Part 1 of 2 of the period crime drama from 1994. Based on a true story from 1922, this tells the tale of Herbert Armstrong, a unhappily married solicitor who is also having an affair. Then one day when buying poison for the dandelions on his lawn he is struck with a sinister idea - what better way to get rid of a dominating wife than by poison...
Starring Michael Kitchen, Sarah Miles, David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Peter Vaughan, Diana Quick, Bernard Hepton, Don Henderson, Robert Stephens, Chloe Tucker, Alexandra Milman, Joseph Steel, Lucy Jenkins and Roger Lloyd Pack.
Starring Michael Kitchen, Sarah Miles, David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Peter Vaughan, Diana Quick, Bernard Hepton, Don Henderson, Robert Stephens, Chloe Tucker, Alexandra Milman, Joseph Steel, Lucy Jenkins and Roger Lloyd Pack.
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TVTranscript
00:00I didn't hear you come back.
00:29Well, I didn't want to disturb you, dear.
00:33You wouldn't be disturbing me.
00:35Not the way I've been sleeping lately.
00:37Well, maybe this will help you to get up.
00:39It's your usual.
00:43I couldn't. I just couldn't.
00:46My insides are churning over.
00:49Really, they are.
00:52Well, I'll just leave it there then.
00:55It's made with half milk, just the way you like it.
01:00Oh, be careful.
01:02Sorry, sorry.
01:08How was your trip?
01:10Fine, just fine.
01:17By the way, that awful man Martin telephoned this evening.
01:21Oh, did he? What did he want?
01:23It's an important matter of business, he said.
01:27I said, you're available for consultation during normal business hours.
01:34I dare say you told him.
01:36I most certainly did.
01:43Ah, it's so...
01:44Better?
01:45It's so sweet.
01:48How much sugar did you put in it?
01:50Just your usual, one heaped.
01:53Yes, I find him rather a pushy character, isn't he?
01:58He'll get nowhere if he pushes me around.
02:08No, not...
02:10Not many people do, Catherine.
02:12Huh?
03:08Herman?
03:26Herman!
03:35Catherine, Catherine.
03:37Catherine, what is it?
03:39Catherine, what is it?
03:40You feel better now?
03:42What is it?
03:44Come.
03:51Here we are.
03:52Here we are.
03:58What is it?
04:00You feel better now? Is it finished now?
04:02Is it finished now?
04:03I'll get some hot water, shall I? Make you feel better.
04:05Bit of a wash, make you feel better.
04:33I'll get some hot water, shall I? Make you feel better.
05:04No, it's just an attack of the usual.
05:19A few hours in bed should be right as rain.
05:25Nothing to worry about.
05:26Now, who's for breakfast?
05:37Still not eating?
05:38Hasn't touched it.
05:39Nothing?
05:40Sip a tea, that's all.
05:42I don't know.
05:43That woman.
05:45She's a martyr to indigestion.
05:49How are you feeling?
05:50Better now, thank you.
05:52I don't feel sick anymore.
05:54Good, good.
05:57I have this strange feeling running through my feet and my hands.
06:06Like electricity running through me.
06:14Well, I think you should try and get some sleep.
06:22Stay and keep me company.
06:28I bought my book.
06:34Does she sing as prettily as I?
06:56What? Oh, sorry. No.
06:59I mean, yes.
07:03Did you enjoy it?
07:04Oh, yes, it was lovely.
07:07Didn't you?
07:09Yes.
07:11Yes.
07:12I'm glad.
07:17Something wrong?
07:19No, this is where I live.
07:21Oh.
07:24What's the matter?
07:25Nothing.
07:26It's just you make me smile.
07:31I'm glad you derived so much amusement from my company.
07:34Oh, don't be angry.
07:35I didn't mean to upset you.
07:36I'm sorry.
07:37I just meant.
07:38I'm a bloody fool.
07:40I like being with you.
07:42That's all I meant.
07:50I must go now.
07:54I'd like to see you again, Constance.
07:59All right.
08:00As long as you call me Connie.
08:21Hello, dear.
08:23Is that you twitching the curtain just now?
08:25I heard voices.
08:27I was just seeing who they belong to, that's all.
08:29Of course.
08:30Did you have a nice time?
08:32The hay players are hardly doily cart, mother, but yes, I had a nice time.
08:37With your Mr. Martin?
08:40He's not my Mr. Martin, as you so quaintly put it, mother.
08:45Not yet, anyway.
08:48My dear, do you think.
08:50Do you think he's.
08:52What?
08:54Quite right for you?
08:56Oh.
08:57He's a professional man with a good position, which is in his favor.
09:01But he seems rather an odd chap to me.
09:03Bit of a cold fish.
09:05He should fit in very well round here then.
09:07That'll do, girl.
09:08Your mother and I are only thinking of your welfare.
09:10So am I.
09:12It's obviously escaped your notice that the stock of eligible men in this town is nil.
09:17The war saw to that.
09:19Oswald is thoughtful and kind.
09:23And he'll soon have his own practice.
09:27Look, don't you see?
09:30I'm 27 years old.
09:33I don't want to be a dried up old spinster with only the scriptures for comfort.
09:39I want a home of my own.
09:42I want to be married.
09:45I want a man.
09:53BIRDS CHIRPING
10:03How long's she been like this?
10:06Well, um, quiet like this just this morning.
10:09But the, uh, the biliousness she's had for a couple of days.
10:12Hmm.
10:14She should have called me sooner.
10:16She's in a bad way.
10:18What do you think it is?
10:19Not sure.
10:20But it's more than just a bilious attack, Armstrong.
10:23Oh, I see.
10:24She consulted me in the spring about pains in her right arm and shoulder.
10:28She thought it was rheumatism.
10:30But I diagnose it as brachial neuritis.
10:33Oh.
10:34Yes.
10:35Inflammation of the nerves.
10:37Cause of which can sometimes be functional rather than organic.
10:41Oh.
10:43I don't quite understand.
10:45Mental rather than physical.
10:47Oh, I see.
10:50I'll, uh, come back tomorrow.
10:53See you again.
10:56No food.
10:58Just liquids.
10:59Banjo's was the best.
11:01Now, any deterioration.
11:03Any at all.
11:04Just let me know.
11:05Oh, of course.
11:06Ah, don't worry, Armstrong.
11:08Joel will soon have it all sorted out.
11:10You're surely right.
11:20Major Armstrong.
11:22Major Armstrong, Mr. Martin wants you to telephone him.
11:26Urgent, he said.
11:28Tried a few times yesterday, if you remember.
11:41Major Armstrong.
11:43Major Armstrong, Mr. Martin wants you to telephone him.
11:47Oh.
12:18BELL TOLLS
12:23MUSIC PLAYS
12:48Evening, Armstrong.
12:50I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
12:52Yes, uh, evening.
12:54Listen, you should have been notified.
12:56I've been instructed to act for the purchase of a Velanuev by your man, Vaughan.
13:00There are a number of things we need to settle.
13:02Yes.
13:03And it's rather, rather a lot on my mind at the moment.
13:06I'll be in touch.
13:07Yes, well, let's not hang about.
13:09Time waits for no man.
13:12Yes, I'll endeavour to remember that.
13:18MUSIC CONTINUES
13:24You look very happy.
13:26Is that because you're seeing Mr. Armstrong or seeing me?
13:31Oswald, this is a public place.
13:33I'm sorry, I don't know what can happen.
13:43BELL TOLLS
13:47MUSIC CONTINUES
13:53COUGHS
14:02It's only been just a week, better.
14:09SCREAMS
14:12There we are.
14:14There we are.
14:16It wasn't so bad.
14:30What's the matter?
14:32Please hurry, she's very, very bad.
14:41Don't let them in!
14:43Take them away!
14:45Take them away!
14:47Oh, please, I beg you!
14:49I beg you, don't be cruel!
14:51Rats away! Take those rats away!
14:53No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
15:05So?
15:07Well, it rather confirms my first diagnosis.
15:10Her mind is clearly affected.
15:13What are we going to do?
15:15I'll get a second opinion.
15:17Has she close relatives?
15:19Oh, yes, there's Bessie, her sister in Devon.
15:22I'll telegraph her to come.
15:24And a friend, you have a close friend?
15:26Why?
15:28Well, you need some sound advice.
15:30Thanks.
15:35Yes, Mrs. Armstrong?
15:37I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
15:40What for?
15:42I'm a bad, bad woman.
15:46I've lived a most unchristian life.
15:52I've been wicked to my family and my husband.
15:54Oh, I'm sure that's not true.
15:57Oh, I am a bad, bad woman.
16:04Oh, yes.
16:06I deserve to die.
16:10Yes.
16:31Hello, Bessie.
16:33Thank you.
16:36It's a terrible thing.
16:39I don't know, Bessie.
16:50Martha.
16:54The other doctor's seen her.
16:56And Bessie's just arrived.
16:58Oh, good.
17:00Inks wants to talk to you.
17:02Right.
17:06I think I'd like you to be there, Arthur.
17:16Bessie.
17:18You've seen an old...
17:20Yes.
17:22Oh, Herbert, I...
17:24Come on, Bessie.
17:31What are we to do, Inks?
17:33What are we to do, Inks?
17:35I think there's only one appropriate course.
17:38Dr. Jane agreed.
17:39And what's that?
17:41She must have complete rest and care of a very special kind.
17:46Yes?
17:47In a place where she can have both.
17:50A special place.
17:54No.
17:56No.
17:58I won't have her put in an asylum.
18:00I had Barnwood in mind.
18:01Gloucester.
18:03A private institution.
18:04The medical care's first class.
18:06No.
18:07No.
18:08Won't have it.
18:12It's a dreadful thing, Herbert, I know.
18:14But think for a moment.
18:17It's just not safe here.
18:19Not for her.
18:20Not for you.
18:22Most especially not for the children.
18:25Bessie.
18:28It does seem to be for the best, Herbert.
18:31It's not necessarily a life sentence, you know.
18:34There's a chance she might recover.
18:36In a quiet place, with care and attention.
18:45Very well.
18:48If there's no alternative.
18:57Good-bye.
19:21Good-bye, Mrs. Thompson.
19:27Good-bye.
19:57Good-bye.
20:27Good-bye.
20:57Good-bye.
21:27Good-bye.
21:48Hello, Major.
21:49Afternoon.
21:51Same as usual?
21:53Haven't seen you for a day or two.
21:55I've been away for a few days.
21:57Gloucester.
21:58Of course.
21:59How is Mrs. Armstrong these days?
22:01So-so. You know, about the same, really.
22:04Poor thing.
22:05How long has it been now?
22:07Well, two months.
22:09That's part of three.
22:10Such a long time.
22:12You must feel it, being on your own.
22:15I do. I do.
22:17I know what it's like, being on your own.
22:21Do you?
22:22Oh, yes.
22:24I get lonely sometimes.
22:26Soda.
22:31Thank you.
22:51That better?
22:55When may I see you again?
22:57Well, I'm not sure. I shall have to consult my social diary.
23:00Yes.
23:02Actually, I have an invitation for you.
23:04Oh?
23:05My mother would like you to come to tea.
23:07Oh. When?
23:09Next Wednesday at 4.30, if you're free.
23:12If I'm not, I shall make myself so.
23:15What now?
23:16Well, you seem almost as apprehensive about this event as my mother.
23:21Look.
23:24Armstrong.
23:26Who's that with him?
23:28Mrs. Fletch, widow of this parish and barmaid at the Three Tons.
23:32I see.
23:34Rather an unlikely client.
23:36Mrs. Fletch's reputation is rather soiled.
23:40You think...
23:41I think your Mr. Armstrong has been giving Mrs. Fletch something other than legal advice.
23:47Connie.
24:07I don't quite understand.
24:09You see, the last time I was here...
24:11I know.
24:12Her condition did remain more or less unchanged.
24:14I know. Her condition did remain more or less unchanged for two months after the attack reached its peak.
24:19We had no reason to expect such a sudden and rapid improvement.
24:23But it is not without precedent.
24:25It's such a shock. It's a surprise.
24:28You made the common mistake of presuming that once a patient enters this place,
24:33he or she will never leave it except in a box.
24:36That is not the case. Not the case at all.
24:38She'll make a full recovery then?
24:40I rather think she might.
24:42At the present rate of recovery, she might be back at home with you in a matter of weeks.
24:45Oh, good. No, no. This is excellent news, Doctor.
24:48I'm pleased to be the bearer.
24:50Good day, Major Armstrong.
24:51Good day.
24:52Doctor, thank you very much indeed.
24:57Well.
24:59Yes?
25:00You look...
25:03so...
25:05I know.
25:07I feel it too.
25:09Yes?
25:11I know what you're thinking.
25:13That it can't last.
25:16And I think it will.
25:20Oh, Herbert.
25:22I really think it will.
25:41I think it will.
25:43I think it will.
26:09I think it's rather premature, Armstrong, don't you?
26:12I think it'll be rather good for her.
26:14And I must say she thinks so too.
26:16But you discussed it with her.
26:17Well, she raised it, you see.
26:19It was her idea.
26:21She misses her children dreadfully.
26:23Well, of course.
26:25It's possible it might aid recovery, but it's a risk.
26:29She's desperate to come home, Hink said.
26:31And I must say I want her to come home too.
26:33All right. I'll talk to Townsend.
26:36But I have to say it's against my better judgment.
26:38On your head be it.
26:39Well, of course.
26:41All right, well.
26:48While I'm here,
26:52I find I must consult you on a rather delicate matter.
26:57I see.
27:00How delicate?
27:11There. Told you I was right about him, didn't I?
27:22Your prescription, Major.
27:23Yes, sir. Thank you.
27:26By the way, Davis, I just need a little more arsenic for the garden.
27:30Very effective, indeed. Very effective.
27:32Didn't take quite enough, though.
27:33Oh, I see. How much do you want?
27:35Oh, a couple of ounces.
27:37I'll get it.
27:38Constance, the book, please.
27:43Mrs. Armstrong coming home, I hear.
27:45Yes, that's right.
27:46That'll be nice.
27:48Yes, yes, it will.
27:59Mrs. Armstrong, where have you been?
28:03I missed you.
28:06Mother, you're looking so well.
28:08I am. I've never felt better.
28:14Are you going away again?
28:16No, Constance. I am not going away.
28:35I'm a bit rusty.
29:06Lovely spread, Mrs. Davis.
29:08Thank you, Mr. Martin.
29:11Please, call me Oswald.
29:15Oswald?
29:18Blast!
29:26Mrs. Davis, excuse me.
29:28I'll get a cloth.
29:31Herbert!
29:33You're home early.
29:35Well, I was anxious to see how you were.
29:38Oh, that's very kind.
29:41So?
29:43Oh, I'm fine.
29:45I'm fine.
29:46Oh, I'm fine.
29:47Oh, I'm fine.
29:48Oh, I'm fine.
29:49Oh, I'm fine.
29:50Oh, I'm fine.
29:51I'm fine.
29:52I'm fine.
29:53I'm fine.
29:54I'm fine.
29:55I'm fine.
29:56I'm fine.
29:57I'm fine.
29:59Oh, I'm fine.
30:01I just seem to get tired more quickly, that's all.
30:04Oh, well, of course.
30:05It'll take time, won't it?
30:07Yes.
30:09Pearson does seem to have got rather far behind with his arithmetic.
30:13I think I might give him a lesson later.
30:15Good.
30:17Good.
30:21Almost forgot.
30:23I just need your signature on this, Catherine.
30:27There we are.
30:28What is it for?
30:29Oh, it's just a document for the insurance.
30:33But there's only one page here.
30:35Where is the rest of it?
30:37Catherine.
30:38But I never sign anything until I've read it.
30:41All of it.
30:42I mean, it's simply not right.
30:44For God's sake, Catherine.
30:45Now, look, things have been difficult enough without you.
30:48I'm so terribly sorry, Herbert.
30:51And above all, not to be trusted.
30:54Oh, dear.
30:55Please forgive me.
31:00I'm sorry.
31:09There.
31:10Sorry.
31:12There we are.
31:13Never mind.
31:17Thank you.
31:19Herbert, please don't go.
31:21I think I just need Ines to witness it, you see.
31:25Tea will be ready shortly.
31:27I've got you some nice calf's foot jelly.
31:30I'm not sure that I feel like it.
31:33Oh, well, remember what Hink said.
31:35Must eat, do you good.
31:37Oh, yes.
31:38Yes, of course.
31:42It wasn't that bad.
31:44It was a disaster.
31:46Listen to me.
31:48I don't give a fig for what my parents think.
31:50I shall do what I please with whom I please.
31:53And you please me, Oswald Martin.
31:57Do you understand?
32:04I think I love you, Connie.
32:06What do you mean, think?
32:10Hey!
32:21Pearson, come on in.
32:23I've finished.
32:25Close the door.
32:30Be a good boy.
32:32Take my tray for me.
32:36That's right, just put it on there.
32:40Come and sit here.
32:44No, look.
32:46We'll have a little chat.
32:49We'll start with your tables.
32:51All right.
32:55Go on then, begin.
32:56Start with the twos.
32:58One's two is two.
33:00Two twos are four.
33:02Three twos are six.
33:04Five twos are ten.
33:07Four twos are eight.
33:10One twos are ten.
33:12Six twos are twelve.
33:15One twos are thirteen.
33:17Four twos are fourteen.
33:19Five twos are fifteen.
33:21Four twos are sixteen.
33:23Four twos are seventeen.
33:25Four twos are eighteen.
33:27Four twos are nineteen.
33:29Four twos are twenty.
33:31Four twos are twenty-one.
33:33Four twos are twenty-two.
33:35Four twos are twenty-three.
33:37Four twos are twenty-four.
33:39Four twos are twenty-five.
33:41Four twos are twenty-six.
33:44Herman!
33:51Help me.
34:04There, that's it.
34:06Now, sit down there.
34:09There.
34:11And that's the best way you can manage to walk.
34:15It's electric wires running through my legs,
34:19and my arm is always burning me so.
34:22It's all right, my dear.
34:24It's all right.
34:26Shh.
34:33Exactly as I feared.
34:35She's relapsed.
34:37But she's much worse than before.
34:39I'm so sorry, Hinks. It was meant for the best.
34:41Look, it's too late for that now.
34:44I have to tell you, Armstrong,
34:46I think she's in very grave danger.
34:49It can't be as bad as that.
34:51Shh.
34:55Spock was in the house.
34:59I played my piano.
35:01I didn't hear them.
35:03Shh.
35:08It's all right, Inez. I'll take it.
35:10Yes, sir.
35:21This is my birthday, Pip.
35:23I was going to wish her many happy returns
35:25when Miss Havisham lifted her stick
35:27and stabbed at the pile of cobwebs on the table.
35:30On this day of the year, long before you were born,
35:33this heap of decay was brought here.
35:35It and I have worn away together.
35:38Yes, Mother?
35:45I'm not going to die, am I?
35:48Mother.
35:51I have so much to live for.
35:54Mother, you're not going to die.
35:57Nice hot drink for you.
36:01I'll read you some more tomorrow.
36:03Good night, Mother. Good night.
36:05Good night, Father.
36:26Come on, then.
36:56Catherine.
37:12Catherine.
37:27She'll go before the day's out, hm?
37:32There's nothing I can do.
37:35I'm sorry.
37:56Come on.
38:26Come on.
38:56Come on.
39:04I'm so sorry, Catherine.
39:22The nurse has settled.
39:24I have to go to the office.
39:26Telephone if...
39:28you need me.
39:30Yes, of course, Major.
39:55Yes?
39:57Yes. I see.
40:02I should be home first thing.
40:06That's quite all right.
40:09Thank you very much.
40:24Good night.
40:54Good night.
41:24Good night.
41:54Good night.
42:24Good night.
42:54Good night.
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