Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022) Movie Script

I, Constance Reid,

take you, Clifford Chatterley,

to be my lawfully wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better and for worse,

for richer and for poorer,

in sickness and in health.

How does it feel?

I don't know. Ask me tomorrow.

- You need to eat something.

- I need to get out of this dress.

Ooh.

Mmm.

How do I look?

Well, I doubt Clifford

will want to stay long at the reception.

You don't think

his mother would've approved?

Well, I'm not entirely sure I do.

Are we talking about the dress now, Hilda,

or the wedding?

He goes back to the front in the morning.

Imagine if we'd left it,

and then something terrible happened.

- Couldn't you have just had sex with him?

- Hilda! Be serious.

I am. It's much less commitment,

and it's all Clifford will want anyway.

Clifford's not like that.

You know him. He's kind and thoughtful.

He makes me feel safe.

His family's more traditional than ours,

I suppose,

but I think his own views

are actually quite progressive.

- Really?

- Yes.

Hmm...

- Does he know about that German boy?

- Yes. And he says it doesn't matter.

It was before the war,

so it doesn't count.

You don't need to convince me.

I had my own German boy, remember?

Well, mine's dead.

You see, that's just it.

What?

I don't want to see you get hurt again.

You, uh... You open your

heart so easily.

Oh, Hilda!

- Clifford!

- Hmm, reinforcements have arrived.

You read my mind.

I nearly drank yours

on the way up.

- Cheers.

Well, what now?

Our fathers

are preparing their toasts.

Can we face them together?

Of course.

You look stunning, Con.

Thanks.

- I can hear them.

- Yeah.

Oh...

Are you ready?

So, here's to Clifford and Connie...

...our new hope for an heir to Wragby.

To Clifford and Connie.

Father, that's not just why we married.

No, why else would a baronet get married?

Shh.

- I married because I found Connie.

- And I you.

We would like to thank those

who donated their butter and sugar rations

to help us celebrate.

To the next heir of Chatterley.

To the Chatterleys!

We'll just watch and wait.

Oh yeah.

Oh God.

"Why else is a baronet ever married?"

Unbelievable.

Do you want children, Clifford?

Uh, yeah. Yeah, someday.

- For our sake, not for my father's.

- Hmm.

Assuming you would.

I think so, yes.

What? You all right?

Yes, um, of course. Sorry. Uh...

It's just, um...

I can't stop thinking

about going back to the front.

- I... I know I'll be all right.

- You will be.

- We don't have to do anything.

- No, no, I... I want to.

Sure you don't want me

to come to the station?

Thanks.

Let's not make a ceremony of it, shall we?

I love you, Con.

Bye.

I look forward to your letters.

I'll write to you every day.

Dearest Hilda,

I knew the war would change us all,

but I just wasn't sure how much.

It feels as though

it ended half a lifetime ago,

not just half a year.

We've already moved away from London.

We've just arrived at Wragby,

Clifford's family estate.

Once we're settled in,

I expect to write to you often.

Your loving sister, Connie.

Thank you.

Welcome home, Sir Clifford.

We've been praying for you.

Thank you, Mr. Warren.

There's the one

All right.

Thank you. I can, uh... I can manage.

Mr. and Mrs. Warren, this is my wife,

the new Lady Chatterley.

It's so nice to meet you, milady.

There's plenty of work to be done.

Hire back all the workers

we can, Mrs. Warren.

Old girl's seen better days.

We'll bring her back to life.

We thought you might like to use

your father's study as the master bedroom,

so you don't have to bother

with the stairs.

Thank you, Mrs. Warren.

No.

No, let's put the luggage in here.

We'll use the library as a master.

Wow.

What is more inspiring

for a writer than to sleep among books?

This is where they found Father.

They say his heart gave out.

I think he died of chagrin.

Clifford... it's all done now.

Life is what we make of it.

- Mrs. Warren.

- Yes.

Let's open the curtains,

let some light in.

Of course, milady.

- We should have a look around.

- I will.

You're welcome to use

the private room above the library

with the family portraits.

You can have

the whole of the second floor.

Welcome home, Clifford.

You all right? I've got you.

Lean on me, put your weight on me.

- Ready?

- Mm-hmm. Yes.

I'm getting the hang of it.

- Love it.

- Mmm.

You know, um...

I'm thinking of expanding

the short story I wrote in Cambridge.

- Hmm?

- Turning it into a novel.

- It's a wonderful idea.

- You think?

Mm-hmm.

- You'll be my editor?

- Of course.

Proofreader, typist.

I'll submit my application.

I'll get you to the top of the pile.

- All right?

- Yes.

Ooh, this bed is softer than I thought.

- First night at Wragby. Hmm.

- Welcome.

- Oh, sorry.

- Oh, you're fine. Really.

What?

I'm sorry, Con.

I just can't anymore, you know?

I'm so sorry.

It's all right. Don't worry.

You'll be fine?

Yes.

I love you, Con.

This is misfortune, but you'll see.

We... We'll be happy here

at Wragby.

Hello, sir.

I'm a strong, hardworking man,

and I will not let you down.

Lily Wheedon.

My mum worked for Sir Geoffrey.

Really?

Oliver Mellors?

You, uh, worked for my father

before the war.

Aye, sir.

- And you were an army lieutenant.

- I was, sir.

Do you honestly believe

that a return to gamekeeping

will be satisfying

after your time as an officer?

Bit of quiet'd do me good.

- I've seen enough of what war does to men.

- Hmm.

As have I.

You must know your way

around the estate better than I do.

Oh, no, milady.

I couldn't visit while she was working.

Very well then. Welcome back, Mr. Mellors.

Sir.

In that case, we'll have to

learn our way around together. Won't we?

- Hmm.

- Thank you, Lily.

My name is Kelly Martin, milady.

- Thank you.

- I've been a maid for five years.

Dear Hilda,

I'm a thoughtless lout

for not writing sooner.

In my defense, Wragby needed

an enormous amount of tending to.

But we finally have a full staff

who've done wonders

in restoring the place.

Clifford's strength has returned.

I'm still the only one

he's willing to let help him,

but every day,

he can do more and more on his own.

He's writing, all the time,

which keeps his spirits up,

and he's nearly finished his first novel.

"I first met Mrs. Gertrude

at a dinner, comma,

thrown by Lord Witherby."

Witherby, W-I-T-H-E-R-B-Y.

"With the sort of fellow, whom..."

I'm quite pleased with this...

- "The sort of fellow..."

- It is quiet here in the country.

I miss the life we had in London,

and, of course, I miss you.

But we have to live, I suppose,

no matter how many skies have fallen.

We have had some guests.

Mostly Clifford's old bachelor friends.

It's hardly surprising that most of them

haven't found women, believe me.

Now and again,

we also get visits from writers

whose advice Clifford has sought out.

Apparently, my old friends

all seem to think

misfortune is contagious.

I know you and Owen

have been traveling everywhere

since the war ended,

but once you've settled back home,

I would so love to see you.

- Am I interrupting?

- No, not at all.

I was thinking

about going to London for a few days

to visit Hilda.

Leaving me to fend for myself?

We do have

a house full of servants.

I don't need servants. I need you.

Why don't you invite Hilda?

She'd be more than welcome.

I have. She can't get away

from London for a few weeks.

Hmm. I'm glad at least she can come.

I'm going to go for a walk.

Why? We can send Mrs. Warren

out for anything you might need.

I don't need anything, Clifford.

I just want to go for a walk.

Very well, dear.

- As you like.

- Jesus.

Hello.

Flossie! Come here, lass.

Come on.

Good girl. Good girl.

I wandered further down and I found this

stream running right through the woods.

I, uh, think I know the place.

Doubt I'd be able to get there anymore.

I'm sure we can find a way

if you wanted to go.

- Right.

- Perhaps.

Here we are.

- Ready?

- Yes.

All right.

It's fine.

- It's all right?

- Yes.

Uh, I don't want you to drop me.

I'm not going to drop you.

Look, just, um...

There we go.

There we are. That's fine.

Just let me go there.

Thank you. Thank you.

Ah. There.

See, you didn't need my help at all.

- There must be times you hate me for this.

- No.

I wouldn't blame you.

There are days

I wish I hadn't made it back.

Clifford.

Don't talk like that.

I'd be lost without you, Con.

You know that.

Let's open some windows,

get some fresh air in here.

I've never seen the sky so clear.

Yes, well, there's no smoke in the air.

Mines are closed for May Day.

You should go down to Tevershall.

See the fair. You can, you know?

Just be back in time for tea.

- Yes, I might.

- Hmm.

- Nice to see you, Lady Chatterley.

- Milady.

It's nice to meet you, Lady Chatterley.

Oh, that's so kind.

Thank you.

Happy May Day to you, milady.

Happy May Day.

Who's this? She's precious.

- This is my Josephine.

- Hi, Josephine.

Say hello to Lady Chatterley.

I seem to be having

that effect on people today.

I'm Mrs. Flint.

I'm a schoolteacher here in the village.

I'm Connie. Lovely to meet you.

My, uh... My husband

leases Marehay Farm from your estate.

- Marehay Farm?

- It's not far from where you are.

Side by side we fight forever.

More in numbers makes them stop.

Just as long as we stand together.

What was that?

The miners.

They're out protesting again.

- Again?

- Leave him!

Um, that, um... That happens a lot?

They must've been

from one of the other mines.

They'd lose their jobs if they marched

like that through their own village.

Does it mean our miners from Tevershall

protest in other villages?

I wouldn't know.

I may teach their children,

but I'm an outsider

when it comes to the miners' wives.

That makes two of us.

- Well, hello, Lady Chatterley.

- Hello.

You should come

to Marehay one day.

- We'd love to have you.

- I'd love that.

Thank you.

Where are we going?

You've always wanted me

to join you on one of your walks.

I thought of somewhere

I'd like to show you.

Don't think your chair was made for this.

Ah, Mellors. Give us a hand

trying to get this chair started again.

Yes, sir.

Uh, Connie, have you met Mellors,

our new gamekeeper?

Get down, you, Floss.

She's just being friendly.

Now, then.

You've been at Wragby

sometime, Mr. Mellors?

I was raised here, Your Ladyship.

Whoa.

Need some help?

Mellors is quite capable

of pushing on his own. There we are.

Now... Now, now.

Ooh. Ah.

Nothing else, sir?

Nothing else. Good day.

That was kind of you.

Hope it wasn't too heavy.

No, not heavy.

Good day to you, Your Ladyship.

I used to come here as a lad,

sit for hours.

One of the finest views

in all the Midlands.

I want to restore these woods.

If these places aren't preserved,

there'll be no England left.

Our way of life will end,

never mind what we gave up to defend it.

I mind not being able to have a son here

more than any other place.

I'm sorry we can't have one.

Almost be a good thing

if you had a son by another man.

You're not serious?

- Why not?

- Why not? Because...

Because we're married.

I married you, Clifford.

Why would you even suggest such a thing?

You've told me

how much you'd love a child.

This way, you could have one

to dote on, to fill your days.

As far as anyone else knows, I might

still be capable of fathering a child.

If we raised him here at Wragby,

he'd be ours.

Do you really mean this?

Well, of course, I wouldn't want you

to yield yourself completely to him,

but the mechanical act of sex is nothing

when compared to a life lived together.

If you govern your emotions accordingly,

we could arrange this

like a trip to the dentist.

A trip to the...

And you wouldn't mind

what man's child I had?

I trust your judgment. You wouldn't let

the wrong sort of fellow touch you.

Someone of the utmost discretion.

The Chatterley name depends on it.

Would you expect me

to tell you who this man was?

Best I don't know.

An heir really means this much to you?

It means a lot to the people here.

I know you can do it for them

and for the Chatterleys.

You do agree with me, don't you?

I'm going ahead.

Okay.

They're all talking about your book

in London. It's good work.

You really think so?

I wanted to write something special.

Not just popular,

but something really first class.

The entire pals collective

across the entire northeast,

keeping them together,

making sure they've got all of...

So sorry. Will you excuse me?

Just for a second?

Uh, yes. Um...

Thank you. Thank you, sir.

You imagine they've solved

the world's problems yet?

I'm sure they think they have.

Shame they've forgotten

their solutions by daybreak.

You're a writer.

Maybe you should take notes.

I doubt I'd be welcome

in that drinking circle.

Don't worry. I'm not really

a part of this world, either.

- Oh, but you grew up in it, didn't you?

- Hardly. My father's an artist.

So I grew up between rented villas

and woke up each morning

to the smell of turpentine.

Sounds like quite the Bohemian lifestyle.

There must be days

when you don't feel like a lady at all.

I head back home in the morning.

With luck, he'd invite me to visit again.

That's the last time

we'll invite the Irish playwright.

- Michaelis?

- Hmm.

He writes well, he knows how to dress,

but he's got the manners

of a Dublin street rat.

Maybe because he knows he's only around

as long as people deem him useful.

We all know where we stand.

You ought to eat something.

You're wasting away.

- I'm not feeling well.

- Hmm? Mmm.

I haven't been feeling well

since our conversation.

Clifford.

Here we are, look!

I got my picture in the paper.

Hmm. Chatterley's novella

has garnered attention

for its humorous analysis

of people and their motives,

though his views on modern society

are not young and playful,

but curiously old

and obscenely conceited."

- Clifford, stop reading.

- "A wonderful display of nothingness."

It's just one review.

But they're right.

They... they've seen right through me.

It's all nothing.

A home, love,

sex, marriage, friendship, all of it.

You don't mean that.

I think I do.

I do. The whole point of living

is learning to accept

the great nothingness of life.

I'm going to get dressed.

Connie. Connie, it's me.

Oh my God, you came.

- What's wrong?

- I...

What's wrong?

Tell me what's wrong.

What on earth are you doing?

What's this?

I just... I wanted a change and...

You're ill.

- No, I'm fine.

- Has no one been looking after you?

Um, they have.

I'm so tired of them watching me, Hilda.

It's inescapable. It's...

I'm so tired.

It's okay.

Thank you.

Connie's not well, Clifford.

You think?

She's exhausted.

Look how thin she's gotten.

I'm afraid

it doesn't suit her to be a half-virgin.

This chair

doesn't very much suit me either, Hilda.

What do you propose?

Find her another of your German soldiers?

She needs to see a doctor.

Do you have one you, uh, use around here?

I'll look into it.

No. I'll take her to a doctor we trust.

In the meantime,

you must hire someone

to take care of you personally.

- I'm doing perfectly well, thank you.

- I'm not worried about you, Clifford.

Who's taking care of her

while she's taking care of you?

- Connie and I will discuss it.

- Connie and I already have.

I believe you know this woman.

Mrs. Bolton.

She cared for you when you were young.

Connie won't be your caregiver any longer.

We're so grateful

that you could come. Really.

It must be hard for Sir Clifford,

all he's suffered,

and hard on you as well.

You think your know how life will be,

and suddenly it's gone.

I only had my Ted for three years

before he was killed in mines.

I didn't know. I'm sorry.

Never you mind.

Now, you just follow doctor's orders

and leave the care of Sir Clifford to me.

Ah, Clifford. This is Mrs. Bolton.

I remember Mrs. Bolton.

- Are we all satisfied?

- For the time being.

I'm headed back to London,

and Connie's going for a nice long walk.

Good. Safe travels.

Connie, would you stop in

at the gamekeeper?

Ask if the new pheasants

have begun laying?

Of course.

Lady Chatterley.

- Does Sir Clifford need help?

- No. He sent me.

- Sorry, I don't mean to intrude.

- No.

Do you want to come in?

- Sorry. I'm not dressed for company.

- No. Not to worry.

I just wanted, um...

Sir Clifford wanted to know

if the new pheasants had begun laying.

Oh, aye. Yes, milady. Yeah.

There'll be plenty of young chicks

in a matter of weeks.

This is a lovely little cottage.

You live alone here?

Quite alone, milady.

You read James Joyce?

That one was hard to find.

Do you read much?

Well, it suits my solitary nature.

Still.

Must be awfully quiet around here.

No, I've got Flossie for company.

Mm-hmm.

Um...

Well, um, I'll let Clifford know

about the pheasants.

Um, thank you.

- I'll see you out then.

- All right.

Apologies.

Lovely flowers.

Take some back with you.

- No, I couldn't.

- Why not?

They're yours.

- You sure?

- Yeah, help yoursen.

Good day, then.

Mrs. Flint. I brought you some flowers.

They're beautiful!

Aren't you thoughtful!

- It's quite all right.

- Let's get you a vase. Sit down.

They're all growing in the fields

by the keeper's cottage. Everywhere.

Here, have these.

Ah. Oh.

Interesting fellow, isn't he, the keeper?

He seems gruff at first, but then...

The older teachers still talk about

how clever Oliver Mellors was as a lad.

It's no wonder

he came back home a full lieutenant.

But now he lives down there? Alone?

He was married. Um...

But, uh, his wife, Bertha,

the whole time he was gone,

she carried on with other men.

It was awful. Everyone knew.

So, they're divorced now?

Oh, not properly, I don't think.

Uh, but there never was

much proper about Bertha Coutts.

She's off living

with another man at Stacks Gate.

Ned, I think his name is.

I imagine Mr. Mellors would be happier

never hearing from either again.

This is Wendy.

Hello, Wendy.

She's beautiful.

There was

an explosion in the mines,

and Ted was only 28.

The company

said it was his own fault somehow.

He was running away

when he should have laid down.

Though the compensation was only £300.

I'll never forgive them for that.

Them branding Ted a coward.

He wasn't a coward, though, Mrs. Bolton.

He was only trying to survive.

You really should let Lily do that.

You're his nurse, not his servant.

No, I don't mind. Busy hands, quiet mind.

Oh, there's the bell. I have to go.

I wondered what the hammering was.

I'm prepping the coops

for the new chicks.

Oh.

Is there a chair in this hut?

Come on in.

Thank you.

I'll light you a fire, milady.

- Oh. No, don't bother.

- No, I insist.

Warm yourself up a little bit.

- All right?

- Thank you.

I never knew this hut was here before.

Not many do.

It's why I like it.

Do you keep it locked

when you're not around?

Sometimes, milady.

Can I have a key?

You want a key?

Hmm.

I think I'd like to sit here sometimes.

I don't know if there is another key.

Well, I'll see to it myself, then.

Quite the walk you had.

Sorry. Am I late?

Could have asked Mrs. Bolton to make tea.

I don't quite see her

presiding at the tea table.

Hmm. I don't remember

anything about tea in our wedding vows.

Do you know if there's a second key

to the hut where the pheasants are reared?

Uh, yes. There may be one

in the study. Why?

I thought it was quite lovely.

Might read my book there.

Books by that degenerate Irishman?

What? James Joyce?

I heard his next

is to be banned for obscenity.

Hmm, such a shame.

I was looking forward to reading it.

- Was Mellors at the hut?

- Mm-hmm.

- He didn't appreciate the intrusion.

- What did he say?

Nothing. It was just his manner.

Don't think he liked me

having freedom of the castle.

Comes with a lieutenant

going back to being gamekeeper.

What do you expect, giving a fellow

like that rank and a sense of importance

then taking it all away?

Dear Hilda,

I hope it hasn't been raining

all week in London.

It has here.

Until now, I've been able to go out

and explore the grounds all I liked.

But I've spent

most of this last week cooped up,

aching to get back outside.

I'm writing now from a little hut I found.

A secret place

where I can hide away from the world.

Only one other person comes here.

Don't worry. I was just going.

Only came to get out the rain.

Here.

I shall leave this here

until I get another one.

Look at you.

You must be lord of the manor.

So, it's a simple enough game.

It begins with a 32-card deck

running seven through ace...

...he died last year from a fall.

Eighty-three he was.

- The chicks have started hatching.

- Oh, good.

I got Madrid. Listen to this.

...of evidence of young feds.

What are they saying?

Damn!

- I've lost the signal.

- Oh.

Damn!

Well, the young have...

Most have left Tevershall, they say,

now the coal's running thin.

It won't be long

before the town's finished.

- Finished? Are they really saying that?

- Hmm.

Mrs. Bolton,

will you call down to the mines?

- See that Mr. Linley joins us for dinner.

- Will do, sir. Absolutely.

I wish I could

be with you in Venice,

but Clifford says

he can't manage here without me.

Not yet at least.

But I'll come

on the next holiday, I promise.

With love, your sister Connie.

Well, if it starts

to increase profits.

That should keep them in business

for the foreseeable future.

- We can modernize as well. Why not?

- Clifford, what about your writing?

The literary world doesn't need me.

But the mine's a sinking ship.

It needs a proper captain to save her.

Don't you think the miners

have led grim enough lives?

I mean, couldn't you just

help them move on?

To what? Begging?

"Help them move on."

You talk like a woman.

Spoken like a man.

Mr. Linley,

how much might it cost us,

a ballpark, to build a chemical work?

Initially,

I'd say around £500 to £700.

Obviously, within that,

there is contingency...

Came to see the chicks.

How many do we have now?

- Eighteen.

Can I touch one?

Yeah, go on.

What if it pecks at me?

Just peck it back.

Ooh.

You just...

- Ah... Oh...

- Uh...

That's it. Gently.

- He's trembling.

- You're trembling more than he is.

That's the way.

Milady?

Here...

Shall we get you

sat down in there a minute?

- I'm so sorry.

- It's all right.

Sorry.

So that's how it's been, eh?

Dinna cry.

Let's get you by the fire.

- I want more firewood.

- Okay.

Please don't go.

I'll walk you back.

You all right, milady?

Mm-hmm.

You?

Mm-hmm.

I should probably go on alone.

Goodbye then.

Goodbye, milady.

There you are, milady.

I thought you'd gone lost.

No, I'm absolutely fine.

Why did you lock the door?

I only went to see the new chicks.

Sorry.

Is Clifford upset?

I didn't say goodbye to the guests.

Oh, he hasn't said anything.

He's still in with Mr. Linley.

Oh, so he didn't notice I was gone?

Oh, Milady, you know Sir Clifford.

Night.

No, no, of course, it's uh...

It's very similar...

- Good night, Con.

- Good night.

I've been waiting for you.

Don't you think folks will become

suspicious if you keep coming here?

Imagine how lowered you'd feel,

you with your husband's gamekeeper.

You afraid?

I bloody well am.

I bloody well am, yeah.

Not of what people think of me, milady.

But if you were to ever feel sorry

for what we've been...

We have to be quick.

This.

I can't stay long.

Someone will notice.

Look at me.

Huh?

I need to go.

Do we still feel like strangers to you?

Pardon me?

Do we still feel like strangers?

Not like strangers I've ever known.

Come to the cottage tomorrow.

If I can.

Good night.

Good night, then, Your Ladyship.

- Oliver.

- Yes?

If we can

produce that fuel here, then it'll...

Connie?

- Connie... Are you all right?

- Hmm.

- Not feeling unwell again?

- No, not at all. Sorry. You were saying.

I know the mine

seems to be all I speak of these days.

But Tevershall belongs to me.

One day it will belong to an heir.

And the mine needs our help.

We must modernize.

You and me.

My dear sister...

I've thought a lot about

what you said at the wedding.

That I open my heart too easily.

That may have been true before the war,

but I don't think it is any longer.

Lately, I've felt my heart

opening up again.

Despite all warnings.

- And I can assure you...

- Connie.

- ...nothing about it has been easy.

- Look at me.

Look at me.

Lady Chatterley.

- Your book!

- Oh, it's all right. Thank you.

♪ This is the way the farmer rides ♪

Joggety, joggety, jog.

- She's perfect.

- Don't let her fool you.

That one's given us

a lot of sleepless nights.

Bet it's all worth it.

Well, we're very happy

to have you, aren't we, Josephine?

Aren't we?

Clifford and I talked

about having a child one day.

Have you?

Hmm. I mean, just because

he's lost the use of his legs,

doesn't mean we can't have children.

That's wonderful, isn't it?

Josephine would love a new playmate.

Would you?

And being a mother,

I recommend it by all means.

I lied to you.

She's perfect.

- What's the gamekeeper doing here?

- He comes each day for fresh milk.

- Good day to you, Mr. Mellors.

- Mrs. Flint.

Lady Chatterley.

- Would you, uh, keep an eye on her?

- Of course.

Josephine, hello.

All right, tinker. What you got?

Said you'd come to the cottage.

I said I'd try.

Will you come later?

What's this?

What's this, then?

- Here you are.

- Ta. Thank you.

- I should go.

- Oh, all right.

Lovely to see you, Josephine.

- Shall I walk you home?

- No. No, not necessary.

Um... Lovely to see you, Mrs. Flint.

- Do come again.

- I will.

Thanks again. Take care. Take care.

Say bye. Say bye.

Bye.

Ayup!

Giving me the slip like?

What do you mean?

Pardon?

What do you mean?

Well, you didn't come to the cottage.

And the way

you pulled back from me just then.

Mrs. Flint could have seen. Are you mad?

Come to the cottage, then.

No.

By the time we get there,

it'll be too late.

Come through here.

Come on.

What? Here?

Aye, milady.

Right here.

- Don't call me that.

- You don't want to be a lady?

Not with you.

You would want coarser treatment with me?

Mm-hmm.

Take this off.

Undo my trousers.

Yeah.

- Lie down.

- Hmm?

Lie down.

No.

No, don't turn away. Look at me.

I want you to fuck me.

You want me to fuck you?

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. That's it.

That's it, Connie.

Hmm.

We both came off together that time.

- It's good when that happens.

- Hmm.

Some people live their whole lives

and never know that feeling.

- Really?

- Mm-hmm.

Is that the... All right, yeah. Fuck knows.

Fuck.

You're gonna have to help me, Connie.

Here you are.

You know what you have?

Tenderness.

I... I didn't say you were gentle.

I've had enough of gentlemen.

- They're a different breed.

- How do you mean?

Dead.

You've got to...

cut them parts of you that feel off,

if you're gonna send men into mines or...

factories or...

into battle.

Either that

or you live with what you've done.

You're not like any man

I've... ever met before.

You're not like any other woman.

How?

You are beautiful.

You know, I don't think I... realized

how lonely I've been until now.

Thank you.

You better go.

Ten of spades.

Well, I have got you there with the king.

- I, Connie...

- I, Oliver...

- ...take you, Oliver...

- ...take you, Connie...

- ...in strength...

- ...and in freedom...

...and in ecstasy.

How deep is it?

Please.

- "Why do I like you?"

- Mm-hmm.

"Fruit is black."

Hmm.

Oh, Your Ladyship,

I'm sorry to disturb you.

- I saw the light and...

- It's all right, honestly.

Sit.

Be happy to have some company.

Really.

Why are you up so late?

Uh, Sir Clifford,

he's not been sleeping.

I can't help looking in on him.

- Hmm.

- It was the same with me husband.

If he so much as got a cold,

I'd be up all night worrying over him.

Ted.

You must miss him.

Oh, it's been 25 years,

but do you know, still sometimes in bed,

I'll wake up, and I think,

"He's not in bed with me."

Oh, it's just the touch of him.

Aye.

It's amazing, isn't it?

How someone can get so into your blood.

Oh, it is.

It can make you bitter.

If it hadn't been for that pit,

Ted'd still be here.

He hated it down there.

He hated it, but what could he do?

He was trapped.

I suppose we all are in different ways.

You never wanted to remarry?

Oh, Lord.

Ted was the only one?

He was.

But you and your man,

you know, you grow together.

Who else is there in life?

Children, of course, but... Oh.

- I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me.

- No.

Don't worry. It's fine.

Um...

More than fine, actually.

There still might

be some hope in that regard.

- For you and Sir Clifford?

- Hmm.

Doctor says his recovery is remarkable.

So who knows?

I might have a child yet.

Well, I hope and pray that you do.

Can I get you a blanket?

No, I'm fine, thank you.

Sleep well. Save some secrets

for our next conversation.

Good night.

Come on now, you lass.

I think we're best off outside.

Come on.

There, there.

Has Her Ladyship not risen yet?

- She got up before I did.

- Hmm.

She's already had her breakfast, then.

Yes. She's out on one of her walks.

I was up early myself.

There were a lot of people out this morn.

- The gamekeeper, he was...

- Could you get me some fresh cream?

- Yes, sir.

- Thank you.

Since Sir Clifford took over,

they've been working

the poor miners to the bone.

I thought the machines

were supposed to make the work easier.

It's a way to make

more money with fewer workers.

Don't he have

enough money already?

Oh, bet his lady

needs her baubles and silk

so she can

lord her station over the rest of us.

No, she's not like that.

She treats folks who work with her

with the same respect

she'd treat a lord or lady.

My Lily says the same about her.

Well, she deserves better then.

Such a hard lot that's fallen to her.

Oh! As it happens, uh, Sir Clifford

may not be quite as done in as we thought.

Oh, his legs won't work again,

but, you know, rest might.

Her Ladyship has even suggested

there might be a child one day soon.

What?

No!

- That's amazing.

- You ever heard of such a thing?

How long

should these things last?

If we keep them

in good repair, for generations.

Speaking of which, sir,

if you don't mind my asking,

is there any truth to the rumor

that we may

still have hope of an heir at Wragby?

Are there rumors?

Yes.

Everyone's been asking me

what I know about it.

I am happy to set the record straight

if the rumor's unfounded.

Indeed.

Well...

there may yet be hope.

Hello, Con.

I've just had

the most interesting meeting

with Mr. Linley.

Hmm?

Have you heard the rumor

that you are to supply Wragby

with an heir?

No.

Is it a joke?

I'd hoped it might be a prophecy.

I received a letter from Father.

He's been invited to Venice

for July and August

and has asked me and Hilda

to come with him.

July and August?

I wouldn't need to go for that long.

Three weeks

should be more than enough time

for what we discussed.

Have plans already been set in motion?

Not just yet.

If I were absolutely certain

you'd want to come back to me?

Of course I would.

I don't want to know his name.

No one can.

Well, in that case, I think

it ought to be all right, don't you?

Mm-hmm.

You know how much

you mean to me, don't you?

And you to me.

I have to go away for a while.

- Where?

- Venice.

With Sir Clifford?

- For how long?

- Just a couple of months.

But no, not with Clifford.

He doesn't like to travel how he is.

Aye.

The poor devil.

- You won't forget about me.

- Forget?

- Mm-hmm.

- You know nobody forgets.

It's not a question of memory.

Look, um...

I told Clifford I might have a child.

You did?

I... I think I'm already... expecting.

Oliver?

What did he say?

Um...

He said he'd be glad

as long as the child seemed to be his.

So where does Sir Clifford suppose

that this child is coming from?

- I said I might have an affair in Venice.

- You might. So that's why you're going.

Not to have the affair.

Just the appearance of one.

So that's why you wanted me then.

To get a child.

Of course not, Oliver.

I never planned on you.

I never planned on any of this, really.

What was the plan then, Connie?

What was the plan, really?

- What was the plan?

- I...

- I don't know.

- You don't know?

Well, then, I am damned if I do.

Fucking hell.

Well, it's as Your Ladyship likes.

If you get a child,

Sir Clifford's welcome to it.

I shan't have lost anything.

On the contrary,

I've had a nice experience.

- Don't talk like that.

- If you've made use of me,

it's not the first time

I've been made use of, is it?

I don't suppose

it's ever been as pleasant as this time.

Of course, one can't feel

tremendously dignified about it.

I didn't make use of you... Oliver.

As Your Ladyship pleases.

You forgot your book.

Or have you made use of that as well?

With the new generators,

we'll be able to reduce the workforce.

- Striking will be impossible.

- What about the workers?

No man's forced to work for me.

I'm not forced to hire them.

- No wonder the men hate you.

- They don't hate me.

They depend on me.

They should be grateful.

They'd starve

without someone to tend them.

You talk about them

as if they're herd animals.

Not all of them.

An individual

may rise from the pack now and again.

Most of those men

have been ruled since time began.

And you can rule them?

Yes, because I've been brought up

and trained to do so.

That's my role in society,

as it's their place to serve.

So there is no shared humanity between us?

We all need to eat and breathe,

but beyond that, no.

Shall we go as far as the spring?

Good day to you, Mr. Mellors!

Ayuh.

Wait, Clifford. I'll push.

What's the use of the thing

if she needs to be pushed?

- You're making it worse!

- Be quiet a moment, will you?

Damn thing!

Wait, stop!

Mellors.

- Yes, Sir Clifford?

- Know anything about blasted motors?

- I'm afraid not. Has she gone wrong?

- Apparently!

Just have a look

and see that nothing's broken.

No.

Seems all right as far as I can see, sir.

Then stand back.

- Maybe if I give it a push.

- No. She'll do it herself.

Yeah?

You see? Good.

Are you pushing? I asked you not.

- It won't go if I don't.

- Give it a chance, man!

Clifford, watch your brake.

- Right. Fine.

- Clifford!

It's obvious

I'm at everybody's bloody mercy.

It would seem, Mr. Mellors,

that she would need to be pushed.

Do you mind?

- Not at all, sir.

- Hmm.

Right.

Hang on, hang on.

Two, three.

Bombs away.

There we are.

For God's sake, man,

what's the matter with you?

- Lungs are a bit knackered, sir.

- Little souvenir from the war.

What the hell are you doing?

- He needs my help, Clifford!

- God's sake.

You all right?

I suppose the other chair

will need a new set of wheels.

Who do you think you are?

I mean,

how can you treat someone like that?

Who? The gamekeeper?

He was injured in the war as well.

I mean, if he was in that chair,

what would you have done to him?

I find your comparison in very bad taste.

I find your lack of common sympathy

to be in the worst taste imaginable.

You and your ruling class.

I thought you were different,

but you're not.

You make people work

for £2 a week or starve.

It's not ruling, Clifford.

That's bullying.

Come on in, then.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for hurting you.

I don't want you

for the sake of a child... Oliver.

I just want you.

All right?

All right.

But Clifford has to believe

that I tried to keep us together.

That this was his idea,

just all gone terribly wrong.

For him to give me a divorce,

for us to be together,

he needs to believe that.

I just want to be with you.

If that's what you want.

It's not about wanting, Connie.

You know what I want.

I've still got to get a divorce

from Bertha meself.

What happened with Bertha?

I went off to war,

she carried on with other men.

And now she refuses to divorce me.

- What about her other man?

- Ned?

- Mm-hmm.

- He's a big baby of a fella.

She bullies him.

They both drink, he gets sent around here

to harass me for me war pension.

Aye, let's dinna fight.

I'm sorry.

Why don't we just leave them all behind?

Go to Australia.

Go somewhere...

Anywhere.

- The three of us?

- Just our family.

No one would judge us.

Seems a wrong and bitter thing

to be bringing a child into this world.

- You don't mean that.

- I do.

- No.

- No, I mean this world here.

I'm pleased for us.

I'm pleased for you to be pleased.

But when I think about around here,

what man has done to man...

...what leaders of men

have done to their so-called fellow men.

Reduced them to less than humanness.

Half corpses

and they think about nowt but money.

Living to make money.

But not all of us

have the freedom to live life how we want.

Not all of us can do as we...

Connie.

What are you doing?

Whoo!

Come on!

Whoo!

Where is she? She's been gone for hours.

Well, I'm sure

it's just the rain that's keeping her.

She's... she's probably sheltering

in the hut.

- I'll send Warren and Betts to find her.

- No, don't you do that.

It'll only get people talking.

I'll slip over to the hut

and, uh, see if she's there.

- What? And leave me here alone?

- Oh, don't you worry.

We'll be back in no time.

- Ayup.

- Ayup, me duck.

I leave for Venice on Thursday.

I'll come by the cottage that night.

Milady?

Oh, milady, there you are.

Sir Clifford asked me to look for you.

He was worried something had happened.

No. No, I was sheltering

in the hut from the rain.

Mrs. Bolton.

Your Ladyship would be

quite all right from here.

Good evening to you.

Good evening to you, Your Ladyship.

I am not a child.

It's monstrous that I have to be followed.

My Ladyship, don't say that.

Sir Clifford was sure

you'd been struck by lightning.

It's not your fault.

It's foolish of Clifford to worry.

Well, let's go home now.

And I'll take care of the rest.

You don't need

to send the servants out after me.

God, where have you been?

You've been gone out hours,

and in a storm like this.

What have you been doing?

What if I choose not to tell you?

I went to the hut and lit a fire.

- Look at you. The state of your hair.

- I went out into the rain... naked.

Are you mad?

Suppose Mellors had seen you

while you were prancing with nothing on.

Yes... suppose he had.

You're right, Clifford.

I should really go and get cleaned up.

Connie!

My sister's here!

Hilda.

- It's so good to see you.

- It's been too long.

Good to see you.

You know I've met someone,

don't you?

I gathered from your letters, yes.

I tried to tell myself it was nothing.

I tried to stay away. I did.

But I can't.

He...

I really love him.

- Wow.

- And... I know.

And I said I would stay with him tonight.

I promised.

Are you going to tell me who he is?

Oliver Mellors.

He's our gamekeeper.

No, Hilda. He's lovely.

Honestly, he has

such an understanding and tenderness.

He's quite the exception, you'll see.

I long hoped you would find someone else.

- But one of Clifford's servants?

- I'm not giving him up!

Listen to you. It's you

and that German boy all over again.

- It's not, Hilda! It's nothing like that!

- Yes, it is!

Confusing sex with love,

and then thinking it can continue

just because it's what you want.

Please, come to Venice and take the time

to think through what you really want.

I know what I want!

- Really?

- Yes!

And I'm seeing him tonight

or I'm not going to Venice. I can't!

I really thought that you,

of all people, would understand!

Goodbye.

- Bye.

- I look forward to your letters.

You have a good time,

and then come back and cheer us up.

I will. Take care.

Oliver.

This is my sister, Hilda.

- Hello.

- Hilda, this is Oliver Mellors.

- Hello.

- Pleasure to meet you.

Take a seat then.

Hilda.

What do you want me to say?

Whatever it is you're thinking.

Very well.

It is one thing

to hold trysts in your cottage,

but what happens

when you go out into the world?

When Connie's friends

cross the street to avoid her.

That's not fair.

She's got me figured out, then, eh?

What summed me up so quick?

Were it summat I said?

Mr. Mellors.

How do you expect to take care of her

once you've lost your job?

Do you actually believe

you can give her a chance at happiness?

Oh, you're asking the wrong person there.

All I know is I get

a great deal of happiness from her.

- Thought of your own happiness at least.

- Hilda, enough!

I think you understand

far better than she does

how badly this could end, Mr. Mellors.

Think about how much

she really means to you.

I'll pick you up

in the morning, Connie. Early.

Don't keep me waiting.

- Mr. Mellors.

- Hilda.

I'm so sorry.

I shouldn't have brought her.

Please don't let her upset you.

She's just protective.

She's right.

We haven't thought

beyond tomorrow, have we?

Sir Clifford will fight this divorce.

He'll fight to keep our child.

I never had to think about these things

until you turned up.

Let's go upstairs.

Yeah, that's good. That's good.

Yes.

The fuck are you playing at, Ned?

Calm down, Mellors.

I'm not here to fight. Bertha sent me.

She's your problem now.

Not mine.

Ain't how she sees it.

She's still your wife,

entitled to half your military pension.

Aye, and I'm entitled to a divorce.

I won't get one, will I?

Fuck off, then.

All right. I'm going.

I'm going.

Is he gone?

Unless his heart's just given out running.

Stay there till we know he's gone.

Oh, what is she thinking?

Go on.

Connie.

For heaven's sake, Connie.

We're going to Venice tomorrow.

Do you have to look so miserable?

I think I'm pregnant.

Oh.

Right.

I assume it's not Clifford's.

No.

Although, he did say he would be happy

for me to have a child with another man.

- Seriously?

- Mm-hmm.

I don't know

how much longer I can do this.

It's all right.

What exactly?

What's happened?

I'm in love with someone

other than Clifford.

So you've taken a lover?

Well, good.

Do I know the man?

No.

But I think I...

want a divorce from Clifford.

Because of your feelings

for this other man?

Well, if you want my opinion...

I'm sorry, but you stand to gain

very little by breaking things off.

Feelings come and go.

Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022) - full transcript

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