Original subtitles

(Sneezes)

Good god! Sophy.

Richard's told me about poor sophy.

Like to go up? Monika's with her. The room at the top, on the left.

Thank you.

Hold on!

I ask you.

Door opens

sophy, look who is here!

Hello!

Darling?

Sophy, I've come home. How are you?

In London I bought that puppy.

I bought you a lot of clothes, too.

There's lots going on.

Polly's got a war job. Calypso's looking for one.

Walter's in the Navy. The twins will join the air force. Oliver's in the army - in the ranks.

Car pulls up

aunt Sarah and I thought you might like to go away to school.

I went and saw Polly's old school. You'll like it.

There'll be children your own age. Games. And so on.

Polly says you can stay with her on your way through London.

There's some mistake!

What's going on?

Not English, are they, sir?

Is it about the coastguard?

The accident? So unfortunate!

Mein schatz, they have come.

What is it? Why are they here?

They come for us.

Don't be afraid. These are not the gestapo.

For you?

But that's absurd! You are Jews! You came here to escape from Hitler!

But aliens, even so.

Oh, god!

They mustn't take you!

Uncle Richard! Uncle Richard!

Uncle Richard! Ģ

uncle Richard! You must stop them!

Write to "the times". Write to the prime minister!

Uncle Richard can do it. He'll make them listen to him.

So, he charged into battle.

Sorry?

An mp with good contacts-as a very rich man, he had a lot of friends.

Had to be rich, or your mother wouldn't have married him.

Calypso said she'd marry a rich man

what are you drinking, great-aunt?

Scotch.

♪ Bagpipes: "Hieland laddie"

George, he is - quite old enough to be her father. Ģ

her father introduced them.

How can he have been so stupid?

It didn't occur to him. The man's supposed to be untouchable.

How was her father to know the war made Hector decide to beget an heir?

'But he's had a wife!'

'perhaps Hector can't.'

aunt Helena!

Couldn't sophy get away?

No. I left her at school.

Hector, this is my aunt Helena from cornwall.

I knew your husband in the last war. He reminded me in a letter recently.

I've never seen anyone so smug.

Have you, Polly?

You know what calypso always said.

What?

Somebody has to pay for all this.

Uncle John must be jolly grateful.

Look! I never thought olly'd come.

Darling olly!

How prickly you are!

Is that him?

Am I still to get my comforts?

I'm hoping to get to Finland.

There'll be other campaigns.

Hector!

Lead me to the booze. I want to get filthy drunk.

Oh... that was Oliver.

He's halfway to his goal already.

Come and meet some of my friends from the house.

Even you were young once. Never mind. I'll keep my word if you'll keep yours.

Come on!

Hurry up, olly, they'll start!

All right, give us a chance.

That was close!

Thanks, Polly!

Good luck!

Thanks, Polly!

Walter...

..She's quite a girl, your sister.

Not stupid. That job at the war office is pretty hush-hush.

Very shush-shush.

Pity old sophy couldn't make it.

That was the most unhappy wedding I've ever been to.

Oh, my poor Oliver.

Lucky escape, if you ask me. I don't give much for Hector's chances.

What idiot would spend his wedding night on the sleeper to inverness?

I wonder what's going on.

Night of the long knives, by the bride's looks.

Clever you.

I did appreciate that.

I can't tell you how much I was dreading it.

I thought as much. That's why I booked this room.

Quite a surprise. The savoy, too!

Do you know the best part?

No. Tell me.

Finding a telephone by the lavatory.

Ah. They think of everything. Would you like some oysters?

This late?

Build up our strength for your highlands. I'm dreading them, too.

Wait till you see them.

They'd better be good.

Hello, I'm home! 48 hours.

Anyone else?

Bugger it.

Hello, it's Oliver.

Yes, I'm in London for the night.

Any chance of seeing you?

My parents have decamped to bath.

We're going out. You just caught us. Hector's waiting on the doorstep. We're due at a party.

It's not your sort of party. Sorry.

Next time give us notice. There are so many parties. London's great fun.

No, I'm sure your camp isn't. Why not try Polly? She may be in.

Coming, Hector! Coming!

Oliver!

I got a week off with German measles.

Polly's out with the twins. Come in. Don't let the ice in.

You've grown!

Could I have a bath?

Anything to drink?

There's some gin.

I was just going to have my supper. The twins are up for the night.

I'll take you out to supper.

Any news from cornwall? What's happened to the erstweilers?

Uncle Richard hopes to get them out. I had a letter from Monika in the camp. It was censored. It's stupid!

I know.

The whole bloody war is stupid.

Boring, too. I never even got to Finland before they packed it in.

Where shall we have dinner?

I'll take you to the savoy.

That was really good. I've never been anywhere in London.

Father used to give me lunch here. Why didn't you go back to cornwall?

Aunt Helena said it was too far for such a short time.

Do you mind?

Not like cornwall?

What's it like being a soldier?

Hell.

No, more like purgatory without the benefits.

You weren't at calypso's wedding.

I see.

Drink up.

I don't like it much but it makes me feel warm.

I ran the terror run.

I ran it before they wired it off...

..To stop the Germans landing.

What's the matter?

I met... I mean I saw...

Yes?

I met the rector. He was very kind and took me home.

Oh, look, there's calypso!

Bloody, bloody bitch!

"London's great fun"!

How long have you known she was there, sophy?

I'm not a bloody bitch.

So, end of story?

Comforts for you, old chap?

Monika said the police weren't like the gestapo, when they came to fetch Max and her.

I hope they get out soon.

I'm all right.

Come on, let's get back to Polly's. She'll think you've vanished.

She's out with David and Paul.

They may be back by now.

Cold fish! Make yourself some cocoa. How's it going, Oliver?

It's going nowhere. I'm in camp and bloody bored and cold.

You look fine

I think I'm doing something useful.

Secret?

Not so you'd notice.

Well, it is really.

We're drinking gin.

Thanks.

We saw calypso.

We've rather gone off her.

She's become grand.

She was dining with one tonight. Told me she'd be out with Hector.

He's in the house most nights. Can't expect her to sit at home alone.

You two used to drool over her.

She liked you better than us.

She prefers officers.

We'll escort sophy back to school.

They're training us for fighters.

We'd have been together in bombers.

And I'm still square-bashing. God!

My brother's full of grumbles, too. They won't have him in submarines.

He says the Navy are sadists and he'll spend the war being seasick.

I'm working tomorrow. I'm off to bed

I might be gone in the morning.

Come whenever you like. There's lots of room. I'm in mum and dad's room.

You can have Walter's.

And I'm in hers.

Good lord! Uncle Richard! What are you doing here?

Looking for shelter.

Got lost in the bloody blackout. What do they want a blackout for, with a full moon? I ask you!

We're in the kitchen.

Went to your house. Nobody there.

They're house-hunting in bath. Father's department was evacuated.

Come for a drink. The twins are here

and sophy.

Ah, you two! Which is which? Can't tell you apart!

Neither can Polly.

What are you doing here? No, don't tell me - half term?

German measles. Why're you in London?

Enemy aliens! I ask you! It's ridiculous. Cut your bloody red tape, I said, and let them out.

The rector and I will take care of them. Your father wrote a letter. Gin? Well, if it's all you've got.

Been at the home office all day.

Absolute huns! Can't tell a simple Austrian violinist - who plays the organ in your father's church -

..from an enemy agent!

Went from one buffoon to the other.

Saw six of the buggers. I ask you!

Got nowhere. What are you laughing for?

Well, where was I?

Oh, yes - nowhere.

So, I went to the house of commons..

..And saw that chap calypso married.

Bingo! What do you think?

This fellow - member for somewhere -

says the erstweilers are coming out and arrive in London in two days.

Uncle Richard!

I ask you! Any more of that gin?

Try and relax. I've warmed my hands. I think...

..Touching patients with cold hands the height of cruelty.

How's that? Feel comfortable?

Will it stay in?

Try it yourself. I don't want you panicking.

I don't think I'll panic.

I expect not.

How old did you say you are?

Is that right?

Perfect.

Are your parents pleased?

I haven't told them yet. Father's a doctor. His hospital was evacuated

well, I hope you'll both be happy.

You seem the sort of girl who knows her own mind.

The war shouldn't be allowed to destroy values.

That's my only bromide.

I'm hanging onto my values.

♪ We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz

♪ we hear he is a whiz of a wiz, if ever a whiz there was

♪ if ever, oh ever, a whiz there was the wizard of oz is one because, because, because... ♪

you sound very cheerful, ma.

Oh, I don't know. He was a wizard, in his way. A wizard of the bow.

Not only the bow, by some reports.

I was thinking of the day I came in and fell over uncle Richard's leg!

Snoring

damn!

What are you doing here?

Arrived last night. What time is it?

Sevenish.

Supper - it's seven in the evening!

Oh. We were celebrating. I remember that.

I heard Oliver and the twins making a racket. I suppose they were putting you to bed.

I feel woeful.

Then come down for supper. I live in the kitchen nowadays.

(Hums "over the rainbow")

Doorbell

who is it?

Me.

It's me -

..calypso. Can I come in?

Of course.

We're more likely to break our necks doing this than get bombed!

I laddered my stockings tripping up.

What's the matter?

Are you expecting somebody?

Only uncle Richard. He's in London trying to get the erstweilers out -

..and with a hell of a hangover!

I only just found him - the twins and olly put him to bed last night.

Are they here now?

..And Oliver had to go back to camp.

I wish I'd seen them. The twins did come one evening but I was busy.

Polly, I've got to tell somebody.

Fire away.

Why not stay for supper?

Oh, hell! Hang on.

Hello. What? Oh, aunt Helena.

Yes, it's me - Polly. Yes, uncle Richard's here. He's coming down. Hold on a sec.

It's aunt Helena for you.

What? Who?! That's ridiculous. They telephoned the rector, not me?

I've made all the running! Well, not running - not with my leg.

Polly fell over it. What? Oh, all right. I'll come home.

Yes - tonight. I could catch...

Hello?

Are you there? Helena?

Oh, goddammit!

Cut off!

The erstweilers aren't coming out till tomorrow week. And they're travelling via Bristol. I ask you!

Helena seems to want me home.

Says she didn't know where I'd gone. I'd better catch the night train.

You'll just have time for supper.

I can take you to Paddington, uncle. I've got Hector's car outside.

What about what you were going to tell me?

Oh, that was nothing important.

I think there's one in here, uncle Richard.

Oh, no, it's full.

(All): No, no, have mine.

He can't possibly stand all the way.

Take mine, sir.

Lost in the last show. Wouldn't trouble you, except for my leg.

Bye, uncle Richard. I've got to go.

(Don't you dare give him my address)

Thanks so much. Perhaps we'll meet in London sometime. Goodbye! Goodbye!

You're not in your constituency?

I'll go tomorrow instead.

I wanted to say I'm sorry.

Do you do that often?

You'll not hit me when you're sober?

Darling, I'm sorry. I've said I'm sorry.

Will you forgive me?

Why didn't you warn me?

Why?

No, it's my fault.

Mine, too, now. I've been putting uncle Richard on the night train.

The bloody binge started with him.

I'm cold. I'm tired.

Yes, it will. I may be young but I know it happens again and again.

Don't leave me.

Calypso, I love you.

I don't care if you do or not. I'm not the sort of girl who can love.

I married you for your money and to give you an heir. That's the deal.

I'll keep my word and hope you won't get drunk too often.

I also hope your bloody heir isn't a sod like you.

Oh, my god!

What is it?

I took uncle Richard and then came home by underground!

I forgot.

It's by platform one! Your precious car!

And you left the keys in the ignition, I suppose?

Yes, I did.

Why are you laughing?

You're so funny.

And I love you.

Not tonight.

And bad conscience.

That, too.

You're driving too fast again.

When mother had her stroke last year, she said a thing I didn't understand.

Calypso?

To do with great-uncle Richard.

She said if she hadn't given him a lift one night she could've walked out on my father.

So, I'd never have been born.

Do you know when that was?

Richard? The peacemaker?! Absolute tosh. She was rambling.

She's quite recovered now.

Improved. Calypso's face was too perfect. Now it's lopsided she looks human.

Still - rather an odd thing to say.

Calypso? It's Oliver. Can you have dinner with me? Tonight.

Please. I'm going away.

I'll tell you when I see you.

I'm off to Norway.

Oh, my god! Hector says it's ill-fated. Why you?

I've got a commission.

But you said you never would.

No commission, no action.

Where shall we go? Hector's in the house till late.

Berkeley?

You do live in style.

I'm changing the house quite a lot.

Hector doesn't mind, if I don't interfere in Scotland.

What's that like? Antlers and kilts?

It's Hector's place.

Polly's got a bigger one.

Bigger what?

Hurry up, calypso. I'm starving.

I'll have to telephone.

Someone I promised to dine with.

Like that sailor?

You took out sophy faute De mieux?

I bet she enjoyed it. Sophy's going to be a beauty. She adores you.

She loves us because we're older.

We represent glamour.

When do you go to Norway?

If I knew, I couldn't tell you.

I'm leaving London at dawn.

I see.

What about my comforts? You swore you'd sleep with me.

Did I?

You know you did. I'm off to war.

I keep my promises.

Where can we go?

Not your house.

Where, then?

Mine. My parents are away. We can go there.

All right.

Hell, it's empty! They've moved the furniture.

You knew!

Aunt Sarah told me. They've taken a house in bath.

You bloody bitch.

I'll fuck you on the floor.

They must've left something -

..a sofa, a bed, a carpet.

Door slams

I've been all over. There's bugger all.

You can lie on my uniform.

That scratchy thing?

I'm Randy as hell.

I'm not. I'm cold.

You promised.

I know I did.

Come on, olly, have some sense! Not a tuppenny upright!

Let's go to Polly's - see if she's in.

Doorbell

I haven't got enough money.

I don't want your husband's money.

My sofa?

You used to smell of camomile and salt.

Oh, olly, dear olly, that was so long ago.

I'll walk you home. I'm not Randy any more.

Where've you been?

Having dinner with Oliver. He's off to Norway.

Poor devil. It's a crazy mission.

He's got a commission.

So have I.

What?

Lie down, don't let the cold in.

Snuggle up.

What did you say?

Got a commission. It came through today. In the guards

can't leave it all to young boys. It's a nice surprise for you.

Oh, no.

You smell of cigars. I hate cigars.

Aren't you pleased?

I'm 44. I don't suppose they'll let me do anything dangerous.

If I'm sent overseas I'll send you up to Scotland where you'll be safe.

Oh, no, you won't. I'm staying here, whatever happens.

I'm quite fond of you. How nice and warm this is.

Oh, poor olly.

Soldiers: ♪ run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run

♪ bang, bang, bang, bang goes the farmer's gun

♪ so, run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run

children: ♪ run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run ♪

it's not that I mind having them.

Bang, bang, bang...

Children, play round the back. I want to talk to mrs cuthbertson.

We loved having Max and Monika here. But we're bursting with evacuees.

You couldn't have the erstweilers.

I'm unused to strangers in my house.

A helper like Monika's never idle.

With your maids off to war work...

Can't be sure. Thanks for the jelly.

He's working for Max.

Mm. Bought a typewriter to compose all Max's letters.

Max made contact with other musicians in the camp. Now he hopes to find work with orchestras here.

I hadn't quite realised how successful Max was in Vienna.

Yes, I'm told he was.

Even more surprisingly, Richard turns out to know a lot about music.

And you're tone-deaf! God moves in a mysterious way.

Violin: Bach partita

Been down to the cove?

Hello, ducks.

He needs exercise or he grows fat. Richard, with his leg, cannot cope.

You smell these?

Wild garlic.

It will do for salads. I find it in the woods.

In the camp there was this man who has a restaurant in soho.

I get him to send us real garlic and teach you to grow...

If we grow garlic, we will transform the rations.

Do not tell him. He will not know. I will tell cook.

Do you think that wise?

Well, if it was sour...

I don't want to upset her.

All right. Don't worry.

I am going to the woods. Later we find other things - mushrooms, wild berries, fungi...

Violin

listen. You hear Max's playing?

This is bach.

Also, we make yoghurt.

It is made from germs. It is a food.

Bills.

Bloody rates - again!

Ah!

Max!

One for you.

Oh, it will be the same - "we thank you for your enquiry."

Well?

It's from barbirolli.

What is it?

I have a concert! Menuhin cancelled.

What to perform?

♪ Pa-pom pa-Pam pa-bumpety-rum! ♪

When, Max?

You must rehearse! You have no piano for me to accompany?

The general has one. I'll phone him.

I think it's coming in now, Sarah.

Are you still there? yes, it is.

My drawing room's a music studio. Monika's taken over everything.

And worst of all, cook's given in her notice after nearly 20 years.

Birmingham, she says. To work in a factory!

She claims it's the money but really, of course, it's (monika)!

Be thankful. I wish I had some erstweilers.

If you'd heard the news, you'd not bother me with trivialities.

The Germans have invaded Holland and Belgium. We're worried stiff. What's happening to poor Oliver in Norway?

We've had no news at all.

Calypso? Well, I suppose Hector may have heard something.

No, aunt Sarah, I'm afraid not. He knows no more than you.

I think they're pulling out. You could try Polly - she works in an office that's in the know.

Well, yes, I did get a letter. Nothing much - it was censored.

He just said, "this is worse than the terror run".

That game we used to play.

I'm sure he'll be back safe... Yes, I will. Our six minutes are up. Goodbye, aunt Sarah.

It's no good asking me. I don't know - and if I did, I couldn't tell you.

(Calypso.)

Come round and have supper. Are you doing anything?

A friend here wants to meet you.

Of course you'd like him. Light entertainment. Just the job.

There you are. She's coming. I promised you'd meet her.

Mind you're nice to her.

I always am...

..Surely?

You can take her home after supper. I want an early night.

But, Polly, I...

Are you giving me my conge?

That was the arrangement. It's worked well. Thanks a million.

You cold-blooded bitch!

No - just practical.

You've used me.

Yes, I have.

You've been an investment - a tutor. I learned a lot.

You've behaved like a young man in a brothel.

And why not?

Why not?

Was Tony wood a friend of yours, or calypso's?

Both, in the end.

Not at the time. Ambidextrous.

I should have thought in the war there wasn't time for a private life.

You're wrong. We lived intensely, did things we never would have done.

It was a very happy time.

Gasping

Happy?

Surprised.

Why so?

I've been married so long to Richard

..i thought I was past all that.

You are an idiot, my Helena.

Quite probably.

My leg's getting pins and needles!

Why did it happen?

Why?

At the cove you were staring out to sea. Were you thinking of your son?

Not pauli then. I thought of Paris.

The Nazis will be in Paris.

And then made love to me?

I make love when I am sad. Also when I am happy. Most times, I just make love.

Hello, you two!

Soph-ophy-ophy!

Give us a kiss.

You're to spend half term with us.

Oh, goody! Where?

With Polly. We're building her a shelter. You can help.

Any news of Oliver?

She hasn't noticed. She hasn't noticed our elevation.

Have you?

Oh, you're officers! How grand!

What else?

Wings! Oh, gosh, you've got wings!

Pilot officers with wings, on leave. We've three days in London.

Where's the shelter you built Polly?

Come on! A bit further yet.

I can smell paint.

Now!

We wanted you to sleep in peace.

(Twins): What do you think?

Oh, twins! You darlings!

I love it!

And I love you.

We must have you safe.

And sophy helped?

Hello?

What's this ghastly smell of paint?

I thought you were in Portsmouth!

God rot the admiralty - sadistic bastards! Hello, you lot!

(All): Hello, Walter!

I keep meeting people who've stayed.

Could I speak to calypso?

(Croaks): Oliver! We all think you're dead - it's been months!

It's not a sexy voice. I'm very ill - tonsilitis. Nearly dead.

Olly, I can't. I'm in bed. Hector's had to go to a party without me.

I'll meet you at the Berkeley.

I've been in bed, too.

Wounded?

If you hadn't been in Norway you'd have been retreating in France.

Lots got back. Hector met them.

Being met by Hector would be the last straw.

Norway's forgotten. All I hear about is heroic dunkirk!

Was Walter there?

He's obsessed with seasickness. Wasn't he terrified by the bombing?

Polly was glad he was all right.

Are you shell-shocked?

I've got a room in half moon street.

Let's go there for a sex shock.

Yes. I'm not hungry and you're not eating.

I can't swallow.

Try not to be silly. Stop prevaricating.

Have you told your mother you're back?

I will. Soon.

Do it now. Then I'll come to your room.

Hope you don't mind. It's the only room I could find.

I'm looking forward to this.

Come on, my love. Hurry up!

The zip's stuck.

Not down, you fool. Pull it up first

you're doing this on purpose.

Siren

it's an air raid. Hector will kill me if I get caught out in this.

To hell with Hector. Come on, I want my comforts - now.

I know. I can hear. (It's the bloody landlady.)

I must see the blackout's all right.

I must see for myself - and in the bathroom. Let me in!

Our warden's a terror!

I was just going to bed.

Are you alone? I heard voices.

I don't allow lodgers to bring ladies

fix the blackout and push off.

Aren't you going to take cover?

All well now? Had a good peek round?

You didn't pull that blind down!

Are you sure no-one...

Thank you. Can't imagine where the war would be without you. Have a good raid, then. Good night!

Why did you want to hide in there?

(Croaks) It's Hector.

I must be careful because of Hector. If he found out he'd kill me.

Look at my hair! Goodness, I feel ill. This awful throat!

Will you take me home, olly, please?

I don't think I can be much comfort. I really can't.

You do sound a bit hoarse.

Sorry.