All language subtitles for Ascendancy 1983

WOMAN NARRATES: 'Sometimes
I sleep during the day.

'Or rather I pretend to sleep.

'I sit with my eyes closed

'and listen to the lies
they tell about you.'

Good afternoon,
I'm sorry to bother you.

Do you have any identification?

- Had any trouble?
- DRIVER: No.

- Seen anything suspicious?
- DRIVER: No.

- Where are you going?
- Belfast.

'How long is it?

'Three years, four?

'100?

'It makes no difference.

'I remember everything.

'I keep it safe inside me.'

HOOTER BLARES

'Last night,
I saw you in a dream.

'You stared at me
without speaking

'and turned your face away.

'Are you angry?

'Have you forgotten me?

'Don't you know
I am still waiting for you

'here in this terrible place?'

Connie? We're home.

"Behold, I have divided
unto you by lot

"these nations that remain,

"to be an inheritance
for your tribes, from Jordan

"with all the nations
that I have cut off,

"even unto the great sea
westward.

"Be ye therefore
very courageous to keep

"and to do all that is written

"in the book of the law
of Moses,

"that ye turn not aside
therefrom

"to the right hand
or to the left;

"that ye come not
among these nations,

"these that remain among you;

"neither make mention
of the name of their gods,

"nor cause to swear by them,

"neither serve them
nor bow yourselves unto them:

"But cleave unto
the Lord your God,

"as ye have done
unto this day."

How are you feeling
this morning?

You look better.

Am I better?

Her arm's still
a little bit stiff.

Otherwise, we're on the mend.

What do you propose to do
with yourself today?

Oh, I expect
I shall read a little.

She spends her whole time
reading at the moment.

Oh, really?

What sort of thing?

Zola, Shaw, Dostoevsky...

That sort of thing.

They sound like socialists
to me.

Actually,
they're Harry's books.

I found them in his room.

Look, Connie,

we only want you to be happy.

You know that, don't you?

But, Father, I am happy.

'Every day is the same.

'Father goes off to make money,

'and I'm left alone
to think of you.

'They torture me horribly.'

Are you ready, Con...?

Ah!

SHE GASPS

NURSE: Just hold still, Connie.

DOCTOR: How many?

Four.

No, three.

- Are you sure?
- I looked.

Hm.

Now, this isn't meant
to hurt you.

You're to tell me if it hurts.

HIGH-PITCHED WHINING

Can you feel that?

Can you feel that?

Can you feel that?

And that?

HE WHISTLES

Hey, come on!

This way!

THEY YELL

THEY CONTINUE YELLING

We'll show ya!

'Everything I do is watched.

'They spy on me continually.

'But I am too clever for them.'

DOOR KNOB RATTLES

Rose!

That's enough now, Connie!

Connie, come on now.

Connie...
SHE SOBS

GERMAN ACCENT: Herr Schulz
asks, is the piece finished,

or still to be adapted
for his particular order?

In principle, the unit
is designed so that only

minor modifications are needed
for any individual requirement.

Herr Schulz's included,
of course?

Ja, ja, verstanden.

MEN SPEAK IN GERMAN

Why don't you read your book,
Connie?

We could play cards
if you like.

Well?

Have they bought a ship?

Not yet.

I'm sure
they're absolutely charming,

and it doesn't matter a bit

that we've only just fought
a war against them.

What do you think?

They haven't made up
their mind yet.

Could go either way.

Oh, Mr Vesey,
you haven't told me

what you thought
of my performance.

You know
how I value your opinion.

- I thought it was splendid!
- Did you really?

I sometimes think that
only having the use of one hand

has affected my playing.

THEY SPEAK GERMAN

Danke.

Mr Wintour, Herr Schulz is very
satisfied with the designs.

Very, very good.

But he is worried of delays,

should our company
wish to place an order.

We've heard you have many
strikes here at the moment.

Herr Schulz need not concern
himself on that score.

HE TRANSLATES

The industrial situation
is under control.

HE TRANSLATES

It's true there have been
some problems,

but I'm confident they'll be
resolved very shortly.

'Why don't you answer
my letters?

'Doesn't the Army deliver them?

'Don't worry.

'I know a way to reach you.'

Hurry up, Connie, the doctor
will be here in a minute.

- What are you doing?
- Nothing.

Now, that's a fine sight,
isn't it?

Come along.

Is it summer already?

THEY SHOUT

Ah, just...

Listen, you,
there's a war going on here!

THEY SHOUT

Are you sure
you don't want to come?

The doctor says it's all right,
you know.

As long as Nurse
comes with you.

CONNIE: I really don't feel
up to it, Father.

That's a pity.

You look absolutely ridiculous.

I do wish you'd take
a bit more interest

in the outside world, Connie.

Why should I take an interest
in grown men

marching up and down
like children?

Because it's part
of our tradition.

Waving flags isn't a tradition,
it's just a nasty habit.

Anyway, I don't believe it
means anything to you either.

Of course
it means something to me.

I wouldn't do it otherwise.

It's struck 12, sir.

Do you not mind being left
on your own now?

Why would I mind?

Just thought that...

Well, I suppose
it's better for your sort

to keep out of the way today.

You've no call
to worry about me, you know.

By the left, quick march!

MARCHING DRUMS

MARCHING BAND MUSIC

KEY RATTLES IN LOCK

'Oh, my brother, my brother,

'why have you left me here
alone?'

KNOCK ON DOOR
NURSE: Connie?

Are you in there?

Connie, I know you're in there.

Open the door.

Connie, left me in!

Connie, let me in, please.

We know that the real
battlefield of Ireland

in relation to a Republic
must be Ulster.

CROWD CLAMOUR

We know that Sinn Féin's
one ambition

is to penetrate into Ulster.

CROWD YELL
No surrender!

..the reality of
the situation.

What I say is this -

these men who come forward

posing as the friends of Labour

care no more about Labour
than the man in the moon!

Their real object

and the real insidious aim

of their propaganda

is to bring disunity

among our people,

to force on us

the same bondage and slavery

that we see being imposed
in the rest of Ireland.

Nurse, Nurse!

Connie! Connie, leave Billy...!

Connie, don't be so silly!

- Ow!
- Calm down!

Connie, no!

Calm down, Connie, now.

Come on now, don't be so silly.

Connie, keep still.

Connie!

MUFFLED SOBS

Oh, do stop crying, Rose.

It's always like this.

It happens every year.

It'll be over in a day or two,
you know that.

MUFFLED SOBS CONTINUE

For heaven's sake, stop crying!

Nobody minds
what church you go to here.

On behalf of the men brutally
expelled from your yard,

we demand that you take steps
to ensure that all such men

be reinstated immediately.

Or are you going to let these
hooligans tell you what to do?

I hope you'll bear in mind
that this company has never had

a sectarian policy
towards its employees.

On the contrary, we've always
employed Protestants

and Roman Catholics
in equal numbers.

As long as they weren't members
of a trade union...

However, in the present
political atmosphere,

I don't find it difficult
to understand the unease

of a loyal shipyard hand

constrained to work
alongside a nationalist.

We're not Sinn Féin!

I warn you,

I will tolerate no rebellion
in this yard!

CROWD YELL

We're wasting our time.

Well...

Believe me,

I regret this outbreak
as much as you do.

Apart from anything else,
it's costing me money!

But my hands are tied.

I can't force my employees

to work with men
they don't trust.

I have to respect their wishes.

Let's just hope
you can finish off

what you've started, Wintour.

For everyone's sake.

How she ever got a job here
in the first place...

She shouldn't be here.
Look, she's a pape.

She'll stop at nothing,
same as the rest of them.

I thought she was different.

Different, come on!

- There you are.
- Thank you, Billy.

SHE SCREAMS

You are thinking of nothing.

Nothing but what I say.

Your eyes are closed.

Comfortably closed.

You are thinking of nothing.

Nothing but what I say.

You are relaxed.

Relaxed.

Your whole body feels relaxed.

Open your eyes.

I want you to listen carefully
to what I say.

Carefully to what I say.

You will raise your left arm.

Your left arm.

Now I want you to raise
your right arm.

Your right arm.

You will raise your right arm.

Extraordinary!

Quite extraordinary!

'Listen,

'something terrible
has happened.

'A man came into my room
while I was asleep.

'He stripped me naked
and touched me all over.

'He whispered obscene words
in my ear.

'He made me break
my promise to you.'

KEY RATTLES IN LOCK

'You must help me.

'You must help
your little sister.'

Here, let me help you.
We'd better hurry.

No, you're too clumsy.

Ring for Rose. She'll do it.

I thought you knew.

Rose isn't here any more.

What did you say?

This beastly curfew,

I think you're horrid -

we have to be in early
every evening.

No, you don't.

How's that?

Well... You can always go home
in the morning.

Is that your opinion, Colonel?

Oh!

I believe there is Bolshevism
at work here, yes.

But it hardly seems credible.

Who do these disorders benefit?
The Sinn Féin.

And what do
the Sinn Féiners want?

The destruction
of the British Empire.

And who stands to gain most
by that destruction, eh?

Father says
they're holding raffles

to see who gets the best land.

After we've all been killed,
I suppose.

Good Lord!

Yes.

Let's hope you get them first.

Well, it's not exactly our job,
you know.

This is my daughter, Connie.

What do you think
of the fishing fleet?

I think I might click
over there.

Not a chance.
You're much too fat.

HE LAUGHS

So I said,
"What sort of army is it

"that doesn't have any ranks?"

Then he drew himself up,
as bold as you like, and said,

"The Irish Republican Army!"
THEY CHUCKLE

Any idea who he is?

I suppose
he's another loyal Ulsterman.

Sober, upright, God-fearing.

Only heaven help you
if you don't fear the same god.

Ah, but didn't you know?

"The Protestant boys
are true to the last

"And faithful and peaceful
when danger has passed."

I wish they were more peaceful.

Between ourselves,

they're as much trouble
as the other lot.

- Who is he, anyway?
- He's my brother.

He's dead.

There, now you're ashamed.

"And, oh, they bear
and proudly wear

"The colours that floated
o'er many affray

"When cannons were flashing
and sabres were clashing

"The Protestant boys
still carried the day."

Sorry, I should have guessed.

Where was it?

The Somme, like everybody else
around here?

Yes.

I didn't get a chance to fight.

I don't think
there's much to it.

You just stand there
and keep shooting at each other

until one of you is dead.

Why were you wounded?

'I remember your last day.

'The room was crowded,

'and for a moment
I did not recognise you.

'Your voice was deeper,

'and the Army had changed
the way you walk.

'And what about me?

'Have I changed, too?'

Are you coming or not?

- Wait, wait, I'm coming.
- Have you got it?

Oh, yeah.

- Come on.
- Right, go on.

HE RAPS AT DOOR

GUNSHOT

SHOUTS: No surrender!

It says here
you're a hard worker.

MEEKLY: Yes, sir.

FORCEFULLY: Yes, sir!

I've been in service
since I was 11, sir.

And I'm never sick.

I hope you realise

that as my daughter's
personal maid,

you may find yourself
in some unfamiliar situations.

She lives very much
in her own world, I'm afraid.

You see, she finds it harder

to break free from the past
than we do.

Do you understand
what I'm saying?

Yes, sir.

You see,

her health is very precarious.

There may be times when your
assistance will be called for.

I'm sure I'd be able to manage,
sir.

You can rely on me.

I hope we may.

Well, then, that's settled.

I trust you'll be happy here.

I think you'll find
everyone friendly enough.

Yes. Thank you, sir.

Oh, there is just one thing.

We have prayers every morning
at eight.

You'll have no objection
to attending?

I'm not a Catholic,
if that's what you mean, sir.

It's the other servants,
you see.

I couldn't care
if you were a Hindu myself,

but we have to take their views
into consideration.

Oh, that's all right, sir.

You've got nothing
to worry about there.

Good, good.

'They want to take you from me.

'What they cannot get by force,

'they try to steal
by trickery.'

CHURCH CLOCK CHIMES

'They are too strong for me.

'I am afraid
they are too strong for me.'

I loathe Remembrance Day.

Everybody pretends to be
thinking about the dead,

but really they're just pleased
with themselves

for being alive.

That's unfair.

Who were you thinking about,
then?

Oh, you know, absent friends.

Someone special?

GUNSHOTS

I tried to think about Harry.

But he's become a sort of blur.

I can still see parts of him.

His hands.

The back of his neck.
His eyebrows.

But they don't fit together
any more.

HE GROANS AND WHEEZES

NURSE: On the table,
put him on the table!

Hold his head.

Connie, come away!

HYPNOTHERAPIST: Open your eyes.

What can you see?

There are bodies everywhere!

What are you doing?

I'm looking for Harry.

I can't find him!

That's because
Harry's in heaven.

No!

Harry's in heaven.

He's happy, and he wants you
to be happy, too.

He wants you to forget
about him.

Nurse?

'You said the cause was just

'and God was on our side.

'But I felt Father's eyes
upon you,

'and I heard his words
in your mouth.'

- Where were you at the time?
- In the kitchen, sir.

Did you see anything?

No, sir.

Do you know of any reason
for the attack?

No, sir.

Your name?

Mary McCagg.

And you're Miss Wintour's
personal maid?

Yes, sir.

And you've been here how long?

A month and a half, sir.

Is all this really necessary?

Well, your father's
an important man -

got to look after him.

OFFICER: Address?
MARY: 14 North Street.

- Faith?
- Protestant.

CONNIE: It's very ugly.

Now, you mustn't despise
barbed wire.

It's cheap, it's effective.

And they tell me that,

seen at dawn
across no-man's-land,

it even has
a certain austere beauty.

But this isn't no-man's-land,
this is my home.

Do you really think they were
trying to kill my father?

That seems to be the theory.

But why should anyone want
to do that?

Well, I might,
if I was a Catholic.

Why?

I might feel a little bitter
about some of the things

he and his friends
have been saying recently.

But my father doesn't care
about religion.

He's only interested
in making money.

What if you were a Protestant?

Then I'd be thankful that he
had my best interests at heart.

I don't suppose you have
a point of view of your own.

Oh, I'm just a simple soldier.

Obeying orders.

You know? Like your brother.

Don't say that.

Why not?

I only just missed the war

by a couple of months,
you know.

We were just getting ready
to go out there

when the news came.

I always assumed I'd be killed.

Were you afraid?

More afraid now.

I say, I think we found
something rather interesting.

Take a look at that.

Where did you get this?

One of the servants' bedrooms,
under the mattress.

MAN: In my mind,
there can be no alternative.

WINTOUR: To me, it seems
rather a drastic solution.

Look at the arithmetic.

With six counties,
we can hold the line.

With nine, they're like numbers
in a couple of generations.

At the rate they breed!

The point is those six
have got to be secure.

WINTOUR: Frankly,
it's Belfast that concerns me.

We'll have a free hand here
soon.

Then we'll have
a proper clean-out.

That's just
what I'm worried about.

We've got a big order coming in
from Germany.

I don't want my men off
chasing Fenians all day.

We've only just got back
to full production.

You see, we'd like
a bit of peace right now.

You'll get your bit of peace
soon enough,

but you'll have to fight
for it first, that's all.

Good God, man!
This is your country.

Can't you see your duty?

But I've told you,

I'm not a politician,
I'm a businessman.

And that's just the kind of man
we need.

What do you say, Miss Wintour?

How do you like the idea
of your father as a member

of the first parliament
of Northern Ireland?

Oh, I think it sounds
absolutely splendid.

'Each evening, a strange murmur
drifts in from the city.

'It sounds like laughter.

'Young men go drinking
with their friends.

'Women put on new dresses
for their husbands.

'Children are born.

'The war is so far away.

'Why do you have to fight?'

Well, how do I look?

You look grand, boy.

I feel grand.

I wish I was your age again.

What are they doing?

They're going to help the Army,
miss.

Help them do what?

Keep the papishes down, miss.

What do you mean?

You know, miss, the Fenians.

To stop them taking over.

You can take these
to the Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

FAINT MILITARY ORDERS SHOUTED

Father,
I want to ask you something.

Connie,

how would you like to go back
to England for a while?

Back to sanity.

I could join you later.

- What do you say?
- It's about the Army.

Oh, yes.

Nurse told me you'd taken
a shine

to that young lieutenant.

I have no objection, you know.

I thought we might invite him
over with some of his friends.

Seems a pleasant enough fellow.

Good at his job,
by all accounts.

What exactly is his job?

He's a soldier!

HYPNOTHERAPIST: Where are you?

At home. In the war.

What are you doing?

Waiting.

For what?

For Harry.

He's coming home.

From the front?

Oh, no.

He's not in the Army.

They want him to volunteer,

but he won't.

He said so.

It's the summer holidays.

BIRDS CHIRP

Hello, Connie.

It's me, Harry.

How do I look?

I'm a lieutenant now.

You've been lying to me!

'Why do you listen to them?
Why do you listen to them?

'Why do you stand
so patiently by

'while they steal away
your youth?'

THEY LAUGH

Let's do this arm.

And that.

Let's put this on now.

Connie, would you keep still,
please?

Well, hurry up!
They're here already!

Where do you want it putting,
miss?

CONNIE: I'll show you.

Connie,
what the devil is going on?

CONNIE: You'll see!

Good evening.

SLOW MUSIC PLAYS

Excuse me, may I?

Thank you.

Jolly good party.

Splendid.

No, thank you.

I understand you're running
for the new parliament, sir.

Yes, they managed
to bully me into it.

Sounds an absolutely
first-rate idea.

Your daughter's looking
very much better, sir.

Yes, the doctors
are very pleased with her.

You seem very happy tonight.

It's the night before Waterloo,
didn't you know?

The women dressed up
in their finest clothes.

The men danced gallantly.

And in the morning,

they march off to die.

MUSIC STOPS
What are you talking about?

Put it on again.

MAN: Excuse me, may I?

MUSIC STARTS

Can't seem to get drunk.

You're different tonight.

So are you.

What were you talking about
with my father?

We were discussing the current
political situation.

Listen,
I've got something to show you.

- What is it?
- Wait.

Come on.

CONNIE:
It's all right, nobody saw us.

Is this what you wanted
to show me?

Yes.

This was my brother's room.

Ah, yes.

The war hero.

He used to come up here
to get away from everyone.

We called it his retreat.

And now...

..it can be yours.

He loved books, paintings,
that sort of thing.

All these books were his.

Do you like poetry?

No.

"I know
that I shall meet my fate

"somewhere
among the clouds above.

"Those that I fight,
I do not hate.

"Those that I guard,
I do not love."

Look, I can't keep this.

He was so stupid, you know,
in going off to fight.

Even Father was against it.

I'm sure he made
a very poor soldier.

You can't imagine
what it was like here.

Men queued all night
to join up.

All they ever talked about
was the war.

They seemed possessed
with the idea

that it would end
before they got to the front.

I just couldn't forgive him.

Why not?

Because he believed all that?

Because he didn't!

Don't you understand?

It didn't mean anything to him.

And he let it take him away.

That's how I've seen
that look before.

What look?

I don't know what it's called.

It's a look soldiers have

before a battle
they don't believe in.

It's the look on your face now.

But you mustn't worry about it.

No-one's angry with you.

I'm sure whatever you're doing
is right.

I don't care what you think!

What gives you
the right to judge me?!

Listen, there isn't going to be
a battle.

That's why we're here,

to make sure nothing like that
happens, to keep the peace.

When will you people get that
into your heads?

SHOUTS: This is not a war!

It may be wasteful
and senseless and stupid,

but it's not a war!

Because if it was,
my enemy would be a man

in a uniform
and a steel helmet,

not a woman, or a child,
or a shadow,

or a noise in the darkness!

If this was a war,
there'd be honour, or courage,

or pity, or...

..something!

Not this.

Not standing here,
listening to you,

you poor, sick girl!

MERRYMAKING

Down, put it down.

CHEERING

DOG BARKS

Excuse me.

BABY CRIES

Rose, is it you?

What are you doing here?

What's happening?

Go away home, miss.

Just go away!

BABY CRIES

LOUD CLANGING

DISTANT YELLING

Let us through!

Please, please...

That's my house you're burning!

ALL TALK AT ONCE

Please, please tell them.

Please!

SIREN BLARES

ON MEGAPHONE:
Clear the streets!

Clear the streets!

Stay inside your houses
until further notice.

Repeat, until further notice.

Are you mad?!

Don't you know who we are?

Come on!

DISTANT GUNSHOTS

She's come back!

Well?

It's difficult to say.

No broken bones, no bruises,
no signs of concussion.

So, she'll be all right.

It's...difficult to say.

You haven't eaten your food.
Aren't you hungry?

Don't you want your food?

DOG BARKS

That's all right, Anne.
I can manage the rest.

There you are,
all nice and tidy.

Shall I stay and talk to you?

I'll tell you a secret
if you like.

Do you promise not to tell?

Do you remember
when I first came here?

And your father told me

about how you were daft
in the head

and would I be able
to manage you?

But I knew
what he really wanted to know.

I haven't lost my wits yet.

So I told him.

I said I was a Protestant.

But I'm not.

I'm a Fenian.

Or a papish, or a taig,

or any of those other names
you like to call us.

And if I had any choice,

I'd rather be anywhere
than in this house

with a lot of stupid,
ignorant Prods like you!

DOOR SLAMS

♪ Our hope for years to come ♪

♪ Our shelter ♪
from the stormy blast

♪ And our eternal home! ♪

Listen to them.

They think they won the war.

Can't they see
it's only just beginning?

APPLAUSE

SINGING CONTINUES

Why won't you talk to me?

Why are you so angry?

I never thought it would get
so bad, you know.

Some rocks thrown.
A few heads broken.

A couple of deaths, perhaps.

I accepted that.

We all did.

But I never dreamed all
that ignorance and brutality

would turn out to have
a mind of its own.

That it would follow me back
here, through the door...

..up to this room.

WINTOUR: We will administer
this province with wisdom

and with moderation...

..with fairness
and with due regard

for every faith and interest.

CROWD CHEER

MAN SHOUTS: No surrender!

Ulster forever!

There's nothing wrong
with you at all, is there?

It's all put on!

Why won't you eat?

I'll make you eat.

SLAPPING CONTINUES

MARCHING

Lucky devil.
How did you manage it?

I didn't manage it,
I was ordered.

Anyway,
you'll be going home soon.

Only if the truce holds.

More than likely,
I'll be sent down south,

bash the Shinners again.

I shouldn't worry about it
too much.

They're about to start bashing
each other, I suspect.

Sorry to go at all?

No.

It's not my idea of soldiering.

Well, you're out of it now.

Yes...

The station.

I've changed my mind.

You turn right here.

I'll tell you where to go.

I'm sorry I wasn't in
when you called.

I'm a busy man these days.

So, you've seen her.

She's changed a lot, I know.

She's been very ill.

But she's getting better,
I'm sure of it.

The doctors insist we treat her
absolutely normally,

pretend there's nothing wrong.

It's a bit difficult,
of course.

One feels an awful brute.

But it seems to be working.

She still won't eat,
of course.

And how are you feeling
this evening, Connie?

The Army's leaving us, Connie.

What do you think of that?

We're going to have to look
after ourselves from now on.

The lieutenant has come
to say goodbye.

Will there be anything else,
sir?

What?

Will there be anything else?

No, no, thank you.

- Goodnight, sir.
- Goodnight.

KEY RATTLES IN LOCK

Don't be too long.
She gets tired easily.

Connie...

Listen to me.

They're saying
you've lost your mind.

I know that's not true.

I found these.

I felt as if every word
was addressed to me.

Everything that's been
happening to me

since I came here.

You understood it all.

But you're wrong
about one thing, you know?

All this isn't your fault.

And it isn't mine.

We didn't create this chaos.

We inherited it.

Connie, listen.

I'll take you away from here.

You'll get better.

Then we can forget all
about this terrible place.

Look, it's not too late.

Say something, Connie.

You can speak to me.

Don't you see
what I'm offering you?

Why won't you speak to me?

Say something!

I know how to make you speak.

You don't think I can be
as strong as you?

Speak, for God's sake!

'My dear brother,

'I write for the last time,

'knowing you will never read
these words.

'For too long,
I have thought only of you.

'I thought my suffering
filled the world.

'Now I see it only filled
the rooms of this house.

'I'm beginning to understand

'what has been happening
around me.

'I am beginning to understand

'the part that you and I
have played in it.

'I do not know
if I can bear it.

'One thought overwhelms me.

'That this horror
goes on and on forever.'

SHE SPLUTTERS

SHE GAGS AND SPLUTTERS