World on Fire (2019) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
1 [CHEERING AND WHISTLING.]
Come on, Mosley! [CHEERING.]
Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts.
Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts.
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, singing low.
- Shut up! - Shh! That's enough.
Bye, bye, Blackshirt.
[CROWD SHOUTING THEM DOWN.]
Bye, bye, Blackshirt.
Harry! - Harry! - Stop! This is all we have to fear.
Take a good look.
The Jews, the Communists.
Get back to the sewers, you fascist rats! [WHISTLE.]
You know why I'm here! And you know who I'm here for! You've got a daughter going bad ways, just like your son then.
Where the hell is she? Now, now That's no attitude for a peace pledge man, is it, Mr Bennett? Just giving her a couple of hours, so that she can learn her lesson, you know? We'll not be charging her.
What lesson's that, then? That you'd rather lock up a girl than a bunch of bloody fascists? Is that it? That the lesson? So that's where she gets her manners from, is it? - [DOOR OPENING.]
- Out! How many Blackshirts have you arrested, eh? How many! - Hello, Dad.
I'm sorry.
- You, too! No need to apologise, love! It's this lot! They should be apologising! Told you.
Thanks, Dad.
Well, my What a touching vignette.
If only Hogarth was still alive to capture it.
Hello, Mother.
Hey.
You should be really proud of your son! You're the father, are you? Aye, I am.
I see, that explains it.
My daughter's her own woman.
Indeed.
Thank you, Sergeant, for being so understanding.
Harry, we have guests waiting! Go on.
You always were a sentimental boy.
Always looking for something, or someone, to fill the void.
Hardly surprising a factory girl would turn your head Lois! - Her name is Lois.
- Well, well.
My son, the diplomat.
I'm not a diplomat.
Just a translator.
Modesty is an ugly trait in those with the ability to shine.
Do you want to shine, Harry? Of course you do.
I love you.
You say that, and it's lovely but it doesn't really make any difference, does it? It makes all the difference! You're going away.
I'm not.
Your world, mine This was good.
What we did, tonight.
But I think we both know, don't we? Deep down.
I'll write.
Goodbye, Harry.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN SHOUTS.]
[SHOUTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.]
[GUNSHOT.]
MAN IN GERMAN: What am I doing here? I'm an American journalist, I have every right! What are you doing here, young man? A German soldier on Polish soil? I don't think so.
The world has averted its eyes to the build-up of German troops along the German-Polish border, and Hitler's threat to take Danzig by force.
The Poles have bicycles, the Germans have tanks.
Make no mistake, the Nazi party is a master of illusion and the greatest illusion of all is that they are seriously negotiating for peace.
This is Nancy Campbell, American Radio International, from Warsaw.
Look at the state of this! You said you only needed it for shopping! - Shopping was in Germany! - Bloody hell, Nancy This is what I've been trying to tell you! The Nazis are so close to the border, they shot at me.
Well, you do rub people up the wrong way.
They are shooting some poor bastards, putting them in Polish uniforms, to make it look like the Poles invaded! Does that sound like a diplomatic solution? You know what the Poles have got? Bicycles.
You know what the Germans have got? Tanks! Panzers.
I reported on David versus Goliath in Spain, it didn't turn out like it did in the Bible.
I'll talk to my boss first thing tomorrow.
But I don't know if he'll listen to me! Well, we know he won't listen to me! God knows I've tried.
In the meantime, warn your waitress friend, so she can get out.
I have a nephew in Paris, I'm telling him the same.
Thin walls in that hotel, I know more than I need to about you two.
Kasia, the waitress.
Jesus, yes, Kasia.
Why, is your girl at home waitress too? No No, she's not.
We're going to be late! We said half past! Connie, we're the glamour.
- They expect us to be late.
- The glamour need to run for the bus, so, in your own time! Dad! Come on! You'll be getting me sacked! Thanks, Douglas, you're a saint! Not what they're calling me Thanks, Dad! Pay you back when I'm famous.
Love me or leave me and let me be lonely You won't believe me and I love you only I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else.
I need the German offer of terms translated from German to Polish and English.
The Polish response from Polish to English.
English War Office draft telegrams, into Polish and German.
My desk, one hour.
You are the golden boy, Chase.
It's about time you started proving it! There'll be no-one unless that someone is you I intend to be independently blue I want your love but don't want to borrow Have it today to give back tomorrow For my love is your love, there's no love for nobody else.
Ahh! There'll be no-one unless that someone is you I intend to be independently blue I want your love but don't want to borrow Have it today to give back tomorrow For my love is your love, there's no love for nobody else.
What? What did he say? Stop teasing him! What sort of camera is that? It's a Leica.
Oh, German-made.
When Harry clicks the shutter, perhaps we should all duck! [SPEAKING POLISH.]
My friends died in 1918, freeing Danzig from Germany.
I'm not going to let a German have it back.
And what an adventure, boy! Yes.
OK! Oh, wait, wait! No, no, no, Stefan! You are missing something! I'll look after my father, even when he thinks that he's looking after me.
What do you call these again? - Gold Flake.
- Gold Flake? Gold Flake.
OK.
- Thanks.
- Weapons for two brave sons of Poland.
That is very much the intention.
Right, this time! Ready? Smile.
Is it working? [LAUGHTER.]
- Hello, Dad.
- Hello, love.
[KNOCKING.]
I'm looking for your brother.
Me too! If you find him before I do, will you tell him he's in trouble? They like you.
Good.
I like them.
That is good to know.
Is there something you want to tell me, Harry? Well Well, I'm very fond of your daughter.
I was asking about the war.
Are the British Army going to help us? Are the Polish Army going to help you? In Danzig? We've got enemies at every border.
Our people in Danzig need help.
We all need to our bit.
And Grzegorz? Grzegorz is with me.
Grzegorz will be fine.
This is the way life is, Harry.
That is all.
Keep Kasia safe.
Promise me.
[KNOCKING.]
Sir, I need to talk to you.
Good God, Chase! What time is it? I've just had supper with a Polish family, sir, and I can't stand idly by as the Polish people are invaded! Well, that's very noble of you.
I'll lend you my revolver.
Good luck.
We have to do something! Yes! We do! I have to go back to bed and you need to sober up! Can you connect me immediately, please? To Paris.
By immediately, I mean right now! Right this minute.
[THUDDING.]
The police have been round.
Dad's waiting for you downstairs.
I need some fresh air.
I'm telling you, Webster.
You need to get out of Europe.
I can't see what's so hard to understand! Webster! I can hear you, Auntie Nancy, and I love that you bothered to call, but, please, Paris is safe! I love my work! I bet you're not leaving Europe.
I'm based in Berlin.
That's my job, you can work anywhere! Just go home! You know that's not gonna happen, Auntie Nancy, we'll always be alike, you and me.
Webster? [MUSIC PLAYING.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
Lot going on in Poland, right now.
What are you bringing Poland up for? Well, there's no letters, from Harry and that.
Why would he write to me? Where have you been? Slept on a couch in the back of the pub.
Has that copper caught up with you yet? Been nicking scrap metal again? Are you building your own tin man? Am I too soft on him, do you think? What am I supposed to do? Your mam could handle him, you can handle him.
- That's pacifism for you, Dad.
- Aye.
Thought you would be a pacifist, too.
What with your sweetheart in the firing line.
He's not my sweetheart.
And he's not in the firing line.
He's a translator.
Not a soldier.
What, you think the bombs can tell the difference, do you? I'll be late tonight.
We're playing the Three Horseshoes.
Oh, you must be good.
If you can get a tune out of three horseshoes Ha-ha.
Grzegorz.
[SPEAKING POLISH.]
[BANGING.]
Peace News? Peace News, lads? Peace News.
Peace News, sir.
It is being reported that the central post office building in the so-called free city of Danzig has come under siege from German military forces.
When the territory was placed under League of Nations protection, following the Great War, Danzig's Communications and Post Office was deemed to be Polish property.
And the building itself had become emblematic of a Polish presence in the state.
The dramatic rise in tensions has resulted in thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict.
Everyone wants a fake passport, the whole city is trying to leave.
So how are you gonna get this girl out? Are you gonna leave her here to be raped by Nazis every night? What? You're gonna have to marry her, aren't you? That way, she gets papers! To travel with you.
I know you've got a girl back home, but you know what? Being in love with two girls at the same time? That happens.
But you're not choosing which girl you love the most right now, Harry, you're choosing whether to save this girl's life or not.
The game just got bigger.
Did you? Just make sure you do what's right.
Not what's British.
[SOLDIER SHOUTING ORDERS.]
[GUNSHOTS.]
[SCREAMING.]
HIGH-PITCHED RINGING [SOUND MUFFLED.]
- No word from Danzig so far today sir? - You tell me.
Why don't you ask that American journalist friend of yours? - The woman.
- She's worth listening to.
As I said to you last night Hysteria has no place in diplomacy, Chase.
Shouldn't we be moving troops over right now, sir? No.
We should be encouraging the Poles to carry on negotiating.
With a gun to their head! You're a translator.
So translate.
Have you heard anything from Danzig already? No.
No, I haven't heard anything.
But I know that this is only going one way.
Even if Danzig holds on the Germans will try and attack Warsaw.
You need to leave.
You need to get Jan and Maria and get on the road.
I can help you.
What about Father? What about Grzegorz? I need to wait.
Your father and Grzegorz, they You waiting for them isn't going to make them any safer.
They want you to live.
And so do I.
I am not going anywhere.
Besides, where would I go? Where would I be running to? [KNOCKING.]
I'm sorry to call on you like this.
I just wondered if you'd had any news from Harry? About Harry? No, but he's my son, so I'm not as surprised as you are.
Come in! The thing I know about men, Lois, is they do not write.
They don't understand passion on the page! They have no desire, or inclination, to express their feelings.
He writes beautiful letters.
At least, he wrote beautiful letters.
Romantic letters.
They were in his handwriting, were they, dear? Well, he wouldn't be the first man to have his secretary add the kind of florid affectations every young girl likes to hear! I know Harry.
Perhaps not like you do, but I do.
He's not like that.
No man is ever like that.
Until they are.
He told me he loved me.
Did he really? How very Harry of him.
I just need to know he's all right.
Harry must have come to his senses! And I advise you to do the same.
So why hasn't Harry written any of this to me? I'm afraid men are terrible cowards, when it comes to this kind of thing.
They'd rather face a hillside of Zulu warriors than a woman in tears.
I don't cry.
Not since my mum died.
You're a pretty little thing, Lois.
You won't have any problem finding someone who suits you better.
Who knows? If you managed to conceal that rather masculine spirit of yours, you may bag yourself a bank clerk or a junior manager! I hate to speak ill of anyone, but you're a bloody snob! I think so, and your son thinks so, too.
I'm in elitist, certainly.
March against the Blackshirts.
Saturday afternoon.
Everyone welcome.
As a matter of fact, I have rather a soft spot for Mr Mosley.
It's his clarity I admire.
And it's a rare man indeed who can look that handsome in a polo neck.
I went to see Harry's mother.
Just to ask about him.
And what did she say? Hey! You're worth ten of them, in that family.
I've a good mind to go round there myself, - tell you that.
- And what? Sell her a paper? Thanks, anyway.
I just, I wanted to know he was safe.
I don't even care if I see him again or not.
Oh, yeah? Well, I'll take your word for that.
I've got no choice, have I? I was the one who kept knocking him back.
You're just like your mam, you know.
And I don't mean singing.
The way you are, the fight in you.
And looking after our Tom, running round after him and me.
- With me nerves.
- Shellshocked.
Dad? You can say it.
It's nowt to be ashamed of.
[SCREAMING.]
[GUNSHOT.]
Tata! [RAPID GUNFIRE.]
[AIR RAID SIREN BLARING.]
Henderson has sent a telegram from Berlin! Danzig has fallen, the Germans are sweeping across the country and they're heading here, to Warsaw! Kasia! Harry! Hey, Harry.
Are you hurt? [HARRY COUGHS.]
Will you marry me? Why would you say such a thing? Did you bang your head? Because if you marry me, you can leave.
With me, as my wife, and nobody can stop you! This is my home.
My family are here.
Maybe once we get to England, we can find a way to get them out too.
But, for now, you have once chance, and I'm begging you to take it! Before he left, your father made me promise that I would keep you safe.
Is this an English joke? No, no.
It's an English solution.
I don't know! I can't think, I need time to think and That's just the problem, you don't have time to think! You really don't.
Kasia Living for you is easy living It's easy to live when you're in love I'm happy to do whatever I do for you For you maybe I'm a fool But it's fun People say you rule me with one wave of your hand Darling, it's grand They just don't understand Living for you is easy living It's easy to live when you're in love And I'm so in love There is nothing in life but you.
[COUGHING.]
[COUGHING.]
[SHOUTING.]
[GUNSHOTS.]
[MUSIC BLARING.]
Good morning, Dr O'Connor.
Thank you.
One moment.
Thank you.
Good morning.
So, is making love any different as a married woman? Better? Worse? Oh, God We shouldn't have got married.
Stop, you're making fun of me.
I know we didn't marry for the right reasons, Harry, and so do you.
But I do love you.
So that helps! And I love you.
And I'm scared.
Well, England will love you.
And you will love England.
And your mother? She'll be fine! She'll be fine.
[MEN SHOUTING NEARBY.]
[SHOUTING IN GERMAN.]
[SHOUTING CONTINUES BELOW.]
[LIGHTER FLICKS.]
[STIFLED COUGH.]
[HE COUGHS.]
[SOLDIER SHOUTING.]
Mother, they're getting us out.
I'm coming home, and Well, the thing is Will you be back for Saturday evening? We've got the Walshes coming, and the Hallworths.
If you are going to be there, I'll have to think of someone to even up the numbers! I don't know, I don't know when I'll be back, but, Mother, can Perhaps you can just call me when you do? Mother, can you just listen? I'm coming home.
Let's leave it at that.
Oh Well I look forward to seeing you.
[LINE CLICKS DEAD.]
RADIO: This is London.
You will now hear a statement by the Prime Minister.
How was it last night? Good crowd.
So why have you got a face like a two-bob funeral? Fretting about posh boy? He's in bloody Poland.
Only you wouldn't know, cos that's quite a dangerous place to be right now.
So forgive me for fretting about Harry.
It's not like he's gonna marry you, is it? So, why waste your time worrying about him? - Tom - Eh? All right, that's enough, lad.
I spend most of my time worrying about you.
And him.
That's all right, I suppose? Well, yeah.
We're family.
Thank you for reminding me what's important.
Look, I know it's not fair.
But you've got responsibilities that other girls haven't got.
So that's my life, is it? That you two take it and share it out between the both of you, and what's left over, I give to two jobs? No, no, no.
Course not.
Just until you get married, like.
Wouldn't want to upset your husband.
RADIO: What a bitter blow it is to me, that all my long struggle to win peace has failed.
Yet I cannot believe that there is anything more War's on, then? Or anything different that I could have done that would have been more successful.
Up to the very last [KNOCKING.]
It would have been quite possible to have arranged If that's the recruiting Sergeant, tell him I'm out.
But Hitler would not have it.
What? It's not the recruiting Sergeant.
Although, he now says he put forward reasonable proposals - which were rejected - Tea, ladies? Along with tens of thousands of Poles, I have fled Warsaw.
As I arrived back in Berlin, the loudspeakers announced Britain had declared war.
People listened, then went about their business as before.
Poland feels very far away to these people.
In his proclamation, Herr Hitler, who we know dismisses all reports of aggression as propaganda, said, "Poland has refused my offer "of a friendly settlement of our relations, as neighbours.
" Danzig might not see it that way.
And the wartime broadcasting conditions here mean that I have to be careful what I say.
This was Nancy Campbell, American Radio International, from Berlin.
[KNOCKING.]
There is a man here.
Says he was attacked by Action Francaise.
He says he knows you.
And my mother's hysterical about me even being out of Texas, and the only reason my dad writes is because he's a military man and he think France is gonna fall, and says it won't be safe for me here, and I'm an American, and We aren't even in the war, and I'm a white guy! So I'm sorry, you don't need to hear this.
You don't know any of these people.
Apart from the distracted white guy, stitching my head right now, no.
I'm sorry.
Maybe your daddy has a point.
France might fall and Paris, well It won't be Paris any more.
Are you planning on leaving? This is my city.
Whatever the Nazis think.
And no German in fancy dress is going to drag me away.
Ay! You have done this before, right? Only about 1,000 times.
Sorry, I I get nervous around my good looks.
It's all I have.
That and the fact that you play sax like nobody I've ever heard.
That could be good or bad, Webster.
It's good, definitely good.
You're wonderful.
That's why you are at the club every night? For the music? Yes.
Of course, yes.
Because the way you look at me the way you talk to me the way you are so nice to me right now, when you hardly know me it kinda feels like you might have a bit of a, I don't know a passion.
A passion? Oui.
Not just the music.
Would that Would that, would that be such a bad thing? You tell me.
I know what I am, Webster.
Do you know what you are? [DOOR OPENING.]
It's time to pack up your fountain pen, Chase.
We are moving out.
Shall I pack my white flag so I can wave it on the way to the station? That's quite enough of that, Chase! The embassy is closing.
Declaration of war tends to make that a straightforward decision! So, hop to it, unless of course you've defected to the Poles, I wouldn't put it past you.
[SOLDIERS SHOUT ORDERS.]
[GUNSHOT.]
[SCREAMING.]
[SHOUTING.]
Hello, Nancy.
Hello, Frau Rossler! Perhaps it will be over quickly, huh? Did you listen to my broadcast? It's illegal to listen to your broadcast, Nancy.
I know, but did you listen to it? Of course.
War is never good, huh? Welcome back.
German? [GUNSHOT.]
German? I have cigarettes.
English cigarettes.
Look.
Very good cigarettes.
Two packets, two prisoners.
[GUNSHOTS.]
[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.]
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDING.]
[WHISTLING, GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS.]
[TRAIN WHISTLE.]
Harry, face facts, mate.
She's not coming.
Kasia, Kasia, Kasia! Jan came to say goodbye.
Thank God, I thought you weren't coming.
I love you.
I love you, too.
You're travelling light? I thought it was best.
Harry, Harry? We need to get on.
Take my case, I'll just say goodbye to Jan.
All right.
[TRAIN WHISTLE.]
- I'm sorry! Take care of him, OK? - Kasia! Take care of Jan, if you love me, you will take care of Jan! It's all right, come on.
It's all right! But there is the unmistakable scent of a lie.
I don't know who I am.
Everything that matters to me is here, in this city.
I want to do something.
I want to feel like I matter.
You do matter.
Every war's different! Until it's the same! You haven't seen death.
Stop being foolish and indulgent, it will get you absolutely nowhere! I am already absolutely nowhere! We abandoned all of Poland! We have done nothing for the Polish people.
Nothing!
Come on, Mosley! [CHEERING.]
Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts.
Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts, Blackshirts.
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, singing low.
- Shut up! - Shh! That's enough.
Bye, bye, Blackshirt.
[CROWD SHOUTING THEM DOWN.]
Bye, bye, Blackshirt.
Harry! - Harry! - Stop! This is all we have to fear.
Take a good look.
The Jews, the Communists.
Get back to the sewers, you fascist rats! [WHISTLE.]
You know why I'm here! And you know who I'm here for! You've got a daughter going bad ways, just like your son then.
Where the hell is she? Now, now That's no attitude for a peace pledge man, is it, Mr Bennett? Just giving her a couple of hours, so that she can learn her lesson, you know? We'll not be charging her.
What lesson's that, then? That you'd rather lock up a girl than a bunch of bloody fascists? Is that it? That the lesson? So that's where she gets her manners from, is it? - [DOOR OPENING.]
- Out! How many Blackshirts have you arrested, eh? How many! - Hello, Dad.
I'm sorry.
- You, too! No need to apologise, love! It's this lot! They should be apologising! Told you.
Thanks, Dad.
Well, my What a touching vignette.
If only Hogarth was still alive to capture it.
Hello, Mother.
Hey.
You should be really proud of your son! You're the father, are you? Aye, I am.
I see, that explains it.
My daughter's her own woman.
Indeed.
Thank you, Sergeant, for being so understanding.
Harry, we have guests waiting! Go on.
You always were a sentimental boy.
Always looking for something, or someone, to fill the void.
Hardly surprising a factory girl would turn your head Lois! - Her name is Lois.
- Well, well.
My son, the diplomat.
I'm not a diplomat.
Just a translator.
Modesty is an ugly trait in those with the ability to shine.
Do you want to shine, Harry? Of course you do.
I love you.
You say that, and it's lovely but it doesn't really make any difference, does it? It makes all the difference! You're going away.
I'm not.
Your world, mine This was good.
What we did, tonight.
But I think we both know, don't we? Deep down.
I'll write.
Goodbye, Harry.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN SHOUTS.]
[SHOUTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.]
[GUNSHOT.]
MAN IN GERMAN: What am I doing here? I'm an American journalist, I have every right! What are you doing here, young man? A German soldier on Polish soil? I don't think so.
The world has averted its eyes to the build-up of German troops along the German-Polish border, and Hitler's threat to take Danzig by force.
The Poles have bicycles, the Germans have tanks.
Make no mistake, the Nazi party is a master of illusion and the greatest illusion of all is that they are seriously negotiating for peace.
This is Nancy Campbell, American Radio International, from Warsaw.
Look at the state of this! You said you only needed it for shopping! - Shopping was in Germany! - Bloody hell, Nancy This is what I've been trying to tell you! The Nazis are so close to the border, they shot at me.
Well, you do rub people up the wrong way.
They are shooting some poor bastards, putting them in Polish uniforms, to make it look like the Poles invaded! Does that sound like a diplomatic solution? You know what the Poles have got? Bicycles.
You know what the Germans have got? Tanks! Panzers.
I reported on David versus Goliath in Spain, it didn't turn out like it did in the Bible.
I'll talk to my boss first thing tomorrow.
But I don't know if he'll listen to me! Well, we know he won't listen to me! God knows I've tried.
In the meantime, warn your waitress friend, so she can get out.
I have a nephew in Paris, I'm telling him the same.
Thin walls in that hotel, I know more than I need to about you two.
Kasia, the waitress.
Jesus, yes, Kasia.
Why, is your girl at home waitress too? No No, she's not.
We're going to be late! We said half past! Connie, we're the glamour.
- They expect us to be late.
- The glamour need to run for the bus, so, in your own time! Dad! Come on! You'll be getting me sacked! Thanks, Douglas, you're a saint! Not what they're calling me Thanks, Dad! Pay you back when I'm famous.
Love me or leave me and let me be lonely You won't believe me and I love you only I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else.
I need the German offer of terms translated from German to Polish and English.
The Polish response from Polish to English.
English War Office draft telegrams, into Polish and German.
My desk, one hour.
You are the golden boy, Chase.
It's about time you started proving it! There'll be no-one unless that someone is you I intend to be independently blue I want your love but don't want to borrow Have it today to give back tomorrow For my love is your love, there's no love for nobody else.
Ahh! There'll be no-one unless that someone is you I intend to be independently blue I want your love but don't want to borrow Have it today to give back tomorrow For my love is your love, there's no love for nobody else.
What? What did he say? Stop teasing him! What sort of camera is that? It's a Leica.
Oh, German-made.
When Harry clicks the shutter, perhaps we should all duck! [SPEAKING POLISH.]
My friends died in 1918, freeing Danzig from Germany.
I'm not going to let a German have it back.
And what an adventure, boy! Yes.
OK! Oh, wait, wait! No, no, no, Stefan! You are missing something! I'll look after my father, even when he thinks that he's looking after me.
What do you call these again? - Gold Flake.
- Gold Flake? Gold Flake.
OK.
- Thanks.
- Weapons for two brave sons of Poland.
That is very much the intention.
Right, this time! Ready? Smile.
Is it working? [LAUGHTER.]
- Hello, Dad.
- Hello, love.
[KNOCKING.]
I'm looking for your brother.
Me too! If you find him before I do, will you tell him he's in trouble? They like you.
Good.
I like them.
That is good to know.
Is there something you want to tell me, Harry? Well Well, I'm very fond of your daughter.
I was asking about the war.
Are the British Army going to help us? Are the Polish Army going to help you? In Danzig? We've got enemies at every border.
Our people in Danzig need help.
We all need to our bit.
And Grzegorz? Grzegorz is with me.
Grzegorz will be fine.
This is the way life is, Harry.
That is all.
Keep Kasia safe.
Promise me.
[KNOCKING.]
Sir, I need to talk to you.
Good God, Chase! What time is it? I've just had supper with a Polish family, sir, and I can't stand idly by as the Polish people are invaded! Well, that's very noble of you.
I'll lend you my revolver.
Good luck.
We have to do something! Yes! We do! I have to go back to bed and you need to sober up! Can you connect me immediately, please? To Paris.
By immediately, I mean right now! Right this minute.
[THUDDING.]
The police have been round.
Dad's waiting for you downstairs.
I need some fresh air.
I'm telling you, Webster.
You need to get out of Europe.
I can't see what's so hard to understand! Webster! I can hear you, Auntie Nancy, and I love that you bothered to call, but, please, Paris is safe! I love my work! I bet you're not leaving Europe.
I'm based in Berlin.
That's my job, you can work anywhere! Just go home! You know that's not gonna happen, Auntie Nancy, we'll always be alike, you and me.
Webster? [MUSIC PLAYING.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
Lot going on in Poland, right now.
What are you bringing Poland up for? Well, there's no letters, from Harry and that.
Why would he write to me? Where have you been? Slept on a couch in the back of the pub.
Has that copper caught up with you yet? Been nicking scrap metal again? Are you building your own tin man? Am I too soft on him, do you think? What am I supposed to do? Your mam could handle him, you can handle him.
- That's pacifism for you, Dad.
- Aye.
Thought you would be a pacifist, too.
What with your sweetheart in the firing line.
He's not my sweetheart.
And he's not in the firing line.
He's a translator.
Not a soldier.
What, you think the bombs can tell the difference, do you? I'll be late tonight.
We're playing the Three Horseshoes.
Oh, you must be good.
If you can get a tune out of three horseshoes Ha-ha.
Grzegorz.
[SPEAKING POLISH.]
[BANGING.]
Peace News? Peace News, lads? Peace News.
Peace News, sir.
It is being reported that the central post office building in the so-called free city of Danzig has come under siege from German military forces.
When the territory was placed under League of Nations protection, following the Great War, Danzig's Communications and Post Office was deemed to be Polish property.
And the building itself had become emblematic of a Polish presence in the state.
The dramatic rise in tensions has resulted in thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict.
Everyone wants a fake passport, the whole city is trying to leave.
So how are you gonna get this girl out? Are you gonna leave her here to be raped by Nazis every night? What? You're gonna have to marry her, aren't you? That way, she gets papers! To travel with you.
I know you've got a girl back home, but you know what? Being in love with two girls at the same time? That happens.
But you're not choosing which girl you love the most right now, Harry, you're choosing whether to save this girl's life or not.
The game just got bigger.
Did you? Just make sure you do what's right.
Not what's British.
[SOLDIER SHOUTING ORDERS.]
[GUNSHOTS.]
[SCREAMING.]
HIGH-PITCHED RINGING [SOUND MUFFLED.]
- No word from Danzig so far today sir? - You tell me.
Why don't you ask that American journalist friend of yours? - The woman.
- She's worth listening to.
As I said to you last night Hysteria has no place in diplomacy, Chase.
Shouldn't we be moving troops over right now, sir? No.
We should be encouraging the Poles to carry on negotiating.
With a gun to their head! You're a translator.
So translate.
Have you heard anything from Danzig already? No.
No, I haven't heard anything.
But I know that this is only going one way.
Even if Danzig holds on the Germans will try and attack Warsaw.
You need to leave.
You need to get Jan and Maria and get on the road.
I can help you.
What about Father? What about Grzegorz? I need to wait.
Your father and Grzegorz, they You waiting for them isn't going to make them any safer.
They want you to live.
And so do I.
I am not going anywhere.
Besides, where would I go? Where would I be running to? [KNOCKING.]
I'm sorry to call on you like this.
I just wondered if you'd had any news from Harry? About Harry? No, but he's my son, so I'm not as surprised as you are.
Come in! The thing I know about men, Lois, is they do not write.
They don't understand passion on the page! They have no desire, or inclination, to express their feelings.
He writes beautiful letters.
At least, he wrote beautiful letters.
Romantic letters.
They were in his handwriting, were they, dear? Well, he wouldn't be the first man to have his secretary add the kind of florid affectations every young girl likes to hear! I know Harry.
Perhaps not like you do, but I do.
He's not like that.
No man is ever like that.
Until they are.
He told me he loved me.
Did he really? How very Harry of him.
I just need to know he's all right.
Harry must have come to his senses! And I advise you to do the same.
So why hasn't Harry written any of this to me? I'm afraid men are terrible cowards, when it comes to this kind of thing.
They'd rather face a hillside of Zulu warriors than a woman in tears.
I don't cry.
Not since my mum died.
You're a pretty little thing, Lois.
You won't have any problem finding someone who suits you better.
Who knows? If you managed to conceal that rather masculine spirit of yours, you may bag yourself a bank clerk or a junior manager! I hate to speak ill of anyone, but you're a bloody snob! I think so, and your son thinks so, too.
I'm in elitist, certainly.
March against the Blackshirts.
Saturday afternoon.
Everyone welcome.
As a matter of fact, I have rather a soft spot for Mr Mosley.
It's his clarity I admire.
And it's a rare man indeed who can look that handsome in a polo neck.
I went to see Harry's mother.
Just to ask about him.
And what did she say? Hey! You're worth ten of them, in that family.
I've a good mind to go round there myself, - tell you that.
- And what? Sell her a paper? Thanks, anyway.
I just, I wanted to know he was safe.
I don't even care if I see him again or not.
Oh, yeah? Well, I'll take your word for that.
I've got no choice, have I? I was the one who kept knocking him back.
You're just like your mam, you know.
And I don't mean singing.
The way you are, the fight in you.
And looking after our Tom, running round after him and me.
- With me nerves.
- Shellshocked.
Dad? You can say it.
It's nowt to be ashamed of.
[SCREAMING.]
[GUNSHOT.]
Tata! [RAPID GUNFIRE.]
[AIR RAID SIREN BLARING.]
Henderson has sent a telegram from Berlin! Danzig has fallen, the Germans are sweeping across the country and they're heading here, to Warsaw! Kasia! Harry! Hey, Harry.
Are you hurt? [HARRY COUGHS.]
Will you marry me? Why would you say such a thing? Did you bang your head? Because if you marry me, you can leave.
With me, as my wife, and nobody can stop you! This is my home.
My family are here.
Maybe once we get to England, we can find a way to get them out too.
But, for now, you have once chance, and I'm begging you to take it! Before he left, your father made me promise that I would keep you safe.
Is this an English joke? No, no.
It's an English solution.
I don't know! I can't think, I need time to think and That's just the problem, you don't have time to think! You really don't.
Kasia Living for you is easy living It's easy to live when you're in love I'm happy to do whatever I do for you For you maybe I'm a fool But it's fun People say you rule me with one wave of your hand Darling, it's grand They just don't understand Living for you is easy living It's easy to live when you're in love And I'm so in love There is nothing in life but you.
[COUGHING.]
[COUGHING.]
[SHOUTING.]
[GUNSHOTS.]
[MUSIC BLARING.]
Good morning, Dr O'Connor.
Thank you.
One moment.
Thank you.
Good morning.
So, is making love any different as a married woman? Better? Worse? Oh, God We shouldn't have got married.
Stop, you're making fun of me.
I know we didn't marry for the right reasons, Harry, and so do you.
But I do love you.
So that helps! And I love you.
And I'm scared.
Well, England will love you.
And you will love England.
And your mother? She'll be fine! She'll be fine.
[MEN SHOUTING NEARBY.]
[SHOUTING IN GERMAN.]
[SHOUTING CONTINUES BELOW.]
[LIGHTER FLICKS.]
[STIFLED COUGH.]
[HE COUGHS.]
[SOLDIER SHOUTING.]
Mother, they're getting us out.
I'm coming home, and Well, the thing is Will you be back for Saturday evening? We've got the Walshes coming, and the Hallworths.
If you are going to be there, I'll have to think of someone to even up the numbers! I don't know, I don't know when I'll be back, but, Mother, can Perhaps you can just call me when you do? Mother, can you just listen? I'm coming home.
Let's leave it at that.
Oh Well I look forward to seeing you.
[LINE CLICKS DEAD.]
RADIO: This is London.
You will now hear a statement by the Prime Minister.
How was it last night? Good crowd.
So why have you got a face like a two-bob funeral? Fretting about posh boy? He's in bloody Poland.
Only you wouldn't know, cos that's quite a dangerous place to be right now.
So forgive me for fretting about Harry.
It's not like he's gonna marry you, is it? So, why waste your time worrying about him? - Tom - Eh? All right, that's enough, lad.
I spend most of my time worrying about you.
And him.
That's all right, I suppose? Well, yeah.
We're family.
Thank you for reminding me what's important.
Look, I know it's not fair.
But you've got responsibilities that other girls haven't got.
So that's my life, is it? That you two take it and share it out between the both of you, and what's left over, I give to two jobs? No, no, no.
Course not.
Just until you get married, like.
Wouldn't want to upset your husband.
RADIO: What a bitter blow it is to me, that all my long struggle to win peace has failed.
Yet I cannot believe that there is anything more War's on, then? Or anything different that I could have done that would have been more successful.
Up to the very last [KNOCKING.]
It would have been quite possible to have arranged If that's the recruiting Sergeant, tell him I'm out.
But Hitler would not have it.
What? It's not the recruiting Sergeant.
Although, he now says he put forward reasonable proposals - which were rejected - Tea, ladies? Along with tens of thousands of Poles, I have fled Warsaw.
As I arrived back in Berlin, the loudspeakers announced Britain had declared war.
People listened, then went about their business as before.
Poland feels very far away to these people.
In his proclamation, Herr Hitler, who we know dismisses all reports of aggression as propaganda, said, "Poland has refused my offer "of a friendly settlement of our relations, as neighbours.
" Danzig might not see it that way.
And the wartime broadcasting conditions here mean that I have to be careful what I say.
This was Nancy Campbell, American Radio International, from Berlin.
[KNOCKING.]
There is a man here.
Says he was attacked by Action Francaise.
He says he knows you.
And my mother's hysterical about me even being out of Texas, and the only reason my dad writes is because he's a military man and he think France is gonna fall, and says it won't be safe for me here, and I'm an American, and We aren't even in the war, and I'm a white guy! So I'm sorry, you don't need to hear this.
You don't know any of these people.
Apart from the distracted white guy, stitching my head right now, no.
I'm sorry.
Maybe your daddy has a point.
France might fall and Paris, well It won't be Paris any more.
Are you planning on leaving? This is my city.
Whatever the Nazis think.
And no German in fancy dress is going to drag me away.
Ay! You have done this before, right? Only about 1,000 times.
Sorry, I I get nervous around my good looks.
It's all I have.
That and the fact that you play sax like nobody I've ever heard.
That could be good or bad, Webster.
It's good, definitely good.
You're wonderful.
That's why you are at the club every night? For the music? Yes.
Of course, yes.
Because the way you look at me the way you talk to me the way you are so nice to me right now, when you hardly know me it kinda feels like you might have a bit of a, I don't know a passion.
A passion? Oui.
Not just the music.
Would that Would that, would that be such a bad thing? You tell me.
I know what I am, Webster.
Do you know what you are? [DOOR OPENING.]
It's time to pack up your fountain pen, Chase.
We are moving out.
Shall I pack my white flag so I can wave it on the way to the station? That's quite enough of that, Chase! The embassy is closing.
Declaration of war tends to make that a straightforward decision! So, hop to it, unless of course you've defected to the Poles, I wouldn't put it past you.
[SOLDIERS SHOUT ORDERS.]
[GUNSHOT.]
[SCREAMING.]
[SHOUTING.]
Hello, Nancy.
Hello, Frau Rossler! Perhaps it will be over quickly, huh? Did you listen to my broadcast? It's illegal to listen to your broadcast, Nancy.
I know, but did you listen to it? Of course.
War is never good, huh? Welcome back.
German? [GUNSHOT.]
German? I have cigarettes.
English cigarettes.
Look.
Very good cigarettes.
Two packets, two prisoners.
[GUNSHOTS.]
[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.]
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDING.]
[WHISTLING, GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS.]
[TRAIN WHISTLE.]
Harry, face facts, mate.
She's not coming.
Kasia, Kasia, Kasia! Jan came to say goodbye.
Thank God, I thought you weren't coming.
I love you.
I love you, too.
You're travelling light? I thought it was best.
Harry, Harry? We need to get on.
Take my case, I'll just say goodbye to Jan.
All right.
[TRAIN WHISTLE.]
- I'm sorry! Take care of him, OK? - Kasia! Take care of Jan, if you love me, you will take care of Jan! It's all right, come on.
It's all right! But there is the unmistakable scent of a lie.
I don't know who I am.
Everything that matters to me is here, in this city.
I want to do something.
I want to feel like I matter.
You do matter.
Every war's different! Until it's the same! You haven't seen death.
Stop being foolish and indulgent, it will get you absolutely nowhere! I am already absolutely nowhere! We abandoned all of Poland! We have done nothing for the Polish people.
Nothing!