Talk of Angels (1998) - full transcript

This is the story of a young Irish woman who comes to Spain to escape from the pressures she feels about her impending marriage to a political activist in Ireland. But in Spain in the 1930's, taking a job of governess in a wealthy family, she finds the same kinds of political unrest. In fact, it isn't long before she finds herself attracted to a married man who is similarly involved in the struggle against fascism and Franco. This awakens her to her nature that brings her to such men and resolves for her what she must do about the life she left in Ireland.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

[ men chattering in Spanish ]

MARY:
We came through a valley

and into this great hubbub
of noise.

And for a minute
I saw it all very clearly--

The family
I was about to join,

a country in turmoil

and my own life
turned upside down.

And then I thought,
it's why you came.

It's what you wanted.

And that's how it all began.



[ man speaks Spanish ]

[ people chattering in Spanish ]

-Jaime.
-Jaime, hello.

That's the Areavagas now.

It's nice to have
a new face.

As long as
she's one of us.

[ dogs barking ]

[ speaks Spanish ]

[ people speaking Spanish ]

[ Don Jorge speaking Spanish ]

Jaime! Jaime!

[ Dona Consuelo
speaking Spanish ]

[ speaks Spanish ]

My daughters
are waiting to meet you.



But first,
you may unpack.

MARY:
When I entered
that house I thought,

perhaps they were right.

They said I would regret it.

[♪♪♪♪♪]

Dearest Michael,

I'm wondering if you're
cross with me still.

I keep thinking of how stern
you looked

and the way
you wouldn't wave.

But, Michael,
people have to part

if they are to be sure.

This year is a test,
a big test for us both.

[ dogs barking ]

But we will win through.

And don't think I'm not lonely.

-[ knocking on door ]
-Come in.

[ door opens ]

These are your pupils.

Pilar, my eldest daughter.

Mila, my middle daughter.

You will find that their
spoken English is excellent.

Their written English
needs improvement.

Yes, madam.

Leonor,
my little princess.

She is too young
to learn English.

But in six months time,
she will begin her studies.

[ speaking Spanish ]

DONA CONSUELO [ in English ]:
Perhaps you should show
Miss Maria around the house.

What is that?
It looks like dirt.

It's clay from Ireland.

When we go into exile,
we carry some with us.

Why?

For luck.

Is that your brother?

No, it's, um--
It's just a friend.

[♪♪♪♪♪]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ bell clanging ]

DR. VICENTE:
Our Irish miss.

I'm the father
of your pupils.

Dr. Vicente.

You have come
a long way, miss.

I trust you'll
be contented in our country.

Thank you, sir.
I'm sure I will. It's, uh,

very beautiful here
and so different.

I'm afraid all this
is very deceptive, miss, uh--

Lavelle. Sorry. Mary.

Maria. Heh.

[ pats seat ]

Ah, these are troubled,

sometimes dangerous times
for our poor country.

Sounds very much
like home.

But you're over your civil war,

while we are still hovering
on the brink.

I know very little about Spain,
but I'd like to learn.

I'm tempted to tell you
not to waste your time.

What a dreadful
thing to say.

Heh. You sound just like
my son, Francisco.

Take no notice
of a tired old man.

If my small library is
of any use, you're
always welcome.

Gracias.

MARY:
The letters from Michael
reminded me of home,

the family, our house.

I could picture them
on the farm at all hours.

But I didn't want to be there.

In the evenings by myself,

I dreamt of all the things
I'd loved to do--

dance, listen to flamingo,
stay out all night--

things
they wouldn't understand.

As the days went by,

I was fast becoming
a part of this family,

proper Spanish lady even,

learning to use the fan
and so on.

But I had to remember
I was still a governess.

MARY:
"It ran along on wheels--"

[ clears throat ]

"And no one present
could believe

"that it would ever rise
from the earth.

Full stop."

I have to change
before we leave.

Shut up, Pilar. There is
plenty of time.

Could you repeat
the last bit, Miss Maria?

Yes, Mila.

"That it would ever rise
from the earth. Full stop."

[ all chattering in Spanish ]

[ in English ]
Now, just wait
one moment. Wait!

We came in that direction.

From there.[ speaking indistinctly ]

[ clamoring ]

¿Que pasa?

MARY:
Let's get out of here.

MARY:
Stay close! Come on!

[ Pilar screams ]

[ shouting in Spanish ]

[ woman screams ]

MARY:
Oh, no! Ah!

[ neighs ]

[ clamoring ]

O'TOOLE:
Here! Here!

Come on, girls!
Over here! Over here!

Quick, quick, quick!

MARY: Across the road.
Come on. Come on!

O'TOOLE: Come. Come on,
come on. Good girl.

-Good girl. Good girl.
-[ speaks Spanish ]

MARY:
Will he be all right?

Are you mad?

MARY:
Is he dead?

[ women panting ]

There's one big lesson
you have to learn, Limerick.

There are streets
these girls cannot go into.

-My name's O'Toole.
-Mary Lavelle. Thank you.

-Oh! Come on.
-[ bell tolling ]

Well, I must say, I've never
seen anything quite
like you before.

-When's your afternoon off?
-Wednesday.

-Great. There will be
loads of us there.
-"Us"?

What? You didn't think
we were the only two?
Wait there.

Come on, lassies.
It's all right now.

It's safe now.
Be brave soldiers' daughters.

See you at the cafe
on Wednesday.

-MARY: See you then.
-[ speaking Spanish ]

For now, then.

-MARY: Come on.
-O'TOOLE: Go.

MARY: Now, hear.
Stay close.

-MILA: She's nice.
-MARY: Yes, she's very nice.

MARY: Now, come on.
Let's get you home.

MARY:
So you have forgiven me.

The girls wanted
to read your letter,
but I wouldn't let them.

Michael, this country
is as bad as our own was.

I saw a man dying today.
I felt awful not going to him.

You must learn
something quickly.

Spain is a dangerous country.

No one is safe.

We could lose
everything we own.

My husband laughs at this.

He has a romantic view
of the poor.

My son, Francisco,
he's the same.

I do not share
their views.

These people could
murder us in our beds.

If you cannot always
be on your guard,
you must leave.

-Do you understand that?
-Yes.

MARY:
Why had he married her?
They differed about everything.

She sided with
the church and fascists.

He was the opposite.

He was gentle, an outsider,
and he knew it.

[ speaking Spanish ]

Mila.

[ belches ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

Buenas noches, mi hija.

[ speaking Spanish ]

Si, senor.

MARY [ in English ]:
Elena, what's wrong?

Shh.

Elena?

[ glass clinking ]

Hello.

MAN:
No!

Jaime?

Jaime, is that you?

-No, thank you, miss.
-Sweet Jesus!

[ speaks indistinctly ]

-[ groaning ]
-You're hurt!

-Jesus, I'm sorry!
-No, no, no, no.

It's the vino. Heh.

Shh! Shh! It's all right.

Esta bien.MARY: I'm sorry.

I was looking for Elena,
and I heard a noise.

[ groaning ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

Gracias.

[ in English ]
Please, mention this

to no one, not even my family.

His life depends on it.

You have lived
through a war.

You know
when to keep silent.

Yes.

It must be our secret.

[♪♪♪♪♪]

That's father there

and there with the salute.
And he wrote books.

That, and that,
and that, and that too.

Mila's passion is politics,
Miss Maria.

I'm sorry for that.

What I had to say
was barely worth
putting on paper.

But I did.

Have you chosen
a book yet?

Not yet.

So?

Poetry or prose?

-MARY: I don't know.
Let's have a look.
-Poetry.

[ whispers ]
This.

-[ reading in Spanish ]
-"The Faithless Wife."

-Come here.
-Please, sit down.

[ reading in Spanish ]

MARY:
I remember the words
were but lost on me.

I wanted to tell Mila
how lucky she was.

I wish my father
had read me poetry.

[ speaking Spanish ]

Si.

This is for you,
Miss Maria.

From now on, I'll be
your Spanish miss.

Gracias, Mila.

[ car horn honks ]

WOMAN:
Well, what's she like?

She's hardly more
than a girl herself.
So young. Too thin.

-But beautiful, waifish.
-Can she teach?

O'TOOLE:
I don't know.

WOMAN: Why did that family
choose so young a girl?

O'TOOLE: That's the thing of it.
They didn't choose her at all.

Some limerick convent
sent her unseen.

She sounds very unsuitable,
doesn't she?

Hello.

-This is Lavelle!
-No.

-This is Harty.
-Hello.

-Keough.
-Hello.

-And Duggan.
-How do you do?

-How do you do?
-Sit down, darling.

Wee cup of tea?

What do you think
of our little corner
of Ireland, daughter?

-It seems very nice.
-Uh-huh.

How are they
treating you?

-Are they giving you ham
and eggs for breakfast?
-No.

I thought not.
They think they're something
because they've money.

We all come from as good
back in Ireland.

Yes, ham and eggs.
Now, insist upon it.

Ham and eggs,
or they walk over you.

Take your hat off
and give us a look at you.

Why, you're
a beautiful young girl!

O'TOOLE:
She is, indeed!

I'll buy her some tea.
Um, garcon! Waiter!

The very man.
Now, tea for cinq.

-Cinco! Cinco tes!
-[ all chattering ]

-Thank you.
-Do you speak much Spanish?

I've only been here
five years, you know.

We don't have
to know it.

All we've got to do
is speak English.

Conlon speaks, of course.

She's, um, not like
the rest of us.

-Thanks be to God!
One of her sort is enough!
-Yeah.

-Talk of angels.
-Buenas tardes.

Hello.
Buenas tardes.
Un cortado, por favor.

This is Lavelle,
the Areavagas' new governess.

-Hello.
-Hello.

-Gracias.
-De nada.

Will you not eat one
of these, Miss Conlon?

Isn't she a sight for sore eyes
amongst the likes of us?

Look your fill, then.
You won't have her long
to comfort your sore eyes.

You see? She thinks
she knows everything.

Why did you
say that?

What do you think
you were hired for?

To take the shine
from the lustrous Pilar?

You can disguise yourself
any way you like.

When you're around,
no one will be looking at her.

I don't understand.
I'm here to teach English,
not to go into society.

Listen, Dona Consuelo
is a realist.

She flew high,

and her son and daughters
are to fly higher.

She'll be sending you
home soon.

Now you know
what Conlon's like.

[ children singing
in Spanish ]

Francisco! Francisco!

[ speaks Spanish ]

Francisco!

[ speaking Spanish ]

Francisco!

-[ door opens ]
-[ man, child speaking
Spanish, laughing ]

-MAN: Bueno, Francisco!
-[ child laughing ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

No.

[ speaks Spanish ]

[ humming ]

[ piano continues ]

[ ends on
declarative note ]

No! No, no,
no, no, no.

[ speaking Spanish ]

No, no, no, no.

[ resumes playing ]

[ ends on
declarative note ]

MILA [ speaking Spanish ]:
Muy bien.

Si, buena.

-[ in English ] For you.
-[ in English ] Thank you.

What's wrong?
You look worried.

I've been thinking
about your music lesson.

Is Don Jorge always
so familiar?

Yes. Always.

Have you never thought
of telling your mother?

-No.
-Why ever not?

Because he's
a priest, Miss Maria.

Well, what about
your father?

I couldn't speak to my father

about things like that.

Well, I really think

that I should
talk to your mother about it.

He's a priest.

And you should not
make an enemy of the priest.

[ both speaking Spanish ]

-Sorry to disturb you,
Dr. Vicente.
-Ah, Maria.

Please, ask my son--

who assures me that fascism
is knocking at our door--

how he now reconciles
himself to extremism.

You know damn well.

The army is not going
to wait quietly in
the wings forever.

One of these days
they'll be standing with
a gun at all our heads.

You think
I don't know that?

Even the intellectuals
are dabbling

with
dictatorship these days.

I'm sorry.
I lost my temper.

It's just this place.
It seems so far from reality.

Quite.

By the way,
there is a wounded man
hiding in our barn.

He claims you're
a friend of his.

-Pablo?
-He's been asking for ya.

[ laughs ]

Well, obviously Irish people
are good at keeping secrets.

I have to go.
I have to see him.

So, Maria?

This is all very difficult
for me. I don't really
know where to start.

[ both speaking Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ stammers ]

Vicente.

[ both speaking Spanish ]

Gracias.

-[ chattering in Spanish ]
-Beatriz! Beatriz!

This is Miss Maria,
the best governess
we've ever had.

[ Mary laughs ]
Mila.

Beatriz, por favor.

FRANCISCO [in English]:
Miss Maria, my wife, Beatriz.

How nice to meet you,
my dear. Please.

Tell me, are you
very homesick in this
strange country of ours?

No, Dona Beatriz.
I'm very happy here.

Hm. She's speaking up
for Spain. Bravo!

Bravo! Beatriz cannot
find immediate fault.
[ laughing ]

Unfortunately,
I've never been to Ireland.

I believe it
is very beautiful
and the people charming.

MARY:
Thank you.

[ speaking Spanish ]

-Gracias.
-De nada.

Miss Maria,
listen to this.

[ chattering in Spanish ]

-[ tango music playing
over speaker ]
-Ahh!

Yay!

[ speaking Spanish ]

Your poet Yeats is
a great favorite of mine.

How wise that your country
made him a senator.

My husband thinks you should not
have signed a treaty

that allowed
the British to stay.

But he has a taste
for extreme solutions.

-[ speaking Spanish ]
-[ giggling ]

That is the man
who would have us believe

he knows several ways
to save Spain.

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ in English ]
Are you political, my dear?
Is your family political?

[ speaking Spanish ]

So?

No, but I like Yeats.

Why?

Because when he loves,

it is for life.

-Is that wise?
-Yes, I think.

How beautifully
you speak.

Soft, pure,

with that strange nuance
that is never in English.

Tell me. Is it true what
I've heard about the Irish?

Do they never say
what they mean?

[ Francisco speaking Spanish ]

[ tango music playing ]

[ man singing in Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ laughs ]

[ in English ]
Miss Maria? May I come in?

Please, do!

I would like to apologize
for Beatriz's behavior.

I hope
she hasn't upset you.

I seem to be able
to offend everyone these days.

Well, she's angry at me,

and she took it out on you.
It wasn't fair.

It's forgotten.

She's very beautiful,
your wife.

Yes.

When we were growing up,
she was considered

the most beautiful girl
in the north of Spain.

Everyone assumed we would marry
and be a very glamorous couple.

Now, look at us.

[ scoffs ] Our perfect world
is collapsing.

And Beatriz
doesn't understand why.

Well, I'm not sure
I can understand it myself.

It's quite complicated.

Right now,
the fascists and the army

are plotting with Franco
to run the country
by dictatorship.

Thank you.

They're gaining a strong support
from the rich upper class,

who foolishly believe that
he will protect their wealth

and their way of life.

Nothing good
can come of this.

What about
your friend, Pablo?

Pablo is
taking on the fascists.

He's fighting for freedom.

My wife refuses to believe

that we are threatened.

If she ever found out
that I've helped Pablo,

she would be furious.

Perhaps she's
afraid of the danger
to you and the family.

Maybe she doesn't know
where to turn.

No one knows where to turn.

My father told me always
to stand up for what I believe.

But even he has lost
his way in this fight.

I only know that I cannot
stand by

and watch my country
being destroyed

by people who want power
at any price.

[ scoffs ] I'm sorry
if I burden you with
my problems.

It's no burden at all.

I've seen this kind
of turmoil back home.

I know what it's like.

But the problems in Ireland
seem simple by comparison.

Were you thinking
of your home?

Yes, I was missing it
a little.

Well, I have to get back
to the party.

I wish you sweet dreams.

-Night.
-Good night.

-BEATRIZ: Oh! [ laughs ]
-PILAR: Beatriz! Beatriz!

[ both speaking Spanish ]

Adios.
[ speaking Spanish ]

CHILDREN:
Beatriz! Beatriz!

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

Did ever you see
such a pretty creature?

"Pretty"
isn't quite the word.

Do you know,
you're right.

She is drop-dead
gorgeous!

It's a shame to try
and turn her into a miss.

In what other job would she have
such a comfortable existence

just because she's Catholic
and can speak

a fair representation
of the English language?

It's jam for the stupid.

Speak for yourself, Conlon,
darling.

You're very hard
on our profession.

I'd hardly call it
a profession.

If you think that
cigarette can't be seen,

you're a greater fool
than I took you for.

Oh, sure. If it isn't
the infant herself!
Yoo-hoo!

Ahh!
A vision in blue!

-[ laughs ]
-So, where are we going?

I think, a little
window-shopping. Come on.

Were you ever
in love, yet?

Oh, I don't know.
Were you?

Oh, God help us, daughter!
What do you take me for?

Was I ever in love?

Sure. What do you think
has kept me alive in this
rotten old world?

-Why aren't you married then?
-Oh, now that's a long story.

That's several
long stories.

Do you know I'm gasping
for a cigarette?

I'll get some
from Carlos.

[ men speaking Spanish ]

CONLON [ in English ]:
Ah, go for the Pueblo.

[ laughs ]

So that's why
he's turned up.

-Who?
-Francisco Areavaga.

-He's resigned.
-What?

Seems he's been fraternizing
with anarchists.

The government
probably sacked him.

Dona Consuelo
will be raging.

-[ Conlon speaks Spanish ]
-[ Carlos laughs ]

Aren't you running
your credit too high?

I pay on the first.
He doesn't mind.

-Let me get the cigarettes.
-I will not!

The sooner you learn
the ways of our life,
the better, my girl.

-Gracias, senor.
-Hasta luego.

[ arguing in Spanish ]

MOTHER: Mila!

[ all speaking Spanish ]

Francisco!

[ lively chattering ]

It's shocking.
Shocking!

They were making
suggestions.

-DUGGAN: Lewd suggestions!
-I wish I'd been here.

Lewd suggestions
in Spanish!

-You don't speak Spanish.
-I know a lewd suggestion
when I hear one.

-Good for you, Duggan.
-Going to the bullfight.

-Oh, dear God, the very idea!
-It's disgusting!

No, you're wrong.

The bullfight is
as heartrending as
the greatest poetry.

It is also as brutal
and shameless

as the lowest human impulse.

Nothing else gives you that
in the one movement.

It's immense.

It must be faced.

Come to the bullfight
with me, Lavelle.

Yes, I think
I will.

[ crowd applauding, shouting ]

[ dramatic theme playing ]

CROWD:
Iole! Iole!

Iole!

[ crowd chanting
indistinctly in Spanish ]

CROWD:
Iole!

Iole!

Iole!

[ crowd chanting ]

[ crowd cheering ]

[ dramatic theme playing ]

[ children chattering
in Spanish ]

[ seagulls squawking ]

Oh, no!

Gracias.

[ in English ]
Their hearts are light.
Tell me, Miss Maria,

do you think they will
find love for life?

I hope so, sir.

[ chuckles ]
Is that why you came to Spain?

They all made a terrible
thing of it back home,

and I didn't know at all
how to explain it.

And they're all waiting for me
to fall flat on my face.

Tell me about
your home, Miss Maria.

MARY:
Ireland...

is still in shock
from the civil war.

From all the wars.

Ireland is struggling
to make sense of itself.

I think sometimes that
struggle will never end.

Welcome to Spain, Maria.

Welcome home.

"Come live with me
and be my love,

-and--"
-[ laughing ]

"And we will all
the pleash--"

-Pleasures.
-"Plea-sures prove

"by shallow rivers,
to whose falls

"melodious birds
sing madrigals.

"And I will make thee
beds of roses

"and a thousand
fragrant posies;

"A gown made
of the finest wool,

"which from our
pretty lambs we pull;

"Fur-lined slippers
for the cold,

"with buckles
of the purest gold.

"And if these pleasures
may thee move,

"come live with me

and be my love."

[ clears throat ]

Excellent.

Thank you.

[ tango music playing
in distance ]

[ man speaking Spanish
in distance ]

-[ giggling ]
-[ chattering in Spanish ]

[ playing traditional
Spanish patriotic music ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

I looked everywhere.

Then I remembered Mila saying
you sometimes watch the dancing.

Would you dance with me?

[ both nervously chuckle ]

I have to go away
tomorrow to Madrid.

I had to see you
again first.

I'm glad.

So, will you dance
with me?

[ laughs ]

-Very good.
-Thanks.

[ applause ]

[ music slows ]

When the music stops,
we must say good-bye.

I know.

[ song ends ]

[ applause ]

Mary!

Mary!

You ought to be
ashamed of yourself.

Disgracing us
all like that!

It is not done!

It is simply
not done!

-A governess, dancing--
-With a man!

-A married man!
-The son of your employer!

Well, girls.
What do you think of the hat?

When I bought it,
I didn't know whether
to wear it or eat it!

It's idiotic.

That one was seen dancing--

-With a man!
-A married man.

Who do you want her
to dance with, a parrot?

Would you two
both leave? Leave now.

Come on, child.

We'll go and see if Conlon
has risen from her grave.

[ bell tolling ]

O'TOOLE:
You'll have to come in
if you want to smoke.

MARY: Why?

Because
you're a governess now.

Ladies don't smoke in public.

Are they giving you ham
and eggs for your breakfast?

Has Harty told you
to insist on bacon and eggs?

-She has.
-O'TOOLE: Poor old Harty.

Still, it would be nice
to go home.

-I'd murder a plate of bacon
and eggs. Would you?
-Mmm.

I always loathed
bacon and eggs.

When will you go home?

God knows.
I haven't the fare.

I'll never have it.

-Never?
-No, daughter.

My sentence here
is for life

unless love comes along
with a capital "L."

♪ In the field down by ♪

♪ The river ♪

♪ My love and I did stand ♪

♪ And on my
Leaning shoulder ♪

♪ She laid her
Snow-white hand ♪

♪ She bade me
Take life easy ♪

♪ As the grass grows
On the weir ♪

♪ And I was young ♪

♪ And foolish ♪

♪ And now-- ♪
I'm full of tears.

[ car horn honks ]

Ah, Miss Maria.
Ladies.

You are going somewhere
with your friends?

To say a prayer
to the virgin.

Very nice.

How are my charming
little musicians?

They're very well,
thank you, Don Jorge.

Give them my greetings,
if that is permissible.

Enjoy your afternoon.

Thank you, Father.

Do you sometimes dance
in the square, Miss Maria?

No?
No, of course not.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, father.

O'TOOLE:
He's a bad article.

I did not like
the cunning look in his eyes.

O'TOOLE:
He hasn't any hold over
ya, has he, daughter?

MARY:
No. Why should he?

MARY:
No one in the world knew
that I only thought

of Francisco
and that dance in the square.

And what could I say to God?

Let me see him
one more time.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

-Do you know what, daughter?
-What?

Well, excuse me if I'm wrong,
but something struck me
about you

for the very first time
that never struck me before.

What's that?

That you're in love.
God help ya.

Have I put
my foot in it?

No, you haven't.
I am engaged to be married.

Oh. I'm sure
that's it then.

Of course!

How is it I never noticed
the symptoms until today?

What are the symptoms?

Oh, don't ask me,
daughter.

I'm getting old.

-What's he like?
-What's who like?

Go way out of that.
The best beloved.

Why didn't you tell us
about him sooner?

Why, in the name of God,

did you come all this way
away from him?

Well, I'm away, girls.

No one's stopping ya.

O'TOOLE:
That's a fact.

She's up
to something, that one.

Why shouldn't she be?
I like her.

I noticed that.

The tide's out.
Shall we walk for a bit?

Yes, I'd like that.

MARY:
Can I ask you a question?

Have you ever had
a crush on anyone?

CONLON: No!

I've never had a crush
on any living creature.

What's your name?

-Agatha.
-[ chuckles ]

-It's a vile name.
-No, it isn't.

I hate
the surname Habit.

May I call you Agatha?

I told you a lie
just now.

About your name?

No.

I said
I'd never had a crush

on any living creature.

That was true,

up to
the first day I saw you.

Oh, Agatha, I'm sorry.

How long will you
stay out here?

I don't know.
A year, at the most.

I'd like to be
your friend.

Listen. I saw you
dancing with him in the square.

Just be very careful.

DR. VICENTE:
Come in.

MARY:
Dr. Vicente.

DR. VICENTE: I've something
to ask you, Miss Maria.

The girls are to go
to their aunt in Madrid.

Pilar is determined
to wear nothing

but the most
beautiful dresses

when she goes
into society.

So, she must go
to Madrid.

Mila will go with her.

Where Mila goes,
she insists you go.

May I persuade you
to go with them?

Oh, I'd love
to go to Madrid.

So, you are not yet tired
of our poor country?

Oh, no. The more I see,
the more it interests me.

Mila says
you used to publish
essays on Spain.

Would you permit me
to read some?

[ chuckles ] Those times
are long past, Miss Maria.

I've grown to prefer
the refuge of dreams.

Those dreams
made me enemies,

not the least
among my own class.

I believe I'm referred to
in some quarters as a traitor.

I won't corrupt you
with my dangerous dreams.

If you'll excuse me, sir.

Where were we?

PILAR AND MILA:
He was just about to leave.

"Patrick strapped his gun belt
beneath his coat.

"He kissed his wife
Geraldine good-bye.

"They stood there looking
at each other for a moment

"in the half light
at the hallway

"and tried to banish
from their mind the thought
that this spring night

"might be their last

"and their sleeping daughter
would wake without a father.

"He slipped out
the front door and moved
through the Dublin night

"toward the place
of rendezvous.

"His revolver snug
against his breast.

"A street
from the post office,

"he ducked beneath the British
soldiers' line of fire.

"There was a noise.
He turned.

A gunshot rang out."

[ dramatic theme playing ]

MARY:
The girls were so excited.

Aunt Cristina was
a favorite of theirs.

They haven't stopped talking
about her

and felt sure
I would like her too.

Mila wanted me to
love Madrid as much as she did,

but I didn't feel
at ease there.

I knew I would see Francisco.

And the thought
terrified me.

-[ knocking on door ]
-MILA: It's me, Miss Maria.
May I come in?

Yes.

I just wanted to say
thank you for a lovely day.

Francisco's
taking us to the party.

Would you come
and say hello to him?

I can't, Mila.
Look at me.

[ Mila and Francisco
speaking Spanish ]

Do you think
Spain is having
an effect on you?

I don't know.
What do you think?

I think
it's changing you.

[ sighs ]
It will be better
if it didn't.

I mean, it will be
much easier for you,

wouldn't it?

Go, Mila.
Enjoy your party. Go on.

-Good night, Miss Maria.
-Good night.

-[ crowd shouting ]
-MILA: This is The King's Park.

[ crowd chanting ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

Mila!

Miss Maria,
come and look.

Quickly! Look!

MARY: Mila, wait!
If you want to go watch,
you wait for me, all right?

[ chattering in Spanish ]

[ Mila approaching,
chattering in Spanish ]

[ in English ]
Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss Maria.

-Are you all right?
-I'm fine.

Yeah?
These street disturbances

are so very annoying.

My husband thinks
I take politics too lightly.

But unlike him, I'm not
obsessed by the thought
of a fascist coup.

And these fascists
will protect people
like us, don't you think?

-Adios.
-Please, sit down.

PILAR: Well--
I just hope nothing is going
to spoil our last two days.

-Last two days?
-Yes.

Tomorrow
and the day after.

That will be quite enough
for Aunt Cristina.

[ speaks Spanish ]

Pablo.

[ all speaking Spanish ]

FRANCISCO [ in English ]:
I'm sorry to spoil
the party, Miss Maria.

I hope we meet again very soon.

Hasta luego, guapitas.

So full of secrets,
my dear husband.

[ man speaking Spanish ]

[ crowd lively chattering ]

[ crowd responds positively ]

[ horse neighs ]

[ chanting in Spanish ]

[ gunshots ]

[ yells in Spanish ]

[ all clamoring ]

[ playing gentle
piano composition ]

-[ explosion in distance ]
-[ screams ]

[ chattering in Spanish ]

MILA [ in English ]:
Francisco's in the street alone!

MARY [ in English ]:
Come away from the window!

[ gunfire ]

I'll go to Aunt Cristina's and
tell her the girls are with you.

The streets are not safe.
You should not go out.

I insist.
I'll be very careful.

[ gunshots continue ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

Pablo!

Pablo!

-[ dogs barking ]
-[ speaks indistinctly ]

[ Pablo grunts in pain ]

[ soldiers ordering in Spanish ]

[ shouting continues ]

-You're safe.
-I was so worried.
What happened to you?

I had to tell
Aunt Cristina that the girls
were safe with Beatriz.

The telephone had been cut.
I knew that she'd be worried.

But I came here last night
and there was no sign of you.

-Where did you go?
-I got lost in the mayhem.

And then I saw Pablo.
I just began to panic.

-I went looking for you.
-You went in the streets?

It was chaos.
You could have been hurt!

I know, but, well--

I was worried about you.
I had to do something.

Then when
I couldn't find you,
I came back to Cristina's.

Oh, Mary.
I was doing the same.

I was looking for you.

We're safe.

-There is no danger anymore.
-[ sighs ]

Are you sure?

They cleared the streets,
and the people have gone home.

Come with me.

-What, now?
-Mm-hm.

I would like
to take you somewhere special.

What will
I tell the girls?

Today is your day off,
isn't it?

No? Yes.
It's your day off. Let's go.

MARY:
On the way to the mountains,

he told me he was going to join
Pablo and fight fascism.

"What about your family?"
I said.

He had not told them yet.
He was telling me.

MARY: You know nothing
about me really, do you?

-So what does it matter?
-Well, it does matter.

You're Spanish,
and you're married.

And you're Irish and teaching
English to my little sisters.

And you have kindness and
you care for those you love.

-You didn't know
that I was engaged.
-What?

To a man who believes
in me completely.

Do you love him?

[ sighs ]
He loves me.

It's so beautiful here.

We could be standing
on top of the world.

I suspect my father
felt the same thing.

He came here often
when he was writing.

I think he must have
felt free in this place.

I wish I could
feel the same.

Why do you say things
like that?

Because my family expects me
to have honorable standards,

and I can't always
say what I feel.

MARY: There's really
no excuse for unhappiness.

We're lucky we're here.

[ rock clattering ]

[ Francisco speaking Spanish ]

-[ speaking Spanish ]
-[ laughs ]

MARY [ in English ]:
Was that Spanish? I couldn't
understand a word of it.

FRANCISCO [ in English ]:
Yes, it was a local dialect.

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ laughs ]

-What did he say?
-He wants to sing to us.

-Let's hear him.
-You want--

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ singing in Spanish ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ laughs ]

[ responds in Spanish ]

FRANCISCO:
Gracias.

I keep thinking of the lies
that will start tomorrow

and stretch back to Ireland.

Come. I would like
to show you something.

The Hermitage
of the Holy Angels,
my father's favorite place.

I can never decide
whether your father

has very little faith
in life or very much.

Doesn't know, I imagine.
He's a dreamer.

He gave me
this postcard as a child.

I promised I would
come here one day.

Come!

Look. It's beautiful.
Beautiful.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

Stay with me.

I can't.
You know I can't.

"For life, Francisco."

MARY: You're asking me
to believe in miracles.

No.
Just in love.

You don't know.
She doesn't know.

How could she know?
Lavelle's been in Madrid.

-Know what?
-It's O'Toole.
She's gotten married.

Married!
I don't believe it!

It is absolutely
disgusting.

What on earth is disgusting
about O'Toole getting married?

Oh!

Congratulations, Carlos. Gracias.

-Did she ever pay her bill?
-Every penny.

O'TOOLE:
I'm in here!

Come in and stop
spreading scandal about me.

Carlos,
you mind the shop.

Ooh.

Thanks, pet.

-Cheers, daughter.
-Cheers.

-Get that into ya.
-Well, I hope you'll
be really happy.

-You and Carlos.
-Thanks, darling.

May your heart always be
as beautiful as yourself.

You know, I will never get
the hang of these all-day stews.

He'd be dead within the year
of indigestion. God help him.

I wonder, now, how much
would I get for the shop?
God forgive me. [ chuckles ]

You're looking
a bit drawn, daughter.

What's ailing you?

Nothing.

Is it the heart?
Is that chap at home
causing you any worry?

None at all.

Oh, Mary!
Darling girl,

believe an old,
married woman.

Love is life.

Aw. Aw, angel.

[ speaking Spanish ]

[ door thumps;
footsteps approaching ]

[ in English ]
You want to leave?

Yes.
I must go home.

[ sighs ]

Mila will
be heartbroken.

Sorry.

Won't you tell me
what's wrong?

I wish I could.

MARY:
I knew what was wrong.

To break hearts,
to break up a family--

That's what was wrong.

We never get what
we most want in life.

We're shown it,

but we do not get it.

-Hello.
-Come in.

I've got
something for you.

Come here.

It's a little scruffy,
but it's the most
precious thing I have.

I'd like you
to have it.

Don't go.

I've been so happy
since you came, Miss Maria.

[ sobbing ]
We will do anything
if you will stay.

Please.

[ Don Jorge speaking Spanish ]

[ line ringing ]

[ phone ringing ]

Si.

[ speaking Spanish ]

Ah.

Padre? Que pasa, Padre?

[ Dr. Vicente speaking
in Spanish ]

[ phone clatters in cradle ]

Why go back?

[ sighs ]
To explain.
I owe that to Michael.

I can't simply be passed
from father to husband.

-Will you ever leave?
-Never.

People don't like me,
but I teach English
better than the others.

So--
You go tomorrow.

Yes.

Agatha,
lend me your room, please.

Thank you.

Why didn't you tell me
that you were leaving?

We agreed in Madrid that
we only had that one day.

We agreed to nothing.

Mary, I'm going to tell
my father about us.

He'll understand
how we feel.

-[ loud knocking ]
-[ dogs barking ]

[ knocking continues ]

[ whispering loudly in Spanish ]

[ knocking continues ]

Vicente! No, no!
Vicente! No! No--

[ engines revving ]

[ engines revving ]

[ vehicles departing ]

Pablo.

[ gunshot ]

[ Dona Consuelo
shuddering, gasping ]

[ dramatic theme playing ]

I've come to say
good-bye to you now.

Thought a lot about my life
since I came to Spain.

I never expected
to love you.

Then stay with me.

Do you remember that day
when you tried

to explain to me
what was happening here?

Yes.

Well, I didn't understand it
the way I do now.

What does that
have to do with us?

Others need you
more than I do.

Can't afford
to be selfish.

I love you.

I'll never forget you.

[ footsteps departing ]

[ speaks Spanish ]

Why are you crying?
You hardly knew the man.

I'm not crying for him.
It's because of her.

Why her?

She's going
home to Ireland.

She can go home.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

[ lively chattering ]

I'm scared.

Do you think they'll
find me changed at home?

Of course,
they'll find you changed.

You've learned more
in the past few months
than you could've

in a lifetime
on some sleepy Irish farm.

I feel unsure.

I don't want
to get on that train.

Listen to me, Mary.

Don't start to doubt yourself.
Your life is not over.

It's just beginning.
You have everything to live for.

And you deserve to be
as happy as you can be.

Miss Lavelle.

I've been meaning
to give you something.

You're the proper
Spanish lady now.

Mary, it's beautiful.

Go on now.
You'll miss the train.

Oh, God,
I hate good-byes.

-Good-bye.
-Bye-bye.

-So long.
-So long.

Oh, God.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

[ whistle blowing ]

MARY:
I knew I would never
see any of them again

and everything
seemed lost to me.

Above all, him.

But in that moment,

I understood it was
a journey that had to be.

I know now it has made
all the difference.

[ dramatic theme playing ]

[ dramatic theme playing ]