel, are you sleepy?

Yes, but not tired.

I've reached the age, you know, whenever I sit down

and do nothing, I just drop off.

So if you and Barbie would excuse me,

there are some drawers I should turn out.

Don't you need me to help you?

Aziz can do it.

Something he enjoys.

You stay and talk to Sarah.

I mustn't stay too long.

There's something I still don't understand.

Who was the Indian woman at the station?

The aunt of the boy Miss Manners is supposed

to have been infatuated with.

He's still in prison.

Kneeling at Captain Merrick's feet, beseeching him!

(tuts)

Poor woman.

He said they were exploiting her,

using her as part of a scheme to make him look

like a marked man.

He hadn't seen her since he'd left Mayapore.

Did he remember my friend Edwina Crane?

Oh, I'm sorry, I never thought to ask.

I don't suppose he did.

Although as DSP in Mayapore he must've known all about her

being attacked.

But he did have his hands full

with that other awful business, didn't he?

Wasn't he supposed to be in love with her?

Miss Manners, I mean.

He said he'd been attracted to her.

He made it sound like a confession.

As if he was determined to be honest about the whole thing.

But all the time I felt he wasn't.

I don't know why I felt that.

But everything he said sounded rehearsed.

And while he was saying it, I felt him watching

for the effect, knowing what it would be.

You didn't like him.

No, I don't think I liked him at all.

What did you say?

Did I say anything?

I'm sorry, I thought you did.

You seem to be haunted by it.

That's what I was thinking.

By that whole awful business.

Someone should be haunted by it.

Yes, I suppose we should.

Don't go just yet.

There's something I want you to take to Susan.

I won't be a moment.

All right.

(door opens)

Lady Manners, are you all right?

Yes.

He spoke the truth.

I'm glad you felt that.

Sitting close to him, it was painfully apparent that he did.

You never mentioned to him that you remembered him at school,

at Chillingborough.

It seemed unnecessary.

Kumar will be released.

To what?

No matter. I've had my amusement.

Amusement?

Isn't it all a charade?

We go back into our corners and try to guess the word.

Hari Kumar, too, and Mr. Merrick.

Nothing can happen to Mr. Merrick, can it?

The uncorroborated evidence of a prisoner.

That's part of the charade, too.

Here we are!

It's a combined wedding and 21st birthday present.

Apostle spoons.

I'd be so grateful if you'd take them to her.

Thank you, Barbie.

That's very kind.

I thought I ought to tell you I may be leaving Pankot.

Oh, Sarah!

Why? Where to?

Just to do something more useful.

Nursing, perhaps, or what I'm doing now,

but where the war's a bit closer.

Do you think that's selfish?

Why selfish?

Because of leaving mother and Susan.

With Daddy a prisoner of war, it seems to be my job

to help look after things.

Susan's a married woman now.

Yes, that's why I thought I'd go.

Of course, I should miss you dreadfully.

So would everyone.

But it would be wrong to hold you back.

That would be selfishness.

Thank you for Susan's present.

Please don't bother to see me off.

Say goodbye to Auntie Mabel for me.

Of course.

Oh, no.

Hello, Barbie.

Sarah's gone, she asked me to say goodbye.

We're sorting out some winter things.

Oh, no, Aziz.

Haan. Bond-is Street.

I bought it in London the last summer I was there,

so you can tell

how out of date it is, but every winter,

Aziz tries to make me bring it out because of the tag.

Bond-is Street is pukka.

You could shorten the skirt.

Shorten skirt!

(sighs)

Very well, Aziz.

Put it on this pile.

Memsahib...

Sarah bachcha...

It's a christening gown.

Was it Sarah's?

Haan. Sarah Mem.

Look, butterfly.

Butterflies.

Oh, but it's beautiful!

My mother gave it to me when I married, for my children.

But of course I never had any of my own.

So I saved it for my stepson,

for when he had children.

Did Susan wear it, too?

No, Mildred had something new for her.

There's a full length of it still unmade up.

Enough for a shawl.

Aziz, show Barbie Mem the piece.

It's exquisite!

Look, they're caught up in the web.

Poor prisoners!

Would you like that piece?

For me?

It's too beautiful.

So delicate... alive.

Aziz will keep it safe.

Mabel!

Come in.

Good morning, Barbie.

(sighing): I've had one, too.

"Mrs. John Layton, Miss Sarah Layton and Mrs Edward Bingham

"request the pleasure of your company

"at the Officers' Mess, the Pankot Rifles.

RSVP."

It's Susan's 21st.

I had a note from Susan, too,

thanking me for the apostle spoons.

She says the wedding presents will be displayed.

I expect you'd like to go.

Well, only if you go, too.

I shall have to, but I want to come away

before they start eating.

I can't bear eating standing up.

But Mildred knows that, she won't mind.

Eating in crowds gives me indigestion, too.

We can just slip away.

But what shall I wear?

I did see some heliotrope stuff in the bazaar.

If only we could get down into Ranpur for some shopping.

We have two weeks.

I shall never go to Ranpur again.

At least, not until I'm buried.

Buried?

In St. Luke's churchyard there.

Where my husband is.

St. Luke's.

"Whom God hath joined..." I hadn't thought.

You could wear heliotrope, Barbie.

It's such a happy color.

Yes, I think I could carry it.

Susan says all the young officers will want to meet you.

You must be the grandmother of the regiment, I suppose.

But it's years since I've visited the Mess.

We shall go.

(military band playing in distance)

Is it Ghulam?

Ghulam Mohammed?

Yes, Memsahib.

I think we're late.

Thank you, Ghulam.

It's very crowded.

(indistinct chatter)

You've both made it.

Hello, Auntie.

Oh, it's so nice of you to come.

And thank you for the marvellous present.

Hello, Barbie.

Hello, Susan.

Mabel, you know Kevin Coley, don't you?

Yes.

I'm the oldest captain in the regiment now.

Deputizing for Susan's father.

I think I met you once with John.

Yes, he seems to be keeping his spirits up in prison camp.

From what I hear.

Of course he can't write many letters.

But Sarah brings me all the news.

Where is Sarah?

SUSAN: It's awful Daddy can't be here, all the same.

Auntie, come and meet General and Mrs. Rankin.

Kevin will introduce you.

Yes, of course.

Barbara.

Hello, Clarissa.

Hello, Arthur.

How nice to see you here.

How are you?

Is Sarah here?

She wasn't at the door unless I missed her.

How awful if I did.

She was here a minute ago.

Sarah Layton...

I'll see if I can find her.

Thank you.

His poor feet

in this dreadful crush!

CLARISSA: Oh, there she is now.

Hello, Barbie.

Oh, what a nice suit.

Is Mabel all right, do you think?

I feel I ought to be with her but there were so many.

They've got her a chair over there.

Several young men are looking after her

and she's absolutely fine.

We're slipping away, you know, before the buffet.

Yes, I know.

Have you changed your mind?

I mean, about the presents?

Susan did say they would be on display, but perhaps

it proved too difficult.

No, they're on the table there.

Shall we go and look?

Oh, yes, I must.

Then I'll see you later, Barbie.

This is Captain Webb.

Mrs. Layton.

Barbara?

Here they are.

I say, splendid display.

Yes!

Yes, it is.

Wavell's the first viceroy we've had who knows anything

about the country.

Oh, Mrs. Paynton...

Then of course, he's a soldier.

It's what you'd expect.

They were in a box.

What did you say?

I mean, I agree.

A splendid display.

Absolutely splendid!

So many things.

Do you know, I've never been in a mess before.

I mean a Mess with a capital M.

Isn't that odd?

Or don't you think so?

I suppose this room is the anteroom.

Is that the right nomenclature?

Oh, look!

There's the canteen of silver.

I'm sure I saw another toaster.

Are you looking for something special?

No.

They're not here.

Oh, excuse me.

(glass rattling) Barbara, do be careful.

I think we'd better stand back.

Yes.

One can't expect...

(loud, echoing chatter)

(laughter)

Such a crush!

I've forgotten how to cope with crowds.

I can't hear myself think, but then one never can.

Or can you?

Are you all right?

(children's voices echoing)

I sometimes wonder how many of those children

did I bring to God?

There were 12, you see.

Apostles.

I was alone.

(voices stop)

Excuse me, have you seen Mrs. Layton?

Mrs. Layton, senior?

The lady in the grey hat and scarf.

She was sitting in this chair.

Oh no, she went, I think.

But she can't have!

Thank you.

Mabel?

(military band playing in distance)

Mabel!

Oh, Barbie.

Is it time for us to go?

I lost you.

We can go out the back way, through the corridor.

If you're ready.

Oh, I'm ready.

Susan's going to have a baby.

Mildred told me.

So Sarah's decided not to go away.

The regimental silver.

Exactly as it was when I first saw it 40 years ago.

Whilst how many starved?

Nothing has changed.

(chuckling): Now I'm not even angry.

But someone should be.

ANNOUNCER: Havildar Gaje Ghale.

He lives again in memory that moment when,

wounded in his arm, in his chest and in his leg,

he went on fighting.

Covered in blood from his neglected wounds, he led his men

into a hand-to-hand fight with the enemy.

For superb courage, the Victoria Cross.

Chela Ram-- what he did saved countless lives and he died.

This is his widow and his child.

For her it's all strange and bewildering.

Chela Ram was her husband.

Now the viceroy comes to tell her that Chela Ram was a hero.

Now widow and child are brought forward to meet the viceroy.

Other wives are watching--

the commander-in-chief's wife,

the wife of the viceroy himself.

Now he's giving her Chela Ram's medal, the Victoria Cross,

and she hears the world told

how Company Havildar Major Chela Ram rallied his men

under fire with no thought for his own danger

despite his serious wounds;

how his men, inspired by his example, fought off the enemy

with bayonets, sticks and rocks

picked up from the western desert;

how he was wounded again and died still leading his men.

MAN (on radio): The Allied assault on Cassino continues with heavy fighting

in all areas.

Meanwhile in Delhi, it has been strongly denied

that the Japanese forces...

(knock at door)

Come in!

The Supreme Commander has informed...

You wanted to see me, sir?

Ah, yes.

...in the area of Kohima.

Bad news, I'm afraid.

Yes, sir, it is.

I didn't mean the war.

I'm afraid this is personal.

Would you like to sit?

We've had a signal through Calcutta.

I thought it best to tell you first.

I'm sorry.

I see.

What a terrible, terrible thing.

I'll ring my wife.

We'll all do what we can.

Thank you.

I'd better go now.

Well, won't you wait a minute before you go?

You've had a shock.

No, it's better like this.

I mean better than just a telegram arriving.

Yes, of course.

Sarah?

I'm very sorry.

Thank you.

Bhass!

(record playing)

Hello.

Susan mustn't see me yet.

I must speak to Mother.

What's wrong?

Teddie's been killed.

Nicky, how could you possibly bid three no trumps

on that hand?

MABEL: Sarah's here.

MAGDA: Is she? Whatever for?

MABEL: She wants to speak to you.

Sarah?

It's not about Daddy.

I'm sorry.

Teddie.

Would someone get my drink?

(record stops)

Where's Susan?

Asleep on the veranda.

I'll go out and try to tell her.

Perhaps someone should ring Dr. Travers in case

she takes it badly.

Do you want me to...?

No, Barbie, I can manage.

Is it lunchtime already?

No, I've come back early.

Have you come on badly or something?

No, it's not that.

Shall we help Auntie Mabel with the flowers?

You'll get as big as a house if you lie around all day.

I'm as big as a house already.

Have they given you the day off?

Sort of.

Why?

Something's happened...

And I have to tell you about it and I don't know how to.

So I think I'd better just say it straight.

It's about Teddie.

The signal came this morning.

It says Teddie's been killed.

So that's what we have to start believing.

If there was any doubt about it, I wouldn't, but it does.

And I'm sorry...

I'm sorry...

(stifled sob)

No!

No!

No!

No!

No! No!

(screaming)

(ticking)

BARBARA: Sue, there's someone to see you.

MAN: We're only dropping in, you know.

Thought you might like to have a word.

Who was that?

The padre and his wife.

They said they'd only look in.

I told them Dr. Travers wanted her kept quiet.

I never cared much for Teddie, you know.

So I can't pretend to be bowled over.

(sighs)

And I don't think Susan really loved him.

She was very secretive about the honeymoon.

At least she was with me.

Did she say anything to you?

No.

I don't think Teddie was... very experienced.

Not that that's important.

Although it is if there's a lack of consideration too

and that's how he struck me.

I rather hoped that Muzzy Guide friend of his

would cut him out.

But he never even tried.

What are we going to eat?

Sue said she doesn't want anything.

There's some cold chicken and salad.

But you must tell Mahmud to get up a tray for her.

She can't not eat.

(knock at door)

Oh, Christ!

Come in.

We didn't stop.

It was my husband she wanted to see.

Would you like a drink?

Not for me, thanks.

Darling?

Well, I wouldn't refuse a gimlet.

Thank you very much.

I'm sorry.

It's very sad.

She's asked for a memorial service,

which seems suitable.

I shall be happy to arrange it for her.

Not "happy," darling.

No, no, of course not.

Happy to be of use.

I thought on Saturday week, if you agree, Mrs. Layton.

Then I can announce it next Sunday at matins and evensong.

If it's what Susan wants.

Thank you.

Oh, yes, it seems she does.

(bells tolling)