Sense and Sensibility (2026) Movie Script

1
[grand orchestral fanfare
playing]
[birds chirping]
[birds continue chirping]
[bird screeching]

[hoofbeats approaching]

[panting]
Wait.
COACHMAN:
Whoa, whoa.
Thank you.
[panting]


[cat purring]
MARIANNE:
Margaret!
Margaret!
It's here.
Father's will.
Where's Elinor?
Oh, uh, she's inside.
MARIANNE:
Elinor!
[paper rustling]
[Elinor breathing heavily]
STEWARD: It-it is only
a-a small shortfall, ma'am.
[grunts]
-MARIANNE: Elinor!
-[clears throat]
-Elinor! Elinor!
-Elinor.
It's here. It's here.
[all panting]
-Just open it!
-I can't.
I'll do it.
Whatever it says, we will
face it with calm heads.
[sniffles]

[crying softly]
First Father and now Norland.
It's not fair.
Norland will always be home.
They cannot take that from us.
Except by law, apparently.
Houses are all alike.
We will find somewhere else
just as nice
-with the money Father left us.
-What money?
With the income of what?
Four, 5,000 a year?
500, Mama.
[sobbing]:
No!
[gasps]
But numbers are all alike.
[crying continues]
[blows nose, sobs]

Nelly, thank you.
[birds chirping]
[exhales heavily]
[gasps softly]
Someone's coming.
[carriage approaching]
ELINOR:
Oh, not John.
He must have quit London
the very day the will was read.
And where was this alacrity
when Father lay dying?
He's just been orphaned,
Marianne.
MARIANNE: Yes.
And when he lost his mother,
he gained that enormous house
in London.
He has no need of Norland.
Fanny never remembers my name.
Your half brother is very kind
to come so quickly.
Look how he races to our aid.
Here. Come.
[Margaret sniffles]
I hope John gives us
a fortune apiece.
Don't be vulgar, Margaret.
What would you do with a fortune?
We know what
you would do with it.
What a happy day for booksellers
and music sellers
and print shops.
And theaters and concert halls.
I suppose you'd have me save it.
Come. Wealth has nothing to do
with happiness.
To think,
when your father married me,
-I had no dowry to speak of.
-ALL: "No dowry to speak of."

COACHMAN:
Whoa.
[horse sputters]
Look, Harry.
One day you'll be
master of Norland.
I don't want to be
master of Norland.
I want to go home.
JOHN:
Mrs. Dashwood.
My condolences.
Your father was the best of men.
I don't know how we will begin
to bear without him.
Indeed.
Might we take a tour?

Come along.
MARGARET:
Give me back my doll!
-No! No!
-Give me my daughter, you evil pirate.
-No! Stop it.
-Come back!
[yelling playfully]
[both laughing]
[playful chatter continues]
Margaret.
HARRY:
Mama, Mama!
Here you are. What happened?
Cousin Margaret stabbed me.
Stabbed?
Oh. Well, it was only a game.
[sighs]
My brother arrives tomorrow.
-He can have Margaret's room.
-[Margaret sighs]
Are we to entertain
guests already?
Edward is anxious
to see me settled.
-Come along.
-[Harry groans]
Perhaps you have forgotten,
but Margaret has endured
-a great change recently. We all have.
-[sighs]
Edward can take my room.
Marianne and I will share.
Splendid. What comfort
you will be to each other.

1,000 pounds each?
Whatever for?
Ah, I feel responsible
for those girls.
But you do not write the law.
It's hardly your fault
that houses pass to sons
instead of daughters.
But it was my father's dying wish
-that I should...
-[scoffs]
[murmurs] ...assist.
Why must dying people always
wish for something extravagant?
FANNY:
300 pounds each?
JOHN:
That's a comfortable fortune
-for any young woman.
-Excessively comfortable.
If they marry, they will have
no need of it at all.
Perhaps it would be better to
do something for their mother,
who has no hope
of marrying again.
Say, an annuity?
100 a year?
Most generous.
She will live for 20 years
in such comfort.
20 years? Her life
cannot be worth half that.
People always live when there
is an annuity to be paid them.
[Marianne grunts softly]
What would Fanny want with these?
She owns them.
She probably means to sell them.
I doubt she's ever read
a book in her life.
Marianne.
You hate her, too.
Admit it.
Had we had more than
500 pounds a year,
I might indulge my feelings.
But while we are dependent, I
will endeavor to restrain them.
You would beg
for Fanny's charity?
Being polite is not begging.
It's so undignified.
Well, I am sure
you'll feel very dignified
living in a ditch.
Ugh!
[sighs]
[dog barking in distance]
[Marianne grunts]
[sniffles]
He's here.
Mr. Ferrars.
Elinor.
He's not handsome, is he?
-We cannot see his face.
-[horse sputters]
MARIANNE:
He resembles his sister.
ELINOR [chuckles]:
What? From behind?
-[gasps]
-Ooh. [sighs]
-You go.
-Me?
Yes, you. I cannot bear
any more of
Fanny's hideous relations.
Well, however hideous he may be,
you cannot hide from him forever.
I can and I shall.
[sighs]
Forgive me. [chuckles softly]
Edward Ferrars.
[stammers]
Were you not expecting me?
No.
Yes.
Not quite.
[chuckles]
Elinor Dashwood.
Pleased to make your
acquaintance, Miss Dashwood.
I-Is your mother about?
I had hoped to thank her
for her hospitality.
-Especially in such...
-[piano playing elegant music]
such circumstances.
Um, forgive her.
She is occupied at present.
Of course.
[piano music continues]
Your sister, I presume.
Plays very well.
[crying]:
Oh, Norland.
[sobbing]
-[piano lid slams, music stops]
-Hmm.
[Marianne continues sobbing]
And very often.
[chuckles]
I hope you like music,
Mr. Ferrars.
FANNY:
There you are, Edward.
[sighs] We must have the groom
tend to your horse.
Uh, Miss Margaret is
kindly seeing to him herself.
Most charming young woman.
Margaret.
Margaret.
You mean Miss Marianne?
I believe he means my younger
sister, Miss Margaret Dashwood?
Good heavens.
One loses track.
EDWARD:
I would not take offense.
-Fanny has been known to forget even my name.
-[Fanny scoffs]
FANNY:
I've done no such thing.
EDWARD: Uh, perhaps it would be
fairer to say that I am,
in your mind, somewhat eclipsed
by our brother Robert.
[sighs] Darling Robert.
I had hoped to have him to stay,
but he is always so busy
darting about in his barouche.
Come along.

[sniffs]
-MARGARET: Elinor. [grunts]
-ELINOR: I said you could ride
when you've memorized
your tables.
But once we leave, I shan't
be able to ride at all.
But your father
would not have wanted us
-to neglect your studies.
-Must you always cite
our father to have your way?
Margaret! Margaret! Margaret.
[both grunting and panting]
Margaret.
-MARGARET: Get off of me!
-ELINOR: Please!
-MARGARET: Stop it!
-ELINOR: Just listen.
MARGARET: You always do this.
[groans, mutters]
[Edward clears throat]
-[Margaret shouts]
-[panting]
I apologize.
No. [chuckles]
-No, I apologize.
-[chuckles]
Uh, I was attempting
to educate my sister.
Her-her lessons have been
erratic of late.
-She has a new tutor?
-ELINOR: Mm.
I understand.
My tutor was similarly fearsome.
[both chuckle]
You think me fearsome,
Mr. Ferrars?
Heavens, no.
Best not to provoke her,
not while she's still armed.
[Margaret chuckles]
I, uh, thought I might take
advantage of this fine morning,
but I can see you're occupied.
No, no. A walk is a sound idea.
Very sound, indeed.
-Oh, but you said I couldn't go...
-Come, Margaret.
It is a fine day.
Your father would not
have wanted you
to bury your nose in books.
Of course. [chuckles]
-[birds chirping]
-[dog barking in distance]
Did it make you despise
your education, Edward?
[Edward sniffs]
Having such a fearsome tutor.
On the contrary,
my tutor taught me very much.
Although my mother would say
that was beside the point.
[chuckles] What, then,
is the point of an education,
if not to educate?
To make a man distinguished,
I am told.
But you're not distinguished,
Edward.
-Margaret! -Oh, dear.
-[chuckles]
I'm afraid I shall have to borrow
your ruler, Miss Margaret.
It simply will not do
for a young woman
to be so perceptive.
-[Margaret laughs, shrieks]
-[Edward shouting playfully]
-[laughing]
-EDWARD: You come back here!
Enough of this
independent thinking!
-Come on!
-[Margaret continues laughing]
That's enough.
Enough!
[Edward shouts playfully]
[laughing]
EDWARD: So you know that my
brother once bought two canes
because he thought
he was more distinguished.
He looked actually
like a praying mantis.
[Elinor chuckles]
[rock skipping on water]
[rock skipping on water]
And how would Mrs. Ferrars
see her son distinguished?
My mother would see me
in Parliament,
delivering stirring orations.
Failing that,
she would have some hope for me
if only I drove a barouche.
[chuckles]:
A barouche?
[chuckles]:
It's tragic, isn't it?
I'm quite without ambition,
and I prefer to travel on foot.
ELINOR:
Mm.
Well, you must have
some ambition, Mr. Ferrars.
I wish as well as
everybody else to be happy.
But, like everybody else,
it must be in my own way.
And what, pray tell,
might make you happy?
I scarcely know, Miss Dashwood.
[grunts softly]
The Church, perhaps.
A little parish
in the countryside.
A family, of which
I was proud to be a part.
Well, you seem to know precisely.
[Elinor grunts]
[rock skipping on water]

[rock skipping on water]
-[chuckles]
-Not bad.
[thunder rumbling softly]
[thunder cracks]
[exclaims]
MARGARET [laughing]:
Harry.
[playful chatter]
HARRY:
Hello.
[footsteps running and laughter
in distance]
HARRY:
Are you okay, Margaret?
-[thunder rumbling softly]
-[laughter]
[laughing]
[playful chatter continues
in distance]
[hushed]:
Marianne.
To think I once dreaded
Edward's arrival.
Now I fervently hope he stays,
at least until Elinor
accepts his hand.
But Elinor is indifferent to him.
He has not roused her
beyond her usual civility.
[chuckles]
It takes more than civility
to keep two young people
so attached.
Has she once, these many weeks,
left his side?
You are not a natural poser,
Mr. Ferrars.
I assure you,
my face is quite still.
It is amazing that you can speak
without moving your face.
[footsteps approaching]
[clears throat softly]
Is my sister not
a great talent, Mr. Ferrars?
I fear her talents will be
wasted on such a poor subject.
-But you are fond of drawing?
-Indeed.
Careful, Mr. Ferrars.
You know not what my sister
means by "fond."
MARIANNE:
Come see such elegance.
Does it not move you?
Excite your senses?
Does it not
stir your soul, Edward?
It certainly passes the time.
[laughs]
[laughs]
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Heaven's sake.
-MARIANNE: Mother!
[Elinor laughs]
Come, darling.
EDWARD [hushed]:
I fear I made a mistake.
[chuckles]
What is it?
Does it not bother you, Elinor,
that Edward has
no taste or passion?
[chuckles] You must not
mistake his reticence
to express his opinions
for their absence.
What of raptures?
Edward is the very last person
to be moved to raptures
by his own image.
He's the most modest, the most...
noble man I have ever met.
Elinor!
[chuckles]:
What is it now?
If you love him,
I shall endeavor to.
Well, I... I cannot deny that
I think very highly of him.
You think highly of him.
That I, that I like him.
That I, that I
greatly esteem him.
[laughing]:
"Like him."
-"Greatly esteem him."
-[laughing]
Elinor, use those words again,
I shall leave the room.
Believe my feelings to be
stronger than I have declared.
And as for Edward's?
[breathes deeply, groans]
What, has he not shared
his opinion?
Hmm. [breathes deeply]
Well, he has,
on occasion, almost.
Perhaps, being so shy, he wants
a little encouragement.
Hmm. [breathes deeply]
Well, his mother desires
a grand match.
I can hardly encourage him
to defy his family.
-And for what?
-For love!
A penniless alternative.
[sighs heavily]
I envy you, Elinor.
I simply cannot content myself
with so little.
[Elinor chuckles]
The man who loves me
must burn with it,
with all his passions,
without the slightest restraint
or hesitation.
And his tastes must in every
point coincide with my own.
If such a man exists.
Indeed.
I despair at ever finding him.
I require so much.
[Elinor laughs]

[birds chirping]
[thunder rumbling softly]

[inhales sharply]
[panting]
-COLONEL BRANDON: Whoa!
-[screams]
[neighing]
[laughs]
[horse murmuring]
[wind whistling]
[sighs]
No luck, I'm afraid.
Oh, I cannot thank you enough.
You must have sent
hundreds of inquiries.
If I were less concerned with
your happiness, Miss Dashwood,
and more with my own,
I should send no letters.
Conspire to keep you
all here with me.
-FANNY: Miss Dashwood.
-[gasps]
There you are.
Now, where is your sister?
Uh, which one, ma'am?
-Do you mean Margaret?
-No.
I have that one.
Where is Miss Marianne?
Uh, I believe she's out walking.
Never mind.
Two will have to do.
Although your guest
did insist on all three.
Are you a Dashwood now, too?
[chuckles]
[sighs softly]
[Mrs. Jennings
laughing heartily]
Oh, there you are, my dear.
The state of you.
Oh, no need to stand
on ceremony, Mrs. Dashwood,
for I can see...
she is the prettiest girl
in the world,
whatever her state. [chuckles]
-Marianne, this is Mrs. Jennings.
-Mm.
-Our cousin.
-Mm.
-Cousin?
-Oh, yes.
Uh, I am the mother
of your mother's...
cousin's cousin's...
wife. [laughs]
You won't get closer relations
than that. [laughs]
I heard about your plight,
and I just said to myself,
I said, "I have got to help
those girls."
And I knew that
the new mistress of Norland
would not object to
my coming here unannounced,
for we're all family.
Mm. How considerate you are.
[chuckles]
I mean, forgive me,
but it's just too ridiculous.
It's tragic, of course,
but how it makes me laugh
to think, here you are,
looking for a home,
[chuckles] and my son-in-law,
Sir John Middleton,
has a cottage to let in Barton,
and you can have it
for a trifling sum.
[sighs] It would have to be
trifling indeed, I'm afraid.
And I live just a moment away,
so I can visit every single day.
[Mrs. Jennings chuckles]
You-you are very kind,
Mrs. Jennings.
Al-Although Devonshire is
slightly further than
we had contemplated.
Well, excellent.
I'll have you all three married
before you know it. [chuckles]
I mean, there is one bachelor,
uh, Colonel Brandon, just
returned from the East Indies.
He escorted me all the way here.
And were he not occupied
by some mysterious business,
he might have stayed, too.
-You mean to stay?
-You would be
quite taken with him,
Miss Dashwood.
[chuckles]
No, Elinor is already...
Elinor is already what,
Mrs. Dashwood?
So, what is his business,
Mrs. Jennings?
Oh, hello! [laughs]
You like the sound of a soldier,
do you, Miss Marianne?
From the first I saw you,
I thought to myself,
"Now there's a match
for our Colonel Brandon."
Oh, really?
Oh, you should always trust
my judgment in a match,
for I have both instinct
and inclination.
And now that
my daughters are married...
[exhales sharply]
I'm determined to marry
everyone else's.
[chewing noisily]
There you are, Fierce.
[Mrs. Jennings chuckling]
There you are.
[Mrs. Jennings chuckling]
-[chuckling continues]
-[bell dinging softly]
-[slurps softly]
-Ah.
MARIANNE:
So tell me, Mrs. Jennings,
what sort of a man
is Colonel Brandon?
If he's so very mysterious,
does he have, perhaps,
-a... a dark past?
-[laughing]
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Marianne.
-MARIANNE: What?
MRS. JENNINGS:
No, that's my thoughts exactly.
No, no.
He is the kindest man
you ever met.
Is that so?
Indeed so. And very rich.
-Oh. Mmm.
-Oh? How thrilling.
Uh, he inherited all of Delaford
when his brother died.
-MARIANNE: Oh, how tragic.
-Well, not that he enjoys it.
From the moment he returned,
he's been galloping
all over the country.
MARIANNE:
Galloping all over the country?
EDWARD [hushed]: You and
Mrs. Jennings are related, then?
[whispers]: I dare say, no more
than you and Mrs. Jennings.
[both chuckle]
MRS. JENNINGS:
But how beastly I've been.
Here I am insisting that the
Dashwoods remove to Devonshire
when Elinor's heart's here
in Sussex. [laughs]
No wonder you thought
it was too far, Miss Dashwood.
I've got the measure of you.
MRS. DASHWOOD: Well, we all
enjoy Edward's company.
FANNY: Yes, Edward is popular
wherever he goes.
Our mother has
high hopes for him.
Her only concern is
that Edward is too modest,
too unaware of his own worth.
-EDWARD: Now, Fanny...
-It makes him vulnerable
to any penniless young woman
who might draw him in.
[Mrs. Jennings stammers, laughs]
MRS. JENNINGS:
"Draw him..." [stammers]
"Draw him in"?
Oh. Oh, Mrs. Dashwood.
I mean, that is too salacious.
[laughing]:
"Draw him in." I mean...
On my word,
I've never heard of such a...
We'd be most grateful to accept
your offer, Mrs. Jennings.
-But Devonshire is miles away.
-MARIANNE: Mama.
-We will leave at once.
-But what about the horses?
But you need not...
I insist. [sighs]
In which case, I insist
that you accept a gift.
There's no need
to insist, my love.
I gave my father my word.
We've trespassed for too long
on your generosity.
Mama.
MARIANNE:
Elinor.

JOHN:
Now, listen here, my lad.
-This is something...
-FANNY [hushed]: John. John!
-What are you doing?
-We don't even like it.
No. No.
-Go back inside.
-[sighs]
EDWARD:
You're ready to depart?
Oh, we are just waiting
for Marianne to finish
her farewells.
She's paying her respects
to the trees.
-What, all of them?
-Yes.
With any luck,
we'll leave next week.
Must be painful to quit a place
where you have been so happy.
I... remind myself
that it is amongst my family
that I'm happiest.
FANNY [in distance]:
No, no, no!
[indistinct chatter
continues outside]
Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
ELINOR:
We are lucky, I suppose.
Not all families share
a common disposition.
Certainly not.
I was wondering, Miss Dashwood...
whether I might ask you...
Yes?
Before you leave...
Shall I escort you out?

Miss Dashwood,
I have some urgent business
to attend to in Plymouth, but
then I should like very much...
I would like nothing more
than to call on you in Barton.
On all of you, that is.
Your mother and sisters, too.
[clicks tongue]
We should all be delighted
to see you.

[crying softly]
[sniffling]
[sobs, sniffles]
[sniffling continues]

[carriage wheels rumbling]

MARGARET: I hope Barton is
as nice as Norland.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
It's sure to be.
[chirps]



[dog whining quietly]
[birds chirping]
[horse sputtering softly]
[door creaking]
[dog whining]
Mama.
At least Fanny doesn't live here.
[discordant piano notes play]
[birds chirping]
Do you think Colonel Brandon
will be there?
Marianne, slow down.
[cattle mooing]
SIR JOHN:
I am delighted
to see my cottage let to ladies,
for I am a sportsman
and despise the thought
of another huntsman
on my grounds.
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
laughing]
Lucky you have your own place,
Colonel.
[Sir John laughing]
And my wife is thrilled,
too, yeah.
She adores a lively conversation,
just like her mother. Huh?
[laughing]
-[pounding on table]
-[laughing]
Please, please. Tuck in.
-[indistinct chatter]
-[silverware clinking]
[grunts]
SIR JOHN:
Lovely. Lovely bit of brain.
Oh, very glad, very glad.
Do try the onion as well.
-Picked them myself.
-[Mrs. Jennings laughing]
Mrs. Jennings tells us you're
often in London, Colonel.
Do you frequent the galleries
or attend many dances?
I regret that I have not
the time for such diversions.
You prefer the country, then?
The beauty of nature,
the thrill of a hunt.
Our host is the real sportsman.
Then what is your passion,
Colonel? A man must have one.
I think you'll find
most so-called passions are,
in fact, affectations.
Why would anyone pretend to
love art or dancing or nature?
As ornaments.
To show off their own good taste.
[scoffs]
If I have a passion,
it is a passionate distaste
for insincerity.
Something I suspect
you can never be accused of.
Then you will not mind
my saying, Colonel,
I think a man
ought to be at least
artificially passionate,
or he'd be sincerely dull.
-[others gasping]
-[throat clearing]
Marianne.
Yes, Mama?
[chuckling]
The weather was fine today,
was it not?
Yes, very fine.
At one point,
I thought it might rain.
Ooh. [chuckles]
But...
then it didn't.
SIR JOHN:
Are you, uh, partial to lamb?
Hmm?
[playing classical music]
MRS. JENNINGS:
Oh, just as I'd hoped.
You see how
the colonel watches her?
SIR JOHN:
Oh, yes.
Well, he is an excellent shot,
after all.
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
laughing]
MRS. JENNINGS:
Come, Colonel. [chuckles]
You seem very quiet.
Does not Miss Marianne
play very well?
That is why I'm paying her
the compliment of attention.
Oh. Oh. You have me there.
[laughs] I am just hopeless.
-[music ends]
-[Sir John laughing]
-[applause]
-[dog barking]
-Oh, encore!
-We must have more!
-SIR JOHN: Encore, encore!
-We must have more.
Are you fond of music, Colonel?
I was once.
Hearing you play,
I suspect I could be again.
[indistinct chatter and laughter]
MARIANNE: What do you think
happened to make the colonel
so incapable
of exquisite feeling?
Well, he likes you well enough.
MARIANNE:
Hmm.
I doubt it.
I think he left his heart
behind in the East Indies.
And now it is all dried up,
unable to form
second attachments.
Well, I am glad our father was
capable of a second attachment,
or we would not be here,
Marianne,
to indulge
such exquisite speculation.

[wind whistling]
[bird cawing]

[dog barking]
SIR JOHN:
Whoa.
[sheep bleating]
ELINOR: You will no doubt
be relieved, Mr. Ferrars,
as Marianne was,
to learn that there are trees
in Devonshire.
And though we have
constant company,
your visit is the only one
I look forward to.
-[door opens]
-SIR JOHN: Miss Dashwood?
Hello? Miss Dashwood?
[sighs]:
Ah.
-[Sir John grunts]
-ELINOR: You are too generous.
I will see you comfortable.
And, uh, your papers
and your post.
You're very kind,
but we are quite capable
of going into town.
Oh, nonsense. I ought to have
thought of it before.
You've been here for weeks.
Oh. Uh, nothing from
your Mr. Ferrars.
Yes, uh, my, uh, mother-in-law
told me that you left
your heart behind in Sussex.
[chuckles] No matter.
I shall, uh, try again tomorrow.
And, uh, every day after that.
[dog barking]
-Come on, girls.
-[claps hands]
-[whistling]
-[door closes]
MARIANNE:
I say, Margaret,
the rent at our cottage
is said to be low,
but we have it
on very hard terms.
MARGARET:
I like the colonel, though.
MARIANNE:
He's so boring.
And he's three times your age.
Well, he's scarcely 30.
And he's rich.
[chuckles]:
Now you are trying to offend me.
[seagulls squawking]
I've given it much thought.
I have no fortune of my own,
no home.
I will love
whoever can provide one.
Oh, Margaret.
Well, I do not mind
if he inherits or earns it.
-I'm no snob.
-[laughs]
As long as he's very rich indeed.
"Long as he's very rich indeed."
-My goodness.
-[chuckles]
How can we talk of riches
when there is felicity
such as this, Margaret?!
[whooping]
-Come on!
-[laughs]
[whooping and laughing continue]
[yelps]
Oh, Marianne! Oh, are you hurt?
-[grunts] Help me up, please.
-Can-can you stand?
Okay, okay.
[grunting]
Oh, gosh, no. No.
It's my ankle. [pained grunt]
Wait. Okay, wait here.
Wait here.
[frustrated groaning]
[panting]

[pained grunting]
Sir!
Sir! Help us, sir!
[dog barking]
[breathing heavily]
Marianne, I found someone.
Here's someone here to save us.
You'll be all right.
Madam, this is most grave.
May I?
[breathing heavily]
[Marianne whimpers]
Hmm.
[grunts softly]
It's not exactly
what cook made at Norland.
Might it be considered
an improvement?
MARGARET [in distance]:
Mama!
Margaret?
-Mama! Mama!
-Margaret.
Mama! Mama!
Margaret,
is everything all right?
It's Marianne.
She fell at the beach. She...
-Slow down, dear.
-Try to be calm.
And a gentleman saved her.
-ELINOR: A gentleman?
-Yes.
Is he handsome?
Oh, well, he must be
to behave so nobly.
Elinor, a handsome gentleman
saved Marianne's life.
[panting]
Not her life, good madam.
Merely an ankle.
[Marianne sighs]
I do not believe the bone is
broken, but she will need rest.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Sit, sir. Dry yourself.
I wouldn't dream of it.
I've already brought a storm
into your home.
Oh, please, it's-it's no matter.
Well, might I be permitted
to return tomorrow?
To see how
the patient progresses.
You must.
I wish her a smooth recovery
until then.

[gasps] Oh.
ELINOR:
Nelly.
Nelly, can you fetch some towels?
Sir!
I beg you,
to whom are we so obliged?
Mr. Willoughby, ma'am.
[sighs] Mrs. Dashwood.
And it's my daughter, Marianne,
whom you've saved.
Marianne.
Delighted.
Until tomorrow, then,
good Mrs. Dashwood.
[dog barking]
[whistles, clicks tongue]
Hey.
A Mr. Willoughby.
Oh, but it is a fine name.
Margaret, what happened?
How did I fall?
Did I look graceful?
-[chuckles]
-What did he look like?
-But you were there.
-[chuckles]: Did you not look?
I dared not.
ELINOR: Why, because you
already had a picture in mind?
His courage and spontaneity are
as revealing as any portrait.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
And such a noble soul.
I can tell.
Yes, one quite forgets
about his boils.
-Oh, he does not have boils!
-[chuckles]
Elinor.
Marianne and Willoughby.
[Elinor laughing]
Marianne and Willoughby.
[squeals]
[laughter]

[slurps softly]
COLONEL BRANDON:
Hmm.
Tales of your fall were
grossly exaggerated in town.
You are a picture of health.
As always.
I was never in any real danger.
-It can be...
-[heavy knocking]
Ah, my dear Misses Dashwoods.
[chuckles]
I come bearing gifts.
For you, Miss Marianne.
[Mrs. Dashwood gasps]
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Mr. Willoughby.
Welcome back.
Mrs. Dashwood.
And for you... [chuckles]
Oh.
-Thank you.
-MR. WILLOUGHBY: It brings me
no end of joy to see
Miss Marianne so well attended.
Ah, yes.
This is Colonel Brandon
of Delaford.
He's just returned
from the East Indies.
Willoughby is my neighbor,
here every summer to visit
his old aunt at Allenham.
Excellent shots, both.
How can we ever thank you, sir?
The restoration of
such an exquisite countenance
is thanks enough.
[laughs]
MARIANNE: I shudder to think
what danger I might have
been in were you not there,
Mr. Willoughby.
SIR JOHN:
Ah, yes, we are,
uh, lucky to have Willoughby.
[laughs]
I must throw a party, huh?
-[gasps] A party?
-[laughter]
Yes, at my last little hop,
he danced from 8:00 until 4:00
without once sitting down.
[chuckles]
Are you fond of dancing,
Mr. Willoughby?
Indeed, I often find myself
brought to raptures.
SIR JOHN:
Oh. [chuckles]
Come, Colonel.
We must leave the young ones
to their sport.
When you are recovered,
Miss Marianne,
perhaps we might dance together.
COLONEL BRANDON:
I wish you a swift...
I promise to exhaust you.
[Colonel Brandon clears throat]
I wish you a smooth recovery,
Miss Marianne.
SIR JOHN: Better luck
next time. [chuckles]
All right, Colonel,
I'll see you at the hop.
"I wish you
a smooth recovery, Marianne."
[chuckles softly]
-[upbeat music playing]
-[lively chatter and laughter]
[rhythmic clapping to music]
[lively chatter and music
continue]
[laughing]
[whoops]
-[whooping]
-[chuckling]
Your sister seems happy.
Yes, excessively so.
Must a limit be enforced?
Not to what happiness
she may feel,
but she will insist on
making every feeling known.
Her honesty does her credit.
I once knew a lady who greatly
resembled your sister...
Forgive me.
I cannot desire
any change in Marianne.
Such spirit is all too rare.
[lively chatter and music
continue]
[people cheering and laughing]
[applause]
Ah, beautiful, beautiful.
[laughter]
[cheering and applause]
MR. WILLOUGHBY:
Well, I have never seen
such an elegant dancer.
MARIANNE:
Even when I took my tumble?
MR. WILLOUGHBY:
What tumble?
I saw none.
I challenge any man
who said he did.
[clicks tongue]
Next time we dance,
it ought to be in London.
[Marianne chuckles softly]
We will dazzle everyone
with our idea of elegance.
London.
Are they awfully refined
in London?
They are sick with refinement.
[both laughing]
I'll show you.
[both laughing]
Put me down! Put me down! No.
[laughing]
[lively chatter and music
continue]
MR. WILLOUGHBY:
You leaving us, Colonel?
That Colonel Brandon is
just the sort of man
whom everybody praises
and nobody likes.
-[chuckles]: Stop. Stop.
-It's true.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Well, no doubt it pertains to
his late brother's wife.
I mean, the colonel's been
all over the country
in search of her.
We must not let his departure
ruin our fun.
The next dance, Miss Dashwood.
-[gasps]
-Oh. [chuckles]
I am perfectly content here.
She has wanted to dance
all evening.
SIR JOHN:
Ooh, not waiting for
our elusive Mr. Ferrars, are we?
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
laughing]
You'd be doing me a favor.
You know how fond I am
of dancing.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Yes, on you go.
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
laughing]
SIR JOHN:
Oh, very good!
Oh! Oh.
SIR JOHN:
Oh, very nice.
[lively chatter and music
continue]
MARIANNE:
"My Damon was the first to wake
"The gentle flame
that cannot die;
"My Damon is the last to take
"The faithful bosom's
softest sigh:
"The life between
is nothing worth,
"O cast it from thy thought away!
"Think of the day
that it gave birth,
"And this
its sweet returning day.
"Buried be
all that has been done,
"Or say that naught
is done amiss;
"For who the dangerous path
can show
"In such bewildering world
as this?
"But love can
every fault forgive,
"Or with a tender look reprove;
"And now let naught
in memory live
But that we meet,
and that we love."
-[birds chirping]
-[sheep bleating]
MARIANNE and MR. WILLOUGHBY:
Oh, fare you well
-My own true love
-[piano playing along]
Oh, fare you well
For a while
-I'm going away
-[bleating]
But I'll come again
If I go 10,000 miles
[piano music continues]
The crow that is
So black, my love
Will surely fade to white
And if I ever prove false
To the one I love
-[softly]: Bright days
-[water sloshing gently]
Shall turn to night.
[piano music fades]
[humming]
[birds chirping]
[chuckling]
[chuckles]
Can I have a turn?
Please, Marianne.
-You'll have to ask Willoughby.
-[chuckles]
She was a special gift for me.
Oh, Marianne. She's beautiful.
Sir John has gone too far.
She's not from Sir John.
She's from Willoughby.
We... We've not a stable.
-Or the money to feed it.
-Her name's Queen Mab.
-Heaven preserve us.
-Queen Mab. -[laughs]
I'm sure Willoughby can
scarcely afford it.
He's entirely dependent
on his aunt at Allenham.
Must you always preach caution?
[Marianne clicking tongue]
If I'm to fall, I would rather
it be from a great height.
MRS. DASHWOOD: Queen Mab
will be off to her new home
soon enough, my dear.
Mr. Willoughby has requested
a private audience tomorrow.
-[chuckles]
-Oh.
[all chuckling]

Oh, Mama.
How will we do without her?
We will miss her, dear.
But she will be happy.

MARGARET [in distance]:
Elinor.
[door closes in distance]
-Where are they?
-[sighs]
It cannot take
so long to say yes.
[footsteps approaching]
[gasps] We bought buns.
And... the post.
[Elinor and Margaret chuckle]
From Edward?
[chuckling]
Mm.
They will have a joint wedding.
[laughs]
You could not have asked
for better brothers,
between Willoughby and Edward.
He's not coming.
MARGARET:
But he promised.
He writes that business
will detain him in London
at least until the new year.
Oh, my dear.
Nonsense.
[chuckles]
This is a happy day.
Marianne will be back any moment.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[sniffles]
[breathing shakily]

[breathing heavily]
Marianne.
[breathing shakily]
He's gone.
MARGARET:
Gone?
What do you mean, "gone"?
Gone where?
MARIANNE:
To London.
His aunt sends him there
on business.
-MRS. DASHWOOD: No.
-Oh, Marianne.
Must London have all the men?
[softly]:
Margaret.
How long are you
to be parted, my dear?
He shall not retu...
return to Allenham for...
[gasping]
Mama, my heart.
[sobbing]
MARGARET:
Oh.
But he did not break with you.
He will visit.
They always say that, though.
-Hush.
-Margaret.
He will not return for 12 months.
12 months?
Can love withstand
such a separation?
A love like yours, dear.
[sobbing]


[chuckles softly]
[bird cawing]
-MARIANNE: I'm not going.
-ELINOR: But Mrs. Jennings is
very eager that we dine
with her daughter.
We dine with Sir John
and Lady Middleton incessantly.
Her other daughter, Mrs. Palmer.
I have not the fortitude
for company, Elinor.
Well, you must locate some.
She's off to London tomorrow.
This is our only chance
to meet her.
She lives in London?
I suppose we could do
with more varied acquaintances.
With any luck,
Mrs. Palmer will resemble
neither her sister
nor her mother.
[chuckles softly]
[inhales sharply, grunts]
[laughing]
Oh, you are, both of you,
the prettiest women in the world.
Isn't that right, Mr. Palmer?
[chuckles]
Oh, Mr. Palmer is such a wit.
He always ignores me when I talk.
Watch.
Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer?
Are you pretending
not to hear me?
Darling, this is called
a newspaper.
I'm reading it.
[laughing]
Oh, a newspaper.
How droll.
Oh, this is why I insisted on
bringing a companion to London.
[chuckles]
Mr. Palmer's witticisms
leave me quite breathless.
[chuckles]
Do you perhaps require
another companion?
Oh, my Lucy is worth more
than 100 companions.
Not only is she the
prettiest woman in the world
but also the most tragic.
Her mother left a large fortune,
but when her father remarried,
he gave it to his second family.
Sons. [chuckles] All sons.
Can you imagine? Poor Lucy.
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
talking indistinctly, laughing]
LUCY: You must be proud,
Mrs. Jennings,
to have made such fine matches
for both of your daughters.
Oh, you-you should have seen
the match I made for myself.
Oh.
And-and I was not at all pretty.
[Sir John and Mrs. Jennings
laughing]
And I hear you are
a notable sportsman, Sir John.
Oh. [chuckles]
Although I haven't had much
opportunity of late. [chuckles]
It has rained for 12 days now.
How admirable you are,
Lady Middleton,
to follow the weather
so assiduously.
Oh.
-[laughing]
-Yes. She does.
[indistinct chatter]
[Sir John and Mrs. Palmer
laughing]
LUCY:
Miss Dashwood,
I have heard so much about you.
Well, if you heard it
from Mrs. Jennings,
I dare say I'll disappoint you.
She is excessively fond
of everyone.
That trait's hereditary, I fear.
No, I heard about you
through a mutual acquaintance.
Oh?
-A Mr. Ferrars.
-[clears throat]
From Edward?
Mr. Ferrars paid me
a special visit
in Plymouth just recently.
What did he say?
Um... [clears throat]
That is, was Mr. Ferrars well?
He said you made his time
at Norland perfectly tolerable.
[lively chatter and laughter
continue]

-SIR JOHN: Very nice.
-MRS. JENNINGS: Wonderful.
It is such a shame you shan't
be in London, Miss Marianne.
Mm, all the matches
are made there.
Are they indeed?
MRS. PALMER: Mama, couldn't you
do with a companion?
Or two. [chuckles]
MRS. JENNINGS: That is quite
the most excellent idea.
MARIANNE:
London, London, London.
I must have all the colors
of ribbons for London.
I want to go to London.
Why, so you can seek
your fortune?
Don't encourage her.
I hate Mrs. Jennings.
She's just lonely, dearest.
She's lost her husband
and now her daughters.
Which is why you have to stay
here and keep me company.
[Mrs. Dashwood groans]
Miss Dashwood!
Marianne!
You're back, Colonel.
Just this morning.
What a shame.
Elinor and I are off to London
this very day.
Will you see Mr. Willoughby
in London?
That possibility is
one of its chief attractions.
Possibility?
So nothing has been arranged?
Our arrangements are
hardly your concern.
I apologize.
I presumed when
Mr. Willoughby quit Barton,
he had ceased contact
with all its inhabitants.
You could not believe him
capable of
severing his friendships
so savagely.
I do not mean to offend him,
although I know him capable
of far worse.
Then what do you mean, Colonel?
I'm trying to ascertain,
for your sake, Miss Marianne,
the nature of the understanding
between you and Mr. Willoughby.
We understand each other
perfectly.
[horse murmurs]
Then to you, I wish
all imaginable happiness.
And to Mr. Willoughby, that he
will endeavor to deserve you.
[breathes deeply]
Do you think
Mr. Willoughby will be there
to greet us when we arrive?
Dearest, he will not know
where to find us.
You have not disclosed
Mrs. Jennings' address.
[squeals]:
Edward may also be aware of it.
[chuckles]:
Marianne.
It is not our place
to summon visitors.
It is not our house.
[mocking]: "It is not our place
to summon visitors, Elinor.
It is not our house."
-[chuckles]
-[Mrs. Jennings groans]
[groans]

MRS. JENNINGS:
There is just so much
to see and do.
There's the Royal Academy.
You will love that, Elinor.
All those gloomy landscapes.
[laughs]
And then
there's portraits by, um,
Mr. Reynolds
and Mr., um, Gainsborough.
MRS. JENNINGS:
That is, of course,
if we make it
past the next stretch.
Brace yourself, my dears.
There might be highwaymen ahead.
Oh. Or worse, potholes.
[grunts]
Thank you. [grunts]
[snoring]
-[carriage thumps]
-MRS. JENNINGS: Oh.
Where was I?
Oh, yes.
We have Hatchards for books,
-and we have St. James for fashion.
-[sighs]
I bought this in St. James's,
and it did very well
for a whole season.
Decorations were
all the latest fashion.

Careful, my dears,
not to breathe.
The stench... [groans]
can be quite overwhelming.
[Mrs. Jennings laughing]
The only drawback. [laughs]
MRS. JENNINGS:
I'm not the greatest art fan.
[laughs]
I-I think you're like me,
Miss Marianne.
You like fashion.
[busy chatter]
The moment we get back,
we should just get ready,
and the following day,
we should go shopping
immediately.
Isn't that right? Won't we?
Yes, gloves, handkerchiefs,
and, also, we have
very good umbrella shops.
MRS. JENNINGS:
There we are.
Beautifully driven.
Lovely journey.
So glad we've arrived.
-Hello, Ross.
-[kids laughing]
Come on in, Miss Dashwoods.
Yes. [pants]
[exclaims, sighs]
I just hope
there are coals aplenty.
We will need baths all round.
[grunts]
I mean to boil... [pants]
Myself alive.
[laughs]
Ladies, I will show you
your rooms.
Oh, thank you, Joseph.
And which of you is
Miss Elinor Dashwood?
A Mr. Ferrars called for you.
[chuckles]
See?
London is just as I expected.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Come, ladies. Much to explore.
[chuckles]
-[kids laughing]
-MRS. JENNINGS: Ooh, it's cold.
MRS. PALMER: Oh, my sister
and I talked the whole way,
didn't we? [chuckles]
Mr. Palmer was very witty.
He threatened to make us walk.
-Oh. [laughs]
-[chuckles]
Well, Mr. Palmer can enjoy
peace and quiet the whole day.
[chuckles]
Do you anticipate
we shall be out all day?
Oh, uh, patience, my dear.
We are eagerly awaiting a visit
from a certain Mr. Willoughby.
[laughs]
But it is not visiting weather.
When it is fine, the men hunt.
So true, Lady Middleton.
Please tell us, when can we
look forward to bad weather?
LUCY:
Miss Dashwood.
[busy chatter]
You might think
this question odd,
but as you and Mr. Ferrars
are so well acquainted,
I wonder whether
you have yet met his mother.
I have never seen Mrs. Ferrars
in my life.
I am sure you are itchingly
curious as to why I inquired.
And please believe
I have my reasons.
Though I'm not at liberty
to share them.
I can assure you, Miss Steele,
I have no need of them.
Very well.
I see I shall have to tell you.
I inquired after Mrs. Ferrars
because I have,
for many years now,
been engaged to her son.
-Engaged?
-It's a great secret.
His family does not approve
of the match,
and I can scarcely blame them,
for I am so very penniless.
So you are engaged
to Mr. Robert Ferrars?
No.
To Edward.
[chuckles]
I beg your pardon, but...
we cannot mean
the same Edward Ferrars.
The very same.
You must allow, I am not
deceived as to the identity
of the man on whom
all my happiness depends.
And yet, in all that time
at Norland,
I never once heard him
mention your name.
Oh, darling Edward.
He's so discreet.
He speaks so fondly of you,
Miss Dashwood.
He thinks of you
almost as a sister.

MARIANNE:
Come, Elinor.
I finally escaped Lady Middleton.


[Marianne sighs]
Are you writing
to Willoughby again?
I'm writing to Combe Magna,
for I have had no response
from his London address.
Dearest, you...
you do have reason to believe
his affections remain constant?
Despite his silence?
And you have reason to believe
Edward's have changed?
Whatever makes you say that?
Your anxious state
these past days.
Anyone would think
you were dreading his visit.
[chuckles]:
Nonsense.
I'm not anxious.
[bell ringing in distance]
-Who is it?
-I did not see.
[ringing fades]
[knock on door]
[door opens]
BUTLER:
A Mr. Ferrars for Miss Dashwood.
[gasps softly]
[door closes]
[door opens]
-Mr. Ferrars.
-Miss Dashwood.
Please, sit.
[clock ticking]
[sighs softly]
After my last letter, you must
think me unforgivably rude.
Oh, it is no matter.
Th-There is something
I must explain.
[chuckles]:
Oh, I so hope so.
My conduct at Norland
was shameful.
I ought to have been
more guarded.
Although perhaps
I only flatter myself
that my feelings
were reciprocated.
I am...
I have been for some time now...
Miss Dashwood, I am engaged.
[softly]:
It's not true.
To a Miss Lucy Steele.
I see.
[sighs] I see.
[Elinor sighs]
Well...
you have my congratulations,
Mr. Ferrars.
I wish you both every happiness.
Please, Elinor...
Do you mean to humiliate me,
Mr. Ferrars?
Humiliate you?
What else am I to conclude
when you so transparently
came here today seeking some...
some outburst of emotion?
I came here to apologize.
A letter would have sufficed.
Indeed, it-it being such
a long-standing engagement,
you've had abundant time
to write.
I did not know I was engaged.
[sighs] Your humility
stretches credibility.
It would be extremely difficult
for a man of your intelligence
not to notice his own engagement.
When I was a child, it was
always my mother's design
that I should marry Miss Steele.
Is your mother to be
held responsible
for every detail
of your circumstance?
That is most unfair.
The match was arranged for the
benefit of both our families,
but when Miss Steele
lost her fortune,
my mother insisted
that I break with her.
I refused.
I would not add
to all her suffering
the scandal
of a broken engagement.
I wrote to Miss Steele
and declared myself
still bound to her
even if it cost me my family.
[sighs]
Your honor, then, is worth more
to you than your fortune?
For years,
we had no correspondence.
As soon as you left Norland,
Miss Dashwood,
I sought an audience.
I assumed... I hoped
Miss Steele's silence
meant that she had found
a better prospect.
But she will marry you?
There is to be no release
from my engagement.
But you cannot love her.
I would not wish
to insult Miss Steele,
except to say that at the time
when I first assured her
of my constancy,
I thought only of what was right.
Had I known love then,
I might have afforded it
greater consideration.

Forgive me.
[sobs softly]
Miss Dashwood?
[inhales sharply]
MARIANNE [in distance]:
Elinor?
I saw him leave.
Did you quarrel?
Oh, not at all.
We parted friends.
"Friends"?
You must be heartbroken.
Elinor, come, there is
no shame in admitting...
Don't be ridiculous.
We were always friends.
Good.
Then we need never trouble
to confide in one another.
I because I conceal nothing
and you because
you reveal nothing.
[door opens]
Marianne.
[door slams]

[sighs]
[sighs]
-MRS. JENNINGS: "Friends"?
-MARIANNE: Yes.
[Mrs. Jennings laughing]
MRS. JENNINGS:
I never heard of such nonsense.
I mean, your sister might
choose to hide her emotions,
but his are plain to see.
I mean, there's no surer proof
of a young man's affections
than his eagerness to visit.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Don't be downcast.
I have good news to relay.
Yes?
My daughter is to give
her winter ball.
-[laughs]
-MARIANNE: Do you think...
Oh, yes, my dear.
I think your Mr. Willoughby
is bound to be there.
And-and Mr. Ferrars, too,
of course.
MARIANNE: This time, I shall
not sit out a single dance.
And neither shall you,
Mrs. Jennings.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Oh, goodness me.
Now, who's going to dance
with me?
MARIANNE:
I shall dance with you.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Oh. [laughs]


-Oh.
-Welcome, my lady.
Uh, thank you.
There are three of us.
-This way, please. This way.
-[panting, chuckling]
-[lively chatter]
-[classical music playing]
[man laughing]
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
LADY MIDDLETON:
Mama.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Well, it's true.
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
LUCY:
Oh, Miss Dashwood.
I am aquiver.
Edward has arrived.
Don't look. [chuckles]
-He's not here.
-ELINOR: Be patient.
You might have passed
each other in your search.
You stay here.
I'm going to take another turn.
No, Marianne...
LUCY: You cannot imagine what
we suffer in such proximity.
Permitted to talk but never
to express our true feelings.
To look but never to tou...
Believe me, nobody would guess
at your affections.
Do you really think so?
Well, then I am safe to spend
the evening by his side.
Oh, you give me such courage,
Miss Dashwood.
[Lucy chuckles]
-[music ends]
-[applause]
JOHN:
Elinor.
I do not believe you have met
my brother-in-law,
Robert Ferrars.
Miss Elinor Dashwood, my sister.
Half sister.
Delighted.
Haven't you done well
to get yourself to London?
Our acquaintances are
most generous in Devonshire.
-ROBERT: Derbyshire, eh?
-No, sir, Devon...
I have a friend in Derbyshire.
Perhaps you know him.
Lord Courtland?
Um, Fanny, who is
that delightful creature?
FANNY:
[sighs] Don't you start.
Mama worked very hard to
rid ourselves of any connection
with Miss Lucy Steele.
ROBERT:
Miss Steele.
Uh, excuse me.
[clears throat]
I-I ought to look for my sister.
Ought to look for
a man of fortune, more like.
Oh, my dove.
Mm. [shushes]
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
-Mr. Ferrars.
-Miss Dashwood.
-You look wonderful.
-I just met your brother.
Ah.
Did you explain to him that
his acquaintances from school
are not, in fact, renowned
all over the country?
[chuckles]
Miss Dashwood,
I wonder whether...
[music ends]
Perhaps we ought to dance.
It is a ball, after all.
[music begins]
[classical music continues]
[classical music continues]
[classical music continues]
[sighs]
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
[classical music continues]
[quiet, indistinct chatter]
[classical music continues]
[classical music
and lively chatter continue]
[sniffs]
Hmm. Hmm.
[muffled]:
Willoughby!
-Will...
-[silverware clatters]
Willoughby!
MRS. JENNINGS:
Oh, Miss Dashwood.
ELINOR:
Mrs. Jennings.
I've been looking everywhere.
I must speak with you.
What is it?
Mr. Willoughby has arrived.
I'm told he's arm in arm
with a Miss Grey.
"That cannot be true," I said,
"for he is promised
to our Miss Marianne."
I mean, their engagement
is known all over the town.
And I've told everybody.
Excuse me. Apologies.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
[breathing shakily]
At last. Willoughby.
Good evening, Miss Dashwood.
What's wrong?
I trust your family is well.
[chuckles softly]
Good God, Willoughby.
[chuckles, sniffles]
What is the meaning of this?
Did you not receive my letters?
Miss Dashwood, might I
introduce you to Miss Grey?
This is Miss Marianne Dashwood,
whom I've told you about.
From the little cottage
in the country.
MISS GREY:
Oh.
Delighted.
Miss Grey and I are
engaged to be married.
ELINOR:
Excuse me.
[panting]
-Excuse me.
-WOMAN: Oh.
-ELINOR: Excuse me.
-WOMAN 2: Oh. Oh.
[chuckles]
Marianne. Marianne.
Willoughby!
-Willoughby.
-[people gasping]
Willoughby. I don't understand.
I don't...
ELINOR:
Marianne.
I don't understand.
Marianne, leave him.
But I don't...
Come on.
MISS GREY:
It's all right. I'm so sorry.

Mark my words,
it will be an unhappy match.
Uh, for it's always dangerous
when there's too much money
on one side.
-[knock on door]
-[breathing shakily]
MRS. JENNINGS [through door]:
There now, my dear.
I have just the thing for you.
Fine Constantia wine.
It-it cured my husband's gout,
you know.
[breathes shakily]
-Will I never have peace?
-[door closes]
ELINOR:
I have told her you're asleep.
I do not understand.
He's not free to form
other attachments, is he?
Marianne, has he broken
your engagement?
We never had one.
It was every day implied
but never declared.
[Elinor gasps]
But your conduct.
You accepted his gifts.
You-you went to Allenham.
[crying]:
I never meant to deceive.
Oh, dearest, nobody could
believe you capable of deceit.
And given his conduct,
you can hardly be reproached.
Then why do I, and why have I
detected reproach
these many weeks?
You think I ought to have lied
about my feelings
until he was on bent knee?
[sighs] Not lied.
You might have shown
more restraint.
Had I felt less, I would have
been capable of more.
But I will not apologize
for my sincerity.
[crying]
He can apologize because
his feelings were always false!
No, I-I do believe he loved you.
But how could he and treat me
with such indifference?
You saw how-how cold
he was tonight,
and I-I have been in agony
these past weeks
wondering whether he had died.
[sighs] Why didn't you
confide in me?
Because you are always right!
[sniffling]
And I wish that you weren't.
I wish...
I wish that bitterness
were not wisdom
and that gentlemen
deserved the name.
How awful it must be, Elinor...
[sniffles]
To expect so little
and to always, always be right.

[door opens]
[sobbing]
[screams]
If you give me leave,
Mrs. Jennings,
I will drink that wine myself.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Certainly.

[hoofbeats galloping]
COLONEL BRANDON:
My dear Miss Dashwood.
Your sister and your friend,
Mr. Ferrars,
left the ball tonight
in great distress.
I would enlist your help
to relieve them both.
For weeks, I have agonized
over whether to reveal
what I know of Mr. Willoughby.
Perhaps it will
help Marianne to know
the fate she has avoided.
I defer to your judgment,
Miss Dashwood.

[blows]
[groans]
[carriage approaching
in distance]
[groans heavily]
[bird chirping, wings fluttering]
[sniffs]
[sighs heavily]
[sighs, groans]
[busy chatter outside]
I know it's difficult to hear,
but Willoughby has a history.
He seduced a widowed woman,
then abandoned her.
She was with child.
But I love him.
But he has no heart, Marianne.
No honor, no real feeling.
[knock on door]
MRS. JENNINGS: Oh, Miss
Dashwoods, you must come down.
-Your brother's here.
-ELINOR: Our brother?
MRS. JENNINGS:
Fanny, too.
It's just torment after torment.
MRS. JENNINGS:
She is in the greatest distress.
Come.
[sighs heavily]
Edward engaged to Lucy?
Elinor. [breathes shakily]
JOHN:
Fanny has borne it all
with the fortitude of an angel.
When I see Edward next,
I will kill him.
And to think, Miss Steele is
such an attractive girl
with scarcely any flaws.
She's a vain,
manipulative panderer.
How brave of you to say so.
I have always praised
your boldness,
haven't I, John?
Haven't I?
You've-you've certainly
mentioned it.
Mama means to disinherit them.
Edward will be quite...
ruined.
I suppose Edward's ruin
will make you your mother's
heir, Mr. Ferrars.
At least we can trust Robert.
[chuckles]
MRS. JENNINGS: Oh, Lord,
but they will be so poor.
I will see what I can give them
towards furnishing their house.

[footsteps running]
MARIANNE:
That villain.
Did you have any notion?
[sighs]
It is not what you think.
Their engagement was fixed
by his mother years ago.
When Miss Steele lost
her fortune, Edward chose
to honor his promise
against his mother's wishes.
How long have you known?
Edward explained it all
when we first came to London.
Elinor, have you never
told him how you feel?
Would you have him be
another Willoughby?
Abandon one engagement
as soon as he finds
a more pleasing prospect?
God forbid you might
have to betray your feelings.
[sighs] Marianne.
No doubt you'll be spared
that indignity.
Edward will make
an offer shortly.
Edward is engaged to Lucy.
Lucy won't want him now.
He has no inheritance.
She won't wait around for him
to find a profession.
Brandon has given him one.
He has offered Edward
the vicarage at Delaford.
I am to relay the news tomorrow.
Why on earth would
the colonel care?
He's never even met Edward.
He says he knows too well
the pain of dividing
people in love.
But Edward loves you!
It makes no difference.
Resigning yourself to the match
is something I can endeavor
to understand.
But actively facilitating it...
I'm sorry, Elinor,
you cannot truly love him.
You are not capable
of understanding
because you think true passion
can never be checked.
Not even for the sake of others,
for what is right!
Do you expect me
to deny Edward the profession
he always wanted just to secure
my own happiness?!
We are the same, Edward and I.
Indeed, when he told me
the very circumstances
which are to divide us forever,
he only proved
how perfectly we are matched.
I-I did not know that he...
that you truly believe him
to be your match.
If you can ever think me
capable of feeling,
surely you may suppose
that I have suffered now.
[Elinor sobs]
Oh, Elinor,
how barbarous I have been.

I want to go home.
I cannot think why
the colonel should take
an interest in my profession.
He is a very kind man.
You know him well, then?
Mm. We are close neighbors
at Barton.
So his vicarage at Delaford...
I'm to be your neighbor, too?
I suppose so.
[Elinor sighs]
Miss Dashwood, you must know
that my only thought
in promising myself to
Miss Steele all those years ago
was to save her from ruin.
But if, by the match,
I should cause the ruin
of someone else's happiness...
You're a man of your word,
Mr. Ferrars.
It is a most admirable quality.
I could break with her, Elinor.
You shall do no such thing.
-One word from you...
-I cannot!
[sighs] I will not compel you
to undo the best, the most
noble thing you have ever done.
You should not like yourself
if you did.
And I should not
esteem you, either.
[Edward sighs]
[breathes deeply]
So we will marry.
[clicks tongue]
I wish you every happiness.

You have been the dearest
friend to me, Miss Dashwood.
The dearest I have ever known.
And you to me.

MRS. JENNINGS:
How lucky we are, Colonel,
that you were here to escort us
all the way back to Barton.
[grunts] Thank you.
[grunting]
[Mrs. Jennings panting]
To think, no matches at all.
And two such excellent women.
I don't know
what's wrong with London.
MRS. JENNINGS:
The north wing that was built
was completely my doing.
And Mrs. Palmer...
Well, she, of course,
wasn't Mrs. Palmer then.
She was Miss Jennings.
You are too good, Mr. Palmer,
to allow us to break
our journey here.
Yes, yes. Come inside.
-[exclaiming]
-It's warm and quiet.
Oh, dear.
-How nice to be here.
-Colonel.
[pants, chuckles]
ELINOR:
Looks like rain, Marianne.
[sighing]:
Oh.
No, take this, too, dear.
And remember,
if you see the fountain,
just stop and turn back.
We don't want you running into
that good-for-nothing.
Does Mr. Willoughby live nearby?
Regrettably.
I never saw such a vile house
as Combe Magna.
I loathe it with a passion.
You loathe everything.
A man must have his passions,
or else he'd be dull.

[thunder rumbling softly]
[rain pattering]

Willoughby!
[screams]
[crying]
[crying continues]

[bird cawing]

[dogs barking in distance]
[barking continues]
[dogs panting]
[thunder rumbling softly]
[groans softly]
[clock ticking]
-Miss Marianne.
-MRS. JENNINGS: Oh.
See, see?
I knew she would catch her death.
-Oh. Oh.
-ELINOR: She's only wet.
And we'll soon have her dry.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Ooh, you poor girl.
[Mrs. Jennings
breathing heavily]
Mr. Palmer,
some cherry brandy, please.
-MR. PALMER: Of course.
-[grunts]
[sighs softly]
COLONEL BRANDON:
You cannot sleep?
When I close my eyes,
I return to Barton.
To this past summer.
He fooled all of us,
Miss Marianne.
So what you wrote
in your letter is true?
The widow Willoughby seduced
was known to me.
Eliza was an orphan under
the guardianship of my father.
Many years ago,
we hoped to marry.
But when she turned 20,
she was married
to my elder brother.
Not before she and I, we, uh...
I dare say it is difficult to
imagine, knowing me as you do.
You did not...?
Elope, yes.
You must have been
in a very great passion.
We had no success.
She married my brother,
Delaford was saved,
and I took a commission
in the East Indies
and was there
until my brother died.
It was only then that
I realized how he had lived.
Their marriage was most unhappy.
After so many years
of maltreatment,
Eliza escaped with the first
man to show her affection.
When Willoughby realized
it was I, not her,
who was to inherit Delaford,
he abandoned her.
It took me months to find her...
Colonel.
And to find out
who the villain was
who had left her
in such a condition.
[exhales sharply]
[clicks tongue]
And where is your Miss Eliza now?
She...
She is dead.
The child with her.
[exhales sharply]
[sniffles]

MRS. JENNINGS:
Ooh, she won't be able
to travel in this condition.
ELINOR:
It's my fault.
I thought she was
choosing frailty,
and if she only resolved
to stop suffering...
There, there, Miss Dashwood.
Blame... [grunts]
will not help her now.
Come.
We have work to do.
[breathes deeply]
[coughing]
[clears throat] The young lady
is in a very grave way.
There is little to do but wait.
MR. PALMER:
You must stay, all of you,
until she is recovered.
Not all. [sighs]
I can tend to her from here.
Don't be absurd, child.
[chuckles]
I removed Miss Marianne
from her mother.
I intend to supply
a mother's loving care.
[stammers] Has her mother
not been sent for?
I would rather wait
until she is recovered.
If Mama sees her in this state...
DOCTOR: There may be
no such opportunity.
-MRS. JENNINGS: Oh.
-Good God.
Allow me, Miss Dashwood.
I will leave at once.
ELINOR [crying]:
Are you sure?
I will be of some use.
[crying]
Thank you.
[neighing]
GROOMSMAN:
All right, all right.
All right.
Go on out.

[Marianne coughing]
[groaning]
[water pouring]

[breathing heavily]
[crying]:
You cannot leave me, Marianne.
[crying softly]
[sniffles]
[clock ticking]
-[birds chirping]
-[rooster crows in distance]
[Marianne inhales deeply]
[knocking on door in distance]
ELINOR:
Mama?
[knocking on door continues]
Mama, she's saved!
-Her fever is abated.
-[door opens]
-MR. WILLOUGHBY: Tell me.
-Willoughby?
Tell me it's true.
Tell me! Is she out of danger?
We hope she is.
[Mr. Willoughby sighs]
[Mr. Willoughby
breathing heavily]
[panting]
[sniffling]
[Mr. Willoughby
groans, sniffles]
Sir, you are in no state...
Yes, I am drunk, but...
[grunts]
You have no idea
what I felt in the village
in hearing
that your sister was dying.
What you ought to feel,
and I certainly do,
is that your coming here requires
a very particular excuse.
Marianne must know
that I love her.
No love permits
the callousness you displayed!
I confess, my intentions
were not always honorable.
At first, I thought of my own
amusement, but in time...
Elinor.
That summer at Barton
was the happiest of my life,
and I would have
made her an offer
had I not heard word
of a tragedy.
There were rumors
which threatened my position.
Colonel Brandon told us
the "rumors," as you call them.
[groans] Upon my soul,
I did not know about the child!
I did not know.
I...
Eliza was a...
[sighs] ...worldly woman.
I thought when I left her
that she would return
to Delaford unharmed.
[scoffs]
Well, I am relieved to hear it,
for it pained us both
to think you such a villain.
I am relieved beyond measure
to know
that I have not lost
your friendship.
But between villainy
and friendship,
there is a vast range of conduct.
You cannot think that yours
towards my sister
warrants any affection!
I never made her any promises.
Indeed, I took
great care not to...
Oh, you took very great care!
Indeed, it is only
with the utmost care
that one can pull off
such a trick!
-What trick?
-You raised her hopes
with meticulous attentions,
then by scrupulous silence
you prolonged her anguish.
[door opens]
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Elinor?
-[door closes]
ELINOR:
Ah, Mama, at last!
[crying]:
Where is she? Where is my girl?
[Mr. Willoughby sniffling]
Good God.
Marianne, is...
She is saved. Mama...
[crying]
Colonel, will you please
show my mother to Marianne?
While I escort
Mr. Willoughby out.
But I've not seen Marianne.
You did not come here
to see my sister, sir.
-[sighs]
-You came to soothe
your own conscience,
which is justifiably troubled.
Elinor, I did not know you were
capable of such incivility.
I dare say, I do not know
what I'm capable of.
COLONEL BRANDON:
Willoughby!
I will not ask again.
Come with me.
[laughs]
You forget yourself, sir.
This is not your home,
nor is it the regiment.
Now!
-[gasps]
-[door opens]
[door closes]
Elinor.
What's this of Willoughby?
-Is he in the house?
-He was.
Oh, the cheek of him.
I'll tell him
what I think of him!
I dare say, there's no need.
I think the colonel
just challenged him.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
They mean to duel?
MRS. JENNINGS:
Good heavens, child!
Why didn't you say so?
[Colonel Brandon shouts
in distance]
-Oh.
-[gasps]
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Careful, dearest.
-ELINOR: You're not well.
-I want to see!
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Trust me, they never shoot.
Pistols.
-They have pistols.
-[Mrs. Dashwood gasps]
Marianne. Careful, careful.
Careful. Careful.
Marianne.
[Marianne breathing shakily]
And no seconds.
Nor a doctor.
[Elinor gasps]
MRS. JENNINGS: Do you think
that they will count to ten?
'Cause I have heard
that 15 is often...
OTHERS:
Shh!
Your count, Mr. Willoughby.

One.
Two.
[Marianne breathing shakily]
-Three. Four.
-[Marianne mouthing]
He'll turn around.
MR. WILLOUGHBY:
Five.
One of them will turn around.
-Six.
-They're not stopping.
ELINOR:
I can't bear it.
MR. WILLOUGHBY:
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten!
[gasps]
[exhales slowly]

[panting]
[sniffles]
[all sighing]
MRS. JENNINGS:
Heavens above.
-Oh.
-[Elinor chuckles]
MRS. DASHWOOD: I thought there
was going to be a slaughter.
I knew the colonel to be
capable of great passion.
Passion?
I've never seen such rage.
But his courage.
Did you see his poise, Mama?
[door opens in distance]
[door closes in distance]
Quickly. Quickly.
Come.
We must show our disapproval.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Yes, yes.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Or they will do it every day.
Yes. A-A duel should be
kept for a special occasion.
-[knock on door]
-Uh, just a moment!
[Marianne sighing]
-Uh, come in.
-[door opens]
Oh, Colonel.
[Mrs. Jennings sighs]
Miss Marianne.
You're out of danger.
You're not hurt?
Mr. Willoughby is unharmed.
Uh, she was asking after you.
Oh.
I'm quite well, Miss Marianne.
[laughing softly]
What is it, dearest?
[chuckles]:
Calm yourself, Mama.
What ails her?
She is only happy.
-[laughter]
-[sighs]: Oh.
[laughter continues]
[chuckles]


[Margaret gasping, chuckling]
[chuckles]:
You're alive!
[grunts]
Mmm.
-[sighs]
-[chuckles]
Was London marvelous?
[chuckles] Not at all.
Places are like people, Margaret.
They are never what we expect.
-[chuckles]
-[kisses]
-[birds chirping and cooing]
-[sheep bleating]
-[water flowing nearby]
-[bee buzzing]
No one would think
you had lately been so ill,
Miss Marianne.
You are your same old self.
Not exactly the same, I hope.
You're just the same to me.
But I am radically altered.
Is that so?
Do you mock me, sir?
No.
Do you think me foolish?
If I say you are unaltered,
it is only because your energy,
your passion,
they have not been subdued
as they might have been in...
in someone less remarkable.
My illness gave me occasion
for serious reflection.
You'll find I have abandoned
all my most cherished maxims.
Surely you still maintain
your prohibition against
second attachments?
That was what persuaded me
to sickness in the first place.
I was truly convinced I should
never feel anything again.
[sighs softly]

How wrong I was.
And how glad to be wrong.
Am I to infer, Miss Marianne...
Forgive me...
but do you mean...
Do you think you can imagine,
in time,
feeling for another as you
once did for Mr. Willoughby?
I do.
In time, I believe
I could feel much more.


Come on.
Marianne! It's Edward.
Where have you been?
-What about him?
-He's married.
Sir John and Lady Middleton
just got back from London.
All anyone can talk about
is the wedding.
Come on.
MRS. DASHWOOD: [sighs]
To think of both of my girls
suffering so.
And how were you rewarded
for your fortitude, Elinor?
With neglect.
[sobs, sniffles]
Oh, what sort of mother am I?
I'm so sorry.
[clicks tongue]
-I'm not. [chuckles]
-[sniffles]
I've had a long time to grow
accustomed to the prospect.
And after all... [chuckles]
After all that is bewitching
in the idea of
one's happiness depending
entirely on another person...
it is not meant...
[sighs]
It is not fit...
[clicks tongue, sighs]
It is not always possible.
Would that I had
your self-possession, Elinor.
MARGARET:
It's Edward.
MARIANNE:
We know.
He's coming.
He's coming now.
[gasps]
Oh, he is the last... [sobs]
The very last person
I wish to see today.
We can excuse you, dearest.
[inhales sharply]
No.
No, leave me.
I must face him.
Of course.
Come.
Come.
[groans, sighs]
[breathing shakily]
[whimpers]
I will be mistress of myself.
[knock on door]
[breathes shakily]
Oh. Miss Dashwood.
-Mr. Ferrars.
-[panting]
I gather
congratulations are in order.
You've heard the news, then?
Just this morning.
[pants]
Well, a-as you can imagine,
Lucy has never been happier.
I...
Your-your mother and sisters
are well, I hope.
Marianne has been ill.
-Oh. I'm so sorry. I...
-In fact,
I ought to tend to her, so...
So if you have no particular
business, perhaps you might
-pass on my felicitations...
-No. No.
I apologize,
but there was one thing.
[sighs]
The last time we spoke,
in London,
I fear I forced you
into an impossible position.
Please, I have resolved
never to think of it.
What you did for me,
what Brandon did,
although I can only imagine
it was you who persuaded him...
I can assure you,
Colonel Brandon acted
of his own volition.
So it was not...
So I was wrong for detecting,
in the offer,
and the manner
in which it was relayed,
your personal concern
for my happiness?
I am interested in the well-being
of all my friends and neighbors.
I see.
I had thought, perhaps,
it spoke of something more...
We have always been friends,
Mr. Ferrars.
I have never expressed otherwise.
Indeed, I wonder at you
coming here today
to interrogate me on the matter.
I had thought better of you.
I understand.
My apologies. I...
I have been most foolish.
Most foolish, indeed.

I will take no more of your time.
[footsteps receding]
[breathing shakily]
[birds chirping]
[sheep bleating in distance]
MRS. DASHWOOD:
You've been very brave, my dear.
MRS. JENNINGS:
So, you've heard the news.
Mrs. Jennings.
MRS. JENNINGS:
[pants] Oh.
Well, I've j-just passed
Mr. Ferrars on the way out,
and he looks almost as sad
as you four.
And why wouldn't he be?
[exhales heavily]
With Miss Steele marrying...
his younger brother. Oh.
-Robert?
-Yes.
MARGARET: Does she not mind
which Mr. Ferrars?
MRS. JENNINGS:
Well, as long as he's the heir.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Has she no shame?
MRS. JENNINGS:
Why, Lucy has nothing.
She's no money, no family
and no education.
I mean, we can hardly judge her.
So Lucy is Mrs. Robert Ferrars?
Yes.
Not Mrs. Edward Ferrars?
No.
[breathing shakily]
-MARIANNE: Elinor. Go.
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Go!
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Go, dear.
-MARGARET: Go.
-MRS. DASHWOOD: Go!
-[others chuckling]
Go. [chuckles]

[panting]
Edward.
Mr. Ferrars!
Miss Dashwood.
Are you all right?
[panting continues]
You're not married?
No.
Indeed, it is to you,
to you and Colonel Brandon
that I owe my freedom.
To me?
Brandon's offer made a life
without my mother's assistance
possible.
Lucy did not want such a life.
[sobbing]
Oh, Miss Dashwood,
the last thing I wish is
to humiliate you again.
[breathing heavily]
I love you, Elinor.
I have since we met.
You know what I have to offer.
It is not much, but...

It is as much as
I have ever wanted.
[laughs, sniffles]
[both laughing]

Oh, they're coming.
They're coming.
MRS. JENNINGS:
Oh.
-Yeah! [laughing]
-[exclaiming]
[laughing]
MRS. JENNINGS: I always knew
they were a match.
-So did I.
-No, you didn't.
Mrs. Dashwood, I ought to have
asked your permission.
MRS. DASHWOOD:
Come here, you silly boy.
MRS. JENNINGS: Oh, isn't it
great, Miss Marianne?
What will your income be?
Is the rectory at Delaford
very grand?
MRS. DASHWOOD:
We must celebrate.
-We must celebrate!
-[excited chatter]
-MRS. JENNINGS: Yes. Why not?
-MARGARET: Another party!
MRS. JENNINGS:
Yeah, a party. Why not?
MARGARET:
I knew it.
EDWARD:
Did you know? You could tell?
MARGARET:
Of course I knew.
[laughs]

[sniffles, squeals]
[both laughing]





["The Trees They Grow So High"
by Sjaella playing]
The trees they grow so high
And the leaves
they do grow green
And many
a cold winter's night
My love and I have seen
Oh, the cold
winter's night, my love
You and I alone have been
Whilst my bonny boy is young
He's a-growing
O Father, dearest Father
You've done to me
great wrong
You've tied me to a boy
When you know
he is too young
O daughter, dearest daughter
If you wait for
a little while
A lady you shall be
while he's growing
[singers scatting]
I'll send your love
to college
All for a year or two
And then, in the meantime
He will do for you
I'll buy him white ribbons
Tie them round
his bonny waist
To let the ladies know
that he's married
To let the ladies know
that he's married
[singers scatting]
I went up to the college
And I looked over the wall
Saw four and 20 gentlemen
Playing at bat and ball
I called to my true love
But they would not
let him come
All because
he was a young boy
And growing
A young boy and growing
At the age of 16
He was a married man
And at the age of 17
He was a father to a son
And at the age of 18
The grass grew over him
Cruel death soon put an end
To his growing
And now my love is dead
And in his grave doth lie
The green grass
grows o'er him
So very, very high
I sit and I mourn his fate
Until the day I die
And I'll watch
o'er his child
-While he's growing
-While he's growing.