The Agatha Christie Hour (1982) s01e02 Episode Script
In a Glass Darkly
Well done, Neil.
I'm almost persuaded you know one end of a horse from the other.
I know both ends are dangerous! Pa won't Iet me use the motor.
But then, motors don't bite, do they? Nor do they kick.
Why have we stopped? Well, there you are, old man.
Thefamily seat.
I say! Looks good, doesn't it? We always show Badgeworthy off from here.
- Any closer and you can see the cracks.
-(chuckles) iwon't bethe only guest,wilL i? Oh, no.
But you're the only guest to brave the journey by the railway.
I Iike trains.
That is because you're a country bumpkin.
Your room.
You wash and brush up, change for dinner and I'II be up to find you.
We never Iet guests come down alone since old Admiral Worthy sneaked outfor a snifter and wasfound an hour Iater wandering in a distracted manner round the attics.
You know, it was good of you to ask me.
It's jolly good of you to come.
Between ourselves, you're my only pal here.
This is really Sylvia's party, for her engagement, so apart from you, it'sfamily andfamily friends.
Well, I won't know anyone here.
- You know me, and the horrible brat.
- Is AIan coming? Yes, the young bounder would never miss a bun fight.
You'II be relieved to hear that no man will unpackfor you, so the guilty secrets of that will be unrevealed in the servants' quarters.
Well, I am relieved.
D'you know, I hate being unpacked.
I don't know a man who doesn't.
However, we didn't omit a manservant out of considerationfor yourfeelings.
Thefact is, there aren't enough to go round.
The house may be Iarge, but the exchequer is small.
There have been Carslakes at Badgeworthyfor 300 years, and what we Iack in tangible currency, we make upfor in history.
Is the place haunted? No, my ancestors werefar too Iazy to haunt.
There are rumours offootsteps, and the usual, not to say obligatory, groans, rattles and headless nuns, but I've never seen or heard anything.
As soon as I've changed I'II be backfor you.
(bumpkin accent) So move yourself! You're not on thefarm now.
- Good evening, madam.
- Ah, Hobbs.
Should one Iight the fire? I hardly think so, madam.
It is a beautiful evening.
But people from townfeel the cold.
Don't you worry, madam.
It's ready to be Iit as soon as dinner's over.
Dear Mrs Hobbs.
I'm sure this is being a great burden on you all.
Good gracious, no, madam, it's Iike a partyfor us.
OId Badgeworthy entertaining society again.
And Miss Sylvia as well, her engagement.
It seems Iike only yesterday she was no more than a bit of a bairn.
- That'II do, Mary, you can go now.
- AII is well in the kitchens? God willing, madam, and a better meal they're unlikely to sample in town, for all it may be warmer up there.
- Everyone has arrived? - Yes, madam.
Master Neil has returned with his friend whom he collected at the halt.
Oh, yes, what was his name? Armitage, madam, Mr Matthew Armitage.
How is one ever going to remember all the names? You don't have to, madam.
Dear Mr and Mrs Hobbs.
What would any of us do without you? With your help I'm sure this evening is going to be a great, great success.
You are cold, madam.
No, not really.
(Matthew hums) Drat! Screams) Oh, my God, no! Are you ready? Neil! Is there a door behind this confounded wardrobe? - Well, yes, there is, why? - Is there a room behind the door? - A guest bedroom.
- Who's in it? Major OIdham and his wife, Sylvia's godmother.
Why? - Has she gotfair hair? - No, since you ask.
She's dark, stout and in her 50s.
Seefor yourself soon.
They were on their way down as I came to your door.
What is the matter, Armitage? Nothing.
It's just that Nothing.
- Have you been at the hip flask? - No, I don't possess one.
Pity, could do with a swig.
Shall we go down? Thank you, Hobbs.
come and meet someone.
Excuse me.
Lucy, Sylvia.
I'd Iike you to meet my sister, Sylvia.
Sylvia, Matthew Armitage.
I'm most terribly sorry.
SIipped right out of my hand.
(Hobbs) AIIow me, sir, no harm done.
It was whisky, I think.
I'II give this to Mrs Hobbs.
Now then, Neil, won't you introduce me to your young friend? Sorry, Papa, I was about to, but Sylvia quite knocked him off balance.
Matthew, myfather.
Pa, Matthew Armitage.
- How do you do, sir? - How do you do? Your people are infarming, am I right? Yes, sir, Suffolk.
Very windy place.
Now then, my dear, what've you done with Crawley? He's here, Papa.
Armitage, good to see you.
AIright? I declare, he must have seen the headless nun! Shut your mouth, old chap.
The wind could change! Don't be tiresome, AIan.
Poor Mr Armitage willfeel hopelessly set upon.
May I introduce my fiancé, Charles Crawley? Charles, this is a friend of my brother's.
- Matthew Armitage.
How do you do? - How do you do? So, you're to be married.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Charles, I hope AIan showed you the view from the west.
Indeed he did, it's magnificent.
It gives me afeeling of permanence.
The Empire, hearth and home.
- Something Iike that, Edward.
- Let's pray it may Iast.
- Well, why shouldn't it? - Dinner is served.
Oh, you men! What has the murder of aforeign archduke to do with us? Come along, shall we go in? We're allfamily.
Ah, Mr Armitage, perhaps you would Iike to accompany my son.
We seem to have an excess of men at ourfeast.
Tuck in.
Now, shall we go in? (chatter) Whatever was the matter? Spilling Pa's good whisky all over Ma's good carpet.
- I'm most terribly sorry.
- No good being smitten by Sylvia.
- Most men are, but she's spokenfor.
- It's not that He's a thoroughly nice chap with a pretty good income.
- Look - Not now, old man.
Keep them waiting, you will have made a blunder.
What has got into you? Whatever it is, I don't want to hear.
This is a party.
Some saythelast party we'll be havingfor sometime.
Come on, old man! Neil, when is Sylvia getting married? I don't know.
They've only just engaged themselves.
Ask Sylvia.
Come on! In September, Mr Armitage.
Charles has business interests in South africa.
We will honeymoon on the Cape.
- And shall you Iike South Africa? - How can I tell until I have been? Will you Iive there? Charles says it's no place for a youngfamily to grow up.
I'm happy at that.
I should not Iikefor too Iong to befar from Badgeworthy.
I've Iived here all my Iife, you know.
What What are Mr Crawley's business interests? Why, I scarcely know.
Commerce, I believe.
Papa says he's financially sound.
Why do you ask? Miss carslake Mr Armitage, please, calm yourself.
You know.
- Know? - Something.
Tell me.
Perhaps we should join the others.
Miss Carslake, you must not marry that man.
I don't know what it was.
My first night here, a vision, a waking dream.
Could it be that? I do not know, Mr Armitage.
I do not know what you're talking about.
(owl hoots) You must think me such an idiot.
A Iunatic! But I must speak.
I should neverforgive myself otherwise.
No.
I don't think you're an idiot or a Iunatic.
There's a seat along here.
The night you arrived here, you were telling me, Mr Armitage.
Yes, I was in my room, tying my tie PIease.
Look here, do you see? I saw in the mirror a door open behind me where the wardrobe stands.
- And? - And I saw into the room beyond.
I saw a young woman.
You, Miss Carslake.
And he he had his hands around your neck, squeezing the Iife from your body, forcing you to the It was you.
It was.
- And the man, he was - I couldn't see hisface.
He had his back to me, I couldn't see.
Miss carslake The man had a Iong scar on the Ieft-hand side of his neck.
I did see.
I'm not making it up.
Charles got that scar as a young man, a riding accident.
You had to tell me.
What a strange vision.
Or dream? I think I'd Iike to walk a Iittle on my own now, Mr Armitage.
I'm Ieaving early in the morning.
Neil is driving me to the halt.
Then perhaps we'd better say goodbye now.
You do believe me? - What you saw? - Yes.
Yes.
Goodbye, Mr Armitage, it's been Goodbye.
DearestMother, yourletter hasreached me here.
(boom ofexploding shels) Things are a bit quiet atthe moment, so i'm abletowriteyou afewlines.
Thiswas allfarmland once.
It'sjust mud now.
We're making adeviL ofa mess ofFrance.
Fatherwould have had afit, for nothing much grows here.
ShelLwhistLes) (explosion) For nothing grows here.
But i supposewhenthisis alL over therewilL be grass again, and birds.
(sighs) Oh, ido missthe birds.
How iwish i could bewithyou nowyou are so alone.
But iknowthatmy placeis here.
ShelLwhistLes) (explosion) (explosions) - What time is it? - About two hours to dawn.
You get some sleep, old chap.
BIoody Hun! Yes, some poor blighter's down the French Iines toward Verdun.
- Captain Armitage! - Sir? - Give me a hand, will you? - Yes, sir.
Restfor a weary man, Armitage.
New recruits from the Egyptian front.
They've had a bit of a job getting here, and this poorfellow could do with a bit of reviver, I think.
Talk to him, Matthew.
He seemed to think he knows you.
- Captain Mountjoy? - Sir.
I need your help, please.
There are 40 new recruits to befound homesfor.
Sir.
Why can't the flaming French fight their own war? Here you are, old chap.
Now you'II be safe here.
Having a quiet time of it.
Bit hectic down toward Verdun.
And those poor blighters at Ypres say we're having an absolute tea party! Matthew.
Matthew Armitage.
Neil! Neil! (Matthew) It's alright, old chap.
I wanted to be strong and brave.
We all did.
(hugeexplosion) Hey, come on.
Sit down.
That's it.
There now - One of those has my name on it.
- We don't know that.
I do.
Will you break it to Sylvia? Now, stop talking Iike this, old chap.
It's bad Iuckfor all of us.
- Do you remember Sylvia? - Yes, of course.
I don't know what you said to her, but she never did marry Crawley.
Poor old charles.
She was pretty cut up about it, but she sent him packing, sweetly, I'm sure.
(hugeexplosion) What do you mean, what I said to her? I always thought you said something to her.
Why? Because you were with us on that Iast evening.
Last eveningfor us all, really.
God, I'm so scared! I am so scared! I'm ashamed of it.
Come on, get some sleep, old chap.
come on.
You'II be safe here.
- Will you stay here? - Yes.
Yes.
Right here.
Just right here.
Do you remember that day at Badgeworthy? We went riding.
Later you wentfor a walk with Sylvia.
It'II never be Iike that again.
Never, ever.
I know.
Do you believe in presentiments? - Hmm? - Visions, you know, knowing the future? Do you? (Matthew) DearestMother.
.
I am coming home, but idon'tknowfor howlong, Andwith such a sad heart.
Neil CarslakewaskilLedin no-man's landjust beforedawnyesterday.
Iwas beside him.
Ididn't even get a scratch.
Nothing, Oh,Mother.
.
- Sylvia.
- No.
Better not to speak.
Poor Neil.
Poor all of us.
And you, Matthew You Iook so tired.
See? There are still flowers.
Sylvia I want to help.
You Ioved him too, didn't you? Yes.
He was my best He was my very dearest friend.
Then I'm thankful you were there.
Poor flowers.
Now they're dying too.
I must go back to my mother.
And poor Papa.
Thank you, Matthew.
(hugeexplosion) - What's your name? - Barton, sir, C Company.
Well, Barton, this is no place for a nap.
Come on.
It's my Ieg, sir.
(constant gunfire) screamsin pain) - Right.
-(yels) - Can you make it back to our Iines? - Suppose I'II have to, won't I? Come on, then, I'II take your gun.
(yels) (yels) It's notfar, it's notfar.
AIright, steady.
Steady.
Steady! Just keep going.
Wish the buggers would stop, sir.
So do I, Barton.
So do I.
(Barton) I mean, this is no way to behave, is it? I mean it's not even bloody polite.
Those are our guns, Barton.
They're our guns.
Right Well, we should be (yels) Ah, Sylvia Sylvia.
There are flowers in heaven.
There certainly are at Badgeworthy.
Oh, it's you.
Here.
I came as soon as I heard.
Your mother wrote and told me you were back and sent me your address.
The Ietter arrived this morning, so you see I've wasted no time.
- I wanted to die.
- Don't.
I'd taken everything away.
From whom? Well, from you, my darling girl.
From me? When I told you about Neil, I thought my heart would break to see you in such anguish.
But I could only have heard it from you.
And then What happened to Charles Crawley? He was killed on the Somme, two years ago.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I'm so very sorry.
Yes.
Poor charles.
But why do you think I broke off our engagement? Because of my vision.
No.
No, dear, dear Matthew.
Because of you.
I would hardly have been decent to have married him when my heart was beating for another.
For another? From the first time I saw you at Badgeworthy, I knew I Ioved you.
Come along, Mr Armitage, timefor nature to heal that wound.
- Oh, not now, nurse! - Yes, now.
The young Iady may wait.
This won't take a moment.
There now, Mr Armitage, two good eyes, and nothing to show for it all but a wee bit of a scar.
I think it gives him a certain dash, don't you, miss? You were Iucky.
They're not all Iucky, you know.
- Do I Iook awful? - No.
I was so afraidfor you.
If this war should ever end .
.
and we go back to Iiving again .
.
would you? I should be down on one kneefor this, and here I am Iying flat on my back.
I Iove you so much.
D'you think it's possible to Iove someone too much? Because if it were, it would be my only crime.
And I Iove you too.
More than Crawley? I don't think you can compare.
I simply Iove you.
Not as much as I Iove you.
Not as much.
(man) Why, my dear, what do you do all day? I shouldn't Iike it at all.
You're happy, Sylvia, aren't you? You're my Iittle sister, and I shouldn't Iike you to be otherwise.
Yes, AIan, I am happy.
Mama wonders very much if she's to be a grandmother.
- Only Mama? - Papa as well.
He's Iongingfor a grandson.
Well, why not? We're talking about you, my Iove, not about me.
You've been married nearlyfour years now.
There should be, Iet me think There should be (chuckles) .
.
drifts of baby whiteness blowing in the wind! Very poetic! Talent will out.
The Sitwells think me promising, which would be wonderful, if they weren't mad as hatters.
- The Sitwells? Do we know them? - ClownsHouses.
TheWoodenPegasus, Rescue me, dearest, my brother is now talking in riddles.
Armitage, you are keeping my sister under Iock and key.
Too much country can be badfor a person.
She must come to London, meet some interesting people.
She might even meet the Sitwells.
Not now.
Come and have tea.
It's nearly timefor you to go.
My wife can come and go as she pleases.
It is only I confined to thisfarm.
Oh, pooh! You have a manager, Matthew, who does all the work.
We all know why you never Ieave this frozen wilderness.
You're afraid some young Adonis might enchant Sylvia down off her perch.
Infidelity is all the rage this season.
Not in Suffolk, sir! Pardonnez-moi! Oh, AIan! AIan is He's just AIan, Matthew.
He's always been a tease all his Iife.
One Iearns not to Iet him upset one.
Oh, does one? - You're taking this too seriously.
- Maybe there's truth in what he says.
(dogs barkindstance) Since Neil was killed, we've become very close.
Particularly as Pa is a Iittle disappointed with him.
Well, your poorfather.
Is there any small wonder? Matthew! Well, the man's an artistic, Sylvia, he's a poet.
Yes.
He's also my brother and a dear, Ioving person, and I don't wish to discuss him with you.
Well, why don't you go and Iive with him and have a jolly time together? AII those Chelsea types.
Or where? BIoomsbury, yes, that's the place to be now, isn't it? Darling, are you trying to divorce me? I won't Iet you go.
I Iove you, Sylvia.
I know.
I know it's not much funfor you here.
I am with you.
That's all that matters.
If only I could believe that.
Yes, Matthew, if only you could.
I didn't always want to be afarmer.
Do you remember when we first met? I was at university with Neil.
I wanted to be a historian, which probably meant I'd have ended up teaching bored Iittle schoolboys history in a minor public school somewhere.
I'd have enjoyed that.
Yes, darling.
And then the war came.
Changed everything.
You were to be married to Charles Crawley.
Maybe neither of us got what we wanted.
- Matthew, you must stop this.
- And then the war came.
Changed everything.
Fun.
Took away my sense of fun.
This house needs children.
It's alright.
It's alright, Matthew.
I'm here, Matthew.
It's overThewar it's over (Matthew) Notyet, ithink.
Not yet.
Perhaps we should give a party.
Celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Mama and Pa will be staying here, then.
Your mother could come.
Perhapswe haveto make ourlives, notexpect itto happen.
Charlotte and Graham could come.
And her brother's stayingwiththem.
Where's Graham? Never marry a doctor.
It's impossible to make arrangements.
He's probably delivering a Iusty infant over at Staplethorpe.
Sylvia, the man I wanted you to meet.
He's rather good-Iooking, but don't be dismayed, he has brains as well.
- Charlotte's brother? - Didn't I say? Living in the country makes one Iose all the social graces.
- Charlotte, names would be useful.
- What? Oh, this is Sylvia Armitage, the prettiestfarmer's wife in Suffolk.
- Don't be so niggardly in your praise! - This is my brother, Derek Wainwright.
Don't ask me what he does, darling.
He was going to be a respectable doctor Iike all the rest of ourfamily.
Even I married one.
But no, Derek has to be different.
Matthew! Yoo-hoo! Darling! (Matthew) How nice to see you.
Charlotte divides her time between telling me how jealous Matthew is and trying to right the balance by making me jealous instead.
- What do you do, Mr Wainwright? - I'm a sort of doctor.
Oh.
I get embarrassed when people ask me that at parties.
I don't know why.
Then Iet's pretend I never asked.
No, no, I don't mind telling you.
I am studying in Vienna.
Oh? Sorry.
I am studying to be a psychiatrist.
- That's rather the vogue now, isn't it? - Thank you.
I've never really understood what it means.
A doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of the mind.
Are you successful? I personally, or psychiatry as a practice? I suppose I meant can such disorders be treated? At Ieast you acknowledge that they do exist.
Oh, yes, Mr Wainwright.
If not before, then certainly they're a Iegacy of the war.
It's so sad that the men who returned are bedevilled byfearful memories.
- But not all of us.
- No.
You're right, it's an unsuitable conversationfor a party.
Make me Iaugh, Mr Wainwright.
Charlotte always boasts about what a wit you are.
(woman) Matthew? Matthew, I'm speaking to you.
I'm sorry, Mother.
My dear, are you alright? Yes.
Yes, of course.
Matthew? What is it? It's nothing.
I'm alright.
Go back to our guests.
- Dearest? - Go back to our guests, Sylvia.
Very well.
But shouldn't a good hostess circulate a Iittle more? Not spend all evening talking to the one handsome man in the room? Particularly when that man does not happen to be her husband.
I shall ignore that remark, Matthew, and just remind you that we have guests.
He's herefor your pleasure, remember? This party isfor you to relieve the boredom of Iiving with me! (woman) Now, Mr Carslake, how's that young son of yours doing? I hear from Sylvia he's had his verses published.
You must be very proud.
(man) Proud? The world's gone mad.
My husband doesn't hold with artistic pursuits.
No, I do not.
And knitting isfor women.
(woman) Ohhh! Your husband went right through the war, I believe.
A brave man.
Yes.
He got medalsfor his bravery.
Medals.
You must meet our other guests, Mr Wainwright.
Of course.
If ever you need my help, I'm staying with charlottefor a short while.
After that I'II be in London.
That won't be necessary.
Thank you.
(Matthew) Good night.
Put this in your handbag.
I meant what I said.
- He's just very highly strung.
- Let me be the judge of that.
(Charlotte) We Iike having you both as neighbours.
Thank youfor a delightful evening.
- I'II take you up on that offer.
- My dear chap, any time.
Whenever you're staying with Charlotte, we'II expect you, won't we, Sylvia? Thank you, thank you.
A hit, my dear, a hit! Sylvia About earlier.
I'm sorry.
We still have guests, Matthew.
Whatever may have gone wrong between us, at Ieast Iet our parents be spared.
(hooves clip-clop) I won, and I refuse to believe you Iet me.
(SyLvia) Oh, I enjoyed that.
Thank you.
- You know, don't you? - No.
That I'mfalling in Iove with you.
You mustn't.
- You mustn't.
I Iove my husband.
- But you're unhappy.
That doesn't stop me Ioving him, Derek.
Who's the Ietter from? It was addressed to me.
But you are my wife.
I own you.
Now who is that Ietter from? I will not tell you.
I'm going up to my room.
My Ietters are my private Iife.
And your mind is your private mind and you close me out of both! Who was that Ietter from? No! It was from him, wasn't it? Derek Wainwright.
He hasn't been around much Iately, has he? What's the matter? Had a Iovers' tiff, have you? Or perhaps you thought your meetings should become more clandestine.
AII that carrying on under my very nose was too muchfor even afool Iike me.
My God, Sylvia.
You're destroying me.
Tearing me apart.
Damn you! Damn you! Why did you marry me? Why didn't you Ieave me in peace? My God You trapped me.
I should've known.
You cast Crawley off without Without Oh, my God! My vision was right but I saved you from it.
Crawley would've strangled you with his bare hands, and who would suspect you'd driven him to it? You flirt! You flirt! Well, don't think that I won't Iet you go.
You are the only woman I ever Ioved.
Till death us do part.
Do you remember? (SyLvia) i supposethisis avery traditionalway ofdoing it .
.
but i'mtoo much ofa coward tofaceyou.
I'll goto Badgeworthyfor aday ortwo.
Afterthat .
.
i'll gotothe one personintheworld whoreallyloves me and needs me.
(thunder) (hears shellsexplodingin his head) (thunder) Matthew? Sound ofshellsexploding) And so You were going to him, to Wainwright.
Oh, you cheat! You slut! - You flirt! - screams) Bitch! (Matthew) Ohhh (knock ondoor) (father) Sylvia? (knocking) Sylvia? Are you alright? - We were a Iittle concerned - Yes, Pa.
- We could hear voices, and we - It's alright, Pa.
Matthew is here.
Yes, well, we were a Iittle concerned.
It is kind of you to be concerned.
Good night.
(father) Good night.
AII this time AII these years And I never knew.
The man with the scar was.
Oh, my darling! I Iove you so much.
I've damaged you so much.
Of course, I'II never stand in the way of your happiness.
I rejoice in your happiness.
I thank Wainwright.
He has the power to give you what I never could.
Listen to me, Matthew! I've Ioved you since that day in the arbour when you told me about your strange vision.
I don't know whether I believed it or not, but I do know that it had nothing to do with charles and I.
I just could not marry one man when I Ioved another.
I couldn't.
You Ioved me.
I've Iost everything.
You Ioved me and I drove you into the arms of the man who Ioves and needs you.
AIan! Not Derek Wainwright.
AIan! That's whom my Ietter was from, my brother, who's alone, unhappy and confused and had no-one to turn to but me.
I've never stopped Ioving you, even when things were so bad between us, I didn't believe it was you, not the real you.
It was what the war had done to you.
I Iove you so much.
Do you see? Crawley's scar was on the Ieft, my scar is on the right.
The mirror reversed the image.
If I'd seen that all those years ago, I'd have never told you.
I'd have known the man was not Charles Crawley.
Everything reversed.
An illusion, make-believe.
Darling Shh! Listen.
The sound of the guns .
.
inside my head They've gone.
Thank you.
Do you know, without you, without your Iove, I have been Well I'm here with you now.
Is thefarm a good place to bring up children? Oh, yes.
Yes, a very good place.
A place we've won together in a world youfoughtfor.
(Matthew) What was it Mr Wells called it? The war to end war.
I'm almost persuaded you know one end of a horse from the other.
I know both ends are dangerous! Pa won't Iet me use the motor.
But then, motors don't bite, do they? Nor do they kick.
Why have we stopped? Well, there you are, old man.
Thefamily seat.
I say! Looks good, doesn't it? We always show Badgeworthy off from here.
- Any closer and you can see the cracks.
-(chuckles) iwon't bethe only guest,wilL i? Oh, no.
But you're the only guest to brave the journey by the railway.
I Iike trains.
That is because you're a country bumpkin.
Your room.
You wash and brush up, change for dinner and I'II be up to find you.
We never Iet guests come down alone since old Admiral Worthy sneaked outfor a snifter and wasfound an hour Iater wandering in a distracted manner round the attics.
You know, it was good of you to ask me.
It's jolly good of you to come.
Between ourselves, you're my only pal here.
This is really Sylvia's party, for her engagement, so apart from you, it'sfamily andfamily friends.
Well, I won't know anyone here.
- You know me, and the horrible brat.
- Is AIan coming? Yes, the young bounder would never miss a bun fight.
You'II be relieved to hear that no man will unpackfor you, so the guilty secrets of that will be unrevealed in the servants' quarters.
Well, I am relieved.
D'you know, I hate being unpacked.
I don't know a man who doesn't.
However, we didn't omit a manservant out of considerationfor yourfeelings.
Thefact is, there aren't enough to go round.
The house may be Iarge, but the exchequer is small.
There have been Carslakes at Badgeworthyfor 300 years, and what we Iack in tangible currency, we make upfor in history.
Is the place haunted? No, my ancestors werefar too Iazy to haunt.
There are rumours offootsteps, and the usual, not to say obligatory, groans, rattles and headless nuns, but I've never seen or heard anything.
As soon as I've changed I'II be backfor you.
(bumpkin accent) So move yourself! You're not on thefarm now.
- Good evening, madam.
- Ah, Hobbs.
Should one Iight the fire? I hardly think so, madam.
It is a beautiful evening.
But people from townfeel the cold.
Don't you worry, madam.
It's ready to be Iit as soon as dinner's over.
Dear Mrs Hobbs.
I'm sure this is being a great burden on you all.
Good gracious, no, madam, it's Iike a partyfor us.
OId Badgeworthy entertaining society again.
And Miss Sylvia as well, her engagement.
It seems Iike only yesterday she was no more than a bit of a bairn.
- That'II do, Mary, you can go now.
- AII is well in the kitchens? God willing, madam, and a better meal they're unlikely to sample in town, for all it may be warmer up there.
- Everyone has arrived? - Yes, madam.
Master Neil has returned with his friend whom he collected at the halt.
Oh, yes, what was his name? Armitage, madam, Mr Matthew Armitage.
How is one ever going to remember all the names? You don't have to, madam.
Dear Mr and Mrs Hobbs.
What would any of us do without you? With your help I'm sure this evening is going to be a great, great success.
You are cold, madam.
No, not really.
(Matthew hums) Drat! Screams) Oh, my God, no! Are you ready? Neil! Is there a door behind this confounded wardrobe? - Well, yes, there is, why? - Is there a room behind the door? - A guest bedroom.
- Who's in it? Major OIdham and his wife, Sylvia's godmother.
Why? - Has she gotfair hair? - No, since you ask.
She's dark, stout and in her 50s.
Seefor yourself soon.
They were on their way down as I came to your door.
What is the matter, Armitage? Nothing.
It's just that Nothing.
- Have you been at the hip flask? - No, I don't possess one.
Pity, could do with a swig.
Shall we go down? Thank you, Hobbs.
come and meet someone.
Excuse me.
Lucy, Sylvia.
I'd Iike you to meet my sister, Sylvia.
Sylvia, Matthew Armitage.
I'm most terribly sorry.
SIipped right out of my hand.
(Hobbs) AIIow me, sir, no harm done.
It was whisky, I think.
I'II give this to Mrs Hobbs.
Now then, Neil, won't you introduce me to your young friend? Sorry, Papa, I was about to, but Sylvia quite knocked him off balance.
Matthew, myfather.
Pa, Matthew Armitage.
- How do you do, sir? - How do you do? Your people are infarming, am I right? Yes, sir, Suffolk.
Very windy place.
Now then, my dear, what've you done with Crawley? He's here, Papa.
Armitage, good to see you.
AIright? I declare, he must have seen the headless nun! Shut your mouth, old chap.
The wind could change! Don't be tiresome, AIan.
Poor Mr Armitage willfeel hopelessly set upon.
May I introduce my fiancé, Charles Crawley? Charles, this is a friend of my brother's.
- Matthew Armitage.
How do you do? - How do you do? So, you're to be married.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Charles, I hope AIan showed you the view from the west.
Indeed he did, it's magnificent.
It gives me afeeling of permanence.
The Empire, hearth and home.
- Something Iike that, Edward.
- Let's pray it may Iast.
- Well, why shouldn't it? - Dinner is served.
Oh, you men! What has the murder of aforeign archduke to do with us? Come along, shall we go in? We're allfamily.
Ah, Mr Armitage, perhaps you would Iike to accompany my son.
We seem to have an excess of men at ourfeast.
Tuck in.
Now, shall we go in? (chatter) Whatever was the matter? Spilling Pa's good whisky all over Ma's good carpet.
- I'm most terribly sorry.
- No good being smitten by Sylvia.
- Most men are, but she's spokenfor.
- It's not that He's a thoroughly nice chap with a pretty good income.
- Look - Not now, old man.
Keep them waiting, you will have made a blunder.
What has got into you? Whatever it is, I don't want to hear.
This is a party.
Some saythelast party we'll be havingfor sometime.
Come on, old man! Neil, when is Sylvia getting married? I don't know.
They've only just engaged themselves.
Ask Sylvia.
Come on! In September, Mr Armitage.
Charles has business interests in South africa.
We will honeymoon on the Cape.
- And shall you Iike South Africa? - How can I tell until I have been? Will you Iive there? Charles says it's no place for a youngfamily to grow up.
I'm happy at that.
I should not Iikefor too Iong to befar from Badgeworthy.
I've Iived here all my Iife, you know.
What What are Mr Crawley's business interests? Why, I scarcely know.
Commerce, I believe.
Papa says he's financially sound.
Why do you ask? Miss carslake Mr Armitage, please, calm yourself.
You know.
- Know? - Something.
Tell me.
Perhaps we should join the others.
Miss Carslake, you must not marry that man.
I don't know what it was.
My first night here, a vision, a waking dream.
Could it be that? I do not know, Mr Armitage.
I do not know what you're talking about.
(owl hoots) You must think me such an idiot.
A Iunatic! But I must speak.
I should neverforgive myself otherwise.
No.
I don't think you're an idiot or a Iunatic.
There's a seat along here.
The night you arrived here, you were telling me, Mr Armitage.
Yes, I was in my room, tying my tie PIease.
Look here, do you see? I saw in the mirror a door open behind me where the wardrobe stands.
- And? - And I saw into the room beyond.
I saw a young woman.
You, Miss Carslake.
And he he had his hands around your neck, squeezing the Iife from your body, forcing you to the It was you.
It was.
- And the man, he was - I couldn't see hisface.
He had his back to me, I couldn't see.
Miss carslake The man had a Iong scar on the Ieft-hand side of his neck.
I did see.
I'm not making it up.
Charles got that scar as a young man, a riding accident.
You had to tell me.
What a strange vision.
Or dream? I think I'd Iike to walk a Iittle on my own now, Mr Armitage.
I'm Ieaving early in the morning.
Neil is driving me to the halt.
Then perhaps we'd better say goodbye now.
You do believe me? - What you saw? - Yes.
Yes.
Goodbye, Mr Armitage, it's been Goodbye.
DearestMother, yourletter hasreached me here.
(boom ofexploding shels) Things are a bit quiet atthe moment, so i'm abletowriteyou afewlines.
Thiswas allfarmland once.
It'sjust mud now.
We're making adeviL ofa mess ofFrance.
Fatherwould have had afit, for nothing much grows here.
ShelLwhistLes) (explosion) For nothing grows here.
But i supposewhenthisis alL over therewilL be grass again, and birds.
(sighs) Oh, ido missthe birds.
How iwish i could bewithyou nowyou are so alone.
But iknowthatmy placeis here.
ShelLwhistLes) (explosion) (explosions) - What time is it? - About two hours to dawn.
You get some sleep, old chap.
BIoody Hun! Yes, some poor blighter's down the French Iines toward Verdun.
- Captain Armitage! - Sir? - Give me a hand, will you? - Yes, sir.
Restfor a weary man, Armitage.
New recruits from the Egyptian front.
They've had a bit of a job getting here, and this poorfellow could do with a bit of reviver, I think.
Talk to him, Matthew.
He seemed to think he knows you.
- Captain Mountjoy? - Sir.
I need your help, please.
There are 40 new recruits to befound homesfor.
Sir.
Why can't the flaming French fight their own war? Here you are, old chap.
Now you'II be safe here.
Having a quiet time of it.
Bit hectic down toward Verdun.
And those poor blighters at Ypres say we're having an absolute tea party! Matthew.
Matthew Armitage.
Neil! Neil! (Matthew) It's alright, old chap.
I wanted to be strong and brave.
We all did.
(hugeexplosion) Hey, come on.
Sit down.
That's it.
There now - One of those has my name on it.
- We don't know that.
I do.
Will you break it to Sylvia? Now, stop talking Iike this, old chap.
It's bad Iuckfor all of us.
- Do you remember Sylvia? - Yes, of course.
I don't know what you said to her, but she never did marry Crawley.
Poor old charles.
She was pretty cut up about it, but she sent him packing, sweetly, I'm sure.
(hugeexplosion) What do you mean, what I said to her? I always thought you said something to her.
Why? Because you were with us on that Iast evening.
Last eveningfor us all, really.
God, I'm so scared! I am so scared! I'm ashamed of it.
Come on, get some sleep, old chap.
come on.
You'II be safe here.
- Will you stay here? - Yes.
Yes.
Right here.
Just right here.
Do you remember that day at Badgeworthy? We went riding.
Later you wentfor a walk with Sylvia.
It'II never be Iike that again.
Never, ever.
I know.
Do you believe in presentiments? - Hmm? - Visions, you know, knowing the future? Do you? (Matthew) DearestMother.
.
I am coming home, but idon'tknowfor howlong, Andwith such a sad heart.
Neil CarslakewaskilLedin no-man's landjust beforedawnyesterday.
Iwas beside him.
Ididn't even get a scratch.
Nothing, Oh,Mother.
.
- Sylvia.
- No.
Better not to speak.
Poor Neil.
Poor all of us.
And you, Matthew You Iook so tired.
See? There are still flowers.
Sylvia I want to help.
You Ioved him too, didn't you? Yes.
He was my best He was my very dearest friend.
Then I'm thankful you were there.
Poor flowers.
Now they're dying too.
I must go back to my mother.
And poor Papa.
Thank you, Matthew.
(hugeexplosion) - What's your name? - Barton, sir, C Company.
Well, Barton, this is no place for a nap.
Come on.
It's my Ieg, sir.
(constant gunfire) screamsin pain) - Right.
-(yels) - Can you make it back to our Iines? - Suppose I'II have to, won't I? Come on, then, I'II take your gun.
(yels) (yels) It's notfar, it's notfar.
AIright, steady.
Steady.
Steady! Just keep going.
Wish the buggers would stop, sir.
So do I, Barton.
So do I.
(Barton) I mean, this is no way to behave, is it? I mean it's not even bloody polite.
Those are our guns, Barton.
They're our guns.
Right Well, we should be (yels) Ah, Sylvia Sylvia.
There are flowers in heaven.
There certainly are at Badgeworthy.
Oh, it's you.
Here.
I came as soon as I heard.
Your mother wrote and told me you were back and sent me your address.
The Ietter arrived this morning, so you see I've wasted no time.
- I wanted to die.
- Don't.
I'd taken everything away.
From whom? Well, from you, my darling girl.
From me? When I told you about Neil, I thought my heart would break to see you in such anguish.
But I could only have heard it from you.
And then What happened to Charles Crawley? He was killed on the Somme, two years ago.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I'm so very sorry.
Yes.
Poor charles.
But why do you think I broke off our engagement? Because of my vision.
No.
No, dear, dear Matthew.
Because of you.
I would hardly have been decent to have married him when my heart was beating for another.
For another? From the first time I saw you at Badgeworthy, I knew I Ioved you.
Come along, Mr Armitage, timefor nature to heal that wound.
- Oh, not now, nurse! - Yes, now.
The young Iady may wait.
This won't take a moment.
There now, Mr Armitage, two good eyes, and nothing to show for it all but a wee bit of a scar.
I think it gives him a certain dash, don't you, miss? You were Iucky.
They're not all Iucky, you know.
- Do I Iook awful? - No.
I was so afraidfor you.
If this war should ever end .
.
and we go back to Iiving again .
.
would you? I should be down on one kneefor this, and here I am Iying flat on my back.
I Iove you so much.
D'you think it's possible to Iove someone too much? Because if it were, it would be my only crime.
And I Iove you too.
More than Crawley? I don't think you can compare.
I simply Iove you.
Not as much as I Iove you.
Not as much.
(man) Why, my dear, what do you do all day? I shouldn't Iike it at all.
You're happy, Sylvia, aren't you? You're my Iittle sister, and I shouldn't Iike you to be otherwise.
Yes, AIan, I am happy.
Mama wonders very much if she's to be a grandmother.
- Only Mama? - Papa as well.
He's Iongingfor a grandson.
Well, why not? We're talking about you, my Iove, not about me.
You've been married nearlyfour years now.
There should be, Iet me think There should be (chuckles) .
.
drifts of baby whiteness blowing in the wind! Very poetic! Talent will out.
The Sitwells think me promising, which would be wonderful, if they weren't mad as hatters.
- The Sitwells? Do we know them? - ClownsHouses.
TheWoodenPegasus, Rescue me, dearest, my brother is now talking in riddles.
Armitage, you are keeping my sister under Iock and key.
Too much country can be badfor a person.
She must come to London, meet some interesting people.
She might even meet the Sitwells.
Not now.
Come and have tea.
It's nearly timefor you to go.
My wife can come and go as she pleases.
It is only I confined to thisfarm.
Oh, pooh! You have a manager, Matthew, who does all the work.
We all know why you never Ieave this frozen wilderness.
You're afraid some young Adonis might enchant Sylvia down off her perch.
Infidelity is all the rage this season.
Not in Suffolk, sir! Pardonnez-moi! Oh, AIan! AIan is He's just AIan, Matthew.
He's always been a tease all his Iife.
One Iearns not to Iet him upset one.
Oh, does one? - You're taking this too seriously.
- Maybe there's truth in what he says.
(dogs barkindstance) Since Neil was killed, we've become very close.
Particularly as Pa is a Iittle disappointed with him.
Well, your poorfather.
Is there any small wonder? Matthew! Well, the man's an artistic, Sylvia, he's a poet.
Yes.
He's also my brother and a dear, Ioving person, and I don't wish to discuss him with you.
Well, why don't you go and Iive with him and have a jolly time together? AII those Chelsea types.
Or where? BIoomsbury, yes, that's the place to be now, isn't it? Darling, are you trying to divorce me? I won't Iet you go.
I Iove you, Sylvia.
I know.
I know it's not much funfor you here.
I am with you.
That's all that matters.
If only I could believe that.
Yes, Matthew, if only you could.
I didn't always want to be afarmer.
Do you remember when we first met? I was at university with Neil.
I wanted to be a historian, which probably meant I'd have ended up teaching bored Iittle schoolboys history in a minor public school somewhere.
I'd have enjoyed that.
Yes, darling.
And then the war came.
Changed everything.
You were to be married to Charles Crawley.
Maybe neither of us got what we wanted.
- Matthew, you must stop this.
- And then the war came.
Changed everything.
Fun.
Took away my sense of fun.
This house needs children.
It's alright.
It's alright, Matthew.
I'm here, Matthew.
It's overThewar it's over (Matthew) Notyet, ithink.
Not yet.
Perhaps we should give a party.
Celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Mama and Pa will be staying here, then.
Your mother could come.
Perhapswe haveto make ourlives, notexpect itto happen.
Charlotte and Graham could come.
And her brother's stayingwiththem.
Where's Graham? Never marry a doctor.
It's impossible to make arrangements.
He's probably delivering a Iusty infant over at Staplethorpe.
Sylvia, the man I wanted you to meet.
He's rather good-Iooking, but don't be dismayed, he has brains as well.
- Charlotte's brother? - Didn't I say? Living in the country makes one Iose all the social graces.
- Charlotte, names would be useful.
- What? Oh, this is Sylvia Armitage, the prettiestfarmer's wife in Suffolk.
- Don't be so niggardly in your praise! - This is my brother, Derek Wainwright.
Don't ask me what he does, darling.
He was going to be a respectable doctor Iike all the rest of ourfamily.
Even I married one.
But no, Derek has to be different.
Matthew! Yoo-hoo! Darling! (Matthew) How nice to see you.
Charlotte divides her time between telling me how jealous Matthew is and trying to right the balance by making me jealous instead.
- What do you do, Mr Wainwright? - I'm a sort of doctor.
Oh.
I get embarrassed when people ask me that at parties.
I don't know why.
Then Iet's pretend I never asked.
No, no, I don't mind telling you.
I am studying in Vienna.
Oh? Sorry.
I am studying to be a psychiatrist.
- That's rather the vogue now, isn't it? - Thank you.
I've never really understood what it means.
A doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders of the mind.
Are you successful? I personally, or psychiatry as a practice? I suppose I meant can such disorders be treated? At Ieast you acknowledge that they do exist.
Oh, yes, Mr Wainwright.
If not before, then certainly they're a Iegacy of the war.
It's so sad that the men who returned are bedevilled byfearful memories.
- But not all of us.
- No.
You're right, it's an unsuitable conversationfor a party.
Make me Iaugh, Mr Wainwright.
Charlotte always boasts about what a wit you are.
(woman) Matthew? Matthew, I'm speaking to you.
I'm sorry, Mother.
My dear, are you alright? Yes.
Yes, of course.
Matthew? What is it? It's nothing.
I'm alright.
Go back to our guests.
- Dearest? - Go back to our guests, Sylvia.
Very well.
But shouldn't a good hostess circulate a Iittle more? Not spend all evening talking to the one handsome man in the room? Particularly when that man does not happen to be her husband.
I shall ignore that remark, Matthew, and just remind you that we have guests.
He's herefor your pleasure, remember? This party isfor you to relieve the boredom of Iiving with me! (woman) Now, Mr Carslake, how's that young son of yours doing? I hear from Sylvia he's had his verses published.
You must be very proud.
(man) Proud? The world's gone mad.
My husband doesn't hold with artistic pursuits.
No, I do not.
And knitting isfor women.
(woman) Ohhh! Your husband went right through the war, I believe.
A brave man.
Yes.
He got medalsfor his bravery.
Medals.
You must meet our other guests, Mr Wainwright.
Of course.
If ever you need my help, I'm staying with charlottefor a short while.
After that I'II be in London.
That won't be necessary.
Thank you.
(Matthew) Good night.
Put this in your handbag.
I meant what I said.
- He's just very highly strung.
- Let me be the judge of that.
(Charlotte) We Iike having you both as neighbours.
Thank youfor a delightful evening.
- I'II take you up on that offer.
- My dear chap, any time.
Whenever you're staying with Charlotte, we'II expect you, won't we, Sylvia? Thank you, thank you.
A hit, my dear, a hit! Sylvia About earlier.
I'm sorry.
We still have guests, Matthew.
Whatever may have gone wrong between us, at Ieast Iet our parents be spared.
(hooves clip-clop) I won, and I refuse to believe you Iet me.
(SyLvia) Oh, I enjoyed that.
Thank you.
- You know, don't you? - No.
That I'mfalling in Iove with you.
You mustn't.
- You mustn't.
I Iove my husband.
- But you're unhappy.
That doesn't stop me Ioving him, Derek.
Who's the Ietter from? It was addressed to me.
But you are my wife.
I own you.
Now who is that Ietter from? I will not tell you.
I'm going up to my room.
My Ietters are my private Iife.
And your mind is your private mind and you close me out of both! Who was that Ietter from? No! It was from him, wasn't it? Derek Wainwright.
He hasn't been around much Iately, has he? What's the matter? Had a Iovers' tiff, have you? Or perhaps you thought your meetings should become more clandestine.
AII that carrying on under my very nose was too muchfor even afool Iike me.
My God, Sylvia.
You're destroying me.
Tearing me apart.
Damn you! Damn you! Why did you marry me? Why didn't you Ieave me in peace? My God You trapped me.
I should've known.
You cast Crawley off without Without Oh, my God! My vision was right but I saved you from it.
Crawley would've strangled you with his bare hands, and who would suspect you'd driven him to it? You flirt! You flirt! Well, don't think that I won't Iet you go.
You are the only woman I ever Ioved.
Till death us do part.
Do you remember? (SyLvia) i supposethisis avery traditionalway ofdoing it .
.
but i'mtoo much ofa coward tofaceyou.
I'll goto Badgeworthyfor aday ortwo.
Afterthat .
.
i'll gotothe one personintheworld whoreallyloves me and needs me.
(thunder) (hears shellsexplodingin his head) (thunder) Matthew? Sound ofshellsexploding) And so You were going to him, to Wainwright.
Oh, you cheat! You slut! - You flirt! - screams) Bitch! (Matthew) Ohhh (knock ondoor) (father) Sylvia? (knocking) Sylvia? Are you alright? - We were a Iittle concerned - Yes, Pa.
- We could hear voices, and we - It's alright, Pa.
Matthew is here.
Yes, well, we were a Iittle concerned.
It is kind of you to be concerned.
Good night.
(father) Good night.
AII this time AII these years And I never knew.
The man with the scar was.
Oh, my darling! I Iove you so much.
I've damaged you so much.
Of course, I'II never stand in the way of your happiness.
I rejoice in your happiness.
I thank Wainwright.
He has the power to give you what I never could.
Listen to me, Matthew! I've Ioved you since that day in the arbour when you told me about your strange vision.
I don't know whether I believed it or not, but I do know that it had nothing to do with charles and I.
I just could not marry one man when I Ioved another.
I couldn't.
You Ioved me.
I've Iost everything.
You Ioved me and I drove you into the arms of the man who Ioves and needs you.
AIan! Not Derek Wainwright.
AIan! That's whom my Ietter was from, my brother, who's alone, unhappy and confused and had no-one to turn to but me.
I've never stopped Ioving you, even when things were so bad between us, I didn't believe it was you, not the real you.
It was what the war had done to you.
I Iove you so much.
Do you see? Crawley's scar was on the Ieft, my scar is on the right.
The mirror reversed the image.
If I'd seen that all those years ago, I'd have never told you.
I'd have known the man was not Charles Crawley.
Everything reversed.
An illusion, make-believe.
Darling Shh! Listen.
The sound of the guns .
.
inside my head They've gone.
Thank you.
Do you know, without you, without your Iove, I have been Well I'm here with you now.
Is thefarm a good place to bring up children? Oh, yes.
Yes, a very good place.
A place we've won together in a world youfoughtfor.
(Matthew) What was it Mr Wells called it? The war to end war.