- Morning, Isaac. Nice morning. - Who's that?
Old Jew boy from across the mountain. Up with the lark.
Morning, Dad.
Dad, wait!
Bastard.
Come on, you women.
Take the big one. My back is acting up.
It's my turn to use the tub first, Dad. Be fair.
People who drink forfeit their rights.
Let him be.
Would you like to see some cottons we have?
I can send my son.
Do you want me to start again fresh?
- I'll put it in the safe. - Thank you, missus.
Mam says Saturday for sure.
Don't lose it, though, or she said to Da she'd put the dogs on you.
We'll take great care of it, darling. You tell your mother not to worry.
Did you have a good day?
Where's the cotton gabardine? We have customers.
I didn't sell it. Wait. I'll warm the soup.
They lost their packman. Solomon can go.
Tell this old fool to shut up. I can't concentrate with his braying.
You've got a tongue, Solomon. You sort it out.
You stinking little fish.
May God forgive you.
Finish up those accounts.
Tomorrow your father needs you to sell some cotton.
Thank God.
No, thank you very much.
- What you got there, then? - Cottons. Samples. You want to see?
We used to have a packman. Cohen, he was called. A Jew.
Lived poor, died a rich man, they say.
Is that right?
- You aren't one, are you? - No.
Didn't think so. Don't look Jewish.
Well, go on, then. Show us what you got.
Good morning.
Can I interest you in any cottons, cloths, linens?
I'm sorry. My mother isn't here.
I can give you samples.
I'm sewing this afternoon for Mrs. Evans.
I know she wants dresses for the girls.
Sunday wear.
They've got to be strong, though. They hand them on.
Well, this one's strong.
Pretty for girls.
The other one's more for you.
Keep it. Show it to your mother.
I'll come back next week.
She doesn't have to buy it.
No, really.
Keep it. I mean it.
It'll look lovely on you.
All right. I'll take this to Mrs. Evans.
I'll see you next week, then.
Good-bye.
What's this?
It's for Mrs. Evans. For the girls.
I'm going to make up dresses.
And this?
It's nothing. Something the new packman left, that's all.
It might suit Bronwen, don't you think?
Yes, Ma.
It's no use for chapel, though. You wouldn't have the use of it.
You be careful.
Those packmen will talk the hind leg off a donkey.
Yes, Dad.
Send him packing next time.
Yes, Dad.
This is the same material.
Take some samples.
Solomon, come home. We're finished.
- Come home. - In a minute.
Let's get away from this goyische place.
It's a long way.
Wait here. Interfering little sod.
Morning.
Good morning.
- How are you today? - I'm very well, thank you.
I'm very well also.
Come in.
Mrs. Evans would like the cotton for the girls.
Here's the pattern.
One is eleven, the other's eight.
Allow plenty for growing like.
Let's see. She'll...
need three...
and two.
That's five yards.
At seven pence, halfpenny a yard.
That's three and a penny halfpenny.
We'll call it three shillings.
You speak Welsh?
Not really.
Are you from 'round here?
I grew up mostly here. Across the mountain.
My parents are English.
My parents are from Llanfihangel y Creuddyn.
It's a farm place.
"The wicked are like the tossing sea when it cannot rest...
and its waters toss up mire and mud. "
"There is no peace," says my God...
"for the wicked. "
Isaiah, chapter 57, verse 21.
I liked your singing.
Get away. It's the others, not me.
It was you up there, then, was it?
What about the other cotton, the one for you?
- Aren't you going to take it? - No, I can't.
Thank you. It's very nice.
Go on. Why not?
- I can't. Really. - Let me show you how it looks.
No. Thank you.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
There's no obligation.
Sleep well.
Good night, Ma.
You needn't come in.
Mrs. Evans says to call at her place for the money.
Would you like to come out for a minute?
I've got something to show you.
I can't. I've got work to do.
Another time? Sunday?
Sunday's chapel in the morning.
I help at Sunday school in the afternoon.
What's your name?
Gaenor.
Nice name.
Don't be silly.
That's it, then.
What's yours?
Sam.
Sam Livingstone.
After Sunday school.
Four o'clock? I won't have long.
Wine and spirits...
Are the poison of the weak.
Who was the famous explorer...
who was a total abstainer?
Doctor Livingstone.
Come on, John. Don't miss your instruction.
Now then. All together.
Long may temperance be our guide.
And long may Wales be pure Wales.
If drunkenness is our guide...
Pure Wales will be a darkened Wales.
- I'm sorry. - It's all right.
I wasn't sure you'd come.
There was an explorer called Livingstone.
A missionary. Teetotal?
Are you related?
Not that I know of.
Open it.
It's beautiful.
I think it will fit. We can adjust it.
It's very well-made.
But I can't take it.
Yes, you can. It'll look good on you.
My sister's in grammar school. We have to pay for books, uniform.
It's a gift.
It's too nice.
Don't be daft.
I'd better go home.
Look at me.
What will people think?
How can we, as Jews...
begin to understand this British nation...
which we have made our home...
Where have you been?
Uncle's long started.
If we do not understand the works of its greatest author, Charles Dickens?
Shloyme, you remember your Auntie Sadie?
Cousin Naomi.
From Cardiff they've come.
Oh, no.
There's a welcome. Aren't you going to offer me a cup of tea?
Who is it?
No one, Dad. The butcher.
He's gone. Go back to sleep.
They can't hear us here.
How are you?
- How's the dress? - Fine. Fine.
Both of us.
Can I...
Could I see it...
on you?
- Check the fitting. - Don't be mad, Sam.
You'll get me lynched.
It fits perfect.
Another time.
Yes.
Another time.
Wait there a minute. Don't peep.
Here I am.
What?
You look lovely.
For God's sake, quickly.
Where were you?
I went for a walk.
They had stones this time.
It isn't Russia here. Just a few stupid children. Not everyone is bad.
Children they may be, but who puts these thoughts in their minds?
All right, I'll find out who it is. I'll talk to their parents.
Don't go stirring up more trouble.
A goy is a goy. Not all are bad.
Of course not. We have many respectable people here.
They're not our people, is all. They are different.
Different ways.
When you have your own shop, you'll see more.
"To him who wishes to defile himself, the door is open.
To him who wishes to purify himself...
aid is given. "
I said I'd talk to them. Now, leave me alone.
Simeon ben Lakish. You should learn it.
Where did you get it?
From the packman, Dad.
I'll pay for it.
I'll do extra for Mrs. Evans.
There is no extra.
Not in this house. Not with the strike coming.
You want to earn money whoring now?
No, Dad. No.
Take it back. Get your money back.
I can't, Dad.
Not now.
I want it.
Let her keep it, Idris.
The money is spent.
Let her keep something for once.
I'll slip off then, Ma. Just a half hour with the boys.
Here's your beau, Gaenor.
Sorry I can't stop, Noah.
Will you be coming to the meeting tomorrow, Gaenor?
I just sing, Noah. I'm not good at organization.
You must come.
We could use your help and your support.
I'll see what I can do. I clean up on a Thursday.
I'm sure we can arrange something, Noah.
God bless you, Mrs. Rees.
You know how much Gaenor means to us here.
Is there something I should know?
No, Ma.
You were cool with Noah.
Is something going on between you and that packman?
He'd better come to tea next Sunday.
Your father will want to meet him.
There you are. You'll find your own way to shul.
- But what about those boys? - You'll manage.
Solomon!
You had me worried to death.
This is Sam.
This is my father, Idris.
This is my wife, Gwen.
My son, Caradoc.
My daughter, Bronwen. She's at the grammar school.
And my younger son, Thomas.
Pleased to meet you.
How many sugars is it?
Two, please. Thank you.
Your father's an engineer, then?
- Yes. - Gaenor told us.
- In the mines? - The railway. He travels a lot.
Didn't he want you in the grammar school?
Dad!
What? A man can ask honest questions.
He did, very much...
but sitting behind a desk didn't suit me.
I like to be doing things.
My daughter tells me it's a shop you're after.
Give the boy a break. He isn't proposing to her yet.
No, but he gave her a dress.
I did, sir.
You don't buy nothing with it, mind.
I'm sorry about dad. That's the way he is.
He can't but speak his mind.
Hello, Gaenor.
Hello, Ceridwen.
This is hopeless. Come on.
Careful! It's muddy! Where are we going?
Can't people see us?
All right.
I'm all right now.
Goodness.
I couldn't bear it.
We can go back now.
- I had to know you were there. - I'm here.
I'm hungry.
You'll have to wait. It's not far now.
You should have asked somebody. They won't eat you.
Ask these two.
Do you know where this is, please?
It's my uncle, Lansky. Lansky.
Oh, he's right out of his way.
He needs to go back down the hill and turn right at the bottom.
It's a walk over the mountain.
You tell him.
Back down the hill.
Turn right at the bottom.
Across the mountain. It's far.
Are you a Yid?
What does he want?
Where do you think they come from?
Italy, perhaps.
Jew boys.
Probably got a pile of money stashed away in that cart.
Too far to get there tonight, though, eh?
Time to get back, Gaenor. They'll be wondering where you are.
See how warm it is? It's cozy up here.
Well, look at you. You're cold.
I used to come up here when I was little, with Bronwen.
We used to play house and a game we made up called "pit pony. "
I was a sick pony, and Bronwen used to bring me medicine...
to make me well again...
so I could carry her around, see?
I've brought you something...
to make you well.
Wait, wait, wait!
Don't look.
Sam?
I suppose you get a lot of packmen here.
I did have a boy before.
We were engaged to be married.
He had an accident... down the mines.
An explosion.
He wasn't killed or anything.
Just...
My parents wouldn't let me marry him after that.
Said he couldn't keep me.
What's gonna happen?
I don't know. Get married.
Heavens above. That dress has turned your head.
Has he asked you, then?
He needs me.
- I know he does. - What about the chapel?
What about Noah?
Mother won't manage without you.
You coming to the meeting?
Let me know what happens, Dad.
We're being squeezed like lemons, Crad.
We stand together or we go down together.
You do the meetings, Dad. Call me when the action starts.
What's your favorite passage in the Bible, Sam bach?
We're not really a Bible family.
But you must have a favorite.
I used to like Jacob�s dream when I was a little boy.
Genesis, chapter 28, verse 12.
- He had a dream. - A stairway.
- Stairway was set on the ground. - And its top reached to the sky.
And angels of God were going up and down on it.
"And the Lord was standing beside him...
and He said, 'I am the Lord...
the God of your father, Abraham, and the God of Isaac. "'
"The ground on which you are lying...
I shall give to you and your offspring. "
You aren't like other boys...
boys around here.
You listen to me, for a start.
You're even different down here.
From Crad, anyway.
Birds can keep a secret, eh?
When do I get to meet your parents, Sam?
My father's away. It's not a good time.
- Couldn't I meet your mother? - She isn't...
She isn't well.
I'm used to visiting the sick.
I visit the sick all the time.
We're poor. Maybe he's ashamed of you.
He's not like that.
His people might be.
But if he loved you enough, so what?
Mind now!
I nearly had your arm then.
You wouldn't make a fool of me, would you, Sam?
No, of course not.
Put your arms around me then.
The love that will faithfully last.
I want to meet your family, Sam.
I want to make it right.
No point in going anywhere in this bach. Come with me.
It's not strictly legal, but good friends...
are allowed a quiet drink on a dark, rainy day.
- Isn't that right, Alun? - I'm not a big drinker.
You'll have a pint or two on me, won't you...
seeing as how you're courting my sister.
- Let me. - You'll have your chance.
This is Sam, boys.
He's friendly with our Gaenor.
We're usually under the ground when Sam comes 'round this way...
so we don't get much of a chance to look him over.
Pleased to meet you.
This is my butty, Wyn.
One over there needs a wash is William.
This is Bleddyn, Rhys, and last, but not least, Huw.
Drink up, lads.
Good man.
Put that away. There's plenty more where that came from, eh, Alun?
Finally, the king found a solution.
"Let us also eat the wheat...
and become mad like the others.
But before we can eat it, we will each make a knot in our belts...
and whenever we gaze upon that knot in the future...
at least then we will know that we are mad. "
Good one, Sam. Bit beyond me, like.
Rhys, tell us that story about the two girls in the tin factory.
- I've got to go. It's getting dark. - Hold on, brother.
Just getting to know you.
Walking in the mountains in the dark is what we miners do all the time.
It's not so bad, is it, boys?
Let the lad go, if he wants to.
Look at his hand, now.
This is the hand of a man who sells women's things.
See those two, now?
They tell a story.
David and Goliath. Got your sling ready, boy?
She's not your type, is she?
Really. Let's be honest.
Enough's enough now, eh?
Bye, Sam. Mustn't keep you. Say good-bye, boys.
See you, Sam.
I went to see Mannie.
You know Mannie. Used to work in the iron foundry.
He's in the pits now.
I stayed late to avoid the rain, but...
Gaenor!
Yes, Ma.
I'm going to Mrs. Williams.
Don't forget to prepare the potatoes...
and the bread, ready for baking.
- No, Ma. - These pigs could do with a cleanup.
Yes.
If they vote for a strike today, you can say good-bye to him.
Are you feeling all right, Gaenor?
I'm fine.
Really.
You can talk to me.
As a friend. I want to help.
I'm past helping, Noah.
Don't involve yourself.
I'm all right. Tired is all it is.
Hello. How are you?
There's this one right here.
What's the matter?
We can be more careful, find another place.
Is that all you think about?
Is that all you want? What do you think I want?
I want?
This.
I want what we have.
And that's all?
There isn't any more?
Is this what you want? Just this?
'Cause you can have it anytime. No problem.
Anytime you want!
No.
I know what you want me to say...
but...
I thought you were different, Sam Livingstone.
Maybe I am different.
With your soft words and gentle manners.
Too good for me, is it?
Or just having a bit of sport?
There's nothing to you.
Nothing to you at all.
Amen
Stand up.
Gaenor Rees.
A member of this congregation has a charge against you.
Gaenor Rees is with child.
She has been fornicating with a stranger.
Is this true, Gaenor Rees?
Remember, if you bear false witness in God's house...
His punishment will be greater.
It's true.
I am with child.
Shame on you, Gaenor Rees.
You were an example of goodness to the young...
and now, about you is the stench of deceit and evil.
The trust those children placed in you... our trust... has been polluted.
May God punish you accordingly. You will leave the chapel now.
You will not sully it with your presence for six weeks.
From the fellowship, you are banned forever.
You are in the hands of your family, whom you have betrayed.
May God lead you to true repentance.
He's got to marry her.
You won't keep that baby otherwise.
You know that, don't you? Don't you?
I'll make him marry her.
She doesn't want him, Idris.
She has her pride.
Leave her alone.
Pride.
Pride be damned.
You fool.
Who will have you now?
Gaenor?
Go away. She doesn't want to see you.
- Can't I talk to her for a minute? - She doesn't want to see you.
She doesn't want to talk to you. She doesn't want to know you.
If Crad sees you, he'll kill you.
Go, and don't ever come back.
And don't try to write. She'll not get the letter. Never.
Give her these, at least. Please.
A pane of glass will keep the warmth in, save on coal.
It's the strike. No one has money.
No one wants glass.
If it breaks, they stuff it up with paper.
Don't be disheartened.
Keep going around. Be a familiar face.
Take cheap stuff. Darning material. Threads.
Be generous.
Let people know that they can trust you.
In a strike, there is frustration.
Hardship brings out the devil in people.
Don't let them say the Jews kept away.
It will be over soon, please God.
Then, you will have a shop and customers.
Yes, Dad.
We have no choice.
Get him, boys!
Maybe this'll teach you to mind your own business, you English bastard!
If we catch you around here again, it's the end for you!
Do you hear?
You're lucky Crad didn't come out! You'd be a dead man for sure!
- Sod off! - Bugger off!
And don't come back here again, do you hear?
Don't ever come back here again!
You can start going to chapel again now.
It's not the fellowship, but it's something.
There's more darning than wool in these heels.
You can't hide your disgrace from God.
I need to go.
I can't hold it in anymore.
You.
I have to talk to you.
We can't.
Go away. It's hard enough already. Go away!
Don't go in, please.
Get off me!
- Oh, my God. - Don't be a fool.
- Gaenor... - Let go of me!
- You're having a baby. - Oh, forget it.
It's no business of yours.
You shouldn't have come.
Gaenor, are you all right?
Coming, Dad.
Come and share a prayer of thanks.
We're going back to work.
Did we win?
We didn't lose. Put it like that.
Don't look at me. Go to sleep.
Go to sleep, I said.
Why did you leave your tsitsis in the wall?
Isn't it a commandment?
Each generation shall put a tassel on the corner of their clothes.
Don't you want to be a Jew anymore?
So it was you.
It isn't so simple.
Your prayers make it all so simple. It isn't like that.
Rabbi Wolfe said the miners were forced to go out on strike...
because they got nothing for it.
The rabbi is a fool!
If not for the strike, they would have less than nothing.
Let him talk to our Jewish miners, eh?
Here, Benjamin.
Why is it always a Friday night?
Please, God, there will be peace now.
There are too many children going hungry.
They come in here with junk...
and it's hard not to give them something.
It's for you.
You weren't easy to find.
I'll be back soon.
Aren't you going to invite me in?
Sam, is it?
Solomon!
How is your mother now? Still sick, is she?
Where are we going?
Are you still ashamed of me?
Why didn't you tell me?
Because...
Why didn't you tell me?
This!
Your life.
Your real life.
You don't understand.
You were keeping yourself from me. I could feel it.
Was it a game?
I just couldn't see how to put the pieces together.
They won't accept you.
It's a rule with them.
It's like iron.
They'd cast me out.
And you?
Do you accept me?
I think so.
I'm to go to the country to my father's people to have the baby.
Then it will be taken away.
Why did you come?
When I saw you, I stopped hating you so much.
I had to find out.
Talk to me in your language.
The language you use to your family.
Do you really want me to?
Come and sit down.
- We'll go away somewhere. - Not yet.
I'm not sure of you yet.
Bring a towel, girl.
Give a good rub.
It'll all be over soon, eh?
Good girl.
Fetch my shirt, will you?
Just a bad dream, that's all.
Take it easy, man.
You'll scare that baby out before it's time.
Let it come. That'd save a great deal of trouble.
What are you talking about?
We're just getting on our feet...
and the docks are out and the railway boys.
There'll be no coal moving.
We're like puppets on a string.
We'll be back where we started.
Why are you killing yourself?
Out all hours.
If no one is buying, stay home a bit.
Stay home a bit.
We know how to be poor.
We will survive.
Gaenor?
I seen you, you dirty bugger!
I can't stop.
Things are getting very difficult.
Dad and Crad are around all the time.
Everybody's very edgy. Nobody knows how long it will last.
I understand.
I'll go away with you.
As I am now.
I can still walk a good distance.
I can still work.
The longer we leave it, the harder it will be.
I can be ready in a day.
Saturday night. Everyone will be out.
I can meet you at the back of the house.
I'll be there.
I have to go.
Your favorite customers will have a round here on credit, Alun.
The day this layoff's over, you'll be rolling in clover.
Sorry, Crad. Boys.
Bloody hell.
What are we breaking our backs for...
if we can't get a sociable drink when we want one?
Something's not right.
I heard about some Jew landlord in Tredegar...
put the colliers' rents up by a shilling the minute the strike was over.
Doesn't he know the families have debts to pay?
And I don't see it coming down again now we're laid off.
Seems to me some people only get richer.
- Bless me too, Father. - What?
Include me in your blessing. Please.
It's for children.
You aren't a child anymore.
I'm your son. I'll always be your son.
It's for a child.
You are an adult.
Let that be the end of it.
Philip is past his bar mitzvah.
Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father.
We have no milk for children...
or feed for animals.
We cannot nourish the sick.
We cannot, even in this citadel of coal...
give warmth to our elders.
Our people create the wealth.
Our people are suffering...
while others grow fat...
on the proceeds of our shame.
Go home and board up your shop.
Last night there were riots in Tredegar against the Jews.
They are afraid tonight it will spread here.
That's right.
Shops were looted. Houses too.
Isaac, you should find somewhere else to stay.
Surely you aren't taking it seriously.
You're well-respected here. This isn't Russia.
For God's sake, be quiet.
They mustn't know we are here.
Thank you. It's very kind of you.
It's no trouble. I only hope it all passes off quietly.
Oh, we pray for peace.
Solomon, how long do you think we are staying?
My wife is praying too.
Try to get some sleep.
Thank you.
Everything. Everything.
Bye, girl. See you later.
Crad!
- Come on! - Come on!
Come on! Come on, lads! Come on!
You don't know.
You don't know anything.
Don't set yourself up as God.
Hold this.
Don't be a fool. Do you want to be killed?
Let me go, for God's sake.
See what they are doing? We will lose everything.
You see what they are like.
No. You are wrong. Don't say that.
Do you think I don't know what's going on?
I know every house in this valley, and I know what they are saying.
Tell me it isn't true.
Get off me.
It's my own life!
You can't control me!
If you go with this girl...
you will be dead to us.
We will say Kaddish over you.
- Police! - Come on, boys!
Come on!
Solomon?
Help me with this lot, will you?
Help me, woman, will you?
Got to hide it.
Here.
It was you.
You sinned against God!
They didn't touch the books. See? God is good.
They didn't harm the books.
Look!
My darling Gaenor:
They told me that the post is running again to the valleys...
so I hope this letter reaches you.
I expect you heard we lost everything in the riots.
There is talk of compensation, so perhaps my parents will be all right.
I lost more than everything that night.
I hope you weren't angry with me after you read the newspapers...
and realized what happened.
I am kept virtually a prisoner here...
working morning till night.
Saturdays in synagogue with Uncle Mennasseh.
Then back at work again.
I have no money of my own.
There is a mistake.
But somehow I will come to you...
before our child is born.
I hope you still want me.
Pray to your God.
Pray we can be together again...
and I will pray to mine.
This is for Gaenor. What shall I do with it?
I'll make sure it gets to the right place.
Try writing to me at this address.
I miss you terribly. Solomon.
I am sorry for your trouble.
I can't tell you where he is. He won't be coming back here.
If you...
Translate for me.
Excuse me for saying this.
You have yourself made this situation.
Don't make Solomon to rescue you.
Don't ruin his life.
I love him.
He loves me.
I think.
Maybe she wants money.
No, please.
I don't want money.
I am sorry, my dear.
I can see you are an honest girl.
I am glad Solomon found an honest girl.
You'll get over it.
You both will get over it.
Love, when you are young...
love comes and goes.
You have a long life to live yet.
It will heal.
I wish you...
happiness...
you and your child.
Hmm? Understand?
He's your grandchild.
Don't you understand?
He's no grandchild of ours.
He's a mistake.
He's not our grandchild.
Will you give him a message from me at least?
No.
Be good. I know you will.
Go in, you two. Don't make a fuss.
You'll catch a cold out here.
I'll be all right.
My dear Solomon:
Your girl has gone away.
You will never see her again.
It is a good thing. You would never have been happy.
You will stay in Cardiff.
For a boy like you, there are more opportunities in the big city.
Uncle Mennasseh is happy to keep you on.
I hope you express your gratitude to him often.
Work hard. I know you will succeed.
Your ever-loving mama.
Where's Gaenor?
Nowhere you'll find her.
Where's Gaenor?
I've a mind to kill you now, you know that?
- Where's Gaenor? - But I won't.
Where's Gaenor?
Because you'd come back and haunt me with those words...
for the rest of my bloody life.
I'd never be rid of you.
She's at Llanfihangel.
Northwest. Our aunt's place.
Don't ask me to write it down for you, because I can't.
Llanfihangel.
Funny not to be knitting.
I didn't hear anything. Did you?
No.
Oh, you're awake.
Oh, thank God.
Here. Let me.
Don't leave me now, my love.
Hello, Sam.
Hello, my princess.
How are you?
Cold.
Better?
No.