Original subtitles

J“ those schoolgirl days j“

j“ of telling tales and biting nails are gone j“

j“ but in my mind j“

j“ I know they will still live j“

J“ but how do you thank someone j“

j“ who has taken you from crayons to perfume? J“

j“ it isn't easy, but I'll try j“

j“ if you wanted the sky j“

j“ I would write across the sky in letters j“

j“ that would soar a thousand feet high j“

j“ to sir, with love j“

j“ those awkward years have hurried by j“

j“ why did they fly away? J“

j“ why is it, sirj“

j“ children grow up to be people j“

j“ one day? J“

j“ what takes the place of climbing trees j“

j“ and dirty knees in the world outside? J“

j“ what is there for you I can buy? J“

j“ if you wanted the world I 'd surround it with a wall j“

j“ I'd scrawl these words with letters 10 feet tall j“

j“ to sir, with love j“

My bleeding feet!

Oh! Hello, Mrs. Joseph.

I like your hair. Is that strawberry blond?

Go on. You're only jealous.

What you got for the old man's supper tonight?

He'll be lucky to get faggots and pease pudd, he will.

Well, he can't do much on that, can he, eh?

All I want him for is to keep me feet warm.

Excuse me, dearie.

Here, gert.

Wouldn't mind having this little lot in my stocking for Christmas, eh?

You wouldn't know what to do with him. You've been a widow too long.

You speak for yourself.

It's like riding a bicycle. You never forget how.

Here, I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll send my Alfie to you. He's not bad once he gets going.

Well, I hope he's well-sprung.

Morning.

Looking for someone?

Nice day, isn't it?

Oh!

Sorry.

Hackman's in the staff room.

Where he bleeding well belongs.

Good morning.

My name is thackeray. I'm a new teacher.

Yes. We were expecting you.

So you're the new lamb for the slaughter.

Or should I say, black sheep?

No, just a teacher, Mr. Hackman.

I'm not hackman. Perish the thought.

He's departed, god rest his soul.

He's probably pouring out his woes to the divisional officer by now.

Oh, Weston.

I'm Mrs. Evans, grace. Deputy head.

Mrs. Evans.

Have you seen any of the children yet?

I looked in on Mr. Hackman's class for a moment.

Hmm. I take them for domestic science.

Like a cup of tea?

No, thank you, not just now.

You been teaching long?

This is my first appointment.

We call them jobs.

American, are you?

British, from British guiana.

But I spent some years in the states.

- Oh? Where? - In California.

Oh. Weather as good as they say?

It's better.

Uh, what was your subject?

What did you major in?

- Engineering. - Oh!

Well, uh, I must be off.

Make yourself at home.

Wander around, if you like, or stay here.

I'll introduce you to the others at lunch.

Thank you.

This is Gillian, Mr. Thackeray.

Gillian Blanchard.

- Hello. - How do you do?

She's new here too.

Came the day before yesterday.

- Tea, Gillian? - Thank you.

This is Mr. Mark thackeray, the new replacement.

Jose dawes, euphemia Phillips.

Uh, they teach the little ones.

Theo Weston, you know.

Yes, I've had the pleasure. He mistook me for hackman.

- I heard he's fled. - Can't say I blame him.

That shot of humanity's enough to destroy anyone.

He got what he deserved.

I'm clinty clintridge.

Clinty's a marvelous artist.

Got one at the royal academy a couple of years ago.

Teaching provides the bread and butter.

Well, that's all the staff except for Mr. Bell,

our p.T. Instructor.

I do hope you're going to stay with us.

I shouldn't if I were you, old man.

Row home while you can.

Don't discourage him, Weston.

Well, I must go.

I have to fix a bath for a girl in clinty's class.

Why?

Kids are complaining again. Won't sit near her.

What's the matter?

Personal hygiene problems.

Fourteen and helpless.

You men are lucky.

The things we women have to do for these kids.

Gillian, dear...

Encourage him to stay.

Why is it everyone thinks I need encouraging?

They said the same to me.

There's something frightening but also challenging about this school.

Do you know there's no form of corporal punishment or any punishment?

-None?

I have no real teaching experience. I'm a little lost.

I don't have any experience either.

Of course, it'll be much easier for you.

I'm a little afraid of them.

Midday dance session.

During lunch, the older kids use the hall.

I sometimes join them.

Even the old man shakes a leg on occasions.

Dancing is merely their way of keeping fit

for the more exciting pastime of teacher baiting.

Couldn't you be a bit less discouraging?

It's the last thing I want to do.

The music's louder than usual.

They're probably celebrating their victory over hackman.

I better go and see Mr. Florian.

I'll show you the way.

J“ I gotta find out j“

j“ I just wish I knew j“

j“ somebody help me, I just gotta know j“

j“ what is the cause that started this row? J“

j“ I wish I knew who it could be j“

j“ I gotta find out because it's torturing me j“

j“ I gotta find out j“

j“ I just wish I knew j“

they're good, aren't they?

I suppose so.

J“ I gotta find out... j“

the head's study is this way.

J“ I gotta find out... j“

Um, do you two...?

Do you two shake?

Well, I'll see you later, Mr. Thackeray.

Well?

I, uh...

Thank you.

But I have to go and see the principal.

J“ [just wish iknevv... j“

You have excellent qualifications, astonishing ones, in fact,

as a communications engineer.

Field experience in South America.

Why do you want to be a teacher?

Reasons.

You've already tried to get an engineering post?

I tried for 18 months, sir.

We have no blueprint in north quay.

Most of our children are rejects from other schools.

We have to help and teach them as best we can

and as much as we can.

The local authorities are not totally on our side.

And from the moment you accept this position,

you'll be entirely on your own.

Of course I and the staff will do everything we can to help you.

But success or failure will depend entirely upon you.

What's it to be?

I want the job, sir.

Then it's settled.

Tomorrow, you'll take over hackman's class.

- Sapiano. - Yeah.

- Wong. - Yes.

- Osgood. - Yeah.

- Tuffen. - Yeah.

Pegg.

- Joseph. - Yeah.

- Dare. - Yeah.

Potter.

- Denham. - Mmm.

- Buckley. - Yeah.

- Purcell. - Hmm.

- Fernman. - Yeah.

- Jackson. - Yeah?

- Strong. - Yeah.

Seales.

- Palmer. - Yes, guvnor.

- Campbell. - Present.

I don't know how much you know, so we'll start from scratch.

First, as I call your name,

will you read anything you like from one of your school books?

Fernman.

Right.

"Only those who...

Arrived on...

Horseback,

- or in a public coach." - Thank you.

Denham.

"If 14 hens

lay an egg a day for 30 days,

how much are the eggs a dozen, and how many have you to sell?"

Moira Joseph.

"Pete Gilroy's weight and the ever-tightening noose

about her neck...

About her neck

began slightly to impede the wild mare's speed.

But Pete was only too fully aware of what his fate would be,

for he could not hope to escape death

from being battered and crushed."

Put that away, please.

Thank you.

Would anyone else like to read?

- Your name, please. - Pamela dare.

"And he had learned to love.

I know not why,

for this in such as him seemed strange of mood.

But thus it was.

And though in solitude's small part,

the nipped affections have to grow.

In him this glowed,

when all beside had ceased to glow."

Thank you, miss dare.

Next, weights and measures.

What's avoirdupois?

- Avoir de what? - Avoirdupois.

Weights.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, heavyweight, light-heavy, cruiserweight,

middle, light, bantam, fly, featherweight.

Thank you very much.

It's encouraging that you have a sense of humor.

It seems you...

Know so little and are easily amused. I can look forward to a happy time.

Now, copy down the following tables.

Who does he think he is, there?

Cheeky devil.

- Hello, ducks. - Hello.

Thought you might need this.

How'd it go?

Let's just say, the battle was joined.

I don't know what we'd do without a cuppa.

- What's your name? - Thackeray.

I know that. I mean, your other name.

Couple of things, Mark.

We all know the old man's views.

And basically, we agree with them.

But he's safe in an office.

These kids come from homes where an order is accompanied by a blow.

One rude word to their parents, the roof will hit them.

There's nothing like that going on here, right?

So they've got us at a great disadvantage.

Hackman tried to be popular. He hung himself.

Weston couldn't care less about them and that's no good.

I can't guide you...

But don't take any nonsense from these little tykes.

They're good kids, Mark, most of them.

But if you don't solve them, they'll break you, and damn quickly.

That's been tried by experts.

They're very expert.

Please, can I leave the room, guv?

Yes, and it's thackeray.

Oh. Yes, guv.

Most of you girls help your mothers with the shopping.

So sorry, Mr. "fackeray."

Proper drafty in these parts, isn't it?

About multiplying...

There are a few valuable tricks to know.

Say that you're offered roast beef at 7 shillings per pound.

Potter.

Must you do that?

I can't help it, sir. It's me desk.

I'll speak with the caretaker about it after school.

Isn't he nice?

I hope I didn't miss nothing.

Where was we? About shopping or something...

That's enough, denham.

I was only asking, Mr. Fackeray.

Don't want to miss nothing.

Bert, he was just about to show us a new and valuable trick.

When you're shopping, you see...

I said, that's enough.

Do exercise four, five and six.

Very quietly.

Don't worry. The worst is still to come.

You're still getting the silent treatment.

What's the next phase?

Well, unless you can work up a little black magic,

these little bastards have a multitude of tricks.

Why did you take up teaching?

It's good to have some kind of a job.

But I'm teaching them nothing.

- I'm not even getting to first base. - Don't worry.

Your lot leaves this term. The next will be better.

They'll be just as bad. Probably worse.

- What's your answer? - What they need...

Is a bloody good hiding.

I feel rather sorry for them, you know?

Most of them can hardly read.

You're so naive, my dear old colleague.

They'll be earning twice as much as us before you can shake a stick.

They'll happily be part of the great London unwashed:

Illiterate...

Smelly and quite content.

An education's a disadvantage in this day and age.

That is ridiculous.

But still true.

So you had better start brushing up

on your voodoo if you wish to remain sane.

Good morning.

All right, take your seats.

- All right, sir? - I hope you didn't hurt yourself.

You all right?

Cheap stuff they're selling nowadays.

Want me to help, sir?

Take your proper places.

We can move around here, you know, sir.

Take your proper places.

Beg pardon.

Something the matter?

Seales, is something wrong?

It's me mum. She's awful sick.

I'm sorry.

Anything I can do?

Nothing.

- She's English. - I see.

You're like my old man, except you're bigger and younger.

Rotten bastard.

You shouldn't speak like that.

You know nothing. I hate him! Hate him!

Why not?

Never forgive him for what he did to me mum. Never!

He married her, didn't he?

Didn't he?

Today, let's take a look at South America.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Fackeray. The bloody things just slipped.

The name is thackeray, and they are not "bloody things."

They were a pile of books.

That's a good netting score.

Pam, love, that's not a bloody pile, but it's a pile of books.

All right, settle down.

I was only trying to help, Mr. Thackeray, sir.

That's right, Mr. Fackeray.

Curley was only trying to put that little scrubber in her place.

Denham!

I know what curley was trying to do. Now, just settle down.

We are going to study South America.

Now turn to page 37 in your geography book.

From whence the honey sprung.

They were alone, but not alone as they

who, shut in chambers, think it loneliness;

the voiceless sands, and dropping caves, that lay

around them, made them to each other press,

as if there were no life beneath the sky

Sorry, love. It's the bleeding desk.

Do you speak such words to your father?

You're not my bleeding father!

All I want to know is, who does he think he is?

Shh!

Mate, shut up!

- Morning. - Morning.

- Hello, thackeray. How goes it? - Good morning.

Fine, thank you, sir.

All you boys, out.

The girls stay where they are.

What's the matter?

- Out! Out at once! - All right.

I am sick of your foul language,

your crude behavior and your sluttish manner.

A decent woman keeps certain things private.

Only a filthy slut would have done this!

Those who encouraged her are just as bad.

I don't care who's responsible. You're all to blame!

Now, I'm leaving for five minutes, by which time

that disgusting object had better be removed

and the windows opened to clear the stench!

If you must play these filthy games, do them in your homes...

And not in my classroom.

What's the matter?

Man, oh, man.

I lost my temper. The one thing I swore I would never do.

God, did I lose my temper!

What happened?

After all the bull I've taken in my life,

in a few short weeks, those kids have got me so steamed up.

So easy. So quickly.

I never would have thought it.

- Perhaps you're trying too hard. - Those kids are devils incarnate.

I've tried everything. Everything! But nothing I tried...

Kids. That's it.

Those are out.

They are useless to you.

I realized you are not children.

You will be adults in a few weeks, with all the responsibilities.

From now on, you will be treated as such by me and by each other,

as adults.

Responsible adults.

Next, we'll be reasonable with each other.

We are just going to talk, you and I.

You are going to listen without interruption.

And when I am finished, one of you may have your say.

Without interruptions.

Next...

What a morning! Everything's gone wrong.

First, the alarm didn't go off. Then I had to wait hours for a bus.

I must have stood there three bleeding hours...

Example:

There are two ways to enter a room.

One is like an adult, a lady with dignity.

The other is like a brat.

Miss dare has shown us the second way. Perhaps you'd demonstrate the first.

I'm sorry I'm late.

Next,

we are all going to observe certain courtesies in this classroom.

You will call me sir or Mr. Thackeray.

The young ladies will be addressed as miss,

the boys by their surnames.

Why should we call them miss? We know them.

I beg your pardon?

I said, why should we call them miss, sir?

We know them.

Is there a young lady you feel

does not deserve to be addressed as miss?

Next, general deportment.

First, the young ladies.

They must prove worthy of the courtesies we will show them.

Soon, boyfriends and marriage will concern you.

No man likes a slut for long.

Only the worst type will marry one.

And the competition for men on the outside is rough.

Next, men.

I've seen garbage collectors who are cleaner.

Toughness is a quality of the mind,

like bravery, honesty and ambition.

If you want to wear your hair long, clean it,

else you'll soon get lice and smell.

Soon your principal interest will be girls.

You will be more attractive with clean clothes, clean shoes,

hands, face, teeth, et cetera. Now...

Any... any questions?

Miss pegg.

What about Mr. Weston, sir?

He's never tidy, his shoes is never brushed, and his hair's a mess.

It's filthy.

Mr. Weston is not your teacher. We won't discuss him.

I'm the one to criticize if I fail to maintain the standards.

That's not fair.

Sir...

Or Mr. Thackeray. Didn't you understand?

That's not fair...

Sir.

I agree.

But that's an example of things you'll have to put up with as an adult.

You'll just have to take it.

Next, we are going to talk about various...

- Good morning. - Morning.

- I wanted to see how you were doing. - Fine, sir.

Thank you.

What is it?

Palmer.

What are we going to talk about, sir?

About life...

Survival...

Love,

death, sex, marriage,

rebellion, anything you want.

J“ no matter what you do no matter what you say j“

j“ I've had enough of you I'm gonna break away... j“

I never did see one like him, Pam.

Even when he blew his stack, no swearing or nothing.

Blimey.

Ain't natural, that's what. Does he really mean what he says?

I don't know.

It'd be a change, though, to see those creeps acting like gents.

Here, which one do you fancy?

Yeah? Watch this.

- Come on, Pam, love. - Get lost, denham.

I don't like your smelly tricks, do I?

And it's miss dare to you.

Get stuffed.

Come on, then, love.

You heard what sir said, Mr. Smarty denham.

If you want to dance with me, you bleeding well ask proper.

May I have the pleasure of this dance, miss pegg?

Blimey! Good old potts.

- Mmm. Get you, Potter. - Shut up!

Who does he think he is, bleeding Fred Astaire?

Come on, miss pegg.

Oh!

Look at me. I am a lady, I am.

J“ as far as I can go I've had it up to here j“

j“ and I want out j“

J“ no matter what you do no matter what you say j“

j“ I've had enough of you... j“

rotten tarts, all of them.

Bleeding chimney sweep was right about that.

He won't catch me spending me a nicker on them.

He said we could talk about anything.

You are so right, tich, me mate.

He did say we could ask him anything.

Questions and answers.

Yes, denham?

Uh, last night on the telly, there was this travelogue picture.

You know, a lot of black women dancing around with no tops.

Don't they ever dress proper?

What's proper varies throughout the world,

depending on customs and climate.

For their climate and customs, they were dressed properly.

Are you from South Africa, sir?

Of course not. South Africans is white, isn't they?

A South African is a native of South Africa, regardless of color.

I was born in British guiana.

Yes, ingram?

Uh, what did you mean the other day about rebellion, sir?

Change.

Take your hairstyles. That's a form of rebellion, isn't it?

Eh? What, sir?

Don't you do it to be different from adults?

They've messed up the world, haventthey?

- You can say that again. - So you rebel.

Even the way you dress is a form of rebellion, isn't it?

It's just the new fashion, sir.

Of course, the adults look proper stupid in our gear.

Do you think it's wrong to be different, to rebel?

It is your duty to change the world, if you can.

Not by violence.

Peacefully, individually, not as a mob.

Take the Beatles. They started a huge social revolution.

The fashions they set in dress

and hairstyles are worldwide now.

Every new fashion is a form of rebellion.

Now, there's a fine exhibition of costumes through the ages

on at the Victoria and Albert museum.

I think you should see it.

Also, you should see the museum of natural history.

What, us lot go to a museum?

- Sure. - You're joking.

You'll discover that your hairstyles are 200 years old...

And that your costumes or your dress

is, uh, right out of 1920.

Shut up! Look, sir, when can we go?

There's no time after school, and I've got to look after the kids.

I have to do the housework and get the supper for the lodgers.

Me mum's expecting a baby any day, and I got to babysit.

Why don't you take us? We could go in the morning.

Who would like that?

What a drag.

Don't you want a day off? Put your hand up.

- Put both hands up. - Fat chance.

It wouldn't work.

It's not the sort of risk we'd dare to take at north quay.

I would like to try, sir.

The best of pupils are inclined to show off in public.

Your class?

You'd never be able to supervise them.

When I took this job, you said you wouldn't interfere

as long as I stayed within your framework.

If you can get another staff member to go with you,

I'll approach the council.

I see little hope of approval.

Thank you, sir.

Miss Blanchard?

Miss Blanchard, I think I can arrange an outing with my class,

if I can get another teacher to go along.

I'd love to. And it's Gillian.

When is the outing?

As soon as we arrange travel warrants and permission.

Just let me know when.

- Thanks, Gillian. Bye. - Bye.

Good morning.

What would you like to talk about today?

Ladies first.

Miss Joseph.

Marriage, sir. You know, boyfriends and things.

How do you know he's the right one? What to look for.

How to avoid divorce.

Don't get married.

Where's miss purcell?

She's to look after the home today. Her mum had the baby last night.

What hospital?

No hospital, sir. The doctor came to her.

She all right?

She just had a kid.

Well, now, marriage.

First, let us lay some ground rules.

I've never been married, so what I say is as an outsider.

Now, what should a girl look for in a man?

I think first we ought to determine, what is marriage?

Miss Joseph.

Holy wedlock.

Potts!

Potter, be serious. You'll get your turn.

Miss pegg.

It's life, isn't it, sir?

Everyone gets married. I mean, sometime.

Why didn't you marry?

No one would have him.

I was very poor.

And there was something in me that wanted an education.

So I put all of my energies into that.

And, uh, well, I got started late and just never met the right girl.

Now, uh, what should a girl look for in a man?

- Miss Clark? - What work did you do, sir?

I waited tables. I cooked in a hamburgerjoint.

I washed dishes for a time, cars.

For a year I was a janitor in an apartment block.

- All sorts ofjobs. - You washed dishes?

But you talk posh.

That wasn't easy.

You didn't always talk like that?

When I was your age, I used a patois, a kind of simple English.

I buy and bust your booby if you don't get up off of this place.

Didn't understand a word.

Well, I don't always understand what you say either.

But the point is, if you work hard, you can do almost anything.

You can get any job you want. You can even...

You can even, uh, change your speech if you want to.

After I got my degree,

I went to work in South America for an oil company.

The only women in that region

were jungle Indians who carried blowpipes and poison darts.

You could have broke my hands.

We were discussing marriage.

To my mind, marriage is no way of life for the weak,

or the insecure.

What's the matter, Weston?

These damn fool Americans!

They bog up everything they're connected with.

What a shower!

I'll never forgive the president for not coming to Churchill's funeral,

or at least sending the vice president. Rotten bad manners.

- It was very naughty. - I quite agree.

A typically stupid, appalling and unnecessary mistake.

- What can you expect? - Still beefing?

Give them a chance. They've not been in the business

of leading the world as long as britain was.

You continue to astonish me, old chum.

I should thought if anyone took a point of—-

Now what?

Yes?

Miss pegg wants to know if the netball's fixed.

Miss who?

Barbara pegg. Miss pegg, sir.

Here you are, fernman.

Thank you, sir.

What's going on in this classroom of yours?

Suburban formality? It's a bit foreign in this neck of the woods.

Some sort of experiment in culture for the masses?

It's an elementary experiment in courtesy.

And do we ignorant critters have to follow suit?

- Please yourself. - Thank goodness for that.

Do you object to being taught manners by one of the boys?

I don't expect to be taught by those morons.

So long as we learn, it doesn't matter who teaches us.

Good afternoon, everybody.

- Weston. - Now we're talking.

Thackeray.

- Clinty. - Nothing like payday.

By the way, your museum visit has been approved.

If anything goes wrong, the school suffers.

Nothing will go wrong, sir.

- Gillian. - Thank you.

For a moment, I thought I was in the wrong classroom.

Where's Jackson?

We don't know.

Tich wouldn't miss this unless he was sick or something.

We'll give him a few minutes.

It's me, Jackson.

I have to take the bag-wash for mum. Can you wait?

Sure. How long will it take?

Half a mo. Just up the frog. God love you, sir.

Hang on, tich. I'll give you a hand.

All right, all right.

Back on the sidewalk.

What's a frog got to do with it?

Oh, it's, uh, a rhyming slang. Old-fashioned cockney.

It's not used anymore. Just for old people.

Oh, it's a drag, sir.

Frog means road. Frog and toad, road.

Trouble and strife, wife.

Weeping Willow, pillow. Use the first word.

Like the old currant bun, that's the sun.

- Apples and pears, stairs. - Happy kill, skill.

Ginger beer, queer.

J“ those schoolgirl days j“

j“ of telling tales and biting nails are gone j“

j“ but in my mind j“

j“ I know they will still live j“

j“ but how do you thank someone j“

j“ who has taken you from crayons to perfume? J“

j“ it isn't easy, but I'll try j“

j“ if you wanted the sky j“

j“ I would write across the sky in letters j“

j“ that would soar a thousand feet high j“

j“ to sir, with love j“

j“ those awkward years j“

j“ have hurried by why did they fly away? J“

j“ why is it, sirj“

j“ children grow up to be people j“

j“ one day? J“

j“ what takes the place of climbing trees j“

j“ and dirty knees in the world outside? J“

j“ what is there for you I can buy? J“

j“ if you wanted the world j“

j“ I'd surround it with a wall j“

j“ I'd scrawl these words with letters 10 feet tall j“

j“ to sir, with love j“

I think he fancies her.

I know you do.

Pamela dare has a crush on you.

Women say the damnedest things.

I think he's nice.

So do I.

You've noticed.

I don't treat her any different from the others.

I hope we can go out again, don't you?

I hope so.

I hope we can go with him because he's nice.

Don't make any mistake about Pamela.

She's a woman in every sense of the word.

I mean, not that I blame her.

Ha-ha. Bleeding rotten taste he's got.

Good night, sir.

- See you tomorrow. - Good night.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

- Good night, Mr. Thackeray. - Good night.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

Sir?

Perhaps you'd like me to tidy your desk.

- That's all right. - It's no trouble.

You ought to get a flat nearby. Brentwood's much too far away.

- There's nice ones around. - I've thought of that.

Well, I tell you what. I'll keep my ears open for you.

That's kind of you, but I'm fine for the moment.

I'll let you know. Thank you.

Don't worry about your desk. I'll tidy it for you every day.

Thanks, but that won't be necessary.

That's perfectly all right.

A woman's work is never done.

Good night, sir.

Hi, fellas. How are you?

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

Mr. Florian has given us permission for more outings.

Oh, that's great!

I'd like to hear suggestions of what we might do.

- The pictures. - Wembley, sir.

Cup final day.

Chamber of horrors.

What about the cavern?

- Cavern? - You know, liverpool. The Beatles.

How's it going, fernman?

Fine, thank you.

Don't worry. He'll come with me on my day.

You're under a supervision order too?

Around here, that's nothing. Most of us have been in front of the law.

Breaking windows, playing truant, raising hell, and cussing the coppers.

You've out yourself.

You'd better put something on that. You might get lockjaw.

Blimey! Red blood.

What do you expect, pinhead? Ink?

I didn't mean no harm. It was a joke.

I didn't mean no crack, sir.

It's all right.

What's with you?

- Are you addressing me, denham? - Yeah.

Potts was only being funny.

What you calling him pinhead for in front of chimney sweep?

Going off to potts in front of him.

I was onlyjoking. Sir didn't mind.

He said, ask anything.

You call those questions? Always on about his color.

You've got nothing better to talk about.

You're wasting our time. Seales, you ought to know better.

What have I done? I didn't say nothing.

You never do, and you're half-colored.

You sit on your ass and keep your trap shut.

If they want to know, why don't they ask you?

I'm not sir, that's why.

I only wish I was.

I know what's eating you.

You fancy him, that's what.

This is a fine how-do-you-do, isn't it, potts?

You lay off, denham, you son of a bitch.

Today, I'll show you how to make a salad.

You mean, we've to cook and all?

Sure, why not?

My old man never cooked nothing in his life.

He says that's women's work, the kitchen and all.

But suppose you're on your own, as you certainly will be shortly.

You'll have to do it for yourself sometimes, won't you?

Not again, sir.

This is survival training. Now...

A normal English salad,

not fit for human consumption, even if you remove the slugs

and add a dash of the extraordinary, a bit of mayonnaise. Now...

Look at this.

Mum went to the doctor. I didn't want to miss today.

He won't be no trouble.

It's all right.

Sit down. Make room over there for her.

All right, all right. Okay, come on.

Never be afraid to experiment.

And always remember that you can eat well,

even though you're broke. See?

You ever been broke, sir? Real broke, skint?

Yeah. Many, many, many times.

I don't understand you a bit, sir.

I mean, you're a toff and you ain't.

- —Huh? - Sir.

What he means is...

Blimey, I can't sort of put it into words or anything.

Well, sir, you're like us, but you ain't. I mean, you're not.

It's kind of scary but nice.

You know what I mean, don't you?

Well, I...

I don't know how to answer you, except to say

that I teach you truths, my truths.

Yeah, it is kind of scary, dealing with the truth.

Scary and dangerous.

Now, have you ever had a salad with almonds and grapes

and tomatoes and lettuce and pineapple?

Huh?

She's in love with you, Mark.

You shouldn't be so surprised.

We have a lot of marvelous schools now in the east end.

It's still difficult to get quality teachers.

Take us, the bottom of the pile.

Goodness knows we've had a scruffy lot here.

Then along comes Mr. Mark thackeray,

big, broad, handsome, clean, intelligent,

looking like he stepped out of a bandbox.

What do you expect?

What do I do?

Nothing. Just be patient.

Pamela's just finding out she's a grown woman.

You're probably the only real man she's ever met in her life.

Don't spend too much time alone with her.

Why didn't you ask Gillian?

Oh, I thought you'd be wiser.

Well...

Well, hello, sir! We can't have you queuing up.

It's sir. He teaches our moira up at north quay.

He's only got an hour for his lunch.

- What'll it be? - Half a dozen oranges.

You'll like them. They're lovely and juicy.

Here you are, guv.

Penny's wedding cake. Jeannie's older sister.

She got married, so here's a bit of cake for luck.

Jeannie Clark.

Yes, miss Clark.

That was a lovely museum outing. Will they do it again?

Museum...

Oh. We're trying to arrange one a week.

Oh, that'd be lovely, won't it, Horace?

The more education, the better. That's what I always say.

It's a proper bleeder, what with the bomb and all.

Ain't the bombs. It's them bleeding yanks!

Shut your gob! My gert's married to a yank.

And a proper nice gent he is and all.

Keep your opinions to yourself!

God all bloody mighty! The entente cordiale?

First cast the mote out of your eye

before you cast the bomb out of mine!

He's a proper faggot. Here you are.

You'll like them. Thank you.

Who's next? Come on, girls.

Speak up!

Gillian? —uh—huh.

I was wondering if you would give the girls some makeup lessons.

I think quite a few of them would be, uh...

Very pretty if they knew how to do it.

Why, certainly.

You really are getting involved with your children, aren't you?

I'm just trying to help. That's the job, isn't it?

- You want some of this? - No, thanks.

- Is that all you're having for lunch? - Yeah.

- You on a diet? - No.

I'll tell you, I'm a weak man.

At the moment, a little skint.

When I eat... Do I love to eat.

And I love wine, but I just can't have a glass.

I want the whole bottle.

So I avoid wine and pastrami sandwiches

and baked potatoes

with butter and bacon...

And strawberry shortcake and cheesecake.

But I like to eat light, uh, for lunch.

How's it with the dare girl?

No problems.

- Will you stay on here, Mark? - Till I get sorted out.

No luck with the jobs?

But I'm plugging away.

Remember a few weeks ago, when you thought you'd lost the battle?

I thought you had too.

There's a good angel looking after me somewhere.

Come on. Sort yourselves out.

Come on, hurry up!

All right? Go!

Come on, denham. Hurry it up.

Land on your toes. Do it again. Next!

Next! Buckley!

Come on, boy.

I'm not a boy. I'm a man.

I don't want to do it. It's too high.

You're a fat boy. Come on.

I'm waiting. Get thatjelly off!

Fats can't do it. It's too high for him.

Of course he can't do it.

When I want your opinion, I'll ask, boy.

- I'm not a boy. - Shut up!

Buckley, do as you're told!

Come on.

- Move out of the way, boy. - Shut up!

Is he all right, Bert?

I don't know.

You bloody bastard.

Put that down, Potter!

You knew fats couldn't do that. You had it in for him.

Potter, put that down!

They're fighting in the gym!

Come on, potts!

Put it down!

- That was no accident! - Potter!

I'll take that.

Go and help Buckley. Go on!

Potts should have done the bastard like he did fats.

You all right, boy?

Yes, thank you. Me stomach didn't half hurt.

Jackson, ingram? Help him up to Mrs. Evans.

All right.

What happened?

Huh?

Buckley's all right.

More frightened than anything else.

Why'd you make him do thatjump?

He just stood there and refused to obey.

When he jumped, he sent the buck flying and I couldn't catch him.

Thanks for helping me out. That Potter went berserk.

I understand that Buckley is a pet whipping boy of yours.

Is that right?

I'd better report it. There'll be the devil to pay.

Potter, I can't think of anything that excuses your behavior.

But it was him! He made fats do it.

Fats said he couldn't do it. That bully always had it in for him.

I am not concerned with Mr. Bell's behavior but yours.

What if a gun or knife had been handy? What then?

Potter was narked. We was all narked.

That bleeder was wrong and you know it.

You're missing the point. You all are.

Soon, you will be out in the world.

Will you use a weapon every time someone angers you?

You're supposed to be learning self-discipline.

Potter, you owe Mr. Bell an apology.

Huh?

Why should he apologize? Just 'cause bell's a teacher, eh?

You better answer that, Potter.

Do you think you behaved like an adult?

How about bell apologizing to Buckley?

My business is with you, not Mr. Bell.

It's easy for you to talk. No one pushes you around.

Well, Potter...

Are you a man or a hoodlum?

Do it, potts.

Or bell will call the law if you don't.

You've got to have recommends for a job in a couple weeks.

He's got to sign one.

This has nothing to do with what I sign.

You can't trust a teacher.

We're only safe together. Against them.

But sir is different. If he says potts...

That he is, and he's wrong now.

You all know bell's been after old fats for years.

Go on, potts.

If you apologize because you're afraid,

then you're a child, not a man.

When I leave, I'll have me own barrow.

So you can't touch me, letters or no letters.

I'm sorry I'm late, sir.

But it's me mum, sir.

She's dead.

I've been helping me dad with her things.

- I didn't know where to go, sir. - That's all right.

Ingram, take over the class.

I understand that the passing-out class holds

some kind of a celebration at the end of term.

What happens?

- Hm? - We dance,

sir.

Did you apologize because of denham?

One should fight for what one believes,

provided one is absolutely sure

one is absolutely right.

Pass these out.

You have to fill those out...

For national health insurance and so on.

What are you doing, Jackson?

It's for seales, sir. For flowers and a wreath.

Oh, that's...

That's wonderful of you.

May I be permitted to contribute something?

No, thank you, Mr. Thackeray.

Here, Pam, you buy the wreath.

The name's dare.

Miss dare.

Well, you buy the wreath.

Send it around when the time's right.

Send it? Aren't you going to take it?

You don't think the girls could take it, do you?

Well, why not?

Well...

It's what people would say, sir.

What the family would say...

If they saw us going into a colored person's home.

We've got nothing against him, sir.

Honest.

But if one of us was to...

You can't imagine the things be said.

Thank you, miss pegg, for making it clear.

Well... does that apply to the men also?

You're dead right it does.

I'll take the flowers, sir.

Why should you do that?

Wouldn't that make you subject to gossip?

Gossip don't worry me. I've known seales since kindergarten.

I'll take the flowers.

I wouldn't if I were you.

Ah, thackeray.

I've been looking for you.

There's a lady to see you. Mrs. Dare.

And by the way, I've canceled all outings for your class.

Why?

The adult approach hasn't worked.

It'd have been better to let things be.

You'd better take your boys in for pt. Until I get a replacement.

I'm sorry to disturb you, sir. It's about Pam.

I'm Mrs. Dare.

What can I do for you? Would you have a seat?

Would you talk to her, sir? I'm sure she'd listen to you.

- She's always talking about you. - What's the problem?

Well...

She always stays out late at night, sir.

Often she doesn't get home till past 11.

She never says where she's been.

She's a big girl. I'm worried about her.

She won't listen to me.

I'm just a teacher, Mrs. Dare.

I know she'd listen to you.

It's always "sir said this" or "sir said that."

See, she won't listen to me. She just won't.

Why doesn't her father talk with her?

Oh, no. No, we're divorced.

He's, uh, up north somewhere. He doesn't...

Well...

It's not wrong to...

When your marriage breaks up, your life doesn't end, does it?

Please talk to her, sir. I'm frightened for her.

You never know what sort of trouble she can get into.

Please.

All right, I will.

Thank you.

Morning, sir.

Hello, love.

- Morning. - How are you? How's the kids?

Hello, guv!

Hello, sir. It's a lovely day, isn't it?

Your kid ain't top of the class.

Hi!

My, you look as if you've won the pools.

Oh, better!

I got me a job. A real one for when school ends.

Third assistant engineer in a radio factory in the Midlands.

They even sent me the fare!

Oh, that's marvelous.

It's not that good, but it's a start, after so long.

Do you think she'll take the flowers?

I don't know.

Oi, Pam.

Oi. Sir wants you.

Sit down. I'd like to talk to you.

- Has my mum been in? - Yes.

Uh, the funeral was Saturday, 10:30.

About my mum, sir?

She's very worried about you, miss dare.

Couldn't you call me Pamela?

I think not, for the moment.

She says that you've been staying out late.

I've just been to gran's. Just around the corner, not far.

Why haven't you told your mother?

She doesn't care about me.

You know that's not true.

You're not in trouble, are you?

No, sir.

Nowadays that's only for fools, isn't it?

We're the luckiest kids, the luckiest generation

that's ever been, aren't we?

We're the first to be really free to enjoy life if we want,

without fear.

What is the trouble?

If you don't want to talk, say the word.

It doesn't bother me.

It was all right up until about a year ago.

Of course I miss daddy. He was wonderful.

But it's just one of those things.

Mum works up in a dress shop on the west end.

And we got on fine.

Then men friends started calling on her.

You know what neighbors are like.

That's all. There's nothing else to tell.

She doesn't like me. I'm in the way.

She's young and pretty, isn't she?

I'll be glad to leave school and be on my own.

Obviously, your mother loves you.

And you owe her much more than any teacher.

I think you're wrong about her.

Did she tell you that I found her with one of her friends?

At home? At my home?

No, I bet she didn't, but she was!

I can't solve your problems for you. But staying out late won't help.

It helps me. I can't stand the sight of her!

And if you were me, you'd feel the same.

I'm in no position to judge. I know people make mistakes.

You're saying it's my fault?

Forgiveness is the gift of god. People make mistakes.

It's up to you to make peace.

- Why should I? I've done nothing. - Grow up, miss dare.

Give her another chance.

I told you what she did. Why are you taking her side?

You're wrong not to give her a chance. Everybody deserves that.

I thought you'd understand. I thought I could trust you.

But you're just as denham said. I'm not taking the bloody flowers!

All right.

Let's line up here in the center.

Could we box first today, please?

- —Why? - It would make a change.

Okay. Just sort yourselves in pairs now.

Uh, do you mind having a go with me? Sapiano's hurt his wrist.

That's right. I sprained it. Didn't I?

I think you ought to wait and have a go at Potter or one of the others.

He'll be done in, sir. Go on.

I don't mind having a punch-out with you.

I think you'd better forget that for today.

Let's go!

Okay.

Let's go.

Stay where you are!

Put your head down.

Potter. Gypsy.

Collect the gloves and put them back.

The rest of you, line up for vaulting.

Put your head down.

- You all right? - Yeah.

- Come over here for a minute. - I'm all right, sir.

I think I'll go wash up.

You all right, mate?

Are you sure?

- Can I ask you something? - Sure.

- How many times did you hit me? - Once.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.

I lost my temper.

I was meaning to hurt you.

You did. You're pretty good.

Why didn't you hit me again, eh?

Why didn't you fight? You had me easy.

I've been after you since you got here.

Are you afraid or something?

Hitting you wouldn't solve much, would it?

It's truth, I don't understand you at all.

Denham, what's a barrow?

A barrow? With fruit on it and all. A barrow!

You was wrong about potts.

Yes, from his point of view, at his age, I was.

- The girls was right about the gossip. - From their point of view.

What other point is there, eh?

You'll have to figure that out for yourself.

Would you like a job teaching the youngsters how to box?

Eh?

I'll speak with Mr. Florian. There will be some money for you.

Me? A bleeding teacher?

It's important the youngsters know how to defend themselves.

Here. Why are you doing this?

Good luck with your barrow, denham.

Hey, Pam.

What's the matter? You going to a bleeding wedding?

Phew! You don't half pong, potts.

- What's up with you, fats? - Nothing, Bert.

Right. Another week and we'll be through here.

- Don't remind me. - I ain't got a job yet.

You had the bleeder yesterday. Lucky punch.

Yeah?

You got eyes in back of your head.

He could have done me with one hand behind his back.

And none of your "bleeding" here. There's ladies present.

What sir said about the truth, it's kind of scary, isn't it?

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Uh, about the party, we've got a group and all.

And the girls is fixing the grub. You coming?

You inviting me?

Yeah, you're invited.

Thank you.

If I can, I certainly will.

Yeah, well, what you said is right, about a man making up his own mind.

My goodness!

You certainly look lovely.

Thank you.

Sir, would you dance with me tonight?

Of course.

But nothing too fast. I am getting much too old for that.

We'll make it special. Promise?

Promise.

Thank you.

Sir, would you call me Pamela tonight?

Pamela.

Thank you.

Oh, hi! Excuse me a minute, Bert. It's Pam.

- Oh! You look marvelous! - You look great!

- Where's the other earring? - It's the thing.

I want to talk to the group. Come with me?

- —Yeah, but why? - Come on, I'll tell you.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- I hear you're leaving. - Yes.

It's a pity.

I'm sorry about that. You're damn good.

You've done wonders for this shower.

Thank you very much.

Anybody can be an engineer, but teaching this mob is...

Well, I wish I had your gift.

Why so serious, Mark?

Good god, it's Weston!

Oh, wrap up, clinty.

Well, I'm damned!

He wasn't giving you a hard time, was he?

On the contrary.

Will you wave your magic wand and make me sweet 16 again?

Nothing to do with me.

Oh, a fine lad. Your hand's in this, all right.

If you must leave, go to another school.

You can't waste your talent on rotten electronics.

Damn! I swore I wouldn't interfere.

- Would you like some more? - Yes, thanks.

- Who made it? - I did.

It's salad north quay, one of sir's special recipes.

It's bloody marvelous, Barbara.

I mean, miss pegg.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Weston, I'm sure.

Actually, I don't like it. I think it's terrible, don't you?

Blimey, I'm hot!

Thank you.

Excuse me, sir. I got the job I wanted.

That's wonderful.

- What is it? - Pageboy at the London Hilton.

He can't wait to get all that yankee money.

You're right there.

I don't want to be a pageboy all me life.

Will you help me get into night school?

I'd be glad to.

Ta, sir.

You ain't half a Dolly, miss.

- Okay, now. - Ready, Pam?

Attention, everybody!

By special request, it's a lady's choice.

Hold that, please.

J“ it's hard not to think about you j“

j“ to keep you off my mind j“

j“ it's hard to live in the world without you j“

j“ and it's gettin' harder it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder all the time j“

j“ it's so hard to walk past the phone now j“

j“ and not to try your line j“

j“ it's hard to try and make it alone now j“

j“ and it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder all the time j“

j“ baby, I've got no more foolish pride j“

j“ baby, I must have you by my side j“

j“ can't go wishing for what I had j“

j“ need your kisses and I need 'em bad j“

j“ so hard to go on living j“

j“ and know that you're not mine j“

j“ it's hard without all the love you've given j“

j“ and it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder all the time j“

J“ baby, I've got no more foolish pride j“

j“ baby, I must have you by my side j“

j“ can't go wishing for what I've had j“

j“ need your kisses and I need 'em bad j“

j“ so hard to go on living j“

j“ and know that you're not mine j“

j“ it's hard without all the love you've given j“

j“ and it's gettin' harder j“

j“ oh, it's gettin' harder j“

j“ it's gettin' harder all the time j“

Come on. Everybody, come here.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Can I come and see you sometimes, next term?

I won't be here.

- Oh. - Everybody's got to move on.

I'm glad I met you, though. You've helped me a lot.

We were lucky to have you.

The whole world's waiting for you. You're a smasher!

Hold it! Listen, everybody. I've got an announcement.

It's about sir.

Well, sir,

we'd like to thank you very much for everything you've done.

We'd like to give you a present to remember us by.

- Come on, babs. - You mean, miss pegg.

Babs.

J“ the time has come j“

j“ for closing books j“

j“ and long last looks must end j“

J“ I know that I am leaving j“

j“ my best friend j“

j“ a friend who taught me right from wrong j“

j“ and weak from strong j“

j“ that's a lot to learn j“

j“ what can I give you j“

j“ in return? J“

j“ if you wanted the moon j“

j“ I would try to make a start j“

j“ but I would rather you let me j“

j“ give my heart j“

j“ to sir, with love j“

Speech! Speech! Speech!

Well...

Well...

I think I'd better go and put it away.

Evening, guv.

Nice, isn't it?

I'm in your bleeding class next term.

J“ the time has come j“

j“ for closing books j“

j“ and long last looks must end j“

J“ I know that I am leaving j“

j“ my best friend j“

j“ a friend who taught me right from wrong j“

j“ and weak from strong j“

j“ that's a lot to learn j“

j“ what can I give you j“

j“ in return? J“

j“ if you wanted the moon I would try to make a start j“

j“ but I would rather you let me give my heart j“

j“ to sir, with love j“