Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 4, Episode 8 - The Glorious Dead - full transcript
Rose is heartbroken and nearly hysterical when she receives a letter advising her that her fiancé, Sgt. Gregory Wilmot, has been killed in action. Hudson and the other servants try to calm her but to no avail. She now feels that any hope of improving her life and having her own household and family. Hazel Bellamy too is saddened by the news that her friend RFC flying ace Jack Dyson was killed in aerial combat in France. Hazel is very brave in not revealing her own loss and makes some inroad in calming Rose. James has come home on leave, clearly the worse for wear after the battle of the Somme. He questions the very reason they are fighting and now sees it all as futile. He writes out his thoughts and asks Hazel to have them published should he not return alive. In reading them, Hazel sees a new side to James and now has a greater respect for him.
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
This cold lamb's
hardly been touched,
what she had for her dinner
last night.
Oh, Mrs. Bellamy has never been
what I would describe
as a hearty eater.
Not hearty, no.
Respectable.
Oh.
No pleasing her nowadays.
Pick, pick.
I don't like it.
If Mr. Bellamy had been here,
he would have done it justice,
all right.
It mustn't be wasted.
Well, that's just it.
With no gentlemen to cook for,
it's nothing but hashing
and currying and making over.
It's the sort of cooking
I don't like doing at all.
Oh, I don't know.
War's getting on my nerves.
Tradesmen getting rude,
shorthanded in the house,
standards lowered all 'round.
Oh, never yours, Mrs. Bridges.
If I may make a suggestion, why
don't you send up some rissoles
for Mrs. Bellamy this evening
with that delicious sauce?
You've never failed
with your rissoles.
Oh, yeah.
The bigger raid.
Mm. Perhaps I might take
your suggestion.
Oh.
In Lady Marjorie's day,
we'd never have served rissoles
for dinner.
Oh. Just imagine.
Still, got to finish up
the cold meat somehow.
Oh! That Daisy's not cleaned
my mincer proper.
I meant to speak to her
about it.
Where is the girl?
Rose wanted her for clearing out
Mr. Bellamy's dressing room.
But she ought to be down here
laying up our dinner.
Always behindhand nowadays.
If she don't have a letter
from Edward, she's mopey.
If she do,
she gets above herself.
Up and down, up and down.
No normal behaviour at all.
DAISY: [Singing indistinctly]
♫ Are you there, little teddy? ♫
Oh!
- I'll give her teddy bears!
- Oh, no.
That's enough, what it is!
You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, Daisy,
singing them disgusting songs
and crashing about like that.
She slipped on the stairs.
And don't you start
excusing her, Rose.
- That I will not stand.
- HUDSON: Hurry up, Daisy.
There's the servants' hall table
to be laid.
It's nearly 12:00.
And when you have a moment,
my girl,
perhaps you could look
at my mincer.
I'll lay the table.
You go and help Mrs. Bridges
with her mincer.
Yeah, all right, Rose.
One thing I will say for Ruby -
She may have been slow, but she
always cleaned things proper.
[Bell rings]
You ought to have more control
over that girl, Rose.
Really, you ought.
I can't stop her
slipping on the stairs,
can I, Mrs. Bridges?
Oh, mind as you go
up the stairs, Mr. Hudson.
- There's wet on them.
- And all that singing.
I don't know
where she picks it up from.
Well, she goes to the music
halls with her friend, Violet.
Takes her mind off Edward.
Anyhow, she washed down
the paint
in Mr. Bellamy's dressing room
very good.
I daresay she did,
but she ought to be down in here
on time to help me.
I would have thought
you would have had
more consideration, Rose.
Really, I would.
[ Sniffs ]
Oh, what do I smell?
My pie catching.
Oh, my goodness!
Oh, goodness me!
Oh, leave that now, Daisy.
Help me lay the table.
DAISY: What's the matter
with Mrs. Bridges?
She's cross as two sticks.
Got out of bed the wrong side
this morning.
- Yeah.
- Never mind.
You'll probably get
a letter from Edward soon.
You'll be getting one
from Gregory.
Yeah.
I dreamt about him last night.
Go on.
Dreamt he took me to see
the Crystal Palace.
And that's funny
'cause I ain't ever been there.
Oh, how did you know
what it looks like, then?
Don't know. Must have seen
a picture, I suppose.
It was huge.
All glistening in the sun.
But when we got near it,
we could see that the glass
was melting, like ice,
all dripping and falling away.
And I went to ask him
why it was, and it's funny.
I couldn't see him, my eyes
were so dazzled by the sun.
But I could hear him say,
"We don't have palaces
in Australia, Rosie,
-but you'll always have me."
- Aww.
And then he said, "Darling."
He ain't ever called me
that before, Daisy.
Oh, it was beautiful.
Makes me feel
all warm and shivery inside
when I think of it.
You are lucky, Rose.
I don't never dream of Edward.
Well, I better help Mrs. Bridges
with the dishing up.
It's fish pie and plum duff.
I'm ever so hungry, aren't you?
Uh, Mrs. Bellamy out for lunch
today, Mr. Hudson?
That is correct, Rose.
No dining-room luncheon today.
Oh, then I won't bother to
change till after.
- That the post?
- Yes, Rose.
And there's one here for you.
Oh, Mr. Hudson.
What did I tell you?
Fetch in the greens, Daisy,
and the pot.
Funny.
It's not his writing.
This journal appears to be
for you, Mrs. Bridges.
"Occult."
Yes.
It's my friend, Mrs. Chambers.
She sends that to me.
She gets in touch with
her husband on the other side.
Does she, now?
Oh.
Rose!
Rose!
She's fainted.
Daisy, get some water.
Here, undo her collar.
I'll fetch a wee drop of brandy.
Oh, there, Rose.
Oh, you poor thing.
It's all right, Rose dear.
It's all right.
- DAISY: Is she all right?
- She's only fainted.
Here we are, now, my girl.
Here we are.
Here, let me try.
Mm.
Me letter.
It's in your hand, Rose.
Is it about Sergeant Wilmot?
There, now.
No, no.
Read it.
I can't see.
Please, Mr. Hudson.
It appears to be
from his company commander.
"Dear Miss Buck, I am very sorry
to have to inform you
that Sergeant Wilmot was killed
in action this morning.
He was returning
from an early patrol
when he was shot by a sniper.
He was killed instantly
and suffered no pain.
I want to tell you how very much
we valued his cheerful
and courageous nature
and what a great loss he will be
to the company
in which he served.
No officer could have had
a better sergeant
or a more resourceful soldier.
May I offer you
my great sympathy
for your most tragic loss?
Since no next of kin
was recorded,
all Sergeant Wilmot's letters
from yourself,
together with
all his personal effects,
will be forwarded to you
in due course.
I am so sorry
to have to write this.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Graham, Captain."
He died instantly, Rose...
...and suffered no pain.
Died instantly.
Suffered no pain.
[ Crying ] No.
No!
He can't.
He can't be dead!
He can't be dead!
He's the only man
I've ever loved.
- He can't be! He can't be!
- There, there, Rose.
HUDSON: Daisy.
Daisy, go and put the kettle on.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Try and calm yourself.
Rose'll be wanting
a hot water bottle and some tea.
- She's in a state of shock.
- Calm yourself a little, Rose.
Oh, Mrs. Bridges, have you not
got something to cover her with?
- She's very cold.
- I'll fetch a blanket.
Oh, God,
please don't let Eddie die.
Oh.
My dear Rose.
We're - we're all
so very sorry.
I shall be alone now
for the rest of me life.
Not alone, Rose.
You've got us.
It's not the same.
I know, my lamb.
But we are your old friends.
It's not the same, Mr. Hudson.
MRS. BRIDGES: Here.
Here we are.
Nothing like crochet for warmth.
There.
And Daisy will make you
a nice cup of tea.
Where is that girl?
Daisy!
Tea's just drawing,
Mrs. Bridges.
I'll push you
closer to the fire, Rose.
You must be careful.
And then put the pie
in the bottom of the oven
and the vegetables over
some hot water in a colander.
There we are.
Now, then.
Oh.
Oh, her feet is like
blocks of ice.
HUDSON:
It's shock, Mrs. Bridges.
- We must expect that.
- Yes, yes.
I'll...
I'll pour out her cup of tea
meself.
Perhaps he's not so bad.
He was killed, Rose.
MRS. BRIDGES:
There we are, now.
Drink this up
while it's nice and hot.
Plenty of sugar in it, I trust?
Yes, yes, Mr. Hudson.
I'm sorry to be such a nuisance.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, you're not a nuisance, Rose.
You suffered
a most terrible shock.
I'm sorry.
Can't manage it.
Rose, you are going to drink
every drop of that tea.
Mrs. Bridges will stay with you
while you drink it.
I shall inform Mrs. Bellamy
of Rose's bereavement
as soon as she returns.
Daisy had better go 'round
and tell them at the bus depot.
Now, then, Rose,
you heard what Mr. Hudson said.
Come along, now.
Drink it up.
There's a good girl.
[ Door opens ]
HUDSON:
You rang, madam.
Yes, I should like some tea,
please, Hudson.
Madam.
Madam, I'm afraid that Rose
has had some very bad news.
What news?
Of her young man, madam.
I'm afraid Sergeant Wilmot
has been killed in action.
Killed.
Oh, no.
Poor Rose.
Oh, I must go to her, Hudson.
At once.
If I may suggest, madam,
it might be better to leave her
for a wee while.
Daisy has at long last got her
to rest her in her bed,
and I believe she is sleeping.
Mrs. Bridges administered
a few drops of chloral
in the hope
that she would drop off.
Yes, I see.
I'm afraid that she's
considerably upset, madam.
She really loved him.
I know that.
So I understand, madam.
Of course I'll wait
till she wakes up,
and then I'll go up and see her.
It's cold in here, madam.
I'll make up the fire.
[Telephone rings]
I'll answer it, Hudson.
Hello.
Oh, this is
Mrs. Bellamy speaking.
Bunny.
Oh, where are you?
Dover.
Are you on leave?
Oh, good.
I'm glad for you.
James?
Is he? when?
Two or three days, Bunny.
That is rather vague.
Oh, I see.
Yes.
No, he hasn't.
I haven't heard from him
for about, oh, a fortnight.
Has he?
Well, how wonderful.
Well, of course I'm proud,
and so will Richard be,
and very glad for him.
Thank you for telling me.
Enjoy your leave.
Goodbye.
Major Bellamy is coming home
on leave.
Yes, madam.
Oh, might I ask when?
Lord Newbury wasn't quite sure.
He's on his way
back to the base.
Two or three days, he thought.
Well, then I will bring up the
major's favourite claret, madam.
And should I inform
Mrs. Bridges?
I know she will be most anxious
to do her best for the major
when he comes home.
Well, by all means.
Oh, Hudson, you might like
to tell the others
that Major Bellamy has been
awarded the Military Cross,
for his conduct
in a recent action on the Somme.
That is indeed a great honour,
madam.
The Military Cross.
That is good news, madam.
Yes.
Shall I bring tea, madam?
Oh, yes, Hudson.
I...
I should like some tea.
May I say, madam, how glad
we shall all be downstairs
that you will soon have
a short respite from anxiety.
What?
Having the major safe at home
for a while.
Oh, yes.
Thank you, Hudson.
What I think is, if the major's
getting some leave,
it's high time
Eddie got some, too.
Eddie hasn't gone
and got himself a medal.
That's what Major James
is getting his leave for.
You mark my words.
Besides, he's an officer.
There's a difference.
And so it should be.
I'm sure if Eddie wanted
a medal, he'd get hisself one.
He's been fighting
in just the same battles
as the major all these months.
Mr. Hudson says it's been
the worst battle of the war.
It's called
the Battle of the Somme,
and more people have been killed
in this battle than any -
Daisy!
- What have I done?
I was only saying
what Mr. Hudson said.
- Oh!
- MRS. BRIDGES: What is it, Rose?
I stuck the blessed needle
in me finger,
and I've sewn the blessed ribbon
on all crooked.
It'll have to be done again.
I wish I was dead.
Rose, you mustn't say
such dreadful things.
It's all your fault, Daisy.
You ought to have more
consideration for other people.
Jabbering on
about people dying in battles.
That's no way to cheer Rose up.
Well, it's not as though
she was married to him, is it?
How can you be so wicked, cruel?
How can you?
It's all very well for you,
Daisy.
- You're all right.
- Sorry.
I hate you for saying that!
That's enough, Daisy.
Go to your room at once.
Do as you're told.
Leave that ironing.
[ Sobs ]
[ Sniffles ]
MRS. BRIDGES: Rose.
Come here.
Come over here
to Mrs. Bridges, then.
- Come along.
-[ Sniffles ]
There, there.
There, my lamb.
Oh, Mrs. Bridges,
what shall I do?
There, there, my lamb.
She didn't mean to upset you.
She just don't know
what she says.
You suffered
a terrible disappointment, Rose,
the worst thing that can happen
to a respectable young woman,
you have.
Don't think I don't understand,
'cause I do.
You'll get over it, believe me.
You will get over it in the end.
That's what Mrs. Bellamy says.
But I can't believe it.
I can't believe it's happened.
Half the time, I feel numb.
Don't feel anything at all.
Then I have to tell myself
he's dead, he's been killed...
...and it's like reading
that letter all over again.
It won't keep on like that,
Rose.
After a bit, it won't keep
slamming at you so often,
and it won't be so hard
when it does.
It's not that I don't believe
you, Mrs. Bridges.
I know, my girl.
I've been through it.
Long time ago, of course,
but it's not the kind of thing
you forget.
I've never told a soul about it.
Oh, Mrs. Bridges.
You remember Mrs. Beadows,
the one I baked the cake for,
the one that Mr. Wilmot -
Well, it was before she was
with Lady Templeman.
She was with Lady Basingstoke,
and I was under her there
as kitchen maid.
They had a big place
in Scotland, the Basingstokes.
And I was sent up there once
for the house parties
for the grouse shooting.
Oh, it was a huge place.
20 in the servants' hall.
And the water for the hip baths
of an evening
was something
I shan't never forget.
Where was I?
You was telling me
about what you'd been through.
Oh, that's right, yes.
Well, there was this Frederick.
He was a groom there,
and he come down one day
to help with the hampers.
Oh, he was
a good-looking young man.
He had the bluest eyes I've ever
seen on anyone in all my life,
and his hair
was real copper colour.
[ Chuckles ]
Of course I was different
in them days.
Mind you,
it was over 30 years ago.
He told me I had the trimmest
waist he'd ever seen.
How did you manage to see him,
him not having his meals
in the servants' hall?
Oh, well, I didn't see
all that much of him, of course.
They was ever so strict
in them days.
But I was invited up to tea
with his mother.
They had a croft,
they called it, on the estate.
Mrs. Beadows give me permission.
I dressed up in me Sunday best
for the occasion,
and he come and fetch me.
So we had the walk there
and back.
One day coming back it rained,
cats and dogs.
There was no two ways about it.
We just had to take shelter.
Did you get engaged to him?
Well, not exactly engaged,
but we come to an understanding.
Mind you, we'd seen one another
quite a few times
before that occasion,
when he'd come in
for the hampers.
Well, after a bit, he took
to getting them every day,
and I took to being
as the one as took them in.
'Course we had to be
ever so careful.
You see, it was only on the walk
to and from his mother's cottage
that I had the chance
of surmising his intentions.
Then what happened?
We didn't tell a soul.
I didn't have nobody to tell.
When I come back to London,
he wrote to me twice.
'Course I answered,
but we was neither of us
much gone on writing.
Then there was this fighting
out in the Sudan.
One of the sons of the household
was an officer in the cavalry,
and Fred went out there
as his groom.
He caught some fever
and died there...
...all amidst them savages.
His mother wrote to me.
Else I wouldn't have known.
After that, I took to polishing
all the pans in the kitchen...
...till me arms were so tired
I could hardly move.
- Poor Mrs. Bridges.
- Oh.
It was not having anybody
to tell.
I thought I'd never get over it.
When someone dies,
it seems so final, don't it?
Well, yes and no.
Things have changed, Rose.
I mean,
when a loved one passes over,
there are certain special people
who can take and receive
messages from the other side.
My friend, Mrs. Chambers,
knows one of these ladies.
That's spiritualists, isn't it?
And Mr. Hudson says -
You don't want to take
too much notice of him.
Not on that account.
I mean, he's a man.
They don't have
the same feelings as us women.
How do you know it's all right,
spiritualism and that?
Well,
that's what I was coming to.
You see, Rose, I was so
dreadfully upset the other day
when you -
when you got your tragic news
because I remember
I'd been sharp with you
right up to the time
when the letter come.
And so after we'd got you to
have a little bit of a laydown,
I popped 'round the corner
to my friend, Mrs. Chambers,
in Chester Square.
Now she's somebody
I really trust.
Well, her lady lost a son
in August,
and she'd been to her, I know,
because Mrs. Chambers
told me she had.
Been where?
To this Madame Francini.
Wait.
Wait a bit.
I'll show you.
There's something about her
here.
Yes, there we are.
It says, "Many titled ladies
have received consolation
in their tragic losses."
Well, I asked Mrs. Chambers if
she thought it would help you,
and she said
it was her considered opinion
that it would.
What happens?
Well, you just sit very quiet,
and then Madame Francini
goes into a trance.
And then her control -
that's the spirit
what she gets in touch with -
gets you a message.
And then you know that he's
all right and happy where he is.
And you could send him
a message, too, Rose.
And it'd be ever such a comfort
to you.
Believe me, thousands of people
are doing it nowadays.
Would I...
Would I hear his voice?
You might, if you was lucky.
Mind you, sometimes you have to
go more than once.
Oh, it's probably
ever so expensive.
No.
Madame Francini never charges
more than a person can afford.
You try it, Rose.
Here, there's the address.
Not a word to Mr. Hudson, mind.
All right, I will.
Might as well.
Definitely someone there.
[Tap]
Everyone keep very quiet
and help Mrs. Speedwell
to concentrate.
Look above my head,
Mrs. Speedwell, and behind it.
I feel a presence forming.
A handsome young man is there.
A young man.
He looks pale.
That's my Billy.
Have you a message
for your mother, Billy?
[Tap]
Yes.
He has a message.
Keep looking.
Can you see anything yet?
No, not yet.
He's very tall, isn't he?
Well...
Compared to you.
- Yeah.
And such
a lovely, generous expression.
Now, you should be able to see
him any moment now.
Billy, don't be shy.
We know
you're on the other side.
We want to know
whether you are happy.
MAN'S VOICE:
Very happy here.
Oh, Billy, my darling.
I can see you now.
I know I can.
Oh, Billy,
are you really all right?
I miss you so.
MAN'S VOICE:
Quite all right.
But spirit...
...must go now.
Oh, Billy, don't.
Please don't leave me so soon.
[Voice breaking]
Oh, my dear one, don't go.
We mustn't try to stop them.
I'm sure he'll want to come
again on your next visit.
Now quiet, everyone.
I think I have another message.
Is it for the gentleman?
[ Tapping ]
Is it for another lady?
[ Tapping ]
Steady, dear.
We understand
that it's for a lady.
Everyone keep very quiet
and concentrate.
Is there anyone there?
WOMAN'S VOICE:
♫ And his ghost may be heard ♫
♫ As you pass by
that billabong ♫
♫ You'll come a-waltzing,
Matilda, with me ♫
[ Tapping ]
That's an Australian song,
isn't it, dear?
Is it an Australian gentleman?
WOMAN'S VOICE:
♫ waltzing, Matilda ♫
♫ Waltzing Matilda ♫
No. No.
I don't want to.
No, no. Stop.
[ Panting ]
Oh. Oh.
Oh, thank you, Hudson.
[Sighs]
ROSE: [Crying]
Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Rose.
Rose, not here.
Control yourself.
Now pull yourself together,
Rose.
This is no place
for such a scene.
No place?
Where is the place?
That's what I'd like to know.
I can't help it.
[ Sobbing ]
I'm afraid Rose is hysterical,
madam.
She'd better go upstairs
to her room.
HAZEL: No!
No. Rose had better come in here
with me.
Very good, madam.
Come along, Rose.
Make yourself presentable.
Mrs. Bellamy is waiting.
Quickly, now.
ROSE:
You wish to speak to me, madam?
Come in, Rose, and sit down.
Tell me what's the matter.
Why were you so upset?
I've been to see
Madame Francini.
Who's Madame Francini?
Oh, she's
a very well-known lady.
She - She talks to people
on the other side.
She gets messages from them
and to them.
Titled ladies go to her.
She's a great consolation
for those in mourning
for their loved ones.
I've never heard such nonsense
in my life.
She sounds like
some kind of spiritualist.
Oh, yes.
That's what she is, madam.
Rose, that's wicked.
Those people are charlatans.
You must know that.
You're a good Christian.
Well, I didn't know it, did I?
Never been there before.
And I sincerely hope
you'll never go to one
of those places again.
I'm shocked, Rose.
Well, I left
before anything happened to me.
- I left when a lady saw -
- I don't want to hear about it.
No, madam.
But if there is anything else,
I can help you.
I know you've suffered
a dreadful blow.
I do feel deeply for you.
We all do.
I know Gregory's dead
all the time now,
not just in waves like before
with forgetting in between.
It's come to be
the only thing on me mind.
But it's not just being alone
'cause he's dead.
It's being alone
'cause of how I feel about it.
I understand how dreadful it is
for you, Rose.
You can't.
Excuse me, madam,
but you can't have no idea.
Well, ever since I was 13, I've
lived in other people's houses.
I never, ever had a room
of me own.
Never had a life
of me own, really.
But that's 'cause I've been
in service all me life.
Don't know anything else.
Then at last I was going to
another country, live on a farm
and be a mistress
of me own household
with a husband and children
to look after.
Then when I got old,
they'd have looked after me.
Now I haven't got anything.
When I get too old to work,
I'll have to find meself
a little room somewhere,
and I won't be able to have
saved enough
to do more than scrimp and pinch
through to the rest of me life,
so I don't know what it's all
for anymore.
I know.
Before I met Gregory,
I never thought about my life
as a whole.
I'd never thought that
I'd meet a man who'd love me...
...ask me to marry him,
want to look after me.
But I did meet him,
and it made me think about it.
[Voice breaking]
And now he's gone,
and I'm worse off
than back where I started.
Now, whatever position
you find yourself in, madam,
that's never gonna happen to you
so I just don't see
how you can understand.
What you've said has made me
understand a good deal more.
But, Rose, we'd never let you
end your days
in the way you describe.
We're all much too fond of you.
Yes, well, that would be
charity, wouldn't it, madam?
I think we all owe you
far too much for it to be that.
Oh, madam,
I'm most dreadfully sorry.
I've said such terrible things.
No, Rose.
You haven't said
terrible things, only true ones.
And I do understand, a little.
So much that is dreadful
is happening in this war
that no one can be immune from
grief or the possibility of it.
Immune?
Untouched.
But you will find comfort
in prayer
much more than anything else.
God will not forsake you
if you pray to him.
Look, why don't you go 'round
to St. Peters
and see the rector, Mr. Andrews?
He's an old man, but he's
very experienced and very kind.
He's seen a great deal
of bereavement...
...the anguish of loss,
and the strain of fearing it.
I know because
I've talked to him myself.
I will ask him if he'll see you,
if you like.
Oh, madam, I didn't think.
The first weeks are the hardest.
But you will get through them.
You will find that other threads
of your life have some meaning.
One does not forget,
but one learns to live
with the loss
until very gradually it becomes
something that can be accepted.
But you must come and talk to me
whenever you feel like it.
Won't you?
Yes, madam.
Thank you for talking to me,
madam.
I'll try and do what you said.
Are you all right, madam?
Oh, it's all right, Rose.
You may go now.
I'll ring if I want anything.
But will you go now, please?
[Door opens, closes]
[ Cries ]
[ Door opens ]
HUDSON:
Welcome home, Major.
JAMES: Thank you, Hudson.
ls Mrs. Bellamy in?
Yes, sir.
She's in the morning room.
Oh, good.
You're looking very well.
HUDSON: Thank you, sir.
Did you have a good journey?
Yes. Thank you.
Leave those downstairs.
- I'll take the rest up later.
- Oh, very good, Major.
[Clicks tongue]
Mr. Hudson,
they was up and dressed,
but I think the major's been
in his dressing room
writing all night 'cause
the floor was covered in paper.
And I don't think he's been
to bed all night -
That will do, Daisy.
It is no concern of yours.
'Cause the other half of the bed
hadn't been slept in.
Take that tray
and go down to Mrs. Bridges.
She'll be waiting for you.
And after the major and
Mrs. Bellamy have come down,
you'd better go up
and see what has become of Rose.
Oh, shouldn't I go up now,
Mr. Hudson?
Certainly not, girl.
The major will not want you
all over the stairs
when he's coming down them.
There are times
when I despair of you, Daisy.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
I coddled Mrs. Bellamy's eggs,
seeing as she had no dinner
last night, poor soul.
Oh, my goodness.
I quite forgot.
I roasted this special
for the major.
The newspaper's there.
I don't think
I can bear to look at it.
You look very tired.
I didn't sleep last night.
Excuse me, sir, but Mrs. Bridges
forgot to send this up
with the rest of breakfast.
A cold partridge, sir.
She roasted it
especially for you.
Oh.
How very good of her.
Put it on the sideboard,
would you, Hudson?
Sir.
Oh, Hudson,
would you tell Mrs. Bridges
I shall be out to luncheon?
Yes, madam.
What about you, James?
I shall be out, too.
Very good, sir.
Oh, Lady Prudence telephoned,
madam.
Oh?
She wondered whether you read
about Lieutenant Dyson
in last night's
evening newspaper.
Yes, I did.
Is that all?
- Yes, madam.
- Thank you, Hudson.
Who was Lieutenant Dyson?
He was one
of the wounded officers
that came here
to Prudences tea party.
He was
in the Royal Flying Corps.
He's dead.
He was killed.
Will you go to your club?
Oh, no.
Can't face all those old chaps
asking me about my medal...
...wanting to be told a pack of
lies about how the war's going.
In fact, the thought of meeting
anyone I know fills me with...
What?
With panic.
What do you mean?
It's the war.
I don't believe in it anymore.
Do you mean
that we're not going to win?
Oh, Hazel, it's not a question
of wining or losing.
It's not that.
It's the appalling waste...
...of thousands and thousands
of ordinary men who aren't
really soldiers at all.
Farmers, post-office clerks,
tradesmen -
barely schoolboys,
some of them...
...simply getting slaughtered
like cattle.
And for what?
A few yards of mud.
I remember once at school
I played Fortinbras in "Hamlet."
These soldiers are fighting
for a patch of land
that they said
wasn't any good anyway.
They said it wasn't even
big enough to bury their dead.
"We go to gain a little patch of
ground that hath in it no profit
but the name."
There can't be any argument,
any dispute
that is worth so many people's
lives, so much blood.
There's something monstrous,
evil, mad about it all.
And it's all bolstered up
by people here
not knowing
what it's really like,
like some vast confidence trick.
You see, even now I can't really
tell you how awful it is.
We perpetuate the lies,
even from out there.
The letters I've written to the
wives and mothers of my men...
..."He died like a man,"
"instantly and no pain."
"His supreme sacrifice
will not be in vain."
I haven't written
a single letter
that didn't have
one of those lies in it.
And all the time, you see, it
seems to me clearer and clearer
that they died for nothing.
I-I shouldn't be talking to you
like this.
It's against the rules.
We're not supposed to demoralize
the civilian population.
You should talk.
You need to tell someone.
I've told you hardly anything.
A tithe Of it.
You couldn't stand much more
of the awful details.
I spent all last night
writing it down, what I feel.
And I want you to keep it
somewhere safe.
If I'm killed, I want you to
get it published somewhere.
Perhaps Geoffrey Dillon
can arrange it.
I know we haven't always
understood each other very well,
Hazel, but you will promise me
that one thing?
I promise, James.
Well, I...
I'd better go and see
how Rose is.
Mm, what's the matter with her?
Her fiancé was killed last week.
She's dreadfully upset.
Mm, the Australian fellow?
Yes.
I've tried to comfort her, but
I don't seem to do much good.
Mm.
Perhaps I should go and see her.
Well, if you feel like it.
I'm sure it would help.
Then I shall.
I shall speak to her
very frankly.
I'm so sorry, Rose.
I was trying to pull meself
together.
Then his things come.
I expect you had a letter
from his company commander,
didn't you?
The officer.
Yes.
It says how much they valued his
cheerful and courageous nature
and what a great loss he'll be
to the company
in which he served.
It says he died instantly
and suffered no pain.
Well, that's one mercy,
isn't it, Rose?
Yes, sir.
I know it is.
Only he's gone, see, and...
What is it, Rose?
Well, sir,
I know it's 'cause I'm ignorant,
but I don't understand the war.
I don't see
what it's really for.
I mean, if I could understand
why he had to die and leave me.
You must remember, Rose, that...
...that this is the war
to end all wars.
You must remember
that Sergeant Wilmot died
as a dominion soldier
fighting for the British empire.
The greatest sacrifice
a man can make for his country
is his life.
It places him among the heroes
for all time.
Does it?
Does it, really?
Of course it does.
When this war is over, people
will raise memorials everywhere
to our glorious dead
in thanksgiving
and to honour them forever.
His name will be inscribed
with...
...with the others.
His name will be on a memorial
tablet, so he'll be remembered?
He will be remembered forever,
Rose.
Like the heroes in history.
And you, too, Rose.
You, too, have made
your sacrifice.
You have given the man you loved
to safeguard the future
for others.
You mustn't forget that.
It puts you
in a very special position.
Does it?
Among the gallant women
who have given and lost
their nearest and dearest.
You should feel very proud,
Rose.
Very proud.
Thank you very much, sir,
for talking to me
and explaining things.
It made all the difference.
I am proud of him, and I shan't
never forget what you've said,
and I shan't never forget
that he's done something good
and useful for everybody
and that he died to make
this country safe
for everyone forever.
That's what you said, isn't it?
Something like that, Rose.
I shan't forget what you said
about me neither, being special.
That'll be a great comfort
to me.
That's right.
I must go and find Mrs. Bellamy.
Oh, well, thank you, sir.
I've seen her.
Poor Rose.
How is she?
[Sighs]
Like all the other wretched
Women who've lost their menfolk.
Needing to feel
that it was in a good cause.
I did try to comfort her.
But when something like that
happens,
there's not much you can do,
is there?
Not much.
James...
...I've read your paper.
I hope you don't mind.
But I'm glad I did.
Not really stuff
for a woman to read.
Did you see what I meant?
Yes, I saw what you meant.
But it makes me feel...
What?
That I hardly know you.
You've changed.
May I put these away now?
How can you go back to fight
now, feeling as you do?
That's quite simple.
It's my duty.
I have no choice.
But I shall feel better about it
now that I've made some gesture
to posterity.
Even if we have no children
of our own,
perhaps other people's children
will one day read it
and understand.
I was wondering...
...if perhaps you might like to
come out with me
and have some lunch.
Afterwards we could go
for a walk in the park.
I should like that.
Very much.
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