MAN: Rise.
[People standing]
[Organ playing]
Look ahead to a life
worth living
Full of hope, full of faith,
full of cheer
To a life that
is made for giving
Without stint,
without shame, without fear
Look ahead
to the One who leads us
To the Lord
who guides our ways
We shall follow,
follow, follow
We shall follow Him
all our days
Captioning made possible by
Acorn Media
MAN: Don't slouch, boy.
You're not lizards.
You're not toads.
You're Bamfyldians.
Better, yes.
Standards dropping
everywhere.
Morning, Judy.
In good voice today?
Morning, P.J.
You know,
generally speaking,
the members
of our teaching staff
are in their mature years.
Maturity is something
I've always admired.
[Knock on door]
Come in!
David.
Oh, excuse me,
Headmaster.
I'll come back
later on.
No, no, no, no.
Come in, come in.
This is Mr. Powlett-Jones,
Mrs. Darbyshire.
So you can see, we're not
all old fogies here.
How do you do?
How do you do?
Any news, David?
About the babies?
No, not yet.
Any day now, though.
Well, they'll come when
they're ready, I daresay.
All I've got for you
at the moment
is a list of entries
for the minor.
Oh. Never mind.
Leave that with me.
Thank you, David.
Now, be sure and let
me know, won't you?
Oh, yes, of course,
Look. I--I'm sorry
about the interruption.
Good-bye, Mrs. Darbyshire.
Good-bye.
You know, Mrs. Darbyshire,
a couple of years ago,
I was interviewing him
for a temporary post here.
Oh, he was
very suspicious of us.
Saw this school
as a cross between prison
and a stately home,
I think.
Oh, you thought
the same thing, did you?
Well, he's still here.
Settled in,
starting a family,
and still a bit of a rebel,
I'm glad to say.
Now, tell me, why do you
want to come here
to teach my second-formers?
Well, I need
the money.
Oh. Very good.
It's just the truth.
Yes, but you'd be
amazed to hear the cant
some of the chaps
come out with
when I ask them
that question.
"Deeply felt vocation,
dedicated to a higher cause."
Oh, I don't know what.
If only they'd say,
"Herries, I'm
on my beam-ends,
and I want
an honest job,"
we'd know where
we were.
Well, I'm afraid
that's all I can say.
Fine.
Now, your husband
is in hospital?
Yes. He was
very badly gassed.
He'll never leave.
That must have been
very hard for you.
Yes, but...
Go on.
Well, we were
together only a week
before he went
to France,
So, you see,
I hardly knew him.
I never really got
used to the idea
of being married.
Sometimes,
I feel now
as if it never
really happened,
and I have
got to live.
That must seem
callous.
No.
Very honest,
Mrs. Darbyshire,
and very plucky.
Thank you.
Now, can you tell me why
I should prefer you
to one of these
young gentlemen
who's waiting to see me?
But that's not fair.
No?
Because you pity me,
I suppose.
No, no. I'm far too
ruthless for that.
I think about
my school, you know.
Well, perhaps you better
choose one of them.
I'm sure they know
far more than I do.
Yes, but what about?
How to pass exams.
All they can think
of to do
between school
and Cambridge
is a couple of terms
teaching
at another school.
They don't know
the world.
Most of them don't
want to know it,
but you could tell
them about the world,
Mrs. Darbyshire, because
you've been there.
I suppose I could,
but is that really
what you want?
Of course
it's what I want,
and a bit of
feminine influence
wouldn't come amiss.
The poor little chaps
pine for their mothers
in the first couple
of terms, you know?
I'm not sure
I'm the motherly type.
Ha ha ha!
Perhaps not.
Well, you--you just
have to be
an elder sister
or a favorite aunt,
anything you fancy.
I think they'd worship
the ground you walk on.
Well, now,
as you know,
I have got other
people to see first,
but...
well, now, let me
put it this way.
If I were to offer
you the job,
would you take it?
Well, I...
do need the money.
[Banging]
MAN: Listen to this,
Carter.
This could be
about us.
"Western wind
and open surge
"Took us
from our mothers--
"Flung us
on a naked shore
"Twelve bleak houses
by the shore.
Seven summers
by the shore!"
'Mid Carter
and the others.
It's an apt picture
of the seamy side
of school life,
don't you think?
Cheap doggerel,
I'd say.
Oh, Carter, don't you
recognize it?
It's Kipling,
your hero
with the odd tiny
emendation by myself.
I'd think you would have
something better to do.
Such as gaze
out of the window?
The Camel's hump
is an ugly lump,
Which well you may see
at the zoo;
But uglier yet
is the hump we get
From having
too little to do.
Well, I'm damned.
That woman's got it.
What woman?
What's she got?
Very young girl.
She's got the Second
Form master's job.
Second Form mistress,
I suppose we'll
have to say now.
Well, I'm damned.
Are you quite sure?
He's walking her up
to the thinking post.
What's the man doing?
Does he want us to turn
into a dame school,
a kindergarten?
It is only one
young woman, Judy.
The thin end
of the wedge.
She'll want to come
into the common room.
She'll want us to make
conversation.
Oh, no.
That would be out.
No. This is the masters'
common room.
She couldn't come
in here.
Oh. Still.
Brace up, Judy.
It isn't
the very first time.
Remember Miss Parmenter?
We survived that.
Miss Parmenter was not
a young woman, Howarth.
In fact--in fact,
I have me doubts
whether Miss Parmenter
was a woman at all.
Quick, Carter, look.
Cordwainer's laughing.
BOY:
Anything for me?
DIFFERENT BOY:
Be quiet,
or nobody will get
his letters.
Chandler, Titterton Minor,
Gibson Major.
Stop that, Ewings.
Hartston, Cameron.
My father's in India
in the service,
and he knows.
Well, my father is
the chief physician
to the maharajah
of Baroda,
and he knows things
about India
that your father
never dreamt of.
Who says?
I, Kassava Major.
DARBYSHIRE: There are
so many of them.
HERRIES: Well, there are
rather a lot.
Don't you ever
wonder--
oh, it's
a silly thought--
but don't you ever
wonder what would happen
if they all suddenly
turned on you
in a rebellion?
Oh, we'd be overwhelmed,
not a doubt about it.
Force in numbers,
you see,
and you're
one of us now.
You'll go down fighting
with the rest.
I think I'd surrender
straightaway.
Very wise.
So would I.
Do you know, it never
happens here, rebellion.
They're funny little
chaps, boys.
They just long for someone
to tell them what to do
and make them do it.
You'll see.
They'd like us
to teach them tricks
like little dogs.
The difficult thing
is to get them
to think for themselves.
Now, these will be
some of yours.
What a terrifying bunch
of desperados, eh?
Oh, they don't look
old enough
to be away
from their mothers.
Oh, most of them have been
in boarding kennels
since they were 8.
They're like
hunt puppies.
There's young Graves,
you see.
Titterton Minor,
the Kassava brothers,
the Indian gents.
Do you know them all
by name, Mr. Herries?
Oh, yes, of course
I do.
Headmasters must find
something to do
with their time,
you know?
Some play golf
with the chairman
of the governors.
I prefer to talk
to my boys.
Kassava, you ruffian,
come here a minute.
No, no, both of you.
Ha ha ha!
Good afternoon, sir.
And good afternoon
to you.
Now, this is
Mrs. Darbyshire,
who is coming to teach
the Second Form.
How do you do,
Mrs. Darbyshire?
How do you do?
How do you do,
Mrs. Darbyshire?
How do you do?
I shall look forward
to teaching
you both.
Uh, excuse me,
Mrs. Darbyshire.
I shall not be
in your class.
I have been put up.
My brother--
Kassava Minor--
he will be
in the Second Form.
I see.
I'm sure he will learn
from your teaching.
Splendid,
and so am I.
You know, Kassava,
if you stay here
long enough,
I think you might
teach even me
how to behave
in polite society.
Are you making fun
of me, sir?
Not for the world.
Go on--off you go--
and get your letters.
Ha ha ha! Oh.
Oh, what splendid
gentlemen they are.
Do you know,
Mrs. Darbyshire,
if I were a rich man,
I'd pay to work here.
It does seem strange
to see
all these boys
and no girls.
Compulsory
monasticism, eh?
But, you know, a lot
of boys of this age
are terrified of girls,
and so are
their masters.
This is our refuge
from womankind.
Now you're making
fun of me.
I daresay
you'll come in
for a few bunches
of wildflowers.
You'll break
a heart or two.
Now, come along.
You haven't seen
your quarters.
Of course, you may
turn us down flat
when you see
Miss Parmenter's cottage.
Oh, dear.
Is Miss Parmenter
so dreadful?
No, no, no, no.
Not dreadful at all
and not there at all.
She retired, you know.
The cottage has been
empty for 3 months.
Well, now, you take
a look at it,
and don't be too appalled.
We'll redecorate
to your taste.
Now let's find someone
to take you over there.
Oh, where's Watkins?
You'd like Watkins.
Never around
when he's wanted.
That's the only trouble
with Watkins.
Ah, Blades.
N...no.
Well, why not?
That's Blades.
Come on. Blades!
Sir?
Ah. Now, you're not
desperately busy,
are you, Blades?
No, sir.
I was thinking.
Oh, I'm glad
to hear that, Blades.
Mr. Cordwainer says
you're idle.
I prefer to think
you're deep.
Thank you, sir.
This is Mrs. Darbyshire.
She's replacing
Miss Parmenter
with the little ones.
Hello.
I'd like you
to take her over
to Miss Parmenter's
cottage, eh?
Now, hold on.
Hold on.
Here's the key.
And then bring her
back to my place.
And don't lose her.
Don't let him mislay you.
He's very absent-minded.
I'll try.
Well, I should be all right
for the medieval paper.
All I know summarized
on one sheet.
What a brilliant
man.
Do you know,
I think I am.
Do you regret
not going
to Cambridge,
though, David?
An external degree
seems such a cheat,
all the work
and none of the fun.
Oh. A degree's
a degree.
I'd rather be here
in any case.
I'll be glad to get
this finished, though.
I want to write a book.
A book? What about?
Margaret of Anjou.
She was the wife of--
Oh, I know
all about her.
Don't you remember,
you told me about her
when we were going
round that castle?
Oh, yes, so I did.
And I was thinking,
"When we've climbed
we'll stop,
and he'll kiss me."
And we climbed 45 steps,
and we stopped,
and you told me
some more
about Margaret
of Anjou.
Ooh, dear.
I was a bit
of a slow starter
in those days.
You made up for it
later.
Was it very dull
for you--
Margaret of Anjou?
No. I didn't
mean that.
Just not quite what
I wanted at the time,
that's all.
I suppose it's
ridiculous,
me writing a book,
but I thought I could
make it exciting,
trying to bring
her to life,
a biography but
written like fiction.
She's not been done
before.
Still, who wants
to know what
some country
schoolmaster
thinks about her?
Lots of people
if you tell it
the way you told me.
Oh, go on, David.
You must do it.
I thought I'd call it
"The Royal Tigress."
Do you think that sounds
a bit melodramatic?
Not after what you
told me about her.
Oh, go on. Do it.
I'd love to be married
to a famous author.
It'll take years,
Beth.
Mmm. Pity you can't
make books
as quickly as you can
make babies.
Mmm.
Not as much fun, eh?
[Bells ringing]
Tell me.
Tell me what you all
find to do
with your time here.
Don't you long
to escape?
Oh, they keep us
very busy, you know?
Early morning runs,
lots of sport,
lots of prep.
You didn't seem
too overburdened.
Well, I resist.
Oh.
It's easier
this year.
I'm supposed to be
cramming
for a Cambridge
scholarship.
I hope it won't be
the same there.
Oh, I'm sure
it won't be.
I hate this place.
You shouldn't be
telling me these things.
I'm sure Mr. Herries
would want you
to be pointing out
all the highlights.
Highlights.
Yes, well, I'm sure
it's just me.
Most of the chaps
seem to like it here.
But you can't
just hang about
hating the place
all the time.
No. Well, I read
a lot of poetry.
All on your own?
This the land
of the philistines.
There's Howarth.
He's the head of English,
but he's as dry
as dust.
Powlett-Jones isn't
so bad,
but he hasn't been here
so long.
Yes. I think
I met him.
Well, his idea of poetry
is Sassoon, you know,
and Owen, w*r poets.
If there isn't a corpse
or two hanging on a wire
or some poor chap
cooking his insides up
with poison gas,
he just seems
to lose interest.
That's not the sort
of poetry I want to read
or write.
Oh. Are you all right?
Yes.
We're here.
This is it.
I was just feeling
a little, uh...
hot.
I think she left
the furniture.
You can sit down.
Thank you.
Hmm. It is stuffy.
Are you sure
you're all right?
I'll open
some windows.
Would you like
a glass of water?
I doubt if Miss Parmenter
went in much for brandy,
but I'll have a look.
No, no.
Don't bother.
Well, my mother's
always feeling faint.
"Force brandy
down my throat, darling,"
she says.
Well, I'll go and get
some water, then.
Blades.
Yes?
No. I can't
call you that.
What's your
first name?
Keith.
Well, Keith, stop
rushing about.
I'm not
feeling faint.
I'm perfectly
all right.
Come and sit down.
I was just a bit
taken aback.
My husband was
gassed in the w*r.
Oh, God.
I'm sorry.
Ohh! I'm always doing
that kind of thing.
I'm perfectly
all right now. Really.
So who is your
favorite poet?
Don't you want to see around
the rest of the cottage?
No. This is quite
as much as I can take
for a start.
Well, it's Herrick.
Oh. "Gather ye rosebuds
while ye may."
Yes. He did write
other things.
Oh, I know.
They're lovely.
We used to read them
at school,
except everybody
used to laugh at me
when we read them.
Why?
Well, they all seemed
to be addressed
to Julia.
That's my name.
Oh.
Actually, it wasn't
that long ago.
School, I mean.
Wasn't it?
No.
[Chuckling]
Yes, that is correct,
Titterton.
In your best English
exercise books,
date at the top
and the heading
"My Dream."
Now, that should
suit you, Titterton.
You seem to like
daydreaming.
Yes,
Mrs. Darbyshire.
Mrs. Darbyshire?
Yes, Graves?
Do we just have to
write down
something we dreamed
last night?
No, no.
I was coming to that...
when you've all
written down the heading.
Now. I want you
to imagine
that a mysterious benefactor
has left you £5,000,
and you have one week
in which you can do
anything you like
with it.
Now, you don't have to
stay at Bamfylde.
Mr. Herries has kindly
awarded you
a special holiday.
Hooray!
You can go
anywhere you like,
you can spend it
on anything you like,
and you can take
anyone you like with you.
Now, just think
about that for a minute.
£5,000, freedom.
Now, what do we think
we'd do with the money?
Kassava Minor?
Mrs. Darbyshire,
I should give the money
to my father.
Well, that's very
commendable, Kassava,
but it isn't going
to give us
a very long composition,
is it?
Anybody else?
Yes, Graves.
Go to Monte Carlo
and gamble,
Mrs. Darbyshire.
Well, now, that's
a bit more like it.
Now, come on,
all of you.
I'm sure you must
long to escape
from your dreary
old routines.
You must have daydreams
you wish would come true.
Well, now's your chance.
Just write down
all the things
you'd really like to do.
Goodness, if I were
writing this,
I wouldn't know
where to stop.
Mrs. Darbyshire,
shall we start?
Yes. Yes.
All of you, start.
David?
David, I'm sorry
to be a nuisance,
but I think you're
going to have to
stop work now.
It's all right.
Just trot out
to the school
and tell them it's time
to take me into hospital.
R-r-right.
Uh...
You sure you'll be
all right?
Yes, of course.
It takes ages.
Right.
On your marks,
get set, go.
[Cheering]
Come on, Blades!
Boy's got no spunk.
No jump.
Oh, bad luck,
Edgewick.
One more try.
Thought you'd be
at the hospital.
No news yet?
No, not yet.
They sent me away
this morning.
I'll pop over again
this evening.
All right! Next!
[Boys cheering]
Blades came third,
sir.
Did you see, sir?
Sir?
Mr. Powlett-Jones!
Yes? What is it,
Stratton-Forbes?
Please, sir.
Message
from the head, sir.
Head said
to say, sir,
"Two girls, both
doing well, sir."
[Laughter]
Thank you very much,
Stratton-Forbes.
Hold those for a moment,
would you?
Look at that.
Broke the world
speed record
without even trying.
Two girls,
both doing well!
Aha!
What do I do now?
Throttle up,
follow your nose.
Finest machine
ever made,
the old Sunbeam.
Thanks very much,
Carter.
Not at all,
Powlett-Jones.
Glad to oblige.
I'm coming
Sorry if I made you wait
I'm coming
Hope and pray
I'm not too late
Mammy
[Honks horn]
Hello.
You look pretty.
Mmm. Mmm.
Nice.
What on earth
are you wearing?
People will think
you've brought
a telegram.
Aren't I
clever, then?
Yes, you are.
Girls. I never thought
they'd be girls.
Neither did I.
Oh, they're
ever so pretty.
Where are they, then?
It's so stupid.
They won't let
you see them.
Keep them in
little glass boxes.
There's nothing wrong?
No. It's just
the rules here.
I think if you're--
[Door opens]
Bloody hell.
Joan and Grace, eh?
[Knock on door]
Oh, hello, Keith.
Well, come in.
I saw you running.
I wondered
if you'd come.
Did you see me
watching the race?
Yes.
Yes. I thought
you did.
Well, was it
anything special?
No. I just--
well, you said
it was all right.
Yes. Of course.
Would you like
a drink?
I'm all stocked up now.
Do you think it's all right
if I offer you sherry?
I don't know.
Well, I won't
tell anyone.
Sherry's all I've got.
I brought you
some poems.
You know, you said
you liked Herrick.
Yes. I remember.
Sit down.
I was just thinking
about you.
You were the first
friend I made here.
Well, I expect you've
made a lot since.
Well, now.
Are you going to
read me these poems
of yours?
I don't know.
My mother's always
reading poetry
and making me read it
and declaim it.
Well, I thought I'd just
give them to you.
Oh, I'd much rather
you read it to me
if you could
bear it.
And you don't have
to declaim it.
Go on. Please.
[Clears throat]
"Whenas in silks
my Julia goes,
"Then, then, methinks,
how sweetly flows
"That liquefaction
of her clothes.
"Next, when I cast
mine eyes and see
"That brave vibration
each way free;
Oh, how that glittering
taketh me!"
Here's to Beth
and the heavenly
twins, eh?
Thank you.
Hmm.
Sit down, David.
Tell me, how long
is Beth going to be
in the hospital?
Oh, not more than a week
if all goes well.
Ah, well, now,
you can help me
out of a spot,
if you will.
You've heard about
poor old Cordwainer,
of course?
Well, yes, of course.
How is he?
Well, it seems it was
a mild heart attack,
but they want to keep
him in for a few days,
absolute rest and quiet,
the quack said.
Oh, he won't like that
very much.
Oh, no. I popped in
to see him.
I got his views.
"Tosh, gibberish,
and rubbish,"
he said it was,
but the fact is,
they're going to
keep him in
till the end
of the week at least,
and I've got to find
someone to look after
the Havelocks
in the meantime.
How do you fancy
trying your hand
as a temporary
housemaster, David?
Oh. Very much, sir,
but aren't there
a lot of senior men
who could be better?
"Is Powlett-Jones
fishing
for compliments?"
I ask myself.
Oh, no. I wasn't.
Now, now.
Let's just say
that you're
at a loose end
in the evenings
just now,
and I'd like to see
how you shape
with an eye to
the future, right?
Yes. Thank you
very much.
Oh, and I forgot
the main thing.
You're the only chap
I can think of
who's likely
to get on
with Cordwainer's dog.
Towser, dinner.
[Knock on door]
Come in!
Ah, Ridgeway, come in.
Take a pew.
Oh, sit down, Mike.
Sit down.
Thank you, sir.
Right. Well, I'm the new
boy at Havelock's,
so you better tell
me what the form is
for lights out
and so on.
Well, Judy--
uh, Mr. Cordwainer--
sorry, sir--
prefers to leave most
of that to us, sir.
Does he? Well,
very sensible of him.
I'm sure you do it
very well.
Mr. Cordwainer wouldn't
stand for a slack house, sir.
Blades and I take turns
to check the dormitories
at lights out,
and then we call in
to let you know
everything's in order.
Occasionally,
Mr. Cordwainer decides
to walk around and see
for himself.
Does he?
About how often?
About once
in a blue moon, sir.
He trusts you, eh?
Well, Ridgeway,
do you think
there's any need
for me to make
an inspection
tonight?
No need at all, sir.
Right. Good.
Are you off to bed
yourself now?
Yes, sir.
Where is Blades
tonight, by the way?
I think he's
studying late, sir.
We get permission.
Yes. Yes. Of course.
No, no, I was just
wondering.
Good night, then, sir.
Good night, Ridgeway.
Towser.
Come on, old boy.
Come over here.
Look. It's not my fault
your old man's
in the hospital, is it?
Towser.
Want a biscuit?
Come on, then.
Oh, well, stay
where you are,
you bloody old,
bad-tempered beast.
Thank you.
[Whimpers]
[Whimpering]
[Barking]
[Ringing]
Fire!
BLADES: Fire!
[Towser barking]
[Bell ringing]
Towser!
Go on out!
Check the seniors
out, Blades.
I'm going up!
Right. I'll follow
you up when I'm done.
Keep on the left!
Don't run.
Report to Blades.
You heard him. Walk.
Keep on the left.
That's better.
Now, wait outside
by the chapel.
Where the hell
is Ridgeway?
I don't know, sir.
He's up there, I think.
That's it.
Straight outside.
Don't run.
You know the rules.
What you got there,
Graves?
Piggy bank, sir.
You're a cool one.
Come on! Outside!
You, is there
another behind you?
Yes, there is.
Come, Titterton.
Late again.
Sorry, Ridgeway.
Hello, sir.
Ridgeway, are they
are all out?
Uh, 18, sir.
All but 5-C.
Who sleeps in 5-C?
[Fire crackling]
Oh, come on!
Think, damn you!
Titterton, uh, Graves,
the Kassavas,
Stafford and Price,
sir.
And did they all
pass you?
Titterton--
I'm not sure, sir.
All right, all right.
Get them all over
to the chapel,
count them,
and double-check them,
and send someone
to the headmaster's
and phone
for the fire brigade.
Run.
[Coughing]
Stafford! Kassava!
Price!
BLADES: Stafford
and Price are out, sir.
Graves and Titterton,
as well.
What--what about
the Kassavas?
No.
[Wood breaking]
Oh, God.
I'll go!
Blades! Blades,
come back here!
[Blades coughing]
Blades! Where are you?
[Coughing]
They're not there.
They must have gone
out on the roof.
Come on.
Let's get you out.
You could have
k*lled yourself.
[Footsteps]
[Creaking]
[Rumbling]
Jump!
Jump!
Jump!
Come on. Jump!
Jump! Jump!
Don't worry!
Jump!
Jump!
They're on the roof, sir.
I can't get them
to jump,
but they'll have to.
There's no other way down.
All right.
All right.
Now, you go to
the covered playground
and you get
the big rope
and the lighter
rope.
Now run.
There you go.
Jump!
Jump!
Jump!
Jump!
All right!
Shut up!
Shut up!
Just shut up!
They're not gonna jump.
You'll only scare them more.
Now, just keep
that canvas taut.
We can't just
leave them.
I'm going up there
with a rope.
I want to go.
No. You need to rest.
Don't want you
k*lling yourself.
I don't care.
Well, I damn well do!
All right.
Tie those ends together.
[Boys coughing]
It's all right.
I'm coming up
with a rope.
All right.
[Coughing]
Well, what are
you doing
hanging about
up here then, eh?
Come on. Help me
pull these ropes.
I would have
jumped, sir,
but my brother...
Say no more.
Will you get us
down, sir?
Of course I will.
Didn't come up here
for a chat,
you know?
All right.
Now, then.
What's your
rope climbing like?
Not very good, sir.
Sorry, sir.
Well, never mind.
Going down's
a damn sight easier
than coming up.
What about
my brother, sir?
Now, you're gonna
have to slide
down this rope,
all right?
That's no good.
We're gonna have to
lower him.
Come on.
It'll be all right,
but you must do
what sir says.
Do you hear me?
All right.
Now, I'm gonna try
and lower you
as gently as I can.
All right? Come on.
Sit on the edge.
That's it.
No! I'm too frightened!
You'll be all right.
Sir is a good strong man.
You won't fall.
Pow-Wow is looking
after you.
No, no, no, no!
You do what
Pow-Wow says.
[Sobbing]
Gently now.
Come on.
I've got you.
I've got you.
[Cheering]
He's done it.
[Rumbling]
All right. Now you.
Yes, sir.
[Cheering]
BLADES:
Hurry up, sir.
Unh!
HERRIES: Here you go.
Are you all right?
Yes. I think.
Is there anybody else
in there?
No.
Are you absolutely
certain?
Yes.
You must be
very proud of him.
Oh, I am,
and cross with him, too,
for taking
all those risks.
He says he wasn't
taking any risks.
It was all as safe
as houses,
but it's been 3 weeks now,
and he's still getting
nightmares about it.
Oh, well. It's all
over now, thank God.
And Bamfylde returns
to its usual tedium.
Funnily enough,
David says
the really brave one
was a boy called Blades.
Lucky he was up
so late.
Blades?
Do you know him?
I only know him
by sight.
He's supposed to be
a bit of a slacker
but clever with it.
Well, apparently,
he pushed David aside
and rushed straight
into the fire
to see if those two
little Indian boys
were in there.
Well, David says he
didn't seem
to care a damn
about his own safety,
almost as if he didn't care
whether he lived or died.
Maybe he had a soft spot
for one of them.
Oh, no, I don't think
it would be that.
Well, as I say,
I don't know him.
I'll just get
some more hot water.
How do you
live here?
Hmm?
What do you do
with your time?
Oh, the twins take up
most of it now.
Oh, yes. There is
that about them.
And that's plenty
for you, is it, Beth?
Well, it would be plenty
for most people,
I should think.
They don't sleep as long
as the babies
in the books, you know?
They're not usually
like this.
Most of the time, we can't
hear ourselves think.
Yes. Of course, but,
I mean, before this.
You did have a job
before you were married?
I was a nurse.
I was rushed
off me feet then, too.
Didn't it drive you
mad at first,
living here?
No. I thought it might
when I first came visiting,
but since I've been here,
I've loved
every minute of it.
Do you know, I think
I believe you.
You make me feel
terribly dull.
Oh, I don't mean to.
I envy you.
I suppose Davy and I
were very wrapped up
in each other.
Yes. Good for you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
That was a bit thoughtless.
Oh, don't be.
I can't bear the way
people avoid
referring to this
curious state
of semiwidowhood
I'm in.
Anyway, I think I was
more wrapped up in Davy
than he was in me.
The twins seem to have
evened things out a bit.
I mean, you teachers
get so involved
in your work, don't you?
Do we?
Yes.
I suppose we do
in our
different ways.
No. It's my turn
to tell her.
You see, Mrs. Darbyshire,
there's an Englishman,
Irishman, and Scotsman,
and they all decided
to have a game of golf.
Graves, I have heard
that one.
No, no, you haven't,
Mrs. Darbyshire.
Has she, Titterton?
No, Mrs. Darbyshire.
Honestly.
This is
a brand-new one.
No one's heard it
except Graves and me.
Graves
and Titterton,
you may find this
hard to grasp,
but I have heard
as much
about Englishmen,
Irishmen, and Scotsmen
as I can bear.
Could we tell you tomorrow
then, Mrs. Darbyshire?
No.
No. Not tomorrow.
Next Thursday week.
Now, that's when
I'll be burning
to hear it.
Do you think you
can remember that?
BOTH:
Yes, Mrs. Darbyshire.
Now go away.
Well, I'm glad you don't
think we're claiming
too much for the damage.
I've tried to discourage
the little beggars
from smoking,
but they will go
and hide themselves
away, you know?
And then they drop
the cigarette ends
and matches between
the old floorboards.
Think we can get
the repairs in hand
right away?
We're having to double up
in the ground floor
dormitory.
Come and have a look.
It's like the Black Hole
of Calcutta
for the poor little toads.
You come and see.
You won't believe it.
Hello, there!
What a splendid day, eh?
Yes, isn't it?
Hello, Julia.
Here! Heel. Come on.
BLADES: You didn't
really mean it, did you?
Keith, I...
I don't know.
What do you mean?
How can you say
you're not surprised?
I'm sorry, David.
I just don't think
it's all that
surprising.
But I couldn't
believe my eyes
when I saw them.
Well, David, she is
very pretty...
and lonely, too,
I daresay.
She can't be more than
than Blades.
She certainly
doesn't look it.
Well, it's just
a crush.
I've seen them
together myself
once or twice.
What?
Just talking.
Well, when I saw them,
they'd gone
a good bit further
than talking.
Got a good look,
did you?
Oh, Beth, don't make me
feel worse about it
than I do already.
I wish I'd never seen
that bloody dog
of Cordwainer's.
But it's not really
your problem, is it?
Yes, it is.
Blades is in Havelock's.
He's my responsibility.
I can't just pretend
I haven't seen him.
Well, if Cordwainer
heard about it,
he'd--he'd insist on Blades
being out on his ear
within the day.
Oh, that's
ridiculous.
Isn't he leaving at
the end of term anyway?
Well, he is if he gets
that scholarship,
but he hasn't exactly
been reading
his head into train oil.
Beth, I- just don't
know what to do.
Well, what could
you do?
Mr. Herries would be
sympathetic,
wouldn't he?
I don't want to have to
go to Herries.
Oh.
Well, it's the sort of
thing that Carter would do,
and, well, it would put
Algy Herries
in a difficult situation.
It would be out
in the open then,
and, well, he'd be forced
to do something drastic.
Oh. I'll have to put Blades
on the carpet,
warn him, point out
the seriousness of it,
talk to him
for his own good.
Oh, Beth, how do you do
a thing like that?
Like a fierce, old,
Victorian schoolmaster,
I should think.
David, don't you
think you're being
a little unfair?
Why?
Well, he's
a schoolboy.
Rather a mature one,
I admit,
but, well,
Julia Darbyshire's
a teacher.
She's more to blame
if anyone is.
I suppose so,
but I don't see
where that gets us.
Well, why don't you
talk to her first?
No. I couldn't.
I--1 hardly know
the woman.
She's quite nice.
No. No. It would be
more embarrassing
than tackling Blades.
Do you want me
to talk to her?
No. It's not
your problem.
I won't be long.
Is there
anything wrong?
Oh, dear.
Have you come
to give me good advice
like Mr. Carter?
Yes. I'm afraid I have.
Oh, dear.
And I'm afraid you're
not going to like it.
Go on, then.
Well, um, this afternoon,
just by accident,
I saw you and Blades
over by the folly.
I had to say something.
You must realize that
something like that
can't go on.
Someone else will be
bound to see you,
and if it were
one of the boys,
he'd simply spread
the news around the school.
I suppose it's
no use telling you
you're mistaken?
Don't make me tell you
what I saw.
It isn't
against the law.
I know.
I'm not a prude,
but it could get him
expelled and you dismissed.
I wanted to prevent that.
Oh, it's so stupid.
I don't expect you
to believe this,
but we weren't
lovers
and wouldn't
have been.
Anyway,
it's over now.
I'm leaving
Bamfylde.
Mr. Herries has
allowed me to go
before the end
of the term.
Oh. I'm sorry
to hear that.
Are you really?
Yes, well, I am,
too, in a way,
but, God, what
a bloody awful,
stifling place
this is.
Don't you feel
stifled?
Not anymore.
No.
Well, I-11 am glad
it was you
if someone
had to see us.
At least you
understand.
Imagine if it was
Carter.
I don't see
the difference.
You know
the difference.
Is that your husband?
Yes.
The Royal a*tillery.
Yes,
the Royal a*tillery.
We only had
a week, you know?
When I see him
in hospital now,
I don't
recognize him.
He's not dead,
and he's not alive.
He's nothing.
I'm afraid I'm not
a tragic, plucky
little heroine.
I'm flesh-and-blood
me.
Um--
Will you talk
to Keith, then?
Well, since you're leaving
and no one else knows,
I can't see the point
of putting us both
through that experience.
It wouldn't help
the atmosphere
of the scholarship
English lessons.
And that's what
really counts.
No.
You've really been
very nice
about all this.
Thank you.
Not at all.
HOWARTH: "The expense of spirit
in a waste of shame
"Is lust in action;
"and till action, lust
"Is perjur'd, murderous,
bloody, full of blame,
"Savage, extreme, rude,
cruel, not to trust;
"Enjoy'd no sooner
but despised straight;
"Past reason hunted;
and no sooner had,
"Past reason hated,
as a swallow'd bait,
"On purpose laid
to make the taker mad:
"Mad in pursuit,
and in possession so;
"Had, having, and in quest
to have, extreme;
"A bliss in proof,--
and prov'd, a very woe;
"Before, a joy propos'd;
behind, a dream.
"All this the world well knows;
yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that
leads men to this hell."
Subject, of course,
is sexual passion, hmm?
And Shakespeare spares us
none of the unpleasant truth.
Oh, I despair,
I despair.
Why do the examiners
set verse
so far beyond
the experience
of striplings
such as these?
Oh. Blades?
Are you with us?
So you think he's
all right now?
Who, Blades?
Yes. Of course
he's all right.
They're very resilient
at that age.
I'm going to miss her
in a way.
I really liked her,
you know?
Did you like her?
You never really told me
how it went when you went
for that terrible,
serious chat of yours.
Oh, it went
all right, really.
She was
a strange woman.
I wonder if we'll ever
see her again, Davy.
Do you think we will?
Davy?
Hmm? What?
Oh. No, I shouldn't
think so.
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01x04 - Episode 4
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David Powlett-Jones, a coal miner's son from South Wales, has risen from the ranks and been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the First World w*r.
David Powlett-Jones, a coal miner's son from South Wales, has risen from the ranks and been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the First World w*r.