Mary Anning (2025)

[bunniefuu]

A story based on the life of

Mary Anning

Hi, Mum.

Morning, Mary.

Did you wake your brother?

- No, I dont have the time.

- Joseph!

- Mary, eat something.

- Yes, Mum.

Have a good day, Mum!

- Hi Jo, see you later.

- Hi Mary.

Tray! Tray!

Tray! Stop it!

Lets go!

That girl, for sure...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Nice dog!

Oh dear! I nearly got it!

- Why did you want to catch him?

- Let's eat it!

- I've never tasted seagull before.

- Can you eat it?

You'd be surprised, young lady

of everything you can eat.

Ah, that's a nice fossil

you've found!

- May I?

- You know,

a long time ago it was an animal,

but it doesn't exist anymore...

Indeed, I would say

that it's an ammonite.

A fine specimen!

- Can I buy it from you?

- Of course!

Would 5 Shillings be enough?

- 5 Shillings! Wow.

- There.

I'll also leave you my card

because I'm leaving soon.

Professor William Buckland...

Mary! Mary!

- Mary, the school!

- Im sorry, I have to go.

- Goodbye!

- Goodbye young lady!

I don't understand it,

I did your hair this morning.

What have you done?

Ahh, are they wet?

- Have you been swimming again?

- No, Mum!

You're driving me crazy

by wandering off and...

- Muuummmm!

- What? You don't agree?

- Yes, but...

- No ifs or buts!

I don't want you to look like

a little savage.

Tomorrow we'll go to the hairdresser.

Come on, our reverend is waiting!

- Hello Reverend!

- Hello Miss Miller!

- Hello Reverend!

- Anning!

Youve been at the beach again.

How many times should I tell you

that a young girl mustnt...

must not...

But, but...

Ah, damned dog!

Anning!

- Anning!!

- Tray, run home.

Sorry about that.

When the lightning struck

it struck Mary!

Since then

they call her Mad Mary!

Lets go inside!

And on the 7th day God said to

himself

that he had worked well

and rested.

So the world was created in 6 days

and our Earth is now

6000 years old.

Have you finished your

reading, Miss Anning?

If the world is only 6000 years old,

why are there tracks of animals

on the beach

that disappeared so long ago

they have become stone?

Come on, extinct animals

dont exist,

as you all know,

it's a load of nonsense!

Who can tell me

what happened during the flood?

- But...

- Miss Miller?

Noah saved two of each species.

Yes, and so?

And so no species has disappeared?

Exactly!

But some fossils show that there

existed extraordinary animals.

Enough is enough!

What is the title of the chapter

that I asked you to study?

In conversation

women must know how to shut up

when the subjects discussed

are beyond their reach.

Thank you, Miss Anning!

This is a perfect example

what not to do

if you want to be

a woman worthy of her husband.

Let's start again.

- God created the world...

- It's all bullshit.

...as it is

as it has always been.

Mary, look,

your father's waiting for you!

Go!

Hi my little fool!

I'm too

stupid to tell the difference

between a snail and a stone...

Come on, Fanny!

- Don't let her get to you!

- Come on!

Don't ever do that again or I'll tell

everyone what you're doing in secret!

Mary, that's enough!

It's a shame

she survived the lightning strike.

- What's going on here?

- Fanny!

I'm here!

- Fanny my darling!

- I'll see you tomorrow.

Goodbye Fanny my darling!

You know Mary you shouldn't

react to their provocations.

They're just waiting for that,

it makes them so happy.

- But Fanny laughed at Dad.

- So what?

Who cares

what people think, right?

- Yeah, but...

- But nothing.

Don't waste your time

with people like that.

You know, Joseph, I wonder

how will I manage without you

next year?

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Look!

- Daddy!

- Mary! Joseph!

Daddy look how much I earned

with just one fossil.

5 shillings! Wow,

that's much more than usual.

Will that be enough to pay off the debts?

Not quite but it's good enough!

Joseph, will you help me

finish building the shed?

- Of course, Dad!

- I'll get Tray.

I'll join you.

Tray!

I'm coming.

Hello Mary!

Hello.

Who was that lady?

Miss Philpot, the rich Londoner

who moved into the house

in the hills 3 months ago.

- Does she have a child?

- No, no.

She's in charge of him

for a while.

His name is Henry.

She teaches him in the morning

but in the afternoon

she has to get back to her work.

Starting next week well be taking

care of him in the afternoons.

- She's afraid he'll be bored.

- You said no, I hope?

Sorry, we can't turn down an

extra shift right now.

Not that I particularly like

her, but oh well...

- Why do you say that?

- It's weird though, isn't it?

All alone in this great big

house studying science?

And I spend all day

doing laundry for peanuts.

Anyway, I'm counting on you

to look after Henry after school.

What? No! I haven't got the time

to babysit.

Firstly, Henry is not a baby,

and secondly, you don't have a choice.

Two hotels are being built

in the neighbouring village.

They say bathing in the sea

is good for your health.

That means more

sheds to build, doesn't it?

Oh yes!

There you go!

Perfect timing Mary, we've just finished.

- How about a trip to the rocks?

- Yes, Daddy!

It's not too late, we could

start building a new shed?

No, the tide will turn

and the fossils won't wait.

Look what

I found for you this morning!

A sea urchin fossil!

It is magnificent, thanks Dad!

I'm not selling this one.

Dad, look!

- I found a Gryphaea.

- Great!

- You know what the Reverend would say?

- That it's a devil's toenail.

And then he calls us

mad and nutty.

Well, ignorance

sometimes makes people nasty.

But try to

put yourself in his shoes,

the fossils contradict everything

that poor man teaches.

How could he imagine that

millions of years ago,

all of that, was underwater?

And that there were molluscs

and huge shellfish

which resemble nothing we know.

Not to mention species

that haven't been discovered yet.

One day, no one will question

the existence of fossils.

Not even the Reverend.

- That'll teach him!

- Mary!!

But you're right,

if it would shut him up.

Oh no, there's that big oaf

Curios coming our way!

Don't talk about the captain like that.

Didn't you see how he looked at me?

It's like he hates me!

But no, he's just a bit gruff

he's like that with everyone.

I'm going to see him, wait here.

Tray, come back!

Yes, stay here!

It's fine, everything's okay.

I'm here.

- Dad, why did he run off like that?

- He hates storms.

He saw pieces of ebony wood

washed up on the rocks.

I'll take a look

before the sea washes everything away.

Can we come with you?

Id prefer you not to

with this weather

and Molly will be very angry

if you come home all wet.

Off you go!

See you later then.

It's Curios' fault that Dad is

outside in weather like this.

Don't say that,

he was just trying to help.

I don't understand why you

always defend him.

I think he's mean.

And on top of that, he's competing

with us for fossils.

You know he hasn't had

an easy life.

He lost his daughter a long time ago,

she was 20 years old.

He never got over it.

He became increasingly reclusive

and he had to sell his house.

Your father helped him build

his cabin on the cliffs.

Oh yes, that's right.

How did his daughter die?

We're not sure.

Joseph, can you set the table?

But what's going on?

Mum, what's going on?

My brothers, my sisters,

we are gathered here today

to mourn

our dear Richard Anning.

His death has left

an honourable family in mourning

that God is testing severely.

Of course, the loved one weve lost

was not beyond reproach,

but God in

his immeasurable goodness

will forgive him

his occasional misdemeanours.

And his irrational passion

for curiosities.

These are just a venal sin.

- Knowing that...

- Stop it!

Stop it!

You can't say that!

- Mary! Please.

- No, leave me alone!

Let us give thanks to the lord

who welcomes...

What do you want?

During the storm...

a whole section

of the cliff collapsed.

Your father managed

to get to my house.

He was all wet and excited.

And he didn't answer

my questions.

He took a piece of coal

and drew this on the wall...

whispering your name.

And then he started feeling ill.

I finally realised

that he had suffered a blow to the head.

I went to get help,

but when I came back...

Why did he draw this?

I don't understand.

What is it?

I don't know.

I thought you'd know.

Is it true that your daughter is dead?

It's none of your business!

Go away!

Stay on your own, then!

You're just a grumpy old man!

Tray!

Come on, let's go.

I shouldn't have left like that.

I'm very sorry.

But I don't understand

why you let the reverend

talk rubbish about Dad.

You know, Mary,

many people found his passion for fossils

a bit weird.

Oh, no, you don't!

Don't you start too.

Mum!

You don't understand a thing about

fossils!

One day I'll prove

Dad was right.

That'll teach that

reverend's blessed a*s!

Don't talk like that!

And you're not going back to the beach!

It's dangerous and

its no place for a young girl!

- But...

- No buts about it!

- You're going to look after

Henry after school! - It's not fair!

What's going on?

A bailiff has just been here

because of our debts.

- Is it really that bad?

- It looks like it.

We had to borrow quite a lot of money

to repair the roof

after the last storm.

But do we owe a lot?

I think so.

- We can sell fossils!

- We're already doing that, aren't we?

- No, I mean these ones.

- Your favourite fossils?

Would you be willing to part with them?

Some of them you found with Dad.

I can find others.

But we'll have to sell them for more.

Like the one I sold

to the man from the town.

I'm not sure we'll sell

many at that price, but...

Tomorrow after school

we'll set it up in the square.

- And we won't tell Mum,

we'll surprise her. - Okay!

What's this drawing?

I'm not sure.

Dad drew it before he...

It looks like a wheel.

Miss Philpot was amazed

that I know all this

when I'm only 8 years old,

well almost,

my birthday is in a month.

For my birthday, my dad

was going to give me an encyclopaedia.

These books contain

all the knowledge in the world.

I find it incredible.

Did I tell you that I want

to be a scientist when I grow up?

- That's a nice one, what is it?

- Listen, Henry.

Selling fossils is big business.

So, if you want to stay with us,

you can't say another word.

- Is that clear?

- Okay, fine.

Aren't you being a bit hard on him?

Okay.

So Henry, I'm putting you in charge

of finding us some customers, okay?

Oh yes! Cool! You'll see

you won't regret it!

I've found a customer!

Actually, I don't really want those!

You mentioned precious stones,

but they're actually just curios.

Yes, but look at these,

take a closer look!

It's magnificent,

come on, please!

Oh darling, look at the strange stones

those children are selling!

It's an ammonite,

a very ancient mollusc.

A mollusc is so quaint!

Fanny!

Fanny, you don't belong here!

Hello Madam, we have some

beautiful stones for sale.

But! But these prices

are absolutely outrageous.

- Is it expensive?

- Oh yes, unbelievable!

Sorry, but it's not that easy

to find fossils.

- We're not thieves.

- Oh yes, you are.

Captain Curios sells them

for at least three times less.

Really?

And where is this Captain Cure-os?

Curios, its exactly what

these stones are called:

curiosities!

Ha! Thank goodness we're here!

You would have been ripped off

like... anyway, follow us!

As for you, I don't want

see you hanging out with anyone.

What business is it of hers?

She ruined everything, let's tidy up!

But where did you find

such treasures?

Mary finds them,

in the rocks near the cliffs.

A lady said

that they were too expensive.

- It was a good price.

- Maybe, but we didn't sell anything.

And we're not exactly

rolling in money.

It must take a keen eye to

find all those in the wet rocks.

- That's true.

- I'll take this little belemnite.

I would have bought you more

but I don't have much left

to end the month.

Contrary to what people say,

I'm not rolling in money.

And what do you do for a living?

I study science.

I'm looking to get published

but it's not easy

being a woman in this field.

- Yeah, that's lousy!

- That's how it is, but never mind.

I'll keep going.

We have to stay hopeful.

Fortunately, my small

income allows me

to support myself

and buy a few books.

In fact, I have a book

on fossils.

I'll show it to you,

if you like.

We tried to sell

my fossil collection,

but it didn't work out,

I'm sorry.

- That's all we got.

- I'm sorry, my darlings.

It isn't your responsibility

to worry about that.

I promise to become

the best cabinetmaker in the region.

We won't have any more money problems.

What will happen if we

can't pay back the money?

We'll have to sell the house

and move to town.

What? No!

We may have more opportunities there.

We can stay with

my sister in the meantime.

No way! I'll never leave here.

Never, is that clear!

All right, I'll go and see her.

You know,

maybe the town isn't so bad.

It's really lively, not like here.

And therell be loads of new

things to discover.

I'm sure you'll like it there.

- Mary?

- No.

- I can't leave here.

- Why not?

Why?

But just look at it.

It's true that it's pretty.

But it's not just pretty,

you don't understand!

Dad loved this place

and I'm just like him.

Mary, look, someone's swimming!

It's Fanny!

You don't look surprised!

Did you know already?

Mary! Mary!

We're going to be late for school.

Come on!

Of course,

it goes without saying

a woman must remain

dignified in all circumstances.

And I ask you

what could be more undignified

than to wallow in the

muck of the seaside

like a dirty little pig?

But above all, women

must not flaunt themselves,

so certain leisure activities

are totally inappropriate,

such as swimming in the sea.

Isn't that right, Miss Miller?

Well, that's enough fun,

for tomorrow I'd like to....

Mary, Joseph,

I've got something for you!

That's all the money I have. I hope

it's enough to pay off the debts.

That's very kind of you Henry

but we can't accept it!

Mary has found another solution.

She sent a letter

to Prof. Buckland,

a fossil specialist from Oxford.

She is sure that he will

buy her collection.

- William Buckland?

- How do you know his name?

- He's my tutor.

- Your what?

He is my tutor and looks after me

with my dad not around.

- But isn't that Miss Philpot?

- Yes, it is, at the moment.

Before that it was Mr Buckland.

And you couldn't have said that earlier?

Then you should have

let him speak!

That's true. Sorry, Henry,

I wasn't very nice.

That's all right.

Which address

did you send the letter to?

Because he's

not in Oxford at the moment.

He's on the coast

studying the soil.

- Oh no.

- Well yes, that's why I'm here.

My father builds hotels.

He's always very busy, so he

asked Mr Buckland to look after me.

Mr Buckland entrusted me to

Miss Philpot, who is a friend of his.

Miss Philpot entrusted me to you

because she works in the afternoon.

- My father has to return to Lyme...

- Ok! Ok!

I'm not sure I understand it all

but where is Mr Buckland at the moment?

Ah, that's easy, I always write

everything down in my notebook.

There! This is it! Seatown.

Okay, it's on the stagecoach line.

We could do that, but we don't have

enough money for the journey.

- Of course, with my money!

- That's kind of you, Henry, thank you.

Well, it's looking good, we just need to

check the weekend timetable!

No, we can't wait

until then, it's urgent.

- Are you planning to skip school?

- Yes, I am.

Oh no! Not me!

There's no way we're going to skip

school or we'll get punished.

And Mum wouldn't agree.

And yet, it's

also for her that we're doing this.

Books don't belong on the floor.

You're not dogs.

Sorry, Reverend.

Tray. I think I have a plan.

Don't look so down, Joseph.

You're the one who has

the easiest role.

Nevertheless

I don't like it at all.

Is that okay, Henry?

Are you feeling brave?

- Yes!

- Lets go!

You're the boy the lady from London

is looking after, aren't you?

Yes. I wanted to know if the church

was built by the Vikings.

WHAT! Come on, the church

was built in the Middle Ages

by good Christians.

The Saxons built

the foundation of this building,

at the end of the first millennium.

And the Normans completed the

construction around 1220, see?

Is it true that the bell tower was built

with stones from Egypt?

What? No! Why would we

bring stones from Egypt?

Where did you get that nonsense?

We have all the

stones we need here.

Is it the Londoner

teaching you this nonsense?

No, it's not her.

And I've been told that bells

can cure colds.

- Is this true?

- Thats enough!

Don't make fun of me!

Get out of here!

- But...

- But nothing.

Mary get out!

Now.

What now?

I said go away, you little...

Oh, it's you!

Reverend,

I wanted to apologise

for leaving

the books on the floor.

Come, come, my little Joseph,

it's nothing serious,

just don't do it again.

Thank you and good day, Reverend.

Good evening to you young man.

We put hair everywhere,

even in his bedroom!

I'll never do anything like that again,

we were lucky.

What's wrong?

- Nothing.

- Yes, I can see.

It's just the kind of adventure

that I would have loved to tell Dad.

Oh Mary... I know.

Come on, let's catch up with Henry!

Mary, Joseph I've just heard

that the reverend is ill.

You won't have school today.

And I have a full day

of laundry.

Mummy? Do you promise

if we find the money, we'll stay?

Yes, but stop talking about it.

I'm off, be good.

Coachman, hang on!

So coachman, shall we go?

Mum?

Oh dear!

Are you coming or not?

- What's up?

- Oh, I swear!

What's mum

doing in the stagecoach?

That's it,

our mission is ruined!

Not yet!

I've got another idea.

There! It's Mr Buckland! Look!

Hello Mr Buckland!

Oh Henry, you're just in time.

Help me lift this rock.

- What are you looking for?

- I don't know.

Wait, we'll help you.

- Are you looking for fossils?

- Fossils?

No, I don't eat fossils!

I was looking for a small crab

that looked very appetising.

Henry, what are you doing here?

We have fossils to sell.

That is, if you're interested.

And Joseph has taken over

in the meantime. And Mary

climbed out of the window with

her dog. And Miss Philpot believes

I'm collecting fossils.

When we wanted

take the stagecoach,

Mary's mum was already inside.

Crazy, isn't it?

Well... yes, yes, it's crazy!

I'll take everything!

It's a magnificent collection,

how about 10 pounds?

From your smiles I can

tell you agree.

We're going to the inn.

I take this opportunity to place the

stagecoach at your disposal.

There's no way you're

going back to Lyme in a rowboat.

Mr Buckland, I wanted to

ask you something else.

This drawing,

Could it be a fossil?

Like, I don't know, an eye

or something like that?

It's hard to say!

This drawing is a little vague.

I'm surprised

you mention an eye because

at a pinch, it could be

a sclerotic ring.

- A what?

- A sclerotic ring.

This is the eye bone of certain animals,

but we've never found a fossil of it.

- Don't tell me you've found one?

- No, no.

I thought so

because it would make quite a discovery.

There she comes.

- Mum!

- Well, what a greeting.

We were just wondering

what you did today.

But I told you I...

Okay, I took the day off

to go for an interview in town.

Nothing is certain yet, but if it

works out, I'll have a new job.

Just as tiring

but slightly better paid.

I'll receive the answer

in a few days' time.

But how much money do we owe?

Far too much...

But it's not for you

to worry about that. Okay?

Thank you for folding the clothes.

We sold the fossil

collection and got 10 pounds.

That's more than enough

to repay debts.

What's the matter?

It's not enough, is it?

I'm very sorry.

We owe a lot more.

But it's still wonderful.

This money will be a great

help to us when we go into town.

What?

No, were not going to town!

I'll find the eye

and pay off the rest of the debt.

What are you talking about?

Before he died, Dad

drew this picture.

He had discovered

a very rare fossil.

If we find it

we won't have to leave anymore.

Is this story true?

I'm not sure.

We don't really know.

Joseph, I don't understand

how can you say that.

Why would he have drawn this,

if not to help us?

Listen, Mary,

I know you're going through

a difficult time

and when we suffer

we often cling to false hopes.

But we have to keep our feet on the

ground.

This drawing could be anything.

Well, I think it looks like a plate.

Why would he have drawn a plate?

You don't understand anything.

It's a fossil, I tell you,

I'm going to find it.

Sorry Mary, I don't know

why your dad drew this picture,

but I'm sure I dont want

you hanging around the beach anymore.

It's too dangerous.

Did you hear what I said?

You know, Mary,

I imagine

that it wasnt easy for you

to get rid of all your fossils.

Thank you very much.

In honour of this small fortune

I'm going to bake us a cake.

Today there's no school

We're so lucky

The reverend is ill

So we're going for a walk

It's a day of freedom

And we'll make the most of it

Hush, Henry.

Why was the girl crying?

Come on, tell me, what a day.

She's not exactly a saint!

When the water reaches

the highest rocks,

- it's time to go home. Ok?

- Ok.

- Ok, let's go!

- Yes.

...five, six, seven.

She's here.

I saw the reverend.

He's feeling much better.

School starts again tomorrow.

Don't tell me that

you went looking for that fossil!

I dont believe it!

But I told you not to go back there!

And I imagine you took Henry with you.

I'm sure that Dad's drawing...

Your father died on those rocks.

Isn't that enough?

- And you let her do that?

- But...

Mary, look at me!

Promise me

you wont go back there.

Hi, I'm here to pick up Henry.

I heard a thing or two and...

I said to myself

maybe it's not so bad

if they're careful and...

Who are you to interfere?

You've never had children

and you're lecturing me!

No, not at all,

I'm sorry, I just wanted to...

Don't worry, she's like that

our mum, quite expl*sive!

And things aren't

going very well at the moment.

I shouldn't have interfered!

Either way, it's kind

of you to defend us.

But we went back to the beach

to find an eye fossil

my father had seen.

And if we find it, it can

pay off all their debts.

But my mother doesn't want to

understand. And neither does Joseph.

Oh, come on! Mum's already

angry with me because of you!

Now, now, don't argue.

Henry spoke to me

about this eye fossil story.

You even went to see

Mr Buckland, apparently.

You'll have to tell me more.

According to him, if you find it,

it will be an exceptional discovery.

Oh, how exciting!

We really must convince your mum

to continue searching,

but carefully, of course.

If you want to

I can try to talk to her.

Oh no, I don't think

thats going to help.

Yes, I sensed that

she doesn't like me very much.

I can only think of one person

who could convince her.

What?

No way!

Come on!

What's the point? You spent

the whole day and didn't find anything.

Please, Jo!

- We just need time.

- All right, Ok.

- I'm willing to try.

- Oh, thanks, Jo!

But I can't guarantee anything.

When do we start

the game of he goose?

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Here you go.

Listen to me.

I wanted to apologise.

- I'm sorry I got carried away.

- No, it's me.

I'm very sorry,

I shouldn't have.

I'll allow you to go

back and find that eye.

But only this weekend!

If you come back empty-handed, thats it.

- Thanks, we'll find it.

- Wait, there's more.

I have several conditions.

1: Don't get too close

to the cliffs,

they can collapse.

2: The smallest cloud on the horizon,

and you come home.

And 3: I want Joseph come with you

and an adult person to accompany you.

I can't see many people here

who have time for that.

Oh no.

No, no. I've got work to do.

- I study physics and...

- It's that or nothing!

Good, very good.

I should be able to

free up a few hours.

On the other hand

you'll need shoes.

So, for women we

have a pair of small pumps.

We don't want pumps

we want boots.

Leave it, Margareth,

I'll take care of it.

We don't have this item in 5,

the smallest size is 5.5.

Would the little lady

like to try them on?

No, the little lady

doesn't want to try them on!

I'll leave it to the little gentleman

to do the adding up.

Come on, Miss Philpot,

don't be afraid!

The boots cling to the rocks!

Hey, you're not doing so badly!

Yeah, right, make fun of me!

I know I look like

an elephant on ice skates!

- Oh, Miss Philpot, all right?

- Yes, I'm fine.

Well, well, a belemnite!

Great, a lovely first fossil.

Congratulations, Miss Philpot!

- Do you need any help?

- Thank you, Joseph.

Unfortunately, were not

Looking for a belemnite.

You're right, back to work!

Let's find that famous eye!

You know, I was thinking about something.

What if we asked him

where the ebony wood came from?

- We could start from there.

- Yes, why not.

Better leave the talking to me.

What do you want?

We'd like to know where

you found the ebony that my dad...

It's too late for that,

the tide took it all!

Yes, we can imagine that, but

we'd like to know where it was, please.

It was near the

three witches' hills.

Ah yes, I know where that is.

- But you won't find anything.

- Thank you, Captain.

Indeed.

Are you okay, Mary?

You seem a bit off.

It's Curios. Can't you see

how he looks at me?

He's jealous because

you find better fossils.

No, that's not it.

There's something else, I'm sure.

Joseph, what is it?

Tell me.

- Come on!

- Well...

- Mum didn't want to tell you about it.

- Tell me what?

But I think you should know.

You know, when you were a baby

and you were struck by lightning

you weren't there alone.

You were in the arms of a girl.

The captain's daughter, actually.

And... she died instantly

whereas you...

Obviously,

there's nothing you can do about it.

That's it! That's the place!

The black wood!

There's no doubt about it,

it's ebony.

Mary, look!

Wait, Henry!

It's not you,

she just needs to be alone.

What's wrong with her?

There was a bolt of lightning...

Mary didn't know about it...

- How are you?

- Not good!

You're right,

we'll never find it!

It's like looking for a

needle in a haystack.

Mary, look!

The eye!

We've found it!

Madame Philpot! Henry!

Look, Mum.

Mrs Anning,

today is a glorious day!

For the first time

we have irrefutable proof

of animal species that disappeared

millions of years ago.

That'll teach the reverend.

Dad wasn't mad.

Fanny, go fetch

the reverend immediately.

- No, Mum.

- What do you mean, no?

I wouldn't do that!

Very well, then I'll go myself!

Mum!

What did you find there?

It's the head

of an extinct marine animal.

- Wow!

- I'm sure there must be others.

Little by little we'll find them.

Right, let's calm down.

I knew it!

Still trying to

make us eat humble pie.

Before coming here, I remembered

to bring this book,

entitled "God's creatures".

What you have there is

nothing but a crocodile skull.

Its no big deal.

A crocodile? What's it doing here?

There aren't any in England.

They dont exist anymore.

I imagine that they

didn't like the climate.

They probably went elsewhere.

That looks pretty big

for a crocodile, doesn't it?

When the world was created,

everything was bigger.

Humans and animals alike.

It's just a crocodile,

and not an imaginary creature

that certain scatterbrains

like to invent.

It's not a crocodile!

- Miss Anning, control yourself!

- You're talking nonsense again!

- Mary!

- Apologise immediately!

- Never!

- Mary, that's enough.

You've made enough of a spectacle

of yourself. Go to your room.

Reverend, please

forgive her behaviour.

And to think she was going to

make us believe that nonsense!

Each to their own

and all will be well.

I should never have said yes.

Look what happened.

Excuse me, Mrs Anning,

the reverend knows nothing.

What he says does not cast doubt

on the exceptional nature

of this discovery.

Your daughter could

help advance science.

Science is a man's business,

don't you understand that yet?

- No, it's not a...

- Enough is enough!

Stop filling my daughters

head with impossible dreams.

It's easy for you to say,

you're rich and have no children.

Mary's future is at stake!

I'm sick of this nonsense!

Sorry. I'm sorry.

I received a positive response

to my job interview.

And in the light of recent events

I decided to accept.

I start in 3 months and

I'm going to put the house up for sale.

We're moving to Exter

in 3 weeks' time.

This is an opportunity

not to be missed,

especially for Joseph. As a cabinetmaker,

he will have more customers.

And you, my darling,

you'll be able to find a husband there.

- But!

- I don't want any buts!

I've made up my mind.

And I want you to go and

apologise to the reverend.

Mum can't make us move house.

I will never leave here.

Listen, Mary,

I agreed to help you

but now it's over.

It's pointless, you know.

The whole village laughs at us.

Mum's right,

it's time to grow up.

I'm really sorry.

Come on, Tray.

It's going to be okay.

Mary, how are you?

I got up early

and I followed you.

What were you looking at?

Nothing.

- Was it the big monster?

- Did you see it too?

- Are you leaving?

- No.

- But I can't go home.

- Why not?

You could come and live with

Miss Philpot. She has a big house.

- Do you think so?

- Oh yes!

What's more, my dad wrote to me.

He's moving to Lyme.

That's great, we can

go fossil hunting together.

And I didn't tell you, Miss Philpot

wanted to talk to you.

I think it's about the crocodile.

Miss Anning!

I imagine that

you've come to apologise.

What's with the bag?

Are you running away?

No, I'm carrying Henry's bag.

Don't make girls carry

your things, young man.

- Sorry.

- Well, I'm waiting!

I suppose you came to apologise?

I don't know what you're up to

young lady, but it won't last.

- Come with me, let's talk.

- We don't have time.

- Now!

- Tray! Go give the reverend a hug!

Anning!

Please call your dog back!

Tray, stand guard!

We'll be back!

Do you really think

that this is a good idea?

Yes, it is!

Hush now.

Wait.

I'll show you.

That's not how you do it.

Wow, you're good!

But tell me, did you know

that belemnites

were the hard part of

prehistoric cephalopods?

No, I thought it was

some kind of squid.

But squids are cephalopods.

Look at this beautiful fossil.

I wonder if, like the squid,

it could make ink.

- Interesting question!

- We'll find out.

Mary, don't you think we

should go and get Tray?

Are you all right, Henry?

You look pale.

Look, Miss Philpot,

it's darker than the rest!

That's true.

I think, you need to moisten it.

- It works, it's brilliant!

- Incredible.

I think we've got

a new topic for an article.

In my opinion

this one's going to be published.

- Do you want to try, Henry?

- Yes.

You know, Mary,

I'm delighted to have found

a research colleague.

Miss Philpot, would you

agree to Mary living here?

- What?

- Mum wants to move to the town.

But I don't want to leave!

I can't take you in

without your mum's permission.

She'll never agree,

she doesn't like you.

I can't take you in, but

I can help you avoid moving.

I don't know

if Henry told you

but I had an idea.

Wait!

Look, it's a science book

about animal skeletons.

Open the page on crocodiles.

Don't you notice anything?

The eye! It looks nothing like

the fossil we found!

Crocodile dont have

sclerotic rings

and it wasnt the head of a

crocodile that we found.

The reverend was mistaken.

But that's great,

we now have proof!

Hold on, don't

get too excited just yet.

You know the reverend!

I had something else in mind.

The rest of the body could

be completely different

from that of a crocodile!

We need to find that fossil!

Right, Henry?

Ah, never mind.

The hunt resumes.

Hey, isn't that

your dog outside the school?

Yes, he likes to hang around there.

Perhaps it's not wise

to go down to the beach.

No, it's fine. They're just

little clouds, nothing to worry about!

- Are you sure?

- Yes, yes.

If you say so! But don't get too

close to the cliffs, okay?

Mum and Jo are coming.

Hide there and leave it to me.

Ah, Mrs Anning,

I'm looking for Henry.

- You haven't seen him, have you?

- No.

We're actually looking for Mary.

We went to the beach

but no sign of them.

We were wondering

if she was at your place.

No. Well, I'm glad that the

two children are probably together.

And if they're not on the beach

maybe they're on the hills.

Yes, that's true.

Mary likes to go there.

Henry, dont worry about it.

I'm the one wholl get the blame.

I know, that's why I'm worried.

You're sweet.

I'll see if I can find

the rest of the animal further up.

Mary! Miss Philpot said not to

go near the cliffs.

Be careful!

Don't just stand there!

It's crumbling!

Mary!

- Henry!

- I'm fine, I'm fine! I'm okay.

You could have been k*lled.

Are you completely

insane or something?

Well, it was more of a scare

than harm.

I heard that your daughter

was holding me in her arms when...

I'm really sorry.

You don't have to be, you don't attract

lightning as far as I know.

Now get out of here

and be careful.

You know, we were looking

for the rest of the fossil.

Miss Philpot has proof

that it can't be a crocodile.

- And so what is it?

- We'll never know.

It's my fault that the rest

of the animal fell into the sea.

- What? You found it?

- Yes.

Well, that's that,

do you think you're a fish?

We need someone who can swim.

- And I only know one!

- Where can we find this person?

In my opinion

she'll be on the beach.

But her mother will also be there.

- Yes, she wont leave her alone.

- Let's go!

Tray!

But you left your post!

Uh oh, that means

we have to hurry!

The reverend must be furious.

So, can you see her?

Yes, she's there on the pier.

Her mother is over there.

We have to play it safe.

Hi, there.

This is going to sound strange but...

- We could use your help.

- What for?

You're going to

call me crazy again

but we are searching for

the body of our animal.

It fell into the water.

And you said to yourself,

Just ask Fanny right?

Yeah, well. I thought...

That now they think

I'm crazy like you

I'll agree to help you?

Would you?

- Yes!

- Yes?!

Well, I must be a bit

crazy myself.

What's more, I like this story

it's like a treasure hunt.

- Do you think your mum will agree?

- Definitely not.

- But don't ask her.

- Fanny?

Come here! Don't stand around!

Fanny, what are you doing?

Come back here right now!

Fanny!

Is it normal that it takes so long?

- What's up?

- Nothing.

You know, there are tons

of big rocks down there

and it's all muddy,

there's not much to see.

You're the only one who saw it.

I think you're the only one

who can find it.

- But I can't swim.

- I'm going to help you.

Do you have a rope?

So, if you pull

twice on the rope

it means you've run out of air

and you need to resurface.

- Exactly!

- Are you ready? Let's go!

Good luck.

- Well? - Nothing!

I can't see anything down there.

But I haven't finished yet.

Lets go back.

Mary!

I've been hearing things about you.

And you encourage them

in this nonsense?

Fanny, how

could you do this to me, your mother?

Miss Anning, your little trick

will cost you dearly!

Youre suspended from school

for one week

and I'm going to ask

to have your dog locked up!

- It's a savage beast!

- No way, that's out of the question!

But, Mrs Anning...

And we're leaving soon,

you'll be rid of us.

That's not for sure!

Look what we found!

What on earth is that?

Oh, my!

Mum, come and see!

- That's the rest of the body?

- I think so.

- Let's drag it along the ground?

- Aye, aye, Captain!

But this crocodile is gigantic!

Take a closer look, Mrs Miller.

Is it really a crocodile?

Crocodiles dont have fins.

So what is it?

It doesn't have a name yet.

I'm sorry, Mrs Anning,

but your daughter has just made

a remarkable discovery.

We can't deny that!

Strange animal,

I've never seen one like it.

- So what is it?

- A sea monster for sure!

An animal this big...

with fins,

I... Ummm... Strange!

So, Reverend,

what is this creature?

There must There must be

an explanation.

- God wouldn't have...

- Isn't it in your book?

I... I... er... I...

I need to think.

Youve really upset

the reverend with that creature!

And it's not finished, I'm sure

there are others like it!

- Yes, without a doubt!

- Will you help me look for them?

It doesn't change things,

we'll be moving soon.

- What? No way!

- Yes, we are.

Let's go!

- Where are you going?

- We're going swimming!

- I want to learn too!

- Oh my God, Fanny, wait for me!

Ladies!

Will you show me?

You bend your arms,

you straighten your arms,

then go back down the body.

That's good, Henry!

You should try it too!

But without a rope this time.

What's the point?

I'm going to move.

Trust me!

Water has magical powers.

Come on, try it!

Don't go too far, Mary.

Mary!

Mary, come and see!

You should learn too, Mum,

it's good for you.

Oh my god!

Look at her hair!

- Young lady!

- Mr Buckland?

What exactly are you doing here?

"Dear Mr Buckland, I have more fossils

for sale and they are very beautiful",

signed Mary Anning.

Is that you?

Yes, but...

And to be honest, I wasn't expecting

such an extraordinary fossil!

The gentleman will promise

to sell the fossil to a museum.

He assures me that it will

more than cover our debts.

I have no doubt that museums will

fall over themselves for such a find.

And bid higher

to gain exclusive rights.

Mr Buckland would even be willing

to help us financially.

I must say, I've never seen anyone

so talented at finding fossils.

And... well, this bunch

has managed to convince us.

Don't pull that face,

you should be happy.

That means we're staying!

Thanks, Mum! Thank you!

Oh, Mary, you're soaking wet!

Mr Buckland?

What's wrong with him?

I've caught a seal!

Tray!

Oh... shame!

But what would he have

done with a seal?

Knowing him,

I think he would have eaten it.

Say, Mary...

I wanted to ask you...

would you teach me

to look for fossils?

I'd be delighted!

Dedicated to everyone who worked on this film.

Thank you for teaching me so much. M.B.