Connecting Flights (2021) - full transcript

This film starts in 2008 with the story of Donald Barlow, who lives in Nottingham, England. He decides to search for his father who, he has discovered, was a visiting Canadian serviceman during World War 2. Following his mother's death, Donald engages a search agency to find his father (Gordon Devereaux) and establish contact. But when the agency does find Devereaux, the elderly man vehemently denies his involvement with Donald's mother and categorically refuses to meet the man who claims to be his son. Donald's journalist daughter, Claire, refuses to give up and, using her married name, flies to Canada to meet and interview Devereaux. She takes her nine-year-old son (who is Devereaux's great-grandson) with her, and a unique and unexpected friendship develops between the crusty old man and the boy. Although Claire had not intended to reveal the connection between them, she now privately telephones her father and suggests he fly to Canada. Yet her secret plan is shattered when the boy tells Devereaux things about his family, from which the old man deduces the connection and recognizes he has been duped. This sets in motion a vicious and seemingly irreversible conflict between Claire and Devereaux. Filmed in the spring and summer of 2020, this film is believed to be the first Alberta production completed under just introduced, strict Covid-19 regulations. Filming initially commenced in March 2020 and then was paused as Alberta locked down. Filming recommenced in July 2020, with some roles being recast as some of the original actors from other parts of Canada and from the USA were unable to travel to Alberta during the pandemic. Filming was subsequently completed by an all-Alberta cast and crew in July and August 2020.

I have

myself full confidence that if

all do their that they'll

all do their duty,

we shall prove

ourselves once more

able to defend our island home,

to ride out the storm of war

and to outlive the

menace of tyranny.

We'll defend to our death

our native soil,

aiding each other

like good comrades

to the utmost of their strength.

We shall go onto the end.

We shall fight in France.

We shall fight on

the seas and oceans.

We shall fight with growing

confidence and growing strength

in the air.

We shall never surrender.

There is, perhaps,

no condition more confusing

or unwelcome than grief.

There's no escaping it.

This is a river that

must be crossed,

a desert that must be traversed.

The mountain that

must be climbed.

One day we will be able to look

back and truly appreciate that

Wendy is in a better place,

resting forever in the

arms of the Lord.

Amen.

And now I believe Wendy's

granddaughter would like to say

a few words.

Thank you so much,

everyone, for coming.

I know Nana would have been

thrilled to see you all,

though she probably would have

scolded you for being in church

when there's a match on.

Growing up, I always knew

that I had the nicest,

sweetest grandmother

in the world,

but what I didn't know was that

she was also strong and fierce

and resilient.

I never met the Wendy that got

kicked out of her parent's house

and had to learn to

make it on her own.

I never met the Wendy that

worked nights for 20 years so

that my dad could go to school.

Sweetness and gentleness

are wonderful qualities,

but sometimes I wish that

I had met the other Wendy.

The one that kicked

such serious ass.

And I'm grateful for that

Wendy and I wish that

I could have known her.

Well, that was a weird

speech, Claire bear.

Thanks, Kev.

Where is Gordy?

Wasn't sure if he should come.

He barely knew Nana and I

thought it might just upset him.

Malcolm took him for the day.

You let the wanker take him?

Praise be to God, Mrs Crabtree.

Don't call him a wanker,

we're not supposed to do that.

Why not?

I don't know, health?

It's all the rage now.

You're not supposed

to hate each other,

you're supposed to

consciously uncouple.

That is the stupidest

thing I've ever heard.

Honestly, I miss him.

Well you shouldn't.

He's a wanker.

Who's the suit talking to dad?

I don't know.

Are you coming home?

Yeah, Malcolm's

dropping off Gordy.

We'll stay in the spare room.

I'm planning an

early night, though,

so don't let me have any wine.

And the dandelions.

Oh my God.

Every spring, more of

them, just like a carpet.

I bet it drove her

neighbors mental.

Oh, it did.

She would never let

them touch them.

And then in the spring,

dandelion fluff everywhere.

Beauty in all

things, that was Nan.

Oh God.

To Nana Barlow.

All: To Nana Barlow.

Is Gordy in bed?

Hours ago.

Poor bunny.

I wish he'd got more

opportunities to meet his Nan.

Me too.

Right, dad, do tell.

Did she leave

you any money?

Kevin.

What?

She wrote me a letter.

Apparently she wrote it

just before she passed away.

Why?

She wanted me to know more

about your grandfather,

my father.

It's a bit late,

isn't it?

What does it say?

My dear son, I have never told

you much about your father,

mostly because...

It's okay.

It's her handwriting.

Here, dad, let me.

My dear son.

I have never told you

much about your father,

mostly because there's

not been much to tell.

You know that he was a

pilot in the air force.

You know that his

name was Gordon,

but there were two things

that I did not tell you.

He was a Canadian and

his name was Devereux.

I used to ask her what

his last name was.

She would just say your

name is Donald Barlow

and you should be proud of it.

You didn't know he was Canadian.

I just assumed he was RAF.

I used to invent stories that

he was from Wales or Scotland

or came from a titled family.

Was it just a fling?

More than that, I think.

I didn't notice it when I was

younger, but looking back,

she always talked about

him like they were married.

Were they?

No, never.

That's why she got kicked out,

when her parents learned about

the pregnancy.

I only ever had one letter

from him and it was a postcard.

Let me read it.

I can do it.

My dear Wendy, I have to tell

you that I'm on the move again.

We have to help finish

things off with Japan.

I'll write when I get

there and as soon as I can.

All my love, Gordon.

And she never heard

from him again?

Not that I know of.

Ahem...

He was a fine man, Donald.

He would have been so proud

of you, and you of him.

I wish life had been different

and that you two could have

known each other.

With much love, mom.

- That's weird.

- Claire.

No, I mean, it's

a beautiful note.

Very romantic, very sad.

But why wait until

now to give it to you?

Maybe she, he didn't

want to discuss it.

It was probably a

very painful memory.

Maybe she wanted me to find him.

Don, be realistic.

Yeah, what are the chances

this guy's even still alive?

23rd of May, 1945.

May...

And he went to the Pacific.

You know, I have a friend at the

Kew archives who could probably-

Somebody stop her.

Claire, this isn't one of

your human interest stories.

This is your father's life.

He's right though.

What if Nan wanted

dad to go looking?

Don't be absurd.

There's a postscript on this.

Your father used to say that

when he got back to Canada,

the first thing he would do is

pack his tent and head west to

go camping in the mountains.

Why would she write that if she

didn't want you to go looking?

She's giving you a clue.

Gordy, what are you doing up?

Let's get you some water and

put you back to bed, okay?

Come on.

Let's go.

There, you cozy?

Did you have a good

day with your dad?

Or did you miss your

old mom too much?

Can dad come and pick

us up in the morning?

We're going to stay with

grandma and grandpa for a couple

of days, but that

will be fun, right?

Hey, I love you so much.

Goodnight, Bunny.

Is he okay?

Oh, he'll be fine,

it's his mom who's a mess.

Par for the course.

What are you looking at?

There's an organization

set up for people like me,

whose fathers were

visiting serviceman.

Connection Closure.

It, it sounds like a scam.

Well, the BBC covered them.

But you have so little to go on

and you've always assumed your

father had died.

Why would Wendy let you

think any different?

Maybe she thought it was better

to have a dead parent than one

who would just walk out on you.

No, Claire, I didn't mean...

No, of course not.

It's okay.

Gordy knows his dad loves him.

Besides, it's

different now, anyway.

That's right, lots of children

these days only have one parent.

In the '40s and '50s-

Did Nana have any

boyfriends growing up?

As far as I know,

there was just him.

Gordon Devereux.

I think we should let

sleeping dogs lie.

Mom.

Dad should call these

connection people.

What's the harm in asking?

I don't like it.

Well, it's not a democracy, mom.

It's up to dad.

What do you want to do?

I'll need some time

to think about it.

I just don't understand

why you're so worried about it.

What's the worst

that could happen?

The worst that could happen?

That's really good, Gordy.

What are you building?

Nice.

The worst that could happen

is your father gets his

heartbroken.

Not if he finds Gordon Devereux.

Claire...

Imagine that you're an old

man at the end of your days

and one day you're sat at

home and the doorbell rings.

You open it and there's

some person standing there,

a woman say, and she says,

"Hi, you don't know me,"

but I'm your daughter.

"Fancy having a cup

of tea together?"

What would you do?

I'd slam the bloody

door in her face.

Mom.

Cheeky bitch, DNA does

not make you family.

I just don't understand how you

could not want to dive headfirst

into this.

I mean, the intrigue,

the romance.

Claire, I'm not the journalist.

You dive in all you want.

I'm going to focus on

keeping your father happy.

Maybe keeping him happy means

letting him have a parent that's

still alive.

If your father knows

what's good for him,

he will forget all about this.

Mom I...

Try an orange

one or a red one.

Hello?

Yes.

Oh, perfect.

No, that would be wonderful.

Yes, perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Connection and Closure

originated five years ago.

It was my mother who

started the whole thing off.

Like you, she was

searching for her father.

Did she find him?

She did.

That's wonderful.

Isn't that wonderful?

How many people are

in a similar situation?

Fathers who came and

went during the war.

In the UK?

25,000, another 10,000

in the Netherlands.

My own mother is a US citizen,

but even there,

she's not alone

in her situation.

Soldiers moved around a lot.

And they shag a lot, too.

Kevin!

He's not wrong.

More and more people that were

fathered by servicemen now want

to know who their fathers are.

Who their father is.

Surely they can

each have only one.

So let me get this

straight, Mr Hoogstra.

Please call me Alex.

You get what information you

can from us and then you just

ship it off to Canada to

find the father, right?

I will take the

information myself.

The United States is my home,

I travel from there.

And when you find him,

if you find him,

you simply just walk on up,

knock on his door,

announce he has a son

to meet, chop, chop,

and hope he doesn't

die of a heart attack?

Well, I'd be a little

more gentle than that.

Daphne.

If I locate your father

and he's still living,

I alone shall make the initial

contact and if I find that he's

amenable to the idea

of meeting with you,

at that point, and

that point only,

I shall release his

personal information.

It's a system that

requires patience,

but it provides absolute

confidentiality to you

and the person you're seeking.

You mean, even if you find him,

you won't tell me who he is.

And vice versa, unless both

parties agree to meet.

How long will it take?

Between two to six months.

We'll need some

time to discuss it.

Of course.

Thank you for coming.

I look forward to

hearing from you.

Was your mother glad she'd

chosen to meet her father?

They never met.

He refused to see her.

I was ecstatic when the agency

told me they had

found my father,

but a week later they told

me he wouldn't even see me.

He wouldn't even

admit I existed.

Jane's story is sadly typical.

Less than 10% of fathers

contacted agreed to meet with

their children.

If the expense worries you...

At our age,

it's this or Monte Carlo.

I just don't understand why

you suddenly need a father.

I thought you were happy.

I am.

Then why is it not enough?

Why are we suddenly inadequate?

Sweetheart, it's not that.

It's just knowing

that he didn't die,

that he's really there,

would be like filling in a space

that's been empty my whole life.

Would be like knowing

a part of my mother.

Is this for her or for you?

Both?

Okay.

You do what you

have to, I suppose.

Are you sure?

You don't need my

permission, Donald.

How you doing?

Are you feeling grouchy?

No.

A little grouchy.

What's that?

What does it look like?

A plane.

Yeah, it's an old plane.

Helen?

Mr Devereux.

Yes?

My name is Alex Hoogstra.

I'm a researcher with

Connection and Closure.

Connection what?

Closure.

May I come in?

Researching what exactly?

We try to make connections

between people like yourself,

who had a significant role

in World War II and-

Oh, yeah, I don't want

to talk about that.

The book is closed.

I'm working on behalf of

someone that would like to

reopen it.

Yeah, well I'm not interested.

But if someone were to want to-

I said no.

Well, would you mind confirming

for me that you flew

for the 532 squadron and

that in November, 1944,

you were on loan to

the Royal Air Force

for a special operation?

Stop.

This person, the one

who sent you, who is it?

I'm not permitted to say.

Was it John Webster,

my navigator?

How's he?

Is he still alive?

I really can't say.

Eddie Solomon.

I need to respect their privacy.

Their privacy.

How did you even know all this?

Your military records

are now public domain.

Public domain?

Accessible to anyone.

Yeah, well, I'm not.

This interview is over.

Did you spend time in

Nottingham during 1945?

Late 1944, first

quarter of 1945,

you were on location

primarily in London.

But, you spent

time in Nottingham, correct?

Then, perhaps you remember

meeting their daughter.

I, I, I don't recall.

What was her name?

Let me see here.

Wanda Barlow.

Wendy.

Wendy.

Huh, how silly of me.

She, umm...

Is Wendy the one

who's looking for me?

I'm sorry to say, she passed

away several months ago.

Mr Devereux, it was Wendy's

son who wanted me to find you.

Oh, okay.

Why would he want to do that?

Mr Devereux, he claims

that you're his father.

No.

I assure you.

No, it's impossible.

He's got information

that identifies you.

No. He's a con artist or a liar.

He's not my son.

And Mr Devereux,

he only wants to meet you

while there's still time.

I don't want to meet him.

You understand?

I don't want to see him.

I don't want to

hear from him, ever.

- Mr Devereux...

- Good day.

Mr Devereux.

Mr... Please.

The blue jays are back.

No blue jays for six years,

then suddenly blue jays.

Who was that at the door?

Nobody.

Does he have another family?

I cannot say more than I have.

I'm sorry.

Did you get the sense that he

might possibly change his mind?

I did not.

I'm truly sorry.

Well then, that's that.

I appreciate your visit.

You're not alone.

- You know, many other people-

- I understand.

Thank you.

Let me show you out.

Are you disappointed?

I mainly just feel tired.

Does Gordy know about the search

for his great-grandfather?

No.

I think I've made our

family confusing enough

for him at the moment.

Can I show you something?

But you'll probably want to ask

mum to make you a drink first.

You know that I've been

hired as a staff member

at Source Magazine?

Mm-hmm.

Well, in about six months time

we're going to start publishing

a series called,

"Where Are They Now"

about people who made the

news once and then faded

into the background,

the first heart

transplant patient,

triplets who were famous when

they were five years old.

My editor has been looking for

proposals on more meaty topics

and I think I've

got a great one.

You're not suggesting-

No, not Nan's story, exactly.

Let me start at the beginning.

So in 1944, as the Allies

advanced into Europe,

there was a fear that they

may execute some high level

prisoners being

held in the castle.

Well, a prison

really, near Bruge.

The Allies set up a special

two level task force.

The air force would come in

and breach a hole in the castle

walls and disable the guards

by bombing their quarters.

And a commando unit would

be parachuted in nearby

to get the prisoners out.

So, you're going to be

interviewing the prisoners.

I want to interview the pilots.

It's recently come to my

attention that many of them are

still alive.

No, Claire,

it's out of the question.

Gordon Devereux was

the flight leader.

He was first on the target.

He led the other planes in.

It's a great story.

Hoogstra will never

give you his address.

He doesn't have to.

The public records office

has everything I need.

That man has nothing

to do with our family.

I won't be there for our family.

I'll be there for the story.

That's all?

That's all. And maybe I'm

a little curious, fine,

but it's a great story.

And don't you want to know if

your father was a war hero?

You're not going to get

my blessing on this.

I'm not going to ask for it.

Claire.

Dad, he's not going

to know who I am.

I'm still using my

married name for now,

so he won't even

make the connection.

What came first?

Hoogstra or the story.

Hoogstra.

But it's a great story.

I just want to go in and

get his version of events.

My editor's excited.

It's a spy story,

and a war story,

and a, Where Are They Now,

story all rolled into one.

It could be huge.

And if the opportunity

arose, you'd say to him,

"Oh, did you know that I'm

your granddaughter?"

Yes, because I'm an idiot.

Claire.

No, of course not.

I wouldn't ruin the biggest

opportunity of my career just

because I'm related to

one of the subjects.

The atmosphere would have to be

extraordinarily conducive for me

to even make a hint.

Which you won't.

Which I won't.

When do you plan to start?

As soon as Gordy's out

of school for the summer.

What?

You're taking Gordy with you?

We need to get away for a bit,

especially while the house is

being sold.

Are you going to tell him?

No, no.

As far as he's concerned, it

will be just another interview.

You really think a war veteran

is going to open up to you?

I don't like it, Claire.

Not at all.

Well, the only thing we

have to fear is fear itself.

And bears.

They have bears in Canada.

No. umm, mm.

Here are the books.

Do you need anything else?

No, that should be perfect.

Thank you so much.

Oh, Bunny, you can't bring

that shirt with you.

We need to make a good

impression in Canada.

But it's my favorite shirt.

And don't call me Bunny anymore.

But you are my bunny.

You're my little Snuggle Bunny.

You're my little Snuggle

Bunny, aren't you?

You're my little Snuggle Bunny.

This is

to announce the arrival of

flight... Airlines Flight

700 from New York.

Well, you never know when

you were coming back, right?

Each one was the last one.

Thank you very much.

Well, thank you. Enjoy your day.

This is maple syrup,

this is a Canadian delicacy.

Gordy. Get out of that pond,

right this second.

No, Mum, we never

do anything fun. I'm hot.

Get out of the water.

No.

If you don't get out

right this second,

I'm getting in the

car and leaving

and you can grow up

in Moose Jaw.

Mum?

Mummy?

Mummy!

I think this is it.

Of course, Shea Stadium

didn't open till 1964.

It was a bad year

for it, anyway,

because Casey Stengel...

now he was a bum as a player,

a real clown,

but a good manager, you know.

A good manager at heart, or he

was when he managed the Yankees.

When the Mets hired him,

disaster.

They didn't have

a good year in 64, oh no.

That's very interesting,

Mr Fournier.

Pete, please.

Pete.

But what I'm really here

to talk about is the raid.

The raid?

In Bruge, Mr Fournier, 1945?

Yeah.

Yes. Terrible time.

We lost one, you know?

So I've come to understand.

I'm very sorry.

Oh, don't be sorry.

I got over it.

It took me a lot of drinks,

a little baseball,

but I got over it.

Not everybody does.

I understand,

it must have been horrible.

You understand?

What is this?

Some kind of damned therapy?

I assure you I'm

only a journalist.

I just know that post traumatic-

You know what they used to call

therapy in my day?

Jack Daniels.

I'm just trying to

corroborate some details.

You don't know.

None of you knows.

All these anniversaries

come up, Deippe, Normandy,

people like you come

in here and say

you want to know

what it was like.

You don't want to

know what it was like.

Not really.

Saw a friend in a

field hospital once,

Jim Guido, 19 years old,

already a hockey

legend back home.

He lost his leg somewhere

in France, got infected,

filled him full of morphine.

Used to use that

stuff back then.

It gives you nightmares.

It gives you nightmares

like you wouldn't believe.

I looked down at Jim

lying there, 19 years old,

never going to

play hockey again,

so full of morphine that he

just moaning in his sleep.

Just moaning, crying,

and shaking like a baby.

19 years old, his leg blown

clean off, crying for his mommy.

And I wanted to pick

up a bed pan

and smash his face to pieces.

I wanted to pick up something

heavy and smash his face,

and smash, and smash, so he

wouldn't make any more noise,

because I couldn't listen to it.

I couldn't listen

to anymore crying.

We all felt it.

We all had nightmares, but he

had no right to cry like that.

You keep that inside you.

He had no right.

He had no right.

I think perhaps I should

come back another time.

There were things we did

to people, young men,

younger than us.

Of course, when Casey Stengel

was managing the Yankees

back in the fifties,

that was a good time.

10 pennants in 12 seasons.

That was the good times.

Wish I could go back there now.

That was the good times.

I wish I could go back to then.

Good times.

I'm really sorry

to hear all that, Bunny.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea

for me to bring you along.

I just mean that I wanted to

take you on an adventure and now

you've gotten to see all the

boring parts of mum's job.

Lots of travel, and waiting,

and getting yelled at.

This is the Boeing

B-29 Superfortress.

Have you ever heard of

Enola Gay?

Yeah. I have.

Pretty sad stuff.

You know, you're really

grown up in a lot of ways.

One more interview to go.

We just have to head West one

more time and then we'll go see

some mountains. Okay?

We're taking

flight, Captain.

We have to get out

of here, Captain.

- Captain?

- Standby.

Mr Devereux?

Yes.

Claire Summers, how do you do?

Not interested.

In what?

In whatever it is

you're selling.

Did you not get my letter?

Mrs Summers, come in, come in.

Gordon, this is Mrs Summers,

the reporter I told you about.

You didn't tell me

about any reporter.

Oh, I'm sure I did.

I must have.

Come in, come in.

Your English.

What gave me away?

Would you like a coffee or tea?

That's what you

people like, isn't it?

I'll just make some tea.

Why are you here?

Gordon, she's doing

a newspaper project.

She wrote to us all about it.

Claire Summers, staff writer,

Callishawe Press,

sluff berks.

Slough Berks.

Gordon, I didn't know you

knew so much about England.

I was about to

make some ice tea.

What do you think?

Oh, that would lovely.

Thank you.

Gordon?

Thank you, Helen.

So a project.

I'm sorry that you

weren't expecting me.

I didn't mean to

spring myself upon you.

I'm a staff writer

for Source Magazine.

It's a middle road publication

rather like your Maclean's,

I think.

We report on historical

events, semi recent histories.

Right now, I'm working on a

series about people who were

involved in a major historical

event that has since faded

from public memory.

So you really are a reporter,

huh?

What else would I be?

And you just

happened to pick me?

Not at all.

I found a record of the RAF's

raid on a Nazi prison in a

castle near Bruge,

November, 1944.

I see.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I

don't give interviews about what

I did during the war years.

Matter of principle.

I haven't revisited the war

years since I was decommissioned

in 1945, not even with

my wife or our daughter.

You've a daughter?

No, when I took off my uniform

for the last time I shut the

door on all that, on all of it.

Did you keep your uniform?

Young lady, that is a

very personal question.

I've already told you

I do not do interviews.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to offend.

It's just that

Patrice LaPage kept his,

so I was curious.

You spoke to Patrice?

Flight Lieutenant Patrice

LaPage, I should have said.

And yes I did,

and Ancienne Lorette in Quebec.

My navigator trained there.

John Webster.

I met with him as well.

I really am a journalist.

Hmmm.

I haven't just snuck in to steal

your valuables and I think that

this story deserves to be told.

You don't need me for that.

You was a pilot in charge.

You led the raid.

You were the first to fly-

How on earth do you know this?

Flight Lieutenant Wagner.

Charlie?

Charlie Wagner.

He's a doctor now.

Oh, Slap Dash Charlie, a doctor.

Well, semi retired.

He lives in Devon.

I spoke with him

before I left England,

and I can give you his

address if you'd like.

No.

No, I don't want anything.

That part of my life is closed,

besides he wouldn't

want to meet me.

No, put all of that behind me.

It was difficult,

but I had help, my wife, Helen

and our daughter.

That's behind me, now.

Mr Devereux, it's not

my intention to delve

into painful memories.

I just wanted to write a story

that shows our readers what

happened next,

that there is life after...

We will be besieged by people

wanting to know more,

banging on our door,

expecting me to tell

them everything,

all the juicy details.

You'll destroy our privacy.

No, we can protect your identity

and conceal your location.

That would be

entirely your choice.

And you must remember the

Source is only sold in the UK,

so no one would

even see it here.

Iced tea.

So... will you be staying

long in Edmonton?

Only about five days.

We want to head to

the mountains after.

We?

Is your husband with you?

My son.

Your son?

How old is he?

Nine.

And where is he now?

Helen,

that's none of our business.

He's waiting for me in the car.

In the car?

Oh, it's all right.

He's got his books

and his Gameboy.

Well, we should bring him in.

Oh, I wasn't sure if that

would be a good idea.

I thought, that is, Mr Devereux

and I have potentially sensitive

subjects to discuss.

Oh, it's quite all right.

We'll go to the other

side of the house

and leave you two in peace,

but he shouldn't be

left in the car.

It's not right.

Well, if your sure it's okay.

Yes, all right,

I'll be right back.

You bored out here, Bunny?

Do you want to come

in for some iced tea?

I wish you wouldn't.

We should make

them feel at home.

Well, I should anyway.

And you should have a

chat with Mrs Summers.

She seems very sympathetic.

Gordie,

these people are very nice.

And I want you to be careful

to be on your best behavior,

all right?

Don't talk about

our family, okay?

Mommy's a reporter and reporters

don't share personal details.

Understand?

You will mind your

manners, won't you, Gordon?

Hello. Please come in.

What's your name?

Gordie.

Gordie Summers.

Gordie.

We love that name in this house.

Gordie, this is

Mr and Mrs Devereaux.

It's a pleasure to

meet you, Gordie.

Looking for something, Gordie?

You don't have a

picture of a mosquito?

Gordie.

We don't get too many mosquitoes

at this time of the year.

I think Gordie was referring

to something else, weren't you,

young man?

De Havilland Mosquito

made of plywood.

Mom said that you-

That's enough, Gordie.

And where'd you

learn about that?

I have a book.

What you been telling him?

He learned that on his own.

Now it seems we all

have cool drinks,

but I haven't offered you one.

Why don't you come with me and

we'll see what we can find?

Would you like a soda?

Go on. It's all right.

Come with me.

Where did he learn all that?

I assure you-

- Did you coach him?

- Why would I-

It's shameless.

I'm not going to spill my guts

out just because you trained

your kid to come in here-

Mr. Devereaux, I would never

train Gordie to do anything.

I know that you don't like to

talk about your flying days and

I'll tell him not to

bring it up again.

Then how does he know so much?

He saw my research on the

story and got interested.

And when Gordie's interested in

a subject, he's like a sponge.

He just hones in and

learns everything he can.

Just like that?

Just like that.

I assure you, I would never use

my son to manipulate anyone.

He does this all the time.

I must say his train

phase was the worst.

Well, my daughter went through

a similar thing with dolphins.

Still not going

to be interviewed.

- Thank you.

- Don't thank me.

You're not going to

get anything from me.

I was just going to say thank

you for having Gordie in.

I'm sure he's much

more comfortable

in the kitchen with Helen.

Well, that's Helen for you.

Whoa, it's huge.

It's four layers.

What's that?

I made it for my grandson.

It's very cool.

Now, tell me everything.

So your son,

he's also named Gordon?

No, he's just Gordie.

Is he named after

anyone in particular?

Yes.

Who?

Gordie Howe.

The Canadian hockey player?

I know.

- But you're-

- I know.

You're so English, I know.

His father insisted.

I couldn't find the strength

to argue because I was so, so-

- So what?

- Pregnant.

I succumbed.

What's his middle name?

Howe.

Don't laugh, I was so pregnant.

So how's the cake?

It's very good.

How's school?

It's nice.

Does your husband actually play?

I don't even think

he knows how to skate.

Malcolm's always

going through phases.

First it was hockey,

then it was safari travel,

then me, in the end.

How's young

Gordie Howe taking it?

He's fine.

He's... Sorry.

Sorry, this isn't why I'm here.

He'll be all right.

I'm not sure.

I mean, sometimes I think if

a father can't be 100% there,

if he can't be a good...

Maybe it's better for the child.

Anyway...

what did you want to ask me?

What was it like to go

overseas as a young man?

Well, I'd never been east of

Saskatoon, so I was excited.

They told me that the girls

danced naked in France.

I bet your mother loved that.

She sent a Bible with me.

Go ahead.

They've been in there

for half an hour.

If he was going to

turn into a bear,

he would have done it by now.

His eyes weren't good

enough for flight school.

Did my wife send that?

This is the Mark XVI.

Though I flew the

Mark IV before that.

Was there 20 millimeter cannons?

- Yeah, just about knee...

- Knee level.

Sometimes.

It depended on the type of

flying that we were doing.

Gordie, I'm not sure

that Mr Devereaux

wants to talk about...

Oh, no, no,

no, it's all right.

Tell you the truth, Gordie, none

of my own kids have any interest

in planes.

It's nice to meet

a fellow aviator.

Do you like horses, Gordie?

Yes.

Gordie, you've never

touched a horse.

Supper's in the oven.

Claire, Gordie,

you'll stay and eat?

Hello?

Mum.

Claire! What's wrong?

Is that Claire?

No, nothing.

I'm so sorry, mum.

Shit. What time is it there?

It's gone 1:00.

What's wrong?

Nothing. I'm so sorry.

I completely forgot

about the time change.

No, no, we were up anyway.

Claire, is everything all right?

Is Gordie okay?

Gordie's fine.

He's...

He's what?

He's gone horseback riding.

Did she say

he's gone horseback riding?

Claire, did you say he's

gone horseback riding?

Yes, just for a few hours.

Claire, you took your son to a

foreign country and now you're

not with him?

He's fine, mum.

Well, this is

actually why I called.

He's, uhmm...

He's with his great grandfather.

What? Does he know?

No, not at all.

- How could you possibly-

- Mum, listen.

This is why I called.

I called to say that

everything's fine.

The interview went well.

He let you interview him?

He and Gordie

have become friends.

Friends?

Claire, I don't mean to

sound like I'm interfering,

but is Gordie safe on

his own with this man?

They're not alone,

they're at a ranch.

You let a strange man

take your son to a ranch

and ride a strange animal?

He could break his neck.

They're not doing

show jumping, mum.

Is he at least wearing a helmet?

Mum, Mr Devereaux, Gordon,

knows what he's doing.

And Gordie was enthused.

When was the last

time you saw that?

And you say,

he's cooperating with you?

Not at first, no.

But because of Gordie.

Gordie?

He was the first talking point.

The two of them just clicked.

Why didn't you go with them?

I don't know, it's just

everything that's been going on

with Malcolm, Gordie's

just so stuck in his shell.

I just don't think he needs

his mum hovering right now.

Anyway, I've got to go.

They're having us

over for supper.

Claire?

Yes?

Be careful.

I will.

I love you.

Love you too, sweetheart.

Love you, sweetie.

I hope she knows

what she's doing.

I do.

I do too.

I hope she knows

what she's doing.

Horse.

Want to try riding it?

Sure.

All right.

Then that is what we will do.

Hello Jordan.

This is my little

friend, Gordie.

Jordan:

Hey, Gordie. Nice to meet you.

Hello.

Can we rustle

up a horse for him?

We sure can.

Gordon:

Hi boys, how you doing?

Good.

Good to see you.

They're big.

Gordon:

Yeah, they're very big.

Here we go.

Do a circle, here.

Isn't she nice?

Yeah.

Come on, babe.

Just a little bit more.

That's a good girl.

Yes, you are.

I think we may be getting

a bit of clouds coming in.

That's it.

Well, Gordie, what do you think?

Keep going?

Ready for takeoff?

Yes, sir.

What are they doing?

Flying.

Now, when you want

to climb, you pull back

on the control column.

Like this?

Whoa, gently.

You'll flip us right over.

When you want to descend,

you push forward.

When you want to

turn to the right,

you press down the right pedal

and turn the wheel to the right.

That's right.

We've got to do both at the

same time to get a smooth

angle to bank.

Good.

And left pedal for port?

You got it, skipper.

Now start the engines.

Do you see the throttles

down by your left knee?

Push them forward?

Yes, but smoothly.

Okay.

Now release the brake.

Look straight ahead.

All right.

We've got an air

speed of 190 knots.

Pull back on the stick.

And we're airborne.

Now, turn starboard, skipper.

Force 177 degrees,

climb to 5000.

177?

Ease back on the

throttles and level out.

Leveling out.

Good job, captain.

Aren't you the captain?

I'm just enjoying the ride.

Any fighters in the sky?

Taking flight, captain.

Shot down, captain.

Any fighters in the sky?

Big Gee,

any fighters in the sky?

Gordon, any fighters in the sky?

For today, Little Gee,

why don't we just fly?

I met Gordon after the war.

Men were in short

supply around here,

but that's not

what caught my eye.

What was it about him?

He was so quiet.

Not constantly bragging or

talking about himself the way

the boys I knew growing up.

Plus, you wouldn't

think it to look at him,

but he was a stone cold fox.

I know he went through

a lot in the war,

but he never wanted

to talk about it.

Men never did in those days.

Sometimes I think it's healthier

now with all the therapies

and yoga and talking

about your feelings.

Yoga can't help with PTSD.

Do you think that's what he had?

I don't know.

All I know is that as

happy as we've been,

I've never seen him let

go the way he just did

with your little boy.

And now he's Big Gee.

Mr Devereaux was too clumsy,

and Uncle Gordon was too formal.

Does that make you H for Helen?

No, I'm Mrs Gee.

Oh, I hope that

doesn't bother you.

We don't mean to lay any

sort of claim on Gordie.

It doesn't bother me at all.

I'm so glad.

After all, you can never

have too much family.

Claire, unless this

is an emergency-

I think dad needs to come here.

What?

Does he know?

Claire, did you tell him?

No, but just now he and Gordie,

they were flying together and-

They went flying?

No, not actually.

It's just that, well,

they've become friends.

Even Helen,

Mrs Devereaux, says so too.

I, I don't know, Claire.

I wouldn't want to

burst their bubble.

But there's a chance that...

To protect Gordie,

not Devereaux.

If Gordie's opened

up to someone,

I wouldn't want to risk that.

Gordie will be fine.

A tiny little window has opened

up here and you won't get

another chance.

I'm not sure if the

reward outweighs the risk.

Stop talking like a banker, dad.

I'm not asking you for a loan.

Claire, dinner's ready.

We're eating chow mein.

That's right.

I helped cook it.

That's great, love.

I'll be there in a moment.

Look, in three days, Gordie and

I are saying goodbye and leaving

this place forever.

They'll probably

invite us to come back,

but we probably never will.

If you want Gordie to keep

having a relationship with his

family, you need to take a risk.

I'm not sure.

Just think about it.

There's a flight leaving

from Heathrow tomorrow,

or today your time.

You'd be here within 24 hours.

Claire.

Just think about it.

I love you.

Obviously, I can't go.

What's she thinking of?

You were right about

this whole thing.

You said I should stay

away from Devereaux.

I should've listened to you.

Now Claire's gotten

all mixed up in it.

What are you doing?

I'm booking you a ticket

to Canada, you daft...

You said it was mad.

You thought this

whole thing was mad.

I'm allowed to change my mind.

Good Lordy.

It's just full of airports.

This bloody country

is full of airports.

Airports and bears.

Edmonton.

Look for Edmonton.

That's terrible.

I know, it's a good one.

Look what Gordie

helped me make.

It looks so

delicious, doesn't it?

Do you want the big pie?

No, but what we're going to do

is go back and paint.

Thank you so much for

taking Gordie to the ranch,

Mr Devereaux.

He was over the moon.

Please, call me Gordon.

Gordon.

It was my pleasure.

And thank you for a

wonderful dinner, Mrs Gee.

Would you and Little Gee

be interested in going

to West Edmonton Mall

with us tomorrow?

It's terribly touristy, I know,

but you can't come all this way

and not see it.

It's one of the

biggest in the world.

I'm sure Gordie would love that.

We also have a family friend

flying in tomorrow afternoon

and we'd love for

you to meet him.

Wonderful.

Well, why don't we take Gordie

to the mall while you go get

your friend, and then we'll

all have dinner together?

Are you sure you think

it's a good idea?

It's a great idea.

Any friend of Little Gee's

a friend of ours.

All right, let's go. Come on.

How you doing, Bunny?

Don't eat any of that

Canadian bacon, though.

Okay?

Love you, sweetheart.

Love you too.

Say hi to Claire and Gordie.

I will.

You got everything, dad?

The mini.

You had to bring the mini.

Oh, you don't like the mini?

Psychological, isn't it?

Got room for that?

Oh, you'd be surprised

what I got room for.

Oh, yeah. That too, yeah?

Are You ready for this?

Honestly, Kevin, I don't know.

Could have taken the Land Rover.

Could've had you on the

back of a Triumph too.

I flew with the Canadian

Air Force most of the time,

but late in 1944,

I was seconded to

an RAF squadron. Seconded?

Sent on loan for

about three months.

That's when you flew

on the Bruges raid?

Little Gee, do you have

a swimsuit with you?

How'd you know

about the Bruge raid?

That's what mom's writing about.

Sort of, Bunny, not so

much about the operation,

but about the pilots and

navigators who flew it and what

they're up to now.

Like horseback riding?

Mm-hmm and

building model planes,

and giving medals

to young pilots.

What's that for?

This is the Distinguished

Flying Cross for bravery.

It's from when I

was a pathfinder.

What's a pathfinder?

A pathfinder flies over the

target, ahead of the bombers.

I dropped flares over the

target, very bright lights,

so the bombers

could aim at them.

Were you scared?

Yes.

Often.

Were you sad that you

had to help drop bombs?

I think this look

is about complete.

Would you like to have a look

at yourself, Little Gee?

Yeah, Big Gee.

Well, what do you think?

I wish Grandpa Barlow

could see me like this.

Who?

Granddad Barlow.

Can we take a picture for him?

Is Granddad Barlow

your mom's dad?

Yeah.

You wouldn't happen to know

his first name, would you?

I don't know.

I see.

This Grandpa Barlow, did

you ever meet his mother?

It'd be your great-grandmother.

Yeah, but she died.

Oh, I'm

sorry to hear that.

What was her name?

I don't know.

I called her Nan.

She lived in Nottingham.

Oh no, Mom said not to tell you.

She said it's not

good journalism.

Everybody ready to go?

Little Gee, Why don't you

get out of that uniform

and go put your your shoes on?

Go on.

What's wrong?

What happened?

Gordon?

Ready to go?

I'm almost finished

with your logbook.

What's wrong?

You take Gordie to the mall.

I need to talk some

more with Mrs Summers.

Gordon, what's-

Or should I say Ms. Barlow?

Gordie, Why don't you to

the mall just with Mrs Gee?

I need to talk a little bit

more with Mr Devereaux.

That's right, Gordie.

Go grab your jacket. Okay?

Are you sure it's okay to leave?

Of course. Have fun.

I didn't mean for you...

Sit down.

You're his daughter.

Donald Barlow.

A man who claimed,

he claimed that-

I never intended-

What?

To humiliate me?

To spy on me?

No, I just intended to conduct

the interview and leave.

Oh, you don't expect

me to believe that.

You set this whole thing up.

The project.

The research.

What for?

Money?

You wanted an inheritance?

Is that it?

The project is real.

The magazine I

showed you is real.

I'm researching...

Stop!

Stop. You even dragged the boy

in here to soften me up,

to worm your way...

I told you I would never

use Gordie to get a story.

You primed your son to trap me!

I promise you, Gordie is

innocent in all of this.

Oh, Gordie.

Gordon!

You must think I'm an idiot.

You named the kid after me.

All along, you planned this.

That's not true.

I told you my husband

named him Gordie.

He's named after Gordie Howe.

You don't expect me

to believe that story?

Not after all the

lying that you've done?

Gordie Howe Summers.

If I was going to

make something up,

I would've made it less stupid.

I have never lied to

you, Mr Devereaux.

I only concealed my relation to

you because I know that you want

nothing to do with my family.

But everything else that's

happened over the past few days

has been an honest result of

seeing my son happy and wanting

to keep him that way.

You are my granddaughter?

I am.

But that means that this boy,

Gordie, he is my...

He's your great-grandson.

And you'll exclude him

from any recriminations?

Of course.

Then I'll say goodbye.

Thank you for everything

you've done for Gordie,

but this has been a mistake.

I'll be back in a few

hours to pick up Gordie.

I don't want to ruin his time

here, so when I come back,

we'll be civil.

Agreed?

Thank you for everything

you've done for my son,

and I'm sorry to

have caused you pain.

Claire,

a family friend that

you're going to pick up

from the airport?

My father.

Your son.

But I won't bring him here,

not unless you tell me

that's what you want.

You have my phone number.

The rollercoaster

goes zooming, goes so high...

And then it falls down.

It was so, so...

Big Gee, we went to the slides

and the amusement park and there

was a skating rink and

Mrs Gee bought me a hat!

Why don't you take

everything inside, Gordie?

Has she gone?

Yes.

She'll come get

Gordie when we call?

Yes.

You know that she's

your granddaughter?

You knew?

Of course I knew.

How?

I looked this place up,

Connection Closure.

They only do one thing.

Plus I bribed Gordie.

With what?

Cake.

Like great-grandfather,

like great-grandson.

Stop.

This is private.

From your wife?

Oh, it was before your time.

You can tell me.

I don't want to talk about it.

I didn't know about a child.

And I didn't want

to tell you that I

had been with

someone before you.

Oh, Gordon, this isn't 1945.

Did you love her?

You have to talk to

somebody sometime, Gordon.

I was so terrified.

Night after night.

Searchlights probing.

Flack sliding towards us.

Guns on the ground.

Never knowing if you would be...

When the weather clear,

there'd be a stand down

and everyone I knew

would go to London.

But there were so

many bombed-out homes.

One morning...

She was still holding a doll.

Then I'd get in the plane and

I'd go help do that same thing

to little girls in Germany.

Got to make way for

the bombers, Captain.

Roger that.

Prep munitions.

Roger, Captain.

The next stand down,

I got on a bus.

I'd get out of the city

and run up to Nottingham,

that's where I met Wendy.

And Wendy didn't ask questions.

There were no bombs falling.

I could just forget.

I didn't mean to abandon her.

I don't think of it like that.

And I swear, I didn't

know about the child.

When the war ended, I promised

myself I'd just start over.

I'd just erase the nightmare,

pretend it never happened.

I didn't realize I'd be

erasing other things too.

Oh, Gordon...

have you told Claire

any of this?

No one. Ever.

I think you should.

I think she'd

understand you better.

Might be too late.

Where are you going?

I'll be right back.

It's a mess.

I've made a horrible mess.

He found me out.

Oh, Claire.

I'm so sorry.

It's all right.

It's not.

You came all this way.

I took a risk.

It's all right.

And now I'm in Canada.

Should we do some sightseeing

before we head home?

Yes, absolutely.

We just need to pick up

Gordie on the way home.

Are you sure you should

have left him there?

I know.

I know, but none of us

wanted to ruin his day.

You can stay in the car

so you and Mr Devereaux

don't have to meet.

So close and yet so far.

I'm so sorry, Dad.

Don't be sorry.

It was my decision.

And now, I get to

see my daughter.

It's not that I dislike the

idea of having a great-grandson,

though that does make

me sound a little...

Distinguished?

Old, I was going to say.

But I suppose if one could

choose a great-grandson...

Of course, there's a corollary.

You can't have a great-grandson

without having a son first.

What you going for?

This is your Distinguished

Flying Cross for bravery.

Canada.

Bloody hell.

Dad.

Hello?

Granddad.

Hi, Granddad.

Hello again.

Gordie, how many

sweets did you eat?

All of them?

Well, why don't you do your

granddad a favor and go help

Mrs Devereaux make some tea?

I'm sure he'd love some.

All right.

Hello.

Would you like to come in?

Please.