Jane Eyre (1970) - full transcript

[dramatic drumming]

[somber classical music]

[hooves clopping]

- This is Jane
Eyre, carriage paid.

[tense music]

[bell ringing]

[coughing]

[children chattering]

- It's so cold.

- Are you new?

[coughing]



- When is breakfast?

- Not for two hours.

Are you hungry?

You'll be hungry
after breakfast, too.

- [Jane] Yes.

[water splashing]

- Burns, you're disgusting.

You did not wash your neck.

Take the brush and scrub it.

Scrub it.

Perhaps you won't smell
quite so much today, Burns.

- Once again, it is
my duty to remind you

that we are not
here to pamper you.

You are here because
God, in His wisdom,



has chosen to make you
orphans, and dependent

on the charity of others.

"If ye suffer hunger or thirst
for my sake, happy are ye."

Who here is hungry?

Who here is thirsty?

Oh, surely one of you is hungry.

Surely there is one hungry
child in the school.

Ah, there is one.

Step forth.

Lets us see who it is.

[tense music]

Of course.

This is the new girl, Jane Eyre.

I know this child.

She was sent here by her aunt,

a benefactress of this school.

Bring a stool, so that
we may all see her.

Come here, girl.

Children, it is my duty to
warn you against this girl.

Her name is Jane Eyre.

Shun her.

Guard yourselves against her.

For I had it from her
aunt, who took her in,

that she is deceitful
and refuses to submit.

Look at her face.

Does it not show?

Fortunately, it's a plain face.

Otherwise, who knows
what winning ways

she would employ
against the world.

It's our duty to punish
her body to save her soul,

and make sure that at
Lowood, she learns her place.

[coughing]

[wind rustling]

[bell ringing]

- [Girls] We have
learned in faith

and are made by your sheep.

We have learned too much and
[speaking over each other]

in our own hearts.

We are ready to
be finally yours.

[speaking over each other]

- [Girl] Help me, please!

[screaming]

- Please, let me in.

Please.

I'm cold.

Please.

- Jane, I'm all right.

- Burns?

Pushing your way
in as usual, Burns?

For your pains, you will
sit in the corridor.

[coughing]

- And you, Jane Eyre, may
remove that look from your face.

[Helen coughing]

- [Jane] Helen?

- Jane, go to sleep.

It's late.

- I can't sleep.

Are you ill?

- No.

It's a little cough.

I've always had it.

- I hate it here.

Why is she so cruel to you?

- Miss Scatcherd?

Oh, she dislikes me.

- I hate her.

- No.

You mustn't hate, Jane.

- I do.

I hate her more than Mrs. Reed.

- Who is she?

- My Aunt, who sent me here.

[Helen coughing]

[dramatic music]

Why did my parents have to die?

Why?

- [Girls] Lannister, York,
Tudor, Stewart, and Hannover.

- [Teacher] Good, continue.

- [Girls] Norman, Plantagenet,
Lancaster, Norman.

[girls speaking over each other]

[speaking in foreign language]

- [Girls] William I, William
II, Henry I, Stephen.

- [Woman] Then the evangelist--

- [Girls] William I, William
II, Henry I, Stephen.

- [Teacher] Read it once more.

- [Girls] William I, William
II, Henry I, Stephen.

- Miss Temple,
what child is this?

- [Temple] Jane Eyre,
Mr. Brocklehurst.

- And why, in defiance of
every precept and principle

of this house,
does her hair wave?

- It waves naturally,
Mr. Brocklehurst.

- Come here, Jane Eyre.

[speaking in foreign language]

- [Teacher] Continue, please.

- We are not concerned
with nature, here.

Scissors, Miss Temple.

- No, please.

Don't cut my hair!

- Scissors.

- Oh, no!

- You see, Miss Temple,

where overindulgence--

- No!

Please.

My hair!

- Away with her.

It is our duty to
mortify in these girls

the lusts of the flesh.

Take these relics of Satan
and see they are burned.

- Eyre, you will stand on
a stool for half an hour

and meditate on the
virtues of submission.

No one will speak to you
for the rest of the day.

- Come, Jane.

- And for disobeying
my orders, Burns,

you may stand on
a stool, yourself.

[dramatic music]

No, Burns.

You may stand on yours outside.

Did I tell you?

[bell ringing]

[clock ticking]

[Helen coughing]

[thunder roaring]

[Helen coughing]

[thunder roaring]

[Helen coughing]

- The girl is dying rapidly.

You know that, of course.

- Yes.

I've made arrangements
for her to go home.

- Oh, good.

Yes, good.

- Helen?

Are you awake?

- Is it you, Jane?

It's past midnight.

- I couldn't sleep.

I could hear you coughing.

I had to come see you.

- You came to bid
me goodbye, then?

- Are you going away?

- Yes.

They are sending me
home to my guardian.

[coughs]

I'm so pleased you're here.

Come in, come in, it's cold.

- Oh, Helen, don't
stay away long.

Come back soon.

- I shall.

You'll see.

When the fall weather
comes, and the heather

is in bloom on the
moors, I'll be back.

We shall have long
talks again, you and I,

just as we used to, long talks.

Oh, Jane, I'm so tired.

So tired.

Stay with me, and be
here when I come back.

- I shall be here.

And I will keep you warm.

I will give you strength.

You shall have all mine.

And we'll stay together.

Just you and me, forever.

And we'll live forever
and ever and ever.

[dramatic music]

[birds chirping]

- Eyre?

Jane Eyre?

I'm so glad to have
come upon you like this.

I wanted a word with you.

I understand you've applied to
a Mrs. Fairfax of Thornfield

for the post of governess
to a little girl.

- Yes.

- The Govenors are pleased
to give references.

- Thank you.

- But they would like you to
stay on at Lowood as a teacher.

This request is something
of an honor, Jane.

- Then I am sorry
that the Governors

should have chosen
you to make it.

I have nothing but respect
for them and for all

that they have done at Lowood
over the past few years.

I have none for you,
Mr. Brocklehurst.

I have neither
forgiven nor forgotten.

You may tell them that in
any case, my mind is made up.

I shall leave within the month.

[tense music]

- [Jane] Is that Thornfield?

- [Driver] Aye, that's it.

- Does Mrs. Fairfax live alone?

- More or less.

- With the little girl?

- Aye, with her.

- Is Mr. Fairfax dead?

- Ain't no Mr. Fairfax.

- Miss Eyre?

We've been expecting you.

Will you come this
way, please, ma'am?

- Ah, how do you do, my dear?

What a long journey you've had.

You must be cold.

Come and sit down by the fire.

- It is Mrs. Fairfax, isn't it?

- Yes, you are quite right.

Won't you take off your bonnet?

- Oh, thank you.

- I'm so glad you've come.

It will be very pleasant
to have a companion.

Thornfield is a fine old hall,
but it can be very lonely.

- Should I have the pleasure

of meeting Miss Fairfax tonight?

- Miss Fairfax?

- My pupil.

- Oh, you mean Miss Varens.

I've asked Sophie to bring
her down, just to greet you.

- She is not your
daughter, then?

- Oh, good heavens, no.

I've no family.

She's Mr. Rochester's ward.

- Mr. Rochester?

- The owner of Thornfield.

- I thought Thornfield
belonged to you.

- Oh, good heavens,
child, what an idea.

I'm only the housekeeper.

But Mr. Rochester is
away most of the time,

traveling, so we rarely see him.

Ah, here they are.

Come, Miss Adele, and meet
the lady who is to teach you.

This is Miss Eyre.

[speaking in foreign language]

- But I had no
idea that my pupil

was to be a little French girl.

- Ah, but it's not hard for you.

You speak French.

Oh, Madame, thank
you for my governess.

- I hope you'll be very
happy and learn a great deal.

And now Miss Eyre is tired,

and I shall show
her to her room.

[speaking in foreign language]

Eyre, very pleased to meet you.

[speaking in foreign language]

Adele.

We shall meet in the morning.

- [chuckles] You'll have
no difficulty with her.

She's a little vain, I think.

But then, she's French.

- Is she related
to Mr. Rochester?

- I don't know, my dear.

He brought her back from
Paris a few months ago.

Her parents, I think,
died, or abandoned her.

Are you ready?

- Yes, indeed.

[bell ringing]

- Here it is.

As you see, it's a
fine house, but it

needs to be lived in more.

Parts of it are
very old, indeed.

- [Jane] One might
see ghosts, then?

- [chuckles] None that
I have ever heard of.

But they do say the Rochesters
were a very wild race.

Perhaps that's why they now
seem tranquil in their graves.

Ah, we are this way, my dear.

That way leads to the upper
floor, but it is seldom used.

Most of the bedrooms in
this wing are in use.

It saves work to keep
the rooms together.

Uh, you will teach
Miss Adele in here,

and this is your room.

- [gasps] Oh.

Oh, it's--

- I hope you'll like it.

I thought you'd prefer
something small and cozy.

- It's delightful.

- I'll call you
when supper's ready.

If you need anything,
I'll be downstairs.

[laughing]

- What's that?

- Grace Poole, I expect.

She works here.

She's a little, um, eccentric.

[laughing]

[tense music]

- [Jane] Adele!

- For you.

For you, Miss Eyre.

- [laughs] Why, they're lovely.

- I wanted to pick
flowers for you.

I'm so glad you're 'ere.

- Here, huh.

- 'Ere.

- Ha.

Well, come along.

Where did you live before
you came to Thornfield?

- With mama.

But she went to the Holy Virgin,

so Mr. Rochester put me 'ere.

- You knew him before?

- Certainment.

He was a friend of mama.

He brought her pretty
things, and me too.

But now I do not
see him anymore.

- But you would like
to see him not just

for the pretty
things he brings you?

- Oh, yes.

But it is nice that
he brings me presents.

When shall we begin our lesson?

- Now.

And now, let's go and
look in the garden.

- All right.

- Not just the flowers,
but some of the animals

that live in the soil.

You see, some of the
animals destroy the flowers

and some of them help them grow.

[bell ringing]

What sort of man
is Mr. Rochester?

- What sort?

- Do you like him?

- I've no cause to do
otherwise, my dear.

He's a good master.

- What manner of man is he?

- He's, um, unexpected.

Some think him,
perhaps, peculiar.

- In what way?

- It's hard to say.

- He's traveled the world a
good deal and seen many things.

[sighs] He's a hard
man to understand.

- And what of Grace Poole?

Why does he keep her on here?

- I've no idea.

[peaceful music]

[horse galloping]

[horse whinnying]

[screaming]

- Ah!

Confound it, woman.

What the devil do you
think you're doing?

- I was trying to
move out of your way.

Can I help you, sir?

- You might fetch my horse.

- Whoa.

Whoa, boy.

[horse whinnying]

- Steady.

What is it you do to horses?

Come on, come on.

[grunting]

You should be home.

Where do you come from?

- Thornfield, sir.

- Thornfield?

Not a guest, I'd think.

- No, sir, though
it's clever of you

to suppose that just
from looking at me.

I'm the governess.

- Hmm.

You'd better get back
before the dark comes.

[dog barking]

[bell ringing]

- He's here my dear.

He's here.

He's come home
while you were out.

- Who?

Who has, Mrs. Fairfax?

- Why, the master,
Mr. Rochester, without
a word of warning.

He's in the drawing room.

I'm to take you in.

Some fool, it seems, frightened
his horse and made him fall.

This way, my dear.

Here is Miss Eyre, sir.

She has just returned.

- Let Miss Eyre be seated.

- Is it true, monsieur,

that you brought a new, pretty
cadeaux for me and Miss Eyre?

- Who talks of cadeaux?

Did you expect a
present, Miss Eyre?

- No, sir.

- Are you not fond
of presents, then?

- I hardly know, sir.

I've had little
experience of them.

- Huh.

You'd do better here
to be more like Adele.

She demands her presents.

You beat about the bush.

- I have less confidence in my
desserts, sir, than she has.

- Generally, Miss Eyre,
or in this instance?

- In this instance, sir.

Generally, I know
what to expect.

- You've, been
here, uh, six weeks?

- Yes, sir.

- And you came from, uh--

- Lowood, sir, a
charitable institution.

- [Edward] How long
were you there?

- Ten years.

- Ten years.

You must be tenacious of life.

But then, you have the look
of another world in your face.

Who were your parents?

- I never knew them, sir.

- And who recommended you here?

- I advertised.

Mrs. Fairfax answered
my advertisement.

- And very glad, I am,
that I did so, sir.

Miss Eyre has proved invaluable.

- Flattery will not
bias me, Mrs. Fairfax.

I shall judge for myself.

She began by felling my horse.

Well, [clears throat]

what did you learn at Lowood?

Music?

Do you play?

- A little, sir.

- Of course.

They all play a little.

Well, go to the piano.

Play something.

[upbeat classical piano music]

- Enough, enough.

You do, indeed, play a little.

- I was not wrong,
then, in my assessment.

- You're very cool.

An orphan child of low degree.

Where do you find such coolness?

- Out of my head, sir.

- The one I see
on your shoulders?

- Yes, sir.

- And has it other furniture
of the same kind, within?

- It is well
stocked, I hope, sir.

[clock chiming]

- Well, what are you about,
Miss Eyre, to let Adele

sit up so late?

Take her to bed.

- And my cadeaux, monsieur?

- It will be here.

It will be here.

[tense music]

- Miss Eyre?

He doesn't mean to be rude.

It's partly his
nature, and partly--

- Partly what, Mrs. Fairfax?

- Oh, doubtless he has painful
thoughts to harass him.

You must not take offense.

- I did not.

Nor will I, though that will be

of little consequence to him.

- It is of consequence
to me, my dear.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- We must drain the field.

- It's too costly, sir.

- Tenets can't farm on land
that's flooded with water.

They lose crops,
and we lose rates.

It's forced economy.

- But I've been
into the figures.

- Well, go into them again.

I want the field drained.

[sighing]

[poker rattling]

[knocking]

- Come in.

- My cadeaux!

My cadeaux!

- Very well.

Take it, you genuine
daughter of Paris.

You see, Miss Eyre, how
you women, uh, value us?

Leave her.

She's happy.

Take it to your room, Adele,
and, uh, gloat over it there.

- Oh, monsieur [speaking
in foreign language].

- Let her go.

Believe me, she has no
need of you for a while.

You examine me, Miss Eyre.

Do you find me handsome?

- No, sir.

- [laughs] Mark my
word, you are blunt.

What will you say next?

That I am lame?

Well, you're no prettier
than I am handsome,

but you are nothing
if not honest,

and you know that already.

Sit down.

Sit down.

If you please.

You must allow me to
give orders, Miss Eyre,

if for no other reason than
that I am 20 years older.

Would you not agree?

- Surely, sir, that depends on

what use you made of your time.

- By God, you have a point.

Well, then, have I no
right to hector you?

I'm in a hectoring mood.

- Of course, sir.

Your claim wins on the grounds
that I am employed here,

and you are not.

- Money.

Still, I like your bluntness.

It's unusual in a woman.

Though I dare say, in truth,

you are no different
from the rest.

Yes, you're right.

Neither am I.

Well, talk to me, Miss Eyre.

Don't just sit there.

- About what, sir?

- About what?

About anything.

Can't you see that
I'm a mood to talk?

Tell me how you get
your peace of mind.

Ah, remorse is the
poison of life.

Dread it, if ever you
are temped to err.

But then, what could
ever tempt you?

Where are you going?

- To put Adele to bed, sir.

- Never mind Adele.

She is happy, as her mother was.

You saw how she took
possession of that box.

So her mother took
possession of me.

I have been green, too.

Aye, grass green.

- Is Adele your child, sir?

- No, she is not, although
her mother presented her

to me as such.

Uh, not that green,
by God, Miss Eyre.

No.

Not that green.

- No.

She is the daughter of an
itinerant musician with whom

her mother finally ran off,
clutching in her little hand

the pieces of jewelry
that I had, uh, given her.

She left the child in Paris.

I brought her here
a year ago when

I'd heard her mother had died.

The child is, of
course, illegitimate.

And knowing her antecedents,
you will no doubt

think less of your protege now?

- The child cannot be blamed
for her mother's faults.

- Confound it.

Have you none of your own?

[plate crashing]

Well, good night.

[tense music]

[dog panting]

I see you also paint a little.

- Yes, sir.

- A little more than you play.

You see, I'm in a more
encouraging mood today.

- A little more, sir.

- Do you never laugh?

- Frequently.

- Then I do not amuse you?

[laughs] By God, you
amuse me, Miss Eyre.

Though you may, uh,
take tea with me later.

Cheer me up.

- It's a new role, for me,
sir, that of court jester.

But if it cheers
you up, I'm happy.

- [Woman] Ah.

[KNOCKING]

- Who's there?

[woman moaning]

- Who is it?

[laughing]

[tense music]

[fire roaring]
[Jane gasping]

- Mr. Rochester!

Mr. Rochester, please wake up.

You must.

[water hissing]

Get up.

Please!

- Fire.

[grunting]

- I'll get the candle.

[coughing]

I heard a sound outside my door.

And, and laughter.

I came out into the passage and,

shall I fetch Mrs. Fairfax?

- No, no.

Let her sleep.

Say nothing.

I want no one to know
what you've heard.

- Was it Grace Poole, sir?

- Yes, I think so.

- Why does she remain?

- I can't explain.

[dramatic music]

You saved my life.

- Well, goodnight, sir.

- I knew you would do me good.

I felt it always.

There's something
about you, Jane.

- Well, goodnight, sir.

[sighing]

[upbeat organ music]

- Oh, my dear, what an
escape we had last night.

Mr. Rochester was near
burned in his bed.

- Indeed, Mrs. Fairfax?

- He fell asleep, leaving
the candle alight.

Why, it's a wonder you
didn't hear something

or smell burning.

- Not a thing.

But then, I'm a sound sleeper.

Mr. Rochester, I trust, has
suffered no ill effects?

- Oh, no, no.

He was hale this
morning when he left.

- Left?

- Yes, he went after breakfast.

He's gone to Mr.
Eshington's place.

A very brilliant party
is assembled there.

And but of course
Blanche Ingram, too.

She's a great
beauty here abouts,

and they do say that
she and Mr. Rochester.

Well, excuse me, my dear.

[tense music]

- [Adele] When will Mr.
Rochester come back?

- I don't know.

- It is nearly three weeks.

It is long, n'est-ce pas?

Perhaps Miss Ingram
will not let him go.

Perhaps he is her prisoner.

They say she's beautiful.

Don't you wish you were
beautiful, Miss Eyre?

- Flowers can be
beautiful, Adele.

See how delicate the petals are?

The shade of the blue
where it joins the stem.

Now, let's start
again, shall we?

And I shouldn't
bother to sign it.

If you can do a little better.

[dramatic music]

- Mrs. Fairfax?

Mrs. Fairfax!

Mrs. Fairfax, confound it.

We have guests.

Ah-- they'll be staying
for, uh, quite awhile.

[laughing]

- Yes, come right in, please.

We'll go right into
the drawing room

for my best refreshments.

- You're very kind.
- I believe I will.

- Come along.

[crowd chattering]

Go right ahead.

- Come.

[upbeat classical music]

- Thornfield is
magnificent, but I

should arrange it differently.

- Oh?

How?

- I should have all
the furniture French.

- Ah.

And me?

Would you, uh,
rearrange me, too?

- You?

Oh, you, I should leave like
an old, well-loved oak chest.

[laughing]

- We are being observed.

- By whom?

- A little French poppy.

- Hmm, she's a
mystery, that one.

- Well, she's the
daughter of an enigma.

- Do you think?

He says she's his ward.

- [laughs] Wouldn't you?

[laughing]

- Adele?

Adele?

This is very naughty
to be out of bed.

- Oh, she's beautiful,
Miss Blanche.

She is like a princess.

Oh, I do hope she will
marry Mr. Rochester.

Don't you, Miss Eyre?

- You must come along,

and you're not to
get out of bed again.

- Adele has been
captured by her governess

and, uh, led away.

- Oh, there's a
plain little thing.

- I think she's pretty.

- [laughs] No.

I mean the governess.

- Oh.

[sighing]

[clapping]

- [Man] Bravo, bravo!

[crowd chattering]

[gentle, light classical music]

- Mm.

[laughing]

- I'll not go back, Edward.

Not till you keep your
promise and show me

your boyhood hiding place.

- I warn you, we shall
be utterly alone.

- [laughs] Your threats
are mere promises.

[laughing]

- Ah, there you are.

They're just about to come
out of the dining room.

- I'll take Adele
into the drawing room.

Perhaps he'll ask
Sophie to come for her.

- But Mr. Rochester
expressly asked

that you remain, my dear.

- Very well.

Come, Adele.

[crowd chattering]

Now, perhaps you'd
better sit over here.

You may greet them
when they come in.

- [Blanche] I love the
maids in the country,

far superior to anything
I've seen in London.

[crowd chattering]

- I thought, Edward, you
were not fond of children.

- Nor am I.

- Then what induced
you to take charge

of such a little doll?

- [laughs] I picked her up
in a fit of absence of mind.

- [laughs] You should
send her to school.

- She has a governess.

- Oh, the little thing
I've seen with her.

You should hear mama on
the subject of governesses.

- [Lady Ingram] My
dearest lily flower,

don't mention governesses.

I've suffered a
martyrdom from them.

Take my advice, Mr. Rochester.

Send the little girl to school.

- I will consider
it, Lady Ingram.

- And now, Senior Eduardo,
furbish up your lungs,

as they are wanted
in my royal service.

We shall sing a romantic song.

Know that I dote on romance,
so you must sing con spirito.

[gentle, elegant piano music]

♪ Youth, the season
made for joys ♪

♪ Love is then our duty

♪ She alone who that employees
well deserves her beauty ♪

♪ Lets be gay while we may

♪ Beauty's a flower
despised in decay ♪

♪ Youth's the season
made for joys ♪

♪ Love is then our duty

♪ Let us drink and sport today

♪ Ours is not tomorrow

♪ Love with youth
flies swift away ♪

♪ Age is naught but sorrow

♪ Dance and sing

♪ Time's on the wing

♪ Life never knows
the return of spring ♪

♪ Let us drink and sport today

♪ Ours is not tomorrow.

[applauding]

- [Man] Ah, Major Caparal.

[upbeat classical piano music]

- Jane.

Where are you going?

- To bed, sir.

I'll send Sophie for Adele.

- Look at me.

You're depressed.

What about?

- Nothing, sir.

Nothing, I am not depressed.

- But you are.

There are tears in your eye.

You see?

One has slipped from
the lash, and fallen.

Very well.

I excuse you, tonight.

- Sir.

[applauding]

[crowd chattering]

[laughing]

- The queen of hearts.

- Ah.

No mystery there, sir.

We all know what that means.

- True, true.

[laughing]

What?

A joker?

A fool, sir?

Me, sir?

- No, sir.

Not you, sir.

- And on the other hand, that,
uh, could mean a journey.

- A honeymoon?

[laughing]

- The ten of diamonds.

Now that's fire.

Fire everywhere.

Now, that worries me.

- It's the fire in
your heart, Edward.

[laughing]

- There is someone to see
you, sir, in the morning room.

- At this hour?

- He says it's very
important, sir.

He's come a long way,
from the West Indies.

- Ha.

There.

The joker was a journey, Edward.

The ace of spades?

And what does that mean?

- Well, only that
life's an idiot.

[tense music]

Is his name Mason?

- Yes, sir.

What is wrong, sir?

- He'll destroy me.

He'll destroy my hopes, anyway.

My dreams.

Jane, what would you
do if all shunned me?

- I should not shun you, sir.

- Could you dare
censure for my sake?

- What is it?

Tell me.

- [sighing] Go to bed.

Think no more of it.

Go.

Hello, Mason.

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

- [Man] Ah, Rochester!

[screaming]

- Bless my soul, what was that?

- Appalling noise?

- You, sir?

Mr. Rochester?

[crowd chattering]

- My dear.

- What was that?

- A scream.

- [Man] Outside.

- He's not in his room.

[crowd chattering]

- [Woman] Don't they
know nothing at all?

- [Man] Where the
devil is Rochester?

- We heard it.
- I haven't seen him.

- [Man] Mr. Rochester?

- [Edward] I'm here, I'm here.

- [Woman] What's happened?

[crowd chattering]

- [Man] What is this all about?

- A servant, uh,
had a nightmare.

He's nervous and excitable
and he took it upon himself

to finish the port you gentlemen
so carelessly left out.

[laughing]

So should our consciences
trouble us all.

[laughing]

Go back to your rooms.

It was nothing, really.

[crowd chattering]

- Goodnight, sir.

- [Edward] Do you have
a sponger in your room

and some smelling salts?

- Yes, sir.

- [Edward] Fetch them.

[tense music]

Good night.

- Charles.
- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- Sleep well.

- [Man] Good night, my darling.

- [Man] Good night.

- Come on.

Wait here.

[woman muttering]

Go in.

Go in!

[woman screaming]

Come in, close the door.

And no questions.

Not now.

Please.

Give me the sponge.

You don't turn sick
at the sight of blood?

- I think not, sir.

[gasps] Oh!

- Leave it.

I'm sorry.

But I had to see her.

Couldn't you have waited?

Here.

Hold the sponge.

The wound isn't too much.

I'll be back in a moment.

- She bit me.

The knife fell from her
hand, and she bit me.

[woman muttering]

[shattering]

[tense music]

- Go ahead of me.

See that no one is in the hall.

[dramatic music]

[dog barking]

[wagon creaking]

Ha.

Get up.

[wagon creaking]

- Still awake?

- I could not sleep until
I knew you were safe.

How is Mr. Mason?

- He will be all right.

He's with the doctor.

- And the danger you thought
you were in last night,

is that passed?

- I can't vouch for
that until Mason

is out of England, which
will be soon, I hope.

- He did not seem a man
willfully to injure you.

- No.

But unintentionally, he might.

Sit down.

- And what of Grace Poole?

Why do you keep her on here?

- I have no choice.

- But surely--

- No.

Bear with me for a while.

Don't pressure me for answers.

I, I count on you,
more than you know.

[sighing]

Advise me, Jane.

I'll put a case to you, of
a boy, a young man, spoiled

and indulged from youth,
who commits a capital error.

I don't say crime, but error.

The consequences are dreadful.

The only escape is exile
and senseless pleasure.

And then he meets a
woman, a fine woman,

with qualities he has
not met in 20 years.

He has a chance of living
like a human being again.

Only convention
stands in the way.

Can he ask her to defy?

- You talk of yourself,
Mr. Rochester.

- Yes.

- We are each responsible
to God for our actions.

I, I do not think we can ask
others to share the burden.

Least of all Miss Ingram.

- [laughs] Don't you
think if I married her,

she would regenerate
me with a vengeance?

- Since you asked me,
sir, no, I do not.

- You do not like her?

Come, be honest.

- I do not think she is for you.

- Uh-huh.

Presumption.

And who is for me, then?

Have you seen someone
you can recommend?

[sighs]

You have grown
attached to Thornfield?

- I have been happy here.

- Would it grieve
you to leave it?

- Leave it?

- [Edward] When I marry, I
should not want to live here.

- Of course.

Adele will go to school.

I will find another post.

I must go in, sir.

I'm cold.

- Jane.

- Please let me go, sir.

- Wait.

- Let me go.

- Jane.

- Why do you confide
in me like this?

What are you and she to me?

Do you think that because
I am poor and plain,

I have no feelings?

I promise you, if God had gifted
me with wealth and beauty,

I should make it as hard
for you to leave me now,

as it is for me to leave you.

But he did not.

Yett my spirit
can address yours,

as if both have passed
through the grave

and stood before him, equal.

- Jane.

- Let me go, sir.

- I love you.

I love you.

- Please, don't make me foolish.

- Foolish?

I need you.

What is Blanche to me?

I know what I am to her,

money to manure her
father's lands with.

Marry me, Jane.

Say you'll marry me.

- You mean it?

[sighs]

- You torture me
with your doubts.

Say yes.

Say yes.

God forgive me.

And let no man meddle with me.

I will keep her.

Keep her.

Pardon me.

You won't mind, uh, leaving
Thornfield for this?

- How should I mind
if you are here?

- And we'll travel, too.

Do you know, ten years
ago, I flew through Europe,

half mad in disgust and rage.

But now, I'll return with
an angel as my guide.

[laughs]

- I'm not an angel.

Don't expect it of me.

- What do you expect of me?

- For awhile, you'll
be as you are now.

Then you'll turn cool, and
capricious, and then stern,

and I'll have much
ado to please you.

But when you're well-used
to me, perhaps you'll

like me once again.

[tense music]

[soft moaning]

[groaning]

[gasping]

[wagon creaking]

[bell ringing]

- I'd like to see Mr. Rochester.

- He's at the church, sir.

The master's getting
married today.

- Have you the ring?

Edward Fairfax
Rochester, wilt thou

have this woman for
thy lawful wedded wife,

for better or worse, for richer
or for poorer, in sickness

or in health, until
death you do part?

- I will.

- And wilt thou, Jane
Eyre, have this man

for thy lawful wedded
husband, for better or--

- [Mason] Reverend, stop!

I, I carry insistence
of an impediment.

- Proceed.

- [Mason] I can
prove my allegation.

An insuperable
impediment exists.

- Go on.

- Mr. Rochester, I cannot go on.

What is the nature
of this impediment?

- Mr. Rochester has
a wife now living.

She's at Thornfield hall.

- [Reverend] Impossible.

I would know of it.

- I saw her there last April.

She's my sister!

[dramatic music]

I'm sorry, Rochester,
but it is not right!

- And by God, it is my right.

Only right to condemn
a man to eternal hell.

You shall see my wife, Wood.

I owe you that much.

And this girl, we shall
see her, too, Jane.

I insist.

[dramatic music]

[hooves clopping]

Ha!

Get up!

[tense, eerie music]

- This is my wife.

Such is the sole conjugal
embrace I am ever to know.

And how are we
today, Mrs. Poole?

- We're tolerable,
thank you, sir.

Snappish, but not outrageous.

[Bertha grunting]

[sighing]

[tense, eerie music]

- Bertha Mason Rochester.

Mad through three generations,
although I in my naivete

was never told, who
even tried to murder me

on our wedding night.

Look at her, Jane.

Look at her.

But I loved her once,
as I love you now.

What should I do with her?

Tell me.

Confine her to an
asylum for the care

of strangers, where
they will beat her

and throw cold water on her?

Have you ever been in an asylum?

Well, Bertha,

what shall we do tonight?

Shall I play for you?

And sing?

Will you sit with me and tell
me the story of your day?

Shall you hold my head on
your breast, whilst I sleep?

Shall you?

Shall you?

So.

You've come out at last?

You shut yourself in your
room, and grieve alone.

Not one word of reproach?

Nothing?

Is that to be my punishment?

I didn't mean to
wound you like this.

Do you believe that?

I wouldn't hurt you.

Not for the world.

What was I to do?

Confess everything?

I should have lost you.

I might as well
have lost my life.

- You have lost me, Edward.

And I have lost you.

- No.

Why do you say that to me?

To punish me a little longer?

Jane, I have been
through...[sighs]

For the first time,

I have found what
I can truly love.

Don't take it away from me.

- I must leave you.

- Jane, will you listen?

- I will not live
as your mistress.

- Is that all that's
important to you?

To be Mrs. Edward Rochester?

- Can you really
believe I think that?

- What am I supposed to believe?

You say you love me.

How can you think
of leaving me, then?

- Edward, what would
I be as your mistress?

A hanger-on, a dependent
with, with no place of my own.

No right to be here.

All rights would be on your
side, and none on mine.

- Rights.

You talk like a lawyer.

Everything that's mine is yours.

What more can I give you?

- I want nothing.

Nothing.

Only you.

- Then stay, Jane.

- When I come to you, Edward,
I come to you as an equal.

I will not be less,
even for the man I love.

- [sighs] You mean to
go one way in the world,

and let me go another?

- [Jane] Yes.

- This is wicked.

Who in the world
will care what we do?

- I care.

You have a wife still living.

- Living?

Ha!

- She still lives.

In whatever state God has
seen fit to visit on her,

she still lives.

She cannot help what she is.

I will not slip past
her slyly in the night

to take my place in your bed.

- You fling me back, then?

Of all the life I lived before.

- You need no more
choose that than I.

We are born to
strive and endure.

You will forget me
before I forget you.

- You make a liar of
me with such language.

Go, then, go, if that's
all I seem to you.

Jane, wait.

Wait.

[dramatic music]

Don't decide too soon.

Wait a while.

Wait just a while.

Jane?

Jane?

Jane?

Jane!

[dramatic music]

Jane!

Jane!

Jane!

Jane?

Jane!

Jane!

[hooves clopping]

Jane, wait.

Just wait.

Jane, wait a while.

Wait just a while.

[thunder roaring]

- [Mary] Who can she be?

- [Diana] She's not
from around here,

do you think, St. John?

- I've never seen her.

You collapsed on the moors.

Who are you?

Can we send for
someone you know?

- [Mary] I wonder who she is.

- [Diana] She looks refined,
not a working woman.

I wonder where she was going?

- Oh, God.

- You know, it does
get very dull, here.

St. John often
remarks, though what

he should have to
complain about,

I'm sure I don't know
know, for he's never here.

- He works very hard.

He's devoted to the church.

- Yes, he wants to go to India.

Doesn't he, Di?

As a missionary.

[door creaking]

- We are recovered, I see.

- Yes, Mr. Rivers.

Thanks to all of you.

- Her name is Jane Eyre.

She's a governess.

She left her last
post for reasons

that are personal
and private, and she

doesn't wish to
answer any questions.

- She wants to find
work, and she's

to stay here till she does.

- Naturally, we said
that you would help her.

- Naturally.

My sisters seem to have
everything arranged.

I'll do what I can.

- Thank,

thank you.

- Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have some reading to do.

[tense music]

- [Diana] No, he
just stood there,

stuttering, getting
quite red in the face.

- Oh, promises settled.

He just likes you.

[soft chattering]

Well, you come and sit here

and you can help me
with some of these.

[laughing]

- [Diana] Have you
seen him staring

at you in church?

- [Mary] Diana, you go from
one extreme to the other.

[chattering]

- Good morning.

- I thought we
might go for a walk,

all of us.

- [Mary] Don't you think
you walk enough miles

in this parish, St. John?

- I'd like very much to go.

[dramatic music]

- I've, uh, found you some work.

I doubt you'll like it, though.

- I'll be the
better judge of that

when you tell me what it is.

[bell ringing]

Lovely church.

It must give you
pleasure to work here.

- [St. John] A duty is
wearying unto death.

Does that shock you?

- Your sisters told me
you wanted to go to India.

- You disapprove?

- One can serve
God in many ways.

- I need to serve
in a large way.

I have to, I have
to serve my savior.

I have to serve my savior.

Do you understand?

And I shall do it with all
my power and all my strength,

and who comes with me on
that road must do the same.

You're not married?

- No.

- Were you fleeing
from an entanglement?

- I have been loved.

- Let me show you something.

I have had it in
mind for some time

to open a school here,
for the village children.

They have no access
to education,

and therefore no
hope for progress.

You have a need to
serve, too, I think.

That's the only reason
I offer it to you.

The pay is poor-,30
pounds a year,

but you can live with us.

- I accept.

[dramatic music]

[chattering]

Music by a check, the
rules of our houses,

shapes, the paneling
you've seen in church.

All right, children.

You can go and play
for ten minutes.

- [Children] Hooray!

[children laughing]

- Jane.

[sighs]

What is it?

I wanted only to know.

[dramatic classical piano music]

[applauding]

- That was lovely, Jane.

- Yes.

You play very well.

- No.

I play a little.

- I don't agree.

You play well.

Please continue.

- I'm very tired.

If you'll excuse me, I
think I'll go to bed.

- Yes, it's hard work

teaching the children
all day, St. John.

I think it's time
we all went to bed.

- Very well.

Since I'm to be in a minority.

Goodnight, Mary.

- Goodnight.
- Diana.

- Goodnight.

Jane, thank you for playing.

- Goodnight.

- Oh, kiss Jane, too, St. John.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

[door creaking]

- Oh, Jane, he likes you.

- [sighs] Goodnight.

Goodnight, Mary.

- Goodnight, Jane.

- [Student] To go back
is nothing but death.

To go forward is fear of death,

and life everlasting beyond it.

- I will go forward.

- [Student] So Mistrust and
Timorous ran down the hill,

and Christian went on his way.

- All right, children.

You can bring me the
book, and go home now.

- [Children] Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.

- Thank you, Mary.

- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon, sir.

- Good afternoon.

I can see you're
enjoying yourself.

- Yes.

Yes, I am.

- Surely, you find it dull.

The largest portion of your
mind, you can't use here.

What will you do with
all your accomplishments?

- Save them till
they are wanted.

They will keep.

- Have you ever
thought they maybe

wanted now, at this minute,

in some corner of
the world where

God's voice is not heard at all?

Has that never occurred to you?

- A school is enough for me.

- Is it?

Is it really, Jane?

Have you ever looked
into your heart

and asked yourself
if you can't do more?

I did.

And the moment I did, I knew
that my whole life until then

had been a waste.

A desert.

I knew, at that moment,
that I had been chosen,

that God had an
errand for me that

would take me far away,
carrying his light

into the regions of darkness.

It was as if someone had lit
a lamp that I never realized

was there.

- And what of love, St. John?

- Of men?

- Of woman.

I was thinking of you.

- It has its place, but we
must all bow to a higher love.

- Can we love one
without the other?

- You place too much
importance on human love.

Oh, there are more
ways to happiness

than through the flesh.

It often seems strange to
me that so few discover

this in the course
of their lives.

But clearly, clearly, we are
not all made of the same thing.

There are some who have
been given a strength

far beyond their needs.

I urge them to
know that strength,

what it is and why it was given.

I bring an offer
straight from God

to take their place in
the ranks of his chosen.

I say, come with me.

I claim you for my
sovereign's service.

I claim you for this great work.

Join me and have no fear.

God will protect you,

for it is his work
you have undertaken.

Jane, I leave for
India in six weeks.

Come with me.

God intended you to
serve as he intended me.

Think what you could do there.

You could run schools,
help in hospitals.

It would be glorious work.

- I'm not fit for it.

I've no vocation.

- But you have.

You don't realize it yet,
but you have, as much as I.

I've watched you day after day
and seen it grow and develop.

Don't you see?

God sent you here for a purpose,

to join with me in
this great work.

I know it must seem
strange to you at first,

but you'll see what impetus
you'll draw from our marriage.

- Marriage?

- Marry me.

Together, our strength
will more than double

what we each have,

and we'll give it all to God.

This will fill an
empty place for you.

I know it.

Work is the best
balm, the best healer.

Wrench your heart away
and fix it on your maker.

- But if we don't
love each other.

- We can learn.

Jane, we'll work.

We'll spend ourselves in the
service of God, you and I,

together in some foreign
land, loving God;

and, who knows, finding
we love each other.

Isn't that the best way?

Isn't it?

Say yes, Jane.

Say yes.

- No.

- I need you as I've
never needed anyone.

Help me.

Help me, Jane.

Help me.

Give me your strength,
as well, for I need it.

- [Edward] Jane.

[tense music]

Jane.

Jane.

- No.

I can't marry you.

I could never marry you.

- Jane.

- You say you need me.

The one thing I could give
you means nothing to you.

Nothing.

You ask me to marry you

and speak no word
of love between us?

Oh, god.

Better to shut me in
a tomb and let me die.

For I have been loved, St. John.

Loved.

Oh, dear heaven,
I have been loved.

I must go to him.

It may be too late,
but I must go.

- You're rejecting God.

- No.

I'm finding him, and
his people, and the love

they have for each other.

Each other, St. John.

Each other.

You cannot love just God alone.

[dark, foreboding music]

- Miss Eyre?

- John.

What happened?

- She burnt it.

Set light to it.

It was terrible, Miss Eyre.

She got away from Grace Poole
and she climbed onto the roof,

and stood there, shouting.

Mr. Rochester tried to
reach her, but she jumped.

She killed herself
on the stones, there.

- And Mr. Rochester?

- The floor gave way beneath
him, and he fell through.

He's not dead, Miss Eyre, but--

- Where is he?

- At Ferndean,
with Mrs. Fairfax.

Miss Eyre?

A burning timber
fell across his face.

He's blind,

stone blind.

[peaceful music]

- Who is there?

Mrs. Fairfax, is that you?

Is anyone there?

Well,

there boy.

[sighs]

There's no one there.

Whom did you think it was, hmm?

Is anyone there, I say?

Who is it?

- It is I.

- Jane?

- Yes.

- Jane?

- Yes.

Yes.

- You mock me.

Is it you, Jane?

Is it really you?

Have you come to visit me?

Didn't think to find me
like this, hmm? [chuckles]

What?

Crying?

No need for tears.

How long can you stay?

An hour or two?

Stay a little while.

Or, or do you have
some fretting husband

waiting for you?

- No.

- No husband yet?

Well, that's bad, Jane.

You're not pretty, you know.

You, you can't be choosy.

- No, sir.

- Still, I'm surprised
you've not been asked.

- I didn't say I'd
not been asked, sir.

- I see.

That's, that's good, Jane.

You should be married.

- Yes, sir, I think so.

And so should you.

You can't be choosy,
sir, any more than I.

- [laughs] Perhaps not.

Well, when is this
wedding of yours?

I'll, uh, bring Adele
home from school.

- Wedding, sir?

- Well, devil take
it, didn't you say

you were getting married?

- No, sir.

- Ah.

Well, I'm sure some fool
will find you soon enough.

- I hope so, sir.

Some fool

that found me once before.

I've come home, Edward.

Let me stay.

[dramatic classical music]