The Winslow Boy (1999) - full transcript

Arthur: How do you do, sir?
Man: Good morning, sir.

Lovely sermon this morning.
Woman: Good morning.

Man: How are you today?

Come on, father.
Yes. Yes.

He's a good man.
Grace: Sorry, Arthur?

Good man, good sermon.

Arthur: Pharaoh's dream,
dream of the king of Egypt.

Seven fat years,
seven lean years.

Good sermon.

Dickie: Exceptional sermon.
I couldn't hear him.

Dickie: Can one be good
if one's inaudible?



A problem in ethics
for you, father.

Dickie: Not everything
is a problem in ethics.

And the seven fat cows

were devoured by the
seven lean and hungry cows.

Yes, and don't I feel like
those lean and hungry cows.

My point, precisely.

Lunch in about an hour, sir.

Thank you.
Yes, sir.

My, it's going to rain.

I could've told you that.
I feel it in my leg.

Would you please
mind the gramophone?

The center of
a well-regulated home.

Catherine: Mother,
I'll be right down.

It helps me concentrate.
Grace: Dearest.



Concentrate on what, pray?

Oh, Catherine. It's all
right, father, I just...

I just wanted
to see about the...

To study, father.
To study.

What'd you say?

I said the gramophone,

the music of the gramophone
helps me to study, father.

Study is not what you
appeared to be involved in

when I came downstairs
last night.

Your friend and you...

Edwina, father. Edwina had
just stopped by to...

She just stopped by on the way

from Graham's dance
to fetch a book and...

And you are involved with her
in what, a sort of what?

Reading club?
Um...

No, no, father,
I must say that I believe

I have a right to a certain
measure of autonomy.

I'm sorry,
what were we discussing?

Edwina.
Ah, Edwina.

What a fast
and flighty little...

I'm sorry, Dickie. You're
rather keen on her, aren't you?

Well, you would have had ample
proof of that fact, grace,

if you'd seen them in the attitude
I caught them in last night.

We were practicing
the bunny hug.

Grace: The what, dear?
The bunny hug.

Oh, is that what you're
calling it these days?

It's the new dance.

It's like the Turkey trot,
only more dignified.

Good sermon, miss?
Mmm-hmm.

Joseph interprets
pharaoh's dreams.

No more like
the fox trot, really.

Fox trot or the kangaroo glide.

Well, whichever animal
is responsible

for the posture that I found you
and your friend in last night.

Yes. Yes, yes.

Or to make an end,

I doubt...

I doubt the gramophone aids you
in what you call your studies.

Ah-ha. Ah-ha.

I see. It all comes
clear to me now.

- Yes, it's raining.
- May I see it?

Dickie: We're talking about a
different subject, aren't we, sir?

It's not about the gramophone.

It's about Ronnie.

You know, sir, I wouldn't
have thought it of you.

I certainly would not.
And at this festive season...

At this festive season, father,

to throw it up to me,
to bring that up again...

Nobody's bringing that up.
Yes, they are.

Ronnie, Ronnie...

Ronnie got into Osbourne,
as I did not. Why?

As he applies himself.

And Ronnie...
Ah, Dickie.

Do you have a coin
to give the fellow?

No, sir, I have not.

And if I may,
I'm going to my room.

Perhaps I might suggest you
take that gramophone with you.

May I ask why?

Because it's out of place
in a civilized home.

Grace: I'll take up
the other matter after lunch.

Catherine:
Oh, yes. I know.

Well, I don't think I've
ever seen a nicer setting.

Is it his mother's?
Yes, it was.

Isn't it lovely?

Pelting down out there.

What, dear?

I said it's raining.
What are you reading?

Len Rogers' memoirs.

Who was Len Rogers?

He was a trades union leader.

Was he a radical?

Oh, yes, I'd say so.

Does John know of your
political beliefs? Oh, yes.

And he still wants to marry you?

Seems to.

Oh, I've asked John
to come early for lunch.

Hmm. What?

Catherine: He's coming
early for lunch.

Oh, good.

You won't let me down and forbid
the match or anything, will you?

Because I warn you,
if you do, I shall elope.

Never fear, my dear,
I'm far too delighted

at the prospect of getting
you off our hands at last.

Does Desmond know, by the way?

I'm not sure
I like that "at last."

Have you told Desmond yet?

Kate, do you love him?

John? Yes, I do.

Do you? You don't behave
as if you're in love.

How does one behave
as if one is in love?

One doesn't read the social
evil and the social good.

One reads lord Byron.

Ah, is that so? I see.

You know, I don't think you modern girls
have the feelings our generation did.

Very well, mother.
I love John

in every way that
a woman can love a man.

Does that satisfy you?

My, look at the rain.

Hello. I thought I saw
someone in the garden.

Where?

Over there. Do you see?

Well, whoever it is,
is getting terribly wet.

John: Good morning, Violet.
Violet: Good afternoon, sir.

Was that John?
Sounded like it.

Yes, it's John. Quick,
into the drawing room.

All right. Good. Here we go.

You've forgotten your bag.

What on earth is going on?

We're leaving you alone
with John.

When you finish,
cough or something.

What do you mean, "or something"?
Oh, I know.

Knock on the floor three times with
your stick and then we'll come in.

You don't think that might
look a trifle coincidental?

Mr. Watherstone.

John. How are you?

Hello, sir.

Have you got a coin?

Here.

Thank Mr. Simms for delivering
on a Sunday, will you?

Thank you much, sir.
Yes.

Glad to see you.
Glad you could come.

I see you have your tree.
Yes, yes.

Fellow just put it up for us.

How are you, sir?
Oh, fine.

This arthritis is
troubling me a bit, but...

I'm sorry to hear that, sir.
Catherine told me it was better.

Yes. It was better.

Now it's worse.

Well, now, I understand you
wish to marry my daughter.

John: Yes, sir.

That is to say,
I proposed to her

and she's done me
the honor of accepting me.

I see. I trust when you corrected
yourself that your second statement

wasn't a denial of your first.

I mean, you do really
wish to marry her?

Yes, of course, sir.

Why, "of course"?

There are plenty of people about
who don't wish to marry her.

I mean, of course because
I proposed to her.

Well, that too
doesn't necessarily follow.

However, we don't need
to quibble.

We'll take the sentimental side
of the project for granted.

As regard to the more practical
side, I hope you won't mind

if I ask you one or two
rather personal questions.

Naturally not, sir.
It's your duty.

Quite so.

Now, your income. Are
you able to live on it?

No, sir. I'm in
the regular army.

Yes, of course.

But my army pay is supplemented
by an allowance from my father.

Yes, so I understand.

Now your pay will be, I
take it, about £24 a month?

Yes, sir, that's exactly right.

So that your total income with your
subaltern's pay and allowances,

plus the allowance from your
father would be, I take it,

about £420 a year.

Again, exactly the figure.

Well, that all seems
perfectly satisfactory.

I don't think I need delay
my congratulations any longer.

Thank you, sir.

Do you smoke?
I do.

Now, I propose to settle on my daughter
one-sixth of my total capital.

Which worked out
to the final fraction,

is exactly £833,
six shillings and eight pence.

But let's deal in round figures,
shall we, and call it £850.

Well, I call that
very generous, sir.

Well, it's not as generous
as I would have liked,

but if that arrangement
seems agreeable,

I don't think that we have anything
more that we need to discuss.

No, sir.
Splendid.

Pretty rotten weather,
isn't it, sir?

Yes, vile.

Would you like a cigarette?

Ah, no, thank you, sir.
I'm still smoking.

Well?
Well, what?

How did your little chat go?

I understood you weren't supposed to
know we were having a little chat.

Oh.

You are infuriating.
Is everything all right, John?

Oh, I'm so glad.
I really am.

Thank you, Mrs. Winslow.

Can I kiss you?
John: Of course.

Well, I'm practically
your mother now.

Well, I, by the same token, am practically
your father, but if you'll forgive me.

Oh, he's gone and left
the garden gate open.

Could someone come and
close the garden gate for us?

I don't suppose you two would
mind if we left you alone

for a few minutes, would you?

Arthur: Grace, I think
we might allow ourselves

a little modest
celebration at lunch, hmm?

Would you go and get me the key of
the cellar? Grace: Indeed I will.

Violet, would you have someone
see to the gate, please?

Violet: Yes, sir.

Was it an ordeal?

Scared to death.
My poor darling.

The annoying thing was

that I had a whole lot of neatly
turned phrases ready for him,

but he wouldn't let me use them.

I'm sure they were rather good.

I thought they were.

You want to do
your speech for me?

Love to.

What is it?

Ronnie, what is it?

Where did father go?
Is he gone?

I'll go and get him.

Catherine: Father.

Ronnie: No, don't go and get him.
No! Kate, please don't.

No, don't.
Please, Kate, don't.

What's the trouble, Ronnie?

You'd better go and change,
hadn't you?

No.
What's the trouble, darling?

You can tell me.

You know John Watherstone, darling.
You met him last holidays.

Don't you remember?
John: I'll disappear.

Now, darling, what is it?

You can tell me.
Have you run away?

What is it then?

Oh, God.

I didn't do it.
Kate, really, I didn't.

No, darling. This letter is addressed
to father. Did you open it?

Yes.
You shouldn't have done that.

I was going to tear it up.

But we could tell father term
had ended two days sooner.

No. I'm back for the
Christmas holidays.

No, darling.
Kate, I didn't do it.

Really, I didn't.

Ah, Ronnie, old lad, how's everything?
Back early, eh?

You take him upstairs.
I'll get mother.

All right.

What's up then, old chap?

Nothing.

Have you been sacked?

Bad luck. What for?

I didn't do it.

Of course you didn't.
I know that.

Honestly, I didn't.
That's all right, old chap.

I believe you.
No need to go on about it.

I say, you're a bit damp,
aren't you?

I've been out in the rain.

You're shivering a bit, too.

Oughtn't you to change?

I mean, we don't want you
catching pneumonia, do we?

I'm all right.

Mother.
There, darling.

There.

All right, now.

I didn't do it, mother.

No, darling,
of course you didn't.

I know you didn't.

Let's get out of
these nasty wet things.

Don't tell father.

No, darling.
Not yet. I promise.

A new uniform, too.
What a shame.

All right, Ronnie.
It's all right.

Bad news?

Expelled?

That's right.

What's he supposed to have done?

He's supposed to have...

Just think what that little
creature has been going through

these last 10 days.

It does seem pretty
heartless, I admit.

You must remember, darling...

You must remember,
he's not really at school.

He is in the services.

What difference can that make?

Their ways of doing things may
seem to an outsider brutal,

but at least
they are always fair.

Must have been a full inquiry before
they take a step of this sort.

What's more, if there's
been a delay of 10 days,

it would only have been
in order to give the boy

a better chance
to clear himself.

I'm awfully sorry.

How will your father take it?

Desmond: Ah, Violet.
It might kill him.

Oh, heavens, we've got Desmond to lunch.
I'd forgotten.

Desmond?

Desmond curry,
our family solicitor.

Oh, lord. Darling, be
polite to him, won't you?

Am I usually
rude to your guests?

No, but he doesn't
know about us yet.

Who does?

Yes, but he's been
in love with me for years.

It's a family joke.

Violet: Mr. curry.

Hello, Desmond. I don't think
you know John Watherstone.

No! But of course I've
heard a lot about him.

How do you do?
Well, well, well.

I trust I'm not early.

Catherine: No, no.
Punctual, as always.

Capital. Good.

How is your shoulder?
I'm so sorry.

No, I'm sorry.
Catherine. Please.

No, no. I was only going to
ask how your shoulder was.

Ah, not very well, I'm afraid.
The damp, you know.

I'm sorry to hear that.
Old cricket injury.

Well, it seems I'm to
congratulate you both.

Violet told me
just now at the door.

Yes, I must
congratulate you both.

Thank you.
Thank you so much, Desmond.

Of course, it's quite expected, I know.
Quite expected.

Still, it was rather a surprise
hearing it from Violet that way.

We were going to tell you,
Desmond, dear.

It was only official
this morning, you know.

In fact, you're the
first person to hear it.

Am I? Am I indeed?

Ah, I see you've got your tree.

Hello, Mrs. Winslow.

Hello, Desmond, dear.

I've got him to bed.

Grace, when did we last
have the cellars seen to?

Nobody ill, I hope?

They're in shocking condition.
Oh, hello, Desmond.

How are you?
You're not looking well.

The old cricket thing.
Arthur: Violet.

Is anybody ill?
Any relation of D.W.H. Curry?

He used to play for middle-sex.

I am D.W.H. Curry.

Curry of curry's match?
That's right.

Hat-trick against the players
in, what year was it now?

1895 at lord's.

You were a hero of mine.

Was I? Was I indeed?

John: I used to have
a signed photograph of you.

Yes, I used to sign a lot
once for schoolboys.

Well, I think we might try a little
of the Madeira before luncheon.

Ah.
We're celebrating...

It's all right, father.
Desmond knows.

Yes, indeed, it's
wonderful news, isn't it?

I'll most gladly
drink a toast to the...

"Happy pair," I think is the
phrase that's eluding you.

As a matter of fact, I was looking
for something new to say.

Oh, a forlorn quest,
my dear Desmond.

A forlorn quest.

Arthur, really, you
mustn't be so rude.

No, no, no, no. I meant,
naturally, that nobody,

with the possible
exception of Voltaire

could find anything new to
say about an engaged couple.

Hello.
Ah, Dickie.

A toast to the happy pair.

Dickie: Oh, is that all
finally spliced up now?

Kate definitely being entered
for the marriage stakes.

Good egg.

Quite so.
I should have added,

"with the possible exception of
Voltaire and Dickie Winslow."

Are we allowed to drink
to our own healths?

Oh, I think it's permissible.
No, it's bad luck.

We defy augury, don't we, Kate?

You mustn't say
that, John, dear.

I know. You can drink
each other's healths.

That's all right.

So our superstitious terrors
are allayed, are they?

Good.

To Catherine and John.

Oh, Violet.
We mustn't leave you out.

You must join us in this toast.

Nothing for me, sir.

Arthur: Your reluctance
would be more convincing

if I hadn't noticed
you brought an extra glass.

Oh, I didn't bring
it for myself, sir.

I brought it for master Ronnie.

You brought another glass
for master Ronnie?

Well, I thought you might
allow him just a taste, sir.

Just to drink the toast. He's
that grown-up these days.

But master Ronnie doesn't get back
from Osbourne until Tuesday, Violet.

No, sir. He's back already.
The girl said.

No, but the Christmas holidays
don't start until Tuesday, Violet.

Well, the girl saw him with her own
two eyes. Isn't that right, ma'am?

Grace, what does this mean?

All right, Violet, you can go.

Yes, miss.

Catherine, did you know
Ronnie was back?

Yes.

Dickie?
Yes, father.

Grace?

We thought you shouldn't know
for the time being, Arthur.

Just for the time being.

Is the boy very ill?

Answer me, someone.

Is the boy very ill?

No, father, he's not ill.

Will someone tell me
what has happened, please?

He, um...

He brought this letter
for you, Arthur.

Will you read it to me, please?

Arthur, not in front of the...

Will you read it to me, please?

"Sir, I am commanded by my lords'
commissioners of the admiralty

"to inform you that they have
received a communication

"from the commanding officer of the
royal naval college at Osbourne,

"reporting the theft of
a five-shilling postal order

"at the college on
the seventh instant,

"which was afterwards
cashed at the post office.

"Investigation of the
circumstances of the case

"leaves no other
conclusion possible

"than that the postal order
was cashed by your son,

"cadet Ronald Arthur Winslow.

"My lords deeply regret that
they must therefore request you

"to withdraw your son
from the college.

"I am, sir,
your obedient servant..."

It's signed by...

I can't read his name.

Desmond, would you be kind enough to have
Ronnie come down and see me, please?

Arthur, he's in bed.
You told me he wasn't ill.

He's not at all well.
Thank you, Desmond.

Of course.

Perhaps the rest of you
would go into luncheon.

Grace, would you
take them in, please?

Arthur, don't you think...

Dickie, would you decant the claret
I brought up from the cellar?

You will find it on the
sideboard in the dining room.

Yes, father.
Thank you.

Arthur.
Yes, grace.

Please don't...

Please don't...

What mustn't I do?

Please don't forget
he's only a child.

Come on, mother.

Come on, darling.
It's all right.

Come in.

Come in and close the door.

Come over here.

Why aren't you in uniform?

It got wet.

How did it get wet?

I was out in the garden,
in the rain.

Why?

I was hiding.

From me?

Do you remember once
you promised me that

if you got into trouble of any
sort, you'd come to me first?

Yes, father.

Why didn't you come to me now?

Why did you have to go
and hide in the garden?

I don't know, father.

Are you so frightened of me?

It says in this letter
that you stole a postal order.

But I...

No.

I don't want you to say a word until
you've heard what I have to say first.

If you did it, you must tell me.

I shan't be angry with you, Ronnie,
provided you tell me the truth.

But if you tell me a lie,
I shall know it.

Because a lie between
you and me cannot be hidden.

I shall know it, Ronnie.

So remember that
before you speak.

Hmm?

Did you steal this postal order?

No, father, I didn't.

Did you steal this postal order?

No, father, I didn't.

Go on back to bed.

Dickie: "The efforts
of Mr. Arthur Winslow

"to secure
a fair trial for his son,

"having been thwarted at every
turn by a soulless oligarchy..."

Soulless oligarchy,
that's rather good.

"It is high time private and
peaceful citizens of this country

"woke to the increasing encroachment
of their ancient freedoms."

Woman: Tell me
a piece of news.

I'll tell you a piece of news.

Saw a chap on the train
today, had on brown boots.

Brown boots, I ask you.

Did he have on a brown suit?
That doesn't excuse it.

Oh, can you get this
out this afternoon?

I have to go to the law library.

Polly, do you think you can
get this out this afternoon?

Fighting on many fronts,
is that it, Cath?

Yes, that's right, darling.

Cannon to the right of
you, and so on? Mmm.

They paying you here yet?

No, I just do it for
the sport of the thing.

The other's from perplexed.

"What with the present troubles in
the Balkans and the further inquiry

"at which the judge advocate of
the fleet confirmed the findings

"that the boy was guilty,
da, da, da,

"this correspondence now
must cease."

Well, in any case, it'll blow
over before the wedding.

Postponed again?

His father's out of the country.

Nothing wrong? I mean, I'm not gonna have
to quirt him with my riding crop, am I?

This correspondence now
must cease.

Well, I'm late for
a meeting with the guv.

Dickie,

what do you suppose
one of your bookmaker friends

would lay in the way of odds
against your getting a degree?

Oh, well, let's think.
Say about evens?

Hmm.

I doubt whether at that price your
friend would find many takers.

Well, perhaps
seven-to-four against.

I see. And the odds against you
eventually becoming a civil servant?

Well, a bit steeper, I suppose.

Exactly. Quite a bit steeper.

You don't want to
have a bet, do you?

No, Dickie, I'm not a gambler.

And that is exactly the trouble.

Unhappily, I'm no longer in a
position to gamble £200 a year

on what you yourself
admit is an outside chance.

It's the case, I suppose.
Mmm-hmm.

You want me to leave Oxford,
is that it?

I'm afraid so.

Oh, straightaway?

No, no. You can finish your year.
And then what?

I could get you a job
here at the bank.

Oh, lord.

Oh, it'd be quite a good job.

Happily, my influence here
still counts for something.

Father, if I promised you,
I mean, really promised you.

I'm afraid my mind
is finally made up.

Oh, lord.

This is rather a shock
for you, isn't it?

What? No, no.
It isn't, really.

I've been rather expecting
it, as a matter of fact.

Things... things are tight.

Yes, things are tight.

And you're still hoping... Still
hoping to brief sir Robert Morton?

Yes, we're hoping.

That'd take a bit of tin.

Yes, it will.
Uh-huh.

Still, I can't say but that it
isn't a bit of a slap in the face.

Well, I must thank you,
Dickie, for bearing

what must have been a very
unpleasant blow with some fortitude.

Oh, nonsense, father.

Miss Barnes from the beacon to see Mr.
Arthur Winslow. I have an appointment.

What a lovely home you have.

Yes, yes, it's showing
its age a bit, but...

Mmm-hmm.

My paper usually sends me out on stories
which have a special interest to women.

Stories with a little heart,
you know, like this one.

A father's fight for
his little boy's honor.

Well, I venture to think the case has
rather wider implications than that.

Oh, yes, of course.

Now what I'd really like to
do is to get a nice picture

of you and your
little boy together.

Oh, well, my son is arriving
from school in a few minutes.

His mother's gone down
to the station to meet him.

From school?
How interesting.

So you got a school
to take him then?

I mean, they didn't
mind the unpleasantness?

Arthur: No. Not at all,
not at all.

No question of that.
Miss Barnes: Mmm-hmm.

I find it's extraordinary
how fair-minded people are.

Yes, indeed.

And why is he
coming back this time?

Well, he's not being expelled again,
if that was your implication.

No.

Well, he is, in fact
doing quite well at school.

Oh, good.

Extraordinarily well, when you
consider the circumstances.

And why is he
coming back to London?

He's coming to London to be
examined by sir Robert Morton,

whom we're hoping to brief.

Oh, sir Robert Morton?

Do you really think he'll
take a little case like this?

Oh, this is not
a little case, madam.

Oh, of course not.

Of course not.

Of course it's not a little case.
Nothing of the sort.

Well, now,

perhaps you wouldn't mind
giving me a few details.

When did it all start?

Four months ago.

Mmm-hmm.

The first I knew of the charge
was when my son arrived home

with a letter from the admiralty
informing me of his expulsion.

I telephoned Osbourne to protest

and I was referred by them
to the lords of the admiralty.

My solicitors then
took the matter up.

We applied to the admiralty
for a court-martial.

They ignored us.

We applied for a civil trial.
They ignored us again.

And after tremendous pressure
had been brought to bear,

letters to the papers,
questions in the house

and other means available to
private citizens of this country,

the admiralty
eventually agreed to

what they called
an independent inquiry.

Oh, good.
It was not good, madam.

At that independent inquiry

conducted by the
judge advocate of the fleet,

against whom I'm saying
nothing, mind you,

my son, a child of 14,

was not represented by counsel,
solicitors or friends.

And what happened at
that inquiry?

What do you think happened?

Inevitably, he was
found guilty again

and branded for the second
time before the world

as a thief and a forger.

What a shame.

I need hardly tell you, madam, I am not
prepared to let the matter rest there.

I intend to fight this monstrous
injustice with every weapon

and every power at my disposal.

Mmm.
And I have a plan.

I've approached sir Robert...

Well, I might say I have
petitioned sir Robert Morton...

Oh, what charming curtains.
What are they made of?

Madam, I fear I have no idea.

Ah.

Grace: Hello.
Is Violet back?

Is that the poor
little chap himself?

Hello, Ronnie.
Ronnie: Hello, father.

I say, Mr. Moore says I needn't come
back until Monday, if you like.

So that gives me
three whole days.

How are you, my boy?

Oh, I'm absolutely
top-hole, Father.

Mother says I've grown an inch.

That's the lad.
That's the lad.

That's the lad we need
to get a picture of.

You said you wanted
to take it outside.

Yes, take it outside.

Yeah, I only mention
it as the light's going.

Yes. Might we
go to the park?

Do you know, I was thinking, might
we go to the park, do you think?

You could wear your uniform.

Well, I don't think
that would be a good idea.

Miss Barnes: Well, something
to stress his youth and his...

Do you have any cricket clothes?

Grace, this lady's from
the beacon.

She's extremely
interested in your curtains.

Oh, really? How nice.

Yes, indeed. I was wondering
what they were made of.

Eh, which?
In the drawing room.

Well, they're an entirely
new material, you know.

I'm afraid I don't
know what it's called.

I got it in barkers last year.

Apparently it's a mixture
of silk and velvet.

Man: We're losing
the light, miss.

Mr. Winslow, if we could, do you
see, put him in cricket costume?

Do you see?

Something which would say
both youth and England.

Arthur: Oh, very well.
I'm gonna set up.

Yes, you set up.
Goodbye, Mr. Winslow.

Very best of good fortune
in your inspiring fight.

It's very good of you
to talk to me.

I'm sure our readers
would be most interested.

I've found the name
of the material.

Excellent. Excellent.
Marvelous.

That's very kind of you.
Grace: Not at all.

Ronnie, we'll meet you
in the park.

What's she talking about?

The case, I imagine.

Oh, the case.

Father, did you know
the train had 14 coaches?

Had it really?

Yes. All corridor.
Remarkable.

I've had your
half-term report, Ronnie.

Oh, yes?

On the whole,
it was pretty fair.

Oh, good.

I'm glad you seem to
be settling down so well.

Yes, thank you, father.

Father, do you know how
long the train took? No.

A hundred and
twenty-three Miles

in two hours and
fifty-two minutes.

That's an average
of 46.73 Miles an hour.

I worked it out.
Well, you worked it out well.

Now, hadn't you better go and
change for the photographer?

Oh, yes. Violet!
Violet's out.

Oh, will you tell her I'm back?

Yes, I will. Now you need
to go and change.

I found a new citation
in the law library.

Ronnie's back.
What?

I said, Ronnie's back.

Mmm.

New frock?

Bless you,
I've turned the cuffs.

Turned the cuffs.
What?

No, I said...
I said I like the frock.

Like it, eh?
Yes, I do.

I hope John likes it.

What are you reading?

Admiralty law.

New citation, "cadet's
right to a first hearing."

Did John telephone?

Things are all right between
you two, aren't they?

Oh, yes, father, of course.
Everything's perfect.

Good, good.

Couldn't be better.

Good.

Kate, are we both mad,
you and I?

Tell me.

Should we drop the whole thing?

I don't consider that
a serious question.

You realize your marriage settlement
will have to go, don't you?

Oh, yes. Of course, father. I
gave that up for lost weeks ago.

It won't make any difference, will it?
To you and John?

Good heavens, no.

All right.

Let us pin our faith on the
appearance of a champion.

You know what I think
of sir Robert Morton, father.

Don't let's go into
that again now.

I want the best.

The best in this case
is not Morton.

Then why does
everyone say he is?

Why does everyone
vote for slavery?

He's the best
if one happens to be

a large monopoly
attacking a trade union.

Then he is your lad.

Yes, indeed he is.

Did Mr. Watherstone
telephone, Violet?

I'm sorry, miss.
I just stepped out.

To the best of my knowledge,
no one's telephoned.

Catherine: Thank you.

Arthur: Hello, Violet.
Good afternoon, sir.

Well, I imagine if his heart isn't
in it, he won't accept the brief.

He might still. It depends
what there is in it for him.

Luckily, there isn't much.

Well, there's a fairly
substantial check.

He doesn't want money.
He must be a very rich man.

What does he want then?

That which
advances his interests.

Well, I believe
you're prejudiced

because he spoke
against women's suffrage.

Is that a prejudice
or a position?

Winslow residence.

You tell me.

It's a position.
Violet: Yes, sir.

He's always speaking
against what is right.

Mr. curry, miss.

Mr. curry.

Hello. Hello, Desmond.

Yes.

What? We... what?

Violet, did we receive
a letter from Mr. curry?

Yes, I just... now?
Yes, right. Thank you. Yes.

Arthur: What is it, my dear?

Violet, hail us a cab.

Where's Ronnie?

He's in the park.

We'll have to go without him.

Desmond got us an appointment
with sir Robert.

When?

Half an hour ago.

Ah.

We only have just
a very few moments.

I'm so sorry.
We didn't get your note.

He has an important...

A most important
dinner engagement, sir.

Where is the boy?

He'll be along with
my wife in a few moments.

I'm afraid he can only spare us

a very few moments of his time.

I assure you
we're conscious of it.

Catherine, you'd
better go on ahead.

Explain why we're late.
Make our apologies. Go now.

Catherine!

It's straight on
through that doorway,

up the stairs and to your left.

Thank you.

Excuse me, please.

Miss Catherine winslow.
The winslow case.

We understood that...

They're coming.

"They're coming"?

We didn't hear of
the appointment until...

Miss Catherine winslow.

I beg your pardon.

I suppose you know the history of
this case, do you, sir Robert?

I believe I've seen most
of the relevant documents.

Catherine: Yes.
Yes, excellent.

Do you think we can bring the case
into court by a collusive action?

I really have no idea.

Curry and curry seem
to think that might hold.

Do they? They are
a very reliable firm.

Robert Morton.

Catherine winslow.

Mr. Michaels, if I could have your
attention on that other matter.

Michaels: Yes, sir.

There...

I hope you don't mind if I...

What could be more absurd than
your asking me permission

to smoke in your establishment?

Well, it is the custom.
I indulge, myself.

Yes, sir.
Indeed?

Some people find that shocking.

Amazing how little it takes to
offend the world's sensibilities.

No, thank you.

My father and brother
will be here in a moment.

What time are you dining?

8:00.

Far from here?

Devonshire house.

Oh. Well, then, of course, you
mustn't on any account be late.

No.

I'm rather surprised
that a case of this sort

should interest you, sir Robert.

Are you?

It seems such
a very trivial affair

compared to most of your
great forensic triumphs.

I was in court during your
prosecution of Len Rogers

in the trades union
embezzlement case.

Really?

Magnificently done.

Thank you.

I suppose you heard that he
committed suicide a few months ago?

Yes, I had heard.

Many people believed
him innocent, you know.

So I understand.

As it happens, however,
he was guilty.

Ah, sir Robert.

Arthur: Sir Robert, sir Robert.
Sir Robert, I'm sorry.

I am so sorry
to keep you waiting.

Desmond: Arthur winslow.

I'm so sorry.
We didn't get your note.

That's perfectly all right.

Sir Robert is dining
at Devonshire house.

Yes, yes, yes, I see. I know that
you're pressed for time, sir.

My son will be along
at any moment.

I assume that you
want to examine him.

Just a few questions.

I fear that is all I will
have time for this evening.

I'm sorry to hear it.

My son has made
the journey from school

especially in the
hope of being interviewed.

And I had hoped that,
by the end of it,

I should know definitely yes or no
whether you would accept the brief.

You, of course,
understand my anxiety.

Well, perhaps
sir Robert would consent

to finish his examination
some other time.

It might be arranged.

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is impossible.
I'm in court all the morning

and in the house of commons
for the rest of the day.

I see.

Curry tells me you
think it might be possible

to proceed by petition of right.

Would you mind
if I sat down, sir?

Please, just...

What is a petition of right?

Well, granting the assumption
that the admiralty,

as the crown, can do no wrong...

I thought that was exactly the
assumption we refused to grant.

In law, I mean. Now, a
subject can sue the crown

nevertheless, by
petition of right.

Petition of right, yes?

Redress being granted
as a matter of grace.

And the custom is
for the Attorney General,

on behalf of the crown,
to endorse the petition

and allow the case to
come to court.

It is interesting to note that the
exact words he uses on such occasions

are, "let right be done."

"Let right be done."
I like that phrase, sir.

It has a certain ring
about it, has it not?

"Let right be done."

Michaels: This way, please.

Arthur: Oh, grace.
This is sir Robert.

That's my wife.
And this is Ronnie.

Ronnie, sir Robert is going
to ask you a few questions,

which you must answer truthfully,
as you always have done.

I expect you'd like us to leave.

No, no. Provided, of course,
you don't interrupt.

Would you sit down, please?

Hello, mother.

Hello.

Sorry we're so late.

That's all right.
Nothing's happened at all.

Will you stand here facing me?

That's right.

Now, Ronald, how old are you?

Fourteen and two months.

You were then,
13 and 10 months old

when you left Osbourne,
is that right?

Yes, sir.

Now, I would like
to cast your mind back

to December the seventh,
of last year.

Would you tell me,
in your own words,

exactly what happened to you
on that day.

It was half-holiday,

so we didn't have
any work after dinner.

Sir Robert: Dinner at 1:00?

Yes, at least
until prep at 7:00.

Prep at 7:00, mmm-hmm.

Well, then, just before dinner

I went along to the
chief petty officer

and asked him to let me have fifteen and
six out of what I had in the school bank.

Why did you do that?

I wanted to buy an air pistol.

Which cost fifteen and six?

Yes, sir.

And how much money did you have
in the school bank at the time?

Two pounds, three shillings.

So you see, what incentive
could he possibly have...

I must ask you to be good enough
not to interrupt me, sir.

After you had withdrawn the
fifteen and six, what did you do?

I had dinner.

Then what?

Then I went to the locker room and put
my fifteen and six away in my locker.

Then I went to go and get permission
to go to the post office.

Yes?

Then I went back
to the locker room,

again got out my money and
went down to the post office.

Yes, go on.

Then I bought my postal order.

For fifteen and six?

Yes, sir.

Then I went back to college.

Then I met Elliot minor.

And he said,
"I say, isn't it rot?

"Someone's broken into my locker
and pinched a postal order.

"I've reported it
to the Po."

And those were Elliot
minor's exact words?

He might have used
another word for rot.

I see. Continue.

Well, then, just before prep, I was told
to go along and see commander flower.

The woman from the
post office was there.

And the commander said,
"is this the boy?"

And she said, "it might be.
I can't be sure.

"They all look
so much alike."

Arthur: You see,
she couldn't identify him.

Go on.

Then she said, "I only know that
the boy who bought a postal order

"for fifteen and six

"was the same boy who cashed
one for five shillings."

So the commander said,

"did you buy a postal order
for fifteen and six?"

And I said, "yes."

And then he made me write
Elliot's name on an envelope

and compared it to the
signature on the postal order.

Then they sent me to the sanatorium
and 10 days later I was sacked.

I mean, expelled.

I see.

Did you cash a postal order belonging
Elliot minor for five shillings?

No, sir.

Did you break into
his locker and steal it?

No, sir.

And that is the truth,

the whole truth and
nothing but the truth?

Yes, sir.

Right.

The files, please.

This has just come down
from ridgeley-pearce.

Sir Robert: Thank you.

When the commander asked you to
write Elliot's name on an envelope,

how did you write it? With
Christian name or initials?

I wrote,
"Charles K. Elliot."

Charles K. Elliot.

And did you by any chance happen
to see the forged postal order

in the commander's office?

Yes, sir. The commander
showed it to me.

Before or after you had written
Elliot's name on the envelope?

After.
After.

And did you happen to see how Elliot's
name was written on the postal order?

Ronnie: Yes, sir, the same.

Sir Robert: The same.

"Charles K. Elliot."

Ronnie: Yes.

When you wrote on the envelope,

what made you choose
that particular form?

Well, that was the way
he usually signed his name.

How did you know?

Well, he was
a great friend of mine.

That is no answer.
How did you know?

I'd seen him sign things.
What things?

Oh, ordinary things.

I repeat. What things?

Bits of paper.

Bits of paper. Why did he sign
his name on bits of paper?

He was practicing his signature.

And you saw him?
Yes.

Did he know you saw him?

Well, yes.

In other words, he showed you
exactly how he wrote his signature?

Yes, I suppose he did.

Did you practice
writing it yourself?

I might have done.

What do you mean, you might have done?
Did you or did you not?

Yes.

Ronnie. You never
told me that.

It was only for a joke.

Sir Robert: Never mind
if it was for a joke or not.

The fact is, you practiced
forging Elliot's signature.

It wasn't forging.

What do you call it then?
Writing.

Whoever stole the postal
order and cashed it

also wrote Elliot's
signature, didn't he?

Yes.

And oddly enough,
in the exact form

in which you had earlier been
practicing writing his signature.

I say, which side are you on?

Michaels: Yes. All right.

Are you aware...

Are you aware that the admiralty
sent up the forged postal order

to Mr. ridgeley-pearce,

the greatest handwriting
expert in England?

Yes.

You are aware of that?

And you know that
Mr. ridgeley-pearce affirmed

that there was no doubt that the
signature on the postal order

and the signature which you wrote on the
envelope were by one and the same hand?

Yes.

And you still say you didn't
forge that signature?

Yes, I do.

In other words, Mr. ridgeley-pearce
doesn't know his job?

Well, he's wrong, anyway.

Michaels: Is he indeed?

Are you aware that the
government is in possession

of 17 separate examples
of your handwriting

and that a board of government
experts has identified them

as identical with the signature
of Charles K. Elliot?

When you went into the locker room
after dinner, were you alone?

I don't remember.

I think you do. Were you
alone in the locker room?

Yes.

And you knew
which was Elliot's locker?

Yes, of course.

Why did you go in there at all?

I've told you. To put
my fifteen and six away.

Why?
I thought it would be safer.

Why safer than your pocket?

I don't know.

What time did Elliot put his
postal order in his locker?

I don't know. I didn't even know
he had a postal order at all.

What time did you
go to the locker room?

I don't remember.
Was it directly after dinner?

Yes, I think so.

What did you do after
leaving the locker room?

I've told you. I went to get permission
to go down to the post office.

What time was that?

About a quarter past two.

But dinner is over
at a quarter to two

which means you were in the
locker room for half an hour.

I wasn't in there all that time.

How long were you there?

About five minutes.

What were you doing for
the other 25?

I don't remember. Perhaps I
waited outside the CO's office.

And no one saw you there either?

I remember. I remember someone did
see me outside the CO's office.

A chap called Casey.
I spoke to him.

What did you say?

I said, "come down to the
post office with me.

"I'm going to
cash a postal order."

Cash a postal order?

I mean, get.

You said cash. Why did you
say cash if you meant get?

I don't know.

I suggest cash was the truth.

No, no, it wasn't really.
You're muddling me.

You seem easily muddled. How
many other lies have you told?

None. Really, I haven't.

I suggest your whole
testimony is a lie.

No, it's the truth!

I suggest there is barely
one single word of truth

in anything you said either to
me or to the judge advocate

or to the commander.

I suggest that you broke
into Elliot's locker.

That you stole the postal order for
five shillings belonging to Elliot.

That you cashed it by
means of forging his name.

I didn't. I didn't.

I suggest that
you did it for a joke,

meaning to give Elliot
the five shillings back

but then when you met him and he
said he'd reported the matter,

you got frightened
and decided to keep quiet.

No! No! It isn't true!
It isn't true!

None of it's true!

I suggest that by continuing
to deny your guilt

you are causing great
hardship to your family

and considerable annoyance to high and
important persons in this country.

That's a disgraceful thing
to say.

I suggest that the
time has at last come

for you to undo some of
the misery you have caused

by confessing to us all now that
you're a forger, a liar and a thief!

Catherine: How dare you!

I'm not. I'm not.
I didn't do it!

This is outrageous, sir.

Ronnie: I didn't do any of it.

Grace: It's all right, love.

It's all right.
It's all right.

Curry, can I drop you anywhere?

No, I...

Send all of his files
here by tomorrow morning.

But will you need them now?

Oh, yes. The boy
is plainly innocent.

I accept the brief.

First lord: If we may...

Sir Robert: Get this to
the first lord, will you?

Messenger: Yes, sir.

The chief point of criticism
against the admiralty

appears to center in
the purely legal question

of the petition of right
brought by a member.

Member 1: Hear, hear.

A citizen seeking redress of the petition
of right and the demurrer thereto.

Member 2: Nonsense!

First lord: This member has
made great play of this boy

with his eloquence and address.

Member 3: Yes.

Member 4: Quite right.

And I was moved

as any honorable member opposite
by his resonant use of the words,

"let right be done,"

the time-honored phrase
with which, in his opinion,

the Attorney General
should, without question,

have supported Mr. Winslow's
petition of right.

Now, it is not
unpleasant to beguile...

All right, all right. Let's break
it down into its essentials.

Do we have enough votes
to put the question?

How important
is it to you, Bobby?

How important is it?

Ah, well,
it's only important to win.

Man: Shouldn't you
be in that house?

It's like he's repeating
himself forever.

Give me a piece of paper.

Am I missing something here?

The thing is the votes.

Well, yes, well.

What do you say to that, Tony?
Do we have the votes?

Say? Do we have the votes?

Well, I'd say,
do we have the money?

The answer's perhaps.

The point is, do you really
want to spend it on this?

Pardon me. Let me just
have a quick look, miss.

Can you bring it to a vote?

Can you bring
it to a vote, Tony?

Perhaps I can. End of the
day, it's a 12-year-old boy.

Excuse me, sir.

You're sure
you want to fight it, Bob?

I wouldn't ask you if I weren't.

I'm saying, before we
start calling in markers.

All dick's saying is,
choose your ground, Bob.

I hear you. Because there's
no honorable retreat.

If you pick this up, you're
gonna have to carry it.

Because it's your best interest, Bobby.
That's the thing.

I understand.

First lord: The battles have
raged since the days of Greece

and our poor efforts here
today will not arrest it.

What can we profit for this age-old
and, if I may, ceremonial contest?

Member 5: Not so, not so.

Yes, that I made clear.
And I find, looking around,

that in this chamber, our friends...
Member 6: Utter nonsense.

In the loyal opposition...

Excuse me.
Excuse me.

First lord:
For make no mistake.

But though the loser in this...

What did I miss?

You didn't miss anything.

First lord: The winner
can never, never...

What's going on?

He was just saying how all the
great crimes are committed

in the name of
public tranquility.

First lord: And we respond,
yes, when the state gains,

when the state gains
and only then.

Grace: Close the book now.

Is everything all right?

Everything's fine.

Go to sleep now.

Good night, mother.

Good night.

Good night, Ronnie.
Sleep well.

Good night.

I fancy this might be a good
opportunity of talking to Violet.

I'll do it one day, Arthur.
Tomorrow, perhaps. Not now.

I think you'd do better
to grasp the nettle.

Delay only adds to your worries.

My worries? What do you
know about my worries?

A good deal, grace.

But I think they would
be a lot lessened

if you faced the
situation squarely.

It won't be easy for her
to find another place.

The facts at this moment are
that we have half of the income

we had a year ago and we're
living at nearly the same rate.

Whichever way you look
at it, it's bad economics.

I'm not talking about economics, Arthur.
I'm talking about our life.

Things we took for granted
a year ago now,

which don't seem
to matter anymore.

Such as?

Such as a happy home and anonymity
and an ordinary, respectable life.

There's your return for it,
I suppose.

I only pray to God
you know what you're doing.

I know exactly
what I am doing, grace.

Do you, Arthur?

He's perfectly happy.

He's at a good school.
He's doing very well.

No one need ever have known
about Osbourne if you hadn't

shouted it out
to the whole world.

As it is, whatever happens now,

he'll be known as the boy
who stole that postal order.

He didn't steal it, grace.

You talk about sacrificing
everything for him.

When he's grown up, he won't
thank you for it, Arthur.

Even though you've given your
life to publish his innocence,

as you call it.

Yes, Arthur. Your life.

You talk gaily about
arthritis and a touch of gout.

You know better than any of the
doctors what's the matter with you.

You're destroying yourself, Arthur,
and me, and your family besides.

For what, I'd like to know?
For what?

For justice, grace.

Are you sure that's true?

Are you sure it isn't
pride and self-importance?

No, I don't think so.
I really don't think so.

No, I'm not going to cry and say I'm
sorry and make things up again.

I can stand anything if
there is a reason for it.

But for no reason at all, it's
unfair to ask so much of me.

It's unfair!

What's the matter, father?

Your mother's
a little upset, that's all.

Why? Aren't things
going very well?

Yes. Everything's
going very well.

You go on back to bed.
Go to sleep. Good night.

Thank you very much.
Here you are.

Off you go.

Thank you, Violet.

How long have you
been with us, Violet?

Twenty-four years
come April, sir.

Is it as long as that?
Yes, sir.

Miss Kate was that high
when I first come in.

Mr. Dickie hadn't
even been thought of.

What do you think
of this case, Violet?

Fine old rumpus that is,
sir, and no mistake.

Yes, it is indeed
a fine old rumpus.

There was a bit in the evening news.
Did you read it, sir?

No, I didn't.
What did it say?

Oh, how it was a fuss about nothing,
shocking waste of the government's time.

But how it was
a good thing all the same,

because it could
only happen in England.

There seems a strange lack
of logic in that argument.

Well, perhaps they put
it a bit different, sir.

Still, that's what it said,
all right.

When you think it's all
because of our master Ronnie,

I have to laugh
about it sometimes.

Really, I do.

Wasting the government's time at his age.
I never did.

Wonders will never cease.

No, wonders will never cease.

Well, will that be all, sir?

Yes, Violet, that'll be all.

Catherine: Good evening, Violet.
Violet: Good evening, miss.

Catherine.
Hello, father.

Hello.

How are you?

Slinking down alleyways.

Are they still camping
out in the street, then?

Oh, yes.

So how'd you
get on this evening?

Are those for me?
Yes.

Thank you.

Well, what happened?
Is the debate over?

As good as.

The first lord gave an assurance

that in the future there would be
no inquiry at Osbourne or Dartmouth

without informing
the parents first.

That seemed to
satisfy most members.

Well, what about our case? Is he
going to allow us a fair trial?

Apparently not.

But that's iniquitous. I
thought he'd be forced to.

I thought so too. The house,
evidently, thought otherwise.

So we're back
to where we started.

Catherine: I'm sorry, father?

Arthur: I said, so we're
back where we started, then?

Is that it, you mean?

Yes, it looks like it.

But didn't sir Robert protest when
the first lord refused a trial?

Oh, something
far more spectacular.

He'd had his feet on the treasury
table and his hat over his eyes

during most of
the first lord's speech.

And he suddenly got up,
glared at the first lord,

threw a bundle of notes on the floor
and stalked out of the house.

Magnificent effect.

Or perhaps a display of feeling?

Sir Robert, father dear,
is not a man of feeling.

I doubt any emotion at all
can stir in that dead heart.

Well, he took the brief.

And what have we done for him?
First-rate publicity.

The staunch defender
of the little man.

Lucky for him.

Mmm, and lucky for us, too.

No, don't fool yourself.

He's an avaricious, a
conniving and unfeeling man.

We've bought his services,
for the moment.

We've bought him like
a cheap thru-penny whore.

Sir Robert Morton.

Good evening.

Arthur: Sir Robert!
Good evening.

Something gone down
the wrong way?

Yes.

May I assist?

Most kind.

Good evening, sir.
Sir Robert.

I thought I would call and give you
an account of the day's proceedings,

but perhaps your daughter
has forestalled me.

Sir Robert, would you
forgive me for a moment?

Catherine, I wonder if
you would be kind enough

to entertain sir Robert
in my absence.

Did you know
I was in the gallery?

How could I have missed you
with such a charming brown hat?

Oh, thank you.

Will you betray a technical
secret, sir Robert?

What happened during
the first examination

to make you
so sure of his innocence?

Three things.

First of all, he made far
too many damaging admissions.

A guilty person would have been
much more careful and on his guard.

Secondly I laid him a trap,

and thirdly,
left him a loophole.

Anyone who was guilty would
have fallen into the one

and darted through the other.

He did neither.

The trap was to ask him suddenly

what time Elliot put the postal
order in his locker, wasn't it?

Yes.

And the loophole?

I then suggested to him that he'd
stolen the postal order for a joke,

which had he been guilty, I'm quite
sure he would have admitted to

as being the lesser
of two evils.

Catherine: I see. It was
very cleverly thought out.

Thank you.

And what of the 25 minutes?

Twenty-five minutes?

Ronnie went back
to the locker room

and there were 25 minutes there,
which he could not account for.

What was he doing?

Hmm.

But I thought you should know.

Why on earth, me?

It is a crime you indulge in.

What can you mean?

He was smoking a cigarette.

Sir Robert! May we offer
you some refreshment?

Whiskey and soda, perhaps?

A whiskey, thank you.

My daughter told me of your demonstration
during the first lord's speech.

She described it as magnificent.

Did she?
That was good of her.

It's a very old trick, you know.

I've done it many times in the courts.
It's nearly always surprisingly effective.

Was the first lord at all
put out by it? Did you notice?

How could he have failed to be?

I wish you could have
seen it, father. It was...

I beg your pardon, sir, I clean
forgot to give you this letter.

Thank you, Violet.

When did this come?

A few minutes ago, miss.

Thank you.

You know the writing?

I shouldn't bother to
read it if I were you.

Would you forgive me,
sir Robert?

Of course.

Well, and what do you think
the next step should be?

Sir Robert: In the abstract
or the particular?

Catherine:
The particular, please.

I believe that
perhaps the best plan

would be to renew our efforts to force the
director of public prosecutions to act.

Don't you think that
would be rather unorthodox?

Well, I certainly hope so.

Do you think we have
a chance of success?

Of course,
or I would not suggest it.

Father, sir Robert thinks we might get the
director of public prosecutions to act.

What?

What did you say?

We were discussing how to
proceed with the case.

I'm afraid I don't think,
all things considered,

that much purpose would
be served by going on.

No, I don't think any purpose
would be served by going on.

That's absurd.

Of course we must go on.
How could you say otherwise?

I've made sacrifices
for this case.

Some of them I had no right to
make, but I made them nonetheless.

But there is a limit.

And I've reached it.

I'm sorry, sir Robert.

The winslow case is now closed.

Perhaps I should
explain this letter.

There is no need.

This letter is from a certain
colonel Watherstone,

who is the father of
the man I'm engaged to.

He writes that our efforts
to discredit the admiralty

in the house of commons today

have resulted merely in our
making the name of winslow

a nationwide laughingstock.

I don't care for his English.

It's not very good, is it?

He goes on to say
that unless my father

will give him a firm undertaking

to drop this whining
and reckless agitation,

I suppose he means the case,

he will exert every bit of
influence he has over his son

to prevent him marrying me.

I see.

May I take a cigarette?

Yes, of course.

It's a vile habit, isn't it?

Which of us is perfect?

That really was a most
charming hat, miss winslow.

I'm glad you liked it.

It seems decidedly wrong to me that
a lady of your political persuasion

should be allowed to adorn herself
with such a very feminine allurement.

It really looks so awfully like trying
to have the best of both worlds.

Does it indeed?

It does.

And is that a particularly
female trait?

I'm not a militant,
you know, sir Robert.

I don't go about shattering glass
or pouring acid down pillar-boxes.

I'm very glad to hear it.

Both those activities would be
highly unsuitable in that hat.

I have never yet fully grasped

what active steps you take to
propagate your cause, miss winslow.

I'm an organizing secretary
at the west London branch

of the women's
suffrage association.

Indeed?

Is the work hard?

Very.

But not, I should imagine,
particularly lucrative.

The work is
voluntary and unpaid.

Dear me.

What sacrifices you young ladies seem
prepared to make for your convictions.

Forgive me, sir, if I spoke
out of turn just now.

Oh, that's quite all right.

Of course, you must
act as you think fit.

But might I suggest that
you delay your decision

until you've thought
a little while.

I'll give you
my answer presently.

Well, my father wrote
your father a letter.

Yes.
You read it?

Yes, did you?

He showed it to me.
Yes. What's his answer?

My father?
Yes.

I don't suppose he'll send one.

He'll ignore it?

Isn't that the best
response to blackmail?

Yes.

It was rather highhanded
of the old man.

Highhanded?

The trouble is, he's serious.

I never thought he wasn't.

John: He's as
serious as can be.

If your father carries on
with the case,

he'll do everything
he threatened.

Your father will
forbid the match?

That's right.

An empty threat then, isn't it?

Well, there's
always the allowance.

Yes, I see.
There's always the allowance.

And without the settlement,

you know I can't live on
my pay. And with two of us...

I've heard it said that two
can live as cheaply as one.

Don't you believe it.

Yes, I see.

You're off to the house
of commons again?

Oh, yes, it's hard
on you, John, isn't it?

A fellow thought
I'd like to see this.

He cut it out to show me.

Here's poor old John bull

and he can't get his work done
because of the winslow situation.

What do you think about that?

Do you want to marry me, John?

Yes. Yes, I do.

But isn't it already too late?

Even if we throw out the case,

would you still want to
marry the winslow girl?

All that will blow over in time.

And we'd still
have the allowance.

It is important, darling. You can't
shame me into saying that it isn't.

I didn't mean to shame you.

Oh, but you did.

I'm sorry.

The case is lost, Catherine.

The case is lost. Give it up.

What's your answer?

I love you, John. The answer
is I want to be your wife.

Well, then,
you'll drop the case?

Yes, I will.

I must tell sir Robert.

Histrionic hyperbole.
Member: Hear, hear.

It was the right honorable and
learned gentleman opposite

to calumny the admiralty,

for a child, gentlemen.
For a child.

A guilty child.

Or can we not, I do
beseech you, make an end?

One cannot sue the crown!

Justice has been done
to the tenth decimal point.

And it is time to
lay aside nursery gossip

and to proceed with the business of
government. The business of government...

You're all in, Bobby.

Hmm?

I say, you're all in.
Go home.

We're finished, Bob.

You've fought the good fight.

You've fought the good fight,

but we ain't got
the votes. It's over.

Member 1: Well,
we did what we could.

Member 2:
Thanks for your support.

Don't break your heart over it.

Everybody loses one. There's no shame
in it. Member 3: Sorry, Bobby.

Listen to Tony, Bob.

You can't hold back the tide.

You couldn't have fought harder.

The house is against you.
Let's let it go.

And I believe I can
state with certainty

that the mood of this house is
sure, correct and supportive

of the admiralty
on behalf of which,

and on behalf of those
it is sworn to guard.

I thank you for your patience.

And I thank you for your time.

What's this?

Mr. speaker.
Put the question.

Member 4: Hear, hear. Put the question.
They're calling the question.

Let them call the question.
We're done.

There's no shame in it, Bob.

The motion is...
Here you are.

Point of order, Mr. speaker.
Point of order.

I am on my feet.
Does this escape you?

Point of order, I say.

I am on my feet. Member
5: The man's on his feet.

Gentlemen! There is
a motion on the floor.

Point of order. I must insist!
What?

Upon what grounds?

Well, sit down
and I'll tell you.

Member 6: That's right,
sit down!

Very well, make your old speech.

Thank you.

I have a point of order,
Mr. speaker.

I should like to read into the
record two items. Two items.

First item,
popular song of the day.

How still we see thee lie
or the naughty cadet.

"How dare you Sully Nelson's
name who for this land did die?

"Oh, naughty cadet,
for shame, for shame.

"How still we see thee lie."

They suggest, they suggest
our concern for the boy

might perhaps tarnish the
reputation of lord Nelson.

No, I don't think so.

You said two items.

The other one is this. It's
from a slightly older source.

It is this,

"you shall not side with the
great against the powerless."

Mr. speaker, point of order.

I'm on my feet!
Member 7: Withdraw.

Will you yield?
I will not yield, Mr. speaker.

"You shall not side with the
great against the powerless."

Member 8: Hear, hear.

Sir Robert: Have you heard
those words, gentlemen?

Do you recognize their source?

From that same source
I add this injunction.

It is this, "what you do to the
least of them, you do to me."

Now...

Now, gentlemen...

Good afternoon, miss.

Hello.

Reporter: I'll be damned
if that's not the most...

Get on the camera!
Will you get on the camera!

The most astounding thing.

What happened? Photographer:
Let me through, please.

What happened?
What happened?

First lord thought he was safe.
Thought he was home free.

Sir Robert spoke and
now he's under attack.

From whom?
From whom? From everybody.

When he comes out,
here's what I want.

But for God's sake, wait
for the crowd to thin.

Excuse me.
Excuse me, sir.

Catherine: Mr. Michaels.

Attendant: Let them out,
let them out.

What happened?

It seems, miss, it seems that
rather than risk a division,

the first lord has
given an undertaking

to endorse the
petition of right.

It means that the case of Winslow V.
Rex can therefore come to court.

Attendant: Let the man out.
Ah, sir Robert.

Bobby.

Well, miss winslow,
what are my instructions?

Do you need my
instructions, sir Robert?

Aren't they already
on the petition?

Doesn't it say,
"let right be done"?

Then we must endeavor
to see that it is.

Newspaper boy: The winslow case.
I've got the beacon.

I've got the news.

Read the latest about the
winslow boy in these pages.

Right here in these pages.

Read it here.
Man: Yes, please.

Here it is. Thank you
very much, sir. Here.

Man: Thank you.
Latest on the winslow boy.

I've got the news.

You're thinner.

I like your new suit.

Off the peg at
three and a half guineas.

I say, does that stuff
go on all the time outside?

We're waiting for the verdict.

Where's Kate?

Kate takes the morning session.
I go in the afternoon.

How's it all going?

I don't know.

I've been there
all four days now

and hardly understood a word.

Will there be room for me?

Oh, yes.

They reserve places
for the family.

How'd Ronnie get on
in the witness box?

Two days he was cross-examined.
Two whole days.

You imagine?
Poor little pet.

I must say he didn't
seem to mind much.

He said two days with
the Attorney General

wasn't nearly as bad as
two minutes with sir Robert.

Kate said he made a very
good impression on the jury.

How is Kate, mother?

All right.

You heard about John, I suppose.

Yes. That's what I meant.
How has she taken it?

You can never tell with Kate.

She never lets you know
what she's feeling.

We all think
he behaved very badly.

Your father's on the terrace.

How are you, Dickie?

Very well, thank you, father.

Mr. lamb tells me you've
joined the territorials.

I'm sorry, father, what?

Mr. lamb tells me that you've
enlisted in the territorials.

Yes, father.

Why have you done that?

Well, from all accounts there's
a fair chance of a scrap soon.

If there is,
I want to get in on it.

If there is a scrap,
as you call it,

you'll do far better to
stay at the bank.

No, no. Too much
conflict at the bank.

Is that how it seems to you?

Oh, yes.
Makes the blood run cold.

How's Catherine?

She's late. She was
in half-past yesterday.

Well, perhaps they're taking the
lunch interval later today.

Lunch interval?

This isn't
a cricket match, grace.

Nor, may I say is it
a matinee at the gaiety.

Why are you wearing that
highly unsuitable getup?

Don't you like it, dear?
It's Madame Dupont's best.

Grace, your son is facing a
charge of theft and forgery.

Grace: Oh, dear,
it's so difficult.

I can't wear the same
old dress day after day.

It's repetitious and depressing.

I'll tell you what, Arthur.

I'll wear my black coat and
skirt tomorrow for the verdict.

Yes, that's what I'll do.
I'll wear it for the verdict.

Arthur: Did you say
my lunch was ready?

Yes, dear.
It's only cold.

I made the salad myself.
Violet is at the trial.

Is Violet with you? She was under
sentence the last time I saw you.

Neither your father nor I
had the courage to tell her.

I have the courage to tell her.

Funny that you don't then, dear.

See, Dickie, how these taunts of
cowardice are daily flung at my head?

But should I take them up,

I'm forbidden to
move in the matter.

Such is the logic of women.

Will you take him away
after the verdict?

He's promised to go
into a nursing home.

Will he?
How should I know?

Surely if he loses this
time, he's lost for good?

I can only hope that it's true.

Catherine: Lord, the heat.

Mother, can't you get
rid of those reporters?

Hello, Dickie.

Hello, Kate.

Come to be in at the death?

Is that what it's going to be?

Catherine: Looks like it.

Arthur:
You're late, Catherine.

I know. I'm sorry, father.

There was such a huge crowd.

I have to go and change.

Was it a bigger crowd
than yesterday?

Oh, yes, mother, far bigger.

So how did it go this morning?

Sir Robert finished his
cross-examination of the postmistress.

I thought he'd demolished
her completely.

She admitted she couldn't identify
Ronnie in the commander's office.

She admitted she couldn't be
sure of the time he came in.

She admitted she was
called away to the telephone

while he was buying his
fifteen and six postal order,

and that all Osbourne cadets looked
alike to her in their uniforms,

so that it might quite easily have been
another cadet who cashed the five shillings.

It was a brilliant
cross-examination.

He didn't frighten her
or bully her.

He simply coaxed her into
tying herself into knots.

Then, when he'd finished, the
Attorney General asked her again

whether she was absolutely
positive that the same boy

that bought the fifteen
and six postal order

also cashed the
five-shilling one.

She said, yes, she was
quite, quite sure

because Ronnie was such
a good-looking little boy

that she'd specially
noticed him.

She hadn't said that in
her examination-in-chief.

Ronnie, good looking?
What utter rot.

Well, if she thought he was
so especially good-looking,

why couldn't she identify
him the same evening?

Catherine: Don't ask me.
Ask the Attorney General.

I'm sure he has a beautifully
reasonable answer.

Who else gave evidence
for the other side?

Catherine: The commander,
the chief petty officer

and one of the boys
at the college.

Anything very damaging?

Nothing that we didn't expect.

Did you see anyone
interesting in court, dear?

Yes, mother.
John Watherstone.

John? You didn't
speak to him, I hope.

Yes, of course, I did.
Grace: Kate, you didn't.

What did he say?

He wished us luck.

What impertinence.

Is that what it is?

I wonder if Violet remembered
to get those onions.

I better get them myself
on the way back from court.

Yes, get them on the way back.

I'm so sorry, dear.

What for, mother?

John, being such a bad hat.

I never did like him
very much, you know.

No. I know.

You're looking well, Dickie.

A trifle thinner, perhaps.

Hard work, father.

Or late hours?

You can't keep
late hours in reading.

Oh! You could keep
late hours anywhere.

I had quite a good report about
you from Mr. lamb at the bank.

Dickie: Good old Mr. lamb.

I took him racing last Saturday.

Had the time of
his life and lost his shirt.

Did he? Did he indeed?

Now, Dickie, when we
get to the front door,

put your head down, like me
and charge through them all.

Why don't you just
go through the garden?

I can't risk this hat
going through the roses.

I always say, "I'm the maid
and I don't know nothing."

So don't be surprised.

Right-o, mother.

Are we going to
lose this case, Kate?

How's sir Robert?

The papers said
that he began today

by telling the judge he felt ill

and might have to ask for an adjournment.
I trust he won't collapse.

He won't.

It was just another of those
brilliant tricks of his

he's always boasting about.

It got him the sympathy
of the court and possibly...

No, I won't say that.

Say it.

Possibly provided him with
an excuse if he's beaten.

I see.

Arthur: Desmond.

Come in, Desmond.

I trust you do not object to me
employing this rather furtive entry,

but the crowds at the front
door are most alarming.

Most alarming.

Why have you left the court?

My partner will
be holding the fort.

He is perfectly competent.
I promise you.

I'm glad to hear it.

I wondered if I might
see Catherine alone.

I have a matter of some urgency
to communicate to her.

Ah. Do you wish to hear
this urgent matter, Kate?

Yes, father.

Well.

Forgive me.

I have to be
back in court. I...

Perhaps you would give me
a moment of your time.

Yes, of course, Desmond.

It occurred to me
during the lunch recess

that I had far better
see you today.

Yes.

I have a question
to put to you, Kate,

which if I had postponed putting
until after the verdict,

you might, who knows, have thought
had been prompted by pity

if we'd lost or, or if we'd won,

your reply might,
again who knows,

have been influenced
by gratitude.

And that, of course,
wouldn't do.

Do you follow me, Kate?

Yes, Desmond.
I think I do.

Ah. Then perhaps
you have some inkling

of what the question is
I have to put to you?

Yes, I think I have.

Oh.

I'm sorry, Desmond.
I ought, I know,

to have followed the usual
practice in such cases,

and told you I had
no inkling whatever.

No, no. Your directness
and honesty

are two of the qualities
I so much admire in you.

I'm glad that you have guessed.

It makes my task the easier.

The facts are these that you
don't love me and never can,

and that I love you, always
have and always will.

It is a situation which, after
most careful consideration,

I am fully prepared to accept.

I reached this decision
some months ago,

but I thought at first it might
be better to wait until this case

which is so much on all our
minds, should be over.

Then at lunch today,

I determined to anticipate
the verdict tomorrow.

I see. Thank you
so much, Desmond.

That makes everything
much clearer.

There is much more
that I meant to say,

but I shall put it in a letter.

Yes, Desmond. Do.

Will you give me a few days
to think it over?

Of course. Of course.

I need hardly tell you
how grateful I am.

There is no need,
Kate. No need at all.

You mustn't keep
your taxi waiting.

Yes.

Well.

Then I may expect
your answer in a few days.

Yes, Desmond.

I must get back to court.

Hmm. Well,

how do you think
it went this morning?

I thought the postmistress
restored the admiralty's case

with that point
about Ronnie's looks.

Oh, no. No, no.
Not at all.

There is still
the overwhelming fact

that she couldn't identify him.

What a brilliant
cross-examination, was it not?

Brilliant.

Strange man, sir Robert.

At times so cold
and distant and...

Catherine: Passionless.

And yet, he has a real
passion about this case.

Does he?
Yes, I happen to know,

and of course this must on
no account go any further,

but I happen to know
that he has made

a very, very great
personal sacrifice

in order to bring it to court.

Sacrifice? What,
of another brief?

No, no, no. That is
no sacrifice to him. No.

He was offered... You really
promise to keep this to yourself?

My dear Desmond, whatever
the government offered him

can't be as startling
as all that.

He's in the opposition.

Indeed. Therefore, a most,
a most gracious compliment.

And what position
was he offered?

Yes, that's right.

That's right.

And he turned it down,

simply in order to carry on with
the case of Winslow V. Rex.

Strange are the ways
of men, are they not?

Goodbye, my dear.

Father, I've been a fool.

Have you, my dear?

An utter fool.

In default of
further information,

I can only repeat,
"have you, my dear?"

There can be no further information.
I'm under a pledge of secrecy.

What did Desmond want?

To marry me.

Well, I trust that the folly
you were referring to

wasn't your acceptance of him.

Would it be such folly, though?

Lunacy.

I'm nearly 30, you know.

Thirty isn't the end of life.

Is that so?

Better far to live and die an old
maid than to be married to Desmond.

Even an old maid must eat.

Did you take my suggestion

with regard to your
suffrage association?

Yes, father.
You demanded a salary?

I asked for one.

And they're going to
give it to you, I trust?

£2 a week.

No, father,
the choice is quite simple.

Either I marry Desmond and settle
down into quite a comfortable

and not really
useless existence,

or I go on for
the rest of my life

in the service of
a hopeless cause.

A hopeless cause.

I've never heard you
say that before.

I've never felt it before.

John's getting
married next month.

Ah, yes.
I see, I see.

Did he tell you?

Yes. He was
very apologetic.

Apologetic?

It's a girl I know slightly.

She'll make him a good wife.

Is he in love with her?

Mmm-mmm.

No more than he was with me.

Perhaps even a little less.

Why is he marrying her
so soon...

After jilting me?

Because he thinks there's
going to be a war soon

and if there is, his regiment
will be among the first

to go overseas.

She's a general's daughter.
Very, very suitable.

Oh, Kate, I'm so sorry.

If you could go back,
father, and choose again,

would your choice be different?

Perhaps.

I don't think so.

I don't think so, either.

I still say we both knew what we were
doing and we were right to do it.

You're not gonna marry
Desmond, are you?

In the words of the prime
minister, father, "wait and see."

Newspaper boy:
Winslow case result!

Find out about the winslow case!

What's that boy shouting?

Only, "winslow case latest."

Winslow case result!

It doesn't sound
to me like latest.

Did they win or did they lose?

I've got the
winslow case result!

Result?

In these pages!
Winslow case result!

No. There must
be some mistake.

Violet: Oh, sir.

Oh, sir.

Yes, Violet, what is it?

Miss Kate.

Miss Kate.

I don't know how to tell you.

Just after they
come back from lunch,

Mrs. winslow, she weren't there
neither nor master Ronnie.

The shouting, the carrying on,

you never heard anything
like it in all your life

and sir Robert standing there at
the table with his wig on crooked,

tears running down his face.

Running down his face,
they were!

Cook and me, we did
a bit of crying, too.

Everyone was cheering. Judge kept shouting.
It wasn't any good.

Even the jury joined in.

Some of them climbed out of the box
to shake hands with sir Robert.

Outside in the street,
it was just the same.

Couldn't move for the crowd.

Think they'd all gone mad
the way they was carryin' on.

Some shouting,
"good old winslow,"

some singing, "for
he's a jolly good fellow."

Cook had her hat knocked off again.
She did.

Sure as I'm standin'
here to tell you.

Well, sir, you must be
feeling nice and pleased,

now it's all over.

Yes, Violet. I am.

Always said it would come out
all right in the end, didn't I?

Yes.

Yes, you did.

Yes, I did.

Well, I don't mind
telling you, sir.

I wondered sometimes
if you and miss Kate

weren't just wasting your time

carrying on the way
you have been.

Still, couldn't have felt that
if you'd been in court today.

Oh, sir, Mrs. winslow asked me
to remember most particular

to pick up some onions
from the greengrocer, but...

Oh, that's all right, Violet.

I believe Mrs. Winslow's
picking them up herself.

Oh, jolly good, miss.
Oh, poor madam.

What a sell for her when she gets
to court and finds it's all over.

Well, congratulations,
I'm sure, sir.

Thank you, Violet.

It would appear then
that we've won.

Yes, father, it would
appear that we've won.

I would have liked
to have been there.

Sir Robert Morton.

Good afternoon.

I thought you might like
to hear the actual terms

of the attorney
general's statement,

so I jotted them down for you.

"On behalf of the admiralty,"
etcetera, etcetera,

"the cadet Ronald Arthur winslow

"did not write the
name on the postal order.

"He did not take it.
He did not cash it.

"That he is consequently
innocent of the charge.

"That this is a full, unreserved

"and a complete acceptance
of his statements."

Thank you, sir Robert.

It's hard for me to find the
words with which to thank you.

Pray do not trouble yourself
to search for them, sir,

and let us take these rather
conventional expressions of gratitude

for granted, shall we?

Pity you were not
in court, miss winslow.

The verdict appeared
to cause quite a stir.

So I heard.

Why did the admiralty
resign the case?

Oh, it was
a foregone conclusion.

Oh?

Once the handwriting expert
had been discredited,

not for the first time
in legal history,

I knew we had a sporting chance.

But this morning,
you seemed so depressed.

Did I?

Perhaps the heat
in the courtroom.

Oh, sir.

The gentlemen at the front door say,
please, will you make a statement.

They say they won't
go away unless you do.

Arthur: Oh, very well,
Violet. Thank you.

Sir.

Hmm.

What shall I say to them?

I hardly think it matters, sir.

Whatever you say will have little
bearing on what they write.

I could say, "this victory isn't
mine, it belongs to the people."

How does that strike you, sir?
A trifle pretentious, perhaps?

Perhaps, sir.
Hmm.

I should say it nonetheless.
It will be very popular.

Perhaps I should just say,
"thank God we beat 'em."

Sir Robert: Miss winslow,

might I be rude enough to ask you for
a glass of your excellent whiskey?

Yes, of course.

Very kind.

I beg your pardon.

How remiss of me not to
offer you any hospitality.

I'll correct that straightaway.

What must you think of me?

Perhaps you would forgive
me in not getting up?

The heat in that courtroom
was really so infernal.

Are you all right, sir Robert?

Oh, it's just a slight nervous
reaction, that's all.

Besides, I've not been
feeling myself all day.

I told the judge so this
morning, if you remember.

But I doubt if he believed me.
He thought it was a trick.

What suspicious minds
people have, have they not?

Yes.

Thank you.

I'm afraid I have a confession

and an apology to
make to you, sir Robert.

Dear lady, I'm sure the one is
rash and the other is superfluous.

I far rather hear neither.

I'm afraid you must.

This is probably the
last time I shall see you,

and it is a better penance for
me to say this than to write it.

I have entirely misjudged
your attitude to this case,

and if in doing so I have ever seemed
to you either rude or ungrateful,

I am sincerely and humbly sorry.

My dear miss winslow, you have never
seemed to me either rude or ungrateful.

And my attitude to this case
has been the same as yours,

a determination to win,
at all costs.

Only, when you
talk of gratitude,

you must remember that those
costs were not mine, but yours.

Weren't they also
yours, sir Robert?

I beg your pardon?

Haven't you too made a certain
sacrifice for the case?

The robes of that office
would not have suited me.

Wouldn't they?

And what is more, I fully
intend to have curry censured

for revealing a confidence.

I must ask you never to divulge
it to another living soul.

And I'd like you
to forget it yourself.

I shall never divulge it.

I'm afraid I can't promise
to forget it myself.

Very well,
if you choose to endow

an unimportant incident
with a romantic significance,

you are perfectly
at liberty to do so.

Would you show me out
another way, please?

Thank you.

Violet: There you are.

I say, sir Robert,

I'm most awfully sorry. I didn't
know anything was going to happen.

Where were you?

At the pictures.

Pictures?
Mmm. Cinematograph.

Ah.

I say, we won, didn't we?

Yes, we won.

How about that?

We won.

Catherine:
One thing puzzles me.

Why are you always at such pains

to prevent people knowing the
truth about you, sir Robert?

Am I, indeed?
You know that you are. Why?

Which of us knows
the truth about himself?

That is no answer.

My dear miss winslow,
are you cross-examining me?

On this point.

Why are you ashamed
of your emotions?

To fight a case on emotional grounds
is the surest way to lose it.

Is it?

Emotions cloud the issue.

Cold, clear logic wins the day.

Was it cold, clear logic that made
you weep today at the verdict?

I wept today because
right had been done.

Not justice?

No, not justice.

Right.

Easy to do justice.
Very hard to do right.

Well, now, I must
leave the witness box.

Miss winslow, I hope
I shall see you again.

One day perhaps in the house
of commons, up in the gallery.

Yes, sir Robert. In the
house of commons one day,

but not up in the gallery.

Across the floor, one day.

You still pursue
your feminist activities.

Oh, yes.

Pity.

It's a lost cause.

Oh, do you really
think so, sir Robert?

How little you know about women.

Goodbye. I doubt
that we shall meet again.

Oh, do you really
think so, miss winslow?

How little you know about men.