21 Days Together (1940) - full transcript

Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes

You realize, of course, that suppression
of evidence can be a criminal offense.

Quite so, My Lord.

Very well.

Yes, Mr. Darrant?

Er, Sir Lord Manson,

despite the evidence of this diary,

which yesterday was lost
but today has been found,

- ...you know its contents.
- Well, I suppose...

- You wrote it, didn't you?
- Yes.

It throws a very ugly light on your
evidence of yesterday, doesn't it?



My dear Mr. Darrant, do you expect...

I shouldn't advise you, sir, to ask me
what I expect or I might tell you.

Just answer the question.

Do you still tell us that your
evidence is true?

- Not exactly.
- Not exactly! You now admit

that the evidence you gave
under oath is not exactly true.

In other words, it is false.

My Lord, before the examining,

I desire to call to your
lordship's notice...

Mr. Beavis, I'm afraid I must
deny myself...

the pleasure of hearing it until
tomorrow morning at 10:30.

As your lordship wishes.

Members of the jury,

kindly be in your places
tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.



A lot of sensation for the cheap
newspapers, Darrant.

I'm afraid I never read the
cheap newspapers.

No good leaning against you, Darrant,
you have the devil's own luck.

No, no, no. Weak witness.

- He broke the old man down.
- Improper question.

I'd have stopped him if I'd been
Lord Chief.

The old man was as pleased as punch.
He almost forgot to bite his nails.

Well, I suppose we shall soon be bowing
in Court to Mr. Justice Darrant.

I thought you were running
for that, Beavis.

Uh? Wouldn't have it. Too much
loss of income.

No, Darrant here would prefer the dignity
even if he had my income.

- I'd prefer to enjoy both.
- Oh, by the way, Darrant,

I saw your young brother yesterday.

- Oh, yes?
- He's back from Kenya, isn't he?

- No, Rhodesia.
- Do well there?

The crop failed. Larry's crops
always fail. Good night.

Good night.

That fellow's young brother must be
a thorn in the flesh.

Oh, Larry!

Have you been waiting long?

Thirty-three years, five months.

I can't remember the days, hours
and minutes, darling.

Oh, I love you when you are silly.

That means for life. But do you
love me when I'm broke?

Oh, poor lad, and nothing left
out of your allowance.

Four whole pennies, all that's left me.

Poor old Keith, in the running
for the bench...

and saddled with a brother
who backs nothing but losers.

Oh, darling. You do have rotten luck.
You never win.

I won you, though.

Hey, what's your favorite hospital?

Salaam Aleik!

Oh, look there.

You can't beat old MacPherson.
There's something for every occasion.

Close your eyes and take a choice.

A funeral?
There's the urn for Grandfather's ashes.

- And a marriage?
- Oh, everything for a marriage.

You were never one to marry.

I don't know. I could certainly do
with a wedding breakfast just now.

Couldn't you?

- No, but food for tonight.
- Poor darling.

He only gave me a bob on this last time
and it's seen service since.

Larry, this?

I can't pop this icon.

Just for the weekend.
I give it to you. It's yours.

Please, Larry.

Five bob the old stein got me.
Come on, now, Tony's, quick.

Let's go to your place before
the fog gets any worse.

- Good evening, sir.
- Hello, how are you?

Nasty night.

That's all he knows.

Good evening, miss.
Good luck, miss.

- How are you, Pats?
- Good luck.

Thank you, we've got it.

I know, we're rich.

Hello, Tony!

C'? bello vedere i miei vecchi amicci.

They're finer than ever.

Si, di fatti, sono belle i miei baffi.

E mi fano ricordare dei bel
tempi antichi.

Wanda, you are late tonight,
I thought you weren't coming.

We got five bob out of old MacPherson
and we're going to celebrate.

Celebrating? But you've done nothing
else for the last six weeks!

I know, that's just what
we're celebrating.

Benissimo. And you have just what
you want for the occasion.

Here we have faggioli as sweet
as honey.

Salsiccie, salami, mortadella, and here
we have raviolli alla Bolonhese.

Beautiful, exquisite, raffinatti
e deliciosi.

Ah, raviolli, eh, Wanda?
And some sandwiches?

Suppongo che puoi avvere un chiante?

No, half a flask, please, Tony.
It's been a bad day.

Come ? bello!

Ecco! Alla vostra salute.

- Tanti auguri.
- Thank you, Tony.

- Good night, Tony.
- Buona sera, si.

See you tomorrow.

Don't go under there, Larry.

Oh...
Come on.

Your luck is my luck, Larry.

Do they have that superstition
in Russia, too?

What's wrong?

The light. Someone's in my room.

Nonsense. You left it on this morning.
The door's locked, isn't it?

No. I lost the key last week.

Well, someone's been in
to tidy up, that's all.

Good evening, dorogaya.

- I've come home.
- Who are you?

Better ask my wife.

I got the excursion boat from Boulogne.
It saves a passport.

I say to myself, I look up Wanda.

It must be three years since
I saw my wife.

A man needs a home sometimes.

I say to myself...

perhaps she has some money now.

In my country a wife works
for her husband.

Don't think I'm angry with you.

A girl needs company sometimes.

If I hadn't married her three years ago,
she'd have starved.

But it didn't look well
when she ran away.

Everything can be arranged.

I always say a man's got to pay
for his pleasure, huh?

What do you say?

Twenty pounds.

Too much, hm?

Say ten then?

Now, no violence.

All we've got to do is talk.

Just talk.
Everything can be arranged.

Keep back!

Get out, you filthy...

Be careful, Larry!
He has a knife!

Larry!

Larry, he will kill you!

It was not murder, Larry.

He was bad.

We will forget he was ever here.

God will not let us suffer.

Everything will be as it was before.

All right, put the note down
there, Barnes.

What the...

Larry?

What do you want?

Oh, come and sit down.

What's the matter?

Pull yourself together and sit down.

What is it?

I've... killed a man.

What do you mean, a motoring accident?

It's true.

I've killed a man.

Yes, what is it?

- I locked it, Keith.
- Your milk and biscuits, sir.

All right, put them down outside,
will you?

Why come and tell me this?

Whom else should I tell?

You know about these things.

Shall I give myself up, Keith?

Must I?

- I'll go now if you say so.
- No, no, no, no.

Let's not do anything in a hurry.

Better tell me all about it.

Well, it's like this.

- There's a girl...
- Oh, it would be a woman.

We went back to her room this evening.

Her husband was there.
A brute named Wallen.

- One of those stories.
- No, it's not like that, Keith.

She hadn't seen him for three years.

He turned up tonight.

Thought he could get money from her.

When he went for me,
I got him by the throat.

And when I let go...

Yes?

- Dead.
- And what did you do then?

Well, we sat by it for a long time.

And then I... I carried it to an archway
at the end of the street.

- Did anyone see you?
- No.

What time was this?

- About an hour ago.
- And then?

- Then I went back to her.
- Why?

She was lonely and afraid.

So was I, Keith.

- Did you take anything off the body?
- Yes.

This.

Put it in the fire.

No, no, why should I be your accomplice?

Now try and think clearly,
if you know how.

This girl, would she give you away?

Never.

Would she give herself away
in hysteria?

No.

- Did you have anything of hers?
- Nothing.

- At your room?
- Nothing... a picture.

Burn it.
Any letters?

- No.
- Presents?

No.

- How drunk were you?
- I wasn't drunk.

And you say you didn't mean to kill him.

Of course not.

That's something.

- What made you choose the archways?
- The first dark place.

Did his face look as if he'd
been strangled?

- Did it?
- Yes.

Did you see if his clothing
was marked?

- No.
- Why not?

Why not? My God, if you'd done it...

You say he was disfigured.

Would he be recognizable?

I don't know.

How long has this girl lived
in this house?

Uh... a year.

- Anyone there know she was married?
- No.

Now listen to me, Larry.

When you leave here, go straight home.

No seeing her and no coming back here,
do you understand?

Yes.

Now pull yourself together.

Our luck's out now.

- We pawned our luck, she and I.
- Don't be sentimental.

- What did you pawn?
- An icon.

An icon?
Dangerous.

Too easily identified.

Get it back tonight.

Got any money?

No... you wouldn't have.

Just before quarter day.

Here, take this.

Go to the pawn shop and then
go straight home.

Don't talk and don't drink.

You're good to me, Keith.

- I don't know why.
- Nor I.

Except that you're my brother.

Not much likeness, is there?

You were always the first.

I'm sorry, Keith.

Sorry?

I'm sorry for her.

From now on let's leave out the pity.

We're in this together now.

What we both need is courage.

Courage.

Salaam Aleik.

You're too late.

Oh, it's you, Mr. Darrant.

Pawning or redeeming?

How much?

Five bob you had and I need
a quid pro quo...

Five and threepence.

Two, four, four and six...

- Four and nine.
- Thank you.

Good night.

Good night.

Excuse me, sir, but have you
a cigarette and a match?

The one I fear is useless
without the other.

Well, friend, you don't look
too prosperous.

No, no, no, you can keep
your money.

- I'm sorry?
- Oh, I'm not offended.

I've begged often enough...

but tonight I may have more
in my pocket than you.

I'm glad you've had some luck.

People talk about the devil's luck,
don't they?

You wouldn't think it, but I was
a minister of religion once.

I don't suppose you've seen
a failure like that before.

I've seen worse failures.

I think I'd as soon die
as go on living as I do.

Tonight, you see... tonight I lost
my self-respect.

Ah, is that all?

I've often wondered how long a starving man
could go before he lost his self-respect.

Not long. And that's not all.

Those who God loves He chasteneth...

and I don't suffer.

I wouldn't mind not suffering
if I were you.

But if I could suffer a little,
I wouldn't feel so...

so deserted.

Or if it were only yesterday.

Don't you ever want to go back
like that?

I've gone to chambers, Barnes.

Hello?
Oh, good morning, sir.

No, Mr. Darrant has gone
to his chambers, sir.

Well, not official, sir.

Thank you, sir.

I'll give Mr. Darrant your message.

Mr. Beavis, sir. His good wishes.

He seemed quite upset, sir.

We are all very gratified,
if I may say so.

Yes, yes, yes.

If that's more congratulations,
tell them there's no truth in it.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, miss. Nice morning.

Glove Way murder!
Arrest!

Glove Way murder!
Arrest!

- He's a shentleman.
- Gentleman!

- That is what I say, shentleman.
- You say shentleman, it's gentleman.

In Vienna we say shentleman, and we know
a shentleman when we see him.

Mr. Darrant is a shentleman.

A man who doesn't pay the rent
for his room is no gentleman.

- Is Mr. Darrant in?
- Two floors up.

But I haven't seen him
this morning.

Ha, is he not a shentleman?
He has a friend who is a shentleman.

I have a friend a lady, am I a lady?

No, you are not a lady.
You are only a female.

- But Mr. Darrant is a shentleman.
- G-g-gentleman!

That is what I keep on saying,
shentleman!

( in German )

No reply?

But there must be.

Please ring again.

Hello.

Hello, is that Larry?

- Larry!
- This is his brother.

- But I must see him!
- No, no!

No, it's too dangerous. I...

Hello?

Hello?

Listen.

You mustn't come and see him
under any circumstances whatsoever.

You understand?

Well, brother, what's the verdict?

Transportation for life
and a fine of forty shillings?

- You laugh about it now?
- I must.

People weep at weddings,
not at funerals.

I've decided everything.
You must leave the country.

There's a boat sailing tomorrow.

But Wanda, Keith?

She can't go with you.

- I can't leave her here.
- She can follow later.

You can't go together.

You want the police on her track?

- If only I could be certain she'd be safe.
- She'll be safe enough.

- A girl like that can look after herself.
- Like that like what?

Look after her, Keith.
I love her

Yes, yes, I'll look after her.

Now you go to the shipping office
straight away.

I've brought the money.

- Here it is.
- Where to, Keith?

- There's a boat sailing for Rio.
- Rio?

Glove Lane Murder!
Arrest!

They've arrested someone, Keith.

Yes, I know.

- That does me, doesn't it?
- Why?

We both know he's innocent.

Innocent men don't hang
in this country.

It's a bit of luck. Gives us time.

Who is it they've arrested?

Oh, it's some waster they picked up
near the place.

I went to the court.
Usual procedure.

- Remanded for a week.
- What did he look like, Keith?

What does it matter?
These people are all the same.

No use to themselves or anybody else.

A menace to society.

Dreadful that lawyer's eye
of yours, Keith.

Seeing so much and understanding
so little.

If I'd been in the dock, that's what
you would've said of me.

I wonder what he's thinking.

Well, it'll do him no harm
to be locked up for a week.

What will happen, Keith?

They'll dismiss the case for
lack of evidence.

If it's as safe as that, why do you
want me out of the way?

Police inquiries don't end
with an arrest.

There's the girl to think of.

To say nothing of my brother.

Shall we put an advertisement
in the Times?

Mr. Larry Darrant, brother of the new
judge is confined to his rooms.

Well, will you go?

I must just wait this one week
and see him released.

- But Larry...
- I'm sorry, Keith.

I'll do everything you tell me.

Not talk, not drink.

Not see Wanda.

But I must wait.

Come in.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Don't go.

My brother's just leaving.

Bitte schon.

You've forgotten your money.

Bitte schon.

Is that my bill again, Carl?

Oh, please,

but my wife, my Scottish wife,
she does not understand...

how it can be with shentlemen...
gentlemen sometimes.

All right. There goes my security.

- Have a drink.
- Danke schon.

( In German )

Danke schon.

I drink of your health, Mr. Darrant.

Now, I want you all to drink the health
of our friend Darrant.

I'm putting his name forward to take
the place of young Droopie there.

- To Darrant.
- Good luck.

Thank you very much.

Now, Swinton, a word for
your successor.

To your very good health, Darrant.

Let's hope you'll be in time for the
Glove Lane Murder, Darrant.

Something spectacular for your
first appearance.

I'm afraid murder is not much
up my line,

I'd willingly leave the line
back to you, Beavis.

A sordid case. No hint of the more
interesting passion.

One never knows.
Something may turn up.

Don't you think so, Darrant?

Let us talk about something else.

We were talking about Goodwing Girl
and the Newbury Cup.

I did more than talk.
I put on half a crown.

Why, who do you bet with, Ladbrook?

That was the unfortunate thing.

I gave it to an agreeable little fellow
I met outside my news agent's.

He never came back.

Splendid! The Lord Chief Justice
of England breaks the law.

Broke the law, did I? I suppose I did.
It never occurred to me.

Breaking the law can be
a delightful experience.

I remember putting a French halfpenny
into a chocolate machine.

But then the chocolate was stale.

I once smuggled a book called The Art
of Love through the customs.

Then my mother confiscated it.

Some years ago I travelled from Piccadilly
to the Law Courts by bus without paying.

I thought I had no change.

But when the clerk met me, I found I was
holding the pennies in my hand...

and left me umbrella behind me.

Now, come on, Darrant, everyone's
confessed, what's yours?

Compared with you people,
I'm an innocent man.

The upright judge.

Quite seriously, that's the trouble
about the bench.

You sit up there, a half asleep perhaps,

and more than half asleep sometimes,

The council bows at you,
everyone calls you My Lord,

It's quite hard at times to realize
that you aren't above the law.

The law seems somewhere down below...

at the level of the dock
with the poor devils there.

One of your longest summings up, chief.

I never thought there was all
that humanity in you.

Like a judge's humor...

very little humanity goes a long way,
eh, Darrant?

What are you dreaming about, Darrant?

About a very large helping
of tapioca pudding.

Well, now Swinton's awake,
what about some bridge?

What do you say, Droopie?

Four no trumps.

Fifteen pounds, six and eight.
Thanks very much, everybody.

The man's a bandit.

- I had two mufflers.
- I had four pounds.

- Mander, you got my muffler?
- I don't think so, Droopie.

It was wool, red wool.
- Good heavens, no. What an atrocity.

- Your taxi's here, sir.
- Oh, thanks. Good night.

- Good night, Chief.
- Delightful evening.

- Good night, Darrant.
- Good night, Asher.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Someone's got my muffler.
- I think, sir, you have it on...

- Under the silk one.
- Nonsense.

You want a wife to look
after you, Droopie.

After a long experience, first
at the criminal bar...

then upon the bench, I've come
to the conclusion...

that a woman can only be relied upon
by one man,

the council for the prosecution.

In almost every murder case
that's come before me...

Cherchez la femme, eh, Darrant?

No, sir, that is not the phrase
I intended to use.

- And where's that muffler?
- You're wearing it.

Hm? Oh, there it is.
Good night, Chief.

Good night, Beavis, good night, Darrant.

Good night.

- Well, good night, Chief.
- Good night, Beavis.

- Are you coming along, Darrant?
- Yes, I am.

- Good night, Chief, thank you so much.
- Good night, Darrant.

If you don't mind, I'll step along
with you.

I'm going some distance. The doctor's
ordered me to take exercise.

- I don't mind.
- Good night, Stewart.

It was amusing hearing Mander talk so
much nonsense about this murder trial...

when one knows so much more
about it oneself

Oh, you mean you've been studying
the case?

Don't you know?
I'm briefed for the Crown.

You've been... Oh, yes, I see,
you've been briefed.

Not quite such a simple case
as they seem to think.

Almost too circumstantial. I'm not easy
in my mind about it.

You know, the motive's weak.

I shouldn't be surprised if we found
a woman somewhere.

- As you say, cherchez la femme.
- Taxi, sir?

Thank you. I think I'll take a cab
after all. It must be midnight.

Can I give you a...?
No, no, of course. Good night.

Want to see the place where they
found the body, governor?

Hop it. You ought to have been
in bed hours ago.

You having a look too, sir?
- No, no, I'm just going for a stroll.

I had no idea this is the place.

What a dark spot.
Do people sleep here?

There's not an arch in London where
we don't get them sometime.

They found nothing on him, did they?

Not a thing. There was a lot
of funny folk about here.

Greeks, Italians, all sorts.

Well, I see they've arrested the man.

Well, they've arrested a man.

Ah, there's the Sergeant.

- Good night, officer.
- Good night, sir.

Larry?

Why did you knock?
I've waited and waited...

I'm a friend of Larry's.
You needn't be afraid.

- Who are you?
- I am Larry's brother.

- He has told me.
- What has happened to him?

The arrest. He has not gone
to the police?

No, you needn't worry about that.

Larry never thinks about anybody
but himself.

Will you sit down?

Yes, there.

His head lay just there.

You are... you're fond of my brother?

I love him.

He is leaving the country.
I have arranged it.

But the man they have taken?

No evidence.

But Larry says he will go.

- He consented only a few hours ago.
- Oh...

- Can I go too?
- Not yet.

- Too dangerous.
- But I cannot live without him.

- Please let me go too.
- Perhaps later on.

I'll arrange it.
Now listen to me carefully.

This husband of yours, this Wallen...

Does anybody here know him?

No one. And I only knew him
for a week.

In Paris, three years ago.

He couldn't make you marry
him, you know.

Starvation could.

My father was killed in Russia.

And my mother died before
I met Wallen.

The world can frighten you
when you are alone.

Why did you leave him?

I thought perhaps starvation
was better after all.

And then I did not starve.

I got work here.
And then I met Larry.

Did anyone see this man come
to your house last night?

- Oh, no.
- What have you been doing?

- Waiting.
- That's madness.

You must go back to work tomorrow.

Do everything as usual for Larry's sake.

If the police learn about you,
they learn about him.

Promise?

If I had consumption, I would go away...

and never let him see me, touch me.

So I can do this, I think.

Good. Now look at me.

If the worst comes to worst and they
trace this man to you,

can you trust yourself not to give
my brother away?

You look at me. I've burned everything
he gave me.

Except this.

What's that?

His picture.

Now I have nothing at all.

Yes? Who is that?

The outside door's open, miss.

Thank you. I didn't know.

That's all right, miss.
I'll shut it as I go out.

- Do the police know you?
- They do not.

Very well, I'm going now.

Remember, he must not come here
and you must not go to him.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

Forty shillings, Miss Brown, thank you.

John Aloysius Evan.

John Aloysius Evan.

Man number four, sir.
John Aloysius Evan.

- You are John Aloysius Evan?
- Yes.

John Aloysius Evan, you are charged,
on the 21st of April...

for feloniously killing and slaying
one Ludwig Wallen,

age 52, at Glove Lane, Soho.

If it please you, sir, I appear on behalf of the
Director of Public Prosecutions for the Crown.

If it please you, sir, I appear
for the prisoner.

The prisoner may sit down.

Thank you, sir.

The evidence we'll seek to establish...

is that the crime was committed
by a person wearing gloves.

There were marks of fingers on the neck
but no fingerprints.

And there was a small abrasion
on the side of the neck...

consistent with the injury which
might be caused...

by the sharp edge of a broken button.

We've potentially established the evidence
that the prisoner pawned a ring...

which he later, in a statement
to the police,

admitted taking from the body...

at a pawnbroker's close
to the scene of the crime.

That in his possession at the time
of his arrest...

was a Belgian banknote and
a pair of gloves.

On the right-hand glove...

was a broken button and on the
edge of that button,

the Home Office analyst,
Sir William Partridge,

will state he found traces of human blood.

On the evidence I shall call, I ask
that the prisoner be committed for trial.

I call the police officer in charge
of the case.

I questioned him, and he made
the following statement...

of his own free will.

I did pawn the ring.
I took it off the dead man's finger.

I ought to suffer.
I have done a dreadful thing.

Acting on that statement, I went
to the house of Alexander MacPherson...

pawnbroker.

Occupation?

Well... I oblige my friends.

What's the man talking about?

- Are you a pawnbroker?
- Yes.

- Then why not say so?
- Now, Mr. MacPherson...

tell us what you know about that ring.

The diamond is paste.

Good paste, but only paste.

Uh... tell us if you ever saw it before.

Of course I saw it before.
Didn't I lend half a nicker on it?

- What's half a nicker?
- Ten shillings, sir.

Do you see the man who
brought you the ring in court?

No.

No, no, no, Mr. Macpherson,
just look around.

No, no, not at me.
I didn't pawn the ring.

Nor did His Worship.

Look around the court,
Mr. MacPherson.

There he is.

Are we to understand from all this
that the prisoner pawned the ring?

That's right, Your Worship.

- When?
- On the night they found the body.

Thank you, Mr. MacPherson.
Will you hand back the ring, please?

But it hasn't been redeemed yet.

Oh, that's all right. You'll see it again
in good time in another court.

Very well.

You may stand down.
Next witness.

Madame Wallen.
Madame Wallen.

Hold the book in your right hand.

Now repeat the oath aloud.

Have you identified the body
as that of your husband?

Yes, my husband.

When were you married to him?

In 1905, in Li?ge.

Did you live together for long?

No, for six months.
It was bad.

- But you did not divorce him.
- I'm a Catholic.

He married many others, but I'm his wife.

Did you ever see him again?

Yes, three weeks ago. He wanted
money, he came to see me.

I said go away, you are bad.

He said you are my wife,
this is my home

- I said no, it is my home.
- Was he living under the same name?

He was calling himself Kertzcher.

He said give me that silver terrine,
I said, no, it is mine.

The lawyers had told me so.
They said that everything...

Thank you, Madame Wallen,
that will do.

- Questions?
- No questions.

That is a case for the prosecution.

You wish to make a statement?

The prisoner pleads not guilty
and reserves his defense.

You are committed to take your trial...

at the next forthcoming sitting
at the Central Criminal Court.

- Anything more?
- Nothing more, sir.

The court is adjourned till 2 p.m.

Silence, please!

Oh, hello, Tolley, good morning.

Hello, sir, we don't often see you
at Bow Street.

No, as a matter of fact I'm
particularly interested...

in these circumstantial cases and I...

You ought to be on this one.
The whole thing's circumstantial.

Of course, they have no right
to commit him on such evidence.

Well, if there's anything
I can do to help you.

You wouldn't come down to Brixton
and see the man.

Yes, of course I would.

Thank... look... I'll meet you
at your chambers at about five.

- All right.
- Thanks an awful lot.

- Larry!
- Too late, he's committed for trial.

Yes, I know. We can't talk here.
Come home.

- There's nothing to talk about.
- No jury will convict...

You said no magistrate would.

I must stop this now.
This man is innocent.

He talked to me.
He wouldn't take my money.

All he took were those gloves.
They're trying him for that.

Don't talk so loudly!
I'm only asking you to wait.

Yes, wait. For the trial, an appeal,
a petition.

Then, one morning when the clock
strikes nine, he's gone.

Excuse me, sir. Are you waiting
for anyone?

No, that's all right. Thanks, officer.

I beg your pardon, Mr. Darrant,
I didn't recognize you.

Christ, this is no good talking
about the family.

Come, come, Keith, there are only
two of us.

Why not come out with it?
My brother the judge...

That's right, young man,
your brother the judge.

Hello, Mander, how are you?

Mind you don't come before him, though,
he'll be a hanging judge.

He goes on the principle of give me
enough rope and I'd hang myself.

Well, have a good time first.

Thank you.

- How long before the Old Bailey?
- Three weeks.

Three whole weeks.

You can be half across the world
by then.

And nothing to think of for three
whole weeks.

In three weeks you can be in Rio.
By plane to Dakkar.

A French boat across the South Atlantic
to Pernambuco.

Another plane to Rio.

Then the plantation.
You can take the girl too.

- A home for both of you.
- She deserves a home.

- She's not guilty.
- You'll go?

Hm-hmm.

How does a rich man treat his girl, Keith?

- Clothes? Dinners?
- What on earth are you talking about?

I'm a rich man, Keith!

A whole quarter's allowance in the bank
and only three weeks to live.

If you see some gold dust vanishing
on the horizon,

that's my money.

Larry.

- Where are you going?
- To see Wanda.

But you promised.

Murderer's promises, Keith.

Yes, I will come.

Our table, Larry.

Why did your brother tell me
you were going away?

Seven days. Oh, it seems
like seven years.

He said I mustn't see you.
The police might find you.

Then just now in Court they called
Madam Wallen.

And it wasn't you. You're no more
Madame Wallen than the queen.

The woman was standing there
saying I'm his wife.

Is that why you are so happy?

Everything is settled now.

- He's released?
- They've committed him for trial.

- But you're happy?
- No more thinking, Wanda.

No more listening to Keith.

No more wondering is this right or that,

must I do this or that.

We've got three weeks.

And then?

Then the judge and the jury
will do all the thinking.

- We won't let him hang, Wanda.
- No.

We will not let him hang.

When I was in Africa...

I used to think if I could twist a ring
on my finger and the genie popped up,

what would I ask. First I would say,
put me down in London.

- Same as usual?
- Then put a lot of dough in my pocket.

Here it is. A whole quarter's
allowance, fresh, today.

Fresh fruit Sundae, sir?

That'll give me three weeks
to spend it all on someone.

Who?

( - - - )

You two on a diet?

- Knickerbocker glory.
- Okay.

If I had twisted that ring, I would not
ask for three weeks,

I would ask for three months.

three years,

thirty years.

What people do in thirty years...

we'll do it too.

We know how long one week has been.

Why, we'll be quite old at the end
of three weeks.

In thirty years...

people meet...

make love, marry,

and then...

They die, I suppose.

Together.

That's everything.

Yes...

everything.

Anything else I can do for you, Wanda?

Now we will buy you a trousseau too.

Is there anything I can do for you?

- Is there any comfort, sir?
- Please, please, no.

I'm very well looked after.

They're all so kind to me.

- I even sleep in the hospital.
- Are you ill?

They say my heart's weak.

I don't know, I'm very happy.

I don't deserve to be so happy.

You see, I...

I lost my self-respect the other night.

Oh, haven't they told you?

I don't want it kept dark.

It was a dreadful thing to do.

I robbed a dead body.

- I deserve to die.
- You won't suffer, you're innocent.

But I'm not innocent, I'm guilty.

I want to suffer.

God may forgive me if I suffer.

Nonsense, you must fight!

- I've told him that over and over again.
- You can't let yourself die.

Why not?

Why not?

You must have courage.

Courage? Ah, yes...

That is a Christian virtue.

- Happy, darling?
- Think of all the lovely things...

- ...we've done today.
- Yes.

We've still got two weeks and six days.
That's plenty of time ahead of us.

Oh, take these, Larry.

- I have forgotten the coffee.
- All right. Don't be long.

I won't.

- What do you want?
- Listen, I...

I must speak to you.

- What has happened?
- Are you as fond of him as ever?

More, much more.

Then get him to go away.
Now, at once.

- I'll give you money.
- You will never take him from me now.

But I don't want to.
You can take Larry away.

I'm ruined if he stays.

And that poor man?

I've seen him... he's mad.
He's happy, he wants to hang.

There's nothing to be done
with a man like that.

- Larry will not go. He's brave.
- Brave? He's week as water, he's...

he's failed in everything.

- We love each other.
- But I...

I want to help him.

We do not need your help.
We are together.

And in three weeks?

- That's years away.
- Even years pass.

- And then?
- We shall be married then.

There. The sock is mended.

We can strap the bag now, Larry.

Wanda, do stop pretending.

In a few hours they'll start to try him.

And we've only been married
for three weeks.

Three weeks, not thirty years.
Three weeks.

And it's over now.

Everything's over.

And I'm afraid.

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid too.

What a wife you are.

You'd even make yourself out a coward
for your husband's sake.

You win.

We'll go on pretending.

Grunlinch asked me just now how long
we were going to be away.

I said three years.

He said was it Rhodesia again.

I said no, this time it was
a different place.

- I've kept you busy, haven't I?
- I have kept you tidy.

These were new socks.

Do you remember that day...
ages ago?

It's no good!
We can't go on pretending like this.

You know and I know.

I know nothing.

The last day of the holidays
before school.

That awful cloud.

Last mendings and the prayer
that something might happen.

Perhaps the end of the world.

The world has never come to an end
again since the deluge.

What lucky devils they must
have been when that rain fell.

Lean on it, Wanda.

With tight fists.
There's thirty years in this bag.

Look at all the labels.

B/O, Royal Mail...

I'm the first man in the bar
in every boat.

Oh, to be on a ship with you.
That would be heaven.

And why not?
We've got until seven.

- Seven?
- Yes.

That's about when they'll bring in
the verdict, so Keith said.

Nine hours before I give myself up.

But... but you won't have to.

They'll find him innocent.

Not with my luck.

We've got today.

- Come on, let's go out to sea.
- Yes, oh yes!

Come on, then.

- Goodbye, Carl, we're off.
- Where's your bag?

- We're coming back for that this evening.
- So, you will come back then?

The bill, Carl, don't forget the bill.

No, no, tonight. They are coming
back for the bag.

- Where are you off to now?
- We're going to sea.

How far to the sea, Larry?

Forty miles.

- Oy, can we get service this early?
- Yes.

Guiness all around.

- Will you join us?
- Yes, I'd love to. I'm dry.

It's the air blowing up the channel.
Kicks in your eye, don't it, luv?

We're celebrating. Married this morning.

Celebrating my nuptials.
My third.

- Here we are, mum.
- No, no, this round's on me.

Come on, never mind you poshing.

- Cheerio!
- God bless you. Cheerio!

Just what the doctor ordered.
Straight up from the beach.

Four tanks of cockle, please.
Oy, stop and have a cockle.

Sorry, old man, we've got to move on,
we haven't got long here.

You got as long as we have, ain't you?

Spinning wheel, merry-go-round!

Here you are, Bert, I bet you a bob you
can't put the nail down in three years.

- You're on.
- Here he goes, mum.

One, two...

Silence, all up standing in court.

All persons who have anything to do...

before the Law, the King's
Justice of Cyer and Terminer...

and general jail delivery from the
jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court...

draw near and give your attendance.

God save the King.

Bring up, John Aloysius Evan.

May it please Your Lordship,
members of the jury.

On the night of the 21st of April last,

at a few minutes before midnight,

the body of a man was discovered
murdered...

in a deserted archway at the top
of Glove Lane.

Evidence goes to show...

that the man had been strangled.

Now, the act of murder is an act
of darkness.

Very seldom in this Court...

is it possible to produce witnesses
who have seen...

with their own eyes so secret a crime.

The defense may suggest to you that
circumstantial evidence is not conclusive,

but in reality it's the most final
form of evidence there is.

A man may easily be deceived
in what he sees,

but circumstantial evidence, tested,
link by link,

is as free from human error
as a scientific law.

And, uh, I just want to ask you
this once more...

since my learned friend has cast doubt upon
a certain portion of your evidence.

The cause of death in this case
was, in your opinion?

Asphyxia, due to strangulation.

Thank you, Sir William.

Now, Mr. Evan, you are a clerk
in Holy Orders.

For how many years did you serve as curate
in charge of St. Benedict's Limehouse?

- Twenty.
- To the satisfaction of your Bishop?

Yes.

Until I took to drinking.

And then they wouldn't have me anymore.

Of course...

Of course they were right.
Quite right.

Of course, since then your circumstances
have not been easy.

Not worse than I deserve.

Quite.

Now, what took you to Glove Lane
the night of the murder?

The foxes have holes, sir.

You mean that you went there
to sleep, Mr. Evan?

Yes.

Now, Evan, how long is it since
you've possessed a pair of gloves?

The ones you talk of... I saw a man
drop them.

Can you describe the man you say
dropped these gloves?

He was dark, tall,

quite young...

Oh, one thing I do remember...

I couldn't help noticing he called me Alec
and went like this...

Now, in your statement to the police
you used these very significant words.

"I have done a dreadful thing."

What was the dreadful thing?

I'm glad you've asked me that.

I want people to know.

It was an awful thing.

I don't want it kept dark.

What was this dreadful thing?

- I robbed a dead body.
- And that was all?

All?

But you don't understand.
I took money.

The poor man had a wife.
I robbed a living too.

You have a very tender conscience.

Do you seriously ask the jury
here to believe...

that this conscience of yours
was stirred...

by the thought of robbing a widow
of a few francs?

Yes, sir.

Or the thought of having killed
a man in cold blood?

Anyhow, I am guilty.

Silence in court.

That, My Lord, concludes the case
for the Crown.

You have heard an eloquent address

on the subject of circumstantial
evidence.

But evidence of that kind is only
as strong as its weakest link.

And some of the links in this case
are very weak.

The prisoner has been into
the witness box...

and he has told you of an encounter...

he had with a stranger near
the scene of the crime.

How he found the gloves on which
this case mainly rests.

A figment of the imagination,

my learned friend has suggested to me.

Easy to say.

But the life of a man...

depends upon your answer to
this question.

May there not be, in fact,

such a man?

Here you are, sir. If you knocks down
three, you get a little doll.

If you knocks down four you gets
your whopper.

Only one more for the big prize.
Win for me, Larry.

One more chance, sir.

- What's the matter, Larry?
- Not again, sir?

Here, don't forget your prize, sir.
You'll be back one of these days, sir.

Where to, Larry? Home?

Tired?

No. Oh, I could go on like
this forever.

Whatever's a long time?

Oh, Larry!

Are you all right, Pa?

- Have you got Pa?
- Up to my nostrils.

- Rosie all right?
- Trust me to look after Rose.

- You two staying on?
- Yes, we're going on.

- Happy days.
- Happy days.

It is ten to seven, Larry.

- Home?
- Home, Larry.

Let's get a taxi.

They're here!

They're here!

First we sing "For He's a Sholly
Good Fellow".

Jolly! You never learn
to talk English.

Will you start again your
squibble about my English?

- Hello!
- Hello, Mr. Darrant!

Mr. and Mrs. Darrant.

Before you go away to New Zealand,

or was it Jamaica,

all your many friends here in London
wish to make a little party...

just as a fine surprise for you.

- It is very peautiful...
- Beautiful.

...to be young.

- And it is even more peautiful...
- Beautiful.

to be good.

- And the most peautiful...
- Beautiful.

...thing in the world is to be young,
and to be good,

and to be in love.

Bravo! Bravo!

And so, we wish you luck
and happiness.

May the Lord bless you,
and Ho! Ho! Ho!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Thank you.

Thank you, Carl.

We have a little surprise for you too.

Please, Wanda.

The money I owe you, Carl.

- Look! What is he?
- A gentleman.

God bless you!
Wanda!

Now, let us sing!

Excuse me, sir. Your brother,
he wants you upstairs.

Larry!

- What, Keith?
- The sentence.

It won't stand.
I'll see that there's an appeal.

No more waiting, Keith.

- I'm going to the police now.
- No, no, for God's sake, listen.

You know how I've worked
all my life...

to be a judge.

I'm ruined if you give yourself up.

Nothing left.

I'm sorry, Keith.
I wish I could.

I'm not so devilishly strong as you.

Well, if you won't think of me,
think of yourself, of Wanda.

I've thought of it, all right,
I've thought of it.

A place of our own
and the years passing.

Growing old together, and children.

Domesticated.

I've sneered at the word.

It sounds like heaven now.

But it's no good, Keith.

Call me weak as water if you like.

But I can't let this little fellow hang.

Listen, Larry, I...

I'll give you anything you ask.

We've never understood each other,
have we?

Never mind. You'll live me down.

People forget a newspaper sensation
in a week.

Why, they'll be sorry for you.

Beavis and the rest...

pitying me.

Everyone knows I'm a skeleton
in the cupboard.

Send him to Malaya, Rhodesia, Brazil,
anywhere out of the way.

Well, this time I'm going further on.

No, no, don't go yet.
Give me time.

- Give me until tomorrow.
- No more time!

An hour, Larry, give me an hour.

You give one good reason why
he should hang.

One honest reason!

You're going?

Yes.

To give myself up.

Oh, there you are.
You've taken your time about it.

( in German )

"Outsider Beats Favorite to the Post."
There goes my good half crown.

Goodness! That murderer.

He's robbed the hangman.
He's died on his way to jail.

What do you think about that?

Larry!

Larry!

Excuse me, sir, but have you
a cigarette?

Larry! Larry!

Paper, sir!

Read all about the murderer
of Glove Lane!

- Paper, miss?
- Thank you.

Larry!

Safe... safe... safe.

Twenty-four hours in a day.

Three weeks, three months...

Three years, thirty years.

Subtitles: Lu?s Filipe Bernardes.