Original subtitles

[theme music]

Early 19th century.

Along came an English painter called

John Constable, who painted in a manner

that had not been seen before.

Above all, he was not frightened of his paint.

And in many of his landscapes he would lay it onto the canvas

with a freedom and radiance that had

an enormous influence upon the Impressionists

who followed after him.

In order, properly, to savor the story you're going to see now,

you should be aware of the fact that the discovery

of a hitherto unknown painting by Constable is a great event.

His work fetches huge sums on the market.

[music playing]

[farm animals]

ANDREW: Mother!

There isn't such a thing as one clean shirt.

HAZEL: I've been busy.

It's about time you got somebody else to do your ironing.

Some chance of that when I'm working 40 acres single-handed.

Anyway, what do you want a clean shirt

for at this time of day?

ANDREW: I'm going into town.

Oh, good.

Then you won't mind calling in at Webster's

and seeing if my order's come.

Yes, all right.

Ugh, what a fuss about one little parcel.

Your one little parcel means waiting half an hour

in a queue.

You can ask for the manager.

No buttons!

Thanks.

I'll be back at 4:00 for feeding.

And maybe you could feed me for a change--

out of a saucepan instead of a tin.

[chuckles]

[music playing]

[cat meows]

Tinker!

Up, up, up, up.

[farm animals]

[church bells]

[music playing]

[music playing]

[music playing]

[chickens]

Can I help you?

Oh, I'm sorry, I--

I was hoping there would be somebody at home.

Good afternoon, Madam.

My name's Pottinger.

I was just wondering if you've got any old stuff

you wanted clearing.

You know, any old bits and pieces you'd

like me to take off your hands.

Furniture, oil lamps, china, glass.

We've nothing here that would interest you, Mr. Pottinger.

You'd be surprised.

The old lady at the farm down the road

said exactly the same thing.

I looked in the garbage, she'd got a--

a ringer.

I gave her a fiver for it, she thought it was Christmas.

I'm sure you could find me one or two bits.

I'm interested in anything.

Old sewing machine, string box, toffee tins,

rag rugs, patchwork, tea carry.

Why I've two old irons I found in the barn.

Are they the flat sort?

No, box kind.

I think.

Are you sure?

Almost certain.

I'll give you a tenner for the pair, sight unseen.

My, he sounds a bit fierce.

He's quite harmless.

He's chained up.

Oh, good to hear.

I can't stand the damn things.

Plus you get danger when you call in around farms, you know?

You come around the corner of a barn--

somebody's always taking a pot shot at a rat or a rabbit.

The other day I got two-- two bullets

straight through the windscreen of me car.

Smashed a porcelain vase I'd just paid 40 pound for.

Come in, Mr. Pottinger.

MR. POTTINGER: Very good.

[dogs barking]

Oh, it's a lovely place you got here.

A bit chirpy.

But I'm not like some women--

in a state of permanent interior decoration.

[chuckles] Hey, I could give you 15 for this,

if you're interested.

Come in handy if you've got kids like I have.

Oh, I've got a son.

He's grown up now.

What does he do?

He works the farm.

He's gone into town.

He'll be back for feeding.

He's what I call a moaner--

always grumbling about the weather, the land,

the rotten stock we've got.

He wants to get out but I'm not budging.

He'll have to carry me out of here feet first, as they say.

Those, uh, irons you mentioned--

I'll get them for you.

[music playing]

[cat meows]

Hello.

Yeah, hm.

[chuckles]

[music playing]

I was born in Singapore.

Never in one school for more than a year.

[music playing]

Then my husband-- in the concert says--

same thing all over again.

Pack, move, pack.

There.

Here now.

[music playing]

I was never able to put down any roots.

Well, this time I'm rooted--

rather like a gnarled, old oak tree.

Here are the irons.

Sure.

They're not quite what I had in mind, but I'll--

I'll keep me word.

I'll still give you a fiver.

I think you said ten.

Did I?

Oh, my mistake.

Still, no problem.

[music playing]

Oh, well, you were quite right to come and see me.

I acted as your father's solicitor for 20 years.

This is something he'd have wanted me to handle.

So you'll help me?

Well, if I can.

I suppose it's going to be a bit difficult

dealing with your mother.

Well, perhaps if you asked her to come and see

you on some other matter.

Yes, yes.

That might be possible.

Because it is important.

I must get it settled as soon as possible.

Whatever she says.

Yes, all right.

[music playing]

My son will kill me.

He loves these old things.

After I've gone they'll remind him of home.

Not that there was ever much to remember.

And then poor old Teddy--

my husband.

He always had this dream of retiring

to a Suffolk farmhouse.

He was born in Suffolk.

Owning a little bit of England, as he called it.

Of course, it was too much for him at his age.

It was too much for Andrew at his age.

The doctors told him but he wouldn't listen.

Well, he died.

And I'm still here.

Everyone has their problems, I suppose.

Oh, I've got them coming out of me ears.

I mean, my partner-- if I pay 40 for something

and he knows it's a snip, he said

why didn't you get it for 30?

He can't help it.

It's-- it's his nature, I suppose.

Money's the root of all evil, eh?

The love of money is the root of all evil, Mr. Pottinger.

That's what the Bible says-- love of money.

Oh, stand corrected.

A common misquotation.

You'd like a cup of tea.

That's very kind of you, but you see I've--

I've--

[music playing]

You're absolutely sure of what you've told me?

Dead sure.

It's a serious matter.

I know.

I'm very worried.

Your mother.

Right.

Well, she wouldn't listen to anything I say.

That's why I had to act independently and come and see

you.

I didn't like to go behind her back,

but I didn't have any choice.

[music playing]

Aye, I could give you 60 on this clock,

if you're interested.

Anything you want, you must ask my son.

We know your sort only too well around here.

What do you call them?

Knockers?

Any old lamps, any rubbish you want cleared.

Andrew says anything I want to sell,

I must ask for a free valuation from the auctioneers

at Ipswich.

He shouldn't be long now.

[music playing]

Nice little picture.

Frame would fetch about 30.

Really?

I don't know.

I found it in the attic.

Has it, uh-- like, been in the family long?

No, not our family.

It belonged to the people we bought the farmhouse from.

They, uh, just left it.

Look, I'll-- I won't mess you about.

I'll give you 30 for the frame and 100 for the picture.

A hundred?

Well, the law's a bit complicated on this one.

It depends on what is said and, of course,

whether there's a witness. Hello, Lucy.

Hello.

Hi. - Hi.

You know my niece?

We met.

Some awful charity dance.

ANDREW: Yes, I'm sorry.

I'm a lousy dancer.

You're not that bad.

In my day, of course, one had to learn the steps.

Oh-- slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow?

You can scoff.

I was considered to be quite a good dancer.

I danced with you aunts, Lucy.

And probably with yours too.

What, waltzes and tangos?

Yes, well, as you see, I must be going.

Give my love to your parents, Lucy.

I'll be in touch, Andrew.

I'm sorry, did I interrupt a business conversation?

Or was it pleasure?

Oh, pleasure every time.

I don't believe you.

You're not in a particular hurry?

[music playing]

ANDREW: Here.

I came past your farm the other day.

It's a shamble.

I like it.

There are some houses--

What?

Make you wonder what goes on inside.

99% of the time, nothing goes on.

That's the trouble.

What about the other 1%?

Cheers.

To tell you the truth, I'd give the farm up

if I could do anything else.

What about your mother?

Well, I'm fond of her but--

well, she's a bit eccentric.

I thought perhaps she was.

Never mind-- my whole family is stark raving mad.

Well, I can't waste any more time.

I've got a living to earn.

I'll tell you what--

I'll give you 275.

I'd like to give you some more but I don't deal direct.

I mean, my partner has to have his cut too.

Then there's the middleman before the customer even

sees it.

All right, my partner will think I've gone stark raving mad,

but I'll tell you what--

I'll give you the 300.

[music playing]

I hope it will go to someone who will appreciate it.

Ah, don't worry about that.

We'll find a good home for it.

Right.

HAZEL: And the irons?

[music playing]

There you go.

Right, it's been nice talking to you.

Ta.

Mr. Pottinger?

Your hat.

Oh, yeah.

I'd forget me head if it wasn't screwed on.

Ta ta.

[music playing]

[music playing]

Andrew!

[music playing]

[music playing]

ANDREW: Excuse me!

What do you want?

Can I have a word?

What about?

I know what you've got.

Here's your money back.

You've got more chance of being struck by lightning.

Yeah, but you don't understand.

I understand, lad. I've done a deal.

A deal's a deal.

That's all I'm worried about.

You don't understand!

[door slams]

There now, you can't rumble.

All of your shirts are ironed.

Though why you can't have drip dry like everyone else does.

Mother, I'm acting in your interest.

I'm trying to help you.

Then help me by letting me be as I am.

It's my only pleasure.

And as my mother use to say--

we must all make the most of our talents.

And our chances.

[music playing]

[farm animals]

[music playing]

[theme music]