Virginia Woolf's Night & Day (2026)

[bunniefuu]

Perseus...

Cassiopeia...

Andromeda...

Ah!

Are you winking at me?

That's it! That's it.

That's it.

Get your head out of that never

ending manuscript, Bess!

Please.

Ouch, he

bloody nipped me!

My gorgeous Rexy!

Yesterday.

Day

before yesterday.

Day

before yesterday.

Variable. Variable!

Variable!

Show me

how big you are.

Aaahh!

Oh, come on.

Well,

she's a spinster.

Oh, shhh! Shhh!

You're her mother,

can't you do something?

I wasn't

going to tell you.

What?

William Rodney

is coming.

He is

coming to...?

Oh, is he?

I'm older than you.

I know more of the

world than you.

Did I ever mention I'm related

to William the Conqueror?

I'm older than you. I know more

of the world than you.

Did I ever mention I'm related

to William the Conqueror?

Ahhh! William Rodney. Dear boy.

Courage! Women are our

mountains to die on.

Right.

She's in

the parlour.

I haven't slept.

Go forth

and conquer.

No.

No?

You're my oldest friend,

but I don't want to marry you.

I saw you in the

bath when I was 6.

Exactly.

No!

You mean: no as in no,

or no as in no, no.

Yes.

- Yes?

- No!

We've known each other

our entire lives.

We'd be respected.

I have other plans.

Katharine, there comes a

time in one's life

when one sets plans aside

... for a place in society.

Like my mother?

Brother...

What am I?

The last pickle in the jar.

Cousin.

You are the loveliest

pickle in the jar.

Willy. You're ridiculous.

Are you done

writing yet?

I'm on page 597.

And how long have you been

writing that now?

Fifteen years?

So is that around 39 pages a

year... around 3 pages a month

Well, father's life was

very complicated.

I don't know what I'm supposed

to do about that.

Will you get up before

they get the wrong idea?

Now listen, I need you to do

this one thing for me.

We could both be amateurs, me a

poet and you an astrologer.

Astronomer.

Yes, astronomer. Sorry.

You can't be walking around

in the dead of night

unchaperoned. It is--

See, you already

want a divorce?

No, I want to convince

you. Please. I have a surprise.

I need you to go and

recite your beautiful poetry.

Where?

In here.

No, no, no. No,

I don't want to.

Yes, you're going.

ALL EXCEPT KATHARINE

AND WILLIAM: So?

I'll go get that folio.

Oh, I could come and help.

Hello.

Hello.

Well...

Tea?

Well.

I think she's just gone

for a bit of a mull.

Sit, sit!

Cousin, I feel your

garden would be much improved

by the presence of a small

ornamental pond with a

Chinese duck.

It would lighten

the spirits so.

A Chinese duck?

I wrote a poem once

about 'Mallards'.

Did you?

What rhymes with 'Mallard'?

Not a great deal.

But, ah, fortunately,

quite a lot rhymes with duck.

Hat.

Huh.

Sorry, sir.

Stop, stop, stop!

Stop! Stop!

Keep

the change. Keep it.

What have I done

to deserve a daughter?

Cousin.

Kit!

You look handsome

in my suit, don't you?

Look at you.

Don't call me Kit.

What a man called Katharine.

Where are we going?

Cy, I have done it.

What! With your Norman admirer?

No! I didn't think my 'scope

was big enough,

but I think I've

discovered a yardstick.

A who?

A cosmic yardstick.

Ouch! That sounds

rather painful.

I just need to run my calcs

and publish it.

Well, what's

stopping you?

What is the greatest

problem that we face today?

Poverty. Prejudice?

Pending w*r in Europe?

We don't understand

our place in the universe.

Who are we?

Where are we?

Are we the centre

of everything?

Or are we a pinprick in a

system so colossal

we may never understand it?

I am blinded by your intellect,

but honestly,

I often don't know what--

Ah, the

Astronomical Society.

Hence the

suit. I understand now.

Do I look ridiculous?

No, you look dashing.

Dashing.

I want a good seat

so I can see Lady

Margaret Huggins.

Cy, that's her!

She's co-signatory

with her husband

on dozens of radical papers.

I suspect

she secretly wrote them all.

I'm an

honorary member

and this is a vote on women.

And I said, 'no women'.

Oh!

Welcome, Sir.

Thank you.

Welcome, Sir.

Thank you.

Go on. Find a way Kit.

Get it published.

Chop chop! Life is but a sigh.

Orrr... orrr... order please!

Gentlemen, we are

convened today

as the Astronomical Society

to vote on whether women should

be allowed to become fellows.

No!

This is a serious

institution...

Yes!

...for serious men.

Might as well lay

parquet flooring.

And

serve sherry at the doors.

I'd rather

see a dog in space.

As you all know,

I am an equitable man.

And if there were a way to

believe that women could

expand our knowledge

and understanding of

the Universe,

I would be as happy as anybody.

Order, order...

All those in favour, raise your

hand to support the motion.

One, two, three,

sorry. One, two...

Seven

Seven?

For God's sake.

Support the motion, Gentlemen.

There are women doing the most

brilliant science.

Does their brilliance

threaten you?

Who are you?

Do you fear being

bested by them? Is that it?

Sit down, man. Sit down.

Gentlemen,

my,

my cousin has a passionate...

One day women

will be let in.

Sit down man!

Biggots, baboons

and Byzantines!

All

those against?

The motion is-

Defeated.

We are born in the

wrong century, Kit.

I'm sorry.

You'll probably

get the vote before I do.

Then maybe dogs will

become Prime Minister.

Is this a prank?

Well, Katharine,

pray tell?

Father, it's time...

You? Cross dressing, are you..?

I just want to study.

Absolutely out of the question.

You'll marry and

you'll be a wife.

Cyril put you up to it. Did he?

No.

Well, I forbid you to see him.

Who are you to forbid me?

I'm your father.

And the

master of this house.

Did William Rodney

propose to you?

Ahh. Of course, yes, you were

too bloody stupid to

say yes to him.

I want this

rubbish gone. All these gone.

No, no. Don't you...

No more precarity.

For now you live in my house,

you live by, by my rules.

My rules.

Pignut!

Hedgeborn!

I live in my own self

By my own rules.

Is getting lost the surprise?

I wasn't lost,

the map was upside down. It is

an easy mistake to make.

I hate

blasted surprises.

Could you just

cheer up please?

Right, should

be just up here.

Oh!

I hope this

won't take long.

They say you

might be able to see

the comet tonight.

Really?

Spurned, nought

have ye cared,

Raising your eyes to

a wider morrow

Ways that are weary

days that are dreary...

Is that Virginia Woolf?

Hail, hail victors ye stand

Wearing the wreath

that the brave have worn!

And so I said to that copper,

"let me through and take your

hands off my breasts!"

And he dropped me like a stone

right in front of number 10.

But I wasn't finished there,

I said, "when I get the vote,

I'll be the one

wearing the trousers

and you'll be free to

do the ironing".

I'll iron your shirts anytime,

Mary Datchett.

Will you put a bit of

starch on them too?

I will do my best.

Oh! Basnet. You give

me faith in the human race.

Ah, our star guest.

At tonight's free

discussion of everything,

Mr. William Rodney.

And metaphor in

Elizabethan poetry.

Come, come, Mr. Rodney.

You look like someone's

stolen your bicycle.

Thank you very Mary Datchett.

Datchett. Datchett.

Thank you. Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen.

And ladies in

gentlemen's trousers.

Well, why I'm--why I'm--

why I am here...

Katharine. This is for you.

"Biting my truant heart,

beating myself for spite...

Fool. Said my muse to me.

Look in thy

heart and write."

The words of Sir Philip

Sidney's epic poem. Astrophil,

the lovestruck stargazer,

and Stella,

his unresponsive star.

For any of the

etymologically inclined...

Astrophil, of course,

from the Greek,

no doubt as well alluding

to Sir Philip's Christian name

Phil-Phil-Philophile,

Philophile, not philophile.

That would mean a lover

of people called Philip.

Blasted fog!

Goddamnit.

God has little

to do with it.

The culprits are coal

fires and factory owners.

Who are you?

Who are you?

What are you doing up here?

Same as you.

Hmm. Avoiding the bourgeoisie.

Ouch.

They are radical.

Not that radical.

Are you one of them?

No, I'm here against

my own will.

A hostage.

Maybe.

Hmm.

Oh!

Can I help?

A woman who knows

what she wants.

Bah! A woman who

knows what she wants.

Is it my English?

No, your English is perfect.

Then trust me.

I'm not trusting of strangers

on rooftops,

not least ones with holes

in their waistcoat.

A small one.

Are appearances

that important to you?

No, but I apply caution.

Is that why you're on a rooftop

with a cracked telescope?

Hmm?

Is that why

you're up here hiding

from a bunch of Valkyrie?

Valkyrie?

Be careful.

No, you be careful.

I liked

what you said.

Really?

Just the kind

of traditional speech

no one has the courage

to make anymore.

Oh! Thank you.

Willy, can we go?

I've made up my mind.

What?

You know

Sidney had a sister.

I'm sure Shakespeare had

one. I'd venture that Anon,

who has written so many poems,

is always someone's

bloody sister.

In science women

write anonymously.

It's as though you're

suggesting that

everything unnamed

is written by a woman?

What if it is? Women are far

more interesting,

inventive, clever.

Well, I'm not disputing

that. I'm just saying that--

Mister Rodney,

I advise retreat.

Right.

Wait. Come and

see me at my office.

Ask me again.

What?

Ask me again.

Does this mean yes?

You know what, I would go

down on one knee,

but the floor is filthy.

Come on, before

I change my mind.

Darling,

shall we make each other happy

for the rest of our lives?

Yes. But under one condition.

Ah. Why is it always one thing

with you?

Come on.

If it relates to

the consummation,

I've had some thoughts, time

and low level lighting.

Those are our allies.

Katharine.

Enjoy the moment,

dear boy.

Women are at their kindest

when engaged.

It's when you're married

and have nippers...

Congratulations to you both.

At least

you won't die alone.

Yes.

Excuse me.

Um, the factory.

Mary's factory?

Up on the right, through the

arches. That way.

Thank you.

- Miss Hilbery.

- You said to stop by.

You made it.

Have you heard?

We have Salford.

That's great news.

Would you like

me to show you around?

Is this

where you work?

We'll need handbills

for Salford, Sally.

They're already

on the press.

So this is where we make

all of the banners and

the placards.

We're marching on

Parliament in a few weeks.

And this is

where we print our leaflets.

Can you give me a hand?

Yeah.

They need to be divided up

and then tied individually.

Like this?

Yeah.

What's that?

I'm marrying. William Rodney.

Why?

So I can work.

He's not that bad.

And he's my oldest friend.

Beth, what is this?

An eye test?

It's far too small.

I want to

apply to Cambridge.

So...?

I need to prove my thesis.

I need a lab.

There's a lot of equipment...

It's easy.

It's not easy.

It is.

Study here.

I've got it.

Stop.

Katharine.

Katharine!

Are you coming down?

Cyril. You

got my note.

I thought we were forbidden

from seeing each other.

So it's true?

William the Bloody Conqueror

has finally conquered you then?

Yes, but that's not

why I wanted to see you.

Cy, I need a reference.

For what?

Cambridge. We are a... a

pinprick in a croquet lawn,

in a universe the

size of England.

You can't marry him, Kit.

Look around you.

Imagine London

is our galaxy.

Are you listening to me, Kit.

You will find someone that

you love, you will.

Do you see

that billboard there?

Kit, this is important.

This is important.

Imagine that motor

is a cluster of stars.

I can guess

they're all roughly

the same distance from me,

what I can't say exactly is how

far away they are.

Now they pulse

from dim to bright.

What's more, the

speed at which they do so

is a function

of their actual brightness.

The longer the period,

the brighter the star.

And now take that

drunken champagne drinker.

Count the period at which he

pulses, one, two, three,

the same as the blinking motor.

So why is he dimmer?

He's not very clever.

I don't know.

He is further away?

Because we know that something

that is twice as dim,

must be 4 times as far away.

And suddenly,

I can leap and jump across the

heavens using drunken moon men.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Cy, I need a reference.

Oh, I wanted to tell you I'm

not coming home for Christmas.

What?

I-- I'm in love.

Again?

I wanted to tell you

because I know that

you hate Stogdon. And...

Uh, sorry. What do you

mean "again"?

You fall in love,

disappear for six months,

and then you come crawling back

with your heart broken.

What?

It's madness.

No, that's not how it is.

That's not how it...

This is different.

It is. It's--

You're not being fair.

No, you're not being fair.

You were the only good thing

about Christmas.

You're blushing

like a schoolgirl.

You can't

do this to yourself.

You're being cruel.

And discounting love

will get you nowhere.

You can't measure it,

you can't understand it.

It's mysterious. It's...

And until you accept that...

This is important to me.

Katharine.

Cy...

Why can't you

accept that I have finished?

Because it's 600 pages long.

You expect me to publish

an encyclopaedia.

Father's

life was very complex.

Look, look, it is absolutely--

Oh no, don't not start now

with the bloody Niagara Falls--

Will the two of you stop!

Hm?

What are you doing here?

I live here.

What are you doing here?

I work here.

You work?

Yes.

You work for my father?

Well, yes.

Um, editor, yes.

Rudolph.

Editor? Editor!

It's Ralph, sir.

Oh, nonsense Rudy,

you're a Kraut.

By the way, this is my

daughter. This is Katharine.

Bear with me. No honestly.

He's here. He will assist you.

It's perfect. He's

done it A million times.

Sometimes you are impossible.

I wish you had said something--

He has got a whole

plethora of bestsellers.

That's what he does. You'll

thank me Honestly.

Rufus, follow

me. Whatever your name is.

Alright.

Follow me.

That went well.

Right, now, you recalcitrant

little bugger.

Let me have a look at you.

Mister.

Mr. Kit.

Reference..?

Reference... reference.

Lady Margaret,

could I come in?

Go away!

I'm coming in.

Blast!

Could

I-- could I...?

Shut the door!

So sorry.

Oh!

I thought

you said come in.

You're in now.

What

is it you want?

Ten. Ten minutes.

Well, I suppose

I should offer you tea,

but I don't do that

sort of thing.

I'm not here for tea.

I think I've discovered

a theory of variable stars.

Why do you think this

room is being emptied?

We had to send the telescope

back to the British Society

because my husband became

too ill to use it.

But you're co-signatory

on dozens of papers.

I know I--I've read them all.

Well, my husband

couldn't afford an assistant.

I'm applying to Cambridge for

physics and then astronomy.

I need a referee.

If it's astronomy you want,

then help your husband

with his studies.

Guide him, author him,

shape his ideas.

No, I can't. I can't

do that.

Oh, this one we wrote.

This one, well,

I pretty much wrote.

But "we wrote".

Nobody wants a woman in

science. Trust me.

Margaret,

I'm sorry it's been so

hard for you.

You can change things.

You're brilliant.

You'll find out soon enough.

Let's just

make... make it go away.

I would just

cut it, edit it...

Bring it down to size.

Mrs. Hilbery

seems capable.

If I hear

one more word

about a woman

being capable, I--

I suppose I could,

um, trim..? Edit?

Yes, yes, absolutely,

absolutely.

Make it, make it more, um...

...more short.

Short.

I want my wife back.

It'll all be

saintly hogwash anyway.

Wait!

I know what you're

doing. Cutting away.

What?

Her life's work, making

it all go away like men do.

Wait. You're engaged?

What's it to you?

Why are you so angry?

Her life's work.

Being passed around

like some screaming child

no one wants

anything to do with.

He doesn't care,

he just wants her

serving the tea

and ringing the bell

and cutting the flowers.

Being the wife.

You have this all wrong.

There are few choices here.

We always have a choice.

Do we?

You inveigled me.

What does that mean?

Rudolf?

What are you doing?

Come on, there's work to be

done. Chop chop.

It's Ralph, sir.

Come on, Rudy.

I think I

have done it.

And

then Denham said,

he said, imagine the elephant.

And I did, I did.

I started to see the trunk

and the ears, the, the horns.

First it

was almost as if

it was through mist or a fog.

And then all the writing

that shouldn't be in the work

just seemed to melt away.

Oh. What are

you talking about?

Good morning.

What--

Where is Rexy?

Rex is not here.

American Girl

discovers cosmic yardstick.

He said cut away

everything that

isn't-- elephant.

Everything that

isn't elephant. I'm free!

What elephant?

The book.

I've never,

I've never published....

No.

You're

thinking about ...

Do you see that?

No, no, he--

There's a knack

to peeling an egg.

Use your napkin,

Katharine.

Katharine,

will you--

No, let go. What on earth

are you doing..?

Stop it!

Look you...

No, no.

Look, you know

your father treats

that as his property,

and no one's

allowed to touch it.

You

actually ripped it.

MR. HILBERY & MRS. HILBERY:

I'm going to get

Rexy and clear up that egg.

There will be

other discoveries.

And at least it

was a woman.

Now it's bloody Christmas.

Come on, everybody

loves Christmas,

even an old communist like me.

You don't know the Otways.

They are a whole different

species. My kind of hell.

The Otways of Stogdon.

You know the Otways?

Well, in that case

I have a surprise.

I hate surprises.

Our first Christmas.

Ring ding-a-ling.

William...

Would you like a slice?

No.

May I have some

of those, oh.

Oh!

Dates aren't pitted.

No, I told you

not to bring the Stilton.

No one ever...

This is terrible.

I mean, it's not quite

runny enough.

Howdiddledo!

There she is. A

vision! A Fragonard!

This is my

cousin, Cassandra.

How do you do?

You are a

poet, are you not?

Oh, well-- I've written

a few verses,

some short stories. Dog...

Doggerel.

Come on.

It's a tiny car.

Shall I wait for

the second lift?

William

keep Cassandra

company like a good man.

See you shortly.

Oh, what fun.

Ah!

Cassandra like

the Trojan Princess...

I'm named after

William the Conqueror.

Oh, that's impressive.

The

engine's quiet.

Ah! Home sweet home.

So how much longer are we going

to give this, Katharine?

I'm getting a

little bit chilly.

Oh, this is a bit of

a damp squib.

Why don't you

come with me?

I'm going north for Christmas.

Will there be Stollen cake?

Probably not, but there

will be trifle.

What's trifle?

Cream and jelly and custard.

Okay, I'm coming.

Okay

Glorious, isn't she?

Copernicus, Newton

and Kit Hilbery.

CHILDREN & KATHARINE:

We'll all be dead next

time Halley pays us a visit.

Crickey!

And a great star

fell from the heavens.

Darling, which

side shall I look from?

And it burned

so bright like a torch

Yes, I know,

I'm keeping the...

And it fell onto a

third of all the rivers

and all the streams,

and there were no more.

Papa, did you see it?

I did. Rather

interesting. Hm.

Kit?

Kit?

Yes.

William

is very lovely.

You're so lucky.

He's sensitive.

Is he?

Kit.

Kit? We're cutting

the tree. Have you forgotten?

No.

No. I, uh, received

the invitation

to your publication party.

I don't receive

the invitation.

I don't want

to talk about it.

You are frazzling my nerves.

Can I let you in on

a little secret?

Yes.

I'm thinking of writing

a Christmas Limerick.

Pray tell.

What now?

Yes.

I wonder, I wonder,

and I ponder

as I grow fonder of a

young lady called...

Funny how one can let

the muse carry one away.

Christmas does that to one,

doesn't it?

So, it does.

Cyril.

Oh, Cyril.

Cyril.

I didn't know

he was coming.

Cyril.

I'm going to beat you.

My saviour.

Oh, thank God.

You used me as a reference.

What?

Hello little ones, I've got

some treats for you inside.

I'll see you in there.

No.

What? You have

an interview.

Kit, Katharine,

you have an interview.

Well, well.

The prodigal son returns.

Father.

Welcome home, son.

Well, I shall have them

set one more place for dinner.

Cyril, how lovely to see you.

Katharine must be thrilled.

Seasons-- Greetings,

Cyril.

Cyril.

I'm so sorry.

You were my only option.

You got an interview.

Look.

Yes, it's that scary

woman from the meeting.

Surprise. This is my

brother, the Vicar.

Did I ever tell you I

love carols?

Me too.

A daughter

to be married.

Really

is such a bore

that one can only marry once.

What?

Please be seated.

We are

gathered here today

to celebrate the birth

of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was an

Immaculate conception.

And this makes us ponder

the concept of enjoyment.

This is my third

Christmas lunch.

Your third?

Yes.

Oh, very good.

For indeed. Where does it

say that our Lord was thin?

Kit, you're so busy

looking at the stars,

you can't see what's right

in front of you.

Be generous,

super generous.

Francis, Francis... Desist.

Get off. The last thing we need

is another Nancy at the table.

What's a Nancy.

What?

Oh, son forgive me, I misspoke.

Oh, no. Well, no. More of a

Freudian slip. Nanny.

I mean, we don't need another

nanny at the table.

But good question.

What is a Nancy?

Anyone?

Boy wants to know.

Anyone?

Well, in France, it's a city.

A Nancy is someone

that runs off to Vienna

simply to be with

all the other Nancys.

Whereas a man,

a man, he stands tall.

Shoulders back

and his head held high.

A man is prepared to

do his duty.

A man is prepared to go to

w*r for his family,

for his country.

Well, a

Nancy can't do that.

Because a Nancy isn't a man.

Oh, somebody

realises I'm

talking about them.

Surprised

I know, I'm sure.

Is it true?

I thought you knew.

I'm convinced that life

is only meaningful

when it is motivated by

a great idea.

And in my case

that is love, father.

Poppycock.

Everyone has a right

to that, father.

When we read what

we want, when we... love

who we want, when we know

what we want,

only then will we

truly be free.

I should sit down

if I were you.

Cyril.

Let him go. He

didn't want to be here anyway.

I think it's

time for dessert.

He slipped.

He Freudian slipped.

For heaven's sake.

Has something happened?

Cyril! Cyril.

Cyril,

what are you doing?

Cyril, Come

on. Are you all right?

What are you doing? Come on!

Come on, get up.

Cyril, stop it.

Stop. Get up.

Help!

Cyril is dead.

No!

Somebody's

coming, my love.

George has sent

for a doctor. Come on.

Doctor's coming.

Come.

Come on. Come on.

Oh, my love come.

Somebody's coming.

Look, somebody's coming.

Oh my girl, there.

He was my north star.

We have entrusted our

brother Cyril to God's mercy,

And now commit

his body to the ground,

earth to earth, ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

We shore in certain hope of

the resurrection

to eternal life through our

Lord Jesus Christ,

who will transform

our frail bodies

so that they may be conformed

to his glorious body, who died,

was buried, and rose

again for us.

To him, be glory forever

and ever. Amen.

Amen.

I can't.

Take your glove off.

That's not what I mean.

What?

I can't marry you.

Oh! Yes.

Hm.

Of course your father

won't be happy.

Let's not tell him for now.

You...

You! The cousin.

Come in.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I couldn't see what

was right in front of me.

Why didn't he tell me?

He wanted to.

Was he afraid?

No.

He was love.

You understand, it's

quite the opposite.

He tried to

tell me about you,

but I wouldn't listen.

When people spat

at us, when they swore.

He said, it was their jealousy

that made them do it.

When they punched us,

he would tell me that they're

the ones that are hurt.

He was so brave.

He was generous, he was kind.

He--

he was magnificent

in his love.

He'd say that

life is but a sigh.

See, I never knew

what he meant.

Life is but a sign.

My problem is now I

can't ask him.

Nothing you can wrap

your head around

means anything without love.

He'd want you

to have this.

I can't take that.

Please, I'm

going back north.

Mr. Hilbery.

Yes.

Mr. Kit Hilbery.

Yes.

But-- My dear girl,

this is the physics tripos.

I applied here.

It's the physics tripos.

I suppose, as you've

come all this way.

Sit, please.

Your pure mathematics paper

was elegant. Impressive.

Self-taught?

Libraries taught me

and I taught myself.

And now for your other essay.

Some thoughts on

standard candle stars

and the size of the universe.

Yes.

We'd

be very small.

Only we're not.

That's

very entertaining.

Assuming that all

variable stars in a nebula

are of similar

actual brightness,

those that are dimmer

must be further away.

We've all read the

Swann-Leavitt paper.

Of course.

How you extrapolate to-to

what you think

is the true size of

the universe?

The mathematics is sound.

The

outcome is not.

We'd be a pinprick

in the galaxy,

surrounded by who knows

how many others.

Yes.

Science is based

on the best available guess.

Grounded in fact.

Not wild

impossibilities...

Plucked from the skies.

At least this is what

we teach here.

I have plates.

And...

...calculations

to prove my thesis.

We have our own

Cambridge telescope.

I know my scope is not

strong, I know it's too small.

Anyway, we don't

let women use the scope.

No lavatories.

What?

- No lavs!

- Lavs.

It's men only.

You mean toilets?

Women don't

direct their own research.

I could build one?

I could build one,

if lavatories

are such impediments

to progress.

And I could build

the Taj Mahal.

But

frankly, I don't have the time.

Please

stop wasting ours.

Thank

you very much.

What was

she thinking?

No more precarity.

You're wrong.

I'm going to study,

and women will come

to this college

as surely as the earth revolves

around the sun.

And so it moves.

One day, scientific

advances will prove me right.

We are tiny, much smaller than

we could ever think we are.

We are nothing, a speck,

a mote of dust in this great

mystery of a universe

throwing gigantic white rabbits

from its hat.

One day,

all of this will vanish.

All of this... this brick and

mortar and prejudice and dogma,

all of it will vanish.

And there will be a new world,

and there will be

women in science,

and there will be

lavatories too.

And when there is, when we do,

you will think back on this day

and you will remember

that you destroyed a talent

wilfully, blindly,

because you would rather

I get married.

Just give me a chance.

Don't be stuck in the

last century chaps.

Women are coming to Cambridge.

Now or in the future,

but it will happen.

Gentlemen.

Good luck.

There will be other

chances, other ways.

The art of humanity bends

towards equality.

It will happen.

You coming?

Mama.

Ah, Kit.

We are nearly there.

And we found a title.

Mr. Denham,

will you tell her

what elephant is in Persian?

'Fil', Mrs. Hilbery,

it is 'fil'.

Oh, 'fil'.

Here... was this?

You do right from

the heart Bess.

Yes, enter...

Hmm?

A letter for Miss

Hilbery, sir.

Oh.

Thank you.

University of Cambridge.

Mr. Herbert.

I hate parties.

This-this

is-- I'm not--

I will not

tolerate any more of this.

Do you remember the

breeches at Christmas?

Oh? Yes.

They say she's

one of them.

Uncle.

Katharine.

She has such a melodious

and whimsical personality.

Katharine.

I was like that once.

Were you?

Yes.

Rudy, have

you seen my daughter?

Bad news, sir.

Bad news.

You could say that.

More female bloody lunacy.

Look. Peruse that.

Mr. Herbert, I have

a good side.

Amazing.

You must be proud.

Proud?

Abject

disobedience.

Have you seen Katharine?

Briefly.

Where?

Where is she?

She passed by. Perhaps

she was going to get changed.

I'm very keen for...

Ah. Mr. Hilbery--

Katharine.

Is this angle appealing?

I do need to sit down.

Rodney, Rodney!

Ah, come over here.

You and Katharine must be front

and centre. Absolutely.

Sir?

Yes

I'm afraid that events have

somewhat overtaken us.

What?

Katharine is like a sister

to me.

Rodney, this is not

the appropriate moment.

I just don't have the

time for this.

Please please.

No need

for practice.

If you could just

move to the side please.

No, this is not

the correct position.

No, I don't mind.

You just sit here.

No, you

can't be there--

Please.

Together now,

just once.

You adventurer!

You two faced weasel mongerer!

To use

my daughter!

To ruin my good name.

Good heavens, Terry.

We will discuss this later.

Together now.

Just once.

Where

have you been?

Hello.

Good boy.

Good boy.

Can you see Rex?

Yes. Please, together now.

Ralph!

Would you

please get in the photograph?

For Katharine.

We are no longer engaged.

You should give it to her.

And do not move!

Anybody moves, they die.

Together

now, just once.

Katharine.

I'm just

trying to organise everybody!

And one...

Sir, can I just say,

I've always had the utmost...

And two...

And...

Yes!

Is the dog dead?

Oh!

Oh, dear God!

False alarm.

I know

many of you have

waited a long time for this.

Yes.

My father was a great

man of letters.

I am a mere woman of fictions.

No one knew father better.

I have all the facts.

And yet what I know--

Yes, yes, speak.

I hazard that biography

really is a kind of fiction.

It was this young man.

Yes, Mr. Denham, my editor, who

told me truth isn't singular.

No one owns it.

Everyone has

their own version of it.

Yes!

And thanks to this young man,

I wouldn't change a word of it.

Everyone's truth is the house

they live in.

Mr. Denham, please, please.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Katharine.

Seems you've enchanted Mama.

Thank you everyone. Thank you!

Is it impossible for

you to imagine

that a man may want to support

a woman's success?

Look at her.

A man dazzled her,

and then it took her 28 years

to discover her genius.

I can't afford it.

You underestimate

yourself, Katharine.

Thank you!

Call me Kit.

Congratulations, Kit.

It's what I always wanted.

It can't

wait anymore.

We will speak anon. Not now.

I can't, I can't speak now.

Congratulations.

Well done.

I gave you a decent

home, a decent education.

A half decent fianc.

You've torn me apart.

Do you think a man wants to be

with a woman who works?

Times have moved on

since you met Mama.

Your mother has been a

grand success.

Yes, she is.

Oh!

My darling.

Oh well, shall we frame it?

We could put it in

the lavatory.

Hmm.

What an honour.

Yes, time passes.

Where are you off to?

Half term. Kelso. I always do.

Just me, mummy and the dogs.

Lovely, I will be

dreaming of sun but I'll be

knee deep in books.

Swot. Have fun Kit, it

might suit you.

Ha, Ha.

He seems a respectable match.

What are you doing here?

I came to see you.

Oh!

Follow me.

I wanted to say

I'm going to Persia.

You mean goodbye?

Luckily I speak Farsi

enough to be useful.

I volunteered to

map the Daar bin Sar.

That sounds a lot.

They're

rounding up Germans.

What a mess.

Daar bin Sar.

They have an

observatory there.

I know. I thought

about you, a lot.

You did?

I was wrong.

Wrong?

Love didn't factor

into my calculations.

Love?

I think that's what Cyril

was trying to tell me.

I don't want

to discount my--

You won't.

That's the tussle, the tangle

in my heart.

Well...

Let me know who wins.

I will.

Your face.