Old Boys (2018) - full transcript

VIRILITER AGE
ACT MANFULLY

CALDERMOUNT COLLEGE MOTTO

A breathless moment as he clears
the last man

with some truly dazzling footwork.

The rule book lies in tatters.

This boy has the grace of a jungle cat.

A maverick. A dark horse.

His mane blindingly bright
in the stream today.

This phoenix, risen from the ashes
of an academic scholarship

is about to carve his name into the
history books of Caldermount.

In your dreams, charity case.



Sit down, freak.

OLD BOYS

Jeffreys.

- Audley.
- Yes !

Robinson.

- Birtles.
- Banham.

Aitken.

Dale Harris.

Aitken.

Howard.

Huxley.

Dear father,
haven't heard from you in a while,

so just a quick update from the front.

Montague.



Bingham. Bratby.

This week I trialled for Streamers.

Boothe.

Johnson.

It went well, actually.

Vickers, the head boy,
and Winchester are captains.

Er, Gunderson.

Everyone wants to be
on Winchester's team.

No, you, Noodle.

It's Amberson, actually.

But don't worry,
it's only been four years.

Fortunately, Winch is a close
personal friend of mine.

Streamers, gentlemen.

The tourney of kings.

Why do you want to play
for the Founders XI ?

Greatness, sir !

You sound like a pack of desk wallahs.
Is that what you want to become ?

Some pen-pushing wet dream
in a suburban semi ?

Like Amberson's dad.

Why do you want to play
for the Founders XI ?

Greatness, sir !

Let the trials begin.

Theirs is not to reason why

Theirs is but to do and die

- Yeah !
- Yeah !

Did I tell you about Streamers ?

It's only played at Caldermount
and has been for three hundred years.

Strange it hasn't caught on
because it's so much fun.

Little Gidding.

A real intellectual game, actually.
A real battle of the wits.

It's like playing chess.

And away, German bite.

Baby's coming.

There's the boy.

Winchester's the best by a country mile.

He's got about thirty relatives up
on the captain's honours board

so he was literally born
to play this game.

Obviously, the Ambersons aren't up
on the honours board...

Yet.

I may need a mouth guard.

Jackhammer good.

To score, you have to climb up
on to a wall

and hit a tree stump
with the Streamers ball

which, being square, is technically
not a ball because, you know.

Now I get it.
Caldermount's not about thinking,

it's about the boast.

It's about earning your place
in the history books.

Boast possible.

And today I did just that.

Boast in flight.

Boast !

Touch it down !

Touch it down !

Touch it down !

Touch it down !

Boast dead.

You may think you were being quote
unquote 'subversive'...

I was drowning, sir.

And what better way to destroy a grand
old tradition than with your death ?

I should take you
straight to the Headman.

- Please don't, sir.
- Now I understand, Amberson.

You're a minnow
in this magnificent pond.

- And Caldermount is sink or swim.
- Minnows can swim, sir.

Well let's say you're a crippled
minnow. What do you do ?

Allow yourself to drown,

or hold up your wee gammy fin
to a kindly salmon.

Er, sorry, you're the salmon ?

Note my manly frankness, Amberson.

My dignified carriage
and my doughty upper lip.

Model yourself on me
and you won't go wrong.

Yes, sir.

Half rations. Bucket run.

Play up, play up and play the game.
You'll thank me for this.

Yes, sir.

And smile, Amberson.
These are the best days of your life.

Lovely shot.

Birdie.

Fill her up. Back by seven.

Pleb !

Drat.

VIRILITER AGE

You idiot ! Can't you look
where you're going ?

I can't believe it ! These boxes
are huge ! You should've seen them !

I'm sorry...

Is there someone I can call ?
Someone at the hospital ?

You're French.

How do I contact your carer ?

Er, no, no. I'm not ill.

No ? You look like you wet yourself.

- Are you dangerous ?
- No, I'm a public school boy.

Amberson.

I'm helping you up.

Cool.

How can... I come to your aid ?

You could carry that.

Roger that.

And then... One, two, three.

Oh my God...
What do you keep in this thing ?

You must really love this book.

My father wrote it.

No, no, no, no !

I'd rather die !

That school wants me to dress
like Batman !

If you're Batman, then Gotham
is really in the shit.

Pack up ! We're going.

- Dad !
- What ?

When you finish your book,
then we can go.

- But now you need that job.
- No, I don't need a job.

I need money.
And you know why ?

Because of that harpy !

My mother is not a harpy.

She left us, remember ?

I mean I almost jumped out
the window.

Who's the deadbeat ?
Has he wet himself ?

Hello, Monsieur.
My name is Amberson.

My book !

Careful, these are first editions !

They're the only editions.

That makes them even more valuable.

250 years ago, Sir Thomas Calder...

The founder !

...built his school
on a few simple principles.

- Sir Thomas...
- The founder !

...believed in team spirit.

Loyalty. Discretion.

Knowing when to dominate
and knowing when to submit.

You must remake the world
in the Caldermount image.

The founder !

Dunkirk. Agincourt. The Opium Wars.

The Swan of Avon. India. Trains.

Internal combustion. Caldermount.

Viva Caldermount.

The founder !

Founders Day.
I think it's pretty bloody disgraceful.

Celebrating that crook Caldermount.

That's the Establishment, man.
They're all gangsters.

Good morning !

Good morning, Monsieur.

My name is Monsieur Babinot.

B-A-B-I-N-O-T.

The 'T' is silent.

You may sit down.

As you may know, I'm replacing your
last teacher, Mr Nobes.

You... what did Mr Nobes
teach you last ?

Er, Saint-Exupery, monsieur.

Saint-Exupery ? Excuse me.

If you want to learn about
a little thing called life, I suggest...

I suggest you give yourselves
a little dosage of Felix Martin.

Now, would you be very careful
with those books. Okay ?

First editions. Careful.

Careful, first editions.

Is this curriculum, sir ?

- Curriculum ? What is your name ?
- Johnson.

Now you open the book page one
and start to translate.

Jacques held the knife
to the pawnbroker's throat...

Go to hell.

He whispered to the...

To the whimpering pimp.

Whimpering pimp.

Right.

Left, left, left right, left...

The bad woman is a blonde horse ?

The woman has blonde hair.
Can't you read ?

Oh, not really.
Nobesy taught us frenetically, sir.

He said if we nail the oral paper,

we could flunk everything else
and still get a C.

Well it's just random noises, basically.

- So he was a fraud ?
- Absolutely.

Always down the pub.
We never really saw him.

Well, show me then.

And if it's good,
maybe we can all go to the pub.

Er, not together. I can't.
I'm writing a book.

You.

Curled up in a ball

in your middle class security

you never ask yourself
those questions without answers.

You.

No one shook you by the shoulders
before it was too late.

Now the clay...

Now, the clay

of which you were shaped has dried

and has hardened

and nothing in you will ever awaken
the dormant

...musician...

or the poet or the astronomer

that possibly inhabited you.

You just have to give me the boxes.

Alright.

Go, go !

Well, boys...

Silence !
So, phonetics.

If she's looking for action,
she's come to the right place.

I'm just saying, women prefer
a Roger Moore to a Sean Connery.

Mum says I'm extremely charming.

French girls are famously filthy.
Zero moral fibre.

They all have cats
but you're not allowed to touch them

unless you buy them dinner.

If she's not Rosa Luxembourg,
I'm not interested.

My money's on Winchester every day.

Amberson ? Amberson ?
Your old man's on the blower.

- Dad ?
- Come to my house at midnight.

I need to see you.

Who is this ?

Good evening, Agnes.

Two camparis, please.

Bollocks.

Why didn't you come last night ?
I waited for you.

Don't run away from me.

- I've gotta get back by seven.
- One minute.

- What do you want with me ?
- You're a nice guy.

Nice ? No, no, no.
Er, don't you bel... I'm a bloody...

Okay. Look...
Back in Nantes, I knew a lot of boys.

They all wanted to play games.
They tried to be macho or so clever,

and I thought "Oh, fuck off,
you're all so empty", you know ?

I mean, I feel the same way...
About, um, girls, obviously.

I wanted to travel,
but my father says

"Don't leave me alone,
without you I can't work".

He is writing another book ?

He's been writing the same book
for eighteen years.

It drove my mother crazy.

And now he has to finish it because
it's the only way he can move on.

So, I come here to help him,
and now I'm his fucking maid.

I cook, clean, pick up his underwear.
And there is nothing here.

Oh my God, there is no theatre,
no library.

The library.

I'm angry and I'm bored.

And I can't say how I feel,
because there is no-one to talk to.

And then this happens.

You see someone and it's like,
maybe they understand ?

I know the feeling.

Maybe he's going
through the same shit ?

He probably is.

- You can't get him out of your head.
- Why fight it ?

Then you realise you like him.

I... Are you...

Will you give this to him ?

Him ?

The poet. Tall, handsome.

Winchester ?

Halt ! Don't move !

Freeze ! I said freeze !

Move !

Bogey in the red zone.
Bogey in the red zone.

This is not a drill.

- What have you got there, boy ?
- It's for Winchester, sir.

Better give it to him then.

Get down on your fucking knees
or, so help me God... !

Right. So, you can't just threaten me
with a wooden gun.

Good shot, Lance Corporal.

Are you cognisant with the dire
consequences

of wasting my damn time ?

I have something for Winchester.

- Can you referee a wrestling bout ?
- You're joking ?

- Does he look like he's joking ?
- I'm not altogether familiar with...

Ah, well then you'll have to compete.

Come on.
Go on, fight back.

Come on, Noodle.

- Come on.
- Alright, guys.

Winchester, I've got a parcel...

- Flip him.
- ...from the girl.

The French beak's daughter.

You bloody hoondog.
Classic Winch.

- Guys, please.
- All bets are off... naturellement.

Come on, Birtles.
Come on, let's tell the others.

He's pulled a bird. I repeat,
Winchester has pulled a bird.

So, this... lady ?

- Agnes. She gave this to me.
- To you ?

To give to you.

- To me ?
- To you.

- Why ?
- I think she likes you.

- Me ?
- You.

- Why ?
- I have no idea.

Hang on.

Is it a porno ?

No, it's almost certainly not a porno.

I SWORE I'D NEVER

TRY THIS AGAIN

BUT YOU LOOK DIFFERENT

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ?

What the hell was that ?

I think that was a challenge.

- You've got to reply to her.
- No way. I can't do that.

- I can help you.
- I don't need your help.

I'll blast her with my charm bazooka.

- God, why did you have to tell them ?
- Oh, I'm sorry. Look, let me help you.

- Why ? What's in it for you ?
- Nothing.

That's fishy. My old man said,
"Never become the victim of charity".

I mean, I think he meant
the NHS or tax or something.

But the point is, let's make it a deal.
Quid pro quo.

You... you must want something ?

Audley.
Oh, I'd like him to stop being...

Stop being such a colossal prick ?

- Deal.
- Okay.

Let's effing do it.
That babe ain't gonna know what hit her.

- Salud.
- Go on, out.

B team.

How can the XI improve

if they're sparring
with a bunch of piss-poor jessies.

Stream crunch, all of you.

Sorry, sir...

- ... do you mind if I ...
- Come here, you old dog.

Can I borrow Amberson ?

- Amberson ?
- Moving target.

Classic Winch-hunter General.

Amberson, you're excused.

Go on, run.

You've stopped. Why ?

I got this for Christmas.

When you need to enforce the offside
trap, accept no substitute.

- Cool.
- Well you think that's cool ?

Pere Noel put this in my stocking.
It'll blow your effing mind.

Pins in my face.

It's my face.

But it's pins.

- Shall we, er...
- Oh, yeah.

- Let's get on with it.
- I've brought you some cards.

Great, yeah. Hustle up.

And why, why don't you just write
what you think ?

Boom. There we go.
There he is.

I'm just gonna write...
... just gonna write what I think.

What do I think ?

My name is Henry Winchester
but most people call me

Winch.

Or Winchy.

Of the two, I prefer Winch.

I'm Captain of cricket.

I'm courteous and punctual.

My hair is 100% natural.

I once saw a ghost.

FUCKIN BRILIANT !

- Pretty much nailed it.
- Right. Okay.

Can we, can we try it another way ?

Yeah.

Could you bring your hair down ?

My hair's my signature look.

Try and look pissed off.

Just, just imagine going
completely bald.

Great, that's it. Now turn slightly.

Right... First card.

YOU WANT TO KNOW
WHAT I'VE GOT

Perfect.

Really that, that... that was great.

So, so, so, so, um, so, have you,
you've had girlfriends before ?

Me ? The mighty Winch ?

Er, yeah.

Ish.

I mean, I met a girl skiing once.
You know the thing after the skiing ?

I've never been skiing.

You're joking ?

That's just you being funny-peculiar,
right ?

Do you think I'm peculiar ?

The apres-ski.

What a shocker. I mean, she'd bang on
about her family, her friends,

her school, her clothes... her diet,
her dog.

Her feelings.
Good God.

I mean, power to her,
I'm just not up to the job.

YOU WANT TO KNOW
WHAT I'VE GOT

I'VE GOT 1 YEAR LEFT
ON MY SENTENCE

I'M KEEPING
MY HEAD DOWN

DOING MY TIME

BUT IF YOU SEND ME A CAKE

WITH A FILE IN IT

I'LL SEE YOU ON THE OUTSIDE

At the bottom of a dead end street
she stood,

bitterness in her eyes,
rage in her heart.

She looked like a wolfhound
but with a hint of otter.

But he was too big hearted,
his spirit too generous.

No, he pitied her.

She who thought she was a Karenina,

she wasn't more than a Bovary !

- Are you done ?
- Yes.

You could make it shorter.
I mean, I don't know...

I get it, the guy doesn't like
his ex-wife.

But I want to know
what he's going to do next.

After that, he rescues the prostitutes.

- Just like 'Opium Dimanche'.
- It's not like 'Opium Dimanche' !

It's not set in the Bronx !

Why don't you try something new ?

- Like what ?
- Another story.

I'll be back.
You keep working.

It's stupid, I'm nervous.

He gave me this to give to you.

Agnes ! I have an idea !

Hide. I'm coming back.

I'm coming !

So what if my character were a cop ?

But he breaks all the rules,
he plays fast and loose...

- What do you think ?
- Yeah, it's great.

You're not convinced.

- What are you doing ?
- Sorry, sorry.

Oh, it's okay.
It's just scenography, design.

You are a set designer ?

No. Well... there was a theatre
with a learning job...

- Apprenticeship ?
- Yes. But it was in Berlin.

- And that's a problem ?
- I told you my father needs me.

Er, no, I just...
I mean, this, it...

It's very interesting.
It's like a doll's house.

Is that a very stupid thing to say ?

It's for 'A Doll's House'. The play.

Play. Absolutely, yes.

Absolutely, the play. Classic.

- You never heard of it.
- No, I have. It's about some dolls.

'A Doll's House' is about a woman
who leaves her family

because she can't be her...

Agnes ?

I think I know now.

- Agnes !
- Yes !

It's a cop, who has to work
with a partner.

At the beginning,
they don't get along, it doesn't work...

But slowly, little by little,

they become a super team.

- It's genius.
- Yeah, it's great.

What are you doing ?

You still want to go to Berlin ?

I'm only telling you this
because I love you...

But to be an artist
you need passion, of course.

But you also need...

Talent ?

I'm not saying you don't have talent.
I'm not saying that at all.

Go to bed, we'll talk in the morning.

Kiss, good night.

Are you okay ?

I'm getting used to it.

Are you okay ?

- See you.
- Goodnight.

Go easy on Amberson, will you.
Just a bit.

Hey, class traitor. It's a bomb.

It's orange juice.

Haven't you read
the Anarchist's Cookbook ?

I'm sending the PM a message:
the revolution has begun.

Morning, Winchy.
Vickers.

Dick.

He's talking to you.

Call me. 03163625.

- I can't do it.
- Of course you can.

Maybe tell her that
you didn't like the cake.

- Why ?
- I think they like being teased.

- Your cake was disgusting.
- Who the fuck is this ?

Hello ?

Hello ?

Hello. Agnes.

Hello.

Hello ?

Thanks for the cake.

It was completely horrific.

Well, er, thank you.

Um, how are you ?

Hello ? Are you still there ?

- Hello ?
- I just...

Sorry, Agnes. It's not a good line.

- That's okay. I just want to talk.
- I'm not one for talking.

I live by deeds, not words.

When I want something, I take it.

I don't want to play games.

Testify.
I am who I am and that's who I am.

It's like I always say...

Er, what do you always say ?

They teach you all the ways to die

but only you can learn how to live.

I think you're right.

Let's cut the crap. I should kiss you.

Take me to the moon.
Then you can kiss me.

Take me to the moon ?

- God, she's a dirty little enigma.
- She wants you to...

Take her to the moon ?
How the hell are we gonna do that ?

I don't think she meant it literally.

She wants you to prove
that you're artistic.

But I'm not artistic, thank God.

You are now.

Hi. Er... sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Could the band come down
to the cricket pavilion, please ?

Piss off, Noodle.

You heard what the man said. Now.

- Amberman.
- Headman, sir.

Amberman is a scholarship boy.
Fairly 'other ranks'.

But we took this diamond in the rough...
and we polished and we buffed him

and now here he is...
running an errand for the Adjutant.

The very picture
of a Caldermount gentleman.

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, Ambrose.

Who knows, in the closing
of some glorious day

you may yet wear a garment
all of blood,

which, washed away,
shall scour your shame with it

and say 'presume not
I am the thing I was'.

You a fan of Shakespeare, sir ?
I practically bathe in him.

Three, two, one...

Go stars.

Action moon dust.

And... action.

Cut. Cut.

I'm alright.

Three, two, one...

- What's the line again ?
- Cut.

It's Saint-Exupery.

And it's 'Love is not...'

...looking at each other,
it's looking in the same direction.

Yes, come on.
We're gonna run out of battery.

Cut, cut.

So, the results are pretty mixed.

Unless you like slapstick.

I'm gonna need to re-sync your dialogue.

- I was doing my best, man.
- You're just very wooden.

Don't take this the wrong way,
but you're not exactly Al Pacino.

You're not even
Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Alright. Kind of denting
the old self-confidence.

- Look, it's fine.
- It's not.

It's just a film.

Look, Agnes is creative
and thoughtful and intelligent.

This is about proving to her
that you deserve her.

That you're not just a Labrador
in trousers.

Look, man, I...
I don't need this.

I'm okay looking. And I can play guitar.

Agnes will like me for who I am.

Really ? Well, I'm looking forward
to seeing how that works out for you.

You know what ?
You can be a bit of a dick sometimes.

- What's the line again ?
- Cut.

Hey. Have you seen Winchester ?

Saw him heading off over
the games field with his guitar.

Oh, Christ.

And we're going to line two.
It's Keck. Hi, Keck.

Hello ? Line two ?
Keck, are you there ?

Shit.

I wrote this for you.

You bowled me over

You caught, you caught me out

I went for a duck

I've been ruled out by the...

Umpire of love

Oh, pretty baby
I want to be on your team

I ain't much of nothing but I'm the best
batsman you've ever seen

Unless you're a fan
of professional cricket

Sorry, what's cricket ?

What's cricket ?
Oh my God.

Cricket is a game involving
two teams of 11 men...

Just a minute.

...all of whom need to be nominated
in writing before the toss.

It's not going very well.

Forgive me, Agnes.

- Um, forgive me, Agnes.
- Henry ?

An ironic representation...

An ironic representation...

- The young suitor...
- The young suitor...

- As Troubador...
- As Troubador...

An aperitif.

A pair of teeth.

To the main... event.

To the main event.

That's my lad.
That's my Spitfire. Huh ?

Go up.

What do I do ?

- Sorry, I thought you knew what to do ?
- No, I've never... The lads think...

Just quickly...
do I lead with the tongue ?

No. I think I'd let her
break the ice, tongue-wise.

Right. Right. Thanks, by the way.

- I'm a likeable guy.
- In a weird way.

You, boy.

- Amberson.
- Yes, sir ? How are you, sir ?

- What are you doing out here ?
- Science project, sir.

- Recording the sounds of night birds.
- Night birds ?

Indigenous night birds.

The owl. The nighthawk.
The night egret. The night crow.

Very elusive, the night crow.
A call like you wouldn't believe.

- You little degenerate.
- Huggins ? How can I work like this ?

- This boy's spying on your daughter.
- Oh, no. No, I was...

Hey !

- You were filming her ?
- It's not...

Spitfire !

Oh, my reputation.

I have lost the immortal part of myself,
and what remains is bestial.

The Moor.

My guest at dinner was the South
African Minister of Justice.

Doctor van der Plooij
also owns a diamond mine.

He has four sons. Four.

But will he send them to a hotbed
of violence, lechery and deceit ?

Decent, hardworking families like
the van der Plooijs pay your wages.

They make up the shortfall from
your scholarship, Peeping Tom.

They pay because they believe
in Caldermount.

That name, that reputation, which you
dragged through the mud tonight.

As long as this remains
between the three of us

I won't require your resignation.

Shut up, please.

You'll need new accommodation,

somewhere your daughter can't fire
the boys' fetid imaginations.

- I'm...
- Silence !

I will expel any pupil with whom she
is caught 'in consortium flagrante'.

So, tell me, who was in that room ?

- Hello, Mr Amberson.
- Good evening, Headman.

These are hard times, are they not,
Mr Amberson ?

Well, the scholarship helps, sir.
And we're all very grateful.

Now, your son is refusing to name
the boy in Miss Babinot's room.

Listen. Maybe you think
you're protecting someone,

but who did you see ?

- Whom, Mr Amberson.
- Whom did you see ?

I don't know.

Double bucket run.
Technical suspension.

Fifty hours in the kennels.

You have one last chance, Amberson.
Viriliter Age.

Thank you, Headman.

Come on. Get up. Come on.

On the floor. On the floor !

- Put the sack on his head.
- I thought you had the sack ?

You didn't snitch, Amberson.
We respect that.

Breakfast ?

- She wants to see me.
- Well, that is great, isn't it ?

I need to see you
Thursday midnight by the well

I do not wanna get expelled, man.

It is meant to be dangerous.
Isn't it ?

- What ?
- Well... love.

Yeah. Look, it's Streamers.

I need to focus one hundred per cent
on the boast, dude.

I understand.

Can you tell her ?

I'm sorry. I'm just not good
at all this word shit.

Bulldogs ! Bulldogs !

Wait. I will need a sample
of your handwriting

if I'm gonna do it right.

Sure.

Make sure she knows
she's really great.

Bulldogs !

Laura.

AGNES

Agnes I am sorry to say

that I can't see you.

Agnes I am sorry to say

that it's over.

I can't stop thinking about you.

HENRY

ESCAPE PLAN

ESCAPE KIT

So please, can I come with you ?

How do, neighbour ?

Bloody nice houses, these.
Good walls.

I purchased you a house warmer.

- It's a metal fish.
- Jelly mould.

Um, listen, I'm having a soiree
Friday night.

Some of the lads are coming down for
Founders Day. Noggin and a natter.

Bit of bare-knuckle banter.

There will be cheese.

No, thanks.

On Founders Day we're going
to make history, boys,

because we are effing warriors.

Yeah !

- It's 'bodies on the line' time, lads.
- Bodies on the line !

Look at the man on your left.

That man is your brother. I want you
to lay your life down for him.

Yeah !

Yeah !

Stop !

- Where is Henry ?
- He couldn't make it.

The Headman suspects that it was him
in your room so he's on total lockdown.

So he sent you ?

Winch said that if you trusted me,
then that was good enough for him.

Why, um... why were you hiding ?

To surprise him. It's stupid.

You come with me ?

- Me ? Where ?
- Who cares ?

- I can't.
- Yes.

I'm on my last chance.

I want to ask you
so many questions about Henry.

Well, I would love to tell you
all about him.

Let me show you
what Planet Earth looks like.

Sorry.

Henry's a good writer.

He's got this voice.
It's authentic, poetic.

Yeah. Winch is a very poetic guy.

- Will Henry come with me ?
- To Berlin ?

- Yeah. He's not happy here.
- Oh, no, he's incredibly happy.

- How ? At this horrific school ?
- It's not horrific.

This place is bad for the soul.

What ?

Oh well, it's just...
You know... souls ?

Don't do that.

Don't pretend to be
a piggy English fool.

Sorry.

Where are we going, by the way ?

What... In French
what do you call those ?

Sideburns.

- Sideburns.
- Yes.

Yes.

What about you ?
Your family ?

Me ? My family ?

- Brothers ? Sisters ?
- No.

And you ? You're okay ?

Yeah, I mean sometimes
I can, I can feel a bit...

Blue ?

- You know, when I feel...
- Blue.

I look at people and I try
to imagine their first kiss.

I mean, do you live in a novel ?

It's a positive feeling.

His first kiss was so tender.

His was against the law.
Maybe a cousin.

It's that kind of place.

What about him ?

Alright there ?

Okay.

- It's 1939. And Victor...
- That's Victor ?

Victor is leaving to join the RAF.

Just as the train
is leaving the station,

his childhood friend, Wendy,
leans up to the window

and kisses him. Bam.

She gives him hope
and that hope keeps him alive.

1945, Wendy and Victor get married.

1946, they realise they have literally
nothing in common

apart from that kiss and the illusion
has chained them together for life.

Er, meant to be positive.

Eventually, Wendy leaves Victor
for some chap that she met in Eccles.

Wendy's happy.
Victor's not. He's alone.

Er, stop. Don't go on.

That's what he thinks.
But he survived D-Day, dammit.

He's not gonna let that stop him.

So, he buys a leather jacket
and a motorbike

and he starts chasing
geriatric tailfeather.

See, Victor,
he's a charming old bastard

and he's made himself a promise,

every day is gonna be the best day
of his life.

What about your first kiss ?

The theatre gave me a job.

- What did your dad say ?
- He doesn't know.

I'm going to say 'yes'.

- What about Winch ?
- He can come with me.

But what if he can't ?

And at first you think
they're not gonna get along but...

I'm Agnes.

Don't bother.
She doesn't speak a word of French.

And I'm not going to call you
tomorrow, because you are boring.

He says, I should ask, "What do you
want me to call you ? Mummy ?"

You've been hurt, but that's not
an excuse to hurt other people.

Who cared about other people ?
Where do you think you're going ?

There's a girl over there.

Over there.

Get Amberson.

Now.

- You could get me expelled.
- I had to see you.

Okay. You're beautiful.

But, no offence, beautiful people
are usually fucking idiots.

You should be a nice empty box,
you know ?

But... you have these ideas in you,
these feelings, this voice.

I mean, I didn't even hate your poetry.
So, you could be ugly.

- You could be really fat, like...
- Le Michelin Man.

Yeah, okay.

Or you could have no arms or legs
and just be like a little worm.

But I will still love you.

So meet me at the Norfolk tonight.
At ten. And let's go to Berlin.

- You there, boy !
- Hey, you there, stop !

Stop !

Get in line !

Everybody in line, now !

She's gone effing postal.

- Who ?
- Agnes.

She thinks I've been writing her
effing poetry.

Crazy.

Do you think maybe you didn't explain
it to her properly ?

You know, Founders Day, game face,
bish bash bosh ?

Maybe I didn't dot
all of the 'I's or bash all the boshes.

Okay. I know some people think
I'm a bit of a plank,

but you're not telling me something.

I did write to her.

But then I kept on writing to her.

Pretending to be me ?

It's not the end of the world.
She wants to run away with you.

No, you dick,
she wants to run way with you.

She's fallen for whatever weird Mills
and Boon crap you put in those letters.

- Do you really think so ?
- Yes.

She's gonna be gutted when she finds
out that you've been lying to her.

I wasn't lying to her,
I was being creative.

Call it what you want, mate.
You don't lie to your friends.

Well I don't know that, do I ?
I'm Noodle, I don't have any friends.

You're right. You don't.

Quiet !

Unthread the rude eye of rebellion,
gentlemen,

lest I cry havoc
and loose the dogs of war.

Break ! Run, move it !

Line up. Just line up.

Starlight Express.
You will not believe your eyes.

It's as if a train's actually
in the room.

- Adrian.
- Goodnight.

- Tower.
- Goodnight.

- Two-stroke.
- Night, Huggins.

- Skids.
- Goodnight.

- Bronty.
- You're a legend, Huggins.

You're a balls to the wall legend.

Mmm, that is a nutty bouquet.

Understood, sir.

No, we'll keep a lookout.
Good luck.

We've got a break-out.

Huggins saw the Babinot girl waiting
for someone down at the Norfolk.

It's not me. I'm stuck in here,
listening to his tale of woe.

I told you, Noodle's up to something.
I was prepping the oranges...

Cheers, Vickers.

See you.

Maybe she's waiting for him ?
Maybe to shag ?

- Johnson, you're not making sense.
- Come on, Winchester.

A term ago, you didn't give two shits
about Noodle. What's in it for you ?

His name is Amberson.

Now shoot.

- Pint of bitter, please.
- ID ?

Pint of lemonade, please.

- Are you sure it's her ?
- Absolutely.

What in God's name have you done
to your hair ?

Nothing.

- Tried to make it look like yours.
- Thanks.

It's alright.
What are you doing here ?

Oh well, that's it, then.

Balls. You are not gonna let this
opportunity slip through your hands.

Get in... Tell her the truth
and get the hell out of there.

I'll draw their fire.
It's bodies on the line time.

- But, wait...
- No, it's alright.

Defect to Berlin.
I'll have to be Streamers without you.

Why are you helping me ?

They teach you
all the ways you can die

but only you can learn how to live.

That doesn't mean anything.
I made it up.

Poetry.

Shit !

My bloody car !

Yeah.

Yep.

- Whom are you meeting ?
- Hey ! Hey !

You don't touch my daughter like that.

- I just came for a drink, alright ?
- See ? Case closed.

She's meeting a boy, Babinot.
They're running away together.

No, she's not.

Open your eyes, man.
She's got a suitcase.

Okay. This is bullshit. He's angry
because he tried to hit on me.

- This is not true. She's a bloody liar.
- You what ?!

- What's your problem ?
- Pick up your case, we're going home.

No, I'm done.

Finish your book or don't,
I don't care. I'm done.

- I can't help you any more.
- Agnes ?

And you, Winchester.

Yeah.

They can't do this.
I'll tell them everything.

This is all my fault.

Honestly, don't bother.

Pa took it pretty well,
all things considered.

- Where will you go ?
- Well...

I'll either white-water raft
the mighty Limpopo

feasting on big game with...

- Or... ?
- The Army.

Why did you do it ?

Because you're a mate.

- But are you gonna be alright ?
- The Mighty Winch ?

I don't know.

Compadre.
Tell her the truth.

I have to tell you something.
Before it's too late.

You're on the team, Amberson.

Do it for Caldermount.

Hello, Dad. How was Geneva ?

Left, left, left, left right left.

This is Thomas Huggins,

broadcasting from my alma mater,
Caldermount College,

on Founders Day.

Here we are. What a beautiful day.

Old and young. Past and present.

Champions versus legends.
Age Viriliter.

Now, after many years, having
graduated to Deputy Headmaster,

I have mounted the summit
of my own personal journey.

Here is the beginning of theirs.

Yes, today they face off against
the Old Boys, an epic clash

which it is my privilege to steward.

Get a move on, Amberson.

Smile.

Come on, then, let's do this.

Founders Scratch
versus the Old Boys XI.

This is it. The contest
in which boys become men

and men become boys.

Have you ever

seen Huggins with a bird

Great banter.

Great British banter.

Theirs is not to reason why

Theirs is but to do and die

Commence the jackhammer.

Come on !

You stupid...

Run !

Boast !

Come on !

Come on !

Score it, you fool !

Agnes !

Agnes.

Hey.

Winchester Amberson.

It was you ?

- Why are you telling me this ?
- Because I really, really want to.

Because I wanna tell you
that you amaze me.

And I know that you're going,
but I just want to be here, now,

face to face,
even if it means getting slapped.

I never slapped anyone before.

The boys in Nantes ?

I made them up.

I was pretending to be okay,
cool, like I wasn't afraid.

- Of what ?
- Life.

Final call for all passengers.

Shut your eyes.

Come on !

- Score it, you fool !
- Boast !

Dad, I have snatched defeat
from the jaws of victory.

Your words.

Why did I do it ?

I don't want to be engraved
on anything.

A board, a medal, a cup.

I'm leaving Caldermount.

Dad, this is not a goodbye.

So I suppose it's au revoir
or auf wiedersehen

or arrivederci, adios,
sayonara, shalom.

Your son.

Martin.

THE END