Wuthering Heights

BARKING

Call off your accursed dogs!

Down! Down!

Down!

BARKING

Down!

-Are you Mr Heathcliff?

-Yes.

Well, I'm Mr Lockwood, your new tenant at the Grange.

I'm lost. Can I get a guide from amongst your lads?

No, I've only got one and he's needed here.

Oh, well, then, I'll have to stay till morning.

Do as you please.

BARKING

Quiet! Down!

Thank you for your hospitality. Could you extend it to a cup of tea?

-Shall I?

-You heard him ask for it.

Thank you.

I presume the amiable lady is Mrs Heathcliff?

Yes.

-Yes...

-Would it be taxing your remarkable hospitality if I sat down?

I hope this will be a lesson to you to make no more rash journeys on these moors.

As for staying here, I don't keep accommodations for visitors.

You can share a bed with one of the servants.

Thanks. I'll sleep in a chair, sir.

No, no. A stranger is a stranger.

Guests are so rare in this house that I hardly know how to receive them.

I and my dogs.

Joseph, open up one of the upstairs rooms.

Here's a room for thee, sir.

Bridal chamber.

Nobody's slept here for years.

It's a trifle depressing.

Can you light a fire?

No fire will burn in yonder grate.

Chimbley's all blocked up.

Oh... Very well.

Thanks. Good night.

I said good night.

DISTANT WOMAN: Heathcliff! Let me in.

Let me in. Let me in. I'm lost on the moors.

-It's Cathy.

-Help! Help! Mr Heathcliff!

Mr Heathcliff, there's someone here!

Mr Heathcliff! Mr Heathcliff, there's someone out there in the storm.

It's a woman. I heard her calling. She said her name.

Cathy. Cathy, that was it.

Cathy?

I must have been dreaming. Forgive me.

Get out of this room.

Get out! Get out, I tell you!

Cathy! Cathy! Come in.

Cathy, come back to me.

Oh, Cathy, do come. Oh, do, once more.

Oh, my heart's darling.

Cathy! My own! My...

Cathy!

Where is he going in the storm?

She calls him, and he follows her out onto the moor.

But he's mad. He's like a madman.

He seized me by the collar and flung me out.

You see, I had a dream.

I heard a voice calling, and I reached out to close the shutter.

Something touched me. Something cold and clinging, like an icy hand.

And then I saw her. A woman.

My senses must have become disordered,

because the snow shaped itself into what looked like a phantom. But it was nothing.

It was Cathy.

Who is Cathy?

A girl... who died.

I don't believe in ghosts, in phantoms sobbing through the night.

-Poor Cathy.

-I don't believe that life comes back once it's died and calls again to the living.

Maybe if I told you her story,

you'd change your mind about the dead coming back.

Maybe you'd know, as I do, that there is a force that brings them back,

if their hearts were wild enough in life.

Tell me her story.

It began 40 years ago,

when I was young,

in the service of Mr Earnshaw, Cathy's father.

Wuthering Heights was a lovely place in those days,

full of summertime and youth and happy voices.

One day, Mr Earnshaw was returning from a visit to Liverpool.

You'll not catch me!

Cathy, go and wash. I don't want your father to see you like this.

You too, Hindley. Come along now. Hurry up.

I don't want to get washed.

I'll tell your father not to give you that present he's bringing.

-What's he bringing?

-Upstairs.

Joseph says his horse is coming up over the hill.

-Evening, Mr Earnshaw.

-Hello, Joseph.

-Hello, neighbour Earnshaw.

-Dr Kenneth.

Back from Liverpool so soon? What in the world have you got there?

A gift to God.

Although it's as dark as if it came from the devil.

-Quiet, bonny lad. We're home.

-He's dour looking.

I found him starving in the streets of Liverpool,

kicked, bruised and almost dead.

So you kidnapped him?

Not until I'd spent £2 trying to find out who its owner was.

But nobody would lay claim to him.

So rather than leave him as he was, I brought him home.

Come on, you young imp of Satan! Come down. Go on, off with you.

Cathy! Hindley!

Welcome home, Mr Earnshaw. The children are just coming down.

Don't look so shocked, Ellen. He's going to live with us.

Give him a scrubbing and some Christian clothes.

Food is what he needs most. He's as thin as a sparrow. Come into the kitchen.

Cathy! Hindley!

Father, what did you bring? What did you bring me?

Hello, Father.

There you are.

There you are, Cathy. A riding crop. Be careful how you use it.

I'm so glad you got back soon.

-It's wonderful!

-Ow! Father, make her stop!

No, no, children. No.

This is Hindley's violin. One of the best in Liverpool.

Oh. Fine tone.

And a bow to go with it. Here you are, Paganini.

-Who's that?

-He was hungry as a wolf.

Children, this is a little gentleman I met in Liverpool,

who has accepted my invitation to visit.

He... he's dirty.

Oh, no. Don't make me ashamed of you, Cathy.

When he's scrubbed, show him Hindley's room. He'll sleep there.

In my room?! He can't. I won't let him.

Children, you must share what you have with others not as fortunate as yourselves.

-Take charge of the lad, Ellen.

-Come along, child.

-What's your name?

-We'll call him... Heathcliff.

I'll race you to the barn. The one that loses has to be the other's slave.

Come on! Go, go, go!

Come on, come on, come on!

Faster, faster, faster!

Faster, faster, faster!

I won! I won!

You're my slave. You've got to do as I say. Water my horse and groom it.

-That's not fair. It's too real.

-What do you want?

-This horse.

-He's mine.

-Mine's lame. I'm going to ride yours.

-You're not.

Give him to me or I'll tell my father you boasted you'd turn me out when he died.

I never said such a thing!

-Of course he didn't!

-You never had a father, gypsy beggar!

You can't have mine.

-Hindley!

-Cathy, stop that.

-Heathcliff, look out!

-Don't come near me.

Let him go! You've killed him! Hindley!

I'm going to tell Father. He'll punish you for this.

You can't go near Father until he gets well. Dr Kenneth said.

Are you hurt badly?

Talk to me.

Why don't you cry? Heathcliff, don't look like that.

How can I pay him back?

I don't care how long I wait if I can only pay him back.

Come, Heathcliff. Let's pick harebells on Penistone Crag.

-No.

-You can ride Jane.

No.

Please, my lord.

Heathcliff, you're so handsome when you smile.

-Cathy, don't make fun of me.

-Don't you know that you're handsome?

Do you know what I've told Ellen? That you're a prince in disguise.

Your father was the Emperor of China and your mother an Indian queen.

It's true. You were kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England.

I'm glad, because I've always wanted to know somebody of noble birth.

All the princes I ever read about had castles.

Of course. They captured them. You must capture one, too.

A beautiful castle lies waiting for your lance, sir prince.

-Penistone Crag?

-Yes.

That's just a rock.

If you can't see that that's a castle, you'll never be a prince.

Here, take your lance and charge.

See that black knight at the drawbridge? Challenge him!

Now, charge, charge, charge, charge!

I challenge you to mortal combat, black knight!

Heathcliff, you've killed him. You've killed the black knight.

He deserved it, for all his wicked deeds.

It's a wonderful castle.

-Heathcliff, let's never leave it.

-Never in our lives.

Let all the world confess that there is not in all the world a more beautiful damsel

than the Princess Catherine of Yorkshire.

But I'm still your slave.

No, Cathy. I now make you my queen.

Whatever happens out there, here you will always be my queen.

How is he, doctor?

He is at peace.

Send for the vicar, Joseph.

My poor daddy.

My dear, wild little Cathy.

You may come up and pray beside him now.

You're not wanted up there.

My father is past your wheedling.

Go and help the stable boys harness the horse for the vicar.

Do as you are told. I am master here now.

As the children grew up, Hindley was indeed master of Wuthering Heights.

It was no longer the happy home of their childhood.

-Bring me another bottle.

-That's the third, Master Hindley.

Third or twenty-third, bring me another.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging.

Stop spouting scripture and do as you're told.

Yes, Mr Hindley.

Sit down, Cathy, until you are excused from the table.

Joseph, fill Miss Catherine's glass.

My little sister disapproves of drinking.

Well, I know some people who don't.

Heathcliff, saddle my horse. And be quick about it, you gypsy beggar.

I thought I told you to be quick.

Look at this stable, as filthy as a pigsty. Is this the way you work?

Clean it up. I want this floor cleaned and scrubbed tonight.

Give me a hand up. I want your work done when I come back at dawn. Do you hear?

You're hoping I won't come back.

You're hoping I'll fall on the road and break my neck, aren't you?

Aren't you?

Well, come on, Heathcliff.

Here, Heathcliff, where are you going?

Heathcliff, come back!

-Did Joseph see which way you came?

-What does it matter?

Nothing's real down there. Our life is here.

Yes, my lord.

The clouds are lowering over Gimmerton Head. See how the light is changing?

It would be dreadful if Hindley ever found out.

Found out what?

That you talk to me once in a while?

I shouldn't talk to you at all.

Look at you. You get worse every day.

Dirty and unkempt and in rags. Why aren't you a man?

Heathcliff, why don't you run away?

Run away? From you?

You could come back rich, and take me away.

Why aren't you my prince, like we said? Why can't you rescue me, Heathcliff?

-Come with me now.

-Where?

-Anywhere.

And live in haystacks? And steal our food from the marketplaces?

No, Heathcliff, that's not what I want.

You just want to send me off. That won't do.

I've stayed and been beaten like a dog, abused, cursed and driven mad.

But I stayed, just to be near you, even as a dog.

And I'll stay till the end. I'll live and I'll die under this rock.

DISTANT MUSIC

Do you hear? Music.

The Lintons are giving a party.

That's what I want. Dancing and singing in a pretty world.

And I'm going to have it.

Come on, let's go and see. Come on!

GROWLING

Isn't it wonderful?

Isn't she beautiful? That's the kind of dress I'll wear.

And you'll have a red velvet coat, with silver buckles on your shoes.

Oh, Heathcliff, will we? Will we ever?

Oh!

GROWLING

BARKING

Quick!

SCREAMS

Heathcliff! Heathcliff!

Heathcliff!

-Hold him, Skulker!

-Hold him, Flash!

-Call off your dogs, you fools!

-Hold him, Skulker!

-Stay where you are, ladies.

-Who is it, Father?

-I don't know.

Cathy!

Please, back into the ballroom.

-Let me go! Heathcliff!

-Hold that man.

Hold onto him! It's Catherine Earnshaw, Father.

-Who's this with her?

-The stable boy.

SOBBING

She's bleeding. Bring hot water and make some bandages.

-How badly is she hurt?

-I can't tell yet. Get Dr Kenneth.

Cathy! Cathy!

-You'll pay for this!

-Hold your tongue. Get out of this house.

-I won't go without Cathy.

-Father, please, she's in pain.

Go on, Heathcliff. Run away.

Bring me back the world.

-Pack this fellow off.

-I'm going.

-From here and this cursed country both.

-Throw him out!

I'll be back one day, and I'll pay you out.

I'll bring this house down in ruins about your heads. That's my curse on you.

On all of you!

And so Cathy found herself in this new world she had so often longed to enter.

And after some happy weeks, Mr Edgar brought her back to Wuthering Heights.

Miss Cathy!

Welcome home, Miss Cathy. How do you do, Mr Linton?

Don't stir. I'll get Joseph to carry you.

Carry her? She runs like a little goat.

I've been dancing night after night.

Oh, how beautiful you look. Wherever did you get that beautiful dress?

Mr Linton's sister lent it to me.

Edgar, do come in and have tea.

Thank you. As soon as the horses have been seen to.

We'll find someone.

Heathcliff! Heathcliff!

Heathcliff!

Heathcliff! Is he here?

He came back last week with talk of lying in a lake of fire without you.

How he had to see you to live. He's unbearable.

Where can he be, the scoundrel?

Heathcliff!

Heathcliff!

Cathy.

Heathcliff.

-Why did you stay so long in that house?

-I didn't expect to find you here.

Why did you stay so long?

Why? Because I was having a wonderful time.

A delightful, fascinating, wonderful time. Among human beings.

Go and wash your face and hands, Heathcliff.

And comb your hair, so that I needn't be ashamed of you in front of a guest.

What are you doing in this part of the house? Look after Mr Linton's horses.

-Let him look after his own.

-Heathcliff!

-I've already done so.

-Apologise to Mr Linton at once.

Bring in some tea, please, Ellen.

-Cathy.

-Yes, Edgar?

How can your brother allow that beast of a gypsy to have run of the house?

-Don't talk about him.

-How can you tolerate him?

A roadside beggar, giving himself airs of equality. How can you?

-What do you know about Heathcliff?

-All I need or want to know.

-He was my friend long before you.

-That blackguard?

He belongs under this roof. Speak well of him or get out!

-Are you out of your senses?

-Stop calling those I love names!

-Those you love?

-Yes! Yes!

What possesses you? Do you realise the things you're saying?

I hate you! I hate the look of your milk-white face,

the touch of your soft hands.

That gypsy's evil soul has got into you.

-Yes, it's true.

-That beggar's dirt is on you.

Yes, now get out!

Miss Cathy! My dear!

Oh, leave me alone.

Forgive me, Heathcliff. Forgive me.

Heathcliff, make the world stop right here.

Make everything stop and stand still and never move again.

Make the moors never change, and you and I never change.

The moors and I will never change.

-Don't you, Cathy.

-I can't. I can't.

No matter what I ever do or say, Heathcliff,

this is me now, standing on this hill with you.

This is me for ever.

Heathcliff, when you went away, what did you do? Where did you go?

I went to Liverpool.

I shipped for America, on a brigantine going to New Orleans.

We were held up by the tide and I lay all night on the deck,

thinking of you, and the years and years ahead without you.

I jumped overboard and swam ashore.

I think I'd have died if you hadn't.

Cathy, you're not thinking of that other world now?

Smell the heather.

Heathcliff, fill my arms with heather. All they can hold.

-Come on.

-Cathy, you're still my queen!

'As time went by Cathy again was torn between her wild passion for Heathcliff

'and the new life she had found at the Grange, that she could not forget.'

Ellen! I've got soap in my eyes. Where's the flannel?

-Oh, it's hot.

-No, it isn't.

-It's hot.

-Don't do that!

Ellen, haven't you finished yet?

Supposing you're not ready when he gets here... Keep still.

Any man that will come back after the way you've treated him, you can keep waiting.

What's wrong with him? Hasn't he any pride?

I sent my apologies, didn't l?

I can't believe this change in you.

Just yesterday, you were a harum scarum child with a wilful heart.

Look at you. Oh, you're lovely, Miss Cathy, lovely!

That's a very silly lie. I am not lovely.

What I am is very brilliant. I have a wonderful brain.

-Indeed!

-It enables me to be superior to myself.

There's nothing to be gained by just looking pretty, like Isabella.

Every beauty mark must concede a thought, and every curl be full of humour.

-As well as brilliantine!

-Such prattle!

Since when are you in the habit of entering my room?

I want to talk to you. Go outside, Ellen.

I take orders from Mistress Catherine, not stable boys.

-Go outside.

-Why...

All right, Ellen.

Now that we're so happily alone, may l know to what I owe this great honour?

-He's coming here again.

-You're really unbearable, Heathcliff.

-You didn't think so on the moors.

-My moods change indoors.

-Is he coming here?

-No. Go away.

-You're lying. Why are you dressed up?

-Because gentlefolk dress for dinner.

Not you. Why are you trying to win his puny flatteries?

-You can't talk like that to me.

-I'm talking to Cathy. My Cathy.

-I'm your Cathy?

-Yes!

I take orders from you? Allow you to select what I wear?

You're not going to simper in front of him again.

-I'm not?

-No!

I am! It's much more entertaining than listening to a stable boy.

Don't talk like that.

Go away, this is my room, not a room for servants with dirty hands. Let me alone!

Yes. Yes.

Tell the dirty stable boy to let go of you. He soils your pretty dress.

Yet who soils your heart? Not Heathcliff.

Who turns you into a worldly fool? Linton does.

You'll never love him, but you let yourself be loved because it pleases your vanity.

Stop it! Stop it and get out. You had your chance to be something else.

But thief or servant were all you were born to be. Or beggar beside a road.

Begging for favours, whimpering for them with your dirty hands.

That's all I've become to you, a pair of dirty hands.

Well, have them, then! Have them where they belong!

It doesn't help to strike you.

Good evening, Ellen. I hope I'm not too early.

-Miss Cathy will be down in a minute.

-Thank you.

You can go into the parlour, Mr Linton. I'll tell Miss Cathy you're here.

CLOCK STRIKES

Half past eight. Doesn't he know when it's time to go home?

BELL JANGLES

That's Mr Edgar now. Go and fetch his horse.

-Take these apples into the larder.

-Spare the righteous, smite the ungodly.

Stop your blathering.

FOOTSTEPS

-Good night, Joseph.

-Good night, sir. Safe journey.

HORSES HOOVES RETREAT

-Has he gone?

-Heathcliff!

-Your hands! What have you done?

-Linton, has he gone?

What have you done to your hands?

Oh, Heathcliff, what have you been doing?

I want to crawl to her feet, whimper to be forgiven,

for loving her, for needing her more than my own life.

For belonging to her more than my own soul.

-Ellen?

-Don't let her see me, Ellen.

No.

Ellen, I wondered if you were still up. I've got some news for you.

-The kitchen's no place for that dress.

-Come here. Sit down. Listen!

Ellen, can you keep a secret? Ellen, Edgar's asked me to marry him.

-What did you tell him?

-I told him I'd give my answer tomorrow.

Do you love him, Miss Cathy?

Yes, of course.

-Why?

-Why? That's a silly question, isn't it?

No, not so silly. Why do you love him?

-He's handsome and pleasant to be with.

-That's not enough.

He'll be rich, and I'll be the finest lady in the county.

Oh. Now tell me HOW you love him.

I love the ground under his feet, the air above his head, everything he touches.

What about Heathcliff?

Oh, Heathcliff. He gets worse every day.

It would degrade me to marry him.

I wish he hadn't come back.

It would be heaven to escape from this disorderly, comfortless place.

Well, if Master Edgar and his charms and money

and parties mean heaven to you...

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

..what's to keep you from taking your place among the Linton angels?

I don't think I belong in heaven, Ellen.

I dreamt once I was there.

I dreamt I went to heaven, and that heaven didn't seem to be my home.

And I broke my heart with weeping to come back to Earth.

The angels were so angry, they flung me out into the heath,

on top of Wuthering Heights.

And I woke up sobbing with joy.

That's it, Ellen.

I've no more business marrying Edgar Linton than I have being in heaven.

But Ellen, what can I do?

-Thinking of Heathcliff?

-Who else?

He's sunk so low. He seems to take pleasure in being brutal.

THUNDERCLAP

And yet...he's more myself than I am.

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.

And Linton's is as different as frost from fire.

My one thought in living is Heathcliff.

Ellen...

I am Heathcliff.

MASSIVE THUNDERCLAP

Everything he's suffered, I've suffered.

The little happiness he's ever known, I've had too.

If the world died and Heathcliff remained, life would still be full for me.

-JOSEPH:

-Hey, Heathcliff! Where's thee going? Heathcliff!

Heathcliff, come back!

-He must have been listening.

-Listening to us?

-Yes.

-Where?

-How much did he hear?

-I'm not sure.

But I think to where...to where you said it would degrade you to marry him.

Heathcliff!

Miss Cathy.

Heathcliff!

-Heathcliff!

-He's run away on Master's best horse.

Come in out of the storm.

-He won't come back.

-He will. Last time he did.

This time he won't. I know him, I know him.

-Which way did he go, Joseph?

-Yonder.

Come in, Miss Cathy.

The fool, he should have known I love him. I love him.

Heathcliff! Come back.

Miss Cathy.

Miss Cathy.

Heathcliff!

Heathcliff! Heathcliff!

Go after them.

Heathcliff!

Heathcliff!

Heathcliff! Heathcliff!

Heathcliff...

-Mr Hindley, thank heaven!

-Where's Joseph?

-Does he expect me to...

-Master, you've got to go out again.

Miss Cathy's gone. They're looking for her.

-Gone where?

-Out in the storm, hours ago.

Heathcliff ran away. He took a horse and left, and she went running after him.

-Oh, she did?

-Yes.

THUNDER RUMBLES

Don't stand there with your mouth open. Fetch a bottle and we'll celebrate.

-She'll die. You've got to help find her.

-Do as I tell you.

If she's run after that gypsy scum, let her run through storm and hell.

The devil can take them both. Now get me a bottle, like I told you.

THUNDER RUMBLES

-Take her into the library.

-Get a fire going.

And some brandy.

Turn this around. Round to the fire.

-The brandy, Miss Isabella.

-Get some dry towels. Quickly.

-Where was she?

-Near one of the rocks on Penistone Crag.

Heathcliff?

20 drops in a glass of claret, well warmed. Then add a lump of sugar.

Keep her in the sun and give her plenty of cream and butter.

In a month, you'll feel like new.

-Goodbye, dear.

-Goodbye, Doctor.

She'll be going home soon, Doctor.

What's needed now is orderliness.

That's not to be found at Wuthering Heights.

Has she mentioned him at all?

She hasn't spoken his name since the delirium passed.

Fever can heal as well as destroy.

-I made some enquiries.

-What did you hear?

No sign of Heathcliff. He's disappeared into thin air.

Heaven hope.

"..days and pursuits."

-Edgar.

-Isabella, how's our invalid?

-Much better.

-Let me have a look at her.

Where have you been all day?

Every one of our tenants has something to complain about.

I've been arguing with old Swithin...

..whether or not we'd build him a new pigsty.

Yes?

He decided we should.

I saw Hindley in the village this afternoon.

Oh.

Wanted to know when you'd be coming home. I wasn't truthful.

-I told him it would be months.

-Give me that, it's time for her medicine.

Now, what did Dr Kenneth say? 20 lumps of sugar in a glass...

-That isn't right. I'll go and ask Ellen.

-Yes, go and ask Ellen.

She's such a darling. But you've all been so nice to me.

That's all I think about, how nice you are to me.

But still, I can't stay here for ever.

Why not, Cathy?

-If I can make you happy?

-You have made me happy, Edgar.

You've given me so much of your own self, your strength.

Darling, let me take care of you for ever.

Let me guard you and love you always.

-Would you love me always?

-Yes. It's so easy to love you.

Because I'm no longer wild and blackhearted, and full of gypsy ways?

-No, I...

-You were right, Edgar.

What you said long ago was true.

There was a strange curse on me, that kept me from being myself.

Or at least from being what I wanted to be. Living in heaven.

How sweet you are!

I've never kissed you.

No one will ever kiss me again but you. No one.

I'll be your wife, and be proud of being your wife.

-Darling.

-I'll be good to you and love you truly.

Always.

MUSIC: Mendelssohn's "Wedding March"

White heather for good luck, Miss Catherine.

Come along, Cathy.

What is it?

A cold wind went across my heart just then. A feeling of doom.

You touched me and it was gone.

It was nothing, darling, I'm sure.

Oh, Edgar, I love you. I do.

I too felt a cold wind across my heart as they rode away together.

But as the years went on, they were in possession of a deep, growing happiness.

I wish you could have seen Miss Cathy then.

She became the lady of the manor, and seemed almost over-fond of Mr Linton.

For Isabella, she showed great affection,

and presided over Thrushcross Grange with quiet dignity.

HESITANT TUNE WITH LOTS OF MISTAKES

It looks as though you've fallen into a trap, Father.

Yes, it does, doesn't it?

BARKING

There you are... Checkmate.

-Thank you, Father.

-I'll go and dress for dinner.

-What's the matter with the dogs?

-Most probably one of the servants.

Cathy, I talked to Peters about that new wing of ours.

It doesn't look as though we're going to marry Isabella off for a decade or two.

It's a brother's duty to introduce his sister to some other type than fops.

-You want a dragoon?

-Yes, I do. With a fiery moustache!

Poor Isabella. I got the only prize in the county.

Thank you. For me, heaven is bounded by the four walls of this room.

Yes, we're all angels. Even my little petit point hero.

I'm just putting wings on him.

Speaking of wings, I'll show you those plans.

-Miss Cathy?

-What is it, Ellen?

Someone wishes to see you.

-You sound as if it were a ghost.

-It is. He's come back.

Who?

Heathcliff.

-What does he want?

-He wants to see you.

Tell him... tell him I'm not at home.

To whom are you not at home?

It's Heathcliff.

It seems he's come back.

That's news. Where has he been?

America, he said. He's so changed, I hardly recognised him.

-For the better, I hope.

-He's quite the gentleman.

-Fine clothes, a horse...

-Tell him I don't wish to see him.

Nonsense, Cathy. We can't be as cruel as that.

He's come a long way, and he's a fine gentleman, Ellen says.

Let's see how America has managed to make a silk purse out of Heathcliff.

-Show him in, Ellen.

-Yes, Master Edgar.

-Edgar?

-Yes?

It's chilly here.

Why be nervous? The past is dead.

It's nonsense to tremble before a ghost, a dead leaf blown around your feet.

Darling, you may smile at him without fear of offending me,

because it's my wife who smiles, my wife who loves me.

Yes. Yes, I was silly.

Thank you, Edgar.

APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS

Heathcliff.

-Mr Linton.

-How are you?

Hello, Cathy.

-I remember this room.

-Come in. Sit by the fire.

-You'll have a whisky?

-No, thank you.

I've never seen such a change in a man. I wouldn't have known you.

You seem to have prospered since our last meeting.

Somewhat.

Ellen said you'd been to America.

Yes.

We all wondered where you went.

Have you met my sister, Miss Linton?

Miss Linton.

What brought about this transformation?

Did you discover a gold mine, or perhaps you fell heir to a fortune?

The truth is, I remembered that my father was an emperor of China,

and my mother was an Indian queen.

I went out and claimed my inheritance.

It all turned out just as you suspected, Cathy,

that I had been kidnapped by wicked sailors and brought to England,

that I was of noble birth.

Are you visiting here long? I mean, in the village?

The rest of my life.

I've just bought Wuthering Heights. The house, the stock and the moors.

You mean that Hindley has sold you the estate?

He's not aware of it as yet.

It will be somewhat of a surprise

when he finds out his gambling debts and liquor bills were paid by his stable boy.

Or perhaps he will laugh at the irony of it.

I don't understand how this could have happened

without Mrs Linton hearing of it.

Modesty compelled me to play the Good Samaritan in secret, Mr Linton.

This is the most underhand piece of work I've ever heard of.

-Edgar!

-I knew Hindley had financial difficulties,

but not that his property was being stolen from him by a stranger.

I'm neither thief nor stranger, merely your neighbour, sir. Good night.

Wait, Heathcliff.

Edgar and I have many neighbours whom we receive with hospitality.

If you are to be one of them, you are welcome to visit our house,

but not with a scowl on your face or bitterness in your heart.

Thank you.

It occurs to me that I have not congratulated you on your marriage.

I've often thought of it.

Allow me to express my delight over your happiness now.

Good night.

Edgar, you behaved abominably. And you, Cathy. I'm disappointed in both of you.

-What are you talking about?

-You could have been civil.

I conducted myself perfectly, and so did Cathy.

You dismissed him as if he'd been a servant.

-You thought of him as anything else?

-I thought him very distinguished.

I hope I misunderstood you. It's impossible that any sister of mine

could think of Heathcliff as anything but a surly beggar, a lout and a boor.

I shall ensure you never see him again.

Now go to dinner.

-Joseph? Joseph!

-Yes, Master Hindley?

-Where's the key?

-Isn't it in the door?

No. He's left and it's our chance.

I'm going to lock him out, and if he tries to get in, I'll kill him.

-Find the key and bring a bottle of wine.

-Thee've had a bad night.

Bad night? How can I stay sober with that vulture's beak inside me?

He stabbed me in the dark, Joseph. He robbed me of my home and gold.

-Where's the wine?

-Dr Kenneth has forbid it.

-Blast Dr Kenneth!

-Get him what he wants, Joseph.

Dr Kenneth has forbid it.

What difference to the world whether he's drunk or sober? Do as I tell you.

Get out. It's too early in the morning to look on the devil.

Your ingratitude makes me almost sad.

All I have done to you is to enable you to be yourself.

My money has helped you drink, gamble and enjoy the world.

Now you are without a home,

I remember you gave me a place to sleep when you might have turned me out.

And I allow you to remain, Hindley.

And even provide you with solace... against the doctor's orders.

I'll have Wuthering Heights back!

I'll turn you out, as I should have done years ago.

You're just in time, Joseph. Mr Hindley is beginning to whine and stutter.

He needs fire in his veins.

A little courage with which to face his unhappy life.

I'll have my gold and I'll have your blood, and hell can have your soul!

Laugh now, Heathcliff. There's no laughter in hell.

All you have to do is to shoot.

The whole world will say I did right in ridding it of a rotten gypsy beggar.

Yes, they'll say that. Shoot, and you'll be master here again.

The whole county will resound with your courage.

Go on, shoot, you chicken of a man,

with not enough blood in you to keep your hand steady!

HE SOBS

You remember that time you hit me with a rock, Hindley?

The times you shamed and flogged me as your stable boy?

You were a coward then and you're a coward now.

-Find some place for him to sleep.

-Aye, I'll put him to bed.

Not in the master's room.

I'm master here now.

-Joseph! His pistol.

-Aye, I'll hide it.

No! A gentleman must not be deprived of his weapons, Joseph.

I prefer that he have it by him always as a reminder of his cowardice.

-Master Heathcliff? A lady to see you.

-A lady? From where?

-The Grange, sir.

-The Grange? Why didn't you tell me?

Get out of my way.

Miss Linton.

-I hope I'm not disturbing you.

-Not at all.

I was riding on the moors and my horse went lame.

-And you brought him here.

-Yes.

That was wise. Shall we look at the unfortunate animal?

Oh, no. I've put him in the stables. He's being taken care of.

I see.

Won't you come in?

Get on with your work.

I was furious with my brother, and Cathy too. I told them so.

I thought they acted most shamefully.

Let me give you a chair.

-Your brother didn't send apologies?

-Oh, no, he's forbidden me to...

-To speak to me.

-Yes.

And Mrs Linton?

She's also very angry with you.

So in all the county, you are my only friend.

I would like to be.

Let us celebrate our new friendship by a gallop over the moors.

But my horse is lame.

You horse is not lame and it never was.

You came to see me because you are lonely.

It is lonely, sitting like an outsider in so happy a house as your brother's.

Lonely riding on the moors with no one at your side.

You won't be lonely any more.

MUSIC: "Sir Roger De Coverly"

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, Ellen.

I was so afraid you wouldn't come. Tonight would've been ruined!

Good heavens! Is that Heathcliff?

-Yes, it is.

-I can't believe it, Cathy having him here.

Not Cathy, it's my sister. It's just a young girl's fancy.

But one must be careful not to inflame it with opposition,

allow it to spend itself in a few dances.

Madame Ehlers is to play the harpsichord. Do come and sit down.

I shall let you hold my hand, underneath my fan.

Thank you very much.

MUSIC: "Turkish March" by Mozart

ORCHESTRA PLAYS A WALTZ

Oh, it's a waltz. Heathcliff, will you?

We can hold each other and no one can object. That's the way it's danced.

That's the way gypsies dance.

I'm surprised to see such abandoned ways in so fine a house.

Father used to say it would undermine society and turn us into profligates.

-May I have the pleasure?

-Thank you, but I don't think I can.

Nonsense. Let me see you waltz.

-Will you watch me?

-Of course.

I'm ready.

You're not dancing this dance?

Thank you, I'm nearly exhausted.

Would the moonlight and a breath of air refresh you?

Always.

Excuse me.

-Are you enjoying yourself, Heathcliff?

-I've had the pleasure of watching you.

You're very grand, Heathcliff. So handsome.

Looking at you tonight, I could not help but remember how things used to be.

They used to be better.

Don't pretend life hasn't improved for you.

Life has ended for me.

WIND HOWLS

How can you stand here beside me and pretend not to remember?

Not to know that my heart is breaking for you?

That your face is the one light in all this darkness?

Heathcliff, no. I forbid it.

-You forbid what your heart is saying?

-It's saying nothing.

It is. I can hear it louder than the music.

Cathy. Cathy...

I'm not the Cathy that was. I'm somebody else.

I'm another man's wife and he loves me. And I love him.

If he loved you for a lifetime,

he couldn't love you as much as I do in a single day.

Not he, not the world, not even you, Cathy, can come between us.

You must go away. Leave this house and never come back.

I never want to see your face again as long as I live.

You lie. Why do you think I'm here tonight?

Because you willed it. You willed me here across the sea.

Have you seen Heathcliff?

There you are. They're just going to play a schottische.

It's quite suitable to your high moral character.

What's the matter? Has Cathy been behaving horribly again?

If she weren't my sister-in-law, I'd say she was jealous.

Come along.

ORCHESTRA PLAYS A SCHOTTISCHE

MENACING WIND BLOWS

HUMS SCHOTTISCHE

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

-Isabella, I want to talk to you.

-What about, Cathy?

Heathcliff.

I've no desire to discuss Heathcliff with you.

-You behaved disgracefully.

-In what way?

It was bad enough you asking him here. But to throw yourself at him!

Catherine, be careful of what you say.

You fool! You vain little fool!

I'm going to tell the truth. You're old enough to hear it and strong enough.

-Let me go.

-Not till I open your eyes.

My eyes are quite open, thank you.

Don't you see what he's been doing?

He's been using you to be near me,

to try to rouse something in my heart that's dead.

I'll not allow you to help him any longer.

It's you who are vain, and insufferable. Heathcliff's in love with me.

-It's a lie!

-It's not, he's kissed me.

-He's...

-He's kissed me.

He's held me, he's told me that he loves me.

-I'm going to your brother.

-He's asked me to marry him. Tell Edgar!

Heathcliff's going to be my husband.

Isabella, you can't. Heathcliff's not a man, but something dark and horrible.

Do you imagine that I don't know why you're acting so? Because you love him.

You love him, and are mad with jealousy at the thought of my marrying him.

You want him to pine for you, dream of you, die for you,

while you live in comfort as Mrs Linton. You don't want him to be happy!

You want to make him suffer. You want to destroy him!

But I want to make him happy. And I will. I will.

KNOCK ON DOOR

I heard your voices.

We were... just discussing the ball.

We've plenty of time for gossip tomorrow. Come to bed, darling, you look tired.

-Good night, Isabella.

-Good night.

BELL RINGS

-Miss Cathy?

-Good morning, Joseph.

Mistress Cathy, I mean. Mr Hindley's away.

It's Mr Heathcliff I wish to see.

Oh.

Oh, aye.

I'll try and find him.

Leave us, Joseph.

Cathy. What brings you to Wuthering Heights?

Does Edgar know? I doubt he'd approve.

-Heathcliff, is it true?

-Is what true?

That you asked Isabella to marry you?

It is true.

You must not do this villainous thing. She hasn't harmed you.

-You have.

-Then punish me!

I'm going to. When I take her in my arms, when I kiss her.

When I promise her happiness.

If there's anything human left in you, don't do this. It's stupid, it's mad.

If you ever looked at me once with what I know is in you, I'd be your slave.

If your heart were only stronger than your dull fear,

I would live silently contented in your shadow.

But no. You must destroy us both with that weakness you call virtue.

You must keep me tormented with that cruelty you think so pious.

You've been smug and pleased with my vile love of you, haven't you?

You can think of me as something else than Cathy's foolish lover.

You can think of me as Isabella's husband.

And be glad for my happiness. As I was for yours.

-Drive to the village. Collect Mr Linton.

-Very well, ma'am.

Married? Preposterous! Isabella and Heathcliff?

What are you going to do about it?

I'll put her under lock and key, if need be.

Isabella!

Isabella!

-Go after them.

-Going after them is useless.

While there is still time. They must not marry.

There's nothing I can do.

But you must. Get your pistols, go after them. Kill him.

Stop them from marrying. This marriage cannot be, do you hear?

Edgar? Edgar!

And so Heathcliff and Isabella were married,

and many months later at Wuthering Heights,

during one of Dr Kenneth's increasingly rare visits...

Why don't you hit yourself over the head with a hammer the instant you get up?

Hit yourself hard enough, you'll remain unconscious the whole day,

and achieve the same results as you would from a gallon of spirits,

with less wear and tear on the kidneys.

-Don't you agree, Mrs Heathcliff?

-What does it matter?

Well, I'd hoped that it did matter,

that when you came here things would change.

No. Only I changed.

I remember this house when it rang with laughter and love.

Goodbye, Mrs Heathcliff. Ask your husband to call another doctor in future.

Whoever dwells in this house is beyond my healing arts.

I shall miss you, Dr Kenneth.

Isabella, I brought you into the world,

but it's a world you're not going to grace long if you stay in this house.

Dear child, I must tell you this.

Go back where you belong, with Edgar, if only for a month or two.

-It will mean your salvation. And his.

-Edgar has disowned me.

That was natural under the circumstances. But he needs you now.

He does? Why?

Cathy is gravely ill.

In fact, it's only a matter of days, hours perhaps.

-What is it?

-Fever, inflammation of the lungs.

But something beyond that. I'd call it the will to die.

If Cathy died...

I might begin to live.

Isabella.

Begin to live, eh? In this house, with Heathcliff, nothing can live.

Nothing but hate. I can feel it breathing, like the devil's own breath on me.

And you! He hates you worse than he does me. He loathes you.

Each time you kiss him, his heart breaks with rage because it's not Cathy.

Isabella! Why don't you kill him?

I've forbidden you to speak to me about Heathcliff.

Kill him! Kill him!

That's the first lucid talk I've heard out of Hindley for weeks.

It's not very Christian talk, but at least it's coherent.

-I'm delighted with your improvement.

-I tried to stop him.

Thank you, my dear wife. Your loyalty is touching.

Heathcliff.

Your curses will come home to feed on your own heart.

Every agony you've given will return.

Heathcliff, why do we have him here? I can't breathe with him in the house.

Existence would be so much less without my boyhood friend under my roof.

Heathcliff! Don't you see? You poison yourself with hating him.

Darling, please send him away and let love come into the house.

-Why no smell of heather in your hair?

-Why won't you let me come near you?

You're not black and horrible as they all think. You're full of pain.

I can make you happy. Let me try.

I'll be your slave. I can bring life back to you, new and fresh.

Why are your eyes always empty?

Like Linton's eyes.

They're not empty, if you'd only look deeper.

Look at me.

I'm pretty, I'm a woman, and I love you.

You're all of life to me. Let me be a single breath of it to you.

Heathcliff, let your heart look at me just once.

Why did God give me life?

What is it but hunger and pain?

DOOR CREAKS

What do you want, Ellen? What are you doing here?

I want to speak to Miss Isabella.

You can do so in front of me.

Her brother has asked me to bring her home for a visit.

-He needs you with him, Miss Isabella.

-Why?

-Why?

-Let go of me, Heathcliff.

Cathy? She's ill?

Yes. Mr Edgar wants you to come home at once, Miss Isabella.

She's dying?

You're not going. She belongs to Edgar.

Let her die where she belongs, in Edgar's arms. Let her die.

Let her die.

HORSE GALLOPS

-There, is that better?

-Yes.

Edgar, isn't there a south wind?

Isn't the snow almost gone?

It's quite gone down here, darling. Just a few patches left.

The sky is blue and the larks are singing and the brooks are brimming full.

Edgar, will you get me something?

-What do you want, darling?

-Some heather.

There's a beautiful patch near the castle. I want some from there.

Near the castle? What castle, darling?

The castle on the moors, Edgar. Go there, please.

There's no castle on the moors, darling.

There is. There is!

It's on the hill, beyond Wuthering Heights.

-You mean Penistone Crag.

-Yes.

Yes.

I was a queen there once.

Go there, Edgar. Get me some heather, please.

Yes, I'll go. You sleep while I'm gone, so you'll be better tomorrow.

You've been very dear to me, Edgar. Very dear.

Sleep, darling.

Robert! Robert!

Tell them to get my horse ready. I'm going for Dr Kenneth. Be quick.

Heathcliff.

Come here.

Cathy.

I... I was dreaming you might come before I died.

You might come and scowl at me once more.

Cathy.

Heathcliff, how strong you look.

How many years do you mean to live after I'm gone?

Don't... don't let me go.

If I could only hold you till we were both dead.

Will you forget me when I'm in the earth?

I could as soon forget you as my own life.

Cathy, if you die...

Poor Heathcliff.

Come, let me feel how strong you are.

Strong enough to bring us both back to life, Cathy, if you want to live.

No, Heathcliff, I want to die.

Oh, Cathy...

Why did you kill yourself?

Hold me. Just hold me.

No, I'll not comfort you.

My tears don't love you, Cathy. They blight and curse and damn you.

Heathcliff, don't break my heart.

Cathy, I never broke your heart. You broke it.

Cathy, Cathy, you loved me.

What right to throw love away for the poor fancy thing you felt for him?

Misery and death would never have parted us. You did that alone.

You wandered off like a wanton child to break your heart and mine.

Heathcliff, forgive me.

We've so little time.

Oh, Cathy!

Cathy, your wasted hands!

Kiss me again.

APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS

Heathcliff! He's coming, Mr Linton. For heaven's sake, go.

No... No...

It's the last time.

I won't go, Cathy.

I'm here. I'll never leave you again.

I told you, Ellen, when he went away...

that night in the rain.

I told you I belonged to him.

That he was my life, my being.

-Don't listen to her ravings.

-It's true! It's true!

I'm yours, Heathcliff. I've never been anyone else's.

She doesn't know what she's saying.

You can still get out. Go before they get here.

Take me to the window. Let me look at the moors with you once more.

My darling. Once more.

How beautiful the day is.

Heathcliff... can you see the crag?

Over there, where our castle is.

I'll wait for you... till you... come.

Leave her alone.

She's mine.

She's mine now.

Miss Cathy!

Oh, my wild heart! Miss Cathy!

She's gone, she's gone.

You've done your last black deed, Heathcliff. Leave this house.

She's at peace now. In heaven, beyond us.

What do they know of heaven or hell, Cathy, who know nothing of life?

They're praying for you, Cathy.

I'll pray one prayer with them.

I repeat till my tongue stiffens.

Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest so long as I live on.

I killed you. Haunt me, then. Haunt your murderer.

Ghosts have wandered on the earth.

Be with me always.

Take any form. Drive me mad.

Only do not leave me in this dark alone where I cannot find you.

I cannot live without my life.

I cannot die without my soul.

Oh, Cathy.

Oh, my dear...

I can still see and hear that wild hour.

With poor Heathcliff trying to tear away the veil between death and life.

Crying out to Cathy's soul...

to haunt him and torment him...

till he died.

You say that was Cathy's ghost I heard at the window?

Not her ghost...

but Cathy's love, stronger than time itself.

Still sobbing for its unlived days...

and uneaten bread.

-Ah!

-What's the matter, man?

-I've gone mad.

-Stark raving mad. Dr Kenneth?

I saw Heathcliff on the moors with a woman.

-A woman?

-I saw her, plain as my own eyes.

It was Cathy. Cathy.

-Go on, man. What happened?

-No, I don't know who it was.

I was trying to get near to them when my horse reared and I was thrown.

I called out but they didn't hear me, so I followed them.

I tell you, I saw them both!

He had his arm about her, so I climbed up after them.

And I found him.

Only him. Alone.

With only his footprints in the snow.

Under a high rock, on a ledge, near Penistone Crag.

Yes.

-Was he dead?

-No, not dead, Dr Kenneth.

Not alone. He's with her.

They've only just begun to live.

Goodbye, Heathcliff.

Goodbye, my wild, sweet Cathy.