The Nightcomers (1972) Movie Script
Peter Quint!
Peter Quint!
Peter Quint!
Quint, where are you?!
Peter Quint!!
Peter Quint!
Quint! Where are you?!
There he is!
Come.
I was called.
Mrs Grose.
Master?
Before I leave,
there are matters we must discuss.
Now, um...
...you may sit down.
Where's Quint gone?
I never saw him!
You see? He hides.
Yes.
Gotcha!
Peter Quint!
As soon as he hides from us I don't
laugh any more.
Because it's better with him.
Yes!
...and that is why I am going away.
The children are not my responsibility.
It was not my wish that my cousins
should die in such circumstances they did.
Nor was it my wish that I should become the
children's guardian in the event of their...
...parents' death.
Pardon me...
...but you are the closest
kin to Flora and Miles.
And that is why I will leave them here.
...belong to the children's father, but,
er, I cannot stay.
And, Master... myself?
You are the housekeeper.
You must keep about your duties the same.
And the late gentleman's
valet - Mr, um... Quint?
Well, he's been here a long time.
But... there is no valeting.
Perhaps for the boy, later on.
If he so pleases to stay on...
...can he not do for the gardens?
I am sure.
And then there is the nanny.
Miss Jessel.
I do not think I have
seen her since yesterday.
Where is Miss Jessel?
Flora?
We've seen you!
We've seen you!
Come on, we've seen you!
Aah... God, I thought you'd never come.
Where've you been?
- You were breathing too heavily to be asleep.
- Ah.
You know, I don't feel so good.
We saw you running over there!
Look what I coughed up.
Where did you get that?
I coughed it up.
From London I will make the
necessary financial arrangements...
...for the upkeep of the
place... all the salaries.
But, er, for myself, I shall stay away.
I know it is unlikely, but
if there is an urgency...
...or one of the children become low...
Miss Jessel is the nanny. She
will write to me immediately.
She must be told.
I will do that.
Just be patient, you'll
see. You won't believe it.
Miss Jessel.
Yes, sir.
Where have you been?
Just walking.
C'mon now.
Be a good boy. Open up.
See?
Well, I'm having to
leave the... little monkeys.
You see, he likes it.
God knows why.
Must be the hot air.
How do you know all these things?
Quint, what will happen to it?
Wait and see.
It's blowing up! It's getting fatter!
- Y'see, the more he smokes the bigger he gets.
- Oh.
And because he can't stop liking it,
he keeps on doing it.
Mm... But I think he's happy about it.
And, er, you will have no
difficulty with Flora and Miles?
They're gems.
And their schooling?
I will minister.
Until they go to a proper school.
That is to be your decision, sir.
What do you say, Miss Jessel?
Should we tell them that their parents
are deceased?
I ought to see Quint before I go.
And the children?
No, no, no, no - I will not disturb them.
They hardly know me.
Well, I will send Quint to the lodge as
you're in such a hurry.
Yes, yes.
- Don't be afeared.
- I'm not!
You're crying.
Poor toad.
It likes it.
Quint says so. He's always right.
No.
Quint?
Quint.
Mrs Grose said to see
the Master at the lodge.
Oh. Did she now?
Yes. Immediately.
Oh... well, when is that?
This minute. He leaves now.
Do you mean, I... I'm
going to get the push?
Possibly.
Meaning... that I can't
be the groom no more?
Not if you don't run.
And I can't be the gardener neither...?
You'll have nowhere to go.
No money... You'll starve by the roadway.
And you won't ever be able to see me again,
will you, Margaret?
Do not call me so.
Ah, I forgot... only after dark.
Quint... go, else you will miss him.
And yourself... do you stay?
I'm with the children.
Hm. Well, come along with me?
No. I'd rather not be seen with you.
Hmm! Well, suit yourself.
You see? The toad likes it.
It's dead!
Quint says that, Flora.
It loves the smoke so
much, that it has to have it all.
Horrible.
Not really. It loves the smoke so much that
it kills itself for that.
I don't understand.
But that's the truth.
Quint!
Good day, sir.
Excuse me, sir... am I to be set off?
You stay, Quint.
Oh, thank you, sir.
There's nothing for you to do,
so you must do as you can.
Work the gardens if you like.
Yes.
Yes, sir!
Oh, yes, sir... Thank you, sir.
Just leave it to me, sir.
Now...
...there must be much to do.
Watch over the children and the, er...
...housekeeper... and the nanny.
That is employment enough, is it not?
- Ah, yes, indeed, sir.
- See to it, then.
Well, thank you, sir.
I'm indebted to you, sir.
Drive on.
Goodbye, sir. Straight up your arse, sir.
Let it go.
Then I'll lose it.
But if you let it run
it'll sleep in a corner.
No.
It cannot move now. It's upside down.
It'll die like that.
No, it's safe.
In the morning I'll bring it back.
It will hurt it.
- But it won't die.
- Who says?
Quint.
That is all right, Mrs Grose.
- We can hear you.
- Oh.
In fact, we're already here.
Oh, ho. If you eat it now, it will be hot.
Yes, Mrs Grose.
Now, pour the milk on it, Flora.
Yes.
And porridge should always
be covered with brown sugar.
No!
Oh, yes, indeed it should!
Now, explain yourselves.
What do you mean, no!?
We take salt now.
Only salt.
Ri-diculous!
Now, you do as I say.
Now, stop! Stop! Now!
Salt, if you please, Mrs
Grose, and for Flora.
But why?
Sugar tastes dirty. Salt is clean.
And who told you that?
And other children?
Well, what about them?
Do they play with their families?
Uh, let's have the brush.
And with children they know?
Well, maybe.
And they go out to parties in other houses?
And in turn invite them back here to Bly?
And so?
And at Christmas, presents are exchanged.
And there are plenty of presents because
there are plenty of friends.
Oh, is that it?
Unlike Flora and I, Quint.
Well... your mum and dad were different.
Yes.
I guess they didn't
want to waste their time...
...playing with the children of the house.
Anyway, who taught you to ride a horse?
It was me.
And who taught you to catch a little bird in the
palm of your hand with just a few breadcrumbs?
Peter Quint.
Come on.
And what about seein' in the dark?
And lookin' through the trees, and...
and quick as an owl, spot a mouse?
You.
That's right.
And so even if they did love
you in that queer fashion...
Did?!!
Yes, Flora. It's too late now.
He's going to tell you that they are dead.
And nobody else in the
house wants us to know.
Y'see, your mam... well,
she never liked it here at Bly.
And your father was always chasing after
mechanical instruments.
You know, he liked engines, and... noise.
Well, anyway, they was
travellin' round the world.
And they went to India, and...
and all the way to the tip of Africa.
And, er...
...well, they had an accident.
You know... valves and...
They were driving a gas
automobile made in France.
Well... they're dead, Flora.
But, you see, that's why they must
come back to us, and stay with us forever.
Now, 'behaviour'.
B.
E.
H.
A.
V.
I.
O.
U.
R.
A very good start. It means...?
How to deport.
That is only one interpretation, Flora.
Miles, when a lady walks into a room...
I will stand up.
And...?
Wait until she sits down.
"Good morning, Ma'am,
I'm sir Charles Warren."
Sit down, Miles.
"Would you be so kind
as to come inside, sir?"
"Thank you, er, Miss...?"
Miles, sit down!
"Flora Tyrrell. I'm delighted
to make your acquaintance."
Good.
We never make mistakes
at courtesy, Miss Jessel.
Could we not try something more difficult?
Then suggest.
Well... Mother and Father;
Why have they not returned?
They will be away for quite some time.
Until when?
I cannot tell.
That isn't really good enough.
Rudeness will get you nowhere, Miles.
"Manners maketh..."
Yes, indeed they do, Miles.
Flora and I do not believe you.
I'm sorry, I cannot tell
you any more than I know.
No?
No, Miles. Now...
- ...would you read this?
- I have a question, Miss Jessel.
Yes?
When the dead die...
You mean, when the
dead are dead, to be exact.
Where do they go?
If they are kind and
gentle, they go to Heaven.
If not, I'm afraid they go
and stay with the Devil.
In Hell.
That's right - where it is very hot.
Absolute piffle!
That is why I asked Miss Jessel.
I didn't ask the guardian.
I only remembered what
you had said to me, Quint.
Well, I just thought you ought to know that
your parents were dead.
I don't think I cried, did I?
No, you didn't. But Flora did a bit.
She did.
And that night she wet her sheets.
Ah, poor thing.
You know, I asked Miss Jessel
about the dead, but I didn't believe her.
Not after what you had said.
That's right. And if she told you that the
good go to Heaven...
...and the bad to Hell, she's wrong.
It's all damn nonsense.
Yes.
But... where are my parents now, Quint?
Well, after they brought 'em home...
...they put 'em in a couple of boxes...
...and in a few days
they'll put 'em in this hole.
So Mrs Grose ought to tell us quickly,
because I want to see.
Well, there's... there's nothing to see.
- Oh! But I want to, Quint.
- And you can arrange it.
I can hide in those bushes over there.
Well, there's nothing to see.
They put the boxes in the ground and they
take all this earth and they...
...they put it over the
boxes and it's finished.
You remember when you told me
about the dead, and where they go, Quint?
Yes.
Tell me again.
Well, the dead go
nowhere, because they've...
...got nowhere to go, you see. There's
no Heaven or Hell, or that nonsense.
- That's right.
- That's right.
And then, later on...
well, we all join 'em.
Is that all there is to it?
That's it.
Come on.
Oh! Put yourself out of
those clothes, Peter Quint!
Oh... Would you like to see me naked?
They are the Master's.
Dead now.
Huh. No right, is there, for
you to make up imposturings?
Oh... you don't think they fit?
Huh! Fit a dung shoveller like you?! Huh!
Dung? Dung, is it?
I thought I was the groom.
The toady to the man, you were.
And that I don't remember it.
You toadied to the man.
Yes, sir. No, sir.
Three bags full, sir.
Oh, he was the dandy, wasn't he?
All jealousy, Quint, weren't you?
Now, take these off.
You have no such permission.
And if it was my say, you wouldn't
be allowed in the stables, even.
Thank you for that.
You're scum, Quint.
Why don't you go back to the stables
where scum belongs?
And you're a lady, Mrs Grose.
And there's a lice as big
as me finger in your hair.
Would you be rotting?
And all your lies!
Don't you come in here again.
Or I shall write to the
children's guardian.
Maggots... Maggots in
your skull, and all wrigglin'...
And you'll find yourself back in
the public house, borrowing ale!
And take those clothes off.
This house can be run
without you... Peter Quint!
Your wrinkled arse.
Psst.
You cannot come in!
Miles and Flora - are you abed?
Oh, yes.
Have you said your prayers?
- Yes.
- Yes, we've said our prayers.
I don't believe you.
We're saying them now.
Good.
Now say after me...
..."Please, God, as this day close."
"Please God...
...as this day close."
"We give thanks."
"We give thanks."
"That we have come through tonight."
"That we have come through tonight."
"And in your hands' safe keeping."
"And in your hands' safe keeping."
"We are alive and well."
"We are alive and well."
"Amen."
"Amen."
Amen!
You can't come in!
Amen!
Mrs Grose. Now we put
a few pins in her, like this.
It does look like her.
It does, doesn't it?
Will Mrs Grose die now?
Only if Quint says so.
Does she want to die yet?
Well, I can tell you
she's coming close to it.
Then she's got to.
Let's have a pin.
Quint... why does Miss Jessel love you?
Oh, does she, now?
Oh, yes, of course she does.
But why is she so frightened of you?
Because she loves him, you idiot.
Quint, what do you do to
Miss Jessel when you love her?
And what does she do to you?
Oh, that's easy!
How do you know?
They scare each other to death!
Flora's very funny when
she puts her mind to it.
But, Quint, what do you
really do with Miss Jessel?
We just trick around.
That's all.
Aren't they beautiful!
Come along. Come along, Miss Flora.
Oh, quickly, I beg you!
Oh, you must let me
go into the shop. Please!
Go along, then.
If I find the very one I want,
will you oblige me by buying it?
Well... which is it?
- There it is.
- The orange one?
Here, I'll get it for you.
And you know its name?
Of course!
Mind me!
Oh, it's so beautiful.
Now this one, this type, has a story.
It's called the Duster Admiral.
Yes, it is.
Such a knowledgeable little girl!
It is born, and it will only live
for 48 hours, then it has to die.
That's not all. It's
necessary to explain about it.
You have a tongue like
a butterfly! It never stops.
This little Admiral is
born without any stomach.
Not possible!
It doesn't have a mouth, either.
It can't eat.
It has to find a female before it dies.
All it wants to do is to mate.
It has to love once another butterfly,
and afterwards, well, nothing matters.
Because to love it has to die.
Silly girl!
Full of nonsense.
Quint told you that.
He may not have.
- I don't know where you get such silly ideas.
- It has to be true.
You don't want to shout, do you!
Do you?!
Do you?
That's it.
Oh, you brute.
Brute, is it? Say sorry.
Say you're sorry.
Say it.
Come on, say it.
I'm... I'm sorry.
That's better.
Oh...! Please, stop now...
Shut up.
Like a chicken on a spit.
Just a dog in the street.
Say it.
Say it.
No.
Say it!
I'm just...
Come on.
...just a dog in the street.
Such shame.
Bull... shit.
Had I but known...
...in the beginning...
More bullshit.
Ah, you love as you find you can love.
And that's all.
But all that pain?
All the hurt... the dirtiness of it, Quint.
Well, what did you think when we started?
It was to be kind.
It was to be gentle.
Do you believe it's not
a pain when you're born?
Or it's not so when you die?
Do you think there's no hurt when you love?
Then you're a hypocrite.
Yes.
Margaret?
Not 'Margaret'.
Nor ever so intimate.
Nor that.
I cannot so give myself.
With what then?
The want of you.
You must be thirsty, my dear.
The stopper was out of the decanter.
I think we'll have to replace it.
Of course.
Please, I... I apologise.
Really?
My head... I thought perhaps a stiffener...
At half past nine in the morning?
I was not aware of the time.
You look at me as if it is a misdemeanour
of such proportion.
As you surely must know,
the morning is for work.
Well, tomorrow is the interment
of the Master and his wife.
The late Master, I mean.
And the children should
not attend the burial?
Well, you are the
nanny, Miss Jessel, not I.
It is your decision.
But they still should not go.
On the contrary; If you
have prepared them, then...
No. No, I have not.
Well, what they do not know, they need not.
Yes.
Yes.
Far be it for me to say what
they should or should not do.
You, of course, observe your duties...
...and I, of course, observe mine.
My dear!
My dear.
I... I fell asleep.
No, no - stay.
Do forgive me.
I felt so dizzy a moment ago.
I have already seen it.
But why?
Why would you want to harm yourself?
If you could, Quint, would
you marry Miss Jessel?
Hm. Ah... I don't know.
Are you afraid to marry her?
No. But I'd never be
fool enough to ask her.
I don't understand.
Well, she might turn me down.
Naturally, my dear.
We all think it is the end of the
world and there is no future in it...
...and there's nothing left but a futility.
But we conquer it.
Mrs Grose, please, leave me.
When I was young, I loved one man.
We lived in the Pennines.
My father shod drays for the landowner.
I had one love.
But, never having the courage to show it...
...he upped and went to Ramsgate,
where he met a Frenchy girl.
I cried for two whole days without stop.
Such a good man, he was.
The parson's eldest boy.
Oh... how I cried.
You suggest...
...you suggest that I'm
heartbroken, or miserable, or sad.
I'm none of these.
But you misconstrue.
Peter...!
His name is "Quint".
He made this.
I don't know.
But you do!
Mrs Grose!
It is finished.
Perhaps the children
asked him to make the dolls?
I will not say to him what I ought.
But, I promise you, he won't come in this house any more
if I have to appeal to the guardian myself, in person.
- But...
- He stays outside this house.
He stays down by the lodge gate.
And he is forbidden this house.
Quint, tell us the story about the time
your father sold a horse to the gypsies.
Me father... hnn.
Well... the first thing I remember about
him was what a fearful crook he was.
We was always travellin' around, an' all.
And we was up near a
place called Carrickfergus.
And that was it.
Well, he decides to
steal this mangy old nag...
...and, uh, sell it to the
gyppos, y'know, at a price.
Well, he thought he knew
a lot about horses, y'see...
...but he didn't know as
much the gyppos did, y'know?
So, he... he steals this damn thing...
...and he takes me in this old
coffin-dragger over to Belfast, Solwater.
Broke Hill - they was havin' a horse
sale over there. Fair day, y'know.
And... ah, God...
...I, I'll never forget the
day he tried to sell it.
He's got a big bag of oats,
y'know - he's pinched it.
And he puts in some soda powder and mixes the whole damn thing
up, and feeds it to the horse and the gas is all, y'know...
...so the bones won't be sticking through.
The poor thing had bald
patches on it, like that.
And, uh, he glues it up, you know...
...and, uh, he cuts out some rabbit fur...
...and he sticks it on there,
then he tars it up with a brush...
...to give it a dapple effect, y'know.
Oh - then he takes a handful, no,
a piece of ginger... about like that...
And hot.
He sticks it in the rear
of the animal, y'know...
...so it'll spark it up.
It's time to go to church.
Well, he starts making this plan.
He says, "We'll go down to
the river and wait for sunset."
"Why sunset?", I says.
"Well," he says, "so that the damn fool that
buys it won't see it plain until mornin'."
And, uh... he spies a big
gyppo comin' down the bank.
Huge man, he was - like that.
Well, me dad takes the horse, y'know...
...and he walks over to him...
...ah, God, he was
full of himself, y'know...
He says, "Good evenin' to you, sir. You
look like a man that knows about horses."
He says, "I can let you have this magnificent
beast for only five shillings - silver."
"It's just off the boat from Arabia."
Well, the gyppo looks at him a
bit quick, like that, up and down.
Then he takes a look at the horse.
He can't see the damn
thing for the gloom, can he?
And, well..., the gyppo
says, "I'll give yer two for it."
Well, me dad takes the
two, real quick, y'know...
...and the gyppo jumps on the horse and
rides the damn thing straight into the water.
And no sooner is he in the water he starts
turnin', and buckin' and kickin'... and fartin'!
I thought the British were comin'!
Well... the rabbit fur fell off it, and
the paint starts runnin' down it's legs...
...and the bald patches
were showin' through.
And the piece of ginger flew out of the poor
animal's arse like it was shot from a cannon!
So, me dad, he's tremblin' and turnin' white as a fish...
and prayin', "Oh, God..." for the first time in his life.
Well, they take him, and
they tear his clothes off him...
...and they throw him in the river, and...
...they damn near drowned him.
Well, he gets to the other
side and he runs off, see?
And that's the last time I saw
the damn fool from that day to this.
And I wouldn't lie to you. So help me God.
Ahh... Well...
...that's me father. Hm.
Now...
- ...do you like it, Flora?
- Mm.
But it's got one ear... I, I broke it off.
But I'll fix it for you.
Do you want it?
Please!
Well, give us a kiss, then. C'mon.
All right.
Ah! Ha, ha, ha! Come here.
There y'are, darlin'.
You keep it.
There. How does that feel?
Absolutely dreadful!
Why?
I can't move.
Well, that's the idea of it.
It is?!
It is just possible that we've
been doing it all the wrong way.
Miles, it hurts!
I think it's meant to.
I think we're going to
have to start all over again.
Miles!
No use shouting, Flora.
It's got to be as absolutely
painful as possible.
Ooww!
Quint says if it hurts, it is the truth.
I've made up my mind.
Well?
Take the shoes off.
Certainly not!
Take the dress off.
Never!
- Flora, if you're going to behave like a baby...
- I am not!
Flora, you agreed.
We are passionately in love
and having an ecstatic love affair.
Ecstatic love affairs are boring.
Do you think it's teatime?
I don't know why you make all this fuss?
We had a bath together last week.
Stop it!
Flora, stop!
This is not how sex is made!
Flora, you'll be sorry.
Please, Miles, stop it!
Miles, please!
Stop it!
Oh, leave me...!
Miles! Flora!
There's a rule in the house that
nobody enters a room without knocking.
I am forced to ask you
what you think you are doing.
And why was Miss Flora screaming?
I'll tell you exactly what
we have been doing.
We have been doing sex.
In the midst of life, we are in death.
To whom may we seek for succour, but of thee,
O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased.
Yet, O Lord God most
holy, O Lord most mighty...
...deliver us not into the
bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer.
But spare us, Lord most
holy, O God the most mighty...
...O holy and merciful Saviour, thou
most worthy God eternal...
...suffer us not at our last
hour for any pains of death...
There, Quint!
What did you say to her, Miles?
To meet Quint.
Don't you think, Quint,
you should go to her?
Of course not.
But why tell her to go there, then?
Because that's how it's done.
What?
That's how you make love.
What is?
Oh, shut up, Flora.
But Quint, she loves you!
That's right.
But then you must go to her.
Often you've said "Meet me", and she goes
to the same place and waits.
But you never go to her.
Why not, Quint?
It's hard to explain, Flora, why not.
You're not allowed in the
house any more, Quint.
Mrs Grose says.
Oh, she does, does she?
Are you forbidden to
see Miss Jessel, Quint?
Well, that's what they told me.
But she waits for you
all the while, doesn't she?
She loves him.
Quint, isn't it true all this love is
just sheer agony?
I'd just hate to be in love.
All this? Boring. All these problems.
Well, you know... sometimes when you hate,
you're in love, Flora.
Rats! Rats, in my kitchen!
It's Quint's job to keep them down.
- Why, I'm sure...
- Where are Miles and Flora?
Are they not with you?
Not this morning. Quint has a kite.
Oh! A grown man. What a waste.
The children were so excited.
They went to the chalk pit, I think.
- The chalk pit?
- Mmm.
I have told them they must not play there.
It's dangerous.
- But they're with Quint.
- Oh, he has no care.
I shall go.
Will you not come with me?
I have some work.
I can't do it, Quint. It won't work.
All right. It will, so. C'mon.
Back away, Flora.
Grab this here, now.
Now, when I tell you
to run, run like the wind.
Wait a minute, son.
Now, run!
Faster!
Faster!
Keep runnin'.
Keep runnin'.
Give me that.
Keep at it.
You've got it.
That's it.
Mind the bluff!
Dear God!
Miles! Miles!
No! Oh...!
Master Miles, are you all right?
Course I'm all right,
Quint was looking after me.
You evil pig, Quint!
Are you all right?
You bastard!
- I thought that it...
- Look at the boy!
You went right over the cliff!
Course I did!
What did it feel like?
All right, really. Like flying.
Miles?
No, Quint!
You do not come in here.
What is to gain?
What is it you want of us?
Us?
Do you want money?
Do you take me for a thief?
Have us all dead? Is that it?
No! You are forbidden in this house.
Pull the trigger.
Quint!
Pull it.
Are you afraid to kill me, Mrs Grose?
I'll write to the Master.
That'll be the last you'll see of her.
It is you.
You think I will scream.
You see?
I will not.
Peter?
No. Not Peter.
He is not coming. He is told.
He cannot.
What he wants of thee...
...he has you like a puppet. You dance.
I was asleep.
And you would have allowed him...
...anything that he does to thee.
Any vileness!
I was dreaming.
You feed off him.
Every person's room in this house
is a private place.
That is a rule.
Why, Margaret?
Why?
You notice, don't you...
...in the moonlight through the window...
how white the sheets are?
Now, you take it by the end.
Not the end of the arrow.
Like this?
Now, you see, that's it. Right there.
Straighten your arm.
Still... still.
Now let her go.
Good, good.
Oh, dear.
No, it's not bad.
You know, in China they say, Miles...
...if you think about the target
hard enough you can hit it blindfold.
- Blindfold?
- That's it.
How do they do it?
Well, first you close your eyes, y'see?
Then you think real hard about the target.
And in your mind, you see the arrow goin'
into the bullseye.
And then... you fire it!
- I did it!
- Well, for the love of God!
You are clever, Quint!
Flora.
Miss Jessel! Shall we walk now?
May I talk to you about Peter Quint?
There's no point, Flora.
What good would it do?
I don't know.
But I do think you should see him.
I will not.
All right, Miss Jessel. I understand.
Miles, will you do something for me?
Anything, Quint.
Well, I want to see Miss Jessel, but...
...I'm forbidden by old wrinkled-arse.
But I must see her.
You hate Miss Jessel, don't you, Quint?
Oh, I hate her.
In that case, if I understand
you correctly, you love her?
That's right. I do love her, lad.
That's easy. I can arrange anything.
Will you do it?
Yes!
Good lad.
Right, come on, now - push.
Hard!
C'mon, push!
Push!
Can I keep it to practise with?
Well, look after yourself.
The Chinese, Quint...
they first see the target...
...then they pretend they have hit
it, because they think hard about it.
That's right.
Then they close their eyes.
And fire!
Miles! That could be very dangerous.
I was never a child as you are;
Such a grand house...
...able to have any dress or toy you like.
Who was your father, Miss Jessel?
Why, Mr Jessel, of course.
And what did he do, Miss Jessel?
He was a church sexton.
Such a timid man. So gentle.
And my mother loved him.
Why, Miss Jessel?
There were married five
years after I was born.
He was not my father, you see.
He was just a... kind little man.
I understand.
Do you like kind and
gentle people, Miss Jessel?
Not any more, Flora.
When Mr Jessel died,
my mother killed herself.
She loved him that much.
He was so calm, and nice.
But when he was dead my mother
knew the truth.
The truth?
The world is a very violent place.
Nothing is truly calm.
Even when you are dead, you bring pain.
Flora! No, don't!
Flora!
It's all right, Miss Jessel.
You've turned white!
I cannot swim... and I
thought... I was afraid.
It's all right, Miss Jessel.
I can swim, and I would've saved you.
Quint says he doesn't want to see
you again, ever.
It's all over, he says.
Miles, don't!
He says he doesn't care anymore,
and that you ought to rot.
Miles, don't hit the ball again like that!
So as far as he's concerned, he has -
or he says - washed his hands of you.
What do you say to that, Miss Jessel?
You have no right to hit my ball into the
hedge like that.
But what do you say?
About Quint?
I don't believe it.
He doesn't care about
you anymore, Miss Jessel.
If that's true he should
tell me so - to my face.
Catch.
That's easy. I can arrange everything.
Quint!
Quint!
Ah, Flora, darlin'.
Well, what're you doing here?
I came to see to see you...
...to tell you I'd seen Miss Jessel.
She loves you.
Get your rude arse outta here.
She loves you, Quint.
Who?
Miss Jessel.
She told me to tell you that
she thinks of nothing but you...
...and the day when you'll be together.
You wouldn't lie to me, now?
Oh, no!
And that you must meet
her and she'll forgive you.
Oh, is that so...?
And that you're kind and gentle...
...and she loves you with all her being.
Ah, how pretty you make the words.
What else did she say?
What other lies did she tell you?
Mrs Grose! I'll help you up.
Ohhhh dear.
I'm terrified of heights.
Give me your hand,
Mrs Grose. It's quite safe.
Give me your basket.
Here we are.
Oh... You go on up, Miles.
I think I'm all right now.
I'll follow you up.
Oh, you can be such a charming young man
when you want.
Inviting me into the treehouse.
Thank you very much.
On the contrary. It's my pleasure.
There we are.
Isn't it nice in here?
Quint built it for us.
It took him four months.
Is Miss Flora to join us?
I'm sure she is.
I remember as a child, when we would...
What was that?
There are squirrels here, you know.
But I did hear something.
It could be just that, er...
- I'll go and look.
- Right.
Can you see anything?
Miles - be careful.
Right.
Where are you, dear?
Just a moment.
Be a good boy, Miles, and come back
and finish your tea.
That I surely will!
Now, what do you think you're at? Miles?
Miles?
MILES!!!
Dear God, he's taken the ladder away!
Miles!
Oh, help me!
Good evening, Quint.
Good evening, lad.
You hair - it does look tidy.
Do you like it?
I told you I'd arrange everything.
Good luck, Quint.
They're up there.
How smart you look.
So clean.
You see, I didn't believe for one minute that you
care nothing for me. It was just a lie, wasn't it?
Lies.
- Always lies.
- You had to see me.
That's right.
And you'd even risk losing the work here -
isn't that true?
And you know that all Mrs Grose has
to do is to write one note to the Master...
...and you're finished here. You know that.
That doesn't suit you.
It looks... uncomfortable.
How hot you are.
Have you been running?
Not running, Margaret.
I'm not frightened, Quint.
I know what you want, and it's all right.
How strong you are.
Is that how you like to appear?
Dark and cold, as if
you're about to be evil?
Yes?
And all I would have to do - did you ever
think on that? Was to scream out but once.
Or to run down to the
village; The policeman there.
It would have meant jail, Quint. Years.
I could have done anything to you
for what you did to me in the beginning.
No.
Why not?
What have I gained by my silence?
Meself.
But you've just told Miles you
care nothing, that you'd end it now?
And this is the last
of it, isn't it? Tonight?
As you wish.
Oh, I do.
I have no fear.
I am free. It is done.
See, Quint... how little it matters?
I need you with me, Margaret.
I need you to stay with me.
To live with you in your pigsty?
I'll give you 'pigsty'.
Pig?!
Who's down there?
Who is it?
Peter Quint.
Quint?
Quint!
Get me down from here at once.
Do you hear me?
You'll pay for this, my man.
Quint!
Oh, it's you, Master Miles!
Help me down, I pray you!
Never fear, Mrs Grose. I'll
have you down immediately.
Good boy. Oh...
Miss Jessel?
Miss Jessel.
I have looked everywhere this morning for
Master Miles and Miss Flora.
They were up early.
They went to the lake for something.
I want you to know, Miss Jessel, that I am
sorely worried about them...
...their general behaviour, and what they
did to me yesterday.
And though I was told not to
contact the Master, I feel that I must.
I think Miles' behaviour outrageous,
what he did to you.
But you must see it in the
light of a prank, don't you think?
Are your eyes weak this
morning, Miss Jessel?
No, why?
- I was just wondering why...
- Why what?
Why you should need to
wear a veil in the house.
You slut.
And it was all a trick against me.
The Devil! The Devil is in both of you!
God forgive you!
Let go!
Don't you understand what I see
with my own eyes?
You nearly killed Flora, you little dog!
You stopped me! You interfered!
Why did you interfere?
Damn you!
The point was... but you don't understand!
It was a game!
I was meant to die!
A game?! To die...?
And you ruined it!
And you wanted to die?!
Oh, YES!!
Well?
What to say.
They saw you last night, with him.
Yes.
They repeated exactly what you did!
No!
Oh, yes, they did. Everything.
They cannot copy everything because
they cannot know that...
They are still children.
They cannot possibly understand that whatever I have
done... if you like, whatever wickedness I have done...
...it was with love.
And think you now...
...now you have seen with your own eyes
what has come of it, it is still "love"?
I beg you not to.
Had Miss Flora died, and by Miles' hand...
...Margaret, have you thought?
I could have pitied you once.
But now...
...I shall write to London.
Either you must go and never come back...
...or surely you will be sacked from here.
Oh, the ignomy.
There are no lessons
today, Flora. I'm afraid...
And why not? Are you ill, Miss Jessel?
I'm tired.
I notice that nothing is
written on the blackboard.
Flora!
And that your eyes are red and puffy
as if you've been crying.
What if I have?
May I ask you... are you in great pain?
Let me help you.
- Too late, Flora.
- Why?
Because I am ill.
But I am not.
You love him?
No.
Please - you do.
I hate.
Then - then you do love.
But you're crying, Miss Jessel.
But you hurt so.
Don't worry so for me.
But I do.
Oh, if only you could understand how cruel
I've been to you...
...and that I didn't know
I was to mislead you.
But you haven't at all.
On the blackboard I write the grammar
and the spelling, and all the nice words.
I did not mean to show you something else.
You mean Quint?
I'm so ashamed.
You see, I can help you.
No.
It will all end.
Let me help you.
Won't you let me?
I will go.
Go, Miss Jessel?
You must not go. You must stay.
I can arrange anything.
I can tell Quint and he will meet you.
No.
Just once, before you go.
I love Quint, but you cannot help me.
You're cold!
Aahh! C'mon on, now!
- Can't catch me!
- Hah!
Can't catch me!
Missed!
Ahh, me hat!
I'll get you now.
Hahh! Got you now.
Ah, God...
It's my turn now!
Ah, no, go on.
Gotta rest a bit.
What did you say about dying, Quint?
Uh, what? What?
Where do the dead go, Quint?
The dead?
They don't go nowhere.
They got nowhere to go.
But how do you meet them?
If you want to meet 'em,
you'll have to die yourself.
So the dead people meet each other?
That's right.
But, do they love each other?
Sure, 'course they do.
But live people love each other, too.
Well, I suppose so.
But sometimes it's hard to tell.
Well, you see, if you love
someone you want to kill them.
Please - say that again, Quint.
Well, if you really...
...if you really love someone,
then sometimes you...
...you really want to kill them.
I've ordered a driver.
I'm sending all this up
to London in advance.
By tomorrow I shall be gone.
- I'll put the cases on the coach, madam.
- Thank you.
You stay here and I'll give you the signal.
Quint?
Oh, Peter, did you think I would
leave you... without a word?
Oh! Peter! Peter!! Peter, help me!
Peter! Help me!
We don't want you to go.
We want you to stay with us.
You see, you must stay.
We love you.
Ah, you've got the lake.
- It's the wrong shape.
- It will do.
All of these are the trees, then.
They go all around the lake.
You put the island in the middle.
These are the reeds.
Doesn't look much like reeds to me.
Use your imagination.
The boat.
It's got a hole in it.
What's the use of a boat with a hole in it?
So it will sink.
What's this?
Give it to me.
This is Miss Jessel.
I made it.
She's drowning.
And the ducks, please, Flora.
I wasn't going to use them.
And why not?
You made them wrong.
I did not.
Ducks are white.
There is no white.
The green and red duck
is out of the question.
Lot of rot. I made them.
I hate them!
Flora!
Flora!
Now you've spoilt it.
Oh, no.
Quint!
Get up.
Quint!
You will go, Quint, and
today, because I have written.
And that's the end of it.
Now that I have told you all I know, it is
imperative that you go down to Bly House immediately.
Yes, sir.
As the former young
woman left so suddenly...
...I believe it was in answer to
an urgent call from her family.
A relative who had
been taken suddenly sick.
The children are left alone, virtually, but
for the housekeeper, and the gardener.
I understand.
Have you any questions?
Unless the children are taken very sick indeed,
or there has been an accident in the house...
...I must on no account
get in touch with you.
On no account.
And the welfare and tutoring of
the children remains in my care?
It does; In total.
- But you will require a report of the, er...
- From time to time - if you like, every six months.
- I am a busy man, and, er...
- Forthwith, then.
I am so grateful.
The butler will see you out.
Here, Miles - here are your prunes.
Yes, Mrs Grose.
We don't often sit here, do we?
No.
A special occasion.
We don't understand.
Well, Miles, and Flora - now, firstly...
...as you already have gathered,
Miss Jessel has suddenly left us.
She has?
Yes, Miles.
Of a sudden she had to leave to
see a relative who has become very ill.
She had?
Why weren't told of this, Mrs Grose?
I- I... she didn't want to upset you.
She wanted to... just leave.
Well, you know how very fond she
was of you both.
And that is why she didn't say good bye.
Very well.
She asked me to convey to you her most
sincere good wishes, and for the future.
Are we to understand that
she will never come back?
- True, Flora. But...
- How perplexing.
What is, my dear?
Because she WILL come back.
Oh, on the contrary.
But she has to. She has nowhere to go.
Therefore she can only stay.
Therefore...
A new governess will
be arriving in her stead.
- Therefore, Miss Jessel has...
- What was that you said, Mrs Grose?
I said, Master Miles, you
are to meet a new tutor.
I don't believe it.
Miss Jessel would not allow it to happen.
Miss Jessel has gone.
Would you be so kind -
I'd like some more prunes.
Cheese for me, please.
I'm sorry, Quint.
- Oh, God...
- Please keep still.
It won't be long.
Miss Jessel's waiting.
Come along, children - come down.
- Welcome to Bly House, my dear.
- Thank you.
You'll be very happy here.
I'm sure I will.
The journey - was it tiring?
No, it was very pleasant.
Well, well, well, well!
Here we have Miss Flora and Master Miles.
Your new governess, my dears.
You could not hope to meet in all your life more
exquisite young angels as our Miles and Flora.
Good afternoon. Was it a
pleasant journey you had?
Thank you, Flora, it was.
Miles, dear.
Hello. Shake my hand, please.
Hold it very tightly.
Peter Quint!
Peter Quint!
Quint, where are you?!
Peter Quint!!
Peter Quint!
Quint! Where are you?!
There he is!
Come.
I was called.
Mrs Grose.
Master?
Before I leave,
there are matters we must discuss.
Now, um...
...you may sit down.
Where's Quint gone?
I never saw him!
You see? He hides.
Yes.
Gotcha!
Peter Quint!
As soon as he hides from us I don't
laugh any more.
Because it's better with him.
Yes!
...and that is why I am going away.
The children are not my responsibility.
It was not my wish that my cousins
should die in such circumstances they did.
Nor was it my wish that I should become the
children's guardian in the event of their...
...parents' death.
Pardon me...
...but you are the closest
kin to Flora and Miles.
And that is why I will leave them here.
...belong to the children's father, but,
er, I cannot stay.
And, Master... myself?
You are the housekeeper.
You must keep about your duties the same.
And the late gentleman's
valet - Mr, um... Quint?
Well, he's been here a long time.
But... there is no valeting.
Perhaps for the boy, later on.
If he so pleases to stay on...
...can he not do for the gardens?
I am sure.
And then there is the nanny.
Miss Jessel.
I do not think I have
seen her since yesterday.
Where is Miss Jessel?
Flora?
We've seen you!
We've seen you!
Come on, we've seen you!
Aah... God, I thought you'd never come.
Where've you been?
- You were breathing too heavily to be asleep.
- Ah.
You know, I don't feel so good.
We saw you running over there!
Look what I coughed up.
Where did you get that?
I coughed it up.
From London I will make the
necessary financial arrangements...
...for the upkeep of the
place... all the salaries.
But, er, for myself, I shall stay away.
I know it is unlikely, but
if there is an urgency...
...or one of the children become low...
Miss Jessel is the nanny. She
will write to me immediately.
She must be told.
I will do that.
Just be patient, you'll
see. You won't believe it.
Miss Jessel.
Yes, sir.
Where have you been?
Just walking.
C'mon now.
Be a good boy. Open up.
See?
Well, I'm having to
leave the... little monkeys.
You see, he likes it.
God knows why.
Must be the hot air.
How do you know all these things?
Quint, what will happen to it?
Wait and see.
It's blowing up! It's getting fatter!
- Y'see, the more he smokes the bigger he gets.
- Oh.
And because he can't stop liking it,
he keeps on doing it.
Mm... But I think he's happy about it.
And, er, you will have no
difficulty with Flora and Miles?
They're gems.
And their schooling?
I will minister.
Until they go to a proper school.
That is to be your decision, sir.
What do you say, Miss Jessel?
Should we tell them that their parents
are deceased?
I ought to see Quint before I go.
And the children?
No, no, no, no - I will not disturb them.
They hardly know me.
Well, I will send Quint to the lodge as
you're in such a hurry.
Yes, yes.
- Don't be afeared.
- I'm not!
You're crying.
Poor toad.
It likes it.
Quint says so. He's always right.
No.
Quint?
Quint.
Mrs Grose said to see
the Master at the lodge.
Oh. Did she now?
Yes. Immediately.
Oh... well, when is that?
This minute. He leaves now.
Do you mean, I... I'm
going to get the push?
Possibly.
Meaning... that I can't
be the groom no more?
Not if you don't run.
And I can't be the gardener neither...?
You'll have nowhere to go.
No money... You'll starve by the roadway.
And you won't ever be able to see me again,
will you, Margaret?
Do not call me so.
Ah, I forgot... only after dark.
Quint... go, else you will miss him.
And yourself... do you stay?
I'm with the children.
Hm. Well, come along with me?
No. I'd rather not be seen with you.
Hmm! Well, suit yourself.
You see? The toad likes it.
It's dead!
Quint says that, Flora.
It loves the smoke so
much, that it has to have it all.
Horrible.
Not really. It loves the smoke so much that
it kills itself for that.
I don't understand.
But that's the truth.
Quint!
Good day, sir.
Excuse me, sir... am I to be set off?
You stay, Quint.
Oh, thank you, sir.
There's nothing for you to do,
so you must do as you can.
Work the gardens if you like.
Yes.
Yes, sir!
Oh, yes, sir... Thank you, sir.
Just leave it to me, sir.
Now...
...there must be much to do.
Watch over the children and the, er...
...housekeeper... and the nanny.
That is employment enough, is it not?
- Ah, yes, indeed, sir.
- See to it, then.
Well, thank you, sir.
I'm indebted to you, sir.
Drive on.
Goodbye, sir. Straight up your arse, sir.
Let it go.
Then I'll lose it.
But if you let it run
it'll sleep in a corner.
No.
It cannot move now. It's upside down.
It'll die like that.
No, it's safe.
In the morning I'll bring it back.
It will hurt it.
- But it won't die.
- Who says?
Quint.
That is all right, Mrs Grose.
- We can hear you.
- Oh.
In fact, we're already here.
Oh, ho. If you eat it now, it will be hot.
Yes, Mrs Grose.
Now, pour the milk on it, Flora.
Yes.
And porridge should always
be covered with brown sugar.
No!
Oh, yes, indeed it should!
Now, explain yourselves.
What do you mean, no!?
We take salt now.
Only salt.
Ri-diculous!
Now, you do as I say.
Now, stop! Stop! Now!
Salt, if you please, Mrs
Grose, and for Flora.
But why?
Sugar tastes dirty. Salt is clean.
And who told you that?
And other children?
Well, what about them?
Do they play with their families?
Uh, let's have the brush.
And with children they know?
Well, maybe.
And they go out to parties in other houses?
And in turn invite them back here to Bly?
And so?
And at Christmas, presents are exchanged.
And there are plenty of presents because
there are plenty of friends.
Oh, is that it?
Unlike Flora and I, Quint.
Well... your mum and dad were different.
Yes.
I guess they didn't
want to waste their time...
...playing with the children of the house.
Anyway, who taught you to ride a horse?
It was me.
And who taught you to catch a little bird in the
palm of your hand with just a few breadcrumbs?
Peter Quint.
Come on.
And what about seein' in the dark?
And lookin' through the trees, and...
and quick as an owl, spot a mouse?
You.
That's right.
And so even if they did love
you in that queer fashion...
Did?!!
Yes, Flora. It's too late now.
He's going to tell you that they are dead.
And nobody else in the
house wants us to know.
Y'see, your mam... well,
she never liked it here at Bly.
And your father was always chasing after
mechanical instruments.
You know, he liked engines, and... noise.
Well, anyway, they was
travellin' round the world.
And they went to India, and...
and all the way to the tip of Africa.
And, er...
...well, they had an accident.
You know... valves and...
They were driving a gas
automobile made in France.
Well... they're dead, Flora.
But, you see, that's why they must
come back to us, and stay with us forever.
Now, 'behaviour'.
B.
E.
H.
A.
V.
I.
O.
U.
R.
A very good start. It means...?
How to deport.
That is only one interpretation, Flora.
Miles, when a lady walks into a room...
I will stand up.
And...?
Wait until she sits down.
"Good morning, Ma'am,
I'm sir Charles Warren."
Sit down, Miles.
"Would you be so kind
as to come inside, sir?"
"Thank you, er, Miss...?"
Miles, sit down!
"Flora Tyrrell. I'm delighted
to make your acquaintance."
Good.
We never make mistakes
at courtesy, Miss Jessel.
Could we not try something more difficult?
Then suggest.
Well... Mother and Father;
Why have they not returned?
They will be away for quite some time.
Until when?
I cannot tell.
That isn't really good enough.
Rudeness will get you nowhere, Miles.
"Manners maketh..."
Yes, indeed they do, Miles.
Flora and I do not believe you.
I'm sorry, I cannot tell
you any more than I know.
No?
No, Miles. Now...
- ...would you read this?
- I have a question, Miss Jessel.
Yes?
When the dead die...
You mean, when the
dead are dead, to be exact.
Where do they go?
If they are kind and
gentle, they go to Heaven.
If not, I'm afraid they go
and stay with the Devil.
In Hell.
That's right - where it is very hot.
Absolute piffle!
That is why I asked Miss Jessel.
I didn't ask the guardian.
I only remembered what
you had said to me, Quint.
Well, I just thought you ought to know that
your parents were dead.
I don't think I cried, did I?
No, you didn't. But Flora did a bit.
She did.
And that night she wet her sheets.
Ah, poor thing.
You know, I asked Miss Jessel
about the dead, but I didn't believe her.
Not after what you had said.
That's right. And if she told you that the
good go to Heaven...
...and the bad to Hell, she's wrong.
It's all damn nonsense.
Yes.
But... where are my parents now, Quint?
Well, after they brought 'em home...
...they put 'em in a couple of boxes...
...and in a few days
they'll put 'em in this hole.
So Mrs Grose ought to tell us quickly,
because I want to see.
Well, there's... there's nothing to see.
- Oh! But I want to, Quint.
- And you can arrange it.
I can hide in those bushes over there.
Well, there's nothing to see.
They put the boxes in the ground and they
take all this earth and they...
...they put it over the
boxes and it's finished.
You remember when you told me
about the dead, and where they go, Quint?
Yes.
Tell me again.
Well, the dead go
nowhere, because they've...
...got nowhere to go, you see. There's
no Heaven or Hell, or that nonsense.
- That's right.
- That's right.
And then, later on...
well, we all join 'em.
Is that all there is to it?
That's it.
Come on.
Oh! Put yourself out of
those clothes, Peter Quint!
Oh... Would you like to see me naked?
They are the Master's.
Dead now.
Huh. No right, is there, for
you to make up imposturings?
Oh... you don't think they fit?
Huh! Fit a dung shoveller like you?! Huh!
Dung? Dung, is it?
I thought I was the groom.
The toady to the man, you were.
And that I don't remember it.
You toadied to the man.
Yes, sir. No, sir.
Three bags full, sir.
Oh, he was the dandy, wasn't he?
All jealousy, Quint, weren't you?
Now, take these off.
You have no such permission.
And if it was my say, you wouldn't
be allowed in the stables, even.
Thank you for that.
You're scum, Quint.
Why don't you go back to the stables
where scum belongs?
And you're a lady, Mrs Grose.
And there's a lice as big
as me finger in your hair.
Would you be rotting?
And all your lies!
Don't you come in here again.
Or I shall write to the
children's guardian.
Maggots... Maggots in
your skull, and all wrigglin'...
And you'll find yourself back in
the public house, borrowing ale!
And take those clothes off.
This house can be run
without you... Peter Quint!
Your wrinkled arse.
Psst.
You cannot come in!
Miles and Flora - are you abed?
Oh, yes.
Have you said your prayers?
- Yes.
- Yes, we've said our prayers.
I don't believe you.
We're saying them now.
Good.
Now say after me...
..."Please, God, as this day close."
"Please God...
...as this day close."
"We give thanks."
"We give thanks."
"That we have come through tonight."
"That we have come through tonight."
"And in your hands' safe keeping."
"And in your hands' safe keeping."
"We are alive and well."
"We are alive and well."
"Amen."
"Amen."
Amen!
You can't come in!
Amen!
Mrs Grose. Now we put
a few pins in her, like this.
It does look like her.
It does, doesn't it?
Will Mrs Grose die now?
Only if Quint says so.
Does she want to die yet?
Well, I can tell you
she's coming close to it.
Then she's got to.
Let's have a pin.
Quint... why does Miss Jessel love you?
Oh, does she, now?
Oh, yes, of course she does.
But why is she so frightened of you?
Because she loves him, you idiot.
Quint, what do you do to
Miss Jessel when you love her?
And what does she do to you?
Oh, that's easy!
How do you know?
They scare each other to death!
Flora's very funny when
she puts her mind to it.
But, Quint, what do you
really do with Miss Jessel?
We just trick around.
That's all.
Aren't they beautiful!
Come along. Come along, Miss Flora.
Oh, quickly, I beg you!
Oh, you must let me
go into the shop. Please!
Go along, then.
If I find the very one I want,
will you oblige me by buying it?
Well... which is it?
- There it is.
- The orange one?
Here, I'll get it for you.
And you know its name?
Of course!
Mind me!
Oh, it's so beautiful.
Now this one, this type, has a story.
It's called the Duster Admiral.
Yes, it is.
Such a knowledgeable little girl!
It is born, and it will only live
for 48 hours, then it has to die.
That's not all. It's
necessary to explain about it.
You have a tongue like
a butterfly! It never stops.
This little Admiral is
born without any stomach.
Not possible!
It doesn't have a mouth, either.
It can't eat.
It has to find a female before it dies.
All it wants to do is to mate.
It has to love once another butterfly,
and afterwards, well, nothing matters.
Because to love it has to die.
Silly girl!
Full of nonsense.
Quint told you that.
He may not have.
- I don't know where you get such silly ideas.
- It has to be true.
You don't want to shout, do you!
Do you?!
Do you?
That's it.
Oh, you brute.
Brute, is it? Say sorry.
Say you're sorry.
Say it.
Come on, say it.
I'm... I'm sorry.
That's better.
Oh...! Please, stop now...
Shut up.
Like a chicken on a spit.
Just a dog in the street.
Say it.
Say it.
No.
Say it!
I'm just...
Come on.
...just a dog in the street.
Such shame.
Bull... shit.
Had I but known...
...in the beginning...
More bullshit.
Ah, you love as you find you can love.
And that's all.
But all that pain?
All the hurt... the dirtiness of it, Quint.
Well, what did you think when we started?
It was to be kind.
It was to be gentle.
Do you believe it's not
a pain when you're born?
Or it's not so when you die?
Do you think there's no hurt when you love?
Then you're a hypocrite.
Yes.
Margaret?
Not 'Margaret'.
Nor ever so intimate.
Nor that.
I cannot so give myself.
With what then?
The want of you.
You must be thirsty, my dear.
The stopper was out of the decanter.
I think we'll have to replace it.
Of course.
Please, I... I apologise.
Really?
My head... I thought perhaps a stiffener...
At half past nine in the morning?
I was not aware of the time.
You look at me as if it is a misdemeanour
of such proportion.
As you surely must know,
the morning is for work.
Well, tomorrow is the interment
of the Master and his wife.
The late Master, I mean.
And the children should
not attend the burial?
Well, you are the
nanny, Miss Jessel, not I.
It is your decision.
But they still should not go.
On the contrary; If you
have prepared them, then...
No. No, I have not.
Well, what they do not know, they need not.
Yes.
Yes.
Far be it for me to say what
they should or should not do.
You, of course, observe your duties...
...and I, of course, observe mine.
My dear!
My dear.
I... I fell asleep.
No, no - stay.
Do forgive me.
I felt so dizzy a moment ago.
I have already seen it.
But why?
Why would you want to harm yourself?
If you could, Quint, would
you marry Miss Jessel?
Hm. Ah... I don't know.
Are you afraid to marry her?
No. But I'd never be
fool enough to ask her.
I don't understand.
Well, she might turn me down.
Naturally, my dear.
We all think it is the end of the
world and there is no future in it...
...and there's nothing left but a futility.
But we conquer it.
Mrs Grose, please, leave me.
When I was young, I loved one man.
We lived in the Pennines.
My father shod drays for the landowner.
I had one love.
But, never having the courage to show it...
...he upped and went to Ramsgate,
where he met a Frenchy girl.
I cried for two whole days without stop.
Such a good man, he was.
The parson's eldest boy.
Oh... how I cried.
You suggest...
...you suggest that I'm
heartbroken, or miserable, or sad.
I'm none of these.
But you misconstrue.
Peter...!
His name is "Quint".
He made this.
I don't know.
But you do!
Mrs Grose!
It is finished.
Perhaps the children
asked him to make the dolls?
I will not say to him what I ought.
But, I promise you, he won't come in this house any more
if I have to appeal to the guardian myself, in person.
- But...
- He stays outside this house.
He stays down by the lodge gate.
And he is forbidden this house.
Quint, tell us the story about the time
your father sold a horse to the gypsies.
Me father... hnn.
Well... the first thing I remember about
him was what a fearful crook he was.
We was always travellin' around, an' all.
And we was up near a
place called Carrickfergus.
And that was it.
Well, he decides to
steal this mangy old nag...
...and, uh, sell it to the
gyppos, y'know, at a price.
Well, he thought he knew
a lot about horses, y'see...
...but he didn't know as
much the gyppos did, y'know?
So, he... he steals this damn thing...
...and he takes me in this old
coffin-dragger over to Belfast, Solwater.
Broke Hill - they was havin' a horse
sale over there. Fair day, y'know.
And... ah, God...
...I, I'll never forget the
day he tried to sell it.
He's got a big bag of oats,
y'know - he's pinched it.
And he puts in some soda powder and mixes the whole damn thing
up, and feeds it to the horse and the gas is all, y'know...
...so the bones won't be sticking through.
The poor thing had bald
patches on it, like that.
And, uh, he glues it up, you know...
...and, uh, he cuts out some rabbit fur...
...and he sticks it on there,
then he tars it up with a brush...
...to give it a dapple effect, y'know.
Oh - then he takes a handful, no,
a piece of ginger... about like that...
And hot.
He sticks it in the rear
of the animal, y'know...
...so it'll spark it up.
It's time to go to church.
Well, he starts making this plan.
He says, "We'll go down to
the river and wait for sunset."
"Why sunset?", I says.
"Well," he says, "so that the damn fool that
buys it won't see it plain until mornin'."
And, uh... he spies a big
gyppo comin' down the bank.
Huge man, he was - like that.
Well, me dad takes the horse, y'know...
...and he walks over to him...
...ah, God, he was
full of himself, y'know...
He says, "Good evenin' to you, sir. You
look like a man that knows about horses."
He says, "I can let you have this magnificent
beast for only five shillings - silver."
"It's just off the boat from Arabia."
Well, the gyppo looks at him a
bit quick, like that, up and down.
Then he takes a look at the horse.
He can't see the damn
thing for the gloom, can he?
And, well..., the gyppo
says, "I'll give yer two for it."
Well, me dad takes the
two, real quick, y'know...
...and the gyppo jumps on the horse and
rides the damn thing straight into the water.
And no sooner is he in the water he starts
turnin', and buckin' and kickin'... and fartin'!
I thought the British were comin'!
Well... the rabbit fur fell off it, and
the paint starts runnin' down it's legs...
...and the bald patches
were showin' through.
And the piece of ginger flew out of the poor
animal's arse like it was shot from a cannon!
So, me dad, he's tremblin' and turnin' white as a fish...
and prayin', "Oh, God..." for the first time in his life.
Well, they take him, and
they tear his clothes off him...
...and they throw him in the river, and...
...they damn near drowned him.
Well, he gets to the other
side and he runs off, see?
And that's the last time I saw
the damn fool from that day to this.
And I wouldn't lie to you. So help me God.
Ahh... Well...
...that's me father. Hm.
Now...
- ...do you like it, Flora?
- Mm.
But it's got one ear... I, I broke it off.
But I'll fix it for you.
Do you want it?
Please!
Well, give us a kiss, then. C'mon.
All right.
Ah! Ha, ha, ha! Come here.
There y'are, darlin'.
You keep it.
There. How does that feel?
Absolutely dreadful!
Why?
I can't move.
Well, that's the idea of it.
It is?!
It is just possible that we've
been doing it all the wrong way.
Miles, it hurts!
I think it's meant to.
I think we're going to
have to start all over again.
Miles!
No use shouting, Flora.
It's got to be as absolutely
painful as possible.
Ooww!
Quint says if it hurts, it is the truth.
I've made up my mind.
Well?
Take the shoes off.
Certainly not!
Take the dress off.
Never!
- Flora, if you're going to behave like a baby...
- I am not!
Flora, you agreed.
We are passionately in love
and having an ecstatic love affair.
Ecstatic love affairs are boring.
Do you think it's teatime?
I don't know why you make all this fuss?
We had a bath together last week.
Stop it!
Flora, stop!
This is not how sex is made!
Flora, you'll be sorry.
Please, Miles, stop it!
Miles, please!
Stop it!
Oh, leave me...!
Miles! Flora!
There's a rule in the house that
nobody enters a room without knocking.
I am forced to ask you
what you think you are doing.
And why was Miss Flora screaming?
I'll tell you exactly what
we have been doing.
We have been doing sex.
In the midst of life, we are in death.
To whom may we seek for succour, but of thee,
O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased.
Yet, O Lord God most
holy, O Lord most mighty...
...deliver us not into the
bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer.
But spare us, Lord most
holy, O God the most mighty...
...O holy and merciful Saviour, thou
most worthy God eternal...
...suffer us not at our last
hour for any pains of death...
There, Quint!
What did you say to her, Miles?
To meet Quint.
Don't you think, Quint,
you should go to her?
Of course not.
But why tell her to go there, then?
Because that's how it's done.
What?
That's how you make love.
What is?
Oh, shut up, Flora.
But Quint, she loves you!
That's right.
But then you must go to her.
Often you've said "Meet me", and she goes
to the same place and waits.
But you never go to her.
Why not, Quint?
It's hard to explain, Flora, why not.
You're not allowed in the
house any more, Quint.
Mrs Grose says.
Oh, she does, does she?
Are you forbidden to
see Miss Jessel, Quint?
Well, that's what they told me.
But she waits for you
all the while, doesn't she?
She loves him.
Quint, isn't it true all this love is
just sheer agony?
I'd just hate to be in love.
All this? Boring. All these problems.
Well, you know... sometimes when you hate,
you're in love, Flora.
Rats! Rats, in my kitchen!
It's Quint's job to keep them down.
- Why, I'm sure...
- Where are Miles and Flora?
Are they not with you?
Not this morning. Quint has a kite.
Oh! A grown man. What a waste.
The children were so excited.
They went to the chalk pit, I think.
- The chalk pit?
- Mmm.
I have told them they must not play there.
It's dangerous.
- But they're with Quint.
- Oh, he has no care.
I shall go.
Will you not come with me?
I have some work.
I can't do it, Quint. It won't work.
All right. It will, so. C'mon.
Back away, Flora.
Grab this here, now.
Now, when I tell you
to run, run like the wind.
Wait a minute, son.
Now, run!
Faster!
Faster!
Keep runnin'.
Keep runnin'.
Give me that.
Keep at it.
You've got it.
That's it.
Mind the bluff!
Dear God!
Miles! Miles!
No! Oh...!
Master Miles, are you all right?
Course I'm all right,
Quint was looking after me.
You evil pig, Quint!
Are you all right?
You bastard!
- I thought that it...
- Look at the boy!
You went right over the cliff!
Course I did!
What did it feel like?
All right, really. Like flying.
Miles?
No, Quint!
You do not come in here.
What is to gain?
What is it you want of us?
Us?
Do you want money?
Do you take me for a thief?
Have us all dead? Is that it?
No! You are forbidden in this house.
Pull the trigger.
Quint!
Pull it.
Are you afraid to kill me, Mrs Grose?
I'll write to the Master.
That'll be the last you'll see of her.
It is you.
You think I will scream.
You see?
I will not.
Peter?
No. Not Peter.
He is not coming. He is told.
He cannot.
What he wants of thee...
...he has you like a puppet. You dance.
I was asleep.
And you would have allowed him...
...anything that he does to thee.
Any vileness!
I was dreaming.
You feed off him.
Every person's room in this house
is a private place.
That is a rule.
Why, Margaret?
Why?
You notice, don't you...
...in the moonlight through the window...
how white the sheets are?
Now, you take it by the end.
Not the end of the arrow.
Like this?
Now, you see, that's it. Right there.
Straighten your arm.
Still... still.
Now let her go.
Good, good.
Oh, dear.
No, it's not bad.
You know, in China they say, Miles...
...if you think about the target
hard enough you can hit it blindfold.
- Blindfold?
- That's it.
How do they do it?
Well, first you close your eyes, y'see?
Then you think real hard about the target.
And in your mind, you see the arrow goin'
into the bullseye.
And then... you fire it!
- I did it!
- Well, for the love of God!
You are clever, Quint!
Flora.
Miss Jessel! Shall we walk now?
May I talk to you about Peter Quint?
There's no point, Flora.
What good would it do?
I don't know.
But I do think you should see him.
I will not.
All right, Miss Jessel. I understand.
Miles, will you do something for me?
Anything, Quint.
Well, I want to see Miss Jessel, but...
...I'm forbidden by old wrinkled-arse.
But I must see her.
You hate Miss Jessel, don't you, Quint?
Oh, I hate her.
In that case, if I understand
you correctly, you love her?
That's right. I do love her, lad.
That's easy. I can arrange anything.
Will you do it?
Yes!
Good lad.
Right, come on, now - push.
Hard!
C'mon, push!
Push!
Can I keep it to practise with?
Well, look after yourself.
The Chinese, Quint...
they first see the target...
...then they pretend they have hit
it, because they think hard about it.
That's right.
Then they close their eyes.
And fire!
Miles! That could be very dangerous.
I was never a child as you are;
Such a grand house...
...able to have any dress or toy you like.
Who was your father, Miss Jessel?
Why, Mr Jessel, of course.
And what did he do, Miss Jessel?
He was a church sexton.
Such a timid man. So gentle.
And my mother loved him.
Why, Miss Jessel?
There were married five
years after I was born.
He was not my father, you see.
He was just a... kind little man.
I understand.
Do you like kind and
gentle people, Miss Jessel?
Not any more, Flora.
When Mr Jessel died,
my mother killed herself.
She loved him that much.
He was so calm, and nice.
But when he was dead my mother
knew the truth.
The truth?
The world is a very violent place.
Nothing is truly calm.
Even when you are dead, you bring pain.
Flora! No, don't!
Flora!
It's all right, Miss Jessel.
You've turned white!
I cannot swim... and I
thought... I was afraid.
It's all right, Miss Jessel.
I can swim, and I would've saved you.
Quint says he doesn't want to see
you again, ever.
It's all over, he says.
Miles, don't!
He says he doesn't care anymore,
and that you ought to rot.
Miles, don't hit the ball again like that!
So as far as he's concerned, he has -
or he says - washed his hands of you.
What do you say to that, Miss Jessel?
You have no right to hit my ball into the
hedge like that.
But what do you say?
About Quint?
I don't believe it.
He doesn't care about
you anymore, Miss Jessel.
If that's true he should
tell me so - to my face.
Catch.
That's easy. I can arrange everything.
Quint!
Quint!
Ah, Flora, darlin'.
Well, what're you doing here?
I came to see to see you...
...to tell you I'd seen Miss Jessel.
She loves you.
Get your rude arse outta here.
She loves you, Quint.
Who?
Miss Jessel.
She told me to tell you that
she thinks of nothing but you...
...and the day when you'll be together.
You wouldn't lie to me, now?
Oh, no!
And that you must meet
her and she'll forgive you.
Oh, is that so...?
And that you're kind and gentle...
...and she loves you with all her being.
Ah, how pretty you make the words.
What else did she say?
What other lies did she tell you?
Mrs Grose! I'll help you up.
Ohhhh dear.
I'm terrified of heights.
Give me your hand,
Mrs Grose. It's quite safe.
Give me your basket.
Here we are.
Oh... You go on up, Miles.
I think I'm all right now.
I'll follow you up.
Oh, you can be such a charming young man
when you want.
Inviting me into the treehouse.
Thank you very much.
On the contrary. It's my pleasure.
There we are.
Isn't it nice in here?
Quint built it for us.
It took him four months.
Is Miss Flora to join us?
I'm sure she is.
I remember as a child, when we would...
What was that?
There are squirrels here, you know.
But I did hear something.
It could be just that, er...
- I'll go and look.
- Right.
Can you see anything?
Miles - be careful.
Right.
Where are you, dear?
Just a moment.
Be a good boy, Miles, and come back
and finish your tea.
That I surely will!
Now, what do you think you're at? Miles?
Miles?
MILES!!!
Dear God, he's taken the ladder away!
Miles!
Oh, help me!
Good evening, Quint.
Good evening, lad.
You hair - it does look tidy.
Do you like it?
I told you I'd arrange everything.
Good luck, Quint.
They're up there.
How smart you look.
So clean.
You see, I didn't believe for one minute that you
care nothing for me. It was just a lie, wasn't it?
Lies.
- Always lies.
- You had to see me.
That's right.
And you'd even risk losing the work here -
isn't that true?
And you know that all Mrs Grose has
to do is to write one note to the Master...
...and you're finished here. You know that.
That doesn't suit you.
It looks... uncomfortable.
How hot you are.
Have you been running?
Not running, Margaret.
I'm not frightened, Quint.
I know what you want, and it's all right.
How strong you are.
Is that how you like to appear?
Dark and cold, as if
you're about to be evil?
Yes?
And all I would have to do - did you ever
think on that? Was to scream out but once.
Or to run down to the
village; The policeman there.
It would have meant jail, Quint. Years.
I could have done anything to you
for what you did to me in the beginning.
No.
Why not?
What have I gained by my silence?
Meself.
But you've just told Miles you
care nothing, that you'd end it now?
And this is the last
of it, isn't it? Tonight?
As you wish.
Oh, I do.
I have no fear.
I am free. It is done.
See, Quint... how little it matters?
I need you with me, Margaret.
I need you to stay with me.
To live with you in your pigsty?
I'll give you 'pigsty'.
Pig?!
Who's down there?
Who is it?
Peter Quint.
Quint?
Quint!
Get me down from here at once.
Do you hear me?
You'll pay for this, my man.
Quint!
Oh, it's you, Master Miles!
Help me down, I pray you!
Never fear, Mrs Grose. I'll
have you down immediately.
Good boy. Oh...
Miss Jessel?
Miss Jessel.
I have looked everywhere this morning for
Master Miles and Miss Flora.
They were up early.
They went to the lake for something.
I want you to know, Miss Jessel, that I am
sorely worried about them...
...their general behaviour, and what they
did to me yesterday.
And though I was told not to
contact the Master, I feel that I must.
I think Miles' behaviour outrageous,
what he did to you.
But you must see it in the
light of a prank, don't you think?
Are your eyes weak this
morning, Miss Jessel?
No, why?
- I was just wondering why...
- Why what?
Why you should need to
wear a veil in the house.
You slut.
And it was all a trick against me.
The Devil! The Devil is in both of you!
God forgive you!
Let go!
Don't you understand what I see
with my own eyes?
You nearly killed Flora, you little dog!
You stopped me! You interfered!
Why did you interfere?
Damn you!
The point was... but you don't understand!
It was a game!
I was meant to die!
A game?! To die...?
And you ruined it!
And you wanted to die?!
Oh, YES!!
Well?
What to say.
They saw you last night, with him.
Yes.
They repeated exactly what you did!
No!
Oh, yes, they did. Everything.
They cannot copy everything because
they cannot know that...
They are still children.
They cannot possibly understand that whatever I have
done... if you like, whatever wickedness I have done...
...it was with love.
And think you now...
...now you have seen with your own eyes
what has come of it, it is still "love"?
I beg you not to.
Had Miss Flora died, and by Miles' hand...
...Margaret, have you thought?
I could have pitied you once.
But now...
...I shall write to London.
Either you must go and never come back...
...or surely you will be sacked from here.
Oh, the ignomy.
There are no lessons
today, Flora. I'm afraid...
And why not? Are you ill, Miss Jessel?
I'm tired.
I notice that nothing is
written on the blackboard.
Flora!
And that your eyes are red and puffy
as if you've been crying.
What if I have?
May I ask you... are you in great pain?
Let me help you.
- Too late, Flora.
- Why?
Because I am ill.
But I am not.
You love him?
No.
Please - you do.
I hate.
Then - then you do love.
But you're crying, Miss Jessel.
But you hurt so.
Don't worry so for me.
But I do.
Oh, if only you could understand how cruel
I've been to you...
...and that I didn't know
I was to mislead you.
But you haven't at all.
On the blackboard I write the grammar
and the spelling, and all the nice words.
I did not mean to show you something else.
You mean Quint?
I'm so ashamed.
You see, I can help you.
No.
It will all end.
Let me help you.
Won't you let me?
I will go.
Go, Miss Jessel?
You must not go. You must stay.
I can arrange anything.
I can tell Quint and he will meet you.
No.
Just once, before you go.
I love Quint, but you cannot help me.
You're cold!
Aahh! C'mon on, now!
- Can't catch me!
- Hah!
Can't catch me!
Missed!
Ahh, me hat!
I'll get you now.
Hahh! Got you now.
Ah, God...
It's my turn now!
Ah, no, go on.
Gotta rest a bit.
What did you say about dying, Quint?
Uh, what? What?
Where do the dead go, Quint?
The dead?
They don't go nowhere.
They got nowhere to go.
But how do you meet them?
If you want to meet 'em,
you'll have to die yourself.
So the dead people meet each other?
That's right.
But, do they love each other?
Sure, 'course they do.
But live people love each other, too.
Well, I suppose so.
But sometimes it's hard to tell.
Well, you see, if you love
someone you want to kill them.
Please - say that again, Quint.
Well, if you really...
...if you really love someone,
then sometimes you...
...you really want to kill them.
I've ordered a driver.
I'm sending all this up
to London in advance.
By tomorrow I shall be gone.
- I'll put the cases on the coach, madam.
- Thank you.
You stay here and I'll give you the signal.
Quint?
Oh, Peter, did you think I would
leave you... without a word?
Oh! Peter! Peter!! Peter, help me!
Peter! Help me!
We don't want you to go.
We want you to stay with us.
You see, you must stay.
We love you.
Ah, you've got the lake.
- It's the wrong shape.
- It will do.
All of these are the trees, then.
They go all around the lake.
You put the island in the middle.
These are the reeds.
Doesn't look much like reeds to me.
Use your imagination.
The boat.
It's got a hole in it.
What's the use of a boat with a hole in it?
So it will sink.
What's this?
Give it to me.
This is Miss Jessel.
I made it.
She's drowning.
And the ducks, please, Flora.
I wasn't going to use them.
And why not?
You made them wrong.
I did not.
Ducks are white.
There is no white.
The green and red duck
is out of the question.
Lot of rot. I made them.
I hate them!
Flora!
Flora!
Now you've spoilt it.
Oh, no.
Quint!
Get up.
Quint!
You will go, Quint, and
today, because I have written.
And that's the end of it.
Now that I have told you all I know, it is
imperative that you go down to Bly House immediately.
Yes, sir.
As the former young
woman left so suddenly...
...I believe it was in answer to
an urgent call from her family.
A relative who had
been taken suddenly sick.
The children are left alone, virtually, but
for the housekeeper, and the gardener.
I understand.
Have you any questions?
Unless the children are taken very sick indeed,
or there has been an accident in the house...
...I must on no account
get in touch with you.
On no account.
And the welfare and tutoring of
the children remains in my care?
It does; In total.
- But you will require a report of the, er...
- From time to time - if you like, every six months.
- I am a busy man, and, er...
- Forthwith, then.
I am so grateful.
The butler will see you out.
Here, Miles - here are your prunes.
Yes, Mrs Grose.
We don't often sit here, do we?
No.
A special occasion.
We don't understand.
Well, Miles, and Flora - now, firstly...
...as you already have gathered,
Miss Jessel has suddenly left us.
She has?
Yes, Miles.
Of a sudden she had to leave to
see a relative who has become very ill.
She had?
Why weren't told of this, Mrs Grose?
I- I... she didn't want to upset you.
She wanted to... just leave.
Well, you know how very fond she
was of you both.
And that is why she didn't say good bye.
Very well.
She asked me to convey to you her most
sincere good wishes, and for the future.
Are we to understand that
she will never come back?
- True, Flora. But...
- How perplexing.
What is, my dear?
Because she WILL come back.
Oh, on the contrary.
But she has to. She has nowhere to go.
Therefore she can only stay.
Therefore...
A new governess will
be arriving in her stead.
- Therefore, Miss Jessel has...
- What was that you said, Mrs Grose?
I said, Master Miles, you
are to meet a new tutor.
I don't believe it.
Miss Jessel would not allow it to happen.
Miss Jessel has gone.
Would you be so kind -
I'd like some more prunes.
Cheese for me, please.
I'm sorry, Quint.
- Oh, God...
- Please keep still.
It won't be long.
Miss Jessel's waiting.
Come along, children - come down.
- Welcome to Bly House, my dear.
- Thank you.
You'll be very happy here.
I'm sure I will.
The journey - was it tiring?
No, it was very pleasant.
Well, well, well, well!
Here we have Miss Flora and Master Miles.
Your new governess, my dears.
You could not hope to meet in all your life more
exquisite young angels as our Miles and Flora.
Good afternoon. Was it a
pleasant journey you had?
Thank you, Flora, it was.
Miles, dear.
Hello. Shake my hand, please.
Hold it very tightly.