Endless Night (1972) - full transcript

I'll never forget Gipsy's Acre,
as I saw it that very first time.

The great sweep of the landscape
down to the sea, in the distance,

and...

Why, Ellie!

Ellie, darling.

Ellie, darling?

Ellie!

"I'll never forget the first time
I saw Gipsy's Acre."

What?

That's what you were saying.

Oh, yes.



You sure you don't mind me
telling you about it?

Not in the least.

It's a long story.

Why not come with me to
the south of France, or Italy?

Nothing I'd like better,
if it's that long.

I don't really know where to begin.

Anything wrong with the beginning?

No! Not that!

Wherever you like, then.

"Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man."
How about that?

Yes.

Why not?

It may sound corny,

but I think I must have been born
with a love of beautiful things.



I always thought
I got it from my father.

Paintings, for instance.

I could look at some of them
for hours at a time.

They gave me
a strange excitement,

shiver along the spine.

Lot 50.
A small, early, Renoir landscape.

Anyone started? Five thousand
guineas offered, thank you.

Five hundred.
Six thousand.

Five hundred.
Seven thousand.

Five hundred.
Eight thousand.

Five hundred.
Nine thousand.

Five hundred. Ten thousand.
Ten thousand guineas.

Eleven thousand.

Twelve thousand.

Twelve? Thirteen thousand.

Fourteen thousand.

Fourteen thousand guineas.
Fifteen thousand.

Bids at the back now.

Fifteen thousand guineas.

Fifteen thousand guineas.
Sixteen thousand.

It's against you at the back now.

Sixteen thousand guineas.

Sixteen thousand guineas.
Any more?

Sixteen thousand guineas.

Hazlitt Gallery.

Bad luck.

One mustn't complain.

- May I?
- Thank you.

Where to now, madam?

- Er... back to Claridge's, Rogers.
- Certainly, madam.

Spent the morning
at Christie's.

Nearly had a Renoir knocked down
to me at fifteen thousand quid.

One of these days you'll get landed
with something. Then what'll you do?

Don't you realise, Mum,

between my bid and the next,

I owned that picture.

Does your boss know where
that car is now?

I can always adjust the odd
half-hour in the books.

One of these days, you'll get fired.

- You don't know me, Mum.
- Never pretended to.

Because you never wanted me to.

Never liked being watched,
even as a little boy.

Do you remember that text
over your bed?

Often wondered what you did with it.

Did you, now?

Mickey, do you have to
drift from job to job?

Look, I've been doing this
for six months now.

Anyway, I like to get around.

You won't for much longer if you keep
using the firm's car for yourself.

Yes, I will. I'm a good driver.
The clients like me.

As a matter of fact, they're sending me
out to the Continent again next week.

Picking up some Greek tycoon
in Milan,

driving him down
to look over his villa.

Dio mio!
The fellow's gone mad!

Who?

Santonix, of course.
My genius of an architect.

What does the lunatic think
he's building? An empire?!

You know how much he's
gone up again, Alice?

Another hundred million.

Pounds?

- No, Italian lire.
- Oh.

Santonix!

Welcome to San Pier.

Mon dieu, you must be
completely off your rocker.

You're ruining me totally!

How are you?

We must go through these in detail,
urgentissimo!

Alice.

Come on, we're in a hurry!

That's normal.
Whereas Alice is exceptional.

I ask you, what the hell
is the point of estimates

if you don't keep to them?

And what are
estimates for if not to be exceeded?

These things are... are...
are relative.

Not to me, they're not.

Come and see what I've done.

Apart from spending my money?

I certainly will!

Oh, I have to be aboard
my yacht off Sardinia at 3:35.

Next time, huh?
On the way back.

And I will send you a cheque.

The house is marvellous.

Would you like some wine?

Oh, thank you very much, sir.

What a fabulous place.

Do you like it?

Like it? Bloody marvellous!

Are you finished now?

Well, I gotta stop off in Rome,
pick up an American couple.

They're doing the grand European tour.

Five days flat.

I see.

Would you like to see some
of my works and ideas?

- Can I?
- Oh yes, certainly.

You see, I was preparing for two months
for Mr Constantine's visit

and all he gave me was twenty minutes.

- Well, pleasure. Come on, huh?
- Thank you.

Oh, God! The creation of
any work of art is...

thirty per cent joy, and
seventy per cent despair.

And if you're lucky,
something's left behind,

something is passed on.

You're a very good listener,
young friend.

I found a place a little while ago,

where I could imagine a house growing.

Oh, I love "growing".
Where's that?

South of England.
Few miles back from the sea.

I'd driven a couple of antique dealers
down to a place called Market Chadwell.

And I drove outside the town
to have my sandwiches.

It was an ugly old Victorian

Gothic house up there.

Quite the wrong place.

Half burnt-down.

But when you walked
on a bit further,

round the corner,

there it was.

You could see
for miles all around.

Far below, the sea.

And, standing there,
it was as if I could see it.

My house.

The house I'd always
dreamed about.

in a place I'd always
imagined it.

Anyway, that was weeks ago.

When is the auction?

Sometime next month.

Not that it's any use to me.

If the wish can be willed, then
perhaps the means will follow.

That sounds like a quotation.

It is.
Santonix, the fourth of August.

Nine-thirty pm.

Christ, I'll have to
drive half the night!

It's unusual to find a
young man like yourself.

A hired driver?

Well, to be honest, that's more
or less what I was thinking.

They say I get it from my father.

An architect?

Ha! He'd have liked the chance.

There, Michael,
let's draw a key in the door, shall we?

Then we can be alone.

If only you'd study, David.
Get qualified.

Qualifications!
What do they mean?

The badge of mediocrity!

David, you know
as well as I do that unless...

Oh for God's sake,
shut up!

I don't think anyone understood him.

Especially Mum.

Gipsy's Acre...

- Do you have any photograph?
- No.

Send me some.

For you, I could build a house
even more than Mr Constantine.

Hmm!

If I ever have the money.

And if I have the time left.

Oh, it'll be a long wait, all right,
if that's what you mean.

No, I was thinking myself.
You see, er...

I can't count on more than
another three or four years.

It has something to do with the wrong
number of corpuscles of the right colour,

or the other way round,
I can never remember that.

Well, anyway...

it was nice to have met you.

And you.

Send me some photographs, anyway.

It might be fun to play
around with them.

Okay.

It may have been
culture to you, honey,

but it was plain crap
to me!

For Christ's sake,
last week in England,

do you know what those seats
at Stratford-on-Avon cost?!

Twenty-five dollars!

Just to hear a mean-lookin'
fairy in a jock strap

explaining how he couldn't get around
to making a simple basic decision!

Well, I guess we don't need Michael

until it's time to
pick us up for the opera.

No, I guess not.

Say kid, do you know the
red light district around here?

The dames in the windows?

Yes, sir.

Well, stick around
after the opera tonight.

I just might treat you to one.

See if we can, er... work off
some of this culture, huh?

Er... meanwhile, like we were saying,
your time's your own.

Thank you. Thought I might
spend it at the Rijksmuseum,

looking at the Rembrandts.

Jesus Christ!

He painted him too, sir.

Several times.

Excuse me.

Those faces.

So strong.

So sure of
their own respectability.

They seem to be quietly sizing
me up,

and finding me wanting.

What are you talking about?

If we're having to get back
all the way from London...

The car's just over there, sir.

Where the hell have
you been all evening?

You were supposed to
pick us up at the hotel.

Well I'm sorry, sir,
but I got held up,

just missed you,
so I came on here.

We waited around for you
until eight-thirty!

We were late for the goddamn opera!

That must have upset you awfully, sir.

You go ahead, honey.
I'll take care of this.

What the hell were you doing,
godamnit?!

I said I was sorry, sir.

You gonna stick around
afterwards and, er...

take me where I said, huh?

I don't think so, sir.

Why not?

Well I've looked up my duties
very carefully, and...

pimping is not included.

Jason!

You wait.
You just wait!

Yes, sir.

Yeah, baby.

I didn't have
to wait long.

My firm said
I seemed to have forgotten

that the customer
is always right.

Ten days later,

I was back home again.

Oh, it's you.

What have you come for?

Do I have to have a reason
to visit my old mum?

Ooh, got a cup of tea, love?

Got another job yet?

Yes.

Filling station. Part time.

You'll go far, won't you?

I'm all right. I've got plans.

Plans! What plans?

If the wish can be willed,
then perhaps the means will follow.

Something's happened.

What do you mean?

You're excited.

Who's got hold of you, Mickey?

Got hold of me?
Oh, forget the tea, Mum!

The next day,
I went down to Gipsy's Acre again,

with my camera.

That was the first time
I saw Ellie.

Very first time.

Oh!

Don't mind me!

Oh, I didn't see you.

I saw you. You got in my picture.

I didn't spoil it for you, did I?

You made it!

You must think I'm
raving mad or something.

I mean, I don't usually
dance all by myself.

I got a little carried away, I guess.

Such a beautiful spot!

Like nowhere else.

- Do you live around here?
- No. Wish I did.

- American, aren't you?
- How did you guess?

Well, what made you come up here?

You can't see from the road.

I drove down to visit an
antique shop in Market Chadwell.

Oh yes, I know it.

And I'd heard it was
beautiful up here, so I came.

I'm glad I did.

I mean, it really is very beautiful.

You didn't really take
any of me, did you?

Ah, that'd be telling.

Oh God, my hair!

No, I was...

I was just shooting a few angles
to send to an architect friend.

Oh, are you gonna build here?

One day.

Maybe.

I'm only a rental car driver.
Bit more to your right.

And there's not much bread in that.

Whoa!

Perfect!

Why do you want me in it, anyway?

Give Santonix some idea of the scale.

- Oh. The Santonix?
- Yes.

- He's very famous.
- Oh, he's a genius.

But isn't he...

well, isn't he a little expensive?

It's just an idle dream.

Don't laugh, I'm the idle dreamer.

Why should I?

You know, I lie awake sometimes,
thinking exactly what I'd do.

The house would rise up,
just about where you are now,

looking clear down to the sea.

And a drive, curving in
like this from the road,

all the way to the house.

Clear... clear all this lot away,

over there, plant masses and masses
of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Every colour in the book.

Over here, flowering cherries.

Take your breath away on a fine day.

Oh, it's all so clear in your mind.

Yes.

Bloody silly, isn't it?
When you really think about it.

- Staying over for long?
- Only a few days.

- Then back to the States?
- Lausanne, Switzerland.

Right now,
the family's establishing...

- Oh! I'm caught.
- Careful.

- There.
- Okay. Oh!

Um...

My family's establishing
residence there.

Tax reasons, or something.

Meanwhile, I'm taking singing
at the Conservatoire.

Oh, are you good?

I guess I'll never sing at the Met.

What is it?

I've got a feeling
we're being followed.

That's funny. That's what
I thought when I came here.

Keep walking.

Stay there!

What are you doing here?

You were following us.

This is private land.

Trespassers will be prosecuted.

This land's for sale.

There'll be no joy in it
for the buyer.

What are you talking about?

We can none of us escape
from the past.

It was a very long time ago,
of course.

What was?

They brought in a verdict
of natural causes.

But what happened afterwards
to the Townsends here...

was felt to be a judgement.

Little more than a year, and then...

only one left.

Is she with you?

Get away from this place, girl.

Go now, before the harm's done.

I'm tuned in, you see.

I can pick up the signals.

My gift is widely acknowledged
in Market Chadwell.

Who are you?

My name is Townsend.

I am the one that was left.

Nutcase.

We breed 'em in England
for visiting Americans.

Helps the balance of payments.

Come on.

Well...

goodbye.

I hope you get your house one day.

Do you know something?
I don't even know your name.

Oh, Mike. Mike Rogers.

Mike.

And I'm Ellie. Ellie Thompson.

- Well, goodbye, Ellie.
- Bye.

Ellie?

Look, couldn't we have tea together
at the Crown in Market Chadwell?

It's an incredibly old pub.

Two stars in the Domesday Book.

I'd like that very much.

But I'd have to
make a phone call first.

Okay.

Townsend?

I knew the old lady
when I was a youngster.

Oh, it's true that people talked
when the old Captain's wife died,

and the family was wiped out
a little later in the fire, but, er...

she's no more a Townsend than I am.

She kids herself that the old Captain
was sweet on her Ma,

and she's the result. But, er...

between you and me
and the gatepost,

she's the spitting image
of her real dad.

- The gamekeeper.
- Hmm.

And now, she lives up there in
one of Doctor Philpott's cottages,

and pops along once a fortnight
to the spiritualists,

to contact her dad.

Awkward if they both came through
wouldn't it?

Still, she does sometimes hit
the odd nail on the head, you know?

But then, er...

I backed a winner meself last week,
so what does that prove?

- Tea and toast, was it, sir?
- Please.

Okay.

- There you are.
- Thanks.

Who were you phoning?
Your parents?

Haven't any.

Oh, I'm sorry.

That's all right.

That's more than made up for
by uncles, aunts, cousins,

and, believe it or not,
a stepmother.

- Like Cinderella?
- Right!

Only in reverse.

They watch over me as if
I were a baby or something.

If hadn't been for Greta,

I wouldn't even have been
able to get out this time.

Now, who's Greta?
Your stepmother?

No, that's Cora.

Greta was hired to
teach me German, but...

well, she stayed on, and we
sort of became best friends.

That was Greta I just called.

She's great.

She understands exactly how
I feel about everything.

I don't go for cold, calculating
Krauts, myself.

Oh, Greta isn't cold,

and she isn't the slightest
bit calculating.

I prefer them small and elfin,

the kind that do funny little dances
when they think nobody's looking.

Tea and toast, all right?

Oh, haven't they any muffins?

I've never tried one.

- Muffins is out of season, miss.
- Oh.

Then we'll come back when
there's an 'R' in the month.

- That's a definite order.
- Yes, sir.

- Now, milk?
- Mmm, yes, please.

Sugar?

Really gotta go now.

Ellie?

Did you say you were
going back to London?

- That's right.
- Know the road?

- Yes
- Pity.

- Why?
- I was going to offer

- to show you the way.
- Oh!

Well, actually, I have got a
terrible sense of direction.

Good. Come on, then.

I turn off here.

Goodbye, Mike.

- Oh look, if you like, I can...
- No.

No, it's all right. I really
can find my way from here.

Look, I don't suppose there's any
chance of seeing you again?

I don't know.

That's just the trouble,
I never seem to know.

I said I might call back again
in two or three weeks,

at that antique place
at Market Chadwell.

Yes!

Mike, let's meet at Gipsy's Acre.

I'd like that.

- On the eighth.
- What time?

Three o'clock, sharp!

And afterwards we'll have
muffins at the Crown

because there's an 'R' in next month.

That's a definite order, Mike.

I'll write.

And don't forget my
Green Shield stamps!

'Scuse me, sir.

Are you Mr Rogers?

- Yes.
- A telephone call for you.

Thank you!

Hello?

- Michael?
- Ellie!

I'm sorry, I just couldn't
get over in time.

- Ellie, where are you?
- Rome.

I really am sorry, I was looking
forward to it so much.

So was I.

- But it's all right now you've phoned.
- Listen.

Greta and I have managed to
persuade Cora and Uncle Frank.

We're gonna have my
party in London.

- What party?
- Oh, some silly party. On Friday.

So best if I don't see
you till the next day.

- Why?
- You don't mind, do you?

Because, Mike, something
really exciting's happened.

I'll tell you when we meet.

Okay, when?

Well, what's wrong with
Saturday morning?

- Ten-thirty.
- Ten-thirty, where?

Where?

On the embankment
by the Festival Hall.

I think even I can find that!

Mike!

Mike!

Mike!

Mike, it's me!

Mike, I'm sorry I'm late.

What's the matter?

I'm sorry, Mike!

Couldn't have told me, could you?

Might have made it too easy for me.
Stop me getting stupid ideas.

You just don't know what
what it's been like!

- Being the sixth richest girl?
- Well, that's not my fault.

Anyway, it's not true.

Much more like the sixteenth.

Oh, makes a fat lot of difference
once you're in that league!

No wonder you didn't
ask me to the party.

Oh, I just couldn't face
being cross-examined.

They've screened and checked every
single man I've ever wanted to date.

It's like I told you.
Cinderella in reverse.

Until an out-of-work
rental car driver came along.

- Prince Charming in reverse.
- Oh, Mike!

Fenella Thomsen isn't the same
as Ellie Thompson. Not for me!

Well, goodbye, Ellie,
before I find myself saying

"I have my pride, you know!"

Look, I have my pride too,
you know.

Only I don't believe in
standing on it.

- You're crying.
- I am not!

It's an allergy.

I'm allergic to pollen,
and horses, and cats,

and some men.

Especially proud, stupid men,

who haven't even got the sense to
order me a glass of water or something

so I can take my medicine!

And who haven't even got the sense
to realise I'm in love with them.

Oh, that is the worst coffee
I've ever had in my life!

There's no future in it, Ellie.

Maybe not,

but we'd neither of us ever
stop thinking about it.

It was different then.

It's different now!

That's what the party was all about.

I'm old enough to do anything I want.

Anything.

Mike...

I went to see your friend, Santonix.

Greta and I went from Rome.

You're right, he's a wonderful person,

and he'll build you a wonderful house!

Yes, well, we can forget it,

because I heard this morning
that Gipsy's Acre's gone.

Someone's bought it.

Mmm.

I know.

I have!

Thank you.

Thank you very much!

Please don't go, Mike.
Please, please!

You see...

I never met anyone like you before.

Never.

- I do solemnly declare...
- I do solemnly declare...

- I know not of any lawful impediment...
- I know not of any lawful impediment...

That was where
our life together began,

in that tiny township in
the Welsh mountains,

where the only
newspapermen around

were there to cover
the sheepdog trials.

And English was only
the second language.

"Dear Mum,

"Sorry to let you know after the event,
but I got married last week.

"She's lovely and sweet, and I'm afraid
she has an awful lot of money.

"Honeymooning on the continent.

"Love, Mike."

Why keep a house in, so to speak?

Why not make it
a part of the landscape?

To be joined with it,
whenever you like.

You arrived at the same
idea by instinct, Mike.

- Can I see inside?
- No, please, please...

Not until I show you
the finished house.

You must leave me
something up my sleeve.

How long before we
can live in it?

It has to be very soon, darling Ellie.
If only because...

personally, I'm very
short of time.

Gelati!

The ice-cream man cometh.

Now, that's your turn now, Mike.

Gelati!

What happens when
the family finds out?

They think I'm touring
Scotland with Greta.

They'll blame her, as usual,

and they'll do anything they
can to break Mike and me up.

What can they do?

Try and buy Mike off.

Like Gina Barretti's parents
did with her first.

Gina...
wasn't that the girl who married

- a lifeguard from Miami Beach?
- Mmm.

And he got half a million
dollars to divorce her quietly.

Isn't that marvellous?

I've not only collected
a lovely little wife,

but I can trade her in for
solid cash any time I want.

Thank you, Miss Thomsen,
that was great!

The honeymoon's over, darling.

Time to pack our bags,
and face the family.

Michael, I'd like you to meet my
stepmother, Cora Walker-Brown.

How do you do, Mr Rogers?

- How do you do?
- Her husband, Reuben.

Hello, there.

Aunt Beth, and Uncle Frank.

Well, sir, I feel
called upon to remark

that the news conveyed
to us so belatedly constituted...

We were shocked!

And Mr Lippincott.
Dear Uncle Andrew.

Of course, he's not
really my uncle.

I am that figure of fiction,
the family lawyer.

- How are you, Michael?
- How do you do, sir?

Gretna Green seems to be
the only element missing.

- We were never even informed.
- Thanks to Greta.

Why blame her? I married him.

Well, I must say that,
between the two of you, and Greta,

you've certainly practised
a great deal of deception.

I think I'd better have a talk
with Michael alone.

Good idea. Um... why don't
we all adjourn to the bar?

Well, if you think things will look better
through the bottom of a glass.

Might make us
feel better, though.

- Don't I get one?
- Of course.

Um, you've probably
guessed that, er...

I have something to convey to you.

Oh, yes, sir?

If only I knew just how to convey it.

- In two little words.
- Oh?

"How much?"

Bearing in mind that Gina Barretti's
first collected five hundred grand.

- I see you've done your homework.
- Certainly.

However, as the nearest I got
to being a Miami lifeguard

was dishing out the deckchairs
at Littlehampton-on-Sea,

one August bank holiday,

you might consider offering me...

only half that.

Such a figure had crossed my mind.

Well, it crossed it in vain, sir.

Er... just out of curiosity,
no obligation on either side...

how much?

A quiet divorce with no scandal,
what do you say?

I might settle for the state of Texas
as a first instalment.

Haven't you ever heard of two
people falling in love, sir?

Not only have I heard of it, my boy,

but, one way or another,
I make half my income out of it.

I see that you have a sense of humour.

Which, as a member of this family,
you're certainly going to need.

Greta.
What do you know about Greta?

- Well, only what Ellie's told me.
- You've never met her?

No. I would have,
if Ellie had had her way.

Greta would have organised the
wedding and the honeymoon.

- But I put my foot down there.
- Good.

Did you know Greta had been
dismissed by the family?

No. But, to be honest,
I can't say I'm sorry.

Do you mind some advice, then?

Don't let Greta attach herself
to you and Ellie.

Well couldn't Ellie
pension her off, or something?

Greta's a little young to
be pensioned off.

And awfully attractive, even to
a desiccated old poop like me.

Then she ought to find it
easy enough to get another job.

With the sort of references that
she'll get from this family?!

Of course, I suppose that
Ellie could show her gratitude

by settling a sum on Greta.

That would get her out
of everyone's hair.

I'll have a talk to Ellie
when we get back.

...if you can do it without
hurting Greta's feelings.

But, Uncle Andrew, you haven't
said a word about Mike.

He's great, isn't he?
Really special.

He's an extremely
attractive personality, and I can see

exactly why you married him.

If you can do it...

Managed to slip away.

So far, no-one's changed
the subject once.

Anyway, I've no hard feelings.

- Why should you have?
- Why indeed?

After all, we're both in the
same boat, more or less.

You more, and me less, unfortunately.

- Oh, do you mind?
- How do you mean?

Well, I married the thin end
of the family trust.

And while Ellie's around,
it stays thin.

Mark you, I'm not complaining.

Oh, by the way, now that we're
members of the same family,

you wouldn't happen to have a
spare tenner about you, would you?

It's just that I've got this
awfully good thing for Ascot,

and it's too late to
go to a bank.

Thanks, old man.

Yes, well, I'd better get
back to the demo.

Tell them that I'm
expecting them up here to dine tonight.

What, all of them?

All of them.

I told you you were going to
need your sense of humour.

I have known our Ellie since
the day she was born.

She was lovely then.
She's even lovelier now.

Hear hear!

I want you to raise your glasses,
and drink to her happiness.

To Ellie and Michael.

Ellie and Michael.

Ellie.

Telegram, madam.

Oh. More congratulations, perhaps.

Oh, that's marvellous!

Greta's back tonight.

Greta?!

Greta?

She'll meet us tomorrow,
down at Gipsy's Acre.

Isn't that wonderful, darling?

Lovely.

There she is. Look!

Greta!

I do hope you'll like her.

But not too much.

Greta!

Oh, Greta.
This is Mike, at last.

At last, indeed. Hello, Greta.
Very happy to meet you.

Ellie has talked about you so much,
I feel I know you already.

And you, darling,
you look so happy.

- I am. Ecstatically.
- Oh, marvellous!

My wonderful reward for
abusing my position of trust,

as Cora so beautifully put it.

What are you gonna do, Greta?

Oh, I have a secretary's job lined up.

Abroad?

No.

In London.

When we move in,
you must be the first,

absolutely the first,
to come and stay with us.

- Isn't that right, Mike?
- Why not?

Come on, I'm just
dying to talk to you.

Uncle Andrew's had the
most wonderful idea.

Well, now you have met her,

what do you think?

She's certainly beautiful.

And strong.

Stronger than Ellie, I think.

I love Ellie.

I really love Ellie, Mike.

I was to remember
those words later.

While we were waiting
for the house,

Ellie and I took over the
antiques shop in Market Chadwell.

The very one that had
brought us together.

Until, at last,
Santonix sent for us,

and the great day had come.

At Gipsy's Acre,

we have a principal living room
that I call "my room for all seasons".

Well, now, let's pretend

the season's set for winter.

The windows are one-way only.

You can see the view outside,
but no-one can see in.

And now, after winter,

spring.

Ellie is making her music.

Ellie, the music maker,
the dreamer of dreams.

And now, after spring,

summer.

Voilà.

A little magic.

Now... to the next.

What's happened? I don't know!

- Magic...
- But where did that come from?

I don't know.

Well, is this how you imagined it?

My imagination never
went half as far.

Thank you. Oh, thank you!

Gipsy's Acre.

Life of happiness.

Good fortune.

That's Cora's car!

She didn't waste much time.

Oh, what a day to call!
Well, I don't wanna see her.

Well, why not go inside and
pull up the drawbridge?

They haven't seen us yet.
Please, quick, quick!

I don't think they've moved in yet.

Well, ring the bell anyway.

Now, nobody can see us.

Your health, madam.

I can't see anything!

Now, come on, now...

Hello!

I think she's going.

"Darling Ellie,

"Called, but you hadn't arrived.
Will try again later."

Oh...

"What do you think, darling?

"We found a cute eighteenth-century,
furnished cottage for the summer,

"only fifteen miles from you."

Oh, God!

"Quite by chance.
Would you believe it?"

Frankly, not for a bloody second.

Now, what do they want?

What are they after down here?

Stay where you are!

I think you'd better explain yourself.

- Who the hell are you?!
- George?

I believe that's Mr Rogers.

Isn't it?

Yes.

I thought I recognised him
from the newspapers.

Oh, Lord!

I'm awfully sorry, Rogers.

My name's Philpott, local doctor.
We're neighbours.

- Oh, er... my wife.
- How do you do?

What happened, Mike?

It's all right, Ellie. These are
our neighbours, the Philpotts.

Dr Philpott is the local doctor.

- My wife, Ellie.
- How do you do?

Santonix.

They've taken a long time
to get there.

Yes.

But surely they wouldn't...

Yes, why would anybody...

Probably some hooligan.

A crank, more likely.

You've had a certain amount of
publicity, haven't you?

Very destructive spirit, Wanadi.

It couldn't be...
oh, no, no, surely not.

What?

Miss Townsend?

Miss Townsend?!

It's just that she warned us off
when we first met here.

She rather frightened Ellie.

And... well, she... she seems to be
always hanging around the place.

Oh, she is a bit odd, certainly.

Considers herself the
local seer, and so on.

But I expect you know the story?

Oh, just one piece, thank you.

But I can't see her being guilty of
anything like malicious damage.

Matter of fact, my family owes
her something of a debt.

One winter, when I was
away army doctoring,

she fished out
a young nephew of mine

who'd gone through
the ice in our lake.

Damn. Slipped!

Sorry, Ellie.

Here, let me...

It's just that...

Well I was going to say that
my best friend at school...

- went like that.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

David and Jonathan,
they used to call us, we...

we were together so much.

- Skating, was it?
- Yes, up on the reservoir.

Only the day before, we played in the
usual bit of Shakespeare on Speech Day.

In those days I was crazy
to go on the stage.

What say'st thou, noble heart?

What will I do, think'st thou?

Why, Roderigo, go to bed and sleep.

I will incontinently drown myself.

If thou dost,

I shall never love thee after it.
If thou wilt needs

damn thyself, do it a more
delicate way than drowning.

Do you hear, Roderigo?

Roderigo!

Don't die!

Don't die!

Come to think of it,
it could have been a shot, couldn't it?

Mmm?

A shot.

Oh yes, I suppose it could.

Well, goodbye.

- And if I can be of any help...
- Thank you.

- Thank you again for the lovely...
- Very nice to have met you.

- Goodbye
- Nice to have met you.

When you've settled in, I'll organise a
party for you to meet the neighbours.

- Good.
- Goodbye!

- Shall we go back there?
- Let's walk across that way, dear, yes.

I won't let anybody drive us away!

This is our house,
and we're gonna stay in it!

Of course we are.

We said it like
a challenge to fate,

and, for a time,
it seemed to work.

Then, Greta came.

It was only to be for the
weekend, Ellie said, but...

Mike!

Come and see what Greta's given us.

Our housewarming present!

- Hello, Greta.
- Hello, Mike.

You really shouldn't have, darling.

I can't wait to see!

Oh, isn't he beautiful!
Isn't he gorgeous!

Oh, thank you, darling,
he's absolutely lovely!

- Isn't he, Mike?
- Yes, very nice.

Now, where shall we put him?

Any ideas, darling?

Several.

How about over there?

Let's get this thing out of the way...

and that...

Um...

Mmm!

Good!

Except, of course, that
that painting kills the cat.

Don't you agree, Michael?

Or the cat kills the painting.

Which, incidentally, I happen
to have found for Ellie!

Oh you can put it anywhere.
Put it in the study.

Ooh! Er... have you got
a pair of steps?

Get the steps, darling.

Darling...

I tried, all right.

It was a hell of a strain
that weekend, Greta being there.

But I certainly tried.

Until...

My wife could easily have
been killed, Sergeant!

I tell you, she was scared stiff,
and so was the bloody horse!

What'd the old lady
say to her, exactly?

Yelled out something stupid about
seeing death riding at her shoulder.

Never yells as a rule.
Not her usual style at all.

Oh, well, that's
hardly the point, is it?

Unless this time somebody's
paying her to do it.

- Now why should anyone pay her?
- Dunno.

Frighten you and Mrs Rogers off?

You said something about
it's happened two or three times before.

Yes, but I'd hardly have thought
Miss Townsend was the sort you could bribe.

True, but supposing
it was put to her cleverly

that she wasn't living it up
like a Townsend ought to,

not being a real Townsend.

That, er... might be
her sensitive spot.

You must have some
reason for saying that.

Not really, Mr Rogers.

Except that she hired a big Daimler

when she went on her last
table-rapping safari, and, er...

the bus has always been
good enough for her before.

Mike?

Aah!

Ellie!

- Are you hurt?
- Oh, my ankle!

I fell on that thing,
and I've twisted it, I think.

What on earth are you
doing out here

in the middle of the night,
darling? Are you crazy?

Well, what about you?

What happened, Mike?

Nothing. Nothing!

You scared me wandering
off like that. What was it?

It was nothing, I tell you, I...

I just couldn't sleep, love.

That's all.

Now, come on...

see if you can walk.

- Can you?
- No!

Careful.

There.

Greta!

What is it?

What's happened?

- What have you done, darling?
- Twisted her ankle.

- Oh, let me...
- No!

And what are you doing
out here, anyway?

I thought I heard something.

There you are. What was it?

Like a child crying.

- Mike!
- I tell you, there was nothing.

Now, go to bed!

Mike...

Mike!

Mmm?

That sound that you and Greta heard.

It wasn't a child, was it?

It was a cat.

A Siamese cat.

Coming along nicely.

Still, better keep the weight
off it for another day or two.

Lucky Miss Greta was able to
stay on to look after her.

- Yes, wasn't it?
- Blasted wasps!

Absolute plague this year.

Oh, help yourself to a slice
of quiche Lorraine.

Dorothy made it herself.

Oh!

Oh, hello, Michael.

Hello.

Er... we're neighbours now.

Yes, I gathered we were
to have that pleasure,

but I was not aware that
it was actually upon us.

Well, I really must say
hello to darling Ellie.

...and I was saying to your
Bishop only this morning,

that ritual is ritual,

and should be regarded as ritual.

Michael.

How's the world of antiques?
Business brisk?

Now, what are you all doing here?

Or shouldn't I ask?

Well, the Philpotts innocently assumed
that you'd be pleased to see us.

Oh, and Frank and Beth happen
to be staying for the weekend, so...

I brought them along. Simple.

Mmm.

Er... know anything for Ascot?

I haven't forgotten.

There's no need for the crack.

Good, isn't it?

Mmm, marvellous.

You going to that sale at, er...
Brett House next month, Michael?

Yes. Thought I might pick up
something for the shop.

- I'll drive you over if you like.
- Oh, thanks.

- Remind you nearer the day.
- Fine.

...or gave way.
You naughty girl!

Fraternising, Reuben?

No, I was just chatting, you know?

I'd love to see the rest of
your garden, Mrs Philbutt.

- Pott.
- Yes, indeed.

I thought you were typing away
in some little office in London?

I am. Thanks to those
splendid references.

Well you know the family motto.
"The truth shall prevail."

Yes, but how do some
people recognise it,

on such a slender aquaintance?

Michael!

Yes?

Will you come now, please?

- Now, what's all this then?
- We're leaving.

Ellie's stepmother has made
it too embarrassing for us.

You mean, for you?

Darling, you don't understand.

Cora insulted her.

Well, is that any reason why
you and I should have to leave?

It is impossible to stay after that.

- You don't decide!
- Ellie agrees.

Does she think she can run
my life as well as yours?

Darling, everybody's looking.

Well, what do I care?
I've had a bellyful all week!

"Move that down, take that,
put that there."

Who the hell does
she think she is?

It's all my fault.

I admit it is my fault.
I should have said nothing,

asked for nothing.

Oh, Greta.

- Greta, of course you mustn't shut up...
- Next time I say anything ethical to...

I only want to help.

To be of use.

- Oh, crikey.
- Shut up!

I knew from the beginning that

Michael hated me
being here with you.

He didn't trust me!

I should never have come to stay.

Oh, Greta!

Greta, don't go!

Oh, my God,
now it's the two of them!

Women's first and last
bloody refuge, tears!

For heaven's sake
let her stay!

Make it permanent
for all I care.

Oh no.
No, you're creasing them.

And anyway, I'm going!

- You're staying.
- No, I'm not, I'm going.

Oh no, you're not!

Well, what's so bloody funny?

It's you, darling.

You look so funny!

He is so funny.

She's bloody staying!

And get something for
those blasted wasps!

I'm terribly sorry, Michael.

Will you please forgive me?

Let's forget it.

Oh, come on, let's open
a bottle of champagne.

- Hello, darling.
- Hello, darling.

Could you stop off on your way
home and pick up my capsules?

I'm sneezing my head off,
and I'm all out of them.

Sure.
Anything, anytime, anywhere.

- Miss me?
- Mmm.

Can't keep my mind on my work.

I'm almost inclined
to call it a day.

How is business?

Well, believe it or not, I think
I can hear a real, live customer.

- Don't let him get away!
- I won't.

- So long, now. Bye.
- Bye.

♪ ...we rightly know.

♪ Through the world we safely go

♪ La la la la la la la

♪ Every night and every morn

♪ Some to misery are born... ♪

Santonix!

How marvellous!

- Hello.
- What a surprise! How are you?

I looked in to say
goodbye to Ellie.

He's off tomorrow to the States,
to build another house.

This time, my last.

Oh no, now please
don't say that!

Darling Ellie,
I've had my final treatment.

There cannot be any more.

Sorry I've been so long. I...

How are you?

Er... thank you. We have
exhausted that subject, I think.

Greta, dear.

Fix us some tea,
would you mind?

Of course, darling.

Why did you let
Greta stay here?

Ellie hurt her ankle.
Anyway, she'll be going soon.

No. You have let her
take possession!

'Course I haven't!

Look, I've already had one
flaming public row.

What else do you
expect me to do?

Have you any idea
where you are going, Mike?

What? Look, I'm going
the way I want.

I can't reach you.

Can I?

I can't reach you.

♪ Man was made
for joy and woe

♪ And when this we rightly know

♪ Through the world we safely go

♪ Every night and every morn

♪ Some to misery... ♪

Don't stop. Go on.

Why were you looking
at me like that, darling?

Like what?

As if...

as if you love me so much,
it made you sad.

You looked...

I dunno.

Fragile and beautiful.

Almost out of another century.

Like the song.

It's from your poet, Blake.

♪ Some are born to sweet delight

♪ Some are born to endless night ♪

You're crying.

Perhaps because it's true.

Oh, Ellie!

Ellie, darling!
Where are you?

You're always looking
through those binoculars.

As if the place were besieged.

Well, it is, in a way.

By old Reuben.

After all, he's our
neighbour now.

Fifteen miles away.

Why is he always
riding around here?

- What is it?
- Oh, nothing.

Thought for a moment
he was going to fall off.

Unfortunately, he didn't.

Mike.

You saw her, didn't you?

All right, Mike.

I'm not a child.

No point in worrying you,
was there?

Well...

I guess she has the right
to stand in a field

staring at us all day,
if she gets a kick out of it.

Why don't you come with
me to the sale after all?

You know you don't want me to.

Well, I had my reasons,
but what the hell.

No, I'm all right.

Besides, I'd only have
to change back again.

I'll meet you at the
Crown for lunch.

Fine.

- Morning, Michael.
- Not riding with Ellie today?

Of course not, darling.

Greta's going up to London shopping
with Mrs Philpott, remember?

Yeah, of course.

God, it's time I was leaving.

Hey, what's all this about?

You look especially
elfin this morning.

See you later, love.

Take care.

Mr Degenhart.

Next lot's the one you're after.

Lot thirty-two.

A mother-of-pearl inlaid
Victorian papier-mâché table.

Yes, I marked it down for Ellie.

It's her birthday on Sunday.
That's why I didn't want her to come.

Sixty... sixty-five...
seventy... seventy-five...

eighty... eighty-five...
ninety... ninety-five...

one hundred...
one hundred and ten...

one hundred and twenty...

one hundred and thirty...

one hundred and forty...

one hundred and fifty...

At one hundred and fifty pounds...

Going... going...

gone.

One forty-five.

Woman's privilege, you know.

Not like Ellie, though.
She'd have left a message.

You're wanted on the
phone, Mr Rogers.

Ah, that's her now,
probably got held up.

Order for me too,
doctor, will you?

Hello?

Have you heard anything
of Mrs Rogers, sir?

She hasn't come back yet.

Hasn't come back yet?
Come back from where?

From her ride, sir.

I haven't seen her since.

Ellie!

Ellie!

No. No, Mike.

Doctor Philpott
has told us

that he considered Mrs Rogers
had been dead about two hours

- and Dr Shaw agreed.
- Ellie.

But no injury was found
that could have caused her death.

Stomach contents were normal,

and deceased's internal
organs perfectly healthy.

In my opinion, death was
due to cardiac failure,

probably resulting from shock.

- Associated with her fall?
- That is difficult to say for certain,

but it would be consistent...

The capsules she
was taking were standard antihistamine

without side-effects, and
could not have been responsible...

I can't get it out
of my mind.

You see, Ellie would
have been with me

if I hadn't've planned a
surprise for her birthday.

Well, she looked...

well and happy before I left,
before I...

she...

sh...

Give Mr Rogers a glass of water.

Do, please, sit down and
wait a little, if you like.

No, no, no, I'm... I'm all right.
I'm all right, thank you.

She was alone, you see...

Ellie.

She...

El...

Ellie died alone.

Most distressing.

Thank you, Mr Rogers.

- May I say something, sir?
- Certainly.

Well, I'm...
I'm not satisfied, sir.

Oh?

Why?

Well, things have happened.

Things have happened before,
the things I told you about.

She was...

she was well that morning.
She was per...

I'm... I'm just not satisfied, sir.

I see.

Thank you, Mr Rogers.
I can understand your distress.

Thank you, Mr Rogers.

Sergeant Keene.

Is Miss Townsend in court yet?

- No, sir.
- Well, why not?

These alleged threats and warnings
could be material.

She's not been at her home, sir,

nor seen anywhere since,
but we expect to locate her soon.

Well, I certainly hope so.

Well, everything points to death
being due to accidental causes,

with insufficient evidence
to show how it occurred.

In the circumstances, I suppose
I must adjourn this inquest

till Miss Townsend can be found.

I'm sure we all feel
the very deepest sympathy

for the bereaved young husband.

Michael?

Michael!

Going back to the house?

No. Greta's still there, clearing up.

The Philpotts are looking
after me for a while.

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

Er... do you mind if
I go ahead with Michael?

I'll see you later, Michael.

What did you mean, you
aren't really satisfied?

Oh, I wish I really knew.

You know something?

Reuben was out riding
near there that morning.

Reuben?

Well, he said something once about
Cora having the thin end of the trust,

and Ellie standing in the way.

Reuben has never been known
to get anything right.

Horses, women, or facts.

His incompetence borders
on the supernatural.

Besides, Ellie wasn't in
Cora's way anymore. You were.

Me?

I'm afraid you'll have
to come to America.

What for?

To look after your
business interests.

Oh, didn't you know?

Ellie altered her will
soon after she got married.

She did it in London, and, I regret
to say, without consulting me.

You are the principal beneficiary.

But I'd no idea... I...

I didn't even know
she'd made a will.

Oh, yes. And the ramifications
of the estate are enormous.

Without expert advice,
you'll be thoroughly confused.

With it, you'll be even more confused.

There's another reason why
you should come to America.

Ellie's will called for
her to be buried there.

But she wouldn't want that!

Away from Gipsy's Acre?

I guess she didn't think
to alter that part.

You see, she wouldn't have
been expecting to die just yet.

America?

Putting it into very simple
language, Mr Rogers,

fifteen percent of the holdings
in Transtex Transportation

are convertible
every five years until 1990

into Bifurcated Yellowstone

at prices escalating
from $28.20 to $36.60

per stock unit.

I feel called upon to remark

that, bearing in mind the recent
behaviour of the Dow Jones Index,

it might be wise to kiss
goodbye to Northwest Zinc...

And I say, with due humility,

that it was a rare privilege to
have known such an utterly lovable,

utterly warm,
utterly delightful,

and utterly outgiving personality.

And I feel called upon to remark

that, bearing in mind the recent
behaviour of the Dow Jones Index,

it might be wise to kiss
goodbye to Northwest Zinc,

and reinvest in a less
volatile enterprise.

For we brought nothing
into this world,

and it is certain we
can carry nothing out.

So why not invest the residue
in Consolidated Metallics?

A very, very sound
corporation indeed.

Remaining forever a fragrant
memory in our hearts.

Let us pray.

Ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

Sign here.

Sign there.

Say when!

I said it would be confusing,
but that about clears it up.

What will you do
when you return home?

Where will you live?

Gipsy's Acre, of course.

Ellie wouldn't want me
to sell it. It was ours.

- Greta still looking after it?
- Well, till I get back.

Can I ask you something,
Mr Lippincott?

Somehow, I've never got around
to calling you "Uncle Andrew".

No, that was...
Ellie's prerogative, perhaps.

As you know,

I've never had much
time for Greta.

A very confident girl, nevertheless.

Yes, well, that's it.
I mean fair's fair.

When I dismiss her, should I
give her a present, or what?

Well, Ellie provided
for her adequately,

but if, when she leaves,
you want to add

what the French call a "douceur"...
well, that's up to you.

Er... are you flying back?

- No, sailing.
- Oh.

Tomorrow's boat. I think the
voyage will do me good.

Yes.

Well, there's one more
document that concerns you.

It came in this morning.

As soon as it's been
certified and copied,

I'll mail it to you in England.

It should be waiting
for you on your arrival.

Is that the lot?

Fine.

Oh.

Hello?

Yes, he's still with me.

Who?

Oh wait, I'll talk with him.

It's the Halcyon
County Hospital, Goshen.

Your friend, Santonix.
He's asking for you.

Michael?

Yes.

Yes, I'm here.

I built you a good house.

You built me a wonderful house.

You...

You...

You damned fool.

Why didn't you go the other way?

Next day,
I sailed for home.

Home, to the only place
I cared for.

Gipsy's Acre.

I saw you coming.

- Where are the servants?
- Gone. Paid off.

- Had a good trip?
- Fine, thank you.

No, darling, wait.

Oh Christ,
I've waited long enough!

Haven't I?

Mike, wait.

Oh, Mr Sailor, home from sea.

We made it.

I guess we have.

Although New York was bloody tough.

Still, I've always enjoyed
playing a part.

What about the Philpotts?

My telegram said expect me
any time up till midnight.

I'll be getting along soon.

Very nice people,
the old doc and his wife.

Very fond of them.

They're really quite
attached to me.

It was worth the risk tonight.

You enjoy taking risks,
don't you, Greta?

We took some with Ellie.

- I don't want to talk about Ellie.
- Darling...

I don't want you
to talk about Ellie.

Mike, don't spoil it now.

Anyway, after tonight
we can't meet for...

three months?

At least.

I arranged with Uncle Andrew
to terminate your engagement with

what the French call a "douceur".

Darling, you've just
given me one.

Didn't tell you.
Santonix is dead.

Oh, what a pity.

"Oh, what a pity."

You never cared for
him much, did you?

About as much as
he cared for me.

I was with him
when he died.

He said I ought to have
gone the other way.

Anyway,

he built you a nice house.

I think it would be an idea
to keep it on for a while.

What?

You don't think I'm going to
live anywhere else, do you?

How can we live here all the time,

with all the world to see,
and the money to see it with?

If I wanted to see the world,
I'd have joined the bloody Navy!

You're tired, and on edge.

I quite understand.

Yes, maybe I am.

Time I was going.

Sorry, love.

Oh, Mike...

some mail for you here.

It's a big envelope with
a New York postmark.

Ah, that'll be the one
from Uncle Andrew.

I'll bring the doctor along
in the morning.

He can watch me shaking you
gratefully by the hand.

And then, that should...

What is it?

Christ Almighty!

Look at the back.
Look at the back!

Amsterdam,
August 17th, 19..."

Last year!

Before I first met Ellie.

"I warned Ellie about you
more than once.

"but she would never listen.

"Lippincott."

He knows.
He knows!

He suspected from the beginning,
now he's dug and dug

and found the proof!

Christ Almighty,
what are we gonna do?!

Well, don't just stand there,
what are we gonna do?

We're finished,
don't you understand?

We're finished! He knows!

Then we don't get the house.
We don't get anything.

It's all been for nothing!

Mike, stop panicking!

What does he know?

Only that we met before.

What can he prove about Ellie now?

I saw her tonight.

What do you mean?

She was standing there smiling,

but she couldn't see me.

What's the matter with you?
You imagined it.

But why couldn't she see me?
I was there, wasn't I?

Mike, there is no time to lose.

He warned her about me, but...

she would never listen.

Why wouldn't she?

Get back to Philpott now.

Act it out, and there is
nothing they can do to us.

'Cause she loved me, that's why.

Perhaps I loved her, too.

I could have been happy, couldn't I?

Really, married to Ellie?

Go, now.

Supposing Ellie took
that capsule knowing,

just because she thought
that was what I wanted?

You're mad.

I must have been, mustn't I?

Listen.

Go back. Go to bed.

Take a pill, sleep it off.

I don't care, but, for God's sake,

wake up with a clear head
in the morning!

Shut up, you silly cow!

You planned it.

You've lost me Gipsy's Acre.

You've lost me this house,

and, worst of all, you lost me Ellie!

No, Mike! No, Mike!

You think you're
stronger than I am.

You're wrong!
You've always been wrong!

I was so happy that
last day with Ellie.

Now that couldn't be right,
could it?!

Oh, Mike... no...

♪ Every morn and every night

♪ Some are born to sweet delight

♪ Some are born to sweet delight

♪ Some are born to endless night ♪

Why, thou silly gentleman!

If thou wilt needs damn thyself,

do it a more delicate way
than drowning.

Michael.

Yes?

Do you know who I am?

'Course.

You're old Philpott.

About Ellie...

it was in her allergy
capsule, wasn't it?

Cyanide, I expect, in the capsule?

Yes.

We split the two halves
of the capsule,

put some of the stuff
for the wasps in,

stuck them together again.

You remember the wasps?

- Rather clever, wasn't it?
- Very.

Because after two hours
there'd be nothing.

Nothing to smell,
nothing to find.

That's why I guessed.

Yes.
Greta looked all that up.

That was a smashing
quarrel we had.

- Didn't I do it well?
- Yes, very well.

Michael, about Miss Townsend...

There was no Miss Townsend.
Everybody knows that.

Of course, Mike, of course,
but you know who I mean.

You paid her to do some
of those things, didn't you?

After that, she knew too much.

What could you do?

There's no such person!

Mickey...

I tried, Mickey,

but I was afraid all those years.

Ever since I came across
Joe's watch in your drawer.

Mustn't blame yourself, Mum.

Might've been different
if my Dad had lived.

Your Dad?

Your Dad was nothing!

Nothing!

Go on, Michael.

I don't seem to be able
to remember any more.

Can I go home now, please?

Doctor Philpott, I don't
like it here anymore.

Can I go back to
Gipsy's Acre now?

Doctor Philpott, can I
go home now, please?

Well, Michael, my boy,
it was fine that time,

as far as it goes.

But, I suppose you realise

that you never tell the
same story twice, don't you?

Sometimes you tell it

as it seems to you,

and sometimes you tell it

as you would like it
to seem to us.

Not quite the same thing, is it?

Look, now why don't we go
right back to the beginning

and start all over again?

And, this time,

see if you can tell us what
you did to Miss Townsend.

I think I ought to mention that...

♪ Every night and every morn

♪ Some to misery are born

♪ Every morn and every night

♪ Some are born to sweet delight

♪ Some are born to sweet delight

♪ Some are born to endless night ♪

SUBTITLES BY POWERHOUSE FILMS LTD