Original subtitles

Good god! Sophy.

Sophy?

Sophy?

Sophy?

Where are you?

Telegram for you, sir.

Oh, thank you.

Helena? I say, Helena!

What is it?

Let's have tea out here. What is it?

It's young Oliver. Has an appointment in Harley Street.

Doesn't arrive until midnight! I ask you!

I'll get another chair.

I'd do it, if it wasn't for my leg.

It's damned inconsiderate. Inconvenient. Meeting two trains! I ask you!

What does it matter? I cope with the invasion of your nephews and nieces.

Calypso can meet him this year. She can drive now.

Not my car. Any cream?

No, dear. Your nephews and nieces but my car.

Oliver was wounded in Spain. George and Sarah want him to have a checkup

George is a fool to allow the boy to get mixed up with these dagos!

Oliver didn't ask. He just went.

They're lucky he's come back.

At least he fought on the right side.

Do you mean right, or right?

As against left.

Where's that child Sophy?

Scarpered off again.

She should be here for tea. Sophy?

Well, well! This is lovely!

How are you, calypso?

Sophy, darling!

Where's your brother?

There you are, Walter!

This air's wonderful after London! Hop in, Polly.

How's uncle Richard?

Oliver's coming on a late train. And nobody is to mention general Franco.

Aunt Helena, you spoilsport!

Here, Sophy, sit on my knee.

Nice to see you. Come and meet Olly with me? May I meet him, aunt?

Fine. But Sophy should be in bed.

Just this once.

Uncle Richard told mother Oliver had a near miss.

The bullet grazed his head.

What do you think of the war, aunt?

Which? What your uncle calls "this scuffle in Spain" or the coming one?

The coming one. I'll join the Navy.

I shall get into submarines. You can't be sick underwater.

What about Oxford?

Uncle George didn't like Oliver going to Spain. He wanted him to do German.

I was there at easter. It was vile - all sieg heils and Jews verbotens.

A brown shirt was rude to me because I wore shorts.

Let's not discuss politics or war. This may be our last summer holiday.

Your uncle thinks there'll be no war so don't discuss it with him.

Here we are!

Oliver, darling!

How brown you are! You look like Suzanne Lenglen.

Does it hurt?

Does it hurt?

No. I can take the dressing off tomorrow. Are you driving?

Yes.

Where's the car?

Do you think there'll be a pub open?

Too late. Have you taken to drink?

Just want to delay arriving.

Why?

All the questions.

How soon will it be, Oliver? How long have we got?

They're all in bed, at home.

Can we stop on the cliff before we get to the house?

Of course.

Will this do?

The terror run - shall we do it this year? This may be our last holiday.

May I fuck you now? Now, at once?

Calypso, I want to marry you.

Well, can I?

I'm a virgin. I'd have a baby.

Darling Oliver, I can't marry you. I want to marry somebody rich.

To keep you in the state to which you wish to be accustomed?

I love you, Oliver. You know that.

You're only 19 and you have to go to Oxford.

Don't spoil our holiday.

All right. We'll have the terror run.

Oh, God, I'm tired.

The smell -

..I can't tell you what it's like.

Bits of people? Like uncle Richard's missing leg? Imagine him, hopping into bed with Helena!

Exactly - the poor sod. And we mock him.

You've changed.

No. Just woken up.

I'm sorry, Oliver.

Good night.

Which room am I in?

The red room.

Thanks.

Sophy! What're you doing here?

Aunt Helena wouldn't let me meet you. Calypso wanted to take me.

Oh, she did?

She suggested it. But aunt Helena said I must go to bed and see you in the morning.

Are you cross?

You're cold. Come here, I'll warm you.

Let's warm each other. Get in with me.

Does your head hurt? Were you shot?

No, it doesn't.

You smell of soap.

Did you feel lonely? I was.

Sometimes I do.

We're a funny lot. Polly and Walter have each other. We two are onlies.

And Calypso.

Yes. And Calypso.

Sophy, who was your father?

No-one knows.

Your mother must have.

But she died when I was born.

So, you've got uncle Richard and aunt Helena. Poor old Sophy.

I don't mind that.

Shh! Lie quiet. Perhaps we can hear the sea.

Oliver, you're crying.

Yes, I know. Just let me.

May we ask the Floyer twins over?

Yes. Ask them to lunch tomorrow. Such nice boys.

Hm. Extraordinary, considering their father's a conchie.

He's filled the rectory with Germans.

The Erstweilers are Austrian.

He played the organ beautifully on Sunday, though it needs repairing.

Playing for his supper. He's a Jew.

Presumably that's why they're here.

Hell! They must be worried stiff.

Do him good! General Peachum says they're splendid places.

It's all talk and propaganda about the Jews.

What's propaganda? Forgive me coming down in a dressing gown.

Concentration camps.

Oh. Any kedgeree?

That's all right. I'll eat an egg.

It's not worth dressing, as I intend to spend today in the sun.

Oliver's marvellously brown.

We're inviting the twins tomorrow.

I won't have conchies in my house.

It's aunt Helena's house.

Father admires men like Mr Floyer.

With more like him in 1914...

..We'd live in a better world.

Walter, stop it. He'll wreck "The Times" if you tease him!

In any case, I shall be out tomorrow - meeting the general at the golf club. I ask you!

Aunt Helena, he's worse than ever!

He doesn't want another war. Won't admit it's coming. Here's Oliver.

You're up early. It's not like you!

I'm developing new habits. I've been swimming in the cove with the twins.

Is there any coffee left?

Come in, twins. We're going to ask you to lunch.

Don't just stand there.

Thanks.

Uncle thinks you'll be conchies if there's a war.

Not this war.

One should fight for the Jews.

Two will.

What in?

Long-distance killing?

Heard of Guernica?

I shall join the Navy soon.

Oh, stop it, children. There may not be a war. It may not happen. All that over again.

I can't bear it.

Oh, I say.

She lost her first husband in the last war.

But she won't face that in us all-

..even her - there's a person who's capable of killing. In you, and you, and...

What difference does it make...

..If there's going to be a war?

Wait! Wait for me!

Helena? Where are you?

Here.

I don't often interfere in your department but I must insist...

What?

How on earth do you know?

Oh, is that all?

She's only ten. She never wears knickers if it's hot. Nor do I.

They're a Victorian invention.

The general wants you to telephone.

He's going to put the hounds down. He thought you ought to know.

Good god! So, he thinks there will be a war?

Yes, my dear, he does.

Helena...

..Helena, I'm useless.

Nonsense. There'll be masses of things for you to do.

Arp, things like that.

I've only one leg.

To answer phones you don't need legs

I must get on, to feed your relations.

What about Sophy's knickers?

When's the full moon?

Shall we let Sophy do it?

Why not? If she practises first.

Will you tell her? Fill her cup of happiness.

A full moon ago I was on the Ebro. One of my friends was killed. Never made a sound.

Shot through the jugular.

He and his friends burnt a priest. Made a bonfire and burnt him.

The joke was it turned out he was one of us -

..or had been.

Joke?

Atrocities are jokes. You can't survive, otherwise.

We all committed them - both sides.

You did?

We were all drunk. There's an awful lot of waiting about. To fill the time you burn, rape, pillage.

Rape?

Just the once?

No, sweet. Every time I got the chance.

So, that's why you say we're all capable of killing.

Look how far out the twins have taken Sophy!

Olly, their father was a stretcher-bearer in the war.

Jolly brave.

He never talked about it. He's not a war bore.

Sophy...

..Wanna join the terror run?

Come on out.

What did you say?

Want to join the terror run?

You'll have to practise.

There's the bit by the coastguard's.

It's safe there.

Will you watch the whole way?

Yes. We'll watch both ends - and the middle - and see how you do.

Oh, thanks, Oliver.

See what it is to give happiness?

Will you run?

Full moon, whenever that is.

May I do the practice run soon? Will you watch?

How about this afternoon?

Is my nose getting red?

Find me one.

Ready, steady, go!

Go on, Sophy!

She's off!

Walter's unleashed her.

How does the world look from the air?

We've never flown. Think they'll keep us together?

You think they'd separate us?

It may happen.

Not us.

Sophy's going lickety-split!

Be round the headland soon.

Calypso and Oliver will see her in.

Tell you what, Olly - even if I won't marry you, I'll sleep with you. Have you ever done it?

Yes.

Is it nice?

Nice?!

Nice?!

I want you to myself. I'll wait.

If there's a war I'll sleep with you before you get killed.

That's what maidens do in books - and I'm a maiden.

Your virginity again! Virginity's nothing. You can lose it cycling.

I must be careful - I'm going to get a bicycle in London.

Pa says petrol will be rationed.

And virginity not. How are you going to find your rich prince on a bicycle? It's so bourgeois.

If you want something enough you get it. I want a rich husband very much.

Calypso, don't! My love, my darling, I'll get rich - completely filthy, bloody-awful stinking rich!

Help!

Something's wrong.

Sophy! Sophy!

What happened?

Stop it! Stop it!

You're hurting!

Pink!

A man!

Pink... snake!

Snake?

Did it bite you?

No... no.

I'm all right.

Sorry.

Did I run fast?

It must've been a record.

I'll be even quicker by moonlight. You'll see.

What's up?

Not going to tell us.

So peaceful! In our country at harvest time a year ago we were full of fear.

We are still. But not for ourselves.

It is worse to be safe and Pauli not. God will help us.

Father says we mustn't lose faith in God. But we lost it when we slipped our cartilages at rugger.

Both the same?

How old were you?

And you dropped him?

Your father is a Saint - if there are saints, which personally I doubt

you play the organ at father's church

that is the least I can do for your parents. You are fortunate.

It'll be all right, Monika. We'll fight for you - in the air force.

And get your son out of camp.

You know they send you a casket. Our son is a musician. You cannot play the piano in a casket.

And, er, what is this game you play tonight?

We race along the cliff path. Oliver called it the "terror run" because he's afraid of heights.

We run by moonlight.

May we watch?

..And gossip while they time us.

Hello!

Isn't this terrific?

Aunt's letting us dine on the lawn.

Ach, so schoen!

Isn't this fun?

This is Monika and Max Erstweiler. They're staying at the rectory.

I saw you in church. You know Helena?

So glad you could come.

That was the first time I spoke to him.

Sorry?

I planted it just before the war.

Oh. He wasn't famous then, was he?

He was a refugee from Nazi Germany. The general said...

Loathed Jews, admired Hitler.

Master of hounds-country gentleman. A good man. They do a lot of harm.

Slow down - I'd rather be late for this funeral than early for my own.

Sorry, great-aunt.

This is a party we have every year.

Never before. But tonight it seemed safe- and it's fun for the children.

They talk of fighting. Are they not men?

Drinks!

Your son's in camp? The general says they're doing your people good.

Unerhoert.

Come on. We'll start dinner as soon as the sun sets. Drinks time!

the moon!

Wait, wait! Another toast:

..To absent friends.

Absent friends.

Thank you.

Now for the terror run.

Bags I go first!

Got your torch?

Flash the torch when you start?

Come on, twins.

Isn't Sophy rather young?

She's with the twins.

They all know it very well. If I had my leg I'd do it.

Where is the finish?

Below us, out of sight. They shout when they reach it. I time them...

..And my word is final.

look! Oliver's starting.

Oliver!

Calypso!

Twins!

Sophy!

Polly! Walter!

Come on, Sophy! Faster!

Oliver! Done!

Calypso! Here!

Who's next?

Oliver, what's that?

Me. My cock.

Oliver!

What's wrong?

It's enormous!

Have you never seen a man with an erection?

So, you really are a virgin?

I didn't believe you.

Wouldn't it hurt?

No. Think how you stretch to have a baby. You know how babies are born?

Of course I do.

I love you. I always shall.

I don't think you will.

Well done!

Faster! Faster! Come on!

David here!

Polly here!

Walter here!

Gosh, I'm all in. Never again!

Very probable. This time next year, where shall we all be?

Under the sod.

You'll be under the sea, in your submarine.

So I shall.

Uncle Richard wants a dog.

Helena won't be pleased.

She gave him a nasty look at dinner.

He deserved it, on about the general

down with all generals!

Especially Franco.

What will you do, calypso, if there's a war?

Won't you comfort the troops?

Well?

Did Oliver win, as usual?

Your father telephoned. He says his hospital is to be evacuated...

..From London.

War.

We should be going.

Yes. Yes. We must thank you. Thank you both. It was charming.

Full moon. Weather's set fair.

We should contact mother.

Yes, use the telephone. And, Sophy, you should go to bed. It's long past your bed time.

Richard?

Yes, my dear. Good party. Thank you for your trouble.

It was no trouble.

Sorry I dropped a brick with those Jews.

Richard?

I don't think I can sleep yet. Can we talk?

What about?

There isn't going to be a war.

The hospitals and doctors are being evacuated. Martin's been..

It's another exercise. The general...

The general is killing the hounds!

He hasn't done it yet. Good god...

..There won't be a war. I won't be a party to panicking and gossip.

What do you mean?

All those children will be in it. All the horrors will happen again.

I can't stand it.

I can't stand...

..Your head-in-the-sand attitude any more! I'm going to London.

London? What on earth for?

What do you think? To do some shopping!

War...

..Changes everything.

Does it?

Of course it does.

Now will you marry me? I must have you, if I'm to fight.

You could get a safe job.

I'm committed.

Myself. You.

I'm not asking you to fight. I didn't ask you to rush to Spain in that silly way.

Against fascism, the Nazis.

Some of them are awfully nice. All that lot I met skiing. I loved that lot.

Calypso, look at me. I'm serious.

At least let's get engaged.

I've said it a hundred times. I will "comfort you", as they say.

But marriage, no. I'd make you unhappy.

Well, then, you've a taste of what I'd be like.

Gosh, I'm sleepy.

Good night, Olly.

I'll hold you to the "comfort" bit.

You do that.

Sophy! You were listening!

Yes.

I happened to be here. I often am.

Come down.

I'll catch you.

There you are.

There.

Thanks.

It's high tide.

I'm frightened. Are you?

Yes, very.

Worse than the terror run?

I'll run again in your honour.

Funny little thing.

You should be in bed.

I'm leaving.

Now. The sooner the better. There's nothing for me here.

I'd comfort you. Will you come back?

Promise.

Perhaps.

Are you all right?

I'll walk on ahead and get you some. Garages will be open when I arrive.

Are you sure?

It's only a mile or two.

You can leave your pack.

Oh, yes.

Where are you going?

I can drive you. We can take turns.

Are you staying with mother?

I hadn't thought.

We can have breakfast at Truro and telephone her there.

Good idea.

Breakfast. At the Red Lion - it was still there then.

Bodmin Moor, Ilminster, Ilchester. It was the old A30/A303 then.

When?

When I drove to London with Oliver.

Forty years ago. More.

He's still alive. Very much so.

There was one about the civil war in Spain. Always looking for something,

..doesn't know what it is.

So, great-aunt Sarah would've been his mother?

'Sarah?'

hello! You must be exhausted. I'm coming down.

Sarah, I had to come up.

I hope you don't mind. I can go to an hotel.

Don't be absurd!

George will be in soon. They've hustled him into the admiralty.

Darling, how's your poor head?

I can't make up my mind in Cornwall. I never can.

No, of course not. I understand.

I'm thinking of leaving Richard.

I thought as much.

Why did you marry him?

I don't know. Maybe because he had known Anthony before he was killed.

Or because I needed someone to look after. Or pity, because he was lumbered with orphan Sophy.

It wasn't love.

Not love, of course. I'm so unused to cooking, but George insisted on a real Sunday lunch.

Do you think it's doing all right?

Oh, I wish he wouldn't limp so obviously!

Shall I do the Greens?

Yes, please. Be an angel. Here's a knife.

I know why I married Richard!

Why?

Oh, well, that's a good reason. Far better than if it was his leg...

Awful how one says those things!

What were you going to say?

That was better than if his leg had come between you - and it can't.

No. Poor dear. He always takes it off before we go to bed.

Oh, lord! Oh, heavens!

I say, you two down there!

you've missed the announcement.

Chamberlain on the wireless. It's happened. We're at war.

Bother. I meant to listen to that jackass.

I thought you didn't believe in him.

No. If I really did, I wouldn't say it.

air raid.

Get in, quick.

Get your gas masks and take cover.

Not a sausage.

Can't see a thing.

Loosen your tie, darling. You'll choke!

Oh, look!

Hello, aunt Sarah! Any bombs?

No.

Seen any planes?

Who are those boys?

Want to take cover, driver?

Thanks.

Let them in, Oliver.

In Plymouth, joining the Navy.

What a gorgeous smell of beef!

Oh, my god, the joint!

It's all right.

Bit overcooked.

It's time to make my announcement. I've joined the army.

When?

In the ranks. But I think having been in the otc helped a bit.

I fixed it up before I went to Cornwall.

What about Spain?

They didn't ask. I didn't tell them.

We'd better buck up. I wonder where we go.

I expect there'll be posters.

Our country needs us!

Where are you staying?

With me. My parents are in Godalming, where father's hospital was evacuated

they said calypso could stay. And the twins, till they're fixed up.

What will you girls do?

Any ideas, uncle George?

I can give you some introductions.

Actually, I've got a job. I fixed myself up months ago.

That was clever!

Lucky you. Is it glamorous?

I hardly think so. Just war office.

Helena? Are you all right up there? When are you coming home?

Well, not at once.

Shopping. All kinds of things.

There'll be shortages. I'll stock up

it's inconvenient without the car.

Ask the general to drive you.

Helena... Helena, he put the hounds down!

Can you believe? I ask you! You may be right about Hitler.

The general thinks so, too. Only a ranker could behave like that.

Poor Richard! The hounds.

Are you going back?

What about? Sophy?

Sophy is what a lot of it's about. It's not altogether the leg. It's Sophy, too.

I don't like Sophy.

You were noble to take her on.

Send her to boarding school.

In wartime?

Find the child a school. You'll both be much happier.

Do you think so?

Calypso's wouldn't do, she was expelled - flirting with a gardener.

There are trains. Ask Polly.

Make a list. Start with leg, then Sophy, then your shopping.

Cross out leg-that can't be helped.

There is a rush. Being hated at Sophy's age isn't right.

I knew you'd help.

Sarah? I'm back!

Is that you, Helena?

Yes. I'm home!

Upstairs - I'm changing.

A ghastly journey - it's outside Cambridge.

But the school was splendid and by a fluke, they've got a place-

..someone out in India who wants their daughter with them.

Richard wants you to ring him.

Why?

What's happened?

He must have told you.

But I've actually been to Harrods to buy a puppy. I've sent it to him.

Oh, all right.

I'll go.

I heard you coming.

Got your present. Chews everything. It ate my cardigan.

Where is Sophy?

In bed at the rectory.

Won't say. The rectory offered. It's best for her to be with a woman.

I can't do much, with my leg. Monika Erstweiler sits with her.

But what happened, for god's sake?

She doesn't say.

Where are you going?

The rector found her on the cliff road. She passed out in his car.

Hasn't spoken since-just lies there.

Any signs? I mean, has he...

Where she was, can't have seen Penrose.

Coastguard. You know him. The army's wiring off the path. I ask you!

Hitler won't invade up cliffs!

What about Penrose?

Fell over. Drunk, I suppose. Or suicide. Moody fellow, his wife says.

Anyway, the army found him. Keeps the police busy. If I had my leg...

Damn your leg! What happened to Sophy?