Colour version, from the original B&W. Fascinating political drama series with a splendid cast. Businessman and politician sir John Wilder, after becoming ambassador and special envoy for special situations and trade, pursues his tangled schemes, despite many adversaries (the original name of the series was "Special Envoy''). This is series 3 of this sequel to "The Plane Makers". Starring Patrick Wymark, Barbara Murray, Michael Jayston, Clifford Evans, Peter Barkworth, Donald Burton, David Savile, Richard Hurndall, Jack Watling, Deborah Grant, Barrie Ingham. Written by Wilfred Greatorex, Peter Draper.
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Short filmTranscript
00:30© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:00© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:30© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:33Good morning.
01:34Good morning, sir.
01:43Excuse me, sir.
01:44© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:59Are we opening a Chinese restaurant upstairs?
02:03Oh, I see.
02:05You obviously know they're here.
02:07Who?
02:08Oh, you're afraid of Mao Flu.
02:10You can get injections, you know.
02:12I think they're going to take the world over.
02:16I mean, you see a Chinese waiter a couple of times,
02:18you think it's the same chap.
02:20Actually, I'm absolutely convinced it's a different one every time,
02:22and they're slowly filling the world up.
02:25One of these days we'll look around and every third person will be Chinese,
02:28which is what statistics in the mornings are about for ages.
02:32Then, when every second restaurant is Chinese,
02:35they'll slowly start poisoning us and take the country over.
02:40The only ones who'll survive will be the eaters of Yorkshire pudding chips.
02:44What?
02:46Survival of the fattest.
02:48Well, didn't somebody say the way to Whitehall was up the Yellow River?
02:51They've already filled up the lifts.
02:53What are you talking about?
02:55The place is full of westernised oriental gentlemen.
02:59W-O-G's, wogs.
03:00That's where the word comes from, did you know?
03:03Didn't you have any breakfast, or are you hysterical?
03:06You got a cold?
03:07No.
03:08Well, why are you gargling?
03:09I gargle every morning.
03:11It's just that you're usually not in early enough to see it.
03:15I think you've started reading those books on how to be briller,
03:17although middle-aged again.
03:20Is it true that the word wog derives from the phrase
03:24westernised oriental gentlemen?
03:26Yes.
03:28What are they here for?
03:30Well, they've come to see Cain.
03:32How do you know?
03:33I asked the lift man.
03:35Did you?
03:37Did you?
03:38Well, we also serve when you stand and wait for lifts.
03:42You know what this entails, Garfield?
03:45Yes, I know what it entails, Campbellford.
03:47I'm not asking you to do anything to your disadvantage.
03:49Surely articles on the strategic list are there
03:52as a matter of agreement between ourselves and our allies.
03:55Some of the articles are there
03:56simply because nobody ever got round to thinking about them.
03:59In much the same way as an Englishman could still be fined a farthing
04:02for not practising archery on Sundays.
04:05Of course, that list is designed to prevent goods
04:07that might be used in the event of war
04:09being sold to a potential enemy.
04:11We couldn't take unilateral action
04:13to have anything removed from it
04:15without the agreement of the Americans.
04:17No, I know that, and we don't intend taking unilateral action.
04:21We simply want to create a climate of opinion.
04:23It would be good for trade, Campbellford.
04:26Well, I don't know.
04:28You don't know what?
04:30It's all very well having a crack at the government of the day.
04:32That doesn't do one any harm at all.
04:34But once you get involved in the larger issues,
04:36people can turn on you.
04:38Yes, well, you haven't got into a larger issue
04:40in your whole bloody career, have you?
04:41Might put a bit of fizz into your image.
04:43My image is doing very nicely, thank you, Minister.
04:46Oh, come off it, Campbellford.
04:47The last attention-gaining device you tried
04:49ended in complete disaster,
04:51and your constituents hadn't heard a peep out of you
04:53for 18 months before that.
04:54I carry out my constitutional duties with as much...
04:57You need an issue, Campbellford.
05:00They're going to ask what you went back for soon.
05:03Well, I don't see this.
05:05All you have to do is to ask several questions in the House
05:09as to why certain strategic articles
05:11are still on the strategic list
05:13when they've ceased to have any useful purpose there,
05:15and by being there, are constipating Britain's trade outlets.
05:19It's the sort of thing papers would soon take up.
05:22Yes, I suppose they might.
05:24Just you repeat the success you had
05:26with badgering them about income tax.
05:28Never came to anything, but at least people knew you were about.
05:31Which articles do you want?
05:33Well, you make your own list,
05:35but make sure optical goods are on it.
05:37They're the top.
05:39Optical goods?
05:40Yes, lenses, binoculars,
05:42microscopes, telescopes, all that sort of thing.
05:45I see.
05:47And if I should...
05:49Oh, don't worry, Campbellford.
05:51You'll be looked after.
05:53Chinese?
05:54Yes, Don says the place is overrun with them.
05:56Well, it is the Foreign Office.
05:57They came here to see Cain, apparently.
05:59Oh, well, I'm afraid I know nothing about it.
06:01Probably some deputation. Why?
06:03I'd just like to know how things are developing in the Department, don't you?
06:07No doubt one will be told.
06:09You don't have, do you?
06:11Don't what?
06:12Any doubt that you'll be told.
06:14If necessary.
06:15You know, there are people, Wilder,
06:17who are beginning to despair that this Department
06:19is being run like a race between you and Cain
06:22to put one over on each other.
06:24I hope you're keeping score.
06:28Do you agree that we approve those allocations or not?
06:31Certainly.
06:32Will you initial them then?
06:33Yes.
06:34Is Cain in his office?
06:36He was. I believe he's gone over to the house.
06:38Oh.
06:39Yes, well, if you see him,
06:41would you tell him I'd like a word with him this afternoon?
06:44He's going over to Paris this afternoon.
06:47Why?
06:49I'm afraid he didn't tell me.
06:52I'll bet he didn't.
06:55All right, Jill.
06:57I'll be back in the office in ten minutes.
07:03He's treading on my toes.
07:05Cain?
07:06Mm.
07:07Well, the pain is probably mutual.
07:09He wants me out.
07:11And by association, you also.
07:14I know.
07:15Doesn't it worry you?
07:17Established civil servants are harder to get rid of than that.
07:20He could have you moved.
07:22It depends on the form the move would take, wouldn't it?
07:25Don't you object to sweating out the rest of your career
07:28in some dusty backwater?
07:30What have you got in mind?
07:32Well, every time he gets something over on me,
07:35he gets something over on you.
07:36He nibbles away at the foundations
07:38till he can make us both topple.
07:40And?
07:41Do you know why he's going to Paris?
07:43No.
07:44No.
07:45Oh, nobody does.
07:48Where are you going now?
07:50I've got to go down to Holborn, then lunch.
07:53Could you get somebody to pop over to Paris for us this afternoon?
07:57To do what?
07:58Just to look around.
08:00Someone who Cain doesn't know.
08:02Yes, I think I can.
08:04Well, you'll have to catch the 2.30 plane.
08:07I've already had a seat booked on it.
08:09Have you?
08:11OK, I'll fix it up.
08:13What are you doing in Holborn?
08:15Nothing much, just routine.
08:21I want out.
08:23Don't let them hustle you, Lincoln.
08:25You have a brain, use it.
08:27I'm sick of being caught in the crossfire
08:29between your husband and your friend Cain.
08:31He's not my friend.
08:32Not in the sense you mean, anyway.
08:34Well, I'm a friend of Cain, then.
08:36Doesn't matter which of them wins,
08:38it won't advance me one inch.
08:40So what are you going to do?
08:42I haven't really decided.
08:44Kenneth Bly offered me a directorship with his firm.
08:47I've been talking to him about it this morning.
08:49They're doing very well.
08:50You going to take it?
08:51I don't know.
08:53It means herring off on a completely new path
08:55rather sooner than I'd planned.
08:57Still.
08:59You don't really want to go, do you?
09:01No, not really.
09:04Still, if there's a choice between that
09:06and ending up like Jason Fowler,
09:08oh, you won't for God's sake tell John
09:10I saw Kenneth, will you?
09:12How in the world should I know?
09:14Of course I won't.
09:17Where, um, where would this job be
09:20that Kenneth is offering you?
09:22Well, the first two years would be in Canada.
09:25Oh.
09:27And that's another thing, isn't it?
09:29What?
09:30I'm also sick of sneaking out to meet you
09:32in obreptitious little corners.
09:34That's a good word.
09:35What does it mean?
09:36As if I didn't know.
09:37Aren't you sick of it?
09:39Yes.
09:42It frightens me, Lincoln.
09:44I don't know why, but it frightens me.
09:46If I took Kenneth's job.
09:48I know.
09:50We are coming very rapidly to a decision.
09:54Yes, I know we are.
09:56That frightens me, too.
10:01Well, it looks as though our table's ready.
10:04Nobody met him at Orly.
10:06I assumed the trip was unofficial.
10:08There was a car waiting, but not an embassy car.
10:10Where did he go?
10:12278 Rue Jacques O'Hara.
10:14Who lives there?
10:16It's a pied-Ã -terre.
10:17Nobody actually lives there.
10:19The servants, man and wife, come in when it's in use.
10:22Who does it belong to?
10:24Hard to say who it belongs to.
10:26We suspect the title is held by the D.D.E.C.E.
10:30Who?
10:31Departement de Documentation Exterieure et Contre-Espionnage.
10:34Espionnage.
10:36Well, that doesn't make it all that suspect.
10:38On the whole, it seems to be used overnight by out-of-town deputies
10:41who haven't anywhere else to go.
10:43Who was using it?
10:45Well, that's what was interesting.
10:47It wasn't an out-of-town anybody.
10:49It was Monsieur Sangler.
10:51Albert Sangler.
10:53Really?
10:55Who is Albert Sangler?
10:57Was anybody else with him?
10:59Yes.
11:00About half an hour after Mr. Kane arrived, Henri Mamiel turned up.
11:06If you wouldn't mind, Lincoln, Vietnam Solidarity Front.
11:10Vietnam?
11:11It needn't be directly Vietnam.
11:13Mamiel is a pretty solid Maoist.
11:15He has other connections.
11:17Well, will you explain to me what's going on?
11:20Sangler and Mamiel.
11:22It could only be a commercial connection.
11:24Sangler wouldn't smudge his position with doubtful political deals.
11:28No, I wouldn't have thought so.
11:30But when he left, he went along to the Fantasie with Sangler.
11:33They had a couple of drinks and were joined by a man called Malun.
11:36Now, he's something in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
11:39Whatever that might mean.
11:41He was with a chap called Sung Teh.
11:43Lives in Hong Kong.
11:45Has a factory there assembling binoculars, microscopes.
11:48He's lived there all his life, but he's a Han Chinese.
11:51Another chap whose name I didn't know,
11:53but I gather he's from the Chinese mainland.
11:55Someone thought Heilongjiang.
11:57And something to do with the Department of Industry.
12:00Good. Thank you.
12:02That's it?
12:03That's it.
12:04Well, thank you, Mr...
12:06Thank you.
12:07I'll have to list it, you know.
12:09Why?
12:10They know you asked for me. They'll want a 17A at least.
12:12Oh, I give them a 17A and list it as external.
12:15I doubt if they'll wear it, not if I don't detail it.
12:17List it as external. Foreign office supplementary.
12:20All right. I can expect you to OK it?
12:22Yes, we'll OK it.
12:24OK. Good night.
12:26Good night.
12:29Good night.
12:30Good night.
12:34All right, Lincoln. Translate.
12:36We just asked him to get information.
12:38Who knows what it means?
12:39What do you think it means?
12:41Well, the obvious assumption is that Kane's up to something.
12:44Not quite on the level, eh?
12:46Otherwise, why all this cloak and dagger?
12:49Well, he wasn't really cloak and daggering, was he?
12:51We were the ones who were doing that.
12:53Well, let's say he's making unscheduled visits to Paris,
12:57seeing Maoists in houses belonging to the C.G.C.D. whatever.
13:02D.D.E.C.
13:03Chinese industrialists, Peking politicians and God knows what else.
13:08I wouldn't jump in feet first.
13:10I'm not going to.
13:11Good.
13:12But you are.
13:14I want you to find out what's happening.
13:16If I might hazard a guess...
13:19Do.
13:20He's quite probably opening up contacts for something that may come along later.
13:23In fact, if I had to describe it, I'd say he's probably doing a John Wilder.
13:28Really?
13:29Well, that's certainly something that has to be stopped.
13:32Anyway, find out what you can.
13:33All right.
13:34Oh, you realise, having you as our friend today,
13:36we may well have security sniffing around to see what it's all about.
13:40Good.
13:41Good?
13:42Yes, Lincoln.
13:43Good.
13:45I just thought of something.
13:47What?
13:48He couldn't have met any of those people without the French knowing about it.
13:51In fact, he used a house belonging to them.
13:53So if we put a man on to him,
13:55what's to say they didn't put a man on our man?
14:05Thank you.
14:06Thank you.
14:09John, if you don't get out of my way,
14:12John, if you don't get out of my hair,
14:15I may break your back.
14:18Ah.
14:19Did you have a good trip?
14:20Mmm.
14:21The Airbus Misfly over was jammed.
14:24I'm still going to find out what you're up to.
14:27John, I'm warning you.
14:29Keep your nose out of it or I'll break your back.
14:34Try it.
14:35I'll break your heart.
14:38Meaning?
14:39All right, what the hell do you think you're doing?
14:41In what sense, Minister?
14:42One thing I know about Wyler, he doesn't have access.
14:44Never in a million years will they allow him access.
14:46Now, you, you're a different kettle of fish, aren't you?
14:48And the fish is beginning to stink.
14:50I don't know what you're talking about.
14:51Oh, yes, you do.
14:52For God's sake, don't talk to me as if I was cabbage green around the ears.
14:54I know you were recruited.
14:55I can almost tell you the day you were recruited.
14:57Someone's been giving you inaccurate, albeit classified information.
15:00You were pretty sure I wouldn't recognise your chap, weren't you?
15:02But what you didn't think of was that another agent might recognise him.
15:05You should have got someone with deeper cover
15:07or wouldn't have let you have anyone like that without asking questions.
15:10I do wish you'd explain this to me, Minister.
15:12Well, I couldn't have got someone like that, not from that department.
15:14But you are in that department, aren't you?
15:16One of our snivelling teacher's pets,
15:18creeping to the headmaster is what the big boys are up to.
15:21I'm not prepared to take this.
15:22No?
15:23Not even from someone in your position.
15:24Aren't you?
15:25Then where do you want me to put you so that you don't have to?
15:27Now, you listen to me, Lincoln.
15:28We can get along very well if we have to get along.
15:31Just you declare your neutrality like a good, dedicated civil servant should.
15:35It may have escaped your notice, but in fact,
15:37I am the minister responsible for this department.
15:40And you know the saying,
15:41it's better to know the judge than to know the law.
15:46Jason Fowler's nanny made him say it every night instead of prayers.
15:49Yes, well, I didn't have a nanny.
15:51I had a supervisor coming round every night at nine o'clock
15:53threatening to beat hell out of us if we were still talking after lights out
15:56and we'd be chucked out of the orphanage.
15:57And then where would we be?
15:58Politicians in Her Majesty's government at five and a half thousand a year.
16:01I didn't have a nanny either.
16:02They're pretty rare in council houses.
16:04I wonder where all the other lads who were in school with us are now.
16:07All right, Lincoln, your sleeve isn't full of trump cards.
16:10I'm just telling you.
16:12Oh, no, the etiquette here is one doesn't tell,
16:14one suggests in an amiable spirit of concord.
16:18We've both learned that.
16:19It's how we got out of our class.
16:21Yeah.
16:22Well, contrary to the spirit of the service, Lincoln,
16:26I am telling you.
16:28What?
16:31You declare your neutrality.
16:33Now, if you can't declare it, abide by it.
16:36Or?
16:38Or I'll break your back too.
16:40One could hurt one's hand doing that, you know.
16:52I didn't know you were a drinker of darkness, Lincoln.
16:55I was looking for you.
16:56Someone said you might be here.
16:58That sort of news shouldn't travel.
17:00I do all I can to see that it doesn't.
17:03It's a very minor lunchtime sin
17:05for which I'm sure one won't lose one's place in heaven.
17:09Why did you want to see me and not in the office?
17:12I thought we might have a chat.
17:14Oh.
17:16That's very nice.
17:18I wonder if one might lose one's place in heaven.
17:22We need to be led, don't we?
17:25To be told so much.
17:27Who's to tell us?
17:29Too many people seem to be telling too many things too often.
17:32Do you think so?
17:33You know what those two are going to do, don't you?
17:35They're going to destroy the department.
17:36They might.
17:37And yet we could prevent it or determine who is going to win.
17:40Oh, God, what does it matter
17:41which of their infantile ambitions wins or doesn't win?
17:46I'm sorry.
17:48Of course it matters, the department.
17:50Sorry, I didn't mean that.
17:52Wouldn't you prefer to win too?
17:54To win?
17:56Oh, yes, I think I'd prefer that more than anything.
17:58One has other responsibilities than just one's pension, you know.
18:01I always think it's so silly of them
18:02to try and give this impression of spurious eroticism.
18:06Quite sure there isn't a man here who believes it.
18:10Beauty is in repose.
18:13I think women never know
18:14when they're being beautiful or desirable.
18:17They never know,
18:19and we're never able to tell them.
18:21The great uncrossable barrier
18:23between what men need and what women are.
18:29I sometimes think it would take a language without words
18:33to be able to speak about it.
18:36Is that perhaps what sex is?
18:41I'm not well, Lincoln.
18:44Incurably not well.
18:48Oh, no, not immediately.
18:51Some little time, but foreseeably so.
18:54Sufficiently for them to advise one
18:55that one should put one's house in order.
18:58One's house.
19:02Eight leather-bound first editions of the Waverley novels,
19:06a hundred minor first editions,
19:08and a good lady, Mrs. Hatley,
19:10who prepares my food, my bed,
19:12and cleans my bath every morning.
19:18It always seems to be dark in my house when I get home.
19:21I have to switch the lights on.
19:24It's just as if she were saving up
19:25all the electricity somewhere in a box.
19:28For some great, bright day
19:32when all the lights of the world will go on.
19:34Jason.
19:35No.
19:39I don't know why one's body should treat one like this
19:41when one's always tried to be kind to it.
19:47Still, there's no point in it.
19:52I think she said it was an irreversible process.
19:58Like politics.
20:00Jason, I...
20:01Honestly, I...
20:02Yes, I know.
20:04One can only think of clichés.
20:07When one's driven into a corner, all one can say is,
20:12Mummy, help me.
20:14Something equally ridiculous.
20:19I wish I could go up to her and say,
20:25I don't know what I want.
20:26A wife, a mistress or a daughter.
20:30So stupid to have missed all three.
20:35Oh, by the way, congratulations.
20:38On what?
20:39On your promotion.
20:41Why, didn't you know?
20:44You're being sent to Jakarta
20:46as First Secretary.
20:48It's quite a useful place to serve.
20:52Didn't you know?
20:54I don't know.
20:56Not really.
21:02Moving you out, is he?
21:04Looks like it.
21:06Doesn't it worry you?
21:07It is a promotion.
21:09Don't you want it?
21:10No.
21:13Ah, why not?
21:15I had other ideas of what I wanted to do.
21:16Did you?
21:18You know, we don't always get the things we want
21:20the way we want them, do we?
21:21You seem to.
21:23Do I?
21:24Well, if you don't want it,
21:25what are you going to do about it?
21:26What are you going to do about it?
21:28Why should I do anything about it?
21:31You want your allies depleted.
21:33Oh, allies.
21:35So we've progressed through
21:37what just is it that Lincoln Darling does,
21:40is he on my side or their side,
21:42through I'm your assistant,
21:44that's one who assists,
21:46to being an ally.
21:48You don't even take down shorthand, Lincoln.
21:51But you seem to be very good at entertaining people.
21:54Entertaining my wife.
21:56I...
21:57Well, aren't you?
21:58What a common interest in the arts,
22:00in the humanities,
22:01it's perfectly natural.
22:04One meets too few people
22:06who seem as absorbed in the things
22:08that interest one oneself.
22:11When one does,
22:12one tends to cling on to them.
22:15I've always wished
22:16that I could have met more such people.
22:20So, I'm to take it
22:21you're going to do nothing about this posting,
22:22for one reason or another.
22:24Just as you wish.
22:25What about Cain and his Oriental friends?
22:26Don't you want me to go on helping you with that?
22:29How long is it before your posting takes effect?
22:32Two, three weeks?
22:33Months.
22:34Unless, of course, this is an emergency replacement.
22:37Is it?
22:38I don't think so.
22:39Well, nothing's changed, has it?
22:41We still have at least two or three weeks
22:44to get things tied up.
22:47Now, if you'll excuse me.
22:52Thank you.
23:01At the most.
23:03I see.
23:04It could be a month,
23:05or if he really wants to be bloody minded about it,
23:07he could arrange to have me flown out
23:08in two or three days.
23:09Two or three days?
23:10Emergency replacement.
23:14Oh, would you like another drink?
23:16Oh, no.
23:17No, I've still got one.
23:18You have one.
23:19Oh, no, mine's all right, thanks.
23:20No, thank you.
23:23So, what are you going to do?
23:25Doesn't give me much time to do anything, does it?
23:27If I can't get out of it.
23:29Do you think you might be able to get out of it?
23:31I doubt it.
23:32He's got me tied up so tight,
23:33if I try and struggle, I'll strangle myself.
23:35So, you'll have to go?
23:36No.
23:37Well, not to Jakarta, anyway.
23:39I'm damned if I'm going to take that dusty road to the top.
23:42If I can't wriggle out of it,
23:44I'll take up Kenneth's offer in Canada.
23:49Oh, yes, yes, of course.
23:52So, whatever happens, you'll have to go?
23:55Looks like it.
23:57It also looks as though we've come to the time for that decision.
24:08John Wilder?
24:09Yes, John Wilder.
24:11It's only been three days.
24:12We didn't think you'd manage to make it.
24:15Here, Bayek, success looks to agree with you, lad.
24:18How are you, Walter?
24:19Do you remember Don Henderson?
24:21Donald!
24:22How are you, Walter?
24:23You're putting on weight.
24:25And Frank? And Harry?
24:27Oh, I know these two.
24:28I meet them about once a month, and that's too often.
24:31Well, are you going to have a drink, then?
24:32You will bet I am.
24:33I'm on committee this year.
24:34I can do what I damn well like.
24:36Well, well.
24:38So, you're an ambassador now, aren't you?
24:40No wonder countries go into the dark.
24:43You're outflanked.
24:44It's nice to see you, Walter.
24:45Oh, don't think I'm talking to you
24:47because I like the look of your face.
24:49No, I've been detailed to look after the celebrities tonight.
24:53I suppose you can wonder that, Eddie.
24:55Yeah, I've got to put the MP somewhere.
24:58I suppose he's wandering round sucking up to the poor voters.
25:03How's Mary?
25:04Oh, she's fine, fine.
25:07She well?
25:08Oh, she's...
25:09Well, we're all knocking on a bit, you know, John.
25:12I mean, an engine's only got a certain number of running hours, hasn't it?
25:16She's as well as I am, whatever that means.
25:18Good.
25:21Are you still at Hamilton's?
25:23Oh, no, I left there about three years ago, no.
25:27I'm back at Farnborough now.
25:30Oh, I don't believe you, John.
25:32I mean, is there an aircraft industry or isn't there?
25:35Nobody seems to want to make up their mind.
25:37It's boom one minute and redundancy the next.
25:41You are very wise to get your backside out of it, John.
25:46I'm not so sure about that.
25:48Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.
25:51Oh, I'd better go and find my bloody MP and see he knows which knife to use first.
25:56We'll get speeches over and then we'll have a jar and a natter, eh?
26:00I'd like that very much, Walter.
26:02Well, now I must get on with my ceremonial duties.
26:07You were sir and me on committee.
26:10We haven't done so badly, have we, lad?
26:16No.
26:21Time is the only thing I really have.
26:23And I'm damned if I'm going to put up with other people telling me how I should spend it.
26:27No? No.
26:29Well, that's nice for you, isn't it?
26:31What's the matter?
26:32It's raining.
26:34Thing is, I don't really see where it gets him.
26:36That's what's so bloody stupid about it.
26:38You've got a light.
26:41Something occurred to me this evening.
26:46When?
26:47This evening.
26:49When did it occur to you this evening?
26:54What were you doing when this whatever-it-was occurred to you?
26:59How do you mean?
27:01All right.
27:03What was it that occurred to you?
27:06What do you think John knows about us?
27:10I don't know. Nothing, I think.
27:13He might.
27:15He might.
27:17Are you all right?
27:19Yeah, sure. Of course I am.
27:24Don't worry.
27:30What was it that occurred to you then?
27:33Well, that it needn't have been Cain who arranged my transfer.
27:37It could have been your husband.
27:40Yeah. I suppose that's possible, yes.
27:43Do you think he knows something?
27:46I don't know. He hasn't said anything.
27:49No, but he might, mightn't he?
27:51He might.
27:52Couldn't be easier for him, could it, if he wanted me out of the way?
27:56Just listen to him.
27:59Didn't even bring an umbrella.
28:01Do you think he does suspect?
28:04What does it matter? You're not being transferred because you're resigning.
28:08I'd just like to know.
28:10If I'm going to Canada with you,
28:13I know.
28:18Put this out for me, will you?
28:23Quickly, Lingo.
28:25Please.
28:35Old Francis don't half-natter on, does he?
28:38Only time anyone ever listens to him is at one of these duels.
28:42Cheers.
28:43Cheers, Walter.
28:45All that tripe about long-haired youth.
28:47I've got one at my office, hair right down to his shoulders.
28:50Lady Godiva, I call him.
28:52He just laughs.
28:53You're jealous, Walter.
28:55Grass can't grow on a busy street.
28:57I see you managed to keep yours all right.
29:00But I'll tell you one thing.
29:02If I want a fast stress analysis that I can lean on,
29:05it's Godiva I go to every time.
29:07So you mean grass can grow on a busy street?
29:10He can grow any damn where except on my lawn.
29:13Clover, yes, but grass, no.
29:15Here, I wonder where my bloody MP is.
29:18I suppose I'd better find him and get him a drink or something.
29:21I suppose you're used to drinking with politicians, John.
29:24Well, I can swallow my pride for once.
29:26Here he is. Oh, he looks all right to it,
29:28but we'd better have him over, do you mind?
29:30Mr. Candleford.
29:32Ah, hello. There you are.
29:34Can I get you a drink?
29:36Brandy, thank you.
29:37You know Sir John Wilder and Mr. Henderson?
29:40Yes, of course, we've met.
29:42Have we?
29:43A very warm personality, yes, Mr. Candleford.
29:48Warm, just like Wasserman knew us warm.
29:52Here you are, Mr. Candleford.
29:54Must keep our representatives topped up.
29:56Or anaesthetised.
29:59Splendid speech of Sir Francis, I thought.
30:02Yes?
30:03Excellent. Glad to see him having a go
30:05at all these long-haired young layabouts.
30:08Ah, you're out of sympathy with hairy youth, then.
30:12Perhaps he thinks a pulse belongs to the middle-aged, John.
30:15I always say one has to earn one's whiskers.
30:18Do you? Where did you get yours from?
30:21My dear fellow, with 20,000 a year,
30:23you can do as you damn well please.
30:25Nearly.
30:26Is that another thing you're always saying?
30:29You know, Donald, it isn't as being an impure object too,
30:33but it's in spite of it. He's got to have it.
30:36Hope you've been following my efforts
30:38on behalf of your department, Wilder.
30:40My department?
30:41Yours and your minister's.
30:43What have you been doing
30:46on behalf of our department, Mr. Candleford?
30:49Haven't you read my speeches?
30:51I think I can say we're beginning
30:53to make their skin itch.
30:55Really?
30:56Cain was right.
30:57The papers are beginning to take it up.
30:59Had a couple of chappies round this afternoon.
31:01I'd just like...
31:02What else, Sir Francis? Excuse me.
31:04I'd better just have a word with him.
31:06John.
31:07Get hold of a copy of Hansard.
31:09Find out what that idiot has been saying.
31:1220,000 a year, and he can do as he damn well likes.
31:16And on that medieval philosophy,
31:19he has the votes of thousands of poor, bloody voters.
31:24After seeing him, you know,
31:26I'd grow me hair right down to my blasted boots.
31:29If for good.
31:41Morning, Lincoln.
31:43Your name is Lee Hulse, you remember?
31:45Morning.
31:46Why did you want to meet me here?
31:48As if you didn't know.
31:50All right. What are you saying?
31:52We're interested. We want to know more.
31:54There isn't any more. I put it all in the report.
31:57Don't slip your zip, lad.
31:59You called for one of our people.
32:01We had a very non-committal 17A.
32:03Now, was it about this?
32:05Yes.
32:06Are we going to put it in a report?
32:08If it became necessary.
32:10Now you think it is necessary?
32:12Yes.
32:13Why now and not earlier?
32:15I'm only evaluating, Lincoln.
32:17It is my department.
32:20Why not, then?
32:22I wasn't sure.
32:23Now you are sure.
32:24Yes.
32:25Something happened to make you sure?
32:27Yes.
32:28I see.
32:31It's a walloping great charge, lad.
32:34A Minister of the Crown, secret meetings in Paris
32:37with members of a foreign communist power.
32:40A hell of a charge, lad.
32:42Well, that's what he did.
32:44Possibly.
32:47Now, what we want to know is
32:49do we blast in and ask him what he's up to
32:51and risk a perfectly explicable answer
32:53or do we merge quietly into the background
32:55and see if there's an answer which isn't quite so explicable?
32:59Well, that's up to you, isn't it?
33:01How very true, Lincoln.
33:03What's happened to make you sure?
33:05I think he knows I'm on to him.
33:07Why?
33:08Because he's had me posted abroad to Jakarta.
33:11Has he now?
33:12Do you want to go?
33:13Yes, very much.
33:15I just thought you ought to know.
33:17Quite.
33:19Does he know you're with us?
33:21Yes.
33:23Trying to winkle you out, is he?
33:25What do you think you'll do?
33:27Me? I should just put in a report, Lincoln.
33:29That's my function in life.
33:31But no doubt someone will take a second look at our Mr Kane.
33:36We're very grateful to you, Lincoln.
33:38Not at all.
33:41Very grateful indeed.
33:46Here lies the bones of Elizabeth Charlotte.
33:48Born a virgin but died a harlot.
33:50She was still a virgin at 17.
33:52A remarkable thing in Aberdeen.
33:55You know, that's supposed to be carved on a stone in an Aberdeen churchyard.
33:58I doubt it. I think it's just part of the great British myth-making.
34:02Yes, I'm sorry John's late.
34:04No, thank you.
34:05He said he'd be back at two o'clock.
34:07That's OK, Mr Henderson. I'm in no rush.
34:09Do you happen to know what Sir John wants to talk to me about?
34:12I'm afraid not, no.
34:14Oh, well, never mind.
34:16Now, I like this one.
34:17It's not an epitaph, but it has a kind of a period flavour about it.
34:21There was an old man from Darjeeling who travelled from London to Ealing.
34:26It said on the door,
34:27Please don't spit on the floor.
34:29So he carefully spat on the ceiling.
34:31No, I've not heard that.
34:34Ah, here's John.
34:35Ah, Mr Edmund.
34:41Oh, the minister.
34:42He's out, I'm afraid.
34:43Oh, I'll come back later.
34:44Well, Lincoln, could I have a word with you?
34:46Yes, sure.
34:47Well, I just wanted to say I'd be very grateful if you wouldn't mention what we were talking about the other day.
34:52You know, my...
34:53Oh, no, of course not.
34:54Well, it's no concern of anybody else if you'll just keep it to yourself.
34:57Yes, certainly.
34:58Well, I'll come back when the minister's in.
35:00I gather you were looking forward to going to Jakarta?
35:02Oh, yes.
35:03Why, what's happened?
35:05You seem to be the last to hear about everything.
35:07Your posting's been cancelled.
35:09Why?
35:10Well, I don't know where it came through that on no account were you to be posted.
35:15It's bad luck if you were looking forward to it.
35:17What did the minister say?
35:19Well, I haven't spoken to him.
35:20But never mind.
35:21One door closes, another door opens.
35:23How do you mean?
35:24Well, in my annual report I put that I thought you were exceptional.
35:27And I hear they agree with me.
35:29Where am I going?
35:30Well, nowhere as humidly romantic as Jakarta, I'm afraid.
35:33It'll mean you'll be remaining in London.
35:35To do what?
35:37Well, you'll be getting official work.
35:39And you'll be getting official words, so I don't think I'd better say too much.
35:42It's quite a lift for you.
35:48I see.
35:49I just wondered what you thought the attitude of your government would be towards these articles.
35:55Well, I think you know what that would be, Sir John.
35:57We feel that all the articles at present are on a strategic list.
36:01Are they? Because they are actually of some strategic value to our enemies.
36:06But if the situation changed in the far east in the foreseeable future,
36:11would your attitude change towards these articles?
36:15Whatever changes take place over the next two or three years,
36:19at the moment, whatever the rights and wrongs, we do have a very deep commitment in Vietnam.
36:25Now, my own attitude, and that of many of my colleagues,
36:27is even if one is doing it for the wrong reasons, which is disputable,
36:31even to send one battalion of men into a combat area,
36:35and then to undermine their security at home, and without their knowledge,
36:39would be an inexcusable breach of faith.
36:42We can discuss it, Sir John.
36:44They have to fight it.
36:45So you would be opposed?
36:48Why does Mr. Kane feel this way?
36:50Well, I merely think he's trying to open up other trading areas.
36:53There's nothing more sinister than that.
36:56You tell me he's bringing pressure to get backing.
36:58Yes.
36:59Do you think he has any chances?
37:01I think he might have. Might have had.
37:04Something's happening.
37:06Mr. Edmonds, to be honest, I don't entirely disagree with him.
37:10The optical goods on the list that he's concerned with are not immediately strategic.
37:15If they didn't get them from us, they could get them elsewhere.
37:18We are not the only people that make them.
37:20Nevertheless...
37:21Now, things have come off the strategic list,
37:24which your country have been quite happy to sell.
37:28I must say that on your behalf, I've been trying to slow up this exercise,
37:32and in two or three weeks, I may be able to stamp it in altogether.
37:35But you must understand that it is to my country's disadvantage,
37:39and I may be told so.
37:41I quite see that, Sir John.
37:42It does mean an area of trade close to you.
37:44Exactly.
37:46But suppose other areas were opened up,
37:50then it might save my neck and save you a lot of bother.
37:54Quite. Have you got anything in mind?
37:56Well, for instance,
37:58if I went to my people with a possible agreement on, say, space instrumentation,
38:06which would be to the advantage of my country,
38:10I have no doubt that they would be willing to swap one for another.
38:15Well, I think maybe a little reorientation with the powers that be
38:19might be coordinated to that end.
38:22Ah, well, it would be a step in the right direction.
38:26Now, how about that, James?
38:27Fine.
38:33Just a minute.
38:34Oh, sorry.
38:36Ah, thank you, Lincoln.
38:38Ground?
38:39No, third. I'm going to visit you.
38:43Well, you're not leaving us after all, eh?
38:45No, apparently not.
38:47Father told me.
38:48Really?
38:49Getting promotion, I hear.
38:50Yes, so it seems.
38:51Well, that's very nice of you. I'm sure you deserve it.
38:54Mind you, I had hoped if you'd been going abroad,
38:57we wouldn't be quite so pestered by those friends of yours from security.
39:01Every time I came, my hair, two or three, fall out.
39:04I used to think it was dandruff.
39:05But I can assure you...
39:06No, no, no, don't, Lincoln, don't.
39:08I might have to believe you.
39:10By the way, it wasn't me who arranged you to be posted.
39:16I don't really care whether you're here or not.
39:25Did you put him on to me?
39:27Put who on to you?
39:28Come off it, Johnny. You know what I'm talking about.
39:29Lincoln Darling and his gang of witch hunters.
39:31He wouldn't have had the guts to start this on his own, that's for sure.
39:34I had a very oily gentleman named Mobs waiting for me in my office just now,
39:37suggesting what I should and shouldn't do for the benefit of the Crown.
39:41I have no idea what you're talking about.
39:43No?
39:44No, I merely asked Darling if he could find out what your interests were in Paris.
39:49That was all.
39:50I asked you very specifically to stay out of this one.
39:54You told me very rudely...
39:56But, as usual, you took it as a slight on your commercial virility
39:59and decided to stick your own oar in.
40:01To what end? I really can't imagine.
40:04This absurd scheme had no chance of ever getting off the ground.
40:08Do you imagine, for one moment,
40:10that the Americans would allow to be taken off the strategic list
40:14anything that they thought, even remotely, might not be to their advantage?
40:19Well, they won't.
40:20Strategically or commercially.
40:23They're not only a military power.
40:25They're a commercial power.
40:27You have to deal with them like any other competitor in business.
40:31Oh, your mind is jammed up in business, isn't it?
40:34You're like one of these halfwits who say the country would be better run
40:36if we had a government made up of businessmen.
40:39Well, wouldn't it possibly be?
40:42Oh, forget about it.
40:44They tried that in Germany, didn't they?
40:46Romance and big business.
40:48That ends up turning people into soap.
40:51I asked you to stay out of this.
40:53You told me.
40:55Well, I'm sorry I should have asked you.
40:59Oh, this would present a scene of some beauty to a passing citizen, wouldn't it?
41:05Minister of the Crown and ambassador in a slag match.
41:09If any passing citizen imagined that it doesn't happen,
41:13they'd better grow up before the next elections.
41:16I was told to do it, you know.
41:18Asked or told or whatever.
41:21We've decided that certain articles are on the strategic list.
41:24Not because they had any strategic purpose, but because they'd always been there.
41:27We are trying in this country
41:29to be both a political and a commercial power.
41:31But if you take away our commercial potential,
41:34we cease to be a political one.
41:36You know this.
41:37This is why you go haring off after every business opening
41:40like a sex maniac when the whorehouse lights go on.
41:43Very pretty report.
41:45They wanted the whole list reviewed, and they're quite right.
41:48When you think about it, you could probably draw up a strategic list
41:51that prohibited the export of chewing gum.
41:54So?
41:55So, you've sodded the whole thing up.
41:58I agree it's probably bad communications,
42:01and bad communications seem to be the nature of the way we set things up.
42:05But now, we've got security, we've got the Americans,
42:09you name it, and we've got it trampling all over us.
42:12Wouldn't it have been easier if you'd have just let me know?
42:16Well, I suppose so.
42:17But they wanted it doing with the minimum of exposure.
42:22Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait for a year or so,
42:25and then start all over again.
42:27I didn't put security onto you, even over that Paris thing.
42:31I thought it would be just someone from this office.
42:35Oh.
42:38Well, they'll crawl back into their holes
42:40as soon as somebody gives them the official hot foot.
42:43They're not so frightening.
42:45Things could be worse, couldn't they?
42:47What?
42:48All I mean is if we don't open up in China,
42:51we do have the beginnings of a new agreement with America.
42:56Have we?
42:57Yes. Yes, we have.
43:00On space instrumentation.
43:03Snap.
43:05Many Americans asked us if we'd soft-pedal it.
43:08The foreign secretary and I said we would
43:11if we could talk about a civil engineering project.
43:16They're all very good health.
43:20By the way...
43:21Hmm?
43:23Was it you that had Lincoln Darling transferred?
43:28No.
43:30Wasn't it you?
43:33No.
43:35Hell, don't tell me there's someone else in here that wants to get rid of him.
43:42Oh, hello, Jason. I was even there for the minister.
43:45Oh, Lincoln, I was just wondering...
43:47I was just wondering if you had nothing particular to do this evening.
43:51Well, I was just wondering if you'd care to have a meal with me somewhere.
43:55Well, that's very kind of you, Jason.
43:57Well, it was just... I...
43:59Well, if you had nothing to do particularly.
44:02Well, actually, Jason, I have something quite important on tonight.
44:06I would have liked...
44:08Oh, no, no, that's all right.
44:10I just suddenly thought of it.
44:12We can do it again.
44:16You're going out, are you?
44:18It's just that...
44:20It's different now.
44:23You're not going to Jakarta?
44:26No.
44:27Nor to Canada?
44:28No.
44:29So it's different now?
44:31I didn't say that.
44:32Which that do you mean?
44:34The that of my not coming to Canada with you
44:37or the that of my coming up here to see you whenever you feel it might be nice.
44:41Oh, don't be ridiculous.
44:43Suddenly, everything's different.
44:45Which that have we given up?
44:47Simply that I'm not now going abroad.
44:51Lincoln...
44:54I was about to alter my entire life for you.
44:59You asked me to, and I...
45:01I might just have been prepared to do so.
45:04In two weeks, I would have had to reorganise my whole life.
45:08All you had to do was to buy two tickets to Canada and alter your job.
45:12And suddenly, it's different.
45:14I didn't say that.
45:15Because you've been offered a new job,
45:18you're not going to buy those tickets.
45:21You tell me this evening.
45:24But you knew this morning.
45:26At any time, I might have spoken to John.
45:29You didn't?
45:31No.
45:33No, I didn't.
45:34All I said was we'd have to be careful.
45:36Because it might endanger your new job?
45:38No, I didn't mean it to sound like that.
45:40Oh, no, of course you didn't.
45:42You didn't mean to go on talking about yourself and your problems that night when I was up here with you.
45:47But you did.
45:49Oh, I know you.
45:52I married you!
45:53No! Pamela!
45:55Let's not be silly about it.
45:57It's all been a terrible mistake.
45:59You're afraid that I might be an embarrassment to you and your new job.
46:02That's unfair.
46:03And I'm afraid that in five years from now,
46:05I shan't be able to tell the difference between you and John Wilder.
46:08Pamela!
46:12Pamela.
46:29You have it wrong, you know.
46:31Canada, yes.
46:33Even Jakarta.
46:35But not London.
46:36Hell, look where I live.
46:38Look where you live.
46:40This promotion doesn't make me rich.
46:45I've got to work things out.
46:48I need a day or two to think.
46:54Yes.
46:57Take all the time you want, Pink.
47:21Mrs. Hatley?
47:23Are you up there, Mrs. Hatley?
47:53Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
48:16Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
48:23Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
48:29I had a meal with Walter Hallib this evening.
48:33Did you?
48:35I think it was the most pleasant thing that's happened to me this week,
48:37seeing him again.
48:39Was it?
48:42Made me want to go back into aircraft.
48:46Why don't you?
48:53What did you do tonight?
48:56Went to a show.
48:59Any good?
49:02Average.
49:23© BF-WATCH TV 2021
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