Dylan Thomas: A Poet in New York

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05MUFFLED PA ANNOUNCEMENT

0:00:18 > 0:00:19Dylan!

0:00:19 > 0:00:23Ah...my ministering angels.

0:00:23 > 0:00:25Right on time.

0:00:31 > 0:00:34Terrible flight. Terrible. There was this priest, you see,

0:00:34 > 0:00:37got on the plane at Shannon,

0:00:37 > 0:00:39fighting drunk, roaring drunk, he was.

0:00:39 > 0:00:43They overpowered him, and then they closed the bar!

0:00:43 > 0:00:47"Why? Why?" I pleaded with them, "My nerves are shattered," I said.

0:00:47 > 0:00:50"We're so sorry, sir, but your safety is our priority."

0:00:50 > 0:00:52They put him off at Gander.

0:00:52 > 0:00:54Still no bloody drink.

0:00:56 > 0:00:58So, tell me the plan. What's the plan?

0:00:58 > 0:01:00Well, I've arranged a great itinerary for you.

0:01:00 > 0:01:02A lot of readings, big audiences,

0:01:02 > 0:01:05the first performance of Under Milk Wood.

0:01:05 > 0:01:06You know it's not finished.

0:01:06 > 0:01:08Liz will help you with that.

0:01:08 > 0:01:13God, though, I love this ride. I love this fabulous, filthy city.

0:01:18 > 0:01:23Thank you, John. Thank you, Liz, for making all of this possible.

0:01:23 > 0:01:24You're welcome, Dylan.

0:01:26 > 0:01:29I shouldn't have come, though. It's all wrong.

0:01:35 > 0:01:36Heaven.

0:01:43 > 0:01:45Forgive me, Dylan, but are you OK?

0:01:45 > 0:01:48You don't look...well.

0:01:48 > 0:01:50Well, I've never been awfully well, John, you know that,

0:01:50 > 0:01:54but at the moment, apart from a spot of gout and the gastritis,

0:01:54 > 0:01:57of course, and the asthma, and piles, warts,

0:01:57 > 0:02:00boils and carbuncles, bit of cirrhosis, touch of TB,

0:02:00 > 0:02:03brittle bones and an overwhelming sense of panic and terror,

0:02:03 > 0:02:05I'm absolutely tip-top.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08Anyway, I never planned to live to 40.

0:02:08 > 0:02:10Do you think I could possibly

0:02:10 > 0:02:12have another of these delicious golden drinks?

0:02:12 > 0:02:14- Sure, Dylan, no problem.- Wonderful.

0:02:17 > 0:02:18Hello, you.

0:02:22 > 0:02:25Everyone's so excited. You're going to have a great time.

0:02:26 > 0:02:30And I'll be looking after you in absolutely...every way.

0:02:32 > 0:02:34You're going to make lots of dollars.

0:02:34 > 0:02:35Pay off all those tax bills.

0:02:35 > 0:02:37Under Milk Wood is going to be sensational

0:02:37 > 0:02:40and then you're off to California, to meet Stravinsky.

0:02:40 > 0:02:41He actually asked for you!

0:02:42 > 0:02:43Well, why wouldn't he?

0:02:43 > 0:02:46The greatest living composer and the greatest living poet.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49- What an opera that's going to be. - Terrifying.

0:02:49 > 0:02:50I got you a chaser.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53Oh, that's so thoughtful of you, John.

0:02:53 > 0:02:55- I was just saying to Dylan...- Hmm?

0:02:56 > 0:03:00- ..this trip is going to be a triumph!- Absolutely.

0:03:00 > 0:03:02Well, I'll drink to that.

0:03:07 > 0:03:08RETCHING

0:03:08 > 0:03:11VOMITING

0:03:12 > 0:03:15You'll have to tell them he can't go on, John.

0:03:15 > 0:03:17No!

0:03:17 > 0:03:19I've seen him like this before.

0:03:23 > 0:03:25John, no!

0:03:25 > 0:03:27APPLAUSE

0:03:27 > 0:03:32Ladies and gentlemen, my name is John Malcolm Brinnin.

0:03:32 > 0:03:36And tonight it is my privilege

0:03:36 > 0:03:41to introduce the greatest living poet in the English-speaking world,

0:03:41 > 0:03:45and perhaps the finest reader of poetry the world has ever seen,

0:03:45 > 0:03:48and I am proud to say, my friend...

0:03:48 > 0:03:50- You don't have to do it. - ..Dylan Thomas!

0:03:50 > 0:03:53- I'll go out and tell them you can't. - There's money in these things.

0:03:53 > 0:03:55APPLAUSE

0:04:10 > 0:04:12I wasn't always like this, you know.

0:04:13 > 0:04:16I used to be such a lovely little boy.

0:04:16 > 0:04:18LAUGHTER

0:04:18 > 0:04:20HE COUGHS

0:04:36 > 0:04:37This is a poem about then.

0:04:40 > 0:04:41When I was that little boy.

0:04:43 > 0:04:47And about the farm where I used to spend my summer holidays.

0:04:51 > 0:04:55Now, as I was young and easy under the apple boughs

0:04:55 > 0:04:59About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green

0:04:59 > 0:05:02The night above the dingle starry

0:05:02 > 0:05:05Time let me hail and climb

0:05:05 > 0:05:09Golden in the heydays of his eyes

0:05:09 > 0:05:14And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns

0:05:14 > 0:05:19And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves

0:05:19 > 0:05:22Trail with daisies and barley

0:05:22 > 0:05:26Down the rivers of the windfall light

0:05:26 > 0:05:30All the sun long it was running it was lovely

0:05:30 > 0:05:34The hay fields high as the house The tunes from the chimneys

0:05:34 > 0:05:38It was air And playing lovely and watery

0:05:38 > 0:05:41And fire green as grass

0:05:42 > 0:05:45And nightly under the simple stars

0:05:45 > 0:05:50As I rode to sleep The owls were bearing the farm away

0:05:52 > 0:05:56Oh, as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means

0:05:56 > 0:06:01Time held me green and dying

0:06:01 > 0:06:06Though I sang in my chains Like the sea.

0:06:10 > 0:06:14APPLAUSE

0:06:14 > 0:06:16CHEERING

0:06:24 > 0:06:26That was fantastic, I'm such a huge fan!

0:06:26 > 0:06:27Jerry Hart, remember me?

0:06:27 > 0:06:30Great performance this evening. Terrific. They loved you!

0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Oh, were you there? - No, but Sylvie was there,

0:06:32 > 0:06:34Sylvie told me all about it. Sylvie!

0:06:34 > 0:06:35- Hi Dylan, remember me? - Come and meet Dylan!

0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Dr Milton Feltenstein, call me Milt. - Oh, yes, didn't you fix my arm

0:06:38 > 0:06:40- that time?- Just wanted to say, anything you need,

0:06:40 > 0:06:42any pharmaceutical support,

0:06:42 > 0:06:45I'm here for you any time. Liz has my number. Enjoy New York, Dylan.

0:06:45 > 0:06:48Mr Thomas, it is a thrill and an honour to meet you.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51Come with me and let's get a drink. You can tell me what you'd like.

0:06:51 > 0:06:53Oh, if I were to tell you what I'd really like...

0:06:55 > 0:06:56Hey, Dylan, can I get one more?

0:06:58 > 0:07:00Thanks, Dylan.

0:07:00 > 0:07:03Well, we're all Dylan fans here, aren't we?

0:07:03 > 0:07:08I guess I prefer to think of myself as Dylan's friend and fellow poet.

0:07:08 > 0:07:12Is that right, John? And is that how he sees you?

0:07:12 > 0:07:16How do you think of John, Dylan? Friend and fellow poet?

0:07:16 > 0:07:22John Malcolm Brinnin is my keeper, and I am his performing bear!

0:07:22 > 0:07:25Can't you see the chain he's got round my neck?

0:07:25 > 0:07:26He just has to give it a little jerk

0:07:26 > 0:07:29- and I do my little dance! - DRINK SPILLS

0:07:29 > 0:07:30Oh!

0:07:30 > 0:07:33Oh, bugger, I'm most frightfully sorry.

0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Allow me to mop you down. - No, no, please.

0:07:35 > 0:07:37I absolutely insist.

0:07:39 > 0:07:42- OK, then. - The least I could do.

0:07:42 > 0:07:44Well, I'm honoured.

0:07:44 > 0:07:47No, no, the honour's all mine. We should continue this elsewhere.

0:07:47 > 0:07:51Mr Thomas, my husband's just over there.

0:07:51 > 0:07:53How inconvenient. And you must call me Dylan.

0:07:53 > 0:07:56Why does he feel the need to humiliate me in public

0:07:56 > 0:08:00when I've done so much for him and would do anything, he knows that.

0:08:00 > 0:08:03He was desperate to come here again, desperate.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06All I ask is a little bit of appreciation for what I'm doing.

0:08:06 > 0:08:09He does appreciate you, John. He loves you.

0:08:09 > 0:08:11I really think he does.

0:08:11 > 0:08:13What no-one understands is I'm only a poet

0:08:13 > 0:08:15when I'm writing the bloody stuff, and I haven't written

0:08:15 > 0:08:17a bloody word worth reading for God knows how long.

0:08:17 > 0:08:19Oh, come on, Dylan, please.

0:08:19 > 0:08:22If you insist, one of my shorter works...

0:08:22 > 0:08:24There was a young man from Australia

0:08:24 > 0:08:28Who painted his arse Like a dahlia...

0:08:28 > 0:08:31I suppose one should say "ass" on this side of the ocean. No matter.

0:08:31 > 0:08:33At a penny a smell It went very well

0:08:33 > 0:08:36But tuppence a lick was a failure.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40Who is that, Jerry?

0:08:40 > 0:08:44Er, Nadia something. She's a dancer. She's with the Kirov.

0:08:44 > 0:08:48They're at the Met. But Dylan, I wouldn't go there.

0:08:48 > 0:08:50Hello. I've fallen in love with you,

0:08:50 > 0:08:53we must spend the night together, I absolutely insist.

0:08:55 > 0:08:57SHE SPEAKS RUSSIAN

0:08:57 > 0:09:00OK, Dylan, let's meet a couple of dear friends of mine. Come on.

0:09:00 > 0:09:01HE WHISPERS IN RUSSIAN

0:09:04 > 0:09:05Dylan, you have to realise,

0:09:05 > 0:09:08not every woman in New York is dying to meet you.

0:09:08 > 0:09:10She didn't even know who you were.

0:09:10 > 0:09:12Oh, God, I'm sorry. You're quite right.

0:09:12 > 0:09:15The poor creature looked absolutely terrified. I am so ashamed.

0:09:15 > 0:09:19What a ludicrous buffoon I've become. What am I going to do?

0:09:19 > 0:09:22Stop throwing yourself at anything in a skirt, that'd be a start.

0:09:22 > 0:09:24No serious harm done, I guess.

0:09:24 > 0:09:27But you must be exhausted, Dylan, we need to get you to bed.

0:09:27 > 0:09:29- Long day tomorrow. - No! We're going to the White Horse!

0:09:29 > 0:09:33First night in New York, White Horse! Has to be done!

0:09:33 > 0:09:35Count me out.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37You are a quitter.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41- I am very disappointed, John. - You're disappointed?

0:09:41 > 0:09:44What are you trying to do, Dylan? Kill yourself?

0:09:55 > 0:09:57- So how much is that? - Two bucks 50.

0:09:59 > 0:10:03- Ho ho! Ernie.- Hey, Dylan!

0:10:04 > 0:10:05You remember Liz.

0:10:06 > 0:10:08Lots of that.

0:10:08 > 0:10:11You see, this is what I mean, Liz, this is a real pub.

0:10:11 > 0:10:15A proper pub, like a Swansea pub, and these are real people,

0:10:15 > 0:10:18real working men, not bloody culture vultures.

0:10:18 > 0:10:22They don't give a toss about poetry or fame. You don't, do you?

0:10:22 > 0:10:24And nor do I!

0:10:24 > 0:10:26So you're a famous poet, is that it?

0:10:26 > 0:10:30I am the squeezed-out, shrivelled husk of a famous poet,

0:10:30 > 0:10:32and that's the truth.

0:10:32 > 0:10:34Pretending I can still cut the mustard.

0:10:34 > 0:10:36- What do you say to that? - Come on, Dylan.

0:10:36 > 0:10:38It's all a sham, you see.

0:10:38 > 0:10:40There's nothing but the life you live and the death you die.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43Nothing else to say, you see. That's all there is.

0:10:43 > 0:10:44Well, I'll drink to that.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46Come on, Dylan, let's get you back to the hotel.

0:10:46 > 0:10:49No, wait, I want to show them something!

0:10:49 > 0:10:51Look at this.

0:10:51 > 0:10:53You'll never believe it.

0:10:55 > 0:10:57"Boy, 12, wins mile race."

0:10:58 > 0:10:59So that was you, then?

0:10:59 > 0:11:02Proudest achievement of my life so far.

0:11:02 > 0:11:05I was a good runner. Light on my feet.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07No-one believes me, but there's the proof.

0:11:07 > 0:11:11Well, you put on a bit of weight since then, my friend.

0:11:11 > 0:11:15I have abused the temple of my body in every way known to man,

0:11:15 > 0:11:17but I'm still bloody well here.

0:11:18 > 0:11:21HE COUGHS

0:11:21 > 0:11:22What am I doing here?

0:11:25 > 0:11:28Why do you bring me here and make me stay up so late

0:11:28 > 0:11:30when you know I have work to do?

0:11:31 > 0:11:34Come on, then, bed for you.

0:11:35 > 0:11:38COUGHING

0:11:57 > 0:11:58Oh...

0:12:00 > 0:12:01Oh, God.

0:12:07 > 0:12:09What a pathetic excuse for a human being,

0:12:09 > 0:12:11what a slobbering slug,

0:12:11 > 0:12:14what a seedy old ham, what a posing pretence of a poet...

0:12:14 > 0:12:16Hey!

0:12:16 > 0:12:19Stop that right now.

0:12:19 > 0:12:21You're a great poet.

0:12:21 > 0:12:23And you did a great show this evening.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26You've just had your first night binge.

0:12:26 > 0:12:28Don't leave me!

0:12:28 > 0:12:30Promise you'll stay.

0:12:31 > 0:12:33You're all I've got now, Liz.

0:12:42 > 0:12:45I think it's all up with me, Liz.

0:12:45 > 0:12:48I can't write any more, I'm just faking it.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51I can't drink any more like I used to. I can't fuck.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54Yes, you can.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57And Caitlin, she told me if I left her in Laugharne

0:12:57 > 0:12:59and came here, we'd be finished, but I had to leave,

0:12:59 > 0:13:03we were killing each other. I had to come. Why couldn't she see that?

0:13:03 > 0:13:06She'll take you back. She always does.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09You're the love of her life...

0:13:10 > 0:13:12..and she's the love of yours.

0:13:14 > 0:13:16Worse luck for me.

0:13:16 > 0:13:19I give you a hard time, don't I?

0:13:19 > 0:13:21My choice.

0:13:21 > 0:13:23In the morning, we'll get Milt Feltenstein to come over.

0:13:23 > 0:13:27Ah, Dr Feltenstein with his winking needle.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29I love her so much, you know...

0:13:29 > 0:13:30Yeah, I know.

0:13:31 > 0:13:36I love you, too. You know that, don't you?

0:13:36 > 0:13:38Come on, let's get you undressed.

0:13:40 > 0:13:42Am I your lovely little chap, Liz?

0:13:43 > 0:13:45Sure you are.

0:13:52 > 0:13:54CAR HORNS BLARE

0:13:59 > 0:14:00What are you looking for?

0:14:02 > 0:14:05I can't wait to get to work on it.

0:14:06 > 0:14:08How are you feeling?

0:14:08 > 0:14:11Terrible. I can't breathe.

0:14:11 > 0:14:12HE COUGHS

0:14:12 > 0:14:15Well, come out from under there, that'd be a start.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21Get my puffer for me, would you, Liz? It's in there somewhere.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24HE CONTINUES TO COUGH

0:14:30 > 0:14:31PUMPS AIR

0:14:35 > 0:14:37That's better.

0:14:37 > 0:14:39Tip-top now.

0:14:40 > 0:14:42Let's have a look, then.

0:14:49 > 0:14:52Was I very terrible last night?

0:14:52 > 0:14:54You were pretty vile, yeah.

0:14:55 > 0:14:57But you stuck it out.

0:14:59 > 0:15:00Did we...

0:15:00 > 0:15:03Did we manage to do anything?

0:15:03 > 0:15:06By some miracle, we did.

0:15:06 > 0:15:10I thought I remembered something. Not just a dream, then.

0:15:12 > 0:15:14Well, this is excellent news.

0:15:14 > 0:15:19Now if I could just have a beer and a little bit of bread and milk,

0:15:19 > 0:15:22with salt on it, I might be able to bring myself to bear

0:15:22 > 0:15:26on this steaming pile of Welsh whimsy.

0:15:26 > 0:15:29- I'll see what I can do. - Thank you, nurse.

0:15:37 > 0:15:40HE COUGHS

0:15:43 > 0:15:47SIRENS AND CAR HORNS

0:16:12 > 0:16:15To begin at the beginning...

0:16:16 > 0:16:18SEAGULLS CRY

0:16:21 > 0:16:23SEAGULLS CRY

0:16:25 > 0:16:27What do you think?

0:16:27 > 0:16:28It's lovely.

0:16:30 > 0:16:31Come on.

0:16:32 > 0:16:34Where? Why?

0:16:34 > 0:16:37Down here, and cos I say so. Race you!

0:16:44 > 0:16:46Yes, all right, you win, you always win.

0:16:48 > 0:16:49Oh, look at that.

0:16:52 > 0:16:55Wouldn't you like to live there?

0:16:55 > 0:16:57Yes, that would be very nice.

0:17:00 > 0:17:02Why do we never have any money, Dylan?

0:17:02 > 0:17:06People like us don't need money. What a vulgar thought.

0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Shall we go inside? - What? Breaking and entering?

0:17:12 > 0:17:15- Come on, no-one will know. - All right.

0:17:18 > 0:17:19It's ours, Cat.

0:17:19 > 0:17:21It can't be.

0:17:21 > 0:17:23How? How is it ours?

0:17:23 > 0:17:25Never mind that, it just is.

0:17:33 > 0:17:35Shall we christen it?

0:17:35 > 0:17:38GASPING AND MOANING

0:17:43 > 0:17:45Lovely.

0:17:48 > 0:17:51Come on, then. Tell me the truth.

0:17:51 > 0:17:52What about?

0:17:52 > 0:17:54This house.

0:17:55 > 0:17:57If it is really ours, who paid for it?

0:18:01 > 0:18:04It was that bloody Margaret Taylor, wasn't it?

0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Possibly.- I knew it!

0:18:08 > 0:18:10Come on, how did you wheedle her into it?

0:18:10 > 0:18:12I didn't have to wheedle. She offered.

0:18:12 > 0:18:15She was eager to help us, Cat. No strings, no nothing.

0:18:15 > 0:18:18- I don't believe it! You were up her, weren't you...- No, I wasn't!

0:18:18 > 0:18:21- ..you dirty fucker! - Not once! Not ever!

0:18:21 > 0:18:23Her generosity was her tribute to my genius.

0:18:23 > 0:18:26You bloody old liar!

0:18:26 > 0:18:27I swear it.

0:18:34 > 0:18:38Swear on our unborn baby's head.

0:18:41 > 0:18:46I swear on our unborn baby's head I was never up Margaret Taylor.

0:18:51 > 0:18:53All right.

0:18:54 > 0:18:56I believe you.

0:19:01 > 0:19:02You crafty little bugger.

0:19:05 > 0:19:08I can't believe you're still doing bread and milk for him.

0:19:08 > 0:19:11Well.

0:19:11 > 0:19:12I know how he likes it.

0:19:14 > 0:19:16And you know I don't believe she does,

0:19:16 > 0:19:19even after all this time together.

0:19:19 > 0:19:22And he knows I like to do it for him.

0:19:24 > 0:19:27I'd do it for you if you asked me.

0:19:27 > 0:19:29I don't want baby food.

0:19:29 > 0:19:32Well, all right, then. Read your paper.

0:19:37 > 0:19:39I was wondering if you could lend me five bob, Dad.

0:19:39 > 0:19:41Ah, this is it now!

0:19:41 > 0:19:43I was wondering what the purpose of this visit was.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46It's just, I was expecting a cheque this morning and it hasn't arrived.

0:19:48 > 0:19:50You expect me to subsidise your drinking

0:19:50 > 0:19:51out of my hard-earned pension, do you?

0:19:51 > 0:19:54You could come with me, we could do the crossword.

0:19:54 > 0:19:55I wouldn't be seen dead in that place.

0:19:55 > 0:19:57If I want a drink, I go to the Feathers.

0:19:57 > 0:20:00But if I might give you one word of advice?

0:20:00 > 0:20:04You've got a rare talent. A rare talent.

0:20:06 > 0:20:09I don't like to see you frittering it away in Brown's hotel.

0:20:09 > 0:20:13And I won't lend, or more likely give you, the money to do it.

0:20:22 > 0:20:23- HE MOUTHS:- Thank you.

0:21:10 > 0:21:14Bloody bill, bloody bill, bloody bill.

0:21:14 > 0:21:15Hello.

0:21:20 > 0:21:22HE COUGHS

0:21:27 > 0:21:29Oh, bugger me.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31What?

0:21:31 > 0:21:33Some fellow called John Malcolm Brinnin is inviting me

0:21:33 > 0:21:36to New York to do some readings.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38All expenses paid.

0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Will you go? - Well, I don't know.

0:21:43 > 0:21:45What do you think?

0:21:47 > 0:21:49'She let me come on my own,'

0:21:49 > 0:21:51that first time, but she didn't like being left behind.

0:21:51 > 0:21:53Well, who could blame her?

0:21:53 > 0:21:56But then when she came with me, she didn't like it one bit.

0:21:56 > 0:21:59Sulked the whole time. Sulked and shopped.

0:21:59 > 0:22:01And so rude to everyone.

0:22:01 > 0:22:04She's magnificent in her rage, you know, Liz.

0:22:04 > 0:22:07You'd see what I mean if you met her.

0:22:07 > 0:22:09I'm sure I would.

0:22:09 > 0:22:10Ah, here it is.

0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Wait a sec, have you got a biro? - Of course.

0:22:18 > 0:22:19New bit for Mr Pugh.

0:22:23 > 0:22:27Alone in the hissing laboratory of his wishes

0:22:27 > 0:22:30Mr Pugh minces among bad vats and jeroboams

0:22:30 > 0:22:33Tiptoes through spinneys of murdering herbs

0:22:33 > 0:22:39And mixes for Mrs Pugh a venomous porridge unknown to toxicologists

0:22:39 > 0:22:45Which will scald and wriggle through her...

0:22:45 > 0:22:47No, not wriggle.

0:22:47 > 0:22:54Viper through her until her ears fall off like figs,

0:22:54 > 0:22:57and her toes grow big and black as balloons.

0:22:59 > 0:23:01And...

0:23:01 > 0:23:02And...

0:23:03 > 0:23:07Steam comes screaming out of her navel.

0:23:10 > 0:23:11Genius!

0:23:11 > 0:23:15- Two more, please!- Oh... - SHE MOUTHS:- No.

0:23:15 > 0:23:17- HE COUGHS - It's all right, I'll drink them both.

0:23:28 > 0:23:29In you go, then.

0:23:33 > 0:23:34Aeronwy, out!

0:24:04 > 0:24:06Flash, and the plumes crack...

0:24:07 > 0:24:09And a black cap of jackdaws.

0:24:10 > 0:24:11Sir John's hill dons.

0:24:12 > 0:24:14And a black cap of jackdaws

0:24:14 > 0:24:15Sir John's hill dons.

0:24:17 > 0:24:20Sir John's...

0:24:20 > 0:24:23just...hill.

0:24:26 > 0:24:28Just hill.

0:24:31 > 0:24:32AERONWY: Daddy!

0:24:38 > 0:24:41Tell us again how you met Mam.

0:24:41 > 0:24:44Well, I walked in the pub and there she was. The end.

0:24:44 > 0:24:47No, tell it properly!

0:24:47 > 0:24:50Well, this pub was like every other pub in London

0:24:50 > 0:24:53and yet utterly unique. And it was called the Wheatsheaf.

0:24:53 > 0:24:55And in you walked.

0:24:55 > 0:24:57And in I walked and I stopped dead, thunderstruck,

0:24:57 > 0:25:01because there, her golden curls caught in a shaft of sunlight,

0:25:01 > 0:25:03was the loveliest girl I'd ever seen.

0:25:03 > 0:25:07A girl as beautiful as an angel, and I fell in love, there and then,

0:25:07 > 0:25:11on the spot, not a moment's doubt. I made up my mind

0:25:11 > 0:25:14that this beautiful wild creature would be mine.

0:25:14 > 0:25:16So you went over...

0:25:16 > 0:25:19I went over and I laid my head in her lap and I said "My name's Dylan,

0:25:19 > 0:25:22"I'm a poet and I've fallen in love with you."

0:25:22 > 0:25:25And was she in love at first sight, too?

0:25:26 > 0:25:28She says no, but she was, really.

0:25:28 > 0:25:33- Cos you're bloody irresistible. - Well, I was then.

0:25:36 > 0:25:40Throw away your bedsocks and your Welsh wool knitted jacket

0:25:40 > 0:25:43I will warm your sheets like an electric toaster

0:25:43 > 0:25:47I will lie by your side like the Sunday roast.

0:25:47 > 0:25:49I will knit you a wallet of forget-me-not blue

0:25:49 > 0:25:52For the money to be comfy

0:25:52 > 0:25:54I will warm your heart by the fire

0:25:54 > 0:25:58So that you can slip it in under your vest when the shop is closed.

0:25:58 > 0:26:01My-fan-way, My-fan-way

0:26:01 > 0:26:05Before the mice gnaw at your bottom drawer, will you say...

0:26:05 > 0:26:09Yes, Mog, yes, Mog yes, yes, yes...

0:26:09 > 0:26:13And all the bells of the tills of the town shall ring for our wedding.

0:26:21 > 0:26:22Mr Thomas?

0:26:27 > 0:26:29Mr Thomas?

0:26:30 > 0:26:31Dylan, please.

0:26:33 > 0:26:35I was wondering...

0:26:36 > 0:26:38My-fan-way?

0:26:38 > 0:26:40Myfanwy.

0:26:40 > 0:26:45The "f" is sounded like a "v", as in "fachgen fach",

0:26:45 > 0:26:47but think nothing of it.

0:26:47 > 0:26:52Your interpretation of the role is superb. Let's take a short break.

0:26:52 > 0:26:55You are all excellent, by the way. Excellent.

0:26:56 > 0:26:58I, uh...

0:26:58 > 0:27:01THUD

0:27:03 > 0:27:06- HE GASPS - I... I...

0:27:06 > 0:27:09GIRL: Poor little Cough. Isn't he extraordinary?

0:27:09 > 0:27:11- He can't swim!- He can't run!

0:27:11 > 0:27:12- He can't bowl!- He can't bat!

0:27:12 > 0:27:15And I bet he can't even make water!

0:27:15 > 0:27:17Yes, I can!

0:27:17 > 0:27:19Come on then, show us!

0:27:19 > 0:27:22No. I don't have to do it if I don't want to!

0:27:22 > 0:27:26- There's posh, he is. - Like Greta Garbo.

0:27:26 > 0:27:31- And I can run.- Come on, then. Show us.- Yeah, come on, show us.

0:27:31 > 0:27:33I don't have to if I don't want to.

0:27:33 > 0:27:35Extraordinary, extraordinary.

0:27:35 > 0:27:38BOTH: Extraordinary little Cough.

0:27:44 > 0:27:46What's happening to me?

0:27:46 > 0:27:48You had a blackout, Dylan.

0:27:51 > 0:27:53I'm not well.

0:27:53 > 0:27:54It's OK.

0:28:00 > 0:28:02All done. DYLAN COUGHS

0:28:02 > 0:28:05You should start to feel the effects almost immediately.

0:28:05 > 0:28:08You are indeed a wondrous necessary man, Doctor Feltenstein.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12How long have you been having these blackouts?

0:28:12 > 0:28:14A little while.

0:28:14 > 0:28:16And how long are you out for, generally?

0:28:16 > 0:28:18I don't know. A minute, maybe?

0:28:20 > 0:28:22Is that very bad? I can't let people down, Milt.

0:28:22 > 0:28:25These should help. No more than six a day.

0:28:27 > 0:28:31Now listen. You need to get plenty of sleep, eat sensibly,

0:28:31 > 0:28:34and cut out the booze.

0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Not completely.- Completely. While you're on the medication.

0:28:37 > 0:28:40Maybe the occasional beer. But no more.

0:28:40 > 0:28:42Not sure I can manage that, Milt.

0:28:42 > 0:28:46Well, try. This stuff can kill you, you know.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Yet we're all dying, aren't we?

0:28:51 > 0:28:54Don't go out on the street any more than you have to.

0:28:54 > 0:28:56The air pollution is lethal right now

0:28:56 > 0:28:59for anyone with a history of breathing problems.

0:28:59 > 0:29:00I was always a chesty boy.

0:29:07 > 0:29:10- Take care. Call me any time.- Thanks.

0:29:16 > 0:29:18DOOR CLOSES

0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Is he a real doctor? - He was my family doctor.

0:29:22 > 0:29:26- I wish we had doctors like that back home.- How DO you feel, really?

0:29:26 > 0:29:28Well, come here and I'll show you.

0:29:29 > 0:29:30Dylan.

0:29:30 > 0:29:33Well, he said not to go out on the street.

0:29:33 > 0:29:37Come on, just to be cosy, just to be comfy.

0:29:37 > 0:29:39Don't be mean.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41OK.

0:29:51 > 0:29:56- You'll take care of me, won't you, Liz?- I'll try, Dylan. I'll try.

0:30:02 > 0:30:05Mrs Dai Bread One and Mrs Dai Bread Two

0:30:05 > 0:30:09Are sitting outside their house in Donkey Lane

0:30:09 > 0:30:15One darkly, one plumply blooming in the quick, dewy sun.

0:30:15 > 0:30:18Mrs Dai Bread Two is looking into a crystal ball

0:30:18 > 0:30:21Which she holds in the lap of her dirty petticoat...

0:30:21 > 0:30:22Feet up.

0:30:22 > 0:30:25Hard against her hard dark thighs.

0:30:25 > 0:30:26Dirty bugger.

0:30:26 > 0:30:29"Cross my palm with silver

0:30:29 > 0:30:33"Out of the housekeeping money

0:30:33 > 0:30:34"Aah!"

0:30:36 > 0:30:39- What do you think? It's good, isn't it?- Yeah, yeah.- Really?

0:30:39 > 0:30:41Yeah, it's fine.

0:30:43 > 0:30:45- Shall I go on, then?- No!- Yes!

0:30:45 > 0:30:48No! I can't get anything done with you lot cluttering up the place.

0:30:48 > 0:30:52I wish you'd just get the bloody thing finished and get paid for it.

0:30:52 > 0:30:55Take him away, Aeronwy, take him for a walk, there's a good girl.

0:30:55 > 0:30:57And not down the pub, either.

0:30:58 > 0:31:00Come on.

0:31:02 > 0:31:05- There you are. That's where they live.- Who?

0:31:05 > 0:31:09- Dai Bread and his two wives. - He hasn't really got two wives.

0:31:09 > 0:31:10Yes, he has.

0:31:10 > 0:31:12In some countries it's quite common.

0:31:12 > 0:31:15Men have two wives - three, even, if they can afford it.

0:31:15 > 0:31:18If it's more than two, it's called a harem.

0:31:18 > 0:31:19Would you like to have two wives, then?

0:31:21 > 0:31:22No, no. One's enough for me.

0:31:25 > 0:31:27I wouldn't mind if you had two wives.

0:31:27 > 0:31:31Maybe the other one would like ME better than Colm.

0:31:31 > 0:31:33Your mom doesn't love Colm more than you.

0:31:33 > 0:31:37Yes, she does. You know she does. It's cos I take after you.

0:31:37 > 0:31:39Not in every way, I hope.

0:31:40 > 0:31:45Willy Nilly postman. Mrs Willy Nilly steaming open all the letters.

0:31:45 > 0:31:46You spotted it, too.

0:31:48 > 0:31:51Willy Nilly postman asleep up street

0:31:51 > 0:31:56Walks 14 miles to deliver the post as he does every day of the night

0:31:56 > 0:32:00And rat-a-tats hard and sharp on Mrs Willy Nilly.

0:32:00 > 0:32:02Don't spank me, please, teacher!

0:32:02 > 0:32:04Whimpers his wife at his side

0:32:04 > 0:32:10But every night of her married life she has been late for school

0:32:10 > 0:32:14Sinbad Sailors, over the taproom of the Sailors Arms

0:32:14 > 0:32:19Hugs his damp pillow, whose secret name is Gossamer Beynon.

0:32:19 > 0:32:21He's amazing.

0:32:21 > 0:32:24If you'd seen him yesterday. I thought he was dying.

0:32:24 > 0:32:27A mogul catches Lily Smalls in the wash-house.

0:32:27 > 0:32:30Ooh, you old mogul!

0:32:30 > 0:32:32What did Feltenstein give him?

0:32:32 > 0:32:36A shot of cortisone. And he wrote a prescription, for uppers, I think.

0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Was that appropriate? - He's the doctor.

0:32:39 > 0:32:43..a waterfall in a wood and waits there, raw as an onion

0:32:43 > 0:32:49For Mr Right to leap up the burning tall hollow splashes of leaves

0:32:49 > 0:32:52Like a brilliantined trout!

0:32:53 > 0:32:58Call me Dolores like they do in the stories.

0:32:58 > 0:32:59Lovely.

0:32:59 > 0:33:00Let's take a break.

0:33:03 > 0:33:06- Fabulous, Dylan. Fabulous.- Ah, John.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08Glad you could find a moment to grace us with your presence.

0:33:08 > 0:33:12- Could we have a word, do you think?- Of course, Dylan.

0:33:17 > 0:33:21The thing is, John, I'm not sure your heart is really in this.

0:33:21 > 0:33:24I... I don't understand.

0:33:24 > 0:33:26Of course it is. I care more about this than anything.

0:33:26 > 0:33:29We haven't seen very much of you, though, have we?

0:33:29 > 0:33:31I didn't want to intrude. Liz looks after you so well.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34And John does have other writers to look after on the programme,

0:33:34 > 0:33:36besides his academic work.

0:33:36 > 0:33:39But I'm always here for you, Dylan, you know that.

0:33:39 > 0:33:43- Was there any particular concern? - Money. As always.

0:33:43 > 0:33:45Dylan!

0:33:45 > 0:33:48Why didn't you say? How much do you need?

0:33:48 > 0:33:51I'm not talking about my immediate needs.

0:33:51 > 0:33:52Look, I might as well tell you,

0:33:52 > 0:33:55I've been approached by one of the big lecture agencies,

0:33:55 > 0:33:57and they're telling me I could be earning three times

0:33:57 > 0:34:00- what I'm getting now.- Which one? - Gerstman.

0:34:00 > 0:34:03He would take 50% and the schedule would kill you.

0:34:03 > 0:34:05Well, you're killing me as it is, John.

0:34:05 > 0:34:06I might as well get decent money for it.

0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Believe me, Dylan...- And it pains me to say this, but I believe

0:34:09 > 0:34:11you've been holding back some of the fees, is that correct?

0:34:11 > 0:34:14Dylan, I've always kept back a proportion to send direct to Caitlin,

0:34:14 > 0:34:17- you know that.- Did I ever explicitly instruct you to do that?

0:34:17 > 0:34:20Dylan! I... I thought we were friends.

0:34:20 > 0:34:23I invite you to stay in my home, you've even stayed with my mother.

0:34:23 > 0:34:25My mother loves you, Dylan.

0:34:25 > 0:34:30Everything I have done has been out of love for your work,

0:34:30 > 0:34:31and love for you.

0:34:32 > 0:34:34For God's sake.

0:34:34 > 0:34:37You don't believe I'd try to make money out of you?

0:34:37 > 0:34:39I don't know what to believe, John.

0:34:39 > 0:34:41Jesus!

0:34:43 > 0:34:45Then, I...

0:34:45 > 0:34:47I don't know what to say to you.

0:34:51 > 0:34:54Now what have you done?

0:34:54 > 0:34:56Are you part of this conspiracy against me?

0:34:57 > 0:35:02There's no conspiracy. John's trying to help you.

0:35:04 > 0:35:06You haven't sent any money home, have you?

0:35:06 > 0:35:09You wouldn't know how to do it, would you?

0:35:09 > 0:35:12Christ sake, Dylan, can't you see John is your friend

0:35:12 > 0:35:13and you've hurt him terribly?

0:35:17 > 0:35:19Oh, God. I'm so sorry.

0:35:21 > 0:35:23- I'll find him, I'll make it right with him.- I'll come with you.

0:35:23 > 0:35:25No, I'm too ashamed. I'll...

0:35:26 > 0:35:28I'll see you later.

0:35:30 > 0:35:33I guess that's it for today, people.

0:35:46 > 0:35:48God, what am I doing in this bloody place?

0:35:51 > 0:35:54What a mess, what a mess...

0:35:54 > 0:35:55what a mess, what a mess.

0:35:57 > 0:36:02SOFT JAZZ PLAYS

0:36:04 > 0:36:06Bourbon, please.

0:36:06 > 0:36:08Too much of it.

0:36:44 > 0:36:49"Oh, Caitlin, Cat, my beautiful, my love, what am I doing here?

0:36:50 > 0:36:52"I don't want to be in this nightmare any more,

0:36:52 > 0:36:54"where no-one understands me,

0:36:54 > 0:36:58"but everyone wants to bite little bits off me and swallow them.

0:36:58 > 0:37:03"I want to be home in Laugharne and live quietly with you and Colm

0:37:03 > 0:37:06"and noisily with Aeronwy,

0:37:06 > 0:37:10"and I want to sit in my hut and write and I want to eat your stews,

0:37:10 > 0:37:13"and I want to touch your breasts and your cunt,

0:37:13 > 0:37:18"and I want, every night, to lie in love and peace,

0:37:18 > 0:37:23"close, close, close, close, close to you,

0:37:23 > 0:37:26"closer than the marrow of your soul,

0:37:26 > 0:37:31"Caitlin, my wild, wise, wonderful woman,

0:37:31 > 0:37:33"my lovely girl."

0:37:48 > 0:37:49That's it!

0:37:50 > 0:37:52Yes...

0:37:52 > 0:37:54Exactly.

0:37:54 > 0:37:57- CAITLIN:- 'Houdini, that's him. The great escaper!'

0:37:57 > 0:38:00Do you know I have to lock him in that shed every afternoon

0:38:00 > 0:38:02in the hope of getting a shred of work out of him?

0:38:02 > 0:38:04Poetry's difficult, you know, Cat.

0:38:04 > 0:38:07"Poetry's difficult." You're bloody impossible.

0:38:07 > 0:38:09- I wish I'd never met him, I do! - She doesn't mean that.

0:38:09 > 0:38:12And now you're talking about dragging him off to America again.

0:38:12 > 0:38:14It's not that I want to go, Cat.

0:38:14 > 0:38:18Yes, you bloody do! You're dying to get away from me!

0:38:18 > 0:38:20Get away from the bills, and the writing,

0:38:20 > 0:38:21and bloody old Cat and her nagging,

0:38:21 > 0:38:24and hello, eight weeks of whisky binges

0:38:24 > 0:38:26and showing off, and infidelity!

0:38:26 > 0:38:30And I know what you're up to, too, John Malcolm Brinnin Mephistopheles!

0:38:30 > 0:38:32Well, we wouldn't want to scupper

0:38:32 > 0:38:34the chances of a collaboration with Stravinsky.

0:38:34 > 0:38:38The greatest living composer and the greatest living poet.

0:38:38 > 0:38:40Don't let TS Eliot catch you saying that.

0:38:40 > 0:38:42HE CHUCKLES CAT MOCKS HIS LAUGH

0:38:42 > 0:38:45Eliot's best work is long behind him. Auden's too.

0:38:45 > 0:38:50Whereas you, you're just coming into the full flower of your maturity.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56If he decides to come...

0:38:56 > 0:38:57you should come, too.

0:38:57 > 0:39:00You know you have dear friends in New York who are longing to see you.

0:39:00 > 0:39:03- That's so, isn't it, Rollie? - Yeah. Sure.

0:39:03 > 0:39:05God knows you deserve a holiday.

0:39:05 > 0:39:08You're such a silver-tongued bastard, aren't you?

0:39:09 > 0:39:11I mean every word, Caitlin.

0:39:13 > 0:39:16And what am I supposed to do with the children?

0:39:31 > 0:39:34Right! There you are!

0:39:34 > 0:39:37You'd better carve, John, no use asking him to do anything like that.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40I'll do my best, Caitlin.

0:39:40 > 0:39:43I'm not sure I've ever carved wild duck before.

0:39:43 > 0:39:47But, uh, I'm always open to new experiences.

0:39:47 > 0:39:49They look a bit on the rare side, Caitlin.

0:39:49 > 0:39:51They're supposed to be like that, you ignoramus.

0:39:51 > 0:39:52Gwilym Price, who gave them me,

0:39:52 > 0:39:55said the worst thing you could do with a wild duck is overcook it.

0:39:55 > 0:39:57Well, you certainly haven't done that.

0:39:57 > 0:39:59I cooked them exactly the way the bloody book said!

0:39:59 > 0:40:02Why don't you learn to cook if you don't like the way I do it?

0:40:02 > 0:40:04- Oops!- Christ, can you do nothing bloody right either?

0:40:04 > 0:40:08For God's sweet sake, Caitlin, take that bloody mess off the table.

0:40:12 > 0:40:14Right!

0:40:18 > 0:40:20I'm so sorry.

0:40:20 > 0:40:24You bloody smug little patronising Welsh bastard.

0:40:24 > 0:40:25How dare you apologise for me!

0:40:25 > 0:40:28I'll bloody kill you, I will!

0:40:28 > 0:40:31No, please, Caitlin! You're a great cook.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34I'm going to spill his great poetic brains

0:40:34 > 0:40:38and then I'm going to go down the pub and fuck every man in it!

0:40:38 > 0:40:40See how he likes that!

0:40:40 > 0:40:42Caitlin, for Christ's sake, stop!

0:40:43 > 0:40:48How dare you try to manhandle me! Hardly chivalrous behaviour!

0:40:48 > 0:40:50Did no-one ever teach you how to treat a lady?

0:40:52 > 0:40:54Well, that's it. America's out.

0:41:02 > 0:41:03DOOR SLAMS

0:41:03 > 0:41:04She's a bit cross with me.

0:41:11 > 0:41:15- She's just wonderfully furious, isn't she?- Hmm.

0:41:15 > 0:41:18- Well, that's one way of putting it. - Maybe if you told her, Rollie.

0:41:18 > 0:41:21She likes you, she trusts you.

0:41:21 > 0:41:25Every other woman she thinks is after my body. If only.

0:41:25 > 0:41:29But this rage that possesses her, it's tearing me to bits, John.

0:41:31 > 0:41:33- I've got to get away.- OK.

0:41:35 > 0:41:37You can fix it?

0:41:39 > 0:41:41No problem, if you can fix it with Caitlin.

0:41:41 > 0:41:44People in New York are dying to see you and hear you.

0:41:44 > 0:41:46And there's this Stravinsky thing.

0:41:48 > 0:41:52- I think it's the right thing for you now, Dylan.- Just me, not her.

0:41:56 > 0:42:00OK. Caitlin stays here. You think she'll be OK with that?

0:42:00 > 0:42:02She'll never be all right with any of it, John,

0:42:02 > 0:42:04and nor will I, not really.

0:42:04 > 0:42:08But she understands how it has to be, and for me,

0:42:08 > 0:42:10these last months here, trying to work,

0:42:10 > 0:42:13getting nowhere with it, it's been torture.

0:42:13 > 0:42:17- I just need...- I understand. You need a change of scene,

0:42:17 > 0:42:20recharge the creative batteries with friends who love you, huh?

0:42:20 > 0:42:22Ah, John.

0:42:22 > 0:42:24My lovely co-conspirator.

0:42:25 > 0:42:32So let's get it straight. You don't want to go to New York again, ever.

0:42:34 > 0:42:37I'm advising against it, it'd be bad for your work.

0:42:37 > 0:42:39Could be catastrophic for your health.

0:42:39 > 0:42:42It will probably destroy your marriage.

0:42:42 > 0:42:44But you're going all the same.

0:42:44 > 0:42:47Like a bat out of hell, God forgive me.

0:42:59 > 0:43:02Well, this is it.

0:43:02 > 0:43:04Fern Hill.

0:43:09 > 0:43:10It's strange.

0:43:10 > 0:43:14After the poem, I thought it would be...

0:43:14 > 0:43:15I don't know.

0:43:15 > 0:43:16More, somehow.

0:43:19 > 0:43:22Well, that's the transformative power of his poetic bloody genius,

0:43:22 > 0:43:23isn't it?

0:43:29 > 0:43:31- DYLAN CHUCKLES - Come on.

0:43:33 > 0:43:36That's great, thanks, Dylan.

0:43:36 > 0:43:38Maybe we can get one here...

0:43:40 > 0:43:42He's got some woman in New York, hasn't he?

0:43:44 > 0:43:46Come on. I know he has. Just tell me who it is.

0:43:49 > 0:43:51You've got it all wrong, Caitlin.

0:43:51 > 0:43:54You bloody liar. You're all in it together.

0:43:54 > 0:43:59- I never trusted you. - Caitlin, on my word of honour,

0:43:59 > 0:44:01on my life, there's no-one.

0:44:01 > 0:44:06And if there ever was, it never meant anything.

0:44:06 > 0:44:09You're the only one for him. You always have been, you know that.

0:44:09 > 0:44:10You bloody liar.

0:44:11 > 0:44:14I know why you want to take him away from me.

0:44:16 > 0:44:19You're in love with him yourself.

0:44:21 > 0:44:22That's so unfair.

0:44:22 > 0:44:25Well, you can bloody have him, as far as I'm concerned.

0:44:32 > 0:44:34We used to be so happy here.

0:44:44 > 0:44:50A Polish countess, no less. And she's loaded. And gorgeous.

0:44:50 > 0:44:54And, I'm led to understand, the most amazing fuck.

0:44:54 > 0:44:55She sounds delightful,

0:44:55 > 0:44:57but you have to understand I'm in love with my wife.

0:44:57 > 0:45:00She's throwing a party after the show tomorrow in your honour, Dylan.

0:45:00 > 0:45:02It would be churlish to refuse.

0:45:02 > 0:45:05Well, I have always tried not to be churlish.

0:45:05 > 0:45:08- Is she very, very beautiful? - Heartbreakingly beautiful.

0:45:08 > 0:45:11And her own heart would be broken if you turn her down.

0:45:11 > 0:45:13We wouldn't want that, would we?

0:45:13 > 0:45:15She's the fuck of the century, too.

0:45:15 > 0:45:17You put it very persuasively, Jerry.

0:45:19 > 0:45:22Did you know it's extraordinary the way your face keeps changing shape?

0:45:22 > 0:45:25Have you always been able to do that?

0:45:25 > 0:45:27I think you need another drink, Dylan.

0:45:27 > 0:45:30Not sure you're right, but if you insist.

0:45:35 > 0:45:38Oh, there's posh, he is! How do he talk like that?

0:45:38 > 0:45:40It's quite extraordinary!

0:45:40 > 0:45:43- Posh as piss, he is. - Posh as pink panties.

0:45:43 > 0:45:47With his little cough. Extraordinary, extraordinary!

0:45:47 > 0:45:48Extraordinary, little Cough.

0:45:48 > 0:45:50Little Cough's crying!

0:45:50 > 0:45:52Crying for nothing!

0:45:52 > 0:45:54HE GASPS FOR BREATH

0:45:54 > 0:45:55I'm not!

0:45:55 > 0:45:58- Little Cough's crying! - Crying for nothing!

0:45:58 > 0:45:59I'm not!

0:46:01 > 0:46:04HE COUGHS AND GASPS

0:46:04 > 0:46:05Dylan?

0:46:07 > 0:46:08Dylan?

0:46:14 > 0:46:17You should start to feel better in an hour or so,

0:46:17 > 0:46:21but you have to remember - nothing I do for you is going to help you

0:46:21 > 0:46:23if you're not going to look after yourself.

0:46:23 > 0:46:25I know. I know. I've had a shock.

0:46:25 > 0:46:29I've never felt so bad. Good boy from now on. I promise.

0:46:29 > 0:46:31It's no good promising me.

0:46:31 > 0:46:33You have to make the promise to yourself.

0:46:33 > 0:46:34Oh, I have.

0:46:35 > 0:46:40- OK. Just give me a call any time. - Thanks.

0:46:44 > 0:46:47Are you going to be OK for the performance this evening?

0:46:49 > 0:46:51Have to see, won't we?

0:46:51 > 0:46:52We could still cancel.

0:46:52 > 0:46:56And refund the money? Absolutely not. I'll be fine.

0:46:56 > 0:46:58Well, I'll be there, anyway.

0:46:59 > 0:47:02If I'm too weak to speak, you could read in for me.

0:47:03 > 0:47:05It's you they want to see, not me.

0:47:07 > 0:47:10I could sit on your lap, like a ventriloquist's dummy.

0:47:12 > 0:47:14- You, Jesus!- What?

0:47:15 > 0:47:17- How do you do it?- What?

0:47:18 > 0:47:21Come back from the dead like that?

0:47:21 > 0:47:23It's wonderful stuff, this cortisone.

0:47:40 > 0:47:42And Mr Waldo, drunk in Milk Wood

0:47:42 > 0:47:45Hugs his lovely Polly Garter

0:47:45 > 0:47:47Under the eyes and rattling tongues

0:47:47 > 0:47:52Of the neighbours and the birds and he doesn't care.

0:47:53 > 0:47:56He smacks his live red lips.

0:47:57 > 0:48:00But it is not his name that Polly Garter whispers

0:48:00 > 0:48:04as she lies under the oak and loves him back.

0:48:04 > 0:48:09Six feet deep, that name sings in the cold earth.

0:48:10 > 0:48:17# But I always think As we tumble into bed

0:48:17 > 0:48:21# Of little Willy Wee

0:48:21 > 0:48:24# Who is dead

0:48:24 > 0:48:26# Dead

0:48:28 > 0:48:30# Dead. #

0:48:30 > 0:48:34The thin night darkens.

0:48:34 > 0:48:38A breeze from the creased water sighs the streets close

0:48:38 > 0:48:41Under Milk Waking Wood.

0:48:41 > 0:48:47The wood, whose every tree-foot's cloven in the black glad sight

0:48:47 > 0:48:49of the hunters of lovers

0:48:49 > 0:48:53That is a God-built garden to Mary Ann the Sailors

0:48:53 > 0:48:57who knows there is heaven on earth and the chosen people

0:48:57 > 0:49:01of his kind fire in Llareggub's land

0:49:01 > 0:49:04That is the fairday farmhands'

0:49:04 > 0:49:08wantoning ignorant chapel of bridebeds

0:49:08 > 0:49:11And to the Reverend Eli Jenkins

0:49:11 > 0:49:16A green-leaved sermon on the innocence of men,

0:49:16 > 0:49:21The suddenly wind-shaken wood springs awake

0:49:21 > 0:49:29For the second dark time this one spring day.

0:49:34 > 0:49:37APPLAUSE

0:49:43 > 0:49:45CHEERING

0:49:49 > 0:49:51- One down, five to go.- Yeah.

0:49:53 > 0:49:57Mr Thomas, welcome. May I call you Dylan?

0:49:57 > 0:50:00Please do. May I call you Countess?

0:50:00 > 0:50:03You're funny. I'm not a real countess, you know.

0:50:03 > 0:50:06Well, by a curious coincidence, I'm not a real poet.

0:50:06 > 0:50:11Naughty man. You are a genius, and we worship you.

0:50:11 > 0:50:14But you know, I'm so happy to have you here in my house.

0:50:14 > 0:50:15Happy to be here.

0:50:16 > 0:50:18What will you have? Do you like whisky?

0:50:18 > 0:50:21Unfortunately I'm not drinking at the moment for health reasons,

0:50:21 > 0:50:24but, yes, please, I will take a small whisky.

0:50:25 > 0:50:28With too many people, I am no good.

0:50:28 > 0:50:32- I don't speak these languages too well.- Mmm.

0:50:32 > 0:50:34Would you like to see the rest of the house?

0:50:36 > 0:50:37Come!

0:50:51 > 0:50:53BEDSPRINGS CREAK

0:50:55 > 0:50:59'The force that through the green fuse drives the flower

0:50:59 > 0:51:02'Drives my green age

0:51:02 > 0:51:07'That blasts the roots of trees Is my destroyer

0:51:07 > 0:51:11'And I am dumb to tell The crooked rose

0:51:11 > 0:51:16'My youth is bent By the same wintry fever

0:51:16 > 0:51:19'And I am dumb to tell The lover's tomb

0:51:19 > 0:51:24'How at my sheet Goes the same crooked worm.'

0:51:25 > 0:51:28I don't think there's any point waiting any longer for him.

0:51:28 > 0:51:30- I'll hang on for a bit.- OK.

0:51:32 > 0:51:38John! So glad you came. Listen, I feel dreadful about the other day.

0:51:38 > 0:51:40Are you very, very hurt?

0:51:40 > 0:51:43Look, it's only money. We can still be friends, can't we?

0:51:43 > 0:51:45I want that more than anything. But, look...

0:51:45 > 0:51:48I know, I know. But all the rest, that's all stupidity, John.

0:51:48 > 0:51:53Truly. All nonsense. All that is not love is nonsense.

0:51:53 > 0:51:57You are my dear friend and I trust you. You, me, and Liz.

0:51:57 > 0:52:00That's all that matters. That's forever.

0:52:00 > 0:52:02You know that, don't you?

0:52:02 > 0:52:03Ah, Dylan...

0:52:03 > 0:52:04Forever.

0:52:06 > 0:52:08Are we all right now?

0:52:11 > 0:52:14Then for God's sake, let's have a bloody drink!

0:52:15 > 0:52:17Ah, Liz, come on, what's the matter with you?

0:52:17 > 0:52:21I just don't care to watch you drink yourself into oblivion again,

0:52:21 > 0:52:24- that's all.- Look, that woman just now, that wasn't anything.

0:52:24 > 0:52:27She was just showing me her treasures from the old country.

0:52:27 > 0:52:28Don't make it worse.

0:52:29 > 0:52:33You've treated me as if I'm...

0:52:33 > 0:52:36Who do you think I am?

0:52:36 > 0:52:37Some floozy?

0:52:38 > 0:52:40Your mother?

0:52:41 > 0:52:43Some nurse you've hired?

0:52:45 > 0:52:48You just don't give a shit about anyone but yourself, do you?

0:52:52 > 0:52:55There was an old bugger named God

0:52:55 > 0:52:58Who got a young virgin in pod

0:53:00 > 0:53:02This appalling behaviour

0:53:02 > 0:53:05Produced Christ our Saviour

0:53:05 > 0:53:10Who died on the cross - The poor sod!

0:53:10 > 0:53:13LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

0:53:20 > 0:53:23SOFT JAZZ PLAYS

0:53:42 > 0:53:43I shouldn't be here.

0:53:43 > 0:53:45And where should you be, then?

0:53:45 > 0:53:47I escaped. But now I'm out, I wish I was back in.

0:53:47 > 0:53:50- But where? Back in where? - You're very beautiful.

0:53:50 > 0:53:54- Oh, you think so? - Are you coming back with me?

0:53:56 > 0:53:58And why should I do that?

0:53:58 > 0:54:00Because I'm frightened of the dark.

0:54:05 > 0:54:07OK.

0:54:07 > 0:54:10If you could have seen her when I first met her.

0:54:10 > 0:54:14She's still beautiful now, but...so angry all the time.

0:54:14 > 0:54:16She was a dancer, you know.

0:54:16 > 0:54:18I've ruined her life, really.

0:54:19 > 0:54:24God, I feel like death, I've got this weight on my chest, I can't....

0:54:26 > 0:54:27Are you all right down there?

0:54:35 > 0:54:38I guess I'm going to give up. This isn't working.

0:54:38 > 0:54:39It's like trying to raise the dead.

0:54:39 > 0:54:41How well you put it!

0:54:41 > 0:54:45What a gift for words. Have you ever thought of writing poetry?

0:54:46 > 0:54:48Fuck you!

0:54:48 > 0:54:51No, really, I didn't mean to be offensive.

0:54:51 > 0:54:54Please do carry on. it's most wonderfully soothing.

0:54:54 > 0:54:58No, I'm going to cut my losses, I guess.

0:54:58 > 0:55:01So, well, thanks for a wonderful evening.

0:55:01 > 0:55:03HE COUGHS

0:55:05 > 0:55:07Don't leave me.

0:55:07 > 0:55:08I'm not well.

0:55:10 > 0:55:13Jesus! You're a mess, you know that?

0:55:13 > 0:55:14Oh, I do, I do.

0:55:14 > 0:55:19I been with writers before, I've been with drunks before, but you...

0:55:19 > 0:55:21you are something else.

0:55:23 > 0:55:24Well, thank you.

0:55:24 > 0:55:25You're welcome.

0:55:28 > 0:55:30God forgive me.

0:55:30 > 0:55:32DOOR SLAMS

0:55:32 > 0:55:33I am such...

0:55:36 > 0:55:38..a terrible disappointment, it seems.

0:55:39 > 0:55:41To everyone.

0:55:42 > 0:55:44Including...

0:55:45 > 0:55:47..of course...

0:55:50 > 0:55:51..myself.

0:56:29 > 0:56:31COUGHING

0:56:42 > 0:56:44DOOR OPENS

0:56:44 > 0:56:46DOOR CLOSES

0:56:46 > 0:56:48How are you feeling?

0:56:48 > 0:56:50Like death.

0:56:51 > 0:56:54There was a telegram waiting for you downstairs.

0:56:54 > 0:56:56They didn't want to disturb you.

0:57:10 > 0:57:11Ah...

0:57:13 > 0:57:15Who's it from?

0:57:15 > 0:57:16Caitlin.

0:57:18 > 0:57:20"No word from you, stop.

0:57:20 > 0:57:22"No money, stop.

0:57:24 > 0:57:28"What do you want me to do - kill myself, or go on the streets? Stop.

0:57:31 > 0:57:33"Hate, stop."

0:57:38 > 0:57:39What am I going to do?

0:57:44 > 0:57:47Look, she's not saying she's finished with you.

0:57:47 > 0:57:49Neither of you could ever say that.

0:57:49 > 0:57:52We're both scared to. But it's the truth, Liz.

0:57:56 > 0:57:58I can't go back.

0:58:12 > 0:58:16This contract guarantees you 1,000 a week, Mr Thomas.

0:58:16 > 0:58:20Travel arrangements and accommodation will be covered, of course.

0:58:20 > 0:58:22What sort of audiences will I be addressing?

0:58:22 > 0:58:26Women's groups, mainly. There's a whole lot of people out there

0:58:26 > 0:58:30who want to hear from the greatest living poet in the English language.

0:58:30 > 0:58:32And that's how we'll be billing you.

0:58:32 > 0:58:36America's a big country, Mr Thomas. Hundreds of first-class venues.

0:58:36 > 0:58:39It could be years before you have to go round a second time.

0:58:39 > 0:58:43I have some existing commitments with John Malcolm Brinnin.

0:58:43 > 0:58:46Once you sign with us, our arrangement will be exclusive.

0:58:48 > 0:58:53I guess John was always, how should I put it, an amateur in this field.

0:58:53 > 0:58:55SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

0:58:57 > 0:58:59So, OK. If you're ready?

0:58:59 > 0:59:00Ready.

0:59:00 > 0:59:02If you could sign...

0:59:04 > 0:59:06..here, here and here.

0:59:06 > 0:59:08PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER

0:59:09 > 0:59:13Gerstman Associates looks forward to a long and happy association.

0:59:23 > 0:59:25DOOR CLOSES

0:59:25 > 0:59:27Now I've really signed my soul away.

0:59:30 > 0:59:32What are you going to say to John?

0:59:34 > 0:59:38He'll understand. Won't he? I mean, it was never a business arrangement

0:59:38 > 0:59:40between me and him, was it?

0:59:43 > 0:59:45I think you should be prepared.

0:59:45 > 0:59:47I think he'll see it as a betrayal.

0:59:50 > 0:59:51How do you see it?

0:59:53 > 0:59:54Not for me to say.

0:59:57 > 0:59:59- Why does it all have to take so bloody long?- What?

1:00:02 > 1:00:03Dying.

1:00:09 > 1:00:10Dylan's here.

1:00:12 > 1:00:15- Did you want anything? - Er, no. No, nothing.

1:00:17 > 1:00:18Leave you together, then.

1:00:23 > 1:00:26- How are you feeling? - Oh, worn out.

1:00:28 > 1:00:31- You're off to America again soon, I hear?- That's it.

1:00:31 > 1:00:34They seem keen to have me back, God knows why.

1:00:34 > 1:00:39Don't sell yourself short, Dylan, you've written some fine poems.

1:00:39 > 1:00:41Not many men can say that.

1:00:42 > 1:00:45No-one ever asked ME to go to America.

1:00:45 > 1:00:47Would you have wanted to go, though?

1:00:47 > 1:00:48HE LAUGHS

1:00:48 > 1:00:53Probably not. Must be gratifying to be invited, though.

1:00:54 > 1:00:59My life on the whole has been a series of disappointments.

1:01:01 > 1:01:04Senior English Master of Swansea Grammar, though.

1:01:04 > 1:01:07- Generations of boys were terrified of you. - THEY CHUCKLE

1:01:08 > 1:01:11Married the wrong girl, between you and me.

1:01:12 > 1:01:17Youthful concupiscence is not the best indicator of lasting happiness.

1:01:19 > 1:01:21No, I suppose not.

1:01:21 > 1:01:22But what else is there?

1:01:24 > 1:01:26What, indeed?

1:01:27 > 1:01:30Well, at least neither of us married for money.

1:01:32 > 1:01:33HE GASPS

1:01:34 > 1:01:36Does it hurt?

1:01:36 > 1:01:40Well...you have to expect that, don't you?

1:01:41 > 1:01:45Life's mostly boredom and then a bit of pain.

1:01:45 > 1:01:47Fear to finish up.

1:01:50 > 1:01:53Milton probably put it a bit more eloquently.

1:01:55 > 1:01:58I'm proud of you, you know.

1:01:58 > 1:02:00What you've done.

1:02:01 > 1:02:03Collected Poems.

1:02:04 > 1:02:06A real body of work.

1:02:08 > 1:02:11I'd have been very proud to have achieved something like that.

1:02:12 > 1:02:17Instead of wasting my life on drink and crossword puzzles.

1:02:17 > 1:02:19Don't say that.

1:02:20 > 1:02:23Look, you taught me everything I know about poetry.

1:02:25 > 1:02:27Couldn't write it, though, could I?

1:02:28 > 1:02:30Didn't have the gift.

1:02:30 > 1:02:32Or the...

1:02:32 > 1:02:33or the...

1:02:35 > 1:02:36..application.

1:02:41 > 1:02:42Tired now.

1:02:46 > 1:02:50'Do not go gentle into that good night

1:02:50 > 1:02:55'Old age should burn and rave at close of day

1:02:56 > 1:03:01'Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

1:03:03 > 1:03:06'Though wise men at their end know dark is right

1:03:06 > 1:03:10'Because their words had forked no lightning they

1:03:10 > 1:03:15'Do not go gentle into that good night.'

1:03:15 > 1:03:20Good men, the last wave by Crying how bright

1:03:20 > 1:03:26Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay

1:03:26 > 1:03:30Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

1:03:32 > 1:03:37Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight

1:03:37 > 1:03:41And learn, too late They grieved it on its way

1:03:41 > 1:03:45Do not go gentle into that good night.

1:03:47 > 1:03:52Grave men, near death Who see with blinding sight

1:03:52 > 1:03:57Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay

1:03:57 > 1:04:03Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

1:04:05 > 1:04:11And you, my father There on the sad height

1:04:11 > 1:04:17Curse, bless me now With your fierce tears, I pray

1:04:18 > 1:04:22Do not go gentle into that good night

1:04:23 > 1:04:29Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

1:04:35 > 1:04:37APPLAUSE

1:04:50 > 1:04:54# If your sweetheart

1:04:54 > 1:05:02# Sends a letter of goodbye...

1:05:03 > 1:05:10# It's no secret you feel better

1:05:10 > 1:05:15# If you cry

1:05:17 > 1:05:23# When waking from a bad dream

1:05:23 > 1:05:30# Don't you sometimes think it's real? #

1:05:30 > 1:05:32SLOW JAZZ PLAYS

1:05:44 > 1:05:46MUSIC FADES, DISTORTS

1:06:13 > 1:06:15SIREN WAILS

1:06:32 > 1:06:34LABOURED BREATHING

1:06:34 > 1:06:36HE COUGHS

1:06:43 > 1:06:45DOOR CLOSES

1:06:53 > 1:06:58I've just drunk... 18 straight whiskies.

1:06:59 > 1:07:03I think that's the record.

1:07:10 > 1:07:13Had enough, Little Cough? Had enough?

1:07:15 > 1:07:17I... can't...

1:07:17 > 1:07:19Had enough?

1:07:19 > 1:07:21HE GROANS AND WHEEZES

1:07:24 > 1:07:26Dylan? Dylan?

1:07:28 > 1:07:30Had enough?

1:07:30 > 1:07:33HE WHEEZES

1:07:48 > 1:07:50BREATHING SETTLES

1:07:50 > 1:07:53Wow. What was that?

1:07:53 > 1:07:55It's morphine.

1:07:55 > 1:07:59He should sleep peacefully now for a good four hours.

1:07:59 > 1:08:02I'll come back and see him then.

1:08:14 > 1:08:16DYLAN'S STRAINED BREATHING

1:09:17 > 1:09:19They don't know what it is.

1:09:21 > 1:09:23They're testing for a cerebral haemorrhage.

1:09:25 > 1:09:27Feltenstein thinks it's liver failure.

1:09:35 > 1:09:36John, I think...

1:09:38 > 1:09:39..we're losing him.

1:09:47 > 1:09:49He may be able to hear you.

1:09:58 > 1:10:00Dylan?

1:10:04 > 1:10:06Dylan, it's John.

1:10:07 > 1:10:09Liz is here, too. Caitlin is on her way.

1:10:11 > 1:10:13Try again.

1:10:13 > 1:10:15Caitlin's coming, Dylan.

1:10:16 > 1:10:18David's organised a flight for her.

1:10:24 > 1:10:26FAINT GASP

1:10:26 > 1:10:28Dylan?

1:10:32 > 1:10:35Well, where is the bloody man? Is he dead or alive?

1:11:02 > 1:11:03Oh, God, Dylan.

1:11:14 > 1:11:16What have they done to you?

1:11:31 > 1:11:34Mrs Thomas, you mustn't smoke in here.

1:11:45 > 1:11:46Who are those people?

1:11:48 > 1:11:51What are they doing here? Fuck off!

1:12:02 > 1:12:03Dylan...

1:12:07 > 1:12:09Dylan, it's Caitlin.

1:12:11 > 1:12:12Can you hear me?

1:12:16 > 1:12:18You're not to die, Dylan, do you hear?

1:12:21 > 1:12:22I won't...

1:12:24 > 1:12:26I won't have it.

1:12:32 > 1:12:36Christ, I can't even find you in that lot!

1:12:36 > 1:12:38Mrs Thomas...

1:12:39 > 1:12:40Where's your hand?

1:12:43 > 1:12:45- Mrs Thomas...- Dylan...

1:12:47 > 1:12:49Mrs Thomas, you mustn't do that!

1:12:50 > 1:12:52Leave me alone, you!

1:12:52 > 1:12:54BELL RINGS

1:12:54 > 1:12:56DOOR OPENS

1:12:56 > 1:12:59Mrs Thomas, please understand.

1:12:59 > 1:13:00Mrs Thomas...

1:13:02 > 1:13:04Stop.

1:13:04 > 1:13:05Mrs Thomas, calm down!

1:13:05 > 1:13:07Dylan!

1:13:07 > 1:13:09Let go of me!

1:13:09 > 1:13:10No!

1:13:10 > 1:13:13Dylan! Dylan!

1:13:13 > 1:13:14SHE SOBS

1:13:14 > 1:13:16Dylan!

1:13:18 > 1:13:20SHE SOBS

1:13:26 > 1:13:28No! Dylan!

1:13:30 > 1:13:32SHE WAILS

1:13:32 > 1:13:34Dylan!

1:13:40 > 1:13:43MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY

1:14:13 > 1:14:14WAVES CRASH

1:14:24 > 1:14:27'Dylan!

1:14:27 > 1:14:28'Where are you?'