Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 13 - The Sudden Storm - full transcript

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Miss Georgina.

Oh, Rose.

ROSE:
Good morning, Miss Georgina.

Oh, I'm so sleepy.

ROSE:
Your bath's ready.

Oh, it was a wonderful ball.

"Their majesties,
the king and queen,

accompanied by the members
of the royal family

enter the ballroom at 10:00

when dancing commenced
immediately.



The king wore the uniform

of the Colonel in Chief
of the Scots Guards."

D'ah!

Oh, give over, Edward.

"The queen wore a gown
of gray and silver brocade

with a corsage
of silver embroidery

and a crown of diamonds
with the Lesser Stars of Africa.

The cour honour

with diamond bows
arranged as a stomacher."

Huh, quite a sparkling
en bon pain.

What are you doing
with them good glasses?

Haven't you heard?

Mr. Lyons, our purveyor
of fish and poultry,

is honouring our humble servants
all for luncheon.



Oh, and what's so special
about him?

Shh.

Mr. Lyons has got a soul and
his heart's in the right place

and his muscles
are as hard as iron.

Edward!

And take care not to tread
on his eels

'cause they're jellied.

And what's more,
there's a certain lady

not a thousand miles from here

he'd like to catch in his net.

Edward, when I went round
to his shop last week,

he pinched me bottom.

Not you, Ruby.

Why would Mr. Lyons want to
throw himself away on you?

Mrs. Bridges.
He fancies her.

Fancies Mrs. Bridges?

EDWARD: Yeah.
- Go on.

Ruby.

Have you done
the breakfast washing-up yet?

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, well, get on
with laying up the luncheon

and don't talk so much.

I wondered
what she'd been cooking

when there's
no upstairs luncheon.

It's nice for us at any rate.

Huh, not for us, Ruby my love.

We have yesterday's leftovers
at 12:00.

[Humming]

Edward, listen to this!

"Some of the gowns.

Miss Georgina worsley
wore a gown of black tulle

with a coat
with gray-and-silver embroidery

and crystal beads
in a diamanté design."

Isn't it lovely?

Yes, but it didn't ought to be
left in an heap on the floor.

In Lady Marjorie's day,

she'd have had a maid
and been put to bed proper.

I would have waited up for her.

Don't talk simple.

Housemaids can't work all night
and work all day.

Miss Georgina ought to have gone
all in white, virgin white.

How could she
with the court in mourning?

Royalty have got to stick
together and pay respect,

just like anyone else.

Otherwise,
they'll all be murdered.

Anyhow,
it's only half mourning.

Not like last time,
when the king died.

Then they was all in black
from head to foot

for months on end,
even at Ascot.

Well, why was it
only half mourning?

Well, he was only
a Serbian archduke, wasn't he?

Here, Rose.

You put that down.

Quadrille, Methusalem, Strauss,

waltz, the "Cinema Star,"
Gilbert,

waltz, "Destiny," baise.

Here, Rose, look.
"B.L." Four in a row.

That's the Honourable
Billy Linton, that is.

Come on.
Haven't got all day.

Bet she'll treasure that
all her life.

The memory will be like
a beautiful dream.

There's too much dreaming
going on in this house as it is.

You know what I'm talking about,
don't you?

You want to wake up
and be sensible.

Well, I can't help it
if I love him, can I?

Lord helps them
who helps themselves.

You want to be careful, Daisy.

Mr. Hudson finds out
about you and Edward,

he'll turn you both out
on the streets.

It's not so awful, is it?

We might get married.

Servants can't get married,
not junior servants anyhow.

You'll end up in the poorhouse,
the pair of you,

or like your ma and pa.

I should think they'd be
example enough for you.

Come on, the top ones are
for Mrs. Bellamy's bedroom

and the bottom
for Captain James.

Separate bedrooms and them
not married two years.

There's another example for you.

I shall be out to lunch
and dinner.

I've told Hudson.

HAZEL:
Yes, I know.

- Thank you, Hudson.
Madam.

Well, we seem to be in
an even bigger mess than usual.

RICHARD:
It's a damn serious business.

These things always seem
to happen on Sundays.

JAMES: Do you think
it'll lead to war now?

It may well.

It's just the sort of thing
to spark it off.

Well, we'll just have to wait
and see.

Ohh, you people in Parliament
drive me mad.

First of all, you turn a blind
eye when the Belfast crowd

land enough rifles
and ammunition

to arm themselves to the teeth

and then when the Dublin crowd
does exactly the same thing

and the British Army shoots
a few of them,

all you can say is
"We'll have to wait and see."

It's incredible.

I'm not exactly
in the government, James.

Yes, but you could do something
about it.

What would you do?

JAMES: Well, I wouldn't use
the army for a start.

With that lot of mealy-mouthed
pacifists behind them,

they might mutiny again.

And I wouldn't blame them.

No, I'd let them fight it out
and good riddance.

Perhaps use the navy to blow
Belfast and Dublin

to smithereens.

Winston Churchill can't wait to
poop off his 16-inch guns

and his dreadnought,

and that would finish the Irish
problem once and for all.

RICHARD: It would finish you
if you were prime minister.

JAMES:
Which, thank God, I'm not.

Ireland on the brink
of civil war,

empire going to the dogs,

half the country on strike,

Women throwing bombs
in Westminster Abbey.

What a country.

We really are up the spout.

Well, I must sweat off
to the sweaty city.

Least if I was in Bombay,

I wouldn't have to wear
these ridiculous clothes.

Poor old James.

Poor old James.

"Up the spout."

Just about sums us up.

Not your fault, my dear.

As much as it is his.

I haven't provided him
with children, for one thing.

Isn't that considered
the principal duty of a wife?

You can't help that.

Nobody can blame...

He should never have...

I should never have married him.

I'm not the right sort of person
for James, Richard.

-Is anybody?
- Yes.

One of those tough, bright,
blue-blooded hunting ladies

who would have provided him
with a brace

of tough, blue-blooded,
hunting children

and then amused herself
with lovers.

And if James had complained,

she would have told him
to stop whining

and find himself a mistress.

Sounds an ideal marriage.

It is what happens, isn't it?

From what I have observed
of fashionable society,

it is what happens.

Very civilized.

Marriage a la mode.

It didn't happen to me.

No, of course not.

I am glad it didn't.

I'm afraid James' malaise,
whatever it is,

goes deeper than that.

In biblical times,

they'd have said
he was afflicted by a devil.

Well, I must sweat off
to sweaty Westminster

and listen to Mr. Redmond
telling Mr. Carson

that he's a murderer

and Mr. Carson telling
Mr. Redmond

that he's an ignorant,
Papist cattle driver.

Richard, I don't know
if James is serious

about this directorship

that Jardines have offered him
in India.

Hard to tell
in his present mood.

If he is,
I'm not going with him.

No.

I don't see you as a memsahib.

Even if he doesn't go,
I shan't stay with him.

I wouldn't still be here
if it wasn't for you.

And Georgina.

It's getting worse all the time.

We are driving each other
nearly mad just by existing.

Well, could l...

No, thank you.

What shall you do?
Not back to your parents?

Out of the frying pan.
No.

I shall do whatever James wants.

Divorce, desertion, separation.

Perhaps I could find a refuge
with my typewriting machine

somewhere.

I just wish...

What?

Nothing.

Oh, dear.

Yes, oh, dear.

[ Laughter]

Have another helping, Mr. Lyons.

Well, I don't mind if I do.

Mr. Hudson never touches eels.

Oh?

So I made him
a special veal and ham.

Oh, well, if I may be permitted
an observation,

there's not a cook
in the kingdom

can make an eel pie like yours.

No, no, no, not even Mrs. Lewis
or Monsieur Escoffier --

both of whom I have the honour
to supply with fish and game.

Oh, now, Mr. Lyons,
you're just saying that.

I believe you say the same thing
to every cook in Belgravia.

[ Laughter]

But if I might be permitted
an observation,

it's the eels
what makes the pie.

And there's no one in London can
touch you for eels, Mr. Lyons.

Well, I have to admit,

when it comes to eels
and handsome women,

I'm a bit of a connoisseur.

Dutch eels.

LYONS:
Dutch eels and English women.

Now, there, my old father
wouldn't have agreed.

Now, he used to say
that for firm flesh,

there was nothing
like a Thames eel.

And that's what I say
about English women.

Oh!
[ Laughs ]

Oh, you are a wag, Mr. Lyons.

Ruby, just you keep away
from that hatch.

Get on with the washing-up.

Edward, pudding.

Every eel, as I purvey,

is picked out individual
with these two eyes.

I get a little lad to row me out
to the Dutch eel boat

sat out there
in the pool of London.

Full of tanks it is
and every tank full of eels.

And here's
a fact of history for you.

There's only one boat
allowed at a time

and there's always another

Waiting to take its place
up the estuary.

And that's been the case
for 150 years or more,

ever since the Dutch
sailed up the Thames

and burned our English fleet.

Well, I never did!

And quite right, too.

The fewer foreigners we have
in this town the better.

Oh, there's enough troublemakers
around without adding to them.

Ah, but have you read The Times
newspaper today, Mr. Hudson?

I have perused it briefly, yes.

LYONS: Yeah, well, now, then,
you just read that.

There.

Thank you, Edward.

"To the editor of The Times

from the Secretary
of the Secret Commissions

and Bribery Prevention League
Incorporated,

3 Oxford Court, Canon Street.

Dear Sir, bribery and corruption
among servants and tradespeople

are rampant in London,

especially in the great houses
of Belgravia and Mayfair."

God bless my soul!

I never heard nothing like that
in all my born days.

What cheek!

Here, Ruby.

Listen.

"A gift to a servant
as an inducement

to show favour to a tradesmen
dealing with a master

and made without
that master's consent

is corruptly given."

That's slander!

That's blackmail and slander!

Oh, some crank, I suppose,

jealous of
our privileged position.

MRS. BRIDGES:
I don't know so much.

It's making out that tokens,

such as friends like Mr. Lyons
presents us with

from time to time,

is bribes.

It's all that cash and booze
they get from the tradesmen.

Christmastime,
you could stock a pub.

That's wrong.

You wait till you're cook
and I'm butler.

Well, it's treason.

It's an insult
to the royal coat of arms.

I'm surprised at The Times
printing such blethers.

Well, it shows what evil-minded
people there is in this world.

They put it in The Times,

so that them upstairs
will read it

and we'll get into trouble.

That's what they done it for.

Now, don't upset yourself
unduly, Mrs. Bridges.

How about a wee drop of port
for you, Mr. Lyons, eh?

Well, now, that'd be very nice,
I must say.

I hope that won't be construed
as bribery and corruption.

Oh, I should hope not, indeed.

This way, please.

MRS. BRIDGES:
Lunatics!

Cranks!

Just getting coffee for you,
Mrs. Bridges.

Yes, I'm sure you are, Edward.

Dishes not touched yet, Ruby?

Just tidying up your table
first, Mrs. Bridges.

You ought to be careful,
my girl.

One of these days, them ears
of yours will drop off.

A woman of some spirit,
your Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, yes, indeed, Mr. Lyons,
and a fine person.

Mr. Bridges
was a very lucky man.

I take it he has passed over.

To my certain knowledge,
Mr. Lyons,

there has been no Mr. Bridges.

Oh.

The title "missus"
being the usual honorarium

enjoyed by cooks
of a certain class.

Cigar?

Well, no doubt some lucky man
has already found favour

in her eyes.

Put it down there, Edward.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Thank you.

Eh?

HUDSON: That is a delicate
question, Mr. Lyons,

which only the lady in question
can answer.

Well, Carpentier gave
the American a good beating

the other evening.

Ruby, I was right.

Mr. Lyons has baited his hook,
and he's gone fishing.

And it's not for no tiddler,
either.

You mix the honey
and the soft soap and the gin

in equal proportions
with the water.

Give us a sip, Rose.

Oh, get off, Edward.

Oh, she's trying to
soft-soap me!

Then you scrub the ribbon firmly
with the mixture.

Thus.

Then you rinse the ribbon
in cold water.

- Daisy!
- Ow!

- Are you listening to me?
- Yes, Rose.

Rose, I'm just slipping out
for a minute.

I'll be back after tea.

Right you are, Mrs. B.

Then you fold the ribbon
in a cloth

and iron it with a very
hot iron, swiftly,

so that it won't scorch.

Ha ha!

Blimey, if that titfer doesn't
do the trick, nothing will.

ROSE:
Edward!

Will you clean my ribbons for me
when we're married, eh?

Will you put that girl down,
Edward?

Now let me see you do it.

Hazel, I'm afraid I've had to
telephone Molly Chichester

and say I won't be able to come
down with you and James

for Goodwood.

Oh, no.

I'm rather dreading it,
and you were my only hope.

Oh, nonsense.
Goodwood's great fun.

Not a bit stuffy like Ascot.

I bought a new hat
specially to dazzle you with.

Well, you'll just have to dazzle
everyone else.

Bonalaw wants me to stay
with him at Wargrave

to be closer to London.

The king and queen aren't going
to Goodwood either, are they?

No. Things are getting
rather tricky.

And they've moved the fleet
to Scapa Flow after the review.

Oh, really,
these wretched Irish.

Well, it's not altogether
the Irish this time.

There's a flap on about
this Balkan business.

That's nothing to do with us.

Is it?

Well, not yet it isn't,

but Austria's ultimatum
to Serbia expired yesterday,

and she declared war today.

And Russia is Serbia's ally
and hates Austria.

And if Russia comes in,
Germany's bound to help Austria.

And France has an alliance
with Russia,

and we have an entente
with France.

It sounds a terrible tangle.

That's exactly what it is.

Let's hope the only way
to untangle it

is not with gunpowder.

Well, what's the difference

between an alliance
and an entente?

Well, one is written down

and the other's a sort of
gentleman's agreement.

Do we always have to behave
like gentlemen?

It might be difficult
to avoid it this time.

We've suggested
a peace conference,

but Berlin won't have it.

I don't trust that damn kaiser.

He's a tricky devil.

It's all happened so suddenly.

I really don't believe it.

Well, all I can tell you

is that Margot Asquith was
sitting up in the gallery

with those high Tory ladies
from Ulster,

whom she has not spoken
a word to in months,

telling them that we were
on the verge of a European war.

She exaggerates everything.

She is
the prime minister's wife,

and Edward Grey had lunch
with them today at Number 10.

[ Door closes]

Shall I have these taken up
to your room, Miss Georgina?

Oh, no, thank you, Hudson.
Just leave them there.

RICHARD:
Hello, Georgina.

Cup of tea?

Oh, lovely.
I'm dying of thirst.

- Uncle Richard?
- Yes.

The Lintons have asked me
to stay over the bank holiday.

Please may I go?

I thought that after
the Salisburys' ball,

you were coming back here
for a proper rest.

Oh, but, Hazel,
that's changed now.

HAZEL:
You're getting very tired.

I'm not.

I'm absolutely boiling
with energy.

Anyway, Lady L's the beadiest
chaperone there is.

They've got a maid for me
and everything.

Oh, it'll be a tremendous rest,
really.

Please say yes, Uncle Richard.

I don't seem to have much
alternative, do I, Hazel?

I think it sounds
like an ultimatum.

Oh, you're a darling.

I don't think there can be a
nicer uncle in the whole world.

It's going to be such fun.

There are tons and tons
of dances,

and we're going to play charades
at the Trees.

Oh, and the Foxbredens
are having a masked ball.

I've bought
the most splendido mask.

I must show you.

Sounds like a tremendous rest.

Yes.

Guess what.

Judy-
Judy-

Yes.

Because Billy Linton
is going as Punch.

Oh.

There won't be anyone here
at the weekend.

Oh, that's nice
for the servants.

They can all go on holiday, too.

Yes, they could.

Well, that would be all right,
wouldn't it, Richard?

Well, Marjorie used to...

Well, they can certainly have
the day off.

The police at Gerald Row
are very good

at keeping an eye on the house.

13...

14 and sevenpence, three
farthings in the fines box,

Mr. Hudson.

Thank you, Rose.
A handsome sum.

Mostly the result
of Edward's unfortunate lapses

into blasphemy.

Now his misdemeanors
will be of benefit to all,

which is as it should be.

I suggest that, as usual,
the money should pay

for the purchase of refreshments
on the outing,

Mrs. Bellamy having generously
agreed to pay the fares

on the railway train
and a little extra.

Right, then.

Rose, you be treasurer,
as always, if you please.

And where are we going to,
Mr. Hudson?

Ah, that is for us all
to decide, Mrs. Bridges.

Well, we went to Clacton
last time, remember.

Remember, they had a nice band.

EDWARD: Oh, yes, and remember
that salubrious east wind, Rose?

Fair caught you --

Edward, that's enough.

Now, then, any suggestions from
the junior members of the staff?

Bridlington's lovely.

We haven't got a week off.

Well, my mum once took us all
to Herne Bay.

It was ever so nice,

and we went from Charing Cross
on an excursion.

HUDSON:
Herne Bay?

- Oh, in Kent.
- DAISY: That's right.

It was ever so nice.
They had a pier.

Well, that's a funny thing.

Albert's going...

Mr. Lyons is going to Herne Bay.

It's a club outing or something.

Well, if it's good enough
for Mr. Lyons' club outing,

I believe it will be good enough
for us.

Let's have a wee show of hands
on it.

Who's for Herne Bay?

Well, that's decided, then.

Herne Bay it is.

I still say Clacton.

Well, why don't you go there,
then,

and be the lonely Rose
of Clacton?

[ Laughs ]

[ Coughs ]

Come in.

Might I have a word with you,
Mr. Hudson?

By all means, Mrs. Bridges.

Come away, then.

Sit you down.

How about a wee dram, eh?

Well, I won't say no.

In anticipation of our holiday,
so to speak.

Here we are, then.

There we are.

Thank you.

Your very good health,
Mrs. Bridges.

And yours, Mr. Hudson.

Mr. Hudson,
I've been seeing Mr. Lyons.

Ah.

There are indications
that he's serious.

Straws in the wind,
you might say.

I see.
Such as?

Well, I've been to tea there
twice now,

and the last time, his only
living relative, his sister,

come up from Wanstead special.

One swallow doesn't make
a summer,

you know, Mrs. Bridges.

Well, then, there's his manner,

his general behaviour,
you might say.

I've been very perturbed.

I would have thought it was more
a time for rejoicing.

On account of you, Angus.

I mean,
when I had my bad trouble

and you were so very kind
and so very, very gallant,

we did sort of promise
each other

that we would reserve ourselves
for each other

until such time as we should
retire from service.

Reservations can always
be cancelled, Kate.

Don't worry your head
about that.

I cannot deny that I shall
miss you very much.

We shall all miss you,

but nothing must be allowed
to stand in the way

of your future happiness
and security.

Thank you for those words.

You're a good and generous man.

Well, now we really have got
something to celebrate, eh?

I feel like a rat
deserting the sinking ship.

I don't fully take the point
of your metaphor.

This household.

Well, I mean, it's not actually
sinking, but it's very rocky.

All them aggravations
and scratchings up there,

and then all them
Indian catalogues and that.

Oh, I think the state of affairs
upstairs,

however difficult
they may appear to us,

should in no way
influence your decision.

Do you think
I ought to tell them?

HUDSON:
No.

No, not yet.

While in no way implying that I
doubt Mr. Lyons' good intention,

I should nevertheless counsel
you to wait for a wee bit

until his proposal takes
a more solid form.

Yes.

Thank you, Angus.

Oh.

Oh, Rose, look.

It's by Poiret
from a drawing by Baxt.

He designs all the clothes
for the Russian ballet.

Very nice, I'm sure.

You don't approve, Rose.

It's too daring.

I've seen more daring than that
in this very room.

I remember when Miss Elizabeth
put on a Moorish caftan

with no corsets underneath.

That was years ago.

You should have seen
her mother's face.

It's funny.

Everyone talks about Elizabeth
as if she still lived her.

I mean, downstairs, you still
call this Miss Elizabeth's room,

don't you?

Well, yes, I suppose we do.
Just habit.

I feel I know her quite well,
even though I've never met her.

Well, she'll probably be over
from New York one of these days,

with her husband and children.

Was she like me, Rose?

No, not really.

She was very pretty.

Prettier than me?

[ Laughs ]
Different.

She found life difficult.

Difficult?
- Yes.

Miss Elizabeth didn't like
things as they were.

She always wanted to change
everything.

It was as if she had to make
a fight out of everything.

She wouldn't go
to balls and parties

or be taken out
by nice young men.

Yes, she was quite different.

Oh, I love every second of life
more and more.

I just wish this summer would go
on and on forever and ever.

I don't know what you do with
your shoe bags, Miss Georgina.

GEORGINA: Oh, I'm sorry, Rose.
They just seem to get lost.

I'll just have to run up
some more.

"Germany declares war on Russia.

Waning hopes."

I don't know
what they're gonna say

about shoes
Wrapped in newspaper.

I'll explain, Rose.

I'll say that we're mouse poor

and can't afford
anything better.

Ooh, the heat!

Sweltering out there
in that kitchen.

Won't you have some nice
barley water, Mrs. Bridges?

Well, it was sweltering hot
at the Oval,

but it didn't stop Jack Hobbs
scoring another century.

Oh, the way he square cuts
and forearms of tempered steel,

the eye of an eagle.

No doubt it is also sweltering
hot across in France

Where they're mobilizing
for war.

Yes, well, as long as
we don't get into it.

It's nothing to do with us

what goes on in France,
Germany, and Russia.

It's got everything
to do with us, Rose.

Well, I don't see what it's got
to do with England, Mr. Hudson.

To hell with Serbia.

Well, if you ask me, that kaiser
wants teaching a lesson.

He's been cocking a snoop at us
for far too long now.

And I don't see why we should
get involved in a bloody war

just to settle old scores
between France and Germany.

It is our duty, Rose.

We are the only people
that can beat Germany.

And if we don't go in,

the word "honour"
should forever be expunged

from the English language.

Just because
your great-great-uncle fought

with the Highlanders
at Waterloo.

HUDSON:
We are not fit.

We need a bit
of the old discipline.

All this trouble in Ireland
and in industry.

The other day, someone
even threatened the king.

You know, the lower classes
are far too flabby and pampered.

A wee bit of bloodletting will
do this country a power of good.

Well, if that there kaiser has
the impudence to come over here,

I'll give him what for.

Ha, ha, that's right,
Mrs. Bridges.

I will.
I'll tell you I will.

I'll...I'll pull every feather
out of his helmet.

[ Laughs ]

You been throwing away
all your money?

No, Rose.
Look what I got.

Oh.

And look what I got.

Here, you'll get arrested
for indecent exposure.

[ Laughter]

BOY:
War latest!

Invasion of France!

Germany marches!

War latest!

Invasion of France!
Germany marches!

War latest!

Invasion of France!
Germany marches!

War latest!

Invasion of France!
Germany marches!

Come on in, Mrs. Bridges.
It's lovely.

Aah!

[ Laughs ]

Mrs. Bridges!

[ Laughs ]

I'm drowning!
I'm going to drown!

ROSE:
Here you are.

Here, Mrs. Bridges.

BOY:
War latest!

Invasion of France!
Germany marches!

Here, my boy.

Here we are.

Thank you.

BOY:
Germany marches!

I love you, Daisy.

Honest.

I know you do, Ed.

I love you, too,
but what's the use?

Rose says that
if Mr. Hudson finds out...

Rose isn't marrying you, is she?

I'll be a butler one day,

and, well, there are lots
of places in the country

they take married couples.

Good wages, too.

And then there's this war.

Well, that's just the newspapers
exaggerating.

It won't affect us.

And if we do have to go in,

it's only a job
for the army and navy.

I don't know so much.

Mr. Hudson, well, you'd think
he was the whole British Army

the way he goes on.

He'll make you join up
'cause he's too old.

You see if he will.

Now, come on, cheer up.
We're on holiday.

Yeah.

ROSE:
Shall I get the pie?

Yes, you get the pie out.
That's right.

Edward!

Daisy!

Come on.

Come on.

Hup!

Come on.

[Laughing]

MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, here they come. At last.

You should have come in.
It was lovely.

Aye, just like Bridlington.

She had better things to do.

Now, you two, drink up your soup
while it's hot.

Otherwise, you'll catch
your death of cold.

100,000 Germans march
from Luxembourg.

Oh, Mr. Hudson.

Now, stop your warmongering
for a minute

and have a piece
of my nice chicken pie.

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

Thank you.

You've excelled yourself,
Mrs. Bridges.

Excellent.

BOY:
War latest!

Invasion of France!
Germany marches!

[Tennis ball thudding]

BILLY:
Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

Georgina!

I am your slave, sir knight.

Listen, Georgina.

You're all hot and puffing.
Puffing Billy.

Georgina, I want to talk to you.

I mean properly.

David's just telephoned.

They've cancelled Cowes.

Oh, no.

Well, I've never been to Cowes.
Goodness, how sad.

It means
things are pretty serious.

Why is everyone fussing
about this silly, old war?

Well, it's just something
happening abroad.

It's like the famine in India
or the earthquake in Turkey.

It's nothing to do with us.

David says we'll be in
by tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Did he really say tomorrow?

BILLY: I mean,
it's pretty exciting, really.

Well, yes, yes, it's thrilling.

But it's pretty frightening.

The trouble is
I don't know what to do.

Nor do I.

Have you asked your father?

Well, sort of.

He says go up to Scotland
and then back to Oxford,

carry on as usual.

But that's no good,
not if it really is war.

No.

I mean, I'm not a very military
sort of person, really.

I'm sure I'll make
a hopeless soldier.

I always hated field days
at school.

Couldn't you wait a bit, then?

Well, no.

It's only going to last
a few months.

Well, it might last six
with any luck.

David says the nations
can't afford any more.

They'll all be bankrupt.

Oh.

So, if I'm not quick,
I might miss it altogether.

That would be awful.

Yes, that would be awful.

I mean, I can't shirk it like
some damned Crawley Socialist.

Well, you do see that,
don't you?

Yes.

Billy, I was...

That's why I had to talk to you,
you see.

In case it all happens
very quickly

and we don't have a chance
to see each other again.

I just wanted to say
that I love you.

On, Billy.

I don't love anyone else,
Georgina.

I love you very much.

I wouldn't have said all this
like this normally.

[Bell rings]

[Laughing]

[Piano plays]

[Singing indistinctly]

Poor Mrs. Bridges, she can't
find her gentleman friend.

EDWARD:
Probably off fishing.

[Singing]

MAN:
And now, by special request,

I am calling upon Uncle Angus

to give us one of his famous...

Uncle Angus!

[ Indistinct conversation]

[Clears throat]

[Piano plays]

There's a one-eyed yellow idol
to the north of Katmandu.

There's a little marble cross
below the town.

And a brokenhearted woman tends
the grave of Mad Carew.

While the yellow god
forever gazes down.

He was known as Mad Carew
by the subs at Katmandu.

He was hotter than they felt
inclined to tell.

But for all his foolish pranks,
he was worshipped in the ranks

and the colonel's daughter
smiled on him as well.

He had loved her all along with
a passion that was strong...

Sorry to interrupt, Uncle Angus,
boys and girls,

but I've just got some news
come in on the wire.

The king of the Belgians
has appealed

to His Majesty King George V
for help.

[ Cheering ]

Now, remembering
all our brave Jack-tars

guarding and manning their guns
at the Atlantic,

let us all stand and sing
a verse of "Rule, Britannia!"

[Piano plays]

♫ when Britain first,
at heaven's command ♫

♫ Arose from out
the azure main ♫

♫ Arose, arose, arose
from out the azure main ♫

♫ This was the charter,
the charter of the land ♫

♫ And guardian angels sang
this strain ♫

♫ Rule, Britannia! ♫

♫ Britannia rule the waves ♫

♫ Britons never, never,
never shall be slaves ♫

Hip, hip!

ALL:
Hooray!

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Look, it's late.

I think we'd best get
down to the station.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Ooh, don't you smell lovely, eh?

Crikey, they're all here.

My old bag of lard, n'all.

That's not your intended,
Albert?

It is.

It ain't the way she looks.
It's the way she cooks.

[ Laughter]

She may call herself missus,

but she's as pure
as the driven snow.

Aren't you, my darling, eh?

Don't you touch me,
Albert Lyons.

Ain't she a lovely bird?

Lovely plump breast.

What would you price her at,
eh, Bill?

I'll give you tenpence a pound
unplucked.

LYONS: Unplucked?
I'll soon pluck her.

Wait till I get her
between my legs.

How dare you?!
Get away from her!

- Get out!
-[ Shouting ]

Good morning, Hudson.

Good morning, madam.

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning, Hudson.

We're back early
because I'm going soldiering.

Yes, sir.

Oh, may we have coffee
and biscuits

in the morning room,
please, Hudson?

Certainly, madam.

Oh, yes, and pay off the cab,
will you?

And please look out my army kit
and all my camping stuff.

I shall wear service dress.

Very good, sir.

- Mr. Hudson?
- Yes, Rose.

Put them down there, please.

Mr. Lyons is at the back door.

- Mr. Lyons?
- Wants to see Mrs. Bridges.

The insolence!
Where is Mrs. Bridges?

She's gone shopping.

Gone shopping at this hour!

The whole world's gone
tapsel-teary today.

Rose, go down
and get rid of him.

Oh, but, Mr. Hudson!

Now do as I say.
I don't care how you do it.

And get Edward.
No, no, I'll get Edward.

Look, how much is it
on your clock?

RUBY:
Rose.

You mind your own business
and get on with your work.

Well...

Mrs. Bridges has asked me...

Where is she, Rose?
I've got to talk to her.

Well, she don't want
to talk to you.

Rose, you and me, we've always
been the best of friends, now,

haven't we?

That's news to me.

You come down to my shop.

I'll have something special
for you,

something you'll really like,
eh?

Yes, I'm sure you will,
Mr. Lyons.

Thanks for nothing.

Now,Rose
Rose.

- Here.
- Ow!

Oh, you little varmint!

Mrs. Bridges
has asked me to inform you

that she is no longer available

and don't want to see you
no more, not ever again.

And further to that effect,

this household will no longer
require your services

as purveyor of fish and poultry.

Now, Rose.

Rose.

I want to talk to Mr. Hudson.
Rose, Rose.

Hang on,
something positive at last.

Even those damn pacifists
in the government

can't get out of it now.

Well, if it makes you
any happier,

Maulin Company
resigned yesterday.

- Thank you, Edward.
Madam.

It was Edward Grey's speech
that did it.

You have never heard
such a reception.

After that, there was no doubt

that if Germany went
into Belgium, we'd go in.

Like a breath of fresh air.

It's extraordinary.

The station, the streets --
everyone smiling and happy.

It's brought us all together.

Instead of fighting each other,

we can get on with thrashing
that damned kaiser.

Well, I wish it could have been
decided peacefully.

It couldn't, don't you see?

They want war!

They've been strutting
up and down,

sabre rattling
and growling for years.

And now we've got to win.

Otherwise, the world won't be
a fit place

for human beings to live in.

Let's do it properly
while we're about it.

Smash or be smashed.

The war to end all wars.

All ready, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, thank you, Edward.

Why's he going so soon
if war's not been declared yet?

Captain James
is in the regular army's

reserve of officers, Edward.

Well done. All right,
you can take it all up now.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

There we are.

Careful, now.
Mind how you go.

Ah.

Same hole as the day
I was commissioned.

Not bad, eh?

Everything is loaded, sir.

Thank you, Hudson.

Well, goodbye, Father.

I shall try and let you know
Where the fun is.

Goodbye, old boy.

Goodbye, darling.

Take care of yourself.

We will.

Don't worry about us.

Look after yourself.

Keep an eye on Father.

Make sure
he doesn't work too hard.

Good luck, sir.

And don't let Hudson sneak off
and join up.

He will, you know,
if you don't watch him.

Don't you dare, Hudson.

No, sir.

You can't go now.

No, I can't, can I?

I don't think that I...

I don't think
that any of us could manage

without you anyway.

Oh, Rose, you didn't ought
to have said such things.

Really, you didn't.
Not without asking me.

After what happened yesterday?

Oh, well,
of course you was right.

Of course you was.

And it's good riddance,
and that's a fact.

Now we've got more important
things to think about.

Can you manage that?

I suspect so.

That's right.

Now, let me see.

What on earth...

What is all this, Mrs. Bridges?

Ooh, just a few provisions,
Mr. Hudson.

Perhaps you haven't read
the papers.

Where there's gonna be
privations and shortages

and prices going up.

But this is hoarding,
Mrs. Bridges!

I don't care what it is.

Rose, see that that gammon's
properly hung up on the hook.

If that there Kaiser's
coming over here

bombarding and besieging us
like they says he is,

I'm not letting this household
go short.

Ooh.

CROWD:
We want war!

We want war!

We want war!

We want war!

Well, they're going to get
their war, poor wretches.

Is it going to be very bad?

Very bad for very long.

At least that's what I think
and so does Kitchener.

It's extraordinary, but I feel
a tremendous sense of relief,

as if a spring had been released
somewhere inside me.

James is not the only one
who needed a war

to cast out his devil.

Thousands and thousands
of people all over Europe

are marching up and down,
happy and joyful,

screaming their heads off
for it.

All praying to the same god
for victory.

Poor God,
he's got a hard time ahead.

HAZEL:
Perhaps it was his idea.

Well, at least we can say we're
going in to help our friends.

Poor little Belgium.

Oh, yes, we can beat our breast
with a clear conscience.

But there's a good
practical reason as well.

Antwerp is still a pistol
pointed at England's head.

It's five minutes to 11:00, sir.

Oh, thank you, Hudson.

Shall I open the bottle, sir?

Uh, no, thank you.

But do have a drink downstairs
if you feel like celebrating.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Last night, Edward Grey
looked out across the park

and said, "The lamps are going
out all over Europe.

We shall not see them lit again
in our lifetime."

I'm too old for war, Hazel.

This means the end of that
pleasant order of things

that I've known and lived
and loved.

The end forever.

I do see.

- Hello.
Georgina.

- Hello, Billy.
- Hello, sir.

The whole of London
has gone mad.

We've been to the most gorgeous
war party at The Ritz.

Everyone was there.

And Billy met a nice colonel

who promised to help him get
a commission in the Grenadiers.

And I've come to a great
decision, Uncle Richard.

I'm going to be a nurse
so that I can be with the army.

Champagne, please, Billy.

Yes, sir.

I hate to dampen your ardour,

but I hope that neither of you

has anything to do
with this war.

You're both far too young.

[Crowd singing]

I refuse to drink a toast
to war.

From battle and murder
and from sudden death,

good Lord, deliver us.

Oh, thank you, Rose.

[ Indistinct conversation]

Mr. Hudson,
you should have seen the crowds

outside Buckingham Palace.

They're all singing and shouting
at the top of their voices.

You can all help yourselves
to some beer.

Oh, thanks, Mr. Hudson.

We saw the king and the queen
and the Prince of wales

come out on balcony.

EDWARD:
And we saw Mr. Churchill,

Mr. Asquith, and Lloyd George,

oh, as clear as anything.

And then there's a bloke

that climbed up on the balcony
when they came out.

Quiet, Edward.

[Bell tolling, explosions]

This is an historic moment

in the history of our country
and our empire.

We are now at war with Germany.

Our cause is a righteous one.

May the Lord Mighty in battle
give us victory.

God save the king.

- God save the king.
- God save the king.

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