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.