Country Life (1994) - full transcript

Ah, just a minute, Doctor.

The men have taken the hataround, and we think we've gotjust about enough to pay you.

No, no, you keep it.

You'll need something
- for the funeral.
- It weren't your fault.

There is, um, one thing
you could do for me though.

[ Man #1 ] What's that, Doctor ?

You wouldn't have a bottle
lying around, would you ?
I could do with a drink.

In your saddle bag.
It's three-quarters full.

What do you think ? What was wrong with the other one ?

Uh, this one's English,
from Bond Street. They're both nice.

Uncle Jack,there's a feed bill herethat goes back eight months !



We-We haveto get things sorted outbefore Father arrives !

Sally, Alex won't give
a damn about feed bills.

Perhaps you should wearthe other tie, Uncle Jack.

I-I knowthis one's Bond Streetand all that, but--

- It's a bit worn.
- And the jacket--What ?

Let's get Violetto give it a press.

Anyone seen Vi ?
Oh, Sally dear,

you haven't seen the latest
copy of Throne and Country
anywhere, have you ?

Didn't you
lend it to Wally ?

- Yes, but I gave itback, Mrs. Dickens.
- I'm sure as eggs, certain.

You see,

there's a most importantquestion I want to put toAlexander as soon as he arrives.

It's about Princess Mary Louise,but I've forgotten what it is.

Holy Moses, Mother.



Alex is a writer,
an esteemed London critic,
not a society gossip.

- He won't know about bloody
Princess Mary Louise !
- Don't swear, Jack.

Alexander won't like it
any more than I do. Ah !

Thank you, dear.

Can you imagine !
A man on first-name terms
with George Bernard Shaw,

and coming home
- to live under our roof !
- Vi !

At last,
someone in the district
with civilized values !

-- But what about Dr. Askey ?
- He's very civilized.
- Well, yes, there's Max.

Of course, a medical man,mind you. Not quitethe same thing as Alex.

- But a true, true friend.
- I mean, who's going to meetthe train on his one day off ?

The train's due
in 15 minutes !

Oh, God.

Hmm.
You sure that works ?

It works for onions.
It ought to work
for whiskey.

Just keep eating it.

Come on.

I'm so nervous.

What if I don't
recognize Father ?'Course you will.

But I've never seen him !
Not since I was a tiny baby.

- What about his new wife ?
- Do you think she'll like me ?

Getting more to the point,
let's hope you like her.

-♪Auntie Joyce ! Auntie Joyce !
- Hello, Mum.

Hi !
- How are you ?
- Harry.

- There he is !
- Hello, son.

John. Johnny !

Peter ? Peter, over here.

David !
Good to have you back.
How are you, man ?

G'day, Doctor.
- Not too bad. Thanks.
- Good.

This way, son.

Someone should tell themthe war's over.

♪

Go on.

Mother ?

- Father ?
- Sally.

Can it be ?

- Yes, of course it is.
- How are you, my child ?

- I say, do be carefulof that little brown bag.
- There's a good fellow.

The contents are extremely fragile ! Now, where have you put it ?

Poor Alexander.

We stupidly left his medicinecase in the luggage van,

and he's been in suchdesperate need of his drops.

- You must be Deborah.
- Sally.

I've been so looking forwardto meeting you.

Dr. Askey ?

Oh, dear,
dear, dear.

This is our good friend,
Dr. Askey. He's come
to help with the luggage.

- How do you do ?
- Mrs. Voysey.

How do you do ?

Say, I think--
Your--

- My husband ?
- Yes.
Your husband.

It looks as if, maybe,
we should lend a hand.

Nine, ten, eleven bags.

Hatbox, three trunks...

and my medicine case.

Just coming for the weekend,are we ?

Father, this is Dr. Askey.
He's come to help
with the luggage.

Oh, how kind.
How do you do ?

Oh, so many things.

We poor nomads must travelwith all our goods on our back,so to speak.

Is this it then ?

- Ah, my books !
- But where's the other crate ?

Sally, I thinkwe're going to needa little extra transport.

I'll scout around town,see what I can find.

Oh.

They're coming.
They're coming !

They're coming !

- They're coming, Mother.
- I know.
I know, dear.

And that question wasn't
about Princess Mary Louise
at all. It was about--

-- Later.
- Later, Mother, later.
- Where's Hannah ? Violet !

- Yes, sir ?
- Where's my jacket ?

Get that out of sight !

Violet !

Ah, Hannah.
Afternoon tea, please.
They'll be parched.

- My lovely lunch has goneto waste, you know.
- Stone cold.

They're here, Jack.

- Ah, late for lunch.
- Scamps !

My dear, Maud,

I'm afraid I can't
- answer you.
- Oh.

You must put that
question to someone... What pretty flowers. Thank you.

of a more elevated stationthan a mere scribe.
Oh. He's coming.

Alex.
How are you ?

-Welcome home to Canterbury.
- A pilgrim's return.

And nothing has changed
it would seem.

Except us, of course,
eh, Jack ?

I used to be
in perfect health,
and you were once so dapper.

- But I haven't introduced you.
- My wife, Deborah.

Yes, my dear, we used to call young Jack the dandy of the district.

- How do you do ?
- How do you do ?

- And, uh, th-this is Wally Wells,who lives with us.
- How do you do ?

Please, come inside.

Wally the lodger,that's me.

Where's your tie ?

You've all
missed lunch,
I'm afraid,

but Hannah will
provide a substantial
afternoon tea.

- Ah.
- How very kind, Jack.

But if you don't mind--
Wh-Where's he gone ?

- I've no idea.
- Sit down, everybody.

Thank you, Hannah.

Oh, Hannah, I'm sure
you remember my famous
son-in-law, don't you ?

Indeed I do. What, 25 years is it, Hannah ?

You've gone gray.

- And this is Mrs. Voysey.
- How do you do ?

You've missed lunch, you two, but I'm not going to waste it.

You'll be having itfor supper.

Ah, Hannah's broughtin the tea, I see.

I'm afraid, Jack, I shall haveto forgo what indeed appearsto be a substantial repast.

But my sinus trouble has beenplaying up on the journey,

and there's nothing for it but my drops and to lie down...

- with the curtains drawn.
- Oh, dear, I'm sorry.

- No, no, no, no, no.
- An irritating affliction,as much to others,

I'm sure,
- as to myself.
- Vi, show Father his room.

Is there anything
- we can get you ?
- Not a thing.

Well, perhaps, Sally,just a cup of tea in my room...

in ten minutes time, if
it's not too much trouble.

- Uh, no milk.
- Sugar, two lumps.

Uh, oh, so sorry.

Father, I'm sure you didn't leave it on the platform.

I distinctly remember you had itwith you outside the station.

Well, where is it then ?
I'm absolutely done for
without those drops.

How can I possibly replace
them out here in the bush ?

If they are lost,
I'm sure Dr. Askey
could replace them.

- Dr. Askey ?
- Uh, where do you
want these ?

Father--
Sorry, miss.

Those drops were prescribedby Billington,

one of the top ear, nose,and throat men in Harley Street.

Merry Christmas.

Come on, Cockie.
Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas.
- It's no good, ol' chap.
He's just not in the mood.

Still, he was a lovely Christmas present, Wally.

I kept him hidden in the woolshed for months. Taught himto say "Merry Christmas" myself.

Jack, pass
the rock cakes.
Hmm ?

- Rock cake ?
- Delicious, but onewas more than enough.

Come on, Max, someone's
got to eat these things.

Hannah's in a bad
enough mood as it is.

Oh. Got a mallet ?

They're like coconuts,lovely once you get inside.

- Can be said
of a lot of things.
-

Jack ! Oh.

Uh, please, sir, Mr. Voyseywants to know if anyone's seenhis medicine case ?

He's real upset. Hmm ?

Isn't this it ?
Hmm ? Hmm ?

Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.

Violet,you clever, clever girl !

I'm indebtedto you forever. Oh, Father, what a relief !

We'll get these blinds down,
Hannah.

Do you remember this room,
Father ?

Uncle Jack tells me that
it was yours and Mother's
when you were first married.

It was indeed,though memory playssuch odd tricks.

I was certainthat it was larger, airier.

It's the best bedroomin the house.

My dear,
it's a delightful room.
It will make an ideal study.

- Now, uh,
where will Deborah sleep ?
- Well... we thought--

There's this big, double bedhere. Ah, yes,
but you see, my work.

This will do very nicely for me,but I frequently writelate into the night.

And I'm not so selfish as
to expect Deborah to stay
awake with me until dawn.

I see.

Tell you what, my bedroomis right across the corridor.

I'll clear my things outbefore dinner-- You'll do what ?

- You'll do nothing of the sort !
- You've had that roomsince you were a baby.

-A tiny baby !
- Shh, Hannah.

- When you went off to London and left her ! - Hannah !

After her
- poor mother died !
- Hannah !

There are ten bedrooms in this house !

- Most of them are empty !
- Uncle Jack moved outof his room.

- I can perfectly wellmove out of mine !
- And you and Violet can help me.

It might help, you know ?
It always does
with my headaches.

- Maybe not this afternoon, Jack.
- Well, Deborah said he's fondof music, very fond of music.

Oh,
- extremely fond.
- See ?

- He won't hear it up there,will he ?
- Well, it'll be distant,

but that's all to the good,
soothing.

Just six drops.
No more, no less.

Six drops in one nostril.
Six drops in the other.

- One.
- Hmm. ♪

They're not eye drops,
- my dear !
- You moved.

It's no wonder.
What in God's name
is that racket ?

It's Uncle Jack'sGramophone.

He has the finest collectionof recordings of good musicin the district.

- And is this an example ?
- It's historic.

Well, surely,you recognize it. ♪

Alex'll recognize this.

A poor recording, of course,
by today's standards,
but what an occasion !

Melba's Massenet concert inthe Royal Albert Hall in 1903,

recorded on the very night !

♪

Sir ? Mr. Voysey !

Mr. Voysey, sir !
What ?

Mr. Voysey !

♪
What's this
about Mr. Voysey ?

Sir, Mr. Voysey askedif Mrs. Voysey could goand give him his nose drops ?

- Miss Sally
isn't doing it right.
-

People often ask me if we're related to the novelist Charles Dickens,

and I have to say, "Oh, dear me, no. No connection whatever."

We're theGloucestershire Dickens.
Hmm.

Good lord, Mother, I shouldthink you'd be proud to includea great writer in the family.

- Though, hopefully,a less sentimental one.
- I so agree, Alexander.

Alex ?

Oh, heavens, no.
I had more than enough
before dinner.

I'm sure our friends down the table won't decline a shot.

- I wouldn't say no, Jack.
- You're right.

Friends, I have an announcement to make.

Your new arrivals, Deborahand myself, would like to makea gift to the household.

- What would you say to someFrench wine from Sydney ?
- Oh.

Alex, that's very decent
of you !

Well, I seem to rememberin your father's day,

this house had the best cellarin the district.

The best of everything
before the crash.

Uh, to begin with, I would suggest at least a dozen cases of good claret.

Chateau Margaux happens to bemy favorite, but some of youmay prefer a Pauillac.

- And a dozen casesof white burgundy.
- I'll order it tomorrow.

- Oh. Do you hear that,
- Sally ? French wine.

You'll find Canterbury has a lotto offer you, Alex.

Peace and quiet for your work,a good library, Wally brings usthe London magazines.

Oh, and, uh, don't forgetmy mouth organ, Jack.

♪

♪ Give me your answer do ♪

- Thanks, Wal.
-

There's just one, small request...

I'd like to ask in return.

- Tonight we dined at 7:00.
- Five to, to be precise.

Could I put in a plea to havedinner served at the morecivilized hour of 8:00 ?

Or even 8:30 ?

We have dinner at 7:00, Father,because we have to get up earlyto run the property.

Ah.
Uh, no, Sally.

- Alex is right. Let's not be set in our ways.- Hannah won't like it.

Oh, good God ! Hannah will doas she's told. We don't runthe house for the servants !

Four, five, six, uh--
Now the other one. Ah.

Come in.

I just want to say good night,

and make sure thatDeborah's room is all right.

- Violet and I have moved someof the furniture around.
- I hope you don't mind.

- Oh, no, no, no, of course not.
- It's your room now.

I've left Mother's picturebehind.

-Do you mind if I get it ?
- Oh, please.

You can have it
if you like,

but it's hopelessly out of date.

-- When I was little,
- I was just like them.
- I never missed a killing.

Now I hate it.

Go on, you kids !

Miss Sally ?
- We slaughter once a week,so I hope you like meat.

- Oh, I love lamb.
- No, mutton. Miss Sally ?

Miss Sally, Mr. Dickens
wants to see you.
Says it's real urgent !

What about ? Don't know.
It's real urgent he says.

- Hello, Vi.
- Hello, Billy.

Oh, sorry, missus.

Max is a nice enough cove, buteverywhere he goes, he leavesa trail of bloody abos !

The natives get sick just like everyone else, Uncle Jack.

Yes, but what are Alexand Deborah gonna think ? Thisplace isn't a bloody mission !

Oh, they'll be gone
soon enough.

Look, you amuse Father.
I'll do what I can
with Deborah.

Yes, Wally is giving me
a ride into town.

- Who-Who is this Mr. Wells ?
- Is he a member of the family ?

No, no, no,
just a friend.

A couple of years ago,
his wife ran off
with the local dentist.

Well, Jack was worried he'd
do himself some mischief,

so he took him
- under his wing.
- Oh.

Wait for me !

Good grief !

It's nothing shortof a tragedy.

Well, the famous rose arbor
needed a lot of attention.

And, first the crash,
then the war;
we didn't have the men.

- The finest English gardenin the district.
- Now look at it !

A wasteland.

Do you rememberthe tree house, Alex ?

- When we were kids,
- Ann and I used to sit up there,pretending we were sailing...

all the way
- to England.
- And the hollyhocks--

I distinctly remembera riot of color over there.

You're the one
who got there, Alex.

Twenty-two years
as drama critic
on the London Sentinel.

What a wonderful life
- you've had.
- Huh.

-- G'day, Fred.
- Good news about Billy.
- Yeah.

I reckon his new leg'llbe ready by Friday.

You met Billy,
Fred's youngest.
Lost a leg in the war.

Fred, we ought to do somethingabout organizing thatbirthday party of yours.

Do right. I reckon I'm
about due for a party.

Fred's forgotten
how old he is.

I used to know.

I had a birthday regular
'til I was 14.

Then I started knockin'about the country, drivin' fenceand shearing and all that.

Well, I forgot all about it.

Well, I'd start
with your 15th birthday,

and then I'd have a partyevery month until you catch up.

Good-bye, all.
Sally, I'll see you
at the wildlife lecture...

-on Wednesday, a week.
- Mmm, you know
I'll be there.

And if it's of any interest
to her, perhaps...

Mrs. Voysey
might like to come.

Mmm. And Father ?

Oh, yes, of course.
M-Mrs. Voysey
and... Mr. Voysey.

Giddyap there.

- Delphiniums.
- I seem to remember delphiniums.

This book you're working on
at the moment, Alex-

- How could I have forgottenthis heat ?
- Oh, yes !
I'm sorry.

Sit-Sit down.

This book you're
writing though, Alex,
what's it about ?

What ?
Oh, a specialist affair, Jack.

I doubt if you'd find itin the least to your taste.

But those years
in London, Alex.
The people you've met.

The intellectuals and the,
the pretty, young actresses
too. Eh, old chap ?

- Well, yes,
- I must admit, there'vebeen one or two of those.

Morning tea ?

- Lunch.
- At noon ?

- Grilled mutton chops.
- Three each.

With mashed swedeand boiled potatoes.

Braised mutton chops.

Make sure
you eat 'em up.

- Cold mutton with Indian chutney.
- Perfect for this weather.

Don't let those flies settle.

Boiled fowl.

With carrots, fresh from the garden.

- It's the truth.
- Fred dug 'em up this morning.

This is what happens when you cut down all the trees and overstock.

And it's not onlythe small properties.

I noticed that Mr. Pettinger,

the manager of Legaland Imperial Pastoral Holdings,is with us tonight.

It's good to see you, Mr. Pettinger.

You might be interestedto see what's happening overon the northeast boundary...

of your 30,000 acres.

Now some of you already know that I have a thousand acres just west of Legal and Imperial.

And on that propertyI've tried to recreate the landas it used to be 50 years ago.

There are 11 sorts of eucalyptus on this slope,

and under those gums there's grazing for kangaroos and wallabies.

In my opinion, Dr. Askey, a sadwaste of good grazing land.

Legal and Imperial are always prepared to offer you a very fair price for your holding...

anytime you come to your senses.

And if the aborigines-- the few that are left--

want to camp on my property,they are free to do so.

Oh, why ? So they can climbmy fences and eat my sheep ?

Exactly ! It gives me no pleasure to say this, but aborigines are pests !

No less than the rabbits and the foxes !

Weren't the rabbitsand the foxes brought overfrom Britain, Mr. Pettinger ?

Ah, you'll find no sympathyfor your anti-British,

antiwar sentiments here, Dr. Askey.
That's right.

- The war's over, Mr. Pettinger.- Yes ! And we won it !

Go on there, Ken ! Heigh-ho ! Well said !

Well, I wonder if we did. I wonder if we did, Mr. Pettinger.

We're saddled with a war debtthat, ten years from now, isgoing to bankrupt this country.

Bolshevik ! [ Man #2 ] Fuck, yeah, Bolshevik !

I lost my son
in the war, Doctor. I know you did, Mr. Wilson,

and no one was sorrier
than I was.

I sat with Dick for four nights,getting him through meningitis.

- Do you remember that ?
- And are you saying
his death was pointless ?

Nothing is pointless,
if we can learn from it.

And what exactly have we learned from it, Dr. Askey ?

Well, I hope that
we've learned...

never to send the finest
of our young men...

12,000 miles to fight a war that isn't about politics,

but is about British trade !

But we're all British !
That's right ! Yeah !

And I'd like an explanation why wh-when...

- British troops had casualties of 40 percent, Australian---♪ God save our gracious queen

- You have to stand.
- It's the law. ♪

...under a British high command had-had...

casualties of over 60 percent ! Bolshevik !

♪
Bolshevik ! Bolshevik !
Bolshevik ! Bolshevik !

Bolshevik ! Bolshevik !

Well, I'm glad to see you gotthe use of your arm back, David.

Too right.

I'll have to ask you
to go now, Dr. Askey.

We can't run the risk
of more trouble.

Quite understand, Vicar.

Thanks for the use
of the hall.

Well, Mrs. Voysey, not quite
what you expected, eh ?

- No.
- Me neither.
My apologies.

Lucky Father's sinuses
were playing up.

- But those awful men !
- What are you going to do ?

Well, Mrs. Voysey,one of the few advantages...

of being the only doctorin the district is that,eventually,

if you wait long enough,all the people that saythat they hate you,

turn up on your doorstepwith kidney stonesor an anal abscess...

or something that's giving themterrible bother.

They never seem to wantto talk about Bolshevism then.

-- Come on, girl. Good girl.
- Step on it.
- Come around
there, Bluey.

- Come around ! Come on !
- You know that doctorfella's got me thinking.

- What's that, Fred ?
- Well, look at it
this way.

If I haven't had a birthday
since I was a kiddie,

and let's say I'm 65 now,

that's close on 50 birthdays
I've got coming to me.

Now the boss gives himself
a day off on his birthday.

So I reckon I'm owed
about seven weeks holiday.

- It's only justice.
- Oh, I don't think Uncle Jackcould do without you...

- for seven weeks, Fred.
- No ?

No. Why not tell himyou got a 21st coming up,and settle for a week.

Oh !

Come on. Oh !

Hey, Miss Sally,
don't get them woolies wet.
They'll shrink !

That looks unpleasant work, Jack. Should you be doing that ?

- Well, someone's got to do it.
- We don't want the entire mobfly-blown.

Ah, Jack, how I envy you.

- I never hada practical side.
- Yeah, well--

Uh, there's somethingI-I've been meaningto discuss with you, Jack.

- Is this a good moment ?
- It's as good as any.

This, uh, this Wally fellow--He's been livingat Canterbury how long ?

- Two years this winter.
- And he has this jobin town ?

At the post office,
- two days a week.
- Ah.

And does he,uh, pay rent ?

- No.
- Well, it's just that,as you know better than I,

though the familyis quite comfortably off,

we can't really afford,you know, to carry passengers.

Twice a week,
Wally brings us mail
and provisions from town.

Every month
he gives me a haircut
because he knows...

I can't stand tripping off
to that bloody barbershop !

Wally's not only
a good friend,
but he's a useful one !

- All right, Jack.
- Don't get excited.

You've explained it,and I understand, perfectly.

- Good heavens !
- Hannah will never forgive me.

Afternoon tea.

Fetch my manuscript, will you ?

You're nearer. Fetch it yourself.

You know very well
I'm trying to rest my leg.

-Try exercising it.
- Oh, dear.
Stupid of me to forget...

that the young haven't
the least comprehension
of what it's like to be old.

- You're not old.
- Hardly the bloom of youth
I would have thought.

-And I'm not young.
- Sixty-two.

What's inside--
Oh, all right !
You're as old as the hills !

Don't worry.
In a few year's time,
I'll be old myself.

Frankly, I can't wait !

I'll fetch your manuscript. No, leave it.

- Leave it !
-

Don't trouble yourself.

And in a few year's
time, I'll be dead.
Then we'll both be happy.

Shh.

Good lord, Sally ! What have you been doing ?

You look positively filthy.

Any tea left ?

Cold.
Violet ?

-- I'm parched.
- Sit down.
- You must be exhausted.

Oh, I'll sit over here,
thanks. I'm sopping.

- Oh, what have
you two been doing ?
- Nothing.

- Absolutely nothing.
- We're bored to death.

Do something then.
Find something to do.

Here ? Good heavens, what ?

I have my work, of course.
There's the garden.

If you really want
to make yourself useful,

there's the station hand's
children to teach.

Half of them
can't even read or write.

- I'd be no good at that.
-
Sometimes I think...

I'm the only person in thishouse who actually enjoys life.

You'd learn. Look at me.

I only started workingon the property when the menwent off to war. Now I love it.

You really expect meto just drop everything...

and become schoolteacherto some dirty children ?

- You said you were bored.
- I'm not as bored as that.

All right.

-Uh, not having any tea, miss ?
- I think
I'll have a bath.

Right.

Uh, is-is that, uh,
fresh tea, Violet ?

Just made, yes, sir.
No milk, two lumps.

Exactement.
But first, be a dear...

and pass that folder
to me, will you ?

- Here you are, sir.
- What would I do
without you, Vi ?

My little handmaiden.
[ Chuckling ]
Ah, sir.

Come on, beauty. Come on. There.

Come on, beauty. There's a good boy. There's a good boy.

There's a good boy. There's a good boy.

There's a beauty.

Oh. I'm all right,
I'm all right.

I'm... just being silly.

It's all right, Jack.
Please, just leave me alone.

Just leave me alone !

My dear, great news !

Our wine has arrived !

Fred's got all that liquor
- stowed in the cellar.
- Wine, Hannah.

- And he wants to know if he canhave a bottle for himself.
- This is his preference.

Chateauneuf du Pape, 1911. Why this one ?

- He likes the label.
- Oh, very well.

He tells me that four bottlesof this same stuff got broke,you know.

In the unpacking.

You've got a keyto that cellar door, Hannah.

Over 500 bottles.
It's a disgrace.

You're gonna drink yourself
to death, you know.

♪ Oh, Danny boy

♪ The pipes, the pipes are calling ♪

♪ From glen to glen

♪ And down the mountainside

♪ The summer's gone

♪ And

♪ All the roses dying

But the Chateauneuf
du Pape, of all things !

I've already told you, Alex,it won't happen again. ♪

A sampling case containing
only half a dozen bottles,
of which one remains !

How can one possibly
build up a cellar
if this goes on ?

Father, let's try and enjoy
the wine we're drinking.

- You were telling us about it.
- This is a burgundy ?

- Quite delicious !
- Don't you agree, Mr. Wells ?

Oh, slips down very nicely. It should be colder, of course.

And I believe would be tastedto better advantage...

accompanying a dish other thanHannah's Tuesday pea soup !

♪
Yes, this is a white burgundy.

A little more, please,
before it warms up.

♪ Oh, Danny boy Hannah, do you
think we should ?

Heavens, girl ! There arehundreds and hundreds of bottlesdown there below.

This is an odd one. Sure theywon't even notice it's gone.

Ah, drink up ! Strengthensthe blood, this does.

- Chateauneuf du Pape.
- Mm-hmm.

Ah, that'll be them,

wanting their chops.

This is a straightforward
claret. Nothing special.

A reliable cru bourgeois
from the Haut-Medoc.

Color ? Mmm.

Nose ?
Interesting.

I hope all that wine
you're drinking's not
going to ruin me chops.

- On the contrary, Hannah,
- I think it will undoubtedlyimprove them.

♪ In sunshine Hannah, would you go
to the woodshed...

♪ Or in shadow and tell Fred
to stop singing ?

It's making
the dogs howl.
You're
asking the impossible.

The man is as drunk
- as a lord.
- Try anyhow.

[ Dogs Barking ]♪ When summer's on the meadow

♪ And all the valley's hushed

♪ And white with snow ♪Fred ! Fred Livingstone,
do you hear me ?

Will you stop that unholy
racket this instant ?

- What do you mean "racket" ?
- I'm singing !

Aw, be off with you...

before the boss comes
hunting you with his rifle.

Bugger off, you stupid old cow.

And bugger off the boss !

And bugger off the bloody lot of yous !

Fred... sweetheart.

Let's be friends.
Come over here.

I've got something
for you.

It's the last one left.

Not some more of that thereChateauneuf du Pape stuff ?

Aha, that would be telling.

Come on here...

and see for yourself.

Jesus, bloody, Christ !

Ya dirty, dilapidated old Irish whore !

You know that du Pape stuff ?

You can shove it up your big, fat, Irish ass !

You big, fuckin' trollop.

You could've given a manfuckin' pneumonia, you know !

Right, everybody,
I'd like you to...

charge your glasses
with some more of this...

reliable, straightforward
claret, courtesy of Alex.

-- No more for me, Uncle Jack.
- Debbie ?
- Debbie,
yes, of course.

Really, this Australian insistence on diminutives.

My wife's name,
good people, is Deborah.

My name is Alexander.
Maud's name is Maud.

- And Walter's name is Wally.- Too right.

They only called me Walter,
as a kid, when I was due
for a thrashing.

Alexander is quite right. Abbreviations are vulgar.

-Deborah now is a lovely name.
- It is indeed...

a lovely, lovely name. Please don't drink any more, Uncle Jack.

And I'd like you to charge
your glass. I'd like you... You know you'll regret it.

to charge your glasses...

and drink
to that lovely name.

And to the lovely person
who's called by that
lovely name.

- Just sit down,
- Uncle Jack.

So, I'd like you to toast,
not Debbie, not Mrs. Voysey,

but lovely Deborah.

Everybody, lovely Deborah.

Lovely Deborah.

Uncle Jack,you're embarrassing her.

Am I ?
I'm terribly sorry.

And not another word,
except to say...

except to say...

Deborah,
you are too lovely...

to be sad.

- I'm sorry, everyone.
- I have a most terrible headache.

-- Wh-What have I done ?
- Just sit down,
- Uncle Jack.

It is true. She has
- been off-color today.
- Poor child.

Perhaps I should just, uh--
If you'll all excuse me.

Uh, Sally...

would you ask Violetto bring me coffee upstairs ?

Uh, I shall be working late.

What's the use of me explaining it to you ? You wouldn't understand.

How can I possibly understand if you won't explain to me what the matter is ?

Oh, just go away ! Go away, all of you !

Impossible, impossible,
impossible ! Leave me alone !

Leave me alone !

Violet ?

♪

- It's Mr. Voysey's room.
- Merciful Jesus !
At 2:00 in the morning !

He's having the old stuff,heated up. Hmm.

And you're not giving himany biscuits either !

Fancy waking us all up
in the black middle
of the night !

- Over here, over here.
- And close the door, my dear.

-- You're a very pretty girl.
- Do you know that, Vi ?
- Yes, sir.

- These are very pretty buttons.
- What are they ? Velvet ?

Are they made of velvet ?

What have we here, eh ?

- Something very nice,
- I'm sure.

Sugar and spiceand all things nice.

That's what little Viis made of.

All right, Violet,you may go.

- Sir ?
- Off to bed with you !

Vi ?

Our little secret, eh ?

Sleep well, my child.

You'll enjoy it
when you get there, Alex.

You always do.

- Don't be hardon Fred, Uncle Jack.
- He's very contrite.

And so he bloody
- should be.
- At least he's dressed.

Later, Vi, later.

Ahh.

No, please, all of you,
leave this hopelessly
impractical man behind...

-and go off and enjoy yourselves.
- But, Father, we can'tleave you here with just Fred.

Sally, you've forced me to say it. My leg, as Deborah knows--

My left leg is causing me
considerable pain !

No, I-I would prefer to stay here.

So you want me to stay here
with you, Alexander,
is that it?

But, Father, that's unfair ! Debbie has never even seen a kangaroo !

For heaven's sake, go ! Everyone, go, go, go !

-
Shall I stay ?
- What ?

- I'll stay.
- Go off, you two. Go on.

Sure ?

Go on.

Chablis ?

Oh, look out.

I've got a pebble
in my shoe.

Here.

Hadn't we better
be getting back ?

Yes.

- Back ?
- Please.

Uncle Jack !

We're home !

And you saw the kangaroos ?
Yes. Yes, we did.

Aren't they adorable ?

Hopping about,were they, dear ?

Yes, yes.
- Hopping about.
- Oh !

Tea ?

Sally ?
Sal ?

Good heavens, Jack !

Still in your pajamas ?

- I'm sorry, Sally.
- The man may be your father,but he's a fraud.

-A total, bloody fraud !
- Uncle Jack, he'll hear you.

Three hundredand twenty-one pages...

in which there isn'ta single sentence worth reading.

-- Just listen to this.I'll give you an example.
- No, it's all right.
- Ah--

-- I'll put it back.
- He won't even notice.
- Listen to this.

"Miss Gwendolyn Ashley, she of the twinkling toes,

"has lost none of her vivacious charm since she won all hearts...

as Odette in Parisienne, andI was but one of the multitudeto salute her return."

It isn't even a book !

It's just a collection of hisrotten, old press cuttings !

He never pretended
to be anything
other than a critic.

Is this what our work'sbeen about all these years ?

During the war when you and Ihad to run the propertypractically on our own ?

Is this why, on the fifthof the month every monthfor 25 years,

I've sent that checkto England ?

So that this humbugof a man could writeabout "Miss Gwendolyn Ashley,

she of the twinkling toes" ?

I've wasted my entire life !

He'll hear you,
Uncle Jack.

- And you, Sally.
- What about you ?

He didn't think twice about youwhen your mother died. No !

The gifted member of the family;he had to run off to Londonto pursue his important career !

Worse things have happened,
Uncle Jack.

- What about poor Billy ?
-

Come in !

I'll be attending
to your midnight needs
from now on.

Holy smoke, Jack.
Three bull's-eyes
in a row !

Always said
you were the best shot
in the district.

Hey, Max,
take a look at this.

The best shot
- in the district.
- What are you killing now ?

- Parrots.
- Why ?

They eat the apples
on the apple trees.

- I don't see any apples, Jack.
- Well, there will be.

They may as well
learn now.

God.

- How's the patient ?
- Well, they wouldn'tlet me see him.

I come all this way,now I'm told he's havinga little lie down after lunch...

and is not to be disturbed.

Him and his wife.

Separate rooms,
if it's any consolation.

That so ?

How did he get her
in the first place, Max ?

Beautiful, vibrant,
young woman like that.

Is she faithful to him,do you think ?

Unfortunately, yes.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Now then, you coves.

You shouldn't go talking
about women like that.

Immorality is no joke.

As I know better than most.

- When I think of the successthat man's had with women,
- I tell you, I'm astounded.

First my sister.
And what a lovely
girl she was.

What a lovely person.

And now this latest one.

The most beautiful
of the lot !

How about these birds
for beauty, Jack ?

They'll be more beautiful
when there's less of 'em !

Gout ?
- Gout.

But good heavens, man, I drinkport once in a blue moon.

Wine ? Well, yes, wine. Of course.

-I don't consider a meal civilized without it.
- How much do you drink ?

Well, at dinner we'd open
a bottle of chablis.

And then,
it goes without saying,
red wine with the meat.

Two bottles a day ? What ?

You drink
two bottles a day ? Well, yes.

Well, it's gout, I'm afraid.

If you want that pain
in your leg to get better,
you'll have to cut down...

to two glasses a day,
in a month's time
maybe three.

Uh, Dr. Askey, uh,there's one small matterI'd like to discuss with you.

But, first, be so kindas to close the door.

Yes, thank you.

Uh, this is a ratherdelicate matter.

I'm not sure quitehow best to put it.

- Um... as you know,
- I have a young wife,

uh, to whom I owecertain duties.

Do you follow me ?

To whom I have certainmarital obligations.

-- Ah.
- Yes.
- Well, lately--

well, some months now,actually--

I've been havingdifficulty fulfillingthose obligations,

and, uh, I was wonderingif there was somethingyou could suggest.

Hmm. Well, physiologically,
I doubt there's much wrong,

for a man of your age
- that is.
- Hmm.

I'm sure when you
cut down on the drinks,
things will... pick up.

Well, I was thinkingmore along the linesof some sort of medicine,

some sort of a pill ?

There's nothing
that springs to mind.

Dr. Askey,uh, that side of life,

it really isquite important to me.

Uh, you must understandthat at one time I was c--

This is reallytoo embarrassing.

Yes, well, I'm afraid
it's rather a case
of the Lord giveth...

and the Lord
taketh away.

But I'm sure when you
cut down on the drink--

Good God !
You're supposed to be
a medical man !

There must be something
you can suggest !

Well, you could try
dried kangaroo dung.

Aborigines swear by it.

- He's a cranky old goat,your father, isn't he ?
- Then it's nothing serious ?

-- The pain in his leg is gout.
- He drinks too much.
- He's not the only one.

Uncle Jack hasn't done
a day's work in weeks.

- Well, 20 miles here,20 miles back.
- Another day gone.

- I must be off.
- You said you were
staying to dinner.

- Too much to do.
- Hannah has cookeda fowl especially--

Max, I'm so sorry.
Have I delayed you ?

No, not really. Only it's this heat.

I simply can't keep goingwithout a lie down after lunch.

I'd love a lie downafter lunch. So, are you staying to dinner ?

- No, Dr. Askeyhas to get back to town.
- He's got patients to attend to.

Well, then you can leave
first thing in the morning
and be in town by 9:00.

You haven't asked about your husband.

Alexander ?
Oh, he drinks too much.

All his doctors have told him,but he never listens.

Now, are you staying ?

All right.
I suppose it's pointless
rushing away now.

There's a man arrived at the door, Miss Sally. He says it's important.

- That's nice perfumeyou've got on.
- It's French.

I smell of carbolic.

That's nice too.

Dr. Askey, you're required at once !

A man's been seriously injuredat the railway station. Oh, dear.

And I want to see moreof your silly, old gum treesand the kangaroo.

"Hopping about."

Yes, "hopping about."

So when shall we see you again ?

Well, as soon as your
husband contracts his next
fatal illness, I suppose.

Then in no time at all.

- Didn't you getmy message ?
- I did indeed, Wal.

But I got more than one
patient, and some of them
are actually sick.

- Yeah, but Mrs. Voysey saysit's real bad this time.
- Look, she sent you this note.

Like the smell, Wal ?

My wife had a soap oncesmelled like this.

No soap ever
- smelled like that.
- Can you come ?

All right, Wal,
you win.

- Two more patients first though.
- I'll meet you outsidethe post office in an hour.

- Yeah, well, don't be too long !
- We'll miss dinner !

- No, no, no !
- I will not see your Dr. Askey !

The man has the sensibilitiesof a vet !

Let him minister
to the barnyard animals,
not to me !

But you haven't
slept a wink.
None of us have.

At least take some
medicine for the pain.

It won't do any good.

Oh, very well.

- I'm doing it !
- Here, take two of these it says.

-- Oh, not these.
- The drops, the drops !
- But what are these ?

-- Horse pills.
- Horse pills from the vet.
- Useless.

- Here.
- Medicine for the doctor.

Medicinal purposes.

You're not the only onehe won't see, old chap.

- Barely spoken a word to mein a fortnight.
- Huh ?

- Ha !
- Well, that suits me !

Ah, the waste of it, Max.

A ravishing, delectablecreature like that.

Jack.

Dr. Askey, Father says
he's sorry, but he'll
see you in the morning.

Are you sure
he said he's sorry ?

- Hmph !
- Would you help me
with these bottles, Doctor ?

I get the nose drops
and the ear drops confused,
and Father gets so angry.

All right.

Confounded vet !
Please, Alexander.

Sit down, try to rest
and just be quiet."Just be quiet" ?

It's funny, you know.

There used to be a time
when people actually found
my conversation amusing.

Now it's, "Be quiet, Alexander.""Go to sleep, Alexander."

-Even that retched little Violet avoids me.
- No one's avoiding you.

To be so completelymisunderstood.

It's hilarious, really. Stop it, Alexander !
You've worn me out !

Just stop it ! I might as well be in Zululand.

- Worn out ?
- I'm the one who's worn out.

Old and ill and worn out.

-- And disgusting to my wife.
- Isn't that so ?
- Don't I disgust you ?

Please, please, Alexander.

- When was the last timeyou called me "Boo-Boo," eh ?
- When ?

When ? Really, Father.

- Throwing awaythose pills like that.
- It's a childish thing to do.

- Disgusting.
- You see ?"Disgusting."

- First my wife,now my daughter.
- Anyone else ?

Where's the doctor ?

In the kitchen drying off.

I have to apologize.

Good evening.

What are you laughing at ?

I think I'm goingout of my mind !

What is it ?"What is it ?"This household !

What's the matterwith us all ?

- It's up to you, you know.
- You, you're half drunkall the time.

What's up to me ?

To change your life !
To escape !

It's all over for me,
but you-- You're young.
Men love you.

-- Oh, don't talk rubbish,
- Jack.
- I love you.

- There, I've said it.
- You're the loveliest womanI've ever known.

You're drunk !
Let go of me !

The thought of youis the only thingthat keeps me going.

God ! Is there nowhere
in this house I can go ?

Caught with your pants
down, eh, Max ? Not
the first time, I reckon.

Button up, Wally,and put some wood on the fire.

Ah !

♪

- You just missed her.
- Who's that ?

- Well, who do you think ?
- That "ravishing, delectablecreature," of course.

That was confidential !

- What's going on ?
- That's what I want to know.

Heard any tiptoeingaround the house late at night ?

- Have you, Wally ?
- Any creaking bed springs ?

That's a bloody offensive remark, and I'll ask you to take that back !

- Oh, no luck yet, eh ?
- Well, don't give up, Jack.

- Persistenceis what counts with women.
- My oath.

That bloody dentist here
was never out of the house.

And it was my house !

Yeah,
- and it was your wife.
- Too right.

Oh, come on, Jack.
Cheer up.

Where's that other bottle
- you were talking about ?
- In the dining room.

Well, what are we
waiting here for ?

Come on, Wally.
Give us a song.

♪ Tavern in the town
In the town ♪

♪ Where my true love sits her down ♪ ♪ Sits her down

♪ And drinks her wine
as merry as can be ♪

♪ And never, never
thinks of me ♪ Thinks of me

♪ Fare-thee-well
For I must leave thee ♪Uncle Jack !

♪ Please do not let
this party grieve me ♪ Dr. Askey !

Father is trying to sleep !

Now, either go backto the kitchen or go to bed !

Dr. Askey, can I have a word with you, please ?

Alone, if you don't mind.

Look,drink as much as you like,

but please don't encourageUncle Jack.

He gets depressed,and I can't get himout of bed in the mornings.

No, you're right.
I'm sorry.

Well, I better
- turn in myself.
- No, no, no.

- Finish your whiskey.
- Here, look, havesomething to eat.

Hannah's laid outbread and cheese especially.

I bet you haven'teaten all day.

You're quite right.
I haven't. I forget.

Jove, I am hungry.

♪
Hmm.

I love midnight feasts.

When I can't sleep,
I creep downstairs
and raid Hannah's larder.

♪

Why do you drink ?

Why ?

Hmm.
That's a big question.

To improve things,
I suppose.

Well, for a few hours
- at least.
- How do you mean ?

Oh, well, how long have I
been in the district now ?
Eleven years ?

I go on talking my head off,
the country's still
rotting away.

Aborigines -are still dying off.
- Oh !

And imagine how much worseit would be if you didn'ttalk your head off.

"Crank." "Ratbag."
That's what they call me.

And maybe that's the truth.
Maybe I go on rocking
the boat just to...

just to prove to myself
that I'm different.

That's not true.

Uh, you're sincere.
You really care.

Do I ?

Sometimes I wonder
if I give a damn
about any of it.

What you needis someone to look after you.

- Please don't, Dr. Askey.
- Give me one good reason
why not.

Because you're not
that sort of man.

Everyone else drinks and gamblesand fritters away their life,

but you really are different.

Please don't do it, Dr. Askey.

All right, that's it.
It's settled.

Find me a bible.
I will take the pledge.

- Do you mean it ?
- Cross my heart
and hope to die.

Dr. Askey,
can I ask you something ?

Anything.

Suppose I knew of someone--

a girlfriend
or someone's sister--

who, well, I knew
she was very fond of you.

In love with you even.

How would you respond ?

- Matchmaking, are we ?
- No. Tell me.

Hannah says
I'm losing my looks.

Don't joke.
Tell me.

I'd tell hershe could do better.

Well, early to bed,early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy...

and wise.

Rain has stopped.

At leastit's cleared the air.

- Where's the doctor ?
- Shh.
He's gone to bed.

He has to be away
first thing.

- So I won't see him then.
- No, not unless
you get up when I do.

Sally. What ?

- It's so silly being enemies.
- Can't we call it off ?

I've wanted to.
I-- I didn't know how.

Well, then let's.

Oh !
What a relief !

I was wondering if we'd evertalk to each other again.

- What's all this ?
- Oh, I made the doctor
eat something.

- Why don't we drink it ?
- To our friendship. Yes, let's !

From the same glass.

- So... friends ?
- Friends, Debbie.

Isn't it horrible ?

Why do men drink it ?

-- What is it ?
- What's the matter ?
- Why are you crying ?

Oh, Sally. Oh, oh, there, there.

You silly-

Now you've got me crying too.

Can I ask you something ?

And will you tell me
honestly, as a friend ?

- What ?
- Are you happy ?

♪

No.

I didn't think so.

Can I ask yousomething else ?

Anything.

Don't you ever wish you weremarried to someone younger ?

Good heavens,
of course I do.

And, you know,
I once was.

When ?

Remember that hat ?

The one with the flowers ?

I wore that during the summer I became engaged.

War broke out in August,

and by the end of November
he was killed.

-My husband.
- Oh, Debbie, how terrible.

Oh, it was worse
later on, I think,

when all his friends
started getting killed.

After the Somme, it was as ifthe whole world was dying.

I became so...

scared.

- And then I met Alexander, and--Oh, he was charming then.
- He really was.

And he knew all these
interesting people, and...

he was safe.

Yes, that above all,
I suppose.

Oh, I wish you'd told me
all this before.

We've never really talked,
have we ?

Then you'd agreewith Dr. Askey about the war ?

Oh, yes !
Of course, I do.

He's a remarkable man.
That sort of vision.

It takes great courage,
great persistence.

Tell me, it's my turn now,
do you like the doctor ?

Yes.

Yes, I do, very much.

I thought you did.

Is it that obvious ?

Oh, it's no good.
I can't hide it.

He's just gone to bed,but I can still hear his voice.

I can still see him.

Am I being silly ?

But I'm so happy.

And I'm so unhappy.

We make a good pair.

Here you are, you old rascal.

A lovely cup of cocoahelp you get to sleep.

To sleep ?
With that racket going on ?

Dawn and dusk,
like an alarm clock.

- There, there, now.
- You stop your frettin'.

When I was young, Hannah,
I used to lie in bed...

and listen to the magpies
and swear I'd get away.

Well, I got away.

Now I'm back !

How did it happen ?

I think of Ireland sometimes.

But it's God's willwe're here.

Don't be too sure, Hannah.

Don't be too sure.

Come on.

What's
- going on ?
- I told you !

Alexander wants us to meetunder the tree house at 12:00.

- Why, for God sake ?
- Ask him !

You can't make
lemon barley water
at a moment's notice.

We'll all help, Hannah.
Just do your best.

There, you young scamp.
Never here when
you're needed.

- Garden.
- What can I do ?

-- Nothing.
- Sit down and read a book.
- Go back to bed.

- Oh, all right.
- Take this into the garden.

- Wonderful !
- Your husband says, "Jump,"

and the entire household'sin turmoil.

Is this howyou're going to spendthe rest of your life ?

- Running around, lookingfor an old man's slippers ?
- Oh, shh !

For God sake, get out nowwhile you can.

Be cruel if you like,but don't be mediocre !

Oh !

Sorry !

Oh, it's so hot.

February is going to be worse.

How will we ever
get through the summer ?

- I thought he'd gone.
- Oh, I let him sleep in. Thensome sick aborigines turned up.

- Where is he now ?
- At the stables.

Look, I made him sandwichesfor the journey into town.

I always do.
He never notices. I'm sure he does.

If I was beautiful,
he'd notice. Oh, but you are.

You have beautiful hair.

That's what people always saywhen you're plain.

"She has such beautiful hair"...

or "She has
such beautiful eyes."

Oh, Debbie, I love him so much.

I just want to talk
about him all the time,

like now,to anybody who'll listen !

I'm hopeless.

I have no pride.

Even Violet and Hannah
gossip about it.

How long have
you felt this way
about the doctor ?

Almost six years.

Oh, but that's ridiculous !

You can't spend your life
just hoping.

Look, I have an idea.

Why don't I talk to him ?

Don't be
embarrassed.

Nothing direct.
Just a hint or two
to see how he feels.

Hmm ? Yes ?

- Debbie ?
- Yes ?

Wouldn't it be better if I didn't know ?

The truth is always best.
That's what the doctor says.

Dr. Askey ?

- Dr. Askey ?
- Looking
for someone ?

Oh ! You gave me
such a shock.

What can I do for you ?

You just off ?

- Yes, in a minute.
- I'm just, uh, feeding the horse.

- Dr. Askey--
- I used to be Max.

Max, I was wonderingif we could have a little talk ?

Of course.
Fire away.

I-It's a rather private matter.

Hmm. Well, um...
it would be private in here.

I couldn't possibly
climb over there.

Of course you could.

This is madness.

Everyone has to take
a risk once in a while.

So people keep telling me.

I feel quite frightened.

Well, nothing to be
frightened of here.

Look.

Aren't they adorable ?

Sit down.

Oh, dear.
I don't know
how to begin.

I'm going to ask you
some questions,

and when I've asked them,
will you forget I ever
brought the subject up ?

Mm-hmm.

I'll get straight
to the point.

It's about
a certain young woman
you know very well.

- You ?
- Don't be silly.

My stepdaughter,
Sally.

Do you like her ?

- Yes, I do.
- She's a marvelous girl.

Do you like her...
as a woman ?

-- Am I attracted to her ?
- Is that what you mean ?
- Yes.

- No.
- Not in the least ?

- No.
- Oh, dear.

Have you noticed that
she likes you a great deal ?

I doubt that very much.
Oh, I assure you,
she does !

Oh, heavens.
What an embarrassing
conversation.

Just one more thing.

How can I--
How can I put it ?

I think that,
in the circumstances,

it would be kinder if,
for the time being,

you stopped coming here
to visit her.

To visit her ?

Yes. Well, lately,
you seem to have been here
almost every other day.

- And you know very well whyI come here every other day.
- It's not to visit Sally.

Do you know what you are ? A fox.

A beautiful, sleek English fox.

And we're the poor,
bloody native wildlife.

What on earth are you
talking about ?

Look at my practice; gone completely to hell.

- And Jack-- Poor, old Jack.
- He wouldn't know if the sheepwere grazing in the dining room.

-You've gobbled us all up.
- You obviously think
I'm contemptible. I'll go.

- Oh, no.
- I think you're beautiful.

The thought about youshimmers and glows for me.

What lovely wrists.

Oh, please, let me go.

- I will, I will.
- I'll do as you say.

I'll leave today. I'll never come back.

- Oh.
- But listen to me.
Listen.

This may be the only timeyou and I ever get to spendsome time alone together.

- Nobody knows we're here.
- No one can find us.

Never.

Oh, God, your smell.

These little hairson the back of your neck.

Max, you mustn't. Don't be afraid.

Don't be frightened. Don't run away.

You'll onlyregret it later.

Don't be frightened.
Sit now.

- We can't !
- Yes, we can.
Yes, we can.

We can.

It's so easy.

Yes.

Mrs. Voysey !

Mrs. Voysey, Miss Sally saysMr. Voysey says you're wantedunder the tree house...

in the garden !

- Deborah.
- Shh.

Stay just for
- a few minutes.
- No.

How could it make
any difference ?

No.

It's a hot drink they'll
be gettin', and it's
more than they deserve.

Me with a whole lunch
still to get ready.
Go on.

Oh, Mrs. Voysey,
Miss Sally said Mr. Voysey
says you're wanted--

- Yes, thank you, Vi.
- I heard you.

Uh, Miss Voysey, you've
got hay on the back
of your dress.

Allow me.

I-I-I brought you thesefor your bedroom.

Isn't your husband waiting for us in the garden ?

Under the tree house.

Is no one punctualin the country ?

- Dear, oh, dear.
- Here they come, Father.

- Good heavens, at last.
- Three cheers.

It's bad news, isn't it ?
- I can tell from your face.
- Let's talk later.

No. The truth is best,
you said.

He won't be coming here
any more, will he ?

All right, everyone,
find yourselves a seat.

Make yourselves
comfortable.

Sit down, my dear.

Sally ! Oh, dear,
she's not listening.

Sal ?

And Wally.

Well, now, strictly speaking,this meeting is meantto be just family.

You're not actually needed,
but since you're here,
stay, stay.

I'm not actually needed, am I ?

My dear Jack,
you're the one person
we quite emphatically...

-cannot do without.
- Since when ?

Do as Alexander says.
Sit down, Jack !

My dear family, look about you.

Remember the well-tended lawn ?

Remember the famous
rose arbor ?

Remember the garden in which
one could almost believe
one's self to be...

in some tranquil corner
of Sussex or Kent ?

"There is some corner
of a foreign field--"

"That is forever England."
Exactly, Maud.

Though no longer, alas,
in this particular case.

Now, I'm not
a practical person.

My world has been the worldof the theater and the mind !

But even I can see,
and no one regrets it more,
that Canterbury...

is not the place
it used to be.

For heaven's sake, Hannah,
couldn't you serve drinks...

either before
or after I've spoken ?

The sooner it's poured, the sooner it'll cool down.

Merry Christmas.

To resume...something has occurred to me.

A little plan, if you like,
which may just be...

in the very best interests
of the entire family.

Now, at the moment, this property gives a return of a miserable...

two percent of its capital value,

as opposed to the six or evenseven percent that a prudentinvestment might yield.

Now, I have been talking--quite informally, of course--

to our neighbors and friends, Legal and Imperial Pastoral Holdings.

Indeed, I suggested to their Mr. Pettinger that he pay us a visit later this morning.

And I am the bearer of some quite remarkable tidings.

Legal and Imperial are prepared,should we ever wish to sell,

to offer us a very fair price, not only for our better grazing land,

but for the whole caboodle,
lock, stock and barrel !

- Ha !
- Including, would you believe it,this dilapidated old house.

Well, just imagine ! We would then be in a position to acquire...

a pleasant villa in, say,
one of the better parts
of Melbourne...

and be considerably
better off.

Hold on, hold on. What was--What was that again ?

With what was left over,we'd be considerably better off.

No, no, just before that.
What-- What were you saying
about Legal and Imperial ?

They'd be preparedto offer us a very fair price.

That's it !
The whole caboodle !
Lock, stock and barrel !

Does that include me
and my old mother ?

Do we go at a knockdown pricewith the furniture ?

For heaven's sake, Jack,
I never suggested
any such thing.

For 25 years I've run
this property ! Nobody
could have worked harder !

And for 25 years you've hadmy sister's share out of it,regular as clockwork,

while the rest of usscraped by on a pittance !

I don't really see
the point of any of this.

- Oh, don't you ?
- Well, allow me to explain.

In my humble opinion,

you are a shallow, parasitic,totally self-centered humbug...

with about as much talentas that cockatoo !

-And you've made fools of the lot of us !
- Keep quiet, Jack !

- I absolutely insist you hold your tongue. - I will not hold my tongue !

That man is my worst enemy ! That man has robbed me of my life !

I could have been the oneto go to London !

I could have beenthe one to write booksand sleep with beautiful women !

Oh, God !
I'm talking balls.

Jack, please !
Alexander knows best.

Hello, everyone.

Does he ?

Well, we'll see about that !

We'll see about that !

The man's mad.
Obviously dotty.

Ha ! I feel
- sorry for him.
- Oh, poor Uncle Jack.

The least we can offer you,
my dear Pettinger,
after coming all this way.

We can't just stand out here in the open indefinitely, Alex.

For God's sake, go in
- and try and calm him down.
- Yes, Father.

Yes, Father, go and speak
to him. Try to see it
from his point of view.

Oh, very well, very well !

If Mr. Pettinger will
excuse me, very well.

- Have a littledrink first.
- Is my tie straight ?

[ Screams, Shudders ] Mr. Voysey ! Mr. Voysey, you all right ?

Damn !

Oh, my God, Alexander !

Jack ! Jack ! Don't shoot again !

- Don't be such a fool !- Don't, Jack !

Don't, Jack !

- Missed !
- Two chances and bloody missed !

Uncle Jack !
Uncle Jack !

Where has the silly buggergot to ?

- Jack mustn't blame himself.
- It was that old rifle of his.

It needs a good clean.

Well, he's stillthe best shot in the district.

Please, please,
Uncle Jack !

- He must be hiding.
- Anyone looked under the house ?

No, he wouldn't be there.
He's scared of spiders.

All right, Jack. I want it back.

At once, please.

I mean it.

What's he got ?

Pinched a bottle of morphia
out of my bags.

Now, look, if you're really so keen on doing away with yourself, old man,

stop taking pot shots at other people...

and go up to the wool shed
and bloody well blow
your own brains out,

but give me back
my morphia !

Come on.
Hand it over.

Give it back, Uncle Jack.

We all have to keep going.

That's the stuff.
Now I can be on my way.

Yes.

My best suit, ruined. Oh, nonsense,
Boo-Boo.

Violet gave it
- a thorough sponge.
- That's what's ruined it.

What time's the motorcarpicking us up, did you say ? In about an hour.

-Oh.
- We'll go straight
to the station...

-and catch the 9:00 sleeper for Sydney.
- But my things, all my books.

They can follow usto Perth later.

My nephew has quite
a large house, I believe.

Western Australia's most
up-and-coming barrister.

Everythingwill be safe herein the meantime.

I suppose we'll have
to leave the wine behind.

Of course.

It's just the thought thatthey won't have the least ideawhat they're drinking.

And, Boo-Boo,we mustn't leave without firstmaking it up with Jack.

- It's quite important,isn't it ?
- Yes, yes, yes.

Of course it is.
I'm not stupid.

Now, ring for Violet,and let's start packing.

Perth.

Ah, that'll be them
wantin' their packin' done.

You better go up to them.
Good riddance,
if you ask me.

Now we can go back
to proper hours
and decent food.

But, Mr. Wells,
are you sure that's
the best thing to do ?

- Safe as houses,
- Mrs. Dickens.

It will prove to Jackwe still have faith in him.

- He loves that old rifle.
- You're quite sure you've
hidden all the bullets ?

All right, everybody, clear off. Sally and I have got work to do.

Right backwhere she was, Jack.

-Ready for action.
- Hmm.

Uncle Jack wants to catch up on all the back paperwork.

The motorcar has arrived.

We're just leaving.

Let's go together,
Uncle Jack,
and say good-bye.

We mustn't part
on bad terms.

Come on.
Come and be friends.

We're just leaving.
Good-bye.

This is rather sudden.

Are you really
that scared ?

Yes, I am.
I wish I wasn't,
but I am.

Don't be.
Change your mind and stay.
What's to be afraid of ?

See, sooner or later,
your feelings will get
the better of you.

- So why not here ?
- At least it's beautiful country.

You won't even noticethe sunsets where you're going.

- Sydney, is it ?
- Perth.

-Three thousand miles away.
- Can we just shake handsand part friends ?

- You must be scared.
- You do respect mea little ?

We probably won't meet again,so I can say it. I do like you.

I think I've liked youfrom the moment that we met,

and... I wish I wasn't scared.

Oh, probablythis way is best.

Isn't life odd though ?

We've been close and suddenly,for no very good reason,

we'll probably never see each other again.

One final kisson the cheek here ?

Come on in here
before Jack shoots us.

First W.C. in the districtaccording to Jack.

These tiles were importedfrom Naples.

Oh !

Oh, dear.

A souvenir.

No, no, no, no, Jack.

- What's past is past. Over.
- Let's just get on with life.

Each to his respective labors. All aboard !

Good-bye, everyone. Good-bye, good-bye.

And you'll be getting the usualon the fifth of every month,the same as always.

My dear, fellow,let's not even mention it.

Good-bye, Maud, my dear.

Dear Alexander,we shall all miss you so much.

- And Wally.
- Think of us all sometimes,out here in the bush.

Ah, Hannah, Violet.

Ah, goodness me, yes.

Uh...

Good-bye.
Perth, is it ?

Sorry if I've been
a nuisance or anything.

Jack.

Good-bye.

Come along, my dear.

Coming.

Bye-bye, dear ! Good-bye, sonny !

Good-bye ! Good-bye !
Good-bye, Debbie !

- You're not waving good-bye ?
- Go to hell !

- Besides,
- I've got work to do.

They've gone.

I hope they're going to be all right.

What about these accounts,
Uncle Jack ?

- Let's get down to it.
- Yes, yes,let's get down to it.

It's ages since we sat
at this desk together.

The ink's dried up.
They've gone.

Dinner tonight
will be at 7:00 sharp.
You'll be staying, Doctor.

No, no.
- I must be off.
- It's mutton fricassee.

A great temptation,
Hannah, but, no.
I'm late as it is.

- Oh, well, come out here then.
- I've got something for you.

Well, my friends.

Be winter there now.
Can you imagine that ?

Log fires and real snow.

I don't think
I'd care for it.

When will we
see you again ?

Well, probably not for some timewhat with the flu epidemicreaching town and so forth.

Not for some months.
Thanks for everything.

I've been practically
living here, haven't I ?

Like Wally.
So--

You've got your sandwiches.

- Hannah will have packed them.
- She never forgets.

Here.

Don't
let them know.

I've topped it up
from the decanter
on the sideboard.

- You're a sly one.
- Come on, give us a kiss.

You keep your
hanky-panky for others.

♪

- That's it, Wal.
- Give us a song.

Uh, can't think
just what though.

Somethingto match that sunset.

-
- He's gone.

Eight-- Eight nines.
What-What-What are
eight nines ?

What ? ♪

Oh, yes.
Yes, he's gone.

This bloody country !

Alex was right.
Look at this garden.

It's a bloody wasteland.

We could always plant
another garden, Uncle Jack.

This rose arbor took Father
years and years.

And a lot of good it did him.

We don't need to have roses.

- What about native flowers ?
- Look, Kangaroo Paw.

That's a weed. No, it's not.

Not when you look at it.

It's beautiful.

Listen, Uncle Jack.

The magpies !

Isn't that the most beautifulsound in the world ?