0:00:11 > 0:00:21This film contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29SHOUTING AND CHEERING
0:01:52 > 0:01:55CAR HORN HONKING
0:03:17 > 0:03:21We used to swim here when we were children.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Hope Vera hasn't gone in yet.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Completely forgot about the rats.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Rats?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Mmm, big nest of them, apparently.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33We'll be all right in the shallows, but we definitely shouldn't go...
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Oh, no.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Vera!
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Vera!
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Get out of the water! Rats!
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Vera! Vera!
0:03:49 > 0:03:51LAUGHING
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Wait for me.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Victor!
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Victor!- There's no rats in here.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03You idiot!
0:04:20 > 0:04:22So?
0:04:22 > 0:04:23What about you and Victor?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- What about us?- Come on.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- He's sweet.- Sweet?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36All the attention's making you arrogant.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Stop it.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I'm a block of ice.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Here.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Come on. We should be getting back.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Do we have to?
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- Mother and Father are expecting us.- They're always expecting us.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- They're driving me mad.- Give them a chance, Vera, all right?
0:04:59 > 0:05:00I mean it.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04I'll try.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Better had.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Come on, Vera!
0:05:22 > 0:05:26INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:05:30 > 0:05:31..from rats!
0:05:31 > 0:05:33ALL LAUGH
0:05:33 > 0:05:36I'm sorry, Victor. I expected a little panic.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I didn't expect a fully fledged leap into the lake.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- You knew about this.- I knew Father wanted you to have one.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- You colluded with them. - Vera, it's just a piano.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58FAINT CHATTER
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Vera, come and see your surprise.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06Darling, I've been so dying to tell you, and...I just couldn't.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Mrs Ellinger was in on the secret and she's come to hear you play.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Perfect. She's an absolute beauty, so I'm told.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Well, come on, darling.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Give us a taste of what we can look forward to.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36SHE STARTS TO PLAY
0:06:48 > 0:06:50SHE SLAMS PIANO LID
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Oh, dear.- Vera...
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Vera, come back and apologise now.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59If you can't show me the respect I deserve,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01then at least show some for our guests.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I don't want a piano.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05You knew I didn't want one and still you bought it.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I won't be bullied by you.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Oh, I buy her the most expensive
0:07:09 > 0:07:10gift of her life, but, no, I'm bullying.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Your father hoped you'd be happy, dear.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14That piano could pay for a whole year at Oxford.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Oh, here we go.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17And all this time you said you couldn't afford for me to go.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- No, I can't afford to waste money, no.- Oh, Arthur.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Vera, I... I didn't mean...
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Vera, come back here, now!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I've thrown my work out.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53You can take it to your paper factory and pulp it for all I care.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Now, stop it. I'm simply concerned
0:07:55 > 0:07:57that you're turning yourself into a bluestocking.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59That's no way to find a husband.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I don't want a husband.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03How many times do I have to spell it out?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I'm sorry you didn't have a daughter whose sole purpose in life
0:08:06 > 0:08:08is to hitch herself to a man.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12There it is. I'm not getting married.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Not now, not ever.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Well...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18That's clear, then.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Ted.- Roland.- Good to see you. - Welcome.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Vic. Great to see you.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Hello, Mr Brittain.- Roland, we've heard great things about you.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Can I help?- Oh, you frightened me.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48No, thanks.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Please, I'd rather be by myself.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's the books I'm worried about.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I've never seen anyone beat them up that way.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Wordsworth, Shelley.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Poor Byron.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10All these Romantics aren't good for you, you know?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Don't worry. They have very little influence.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16So I saw earlier.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23I'm sorry about the badly timed arrival, by the way.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- I can see this is all highly amusing for you.- No.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Yes. You're already polishing up the
0:09:27 > 0:09:29anecdote for your friends back at school.
0:09:52 > 0:09:58PIANO MUSIC PLAYS
0:10:12 > 0:10:15I'm sorry. I was so caught up in myself.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19I didn't think what this must be like for you.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26She certainly didn't deserve the treatment you gave her.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Well, I got you your piano.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32That's something to be happy about, at least.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33You can thank me for that.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36MEN LAUGHING
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Shh.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Come on, then, Ted, Ash Grove.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Yes, Ash Grove!- Ash Grove.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- Right. Ready?- Yeah.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59THEY PLAY THE ASH GROVE
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Very good.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26KNOCK ON DOOR
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Hello.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42You're studying.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44What of it?
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Nothing, I...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Look, I've done the Oxford entrance exams.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51It's all about technique. I could help you.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Once you've learnt it, you'll sail through, I'm sure.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Like a Masonic secret, passed from teacher to boy.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Actually, my teachers weren't that good.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I worked it out for myself.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07And so will I.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23It's just three years of study, Father.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28You know women don't even get degrees at Oxford?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31What's the point of her going, then?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33It's all she's ever wanted.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34She's set her mind on it.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38But it's three years of extra expense.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40I'd share my allowance with her. That would help.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42What about the entrance exam?
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Don't you need tuition for such a thing?
0:12:46 > 0:12:47She's teaching herself.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52I wouldn't feel right about going
0:12:52 > 0:12:55myself if Vera didn't have the chance.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56She was always so bright.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00FLOORBOARD CREAKS
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Vera?
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Very well, then. You can sit the wretched thing if you want to.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Oh, thank you, Daddy.- Well, you're just sitting it, mind.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23And then we'll see.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Now, play me some of that piano.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Careful.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04God, it's beautiful here. You're so lucky.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Mmm. Except we're nearly back at school.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13We're here now, Ted. Come on. Live in the moment a little.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15One more term and it'll all be over.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Sort of daunting,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22seeing your whole life stretched out in front of you.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25At least you won't be buried alive in Buxton.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Do we have a suffragette on our hands?
0:14:29 > 0:14:31I would be, given the chance.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I suppose that shocks you.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38You're talking to the wrong man, Vera. Roland's a supporter.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Well, my mother does admire them.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45She's a novelist and she writes for the papers.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47She supports the whole family, in fact.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I hope you don't mind me saying.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Well, not now I've seen Vera's face.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55I had no idea.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Well, perhaps you've jumped to conclusions about me.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01I think that's mutual.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Oh, no. No, I've researched you quite thoroughly.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I even found a poem in the yard, in fact. I took the liberty of...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Poem? You kept that very quiet. Let's have a look.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Give it back.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19It's nothing. It's a stupid thing.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Well, I don't know about anyone else, but...
0:15:29 > 0:15:30I could do with a drink of something.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Yes, er... Let's get back to the house.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER
0:15:45 > 0:15:47I didn't know you kept it a secret.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I kept it quiet because I was moved by it.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52I found it beautiful.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57And you seem an impossible person to say that to.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00I'm not.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03No.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06What if I told you I want to be a writer?
0:16:06 > 0:16:08And I even dream of earning a living by it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I want to write, too, as it happens.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16But I'm a little in my mother's shadow.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Is she good?
0:16:21 > 0:16:23How's she done it?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Sheer pig-headedness.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28You should meet her. You'd get on.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40You must write.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Really.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49No-one's ever said that to me before.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25FLOORBOARD CREAKS
0:17:55 > 0:17:57DOOR CLOSES
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Come on! You'll miss the train!
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Roland! Come on, we're leaving!
0:18:08 > 0:18:09Heck!
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- I don't want you to go. - We'll have the whole summer.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- MRS BRITTAIN:- Come along, boys. You don't want to be late.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20You've a train to catch.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I'll just be back in a minute.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Has anybody seen the big, black suitcase?
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Erm...
0:18:27 > 0:18:28- Goodbye.- Goodbye.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Victor, come on!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Roland, don't forget your tennis racket.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING STAIRS
0:18:46 > 0:18:48I wish you weren't going so soon.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Did you read the poem?
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- Of course.- And?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It's well crafted.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59But?
0:18:59 > 0:19:03It was a little dry, as though you were holding back.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- I couldn't find you in it. - Well, I can assure you it's mine.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- Of course, I... I didn't mean... - Roland, come on, we're late.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- MRS BRITTAIN:- Vera! Come on, Vera!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Come on, darling.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Let's go.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23- Bye!- Bye, Mother!
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- ROLAND:- Thank you!
0:19:36 > 0:19:40VERA: "Edward, please send me news of Roland Leighton.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45"Tell him how much I enjoyed meeting him, will you?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47"I think I offended him, Edward.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50"You know I can be my own worst enemy."
0:19:50 > 0:19:52INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- ROLAND:- "Edward assures me you won't mind me writing direct.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05"You set me a challenge, you see, and I've done my best to meet it.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07"I hope you find more feeling in this one.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13"Down the long, white road we walked together
0:20:13 > 0:20:16"Down between the grey hills and the heather
0:20:16 > 0:20:21"You seemed all brown and soft, just like a linnet
0:20:21 > 0:20:25"Your errant hair had shadowed sunbeams in it
0:20:25 > 0:20:27"And there shone all April in your eyes."
0:20:40 > 0:20:43TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:20:46 > 0:20:47- GUARD:- Oxford, next stop!
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- AUNT BELLE:- Ah, the famous honey-coloured stone, yes.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Very beautiful. Yes, this is the right square, dear.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Nothing like what we've got in Buxton.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05A different hue altogether.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07That might be Broad Street over there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It's down at the bottom.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12SHE CONTINUES TALKING INDISTINCTLY
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Do be careful. These bicycles are everywhere.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Vera, dear, this way. There's a horse coming now.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23All looks very secretive, doesn't it? This way, dear.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- What?- Come along.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29I know you're only staying two nights, but Oxford can get chilly.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31I brought you an extra nightie, just in case.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Aunt, please.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I promised your mother I'd keep a proper eye on you.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37She does worry.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Bedsocks. That's my final word.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49I'm sorry, are you lost?
0:21:49 > 0:21:51I'm here for the exam.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52Oh.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Er, the porter's lodge is there. He'll direct you.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- Thank you.- I'm Vera's Aunt Belle.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00I shall be staying nearby.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04BELL TOLLS
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Is it an entrance exam we're holding or a debutantes' ball?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It's the Latin essay I'm dreading.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27My tutor's convinced Virgil will come up. I hope he's right.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Essay?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33CHATTER CONTINUES
0:22:55 > 0:22:57You may begin.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53Excuse me.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- Excuse me, about the Latin paper...- What is it?
0:23:59 > 0:24:03- I didn't know an essay was required. - It's stated quite clearly.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I must have missed it. I didn't have a tutor.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I prepared for this by myself.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- You seemed to be busy writing, Miss...- Brittain.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- I wrote it in German instead. - German?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Perhaps where you come from, German and Latin can be equated,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23but not here, I'm afraid.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29You've judged me already.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34You think I'm frivolous, a provincial upstart, but I'm not.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I think you're keen to stand out.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42Good day, Miss Brittain.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Our next gathering will be on Wednesday.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Lovely. I tell you what, we are a little stuck...
0:24:58 > 0:25:01VERA: "It was a disaster, Edward.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06"All my dreams are over. I'll never escape Buxton now.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09"And Roland hasn't answered my last letter.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11"Perhaps he's had second thoughts.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16"Thank goodness I have someone I can confide in."
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Better luck next time.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Vera, hurry, hurry!
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Strict instructions from Edward, we mustn't be late for his parade.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Gracious, it's only school speech day.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I'm not sure that any of these are going to be nice enough.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Of course they are.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46No.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00What's in the letter, dear?
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Oh, come on, Vera, you can't go hiding things from me.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- It's from Oxford. - Oh.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- MRS BRITTAIN SIGHS - I thought it might be from a boy.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Don't tell Father. - All right.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18There, that's the one. Perfect.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- What do you think, dear? - Daddy?
0:26:21 > 0:26:22What?
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Oh.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Yes, perfect.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28Was that the right answer?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36MILITARY BAND PLAYS, VERA LAUGHS
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Another year, another school speech day.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03And as we send our proud cadets out onto life's stage,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06we say, as always,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10be strong, be loyal, be brave...
0:27:10 > 0:27:15loyal to yourselves, loyal to kith and kin,
0:27:15 > 0:27:20but above all else, loyal to your homeland,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23ready always to serve the glory of the Empire.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28You will go out into the wider world
0:27:28 > 0:27:30rich in the values of Uppingham School.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Use those values to make your contribution to our nation.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Many of you will now be going on to university.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Your masters and I look forward to seeing you excel there,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and we expect you to uphold the standards...
0:27:55 > 0:27:57My results from Oxford.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07Come on.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12No-one will disturb us here.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16VERA SIGHS
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I know what it's going to say.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Shall I?
0:28:28 > 0:28:30SHE EXHALES
0:28:39 > 0:28:40You got in.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51EDWARD LAUGHS
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Come here!
0:28:54 > 0:28:57But it says you need to work on your Latin!
0:29:01 > 0:29:02You'd better tell Roland.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Do you think?
0:29:04 > 0:29:05Go on.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10CHUCKLING
0:29:13 > 0:29:14INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Er, Mother, Father, this is Edward's sister, Vera.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- Well, how do you do? - Nice to meet you.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32I didn't know Edward had a sister. Nice to meet you, dear.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- Pleasure.- You look happy about something.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36VERA LAUGHS SOFTLY
0:29:36 > 0:29:39I just heard. I got a place at Somerville.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- Congratulations!- Congratulations! - Congratulations!
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Now suddenly she's become a VERY intriguing young lady.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45Don't you think, Roland?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47ROLAND CHUCKLES
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- Excuse me, I must tell my parents. - Yes.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- Well...- Excuse me, sorry.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Vera, wait.
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Can we talk alone?
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Please.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- It's such good news about Oxford. - You don't have to say that.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18No, I know, but Somerville is quite...
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Look, if it's friendship you want, that's fine with me.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- I prefer clarity, that's all. - No, it's been a busy term.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Exams, and ending school is quite the time-consuming business,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- as it turns out.- Your mother didn't even know I exist.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Now, that... that is self-protection.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44HE SIGHS
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- I've been carrying it around with me.- So why didn't you write back?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- A little nervous, perhaps. - CHUCKLES
0:30:50 > 0:30:51Not good with words.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53SHE SCOFFS
0:30:53 > 0:30:55For someone who wants to be a writer...
0:31:01 > 0:31:05When we're at Oxford, we'll be able to see each other every day.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- I'll be concentrating on my work. - Well, you'll need fresh air, surely.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13And a chaperone.
0:31:13 > 0:31:14Lapdog.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16Humble slave.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Vera, let's agree.
0:31:25 > 0:31:26No more fear.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31No more fear.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34Vera?
0:31:36 > 0:31:38What on earth is going on?
0:31:39 > 0:31:42This isn't the way to go about it.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45I'd like permission to see Vera again, Mrs Brittain.
0:31:45 > 0:31:46Fully chaperoned, of course.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48We'll see.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03TRAIN WHISTLE HOOTS
0:32:26 > 0:32:27Mr Leighton.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Slow down, you two!
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Excuse me.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26BOTH LAUGH
0:33:28 > 0:33:29I think we lost her.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- We've been very bad, you know. - Mmm.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- We're going to get a terrible report.- Mother won't be surprised.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- She thinks she has a very odd daughter.- Not odd. Just interesting.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49I've never known where I fit.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Does it need to be a place?
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Well, I don't know what to say to the pair of you!
0:34:03 > 0:34:05No, really, I don't!
0:34:07 > 0:34:10My feet are hurting. We'd better call it a day.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13Ah, newspaper.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Countdown to war.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Thank you, madam. Morning, sir.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Here you are, sir. Today's headlines.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34My boys'll be the first to sign up and it'll be a long queue.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37I think there isn't a lad in the country
0:34:37 > 0:34:40doesn't want to go and crush that bloody Kaiser.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43I think the war will be over very quickly, if it happens at all.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:34:57 > 0:34:59KNOCK ON DOOR
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Yes?
0:35:10 > 0:35:11I need your help.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Tell me.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I've been talking to Father about signing up.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Already?
0:35:18 > 0:35:21This is what we trained for. I'm an officer cadet.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Father was his usual calm self.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Said he'd rather put a gun to his head than let me go.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32It's all happening so fast.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34There are boys from the town who've signed up already.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36How will it look if I'm not among them?
0:35:39 > 0:35:40I'll talk to him.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Calmly.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45I promise.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46HE CHUCKLES
0:35:48 > 0:35:51- What was making YOU so cheerful? - I'm not.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I don't think Roland will go.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Don't go losing your head over him.- Why not?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07No, no, no, no, no!
0:36:07 > 0:36:08SHE GIGGLES
0:36:11 > 0:36:12DOOR CLOSES
0:36:15 > 0:36:18No. I said no.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20All the papers are saying it'll be short and fast.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Well, I know a little more of war than you do, young lady,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and I can assure you it's never short and it's never fast.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27If we believe that from the outset,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, doesn't it?
0:36:31 > 0:36:33He might not even see any fighting.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35MR BRITTAIN SIGHS
0:36:35 > 0:36:37He's only 18.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39What's he going to say when everyone around him
0:36:39 > 0:36:40is signing up and he isn't?
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Let him be a man.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47He won't forgive you if you don't.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55"Dear Roland, now we're a nation at war,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59"is it terrible of me to be so excited about Oxford?
0:37:00 > 0:37:02"I'll be catching the 2:20 train on Thursday
0:37:02 > 0:37:04"and I'll be travelling alone.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08"Could you meet me at Leicester?"
0:37:16 > 0:37:19INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:37:36 > 0:37:37Where's your luggage?
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Sit down. I have something to tell you.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47What is it?
0:37:49 > 0:37:50I'm not coming to Oxford, Vera.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56You've signed up.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01A commission with the 4th Norfolks. I'm joining them tomorrow.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05Tomorrow?
0:38:07 > 0:38:08How?
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Edward's still waiting. Everybody is.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21My Uncle Theo's a military man.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22He pulled some strings.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Did he push you to it? - No. No, I asked him to.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Vera, I have to go. How many generations get the chance
0:38:30 > 0:38:33to be involved in something like this?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35I can't let others do my duty for me.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42I'll be in Norwich. It's not even active service.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45You wouldn't want me not to?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50There'll be months of training.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54At which point, it could all be over.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Me and Ted will be coming to Oxford with you in the New Year.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Isn't it strange...
0:39:28 > 0:39:31..that I'm the one going to Oxford, without Edward or you?
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Ah, Miss Brittain. Surprised to be here, no doubt.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Considering I had no tuition. - Yes, and how it showed.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Luckily you also displayed an original mind.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Though whether you can bring any discipline to bear on it
0:39:58 > 0:39:59is another matter.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09"Oxford is everything we dreamed of and more.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12"If only you were here to share it with me, Roland.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18"I want to ask you to leave the Army,
0:40:18 > 0:40:22"but I can't do that. I won't.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29"Victor's been turned down because of his poor eyesight,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32"but Edward's joining the Sherwood Foresters soon.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35"My heart lurched at the sight of him.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38"My little brother, suddenly so grown up."
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Look at you. Vera, the Oxford student.- How are you?
0:40:45 > 0:40:46I'm very well.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49"At least I have the comfort of knowing
0:40:49 > 0:40:51"you're all safe on English soil."
0:40:56 > 0:40:58The injured will be taken there this afternoon.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02All these beds can be sent to the dining hall.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04- All right.- Then you can tell Matron she can...
0:41:09 > 0:41:10THUNDER RUMBLES
0:41:34 > 0:41:39- ROLAND:- "Leave for France Thursday. Charing Cross, half past one.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42"Please confirm can come. Roland."
0:41:47 > 0:41:50We can't have students gallivanting off to London.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52It's not a gallivant.
0:41:52 > 0:41:53CLICKS TONGUE
0:41:54 > 0:41:57We have to work twice as hard as the men, Miss Brittain.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59We have to be twice as good.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Otherwise what is the point of us fighting all these years
0:42:02 > 0:42:03to prove that we're worthy of degrees?
0:42:05 > 0:42:07It's to say goodbye to someone going to the front.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12You already have someone there, perhaps.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15My brother.
0:42:18 > 0:42:23Ugh, not where my abilities are best expressed, socks.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26But then, that's war for you, isn't it?
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Men go off to fight and we stay behind and knit.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40- You'll be back within the day? - Yes.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43And will, of course, have a chaperone?
0:42:43 > 0:42:44Yes.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49Thank you.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54TRAIN WHISTLE HOOTS
0:43:08 > 0:43:11- How long do we have? - About an hour.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14You told me you weren't going to France yet.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17I asked for a transfer.
0:43:17 > 0:43:18SHE SCOFFS
0:43:18 > 0:43:20You're so eager to face death, then, are you?
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- No.- Yes, you are.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- You must be. - Vera, please.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33You're sick. You've got a fever.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38I can't even be angry with you now.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45Doesn't he look handsome in that uniform?
0:43:47 > 0:43:50Take these, dear. They'll bring the fever right down.
0:43:50 > 0:43:51Thank you.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57Oh, no. No, no. Don't you move. I'll go and get it.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00I'm sorry.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02I didn't mean to be harsh.
0:44:04 > 0:44:06- I've let you down. - No.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11Now it's here, I have a dust-and-ashes feeling about it.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16Do you take sugar, dear?
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Influenza is ripping through the troops.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24I read about it in the newspaper.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27They call it Spanish flu.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29- HER VOICE FADES - It seems you get a very high temperature
0:44:29 > 0:44:31and then shortly afterwards...
0:44:50 > 0:44:51WHISTLE BLOWS
0:45:14 > 0:45:16All aboard!
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Oh, I'm sorry. This one's taken.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41I am coming back.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43WHISTLE BLOWS
0:45:43 > 0:45:44Already?
0:45:50 > 0:45:54All in! Right, you lot, say your goodbyes and move it out.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57- Roland! - Vera!
0:45:57 > 0:45:59- Roland! - Vera!
0:46:01 > 0:46:05INDISTINCT COMMOTION
0:46:06 > 0:46:09Roland?
0:46:09 > 0:46:10Vera!
0:46:14 > 0:46:17- Write.- Yes.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19- Write. - I'll write.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23I love you.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Vera!
0:46:56 > 0:46:59Victor? LAUGHS
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Roland asked me to come. Thought you'd need a friendly face.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07- Thank you. - Come on. Sit down.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09- How are you?- What a mess.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15I can't stay here.
0:47:15 > 0:47:16Not now.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19- I have to do something. - What?
0:47:21 > 0:47:22I don't know.
0:47:23 > 0:47:24Nurse?
0:47:25 > 0:47:27There's a call for volunteers.
0:47:29 > 0:47:30Look, Roland won't die young.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35He was born to make his mark on the world.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38- Do you think? - I'm sure of it.
0:47:43 > 0:47:44Thank you for being here.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49- I'm so sorry if you were hurt. - No, please.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52- It's fine. No, there's no need... - No, I feel like...
0:47:53 > 0:47:55In fact, I've met a girl.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01That's wonderful.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04I'm so happy for you. What's her name?
0:48:04 > 0:48:05Molly.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07She's keen.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13She has you here, with her.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17She's a luckier girl than I am, then.
0:48:29 > 0:48:33Miss? Er, telegram for Miss Lorimer, Somerville College.
0:48:38 > 0:48:39Thank you, miss.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52Yes, I understand your concerns,
0:48:52 > 0:48:54but I'm sure if you refer to the list that I gave you
0:48:54 > 0:48:57on complementary novels, you'll find it extremely helpful.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00- Thank you, Miss Lorimer. - Yes, not at all.
0:49:27 > 0:49:28SHE GASPS
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Latest news from the front!
0:49:44 > 0:49:48Thank you, miss. Latest news from the front!
0:50:56 > 0:51:00Nursing? What on earth for?
0:51:00 > 0:51:02- They need volunteers. - And I'm sure there are plenty
0:51:02 > 0:51:04of eager young women out there who've not embarked
0:51:04 > 0:51:07- on promising careers at Oxford. - I need to do something.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11I can't stay here buried in books, not now.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24You don't own the truth about how we get through this, Miss Brittain.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27Your opinion is just that - an opinion - and you'd do well
0:51:27 > 0:51:29- to remember it. - I'm sorry, I didn't mean...
0:51:29 > 0:51:32This crisis needs people who can stand back and reflect.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36How can you think of giving up a golden opportunity
0:51:36 > 0:51:38that you have worked so hard for?
0:51:42 > 0:51:43So your mind's completely made up?
0:51:49 > 0:51:50Yes, it is.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54BELL CHIMES IN THE DISTANCE
0:52:01 > 0:52:04I know what visions have brought you here,
0:52:04 > 0:52:07and I'm happy they've carried you to our door,
0:52:07 > 0:52:08but that's where you leave them.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10You're not angels of mercy
0:52:10 > 0:52:13swooping down to mop the brows of grateful men.
0:52:13 > 0:52:17You're workers, and you'll do whatever you're asked,
0:52:17 > 0:52:20no matter how dirty, no matter how dull.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23- Do I make myself clear? - ALL: Yes, Sister.
0:52:23 > 0:52:24Hands.
0:52:28 > 0:52:29SCOFFS
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Airs and graces will not be tolerated,
0:52:34 > 0:52:38especially from those who've come down from an ivory tower.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43If you've any doubts, the door's there. You can leave now.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49Your duties commence at 7am sharp. You do not sit down on the ward.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51ALARM CLOCK RINGS
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Who sterilised the instruments?
0:53:01 > 0:53:03- I did, Sister.- And would you say you've done a good job?
0:53:03 > 0:53:05I think so.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07You think so. Really?
0:53:08 > 0:53:09What about these?
0:53:10 > 0:53:13- I forgot. - You forgot?
0:53:13 > 0:53:16And what if someone had used them, not realising?
0:53:16 > 0:53:19- I'm sorry.- It's human lives that could be put at risk.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24And I thought you were supposed to be intelligent.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27"The nurses here know I've come from Oxford, Roland,
0:53:27 > 0:53:28"and they're determined to break me.
0:53:31 > 0:53:37"Little do they know, the harder they push, the more grateful I am.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43"Anything to stop me thinking and to fill the hours between news of you."
0:53:57 > 0:54:00- ROLAND:- "One of my men has just been killed. The first.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04"I've been taking the things out of his pockets
0:54:04 > 0:54:07"and tying them in his handkerchief
0:54:07 > 0:54:09"to be sent back somewhere, to someone,
0:54:09 > 0:54:13"who will see in them more than a torn letter,
0:54:13 > 0:54:17"a pencil and a piece of shell."
0:54:19 > 0:54:21VERA: "Please don't keep things back from me, Roland,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24"with an idea of sparing my feelings.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27"I shall never be afraid to confront the real."
0:54:27 > 0:54:30OFFICER SHOUTS
0:54:30 > 0:54:33"The imagined holds far greater terror for me."
0:54:35 > 0:54:36GASPS
0:54:36 > 0:54:38Fancy sending him over in this state.
0:54:38 > 0:54:40We're seeing more and more of it.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48If you're so eager, Brittain, YOU sponge him down.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24- MAN:- Vera.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30What did you say?
0:55:30 > 0:55:32Sister.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37SHE SIGHS
0:56:20 > 0:56:22Here she is.
0:56:22 > 0:56:26You look exhausted. What are they doing to you here?
0:56:26 > 0:56:28I'm all right. CHUCKLES
0:56:28 > 0:56:30Vera, Geoffrey Thurlow, a friend from the battalion.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34You're not leaving for France?
0:56:34 > 0:56:35Not yet.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39I'm sorry. Forgive me.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42No, no, no. The relief is all mine.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46- A peace-loving soldier? - Or a cowardly one, perhaps.
0:56:46 > 0:56:47Nonsense.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51Geoffrey was about to train to be a priest. That takes courage.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53Saved by the war. Imagine that.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58- So, shall we go? - Where?
0:56:58 > 0:57:00Didn't he write and tell you?
0:57:00 > 0:57:01Roland's home on leave.
0:57:04 > 0:57:05No, he, er...
0:57:05 > 0:57:08he walked through the door yesterday and slept for 20 hours straight.
0:57:08 > 0:57:09ALL CHUCKLE
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Hardly said a word.
0:57:12 > 0:57:13So he's, er...
0:57:13 > 0:57:16he's down there, by the sea.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19VERA LAUGHS
0:57:19 > 0:57:21If you excuse me, I think I'll go and see him.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27Let's, er... Let's just give them a moment, shall we?
0:57:27 > 0:57:28BIRDS CAW
0:57:35 > 0:57:36Roland?
0:57:47 > 0:57:48I have to go back in three days.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55Oh, just look at that view.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58- Well, well, the officer returns. - ROLAND LAUGHS
0:57:58 > 0:58:00- Vic! Hello!- Roland.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02Good to see you. Hello.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04Very good to see you. Roland, Geoffrey Thurlow.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07- Very good to meet you. - It's a pleasure.
0:58:07 > 0:58:08HE GRUNTS
0:58:08 > 0:58:10Good shot.
0:58:12 > 0:58:14The worst is when you have to go out and repair the wire.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17Boot polish on your face, crawling on your belly
0:58:17 > 0:58:18through the mud and rain.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21I was out one night with an officer called Harrison.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24We were so close to the Germans, we could hear them whispering in their trench.
0:58:24 > 0:58:25"Hast du Feuer?"
0:58:25 > 0:58:26CHUCKLING
0:58:26 > 0:58:29- Were you scared? - You don't think about it, really.
0:58:31 > 0:58:33He's a good man, Harrison. I invited him to stay,
0:58:33 > 0:58:37but he's not interested in home leave, says it makes a man soft.
0:58:37 > 0:58:39God forbid any of you should be soft.
0:58:43 > 0:58:44If I could get out there...
0:58:46 > 0:58:48..I don't think I'd want to come back.
0:58:48 > 0:58:50You don't know the first thing about it.
0:58:59 > 0:59:00Let's get some tea.
0:59:03 > 0:59:04INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:59:14 > 0:59:15That was unnecessary.
0:59:23 > 0:59:27Then, talk to me - otherwise how can I understand?
0:59:30 > 0:59:32Perhaps you can't.
0:59:37 > 0:59:42I sent you some poems a while ago. I don't know if you got them.
0:59:42 > 0:59:43I don't think so.
0:59:45 > 0:59:47Have you written any yourself?
0:59:49 > 0:59:50Poems?!
0:59:54 > 0:59:55Oh, for God's sake.
1:00:03 > 1:00:04Roland?
1:00:08 > 1:00:09Roland!
1:00:13 > 1:00:15I'm sorry, I'm...
1:00:16 > 1:00:17I'm sorry.
1:00:22 > 1:00:23Roland!
1:00:24 > 1:00:26Roland, here. Look at me.
1:00:26 > 1:00:28Look at me.
1:00:28 > 1:00:31I'm here. This...
1:00:33 > 1:00:34This is real.
1:00:35 > 1:00:37SOBBING Feel it.
1:00:40 > 1:00:41This...
1:00:43 > 1:00:45This part of you...
1:00:48 > 1:00:50Don't destroy it.
1:00:53 > 1:00:55It might be gone already.
1:00:56 > 1:00:58No.
1:00:58 > 1:00:59It's not.
1:01:00 > 1:01:01I promise.
1:01:20 > 1:01:24Harrison's brother came back from leave engaged to his fiancee.
1:01:26 > 1:01:30Within ten minutes, he'd stuck his head over the parapet,
1:01:30 > 1:01:32and got his brains blown out.
1:01:34 > 1:01:36I was next to him when it happened.
1:01:46 > 1:01:47Home leave makes you soft.
1:01:50 > 1:01:52We don't have to get married.
1:01:53 > 1:01:54Or engaged.
1:02:00 > 1:02:02Perhaps we should.
1:02:04 > 1:02:06It's not what either of us wanted.
1:02:10 > 1:02:11Imagine it, though.
1:02:12 > 1:02:14You in a white dress.
1:02:15 > 1:02:17A sunny day, an old church.
1:02:18 > 1:02:20Everybody we love.
1:02:20 > 1:02:23- Champagne. - Cake.
1:02:25 > 1:02:27Does it get any better than cake?
1:02:33 > 1:02:36Marry me, Vera, next time I'm home.
1:02:41 > 1:02:43All right.
1:02:48 > 1:02:49Yes.
1:03:02 > 1:03:03LAUGHING
1:03:12 > 1:03:13VERA LAUGHS
1:03:35 > 1:03:38TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, INDISTINCT CLAMOUR
1:03:39 > 1:03:41- You look so handsome. - Thank you, Mother.
1:03:41 > 1:03:43- Good luck.- Bye, Geoffrey.
1:03:43 > 1:03:45You be safe now.
1:03:45 > 1:03:48I will be, don't worry. Take care.
1:03:48 > 1:03:49Goodbye.
1:03:49 > 1:03:52Oh, Geoffrey, dear boy, do take care of yourself.
1:03:52 > 1:03:55- I will. - Oh, I nearly forgot.
1:03:55 > 1:03:57My music. Look after it for me.
1:03:58 > 1:04:01- Father. - Son, good luck.
1:04:01 > 1:04:04MAN: Train is ready to depart! All aboard!
1:04:04 > 1:04:06TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
1:04:13 > 1:04:16- Take care.- Good luck, Edward.
1:04:16 > 1:04:18You will write, darling, won't you?
1:04:18 > 1:04:20Of course.
1:04:38 > 1:04:39Vera.
1:04:41 > 1:04:43Could you go and tell your father to hurry up?
1:04:45 > 1:04:46Daddy.
1:04:54 > 1:04:55Daddy?
1:04:59 > 1:05:01HE SNIFFS
1:05:05 > 1:05:06SOBBING
1:05:11 > 1:05:13Move it! Move it!
1:05:13 > 1:05:15200 extra beds by lunchtime. Hurry, now!
1:05:28 > 1:05:32- ROLAND:- "Good news. My Christmas leave has been approved.
1:05:32 > 1:05:34"I'll be home to make you my wife.
1:05:36 > 1:05:40"And I have a surprise - something I think will please you.
1:05:40 > 1:05:44"You'll see when we meet. I've been posted to company headquarters
1:05:44 > 1:05:46"three miles behind lines.
1:05:46 > 1:05:49"I'll be here until my leave. I'm safe, Vera."
1:05:49 > 1:05:51Safe.
1:06:29 > 1:06:30Darling.
1:06:36 > 1:06:38- How do I look? - Positively bridal.
1:06:41 > 1:06:44Such a shame that Edward couldn't get leave to be best man.
1:06:44 > 1:06:45Here she is.
1:06:51 > 1:06:52You look lovely.
1:06:53 > 1:06:55SHE SIGHS
1:06:55 > 1:06:56Half an hour to go.
1:06:57 > 1:07:00We're meeting Mr and Mrs Leighton at the church.
1:07:00 > 1:07:04He'll have had a long journey. He'll be tired.
1:07:04 > 1:07:06- Miss Vera Brittain?- Yes.
1:07:06 > 1:07:08A telephone call for you, miss.
1:07:09 > 1:07:11Must be him.
1:07:12 > 1:07:13I hope he's not going to be late.
1:07:18 > 1:07:19Just here, miss.
1:07:26 > 1:07:27Roland?
1:07:30 > 1:07:31Hello?
1:07:31 > 1:07:34SOBBING ON PHONE
1:07:36 > 1:07:40- MRS LEIGHTON:- 'Vera, Roland...
1:07:40 > 1:07:42'Roland's dead.
1:07:48 > 1:07:50'Roland's dead, Vera.'
1:08:15 > 1:08:16DROPS TELEPHONE
1:08:23 > 1:08:25WATCH TICKS
1:09:03 > 1:09:04This is...
1:09:05 > 1:09:07..from an officer in his company.
1:09:09 > 1:09:15"Died of wounds at Louvencourt clearing station."
1:09:20 > 1:09:21What was he doing at the front?
1:09:21 > 1:09:24Wasn't he meant to be behind the lines?
1:09:24 > 1:09:27Suddenly sent there, apparently, for a big push.
1:09:29 > 1:09:31There was nothing in the papers.
1:09:31 > 1:09:33He was out mending wire.
1:09:34 > 1:09:38"Shot by a sniper at 2am
1:09:38 > 1:09:41"while bravely carrying out duties.
1:09:41 > 1:09:44"Taken straight to Louvencourt.
1:09:44 > 1:09:45"Died late afternoon.
1:09:47 > 1:09:49"Noble and painless death."
1:09:49 > 1:09:51That's a long time after he was shot.
1:09:53 > 1:09:54What happened?
1:09:56 > 1:09:58Painless.
1:10:00 > 1:10:01I suppose the man would know.
1:10:03 > 1:10:05- PIANO PLAYS ON GRAMOPHONE - He loved this piece.
1:10:08 > 1:10:11Why was there no message for us?
1:10:22 > 1:10:25VERA: "No further details about Lieutenant Leighton's death.
1:10:26 > 1:10:28"Unable to help."
1:10:39 > 1:10:42Excuse me. Where can I find George Catlin?
1:10:42 > 1:10:44- He's just down there. - Thank you.
1:10:51 > 1:10:56Excuse me. I'm Vera Brittain, fiancee to Roland Leighton.
1:10:56 > 1:10:59The officer's not receiving visitors today.
1:10:59 > 1:11:01- I did write to you, Miss Brittain. - Yes, and I thank you for that.
1:11:01 > 1:11:03I'm sorry for the solicitation.
1:11:03 > 1:11:05There's really nothing more I can add.
1:11:07 > 1:11:10But you did see Roland at the clearing station that day?
1:11:10 > 1:11:13Comfort yourself that it was a quick and painless end.
1:11:14 > 1:11:18Everyone keeps saying that, but he lived for hours after he was shot.
1:11:18 > 1:11:20I'm sorry for your loss.
1:11:25 > 1:11:29I understand. You're afraid I'll make a scene.
1:11:29 > 1:11:31And why should you be the messenger for some terrible end
1:11:31 > 1:11:34to a family you've never met? I want to know the truth.
1:11:38 > 1:11:41It's the one thing left I can do for him.
1:11:43 > 1:11:45Would you mind, Nurse?
1:11:55 > 1:11:59It was a messy wound, low down in the abdomen.
1:11:59 > 1:12:01They operated. They did their best.
1:12:03 > 1:12:06I was in the bed next to him. He didn't stand a chance.
1:12:08 > 1:12:11Did he say anything? Was there a message?
1:12:11 > 1:12:13The pain was too great, Miss Brittain.
1:12:13 > 1:12:16It made anything else impossible.
1:12:16 > 1:12:18I see. Yes.
1:12:20 > 1:12:21That explains it.
1:12:24 > 1:12:25Did he, er...
1:12:27 > 1:12:29..suffer a great deal?
1:12:29 > 1:12:32- They were waiting for morphine stocks.- Did some arrive?
1:12:32 > 1:12:33He got a dose near the end.
1:12:35 > 1:12:36Were there...
1:12:40 > 1:12:41..any words?
1:12:46 > 1:12:47Please.
1:12:48 > 1:12:52He said, "Lying on this hillside for six days
1:12:52 > 1:12:54"has made me very stiff."
1:12:56 > 1:13:00I'm sorry. None of it makes any sense.
1:13:05 > 1:13:07You're very kind.
1:13:07 > 1:13:08I won't forget it.
1:13:18 > 1:13:23VERA: "Dear Victor, I met the officer in question. He...
1:13:25 > 1:13:28"He confirmed what Roland's colleague told us.
1:13:28 > 1:13:30"It was a painless and noble death.
1:13:30 > 1:13:35"Please comfort yourself with this as you leave for France."
1:13:47 > 1:13:50Roland's kit, they've sent it back to us.
1:13:58 > 1:13:59MRS LEIGHTON SNIFFLES
1:14:01 > 1:14:03Why did they send us that?
1:14:08 > 1:14:10Take it out!
1:14:12 > 1:14:13Wait!
1:15:23 > 1:15:25SHE EXCLAIMS
1:15:37 > 1:15:38SNIFFLING
1:16:09 > 1:16:10SOBBING
1:16:15 > 1:16:18- ROLAND: - "Violets from Plug Street Wood,
1:16:18 > 1:16:20"Sweet, I send you oversea.
1:16:21 > 1:16:26"(It is strange they should be blue, Blue, when his soaked blood was red,
1:16:26 > 1:16:31"For they grew around his head: It is strange they should be blue.)
1:16:33 > 1:16:38"Violets from Plug Street Wood. Think what they have meant to me -
1:16:38 > 1:16:42"Life and hope and Love and You
1:16:45 > 1:16:49"(And you did not see them grow Where his mangled body lay
1:16:49 > 1:16:53"Hiding horror from the day; Sweetest, it was better so.)
1:16:55 > 1:17:00"Violets from oversea, To your dear, far, forgetting land
1:17:01 > 1:17:05"These I send in memory Knowing you will understand."
1:17:05 > 1:17:07SHE WAILS
1:18:02 > 1:18:05"We have to believe, dear sister,
1:18:05 > 1:18:09"that his life was not needlessly thrown away,
1:18:09 > 1:18:11"that the wire he was working on that night
1:18:11 > 1:18:13"had to be mended by someone.
1:18:14 > 1:18:18"And how typical of Roland to be the first to volunteer."
1:18:19 > 1:18:21- WOMAN:- Nurse Brittain!
1:18:22 > 1:18:24Someone's asking for you.
1:18:39 > 1:18:41Who's there?
1:18:41 > 1:18:43- Who is it?- Victor.
1:18:47 > 1:18:49- Vera.- I didn't know.
1:18:52 > 1:18:55What a fix, eh?
1:18:57 > 1:19:00This blanket's driving me mad. It's far too itchy.
1:19:00 > 1:19:01I'll take care of it.
1:19:12 > 1:19:14Does Molly know?
1:19:17 > 1:19:19Would you like me to contact her for you?
1:19:22 > 1:19:24There's no Molly, Vera.
1:19:26 > 1:19:27There never was.
1:19:29 > 1:19:32I couldn't have you feeling sorry for me, could I?
1:19:48 > 1:19:51So, I'm getting a visit from an officer who lost both eyes
1:19:51 > 1:19:52at the start of the war.
1:19:52 > 1:19:56- He's going to tell me about Braille.- That's the Victor I know.
1:19:56 > 1:19:59- Always the optimist. - Yes.
1:19:59 > 1:20:01Inspirational stories for the damned.
1:20:02 > 1:20:06- What about you? Are you still writing?- Writing?
1:20:08 > 1:20:10That belongs to another life.
1:20:14 > 1:20:17I've been thinking, and, erm...
1:20:19 > 1:20:21..I want to look after you. CHUCKLES
1:20:23 > 1:20:25We belong together now.
1:20:25 > 1:20:27Don't we?
1:20:28 > 1:20:31You're going to need someone, and I...
1:20:33 > 1:20:36Well, Roland would like it.
1:20:39 > 1:20:41Poor Vera.
1:20:44 > 1:20:47Are you proposing to me now?
1:20:53 > 1:20:54Yes.
1:20:58 > 1:20:59Yes, I am.
1:21:12 > 1:21:14Then, I must turn you down.
1:21:36 > 1:21:37LOUD KNOCK ON DOOR
1:21:37 > 1:21:39- WOMAN:- Brittain, you're wanted.
1:21:41 > 1:21:42SHE SIGHS
1:21:46 > 1:21:49He called for us about an hour ago,
1:21:49 > 1:21:52said there was a loud clicking noise in his head.
1:21:53 > 1:21:55It was very quick and sudden.
1:21:56 > 1:21:58I'm sorry.
1:22:15 > 1:22:17(Victor...)
1:22:25 > 1:22:30- EDWARD:- "I'm so glad you were near and saw him so nearly at the end.
1:22:31 > 1:22:34"We share a memory of both of them, dear Vera,
1:22:34 > 1:22:37"that is worth all the rest of the world,
1:22:37 > 1:22:39"and the sun of that memory never sets.
1:22:40 > 1:22:43"And you know that I love you,
1:22:43 > 1:22:47"that I would do anything in the world in my power should you ask it,
1:22:47 > 1:22:50"and that I am your servant as well as your brother."
1:22:53 > 1:22:55My mind's made up.
1:22:55 > 1:22:56France?
1:22:58 > 1:23:01But...that's the front.
1:23:01 > 1:23:03It's so dangerous.
1:23:03 > 1:23:05I'll be behind the lines.
1:23:05 > 1:23:09It's as close to Edward as I can get. I need to be there.
1:23:09 > 1:23:11Well, I've been gathering you some things...
1:23:11 > 1:23:14I suppose you can take them to France, too.
1:23:16 > 1:23:19It's Cook's last jar.
1:23:19 > 1:23:20And, erm...
1:23:20 > 1:23:22Oh, cream.
1:23:23 > 1:23:26Stop those hands from getting chapped.
1:23:28 > 1:23:31- HER VOICE FADES - And don't forget your poor elbows, it's easily done...
1:23:37 > 1:23:40Why was I ever disappointed you weren't a boy?
1:23:47 > 1:23:49INDISTINCT SHOUTING
1:24:23 > 1:24:25MEN SHOUT, HORSE WHINNIES
1:24:35 > 1:24:37What are you doing out here?
1:24:37 > 1:24:39You'll freeze out here.
1:24:40 > 1:24:42Excuse me.
1:24:42 > 1:24:44I'm to report to C Section.
1:24:44 > 1:24:47Hut 327. You're under Sister Milroy.
1:24:47 > 1:24:49Good luck.
1:24:53 > 1:24:56There's about 30 men to a hut.
1:24:56 > 1:24:58Some of them are an absolute mess.
1:24:58 > 1:25:00They're supposed to pass through the clearing stations,
1:25:00 > 1:25:02but that's not saying much any more.
1:25:04 > 1:25:05Right.
1:25:08 > 1:25:10MAN COUGHS
1:25:13 > 1:25:15Theatre's through there.
1:25:15 > 1:25:17We're short on everything, including surgeons.
1:25:17 > 1:25:19MEN GROAN
1:25:23 > 1:25:26Had to saw this chappy's arm off myself yesterday.
1:25:26 > 1:25:27Quite a job.
1:25:28 > 1:25:32It's not ideal, but then, of course, this is war.
1:25:32 > 1:25:35Schwester! Wasser! Wasser, bitte!
1:25:37 > 1:25:40Oh, didn't I mention? These are all Huns.
1:25:40 > 1:25:43I find it best to number them. Much quicker.
1:25:43 > 1:25:46First Hun, second, third, fourth...
1:25:47 > 1:25:50Keep an eye on him, if I were you. He's only got a few hours left.
1:25:50 > 1:25:52Ich sterbe! Hast du kein Herz?
1:25:53 > 1:25:55Well, er, that's it.
1:25:55 > 1:25:58Best to get stuck right in, I...I find.
1:26:00 > 1:26:02Nein! Nein...
1:26:05 > 1:26:06What about the British huts?
1:26:06 > 1:26:08Over to you, then. Plenty of time to change later.
1:26:12 > 1:26:14MAN COUGHS
1:26:14 > 1:26:16Put it down where you can. There's not many beds left.
1:26:18 > 1:26:19Ah, gangrene.
1:26:19 > 1:26:22Brittain, get some antiseptic on this filthy Hun.
1:26:27 > 1:26:33"Here I am, dear Edward, fighting to save German soldiers
1:26:33 > 1:26:36"that just a few miles away you're risking your life to kill.
1:26:37 > 1:26:39"It makes you wonder."
1:26:39 > 1:26:42Brittain, over here!
1:26:42 > 1:26:44"Really, it does.
1:27:01 > 1:27:03"I waited for you again on Sunday.
1:27:04 > 1:27:07"I'll be here every week until you can come."
1:27:15 > 1:27:18Brittain. It's hopeless. Get the screen.
1:27:18 > 1:27:22Lieber Gott! Nicht so.
1:27:22 > 1:27:26- All right, old boy, all right. - Nicht so. Nicht hier!
1:27:28 > 1:27:30Meine Augen! Ich sehe nichts.
1:27:30 > 1:27:32Calm down, old chap.
1:27:34 > 1:27:35Hilf mir!
1:27:35 > 1:27:37Sei still. Alles in Ordnung.
1:27:42 > 1:27:43Klara?
1:27:44 > 1:27:46Klara, bist du's?
1:27:49 > 1:27:51Ja.
1:27:51 > 1:27:53Ja, ich bin hier.
1:27:55 > 1:27:57Keine Angst.
1:28:01 > 1:28:04Verzeih mir, Klara. Bitte verzeih mir.
1:28:06 > 1:28:08Naturlich.
1:28:11 > 1:28:12Ich bin hier.
1:28:12 > 1:28:14HE GASPS
1:28:17 > 1:28:19EXHALES
1:28:46 > 1:28:47To let his soul escape.
1:28:54 > 1:28:57Control your mind. It's the only way.
1:28:58 > 1:29:01Deep breaths. That's it.
1:29:04 > 1:29:07- WOMAN:- I need some help here.
1:29:08 > 1:29:11I'm fine. Thank you.
1:29:19 > 1:29:21SHE SIGHS
1:29:36 > 1:29:40"I feel it bitterly to have been moved further away from you,
1:29:40 > 1:29:41"dear sister.
1:29:41 > 1:29:44"All these months without being able to come and see you.
1:29:46 > 1:29:48"Last Sunday we marched past Louvencourt,
1:29:48 > 1:29:51"and I was able to escape to visit Roland's grave.
1:29:53 > 1:29:55"I stood before it and prayed
1:29:55 > 1:29:58"that I might live to be worthy of his friendship.
1:30:01 > 1:30:04"But I didn't feel his presence there.
1:30:04 > 1:30:07"Perhaps he's where he belongs instead - with you."
1:30:10 > 1:30:12- MAN:- There's a big push coming. - SIREN WAILS
1:30:26 > 1:30:28EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE
1:30:34 > 1:30:36DULL THUDDING
1:30:38 > 1:30:39The Germans are getting closer.
1:31:15 > 1:31:17Gently.
1:31:19 > 1:31:20Nurse! Nurse?
1:32:13 > 1:32:14Nurse.
1:32:18 > 1:32:19Yes?
1:32:20 > 1:32:23- I'm cold. - I'll get you a blanket.
1:32:25 > 1:32:27Here.
1:32:28 > 1:32:29Mustard gas.
1:32:32 > 1:32:35One of the boys was insisting he knew you.
1:32:35 > 1:32:36Probably delirium. Seen it before.
1:32:36 > 1:32:38Where?
1:32:38 > 1:32:39We had to take him round the back.
1:32:40 > 1:32:44He said his name was, er... Edward, I think.
1:32:44 > 1:32:45What?
1:32:51 > 1:32:53SHE GRUNTS
1:32:54 > 1:32:56Edward?
1:33:02 > 1:33:03Edward!
1:33:17 > 1:33:19Edward!
1:33:22 > 1:33:23Edward!
1:33:30 > 1:33:31SHE SOBS
1:33:35 > 1:33:37No!
1:33:39 > 1:33:40Edward?
1:33:45 > 1:33:48He's alive! Help me!
1:33:54 > 1:33:55Bring him here!
1:33:55 > 1:33:57Come... Lift... Not the arm, no...
1:33:57 > 1:33:59That's it.
1:34:01 > 1:34:03Edward?
1:34:07 > 1:34:09Wound's infected. We need to sterilise it.
1:34:11 > 1:34:12Wait.
1:34:21 > 1:34:22Edward.
1:34:23 > 1:34:24Edward!
1:34:26 > 1:34:29Edward. Edward, come back to me.
1:34:30 > 1:34:33Edward. Edward, it's Vera.
1:34:35 > 1:34:37EDWARD MUMBLES
1:35:04 > 1:35:06- MAN:- Quickly, now.
1:35:11 > 1:35:13MELODY PLAYS ON GRAMOPHONE
1:35:28 > 1:35:30BIRD CHIRPS
1:35:49 > 1:35:51CHUCKLES
1:35:52 > 1:35:55I dreamt an angel played me music.
1:35:58 > 1:36:02We were back at the lake together, all of us.
1:36:02 > 1:36:04Remember? It was the day Victor dived in.
1:36:04 > 1:36:06LAUGHING Yes.
1:36:06 > 1:36:08I told him there were rats.
1:36:13 > 1:36:14- Oh, God!- Sssh.
1:36:18 > 1:36:19Ssh.
1:36:21 > 1:36:23You're back now.
1:36:31 > 1:36:33I found this in your pocket last night.
1:36:36 > 1:36:37From Geoffrey.
1:36:43 > 1:36:44I didn't read it.
1:36:46 > 1:36:48I keep it with me.
1:36:52 > 1:36:55I want you to hear his voice.
1:36:55 > 1:36:57No. Don't move.
1:37:07 > 1:37:10"We walked back to the barracks last night,
1:37:10 > 1:37:13"all of us thoroughly exhausted."
1:37:15 > 1:37:18- GEOFFREY CONTINUES: - "It was a scene of devastation,
1:37:18 > 1:37:21"and yet, as I looked at it,
1:37:21 > 1:37:24"a strange feeling came over me.
1:37:25 > 1:37:28"The setting sun had lit up the water in the shell holes,
1:37:28 > 1:37:31"so they looked like pools of gold.
1:37:31 > 1:37:36"And I felt a presence there, greater than all this.
1:37:38 > 1:37:42"Such...peace, Edward.
1:37:44 > 1:37:48"And I thought of you, dear friend.
1:37:48 > 1:37:51"And I knew I'd see you again,
1:37:51 > 1:37:55"either in this world or the hereafter."
1:38:03 > 1:38:05EDWARD SOBS
1:38:13 > 1:38:15I wish you didn't have to leave.
1:38:16 > 1:38:19But I'm glad it's Italy you're going to.
1:38:19 > 1:38:21The fighting's lighter there.
1:38:24 > 1:38:27When it's over, let's travel together.
1:38:27 > 1:38:30- Exotic places. - Like Italy.
1:38:35 > 1:38:38Promise me you'll go back to Oxford, Vera,
1:38:38 > 1:38:39do what you've always wanted to do.
1:38:39 > 1:38:41I can't imagine that any more.
1:38:41 > 1:38:43Are you coming, sir?
1:38:47 > 1:38:48Do it.
1:38:50 > 1:38:52Only if you come too.
1:39:15 > 1:39:17- MR BRITTAIN:- "Come home immediately, Vera.
1:39:17 > 1:39:19"Mother in crisis."
1:39:19 > 1:39:21Domestic duties beckon.
1:39:26 > 1:39:27SHE SIGHS
1:39:50 > 1:39:53Oh! Vera, what a relief.
1:39:54 > 1:39:57- Mother? - I've had a terrible turn.
1:39:58 > 1:40:01Erm, Cook left, you know.
1:40:04 > 1:40:08And you...you can't get anything in the shops.
1:40:08 > 1:40:11There's no meat. There's no butter.
1:40:13 > 1:40:14There were no eggs.
1:40:15 > 1:40:17What are we going to cook for Edward?
1:40:17 > 1:40:18I thought it was an emergency.
1:40:21 > 1:40:24I thought maybe we could make him a meringue.
1:40:27 > 1:40:30Yes, well, I... I've been in bed for weeks.
1:40:34 > 1:40:38Erm...and nothing's been done in the house.
1:40:41 > 1:40:44The whole situation is really quite dreadful.
1:40:45 > 1:40:48Oh, Vera. It's lovely to see you.
1:41:15 > 1:41:17Time to find a cook.
1:41:18 > 1:41:21There's household chores, too, if you don't mind, and...
1:41:21 > 1:41:23mountains of ironing.
1:41:23 > 1:41:26I have to go at five. I've got a dance.
1:41:29 > 1:41:31They still have those, do they?
1:41:39 > 1:41:41They're beautiful, dear.
1:41:48 > 1:41:50BICYCLE BELL DINGS
1:42:29 > 1:42:32DOORBELL RINGS
1:42:32 > 1:42:33I'll get it!
1:42:48 > 1:42:51MR BRITTAIN SOBS
1:42:58 > 1:43:00PANTING
1:43:29 > 1:43:31SHE WAILS
1:44:16 > 1:44:17FAINT EXPLOSION
1:44:23 > 1:44:24It's over!
1:44:24 > 1:44:27The Armistice has been signed!
1:44:46 > 1:44:48FIREWORKS BANG
1:44:56 > 1:44:57CHEERING FADES
1:45:16 > 1:45:19PANTING
1:45:24 > 1:45:27INDISTINCT MURMURING
1:46:21 > 1:46:23BELL TOLLS
1:46:42 > 1:46:44Oh, Miss Brittain!
1:46:45 > 1:46:47- Back at last. - Yes.
1:46:51 > 1:46:52So, Chaucer this term.
1:46:52 > 1:46:55You've certainly got some catching up to do.
1:47:15 > 1:47:18Hello. I'm Winifred Holtby.
1:47:18 > 1:47:21I've just found out we're tutorial partners this term.
1:47:23 > 1:47:26I heard you wanted to be a writer. Me, too.
1:47:26 > 1:47:29We could look at each other's work, if you like.
1:47:31 > 1:47:32Look, I really must get on.
1:47:32 > 1:47:34Oh. Of course.
1:48:20 > 1:48:22SHE WHIMPERS
1:48:52 > 1:48:54SHE GASPS
1:49:05 > 1:49:07BREATHING HEAVILY
1:49:18 > 1:49:22Vera? Goodness. Are you all right?
1:49:30 > 1:49:33C-Can somebody give me a hand here?
1:49:35 > 1:49:39Hey. You're all right. You're all right.
1:49:42 > 1:49:44I brought some more books for you.
1:49:46 > 1:49:49Did you manage to read the last ones?
1:50:03 > 1:50:06I saved my brother's life over there, you know,
1:50:06 > 1:50:07in France.
1:50:14 > 1:50:16But the war still got him.
1:50:23 > 1:50:25I was there for the last few months.
1:50:25 > 1:50:28I volunteered at a signal station near Abbeville.
1:50:34 > 1:50:36I didn't know.
1:50:37 > 1:50:40All of us are surrounded by ghosts.
1:50:41 > 1:50:44Now we need to learn how to live with them.
1:50:46 > 1:50:48You must start at the beginning.
1:50:48 > 1:50:51Get up, get dressed, eat.
1:50:51 > 1:50:53Spring is out there waiting.
1:50:55 > 1:50:57BIRDS CHIRPING
1:50:58 > 1:51:00WOMEN LAUGHING
1:51:44 > 1:51:47Recently, the German Foreign Minister dared suggest
1:51:47 > 1:51:50we are all responsible for the war...
1:51:50 > 1:51:52- PEOPLE CLAMOUR - ..and should jointly pay the price!
1:51:52 > 1:51:56- To which we say to him, who started it? - PEOPLE ROAR APPROVAL
1:51:56 > 1:51:57There's nothing the Kaiser can do
1:51:57 > 1:52:00to compensate the men and women of this country,
1:52:00 > 1:52:03but still the Germans must pay.
1:52:03 > 1:52:07The philosophy of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
1:52:07 > 1:52:10is a dangerous one. The whole cycle could be repeated.
1:52:10 > 1:52:12Are you suggesting we let them walk all over us?
1:52:13 > 1:52:17Look her in the eye, sir, and tell her to love the Germans.
1:52:18 > 1:52:22They killed my eldest at the Somme.
1:52:22 > 1:52:24And my next one, Harry.
1:52:25 > 1:52:27And you stand here and defend them.
1:52:27 > 1:52:29CLAMOURING
1:52:33 > 1:52:35- Miss Brittain. - Officer.
1:52:35 > 1:52:37George, please. George Catlin.
1:52:37 > 1:52:39The lady has something to say.
1:52:44 > 1:52:45Speak up.
1:52:49 > 1:52:50I was a nurse at the front.
1:52:50 > 1:52:52Good on you, miss.
1:52:52 > 1:52:55Is there anyone else who would like to share anything that...?
1:52:55 > 1:52:57No, I haven't finished.
1:52:58 > 1:52:59I...
1:53:03 > 1:53:06For a time I looked after a hut of German officers.
1:53:06 > 1:53:08PEOPLE ROAR DISAPPROVAL
1:53:09 > 1:53:10Not too well, I hope, miss.
1:53:10 > 1:53:13As you were speaking, I was remembering one of them.
1:53:16 > 1:53:19I held his hand as he was dying. THEY SCOFF
1:53:19 > 1:53:21He cried out for a woman he loved.
1:53:21 > 1:53:25He faced the end of his life by asking her forgiveness.
1:53:27 > 1:53:32I lost a brother in the war. And my fiance.
1:53:34 > 1:53:35VERA LAUGHS SOFTLY
1:53:36 > 1:53:39I can't make sense of it either,
1:53:39 > 1:53:41except when I held the hand of that German...
1:53:43 > 1:53:46..it was their hands, too, that I was holding.
1:53:46 > 1:53:47PEOPLE CLAMOUR
1:53:47 > 1:53:49Their pain was the same pain.
1:53:49 > 1:53:51Their blood the same blood.
1:53:51 > 1:53:55Our grief is the grief of hundreds
1:53:55 > 1:53:57and thousands of German women and men.
1:53:58 > 1:54:00No, don't listen!
1:54:01 > 1:54:02Sit down!
1:54:02 > 1:54:03I...
1:54:03 > 1:54:06I speak to those of us who are left behind!
1:54:06 > 1:54:08CLAMOURING CEASES
1:54:08 > 1:54:14The mothers, sisters, women. We sent our men to war!
1:54:15 > 1:54:19I fought my father to let my brother go.
1:54:22 > 1:54:27Because we think it's the right thing, the honourable thing.
1:54:31 > 1:54:33But all I can do is stand here and ask you...
1:54:35 > 1:54:36Is it?
1:54:37 > 1:54:39Was I right?
1:54:40 > 1:54:41Can I find the courage
1:54:41 > 1:54:44to accept there might be another way?
1:54:46 > 1:54:49Perhaps their deaths have meaning
1:54:49 > 1:54:52only if we stand together now and say, "No!"
1:54:54 > 1:54:56No to killing.
1:54:56 > 1:54:57No to war.
1:54:59 > 1:55:03No to the endless cycle of revenge.
1:55:03 > 1:55:04I say no more of it.
1:55:11 > 1:55:12No more.
1:55:39 > 1:55:42- ROLAND:- "The sunshine on the long white road
1:55:42 > 1:55:44"That ribboned down the hill,
1:55:44 > 1:55:48"The velvet clematis that clung around your window-sill
1:55:48 > 1:55:51"Are waiting for you still.
1:55:51 > 1:55:55"Again the shadowed pool shall break In dimples at your feet,
1:55:56 > 1:56:00"And when the lark sings in your wood,
1:56:00 > 1:56:04"Unknowing you may meet Another stranger, Sweet.
1:56:05 > 1:56:07"It will be better so."
1:57:21 > 1:57:24'They'll want to forget you.
1:57:26 > 1:57:28'They'll want me to forget.
1:57:34 > 1:57:35'But I can't.
1:57:38 > 1:57:39'I won't.
1:57:45 > 1:57:47'This is my promise to you now.
1:57:51 > 1:57:53'All of you.'