MAN: It's making for the village.
If we're quick, we can head the bugger off!
GIRL: It doesn't seem fair, all those hounds and just one fox.
MAN: It's not meant to be fair. Come on or we'll lose them!
MAN #2: Your Grace, doctor said you weren't to exert yourself.
DUKE: Are you a student of medicine, Watson?
WATSON: No, Your Grace. I'm a chauffeur.
DUKE: Then let's stick to what we know, shall we?
WATSON: Well, then perhaps we should let me drive.
He's right, Grandpa. The doctor said that you should...
Fresh air and light exercise.
That was the doctor's advice, and I'm taking it.
WOMAN: Come on, William!
(hounds barking)
GIRL: Doesn't this thing go any faster?
DUKE: That's right, girl! Hold on!
(distant hounds barking)
(car horn honks)
(distant bugle sounds)
(hounds barking; bugle sounds)
MAN: What's going on?
Come on, Pumfert! Mushroom, hey! Come on!
Would you mind controlling these animals, Sarah Carraclough?
It might help us all if you'd mind your own, Edward Hynes.
Come on, Lass.
Who threw this, hey?
Who threw this?
I'll have the police on you! Hear me? I'll have the police!
Noisy rabble! Come on, Pumfert, out of it!
DUKE: Hynes!
HYNES: The, uh, the pack are in a bit of a tangle.
I'm just getting it sorted, Your Grace.
DUKE: Never mind the hounds.
Did anyone see which way the damn fox went?
HYNES: Towards the mine, they say.
- Well, what are you waiting for? - Well, l...
DUKE: This is a foxhunt, isn't it?
HYNES: Yes, Your Grace.
A foxhunt.
Right.
(coughs softly)
(hounds barking)
HYNES: Come on, open this bloody gate!
Hey? Come on, you lazy swine, open these gates!
All right, come on, boys!
Come on! Come on! Let's get at it!
Your Grace, you can't come through!
It's impossible! There are men working down there!
DUKE: They may be down there, Mr. Carstensen, but they're not working.
We both know the seam's exhausted. Now get out of the way!
(toots horn)
CARSTENSEN: There's still coal down there, I'm sure of it!
- What the bloody hell was that? - Fox, I reckon.
Well, what's it doin' down here?
Shh! Listen up!
(hounds barking)
So...
we don't want to let them catch it.
Well... how can we stop 'em?
It's just a matter of puttin' them off the scent.
Don't think... you daft bugger...
(hounds barking)
Right.
Let's see what they make of that, then.
(hounds barking)
(imitates dog howling)
WOMAN: ...into 60 goes 7, remainder 4,
which gives us 8 into 40.
Anybody.
Joe Carraclough!
Yes, miss?
What did I just ask?
A question, miss.
(children titter)
Stand up.
And what question was that, Carraclough?
Don't try and get the answer from somebody else!
Well?
Didn't hear, miss.
Come here.
Left.
Up!
Right.
Three more for answering back.
But miss, I didn't.
Are you asking for another three?
No, miss.
Back.
Now.
8 into 40.
Quickly, anybody.
Yes.
Oh. Is it time, Lass?
GIRL: I don't understand.
If they don't want to eat it, why do they want to catch it?
Sport, my dear. For the sport. They love it.
GIRL: They don't look very happy.
DUKE: They don't like to lose. Neither do I.
- GIRL: She does. - DUKE: What?
Look happy.
She's beautiful, isn't she?
What a good eye. You've got my good eye.
Hynes?
Let's see if we can't catch something today.
(school bell rings)
(Lassie barks)
It's all right, Lass.
I'm not hurting too much now.
Come on. Let's go home.
- GIRL: Snap! - DUKE: Blast!
You're not concentrating. You can't play Snap if you don't concentrate.
I suppose it's dull for you here...
after the excitement of London.
Daddy says London isn't safe anymore 'cause there's going to be a war.
Nonsense. Snap!
Now we'll see who's concentrating.
Daddy says everybody has their heads in the sand.
Are you contradicting me?
Yes, Grandpa.
You dare say yes, you impertinent little scalawag?
If I said no, that would be another contradiction, wouldn't it?
BOTH: Snap!
That's a draw, so they all go into the pool.
What do you mean?
We both said Snap together, so that's a draw.
Now if you get a 7, you have to say snap pool instead of snap.
(scoffs)
Who invented this idiotic game?
You did.
(hounds barking)
Skipper! Boson!
Well?
- He wouldn't sell, Your Grace. - What do you mean?
How far did you go?
Fifteen.
He wouldn't sell for 15 pounds?
Carraclough said the dog wasn't his to sell.
Probably stole the damn thing in the first place, if you ask me.
Well, we'll see about that.
(playing cards ruffle)
Snap! Thought I wasn't looking, didn't you?
My win, I think.
SARAH: We don't need his money.
MAN: Not today, perhaps. But for how much longer?
300 weight we brought up today, and we worked a double shift.
The seam's dead. Everybody knows it.
SARAH: They'll find another seam.
MAN: You can't find something you're not looking for,
and no one's looking.
Not anymore.
Come on, Lass.
You know you're not supposed to be up here.
Good night.
Mum?
Joe.
What did that man want?
Nothing to bother yourself with.
Now come on. Go to sleep.
Dad wouldn't sell her though, would he?
Those big ears of yours are going to get you into trouble one day.
But he can't. Lassie's my dog.
She's our dog, and we're not selling.
Love you.
- I want eight men round the back. - Yes, sir.
Give me a straight line by the gate.
(mine whistle blows)
Sarah, quick, get your coat.
- Is someone hurt? - It's worse than that.
(mine whistle blows)
Well, what's this, John Folden?
We're not to be allowed in to see our men?
You'll soon be complaining you see too much of 'em.
Here they come. Look.
(gate opens)
- Go on, get back. - Move back.
Come on, move back.
What is it? What's happening, Ma?
Closing the mine down, Joe. Said there's not enough coal.
What's the matter? Does he not see us?
No, he sees us, Joe, he sees us.
Come on.
Thank you, Patterson.
Daisy, my dear!
- (Daisy chuckles wearily) - You look exhausted.
Charlie sends his love. His commission just came through,
and he's had to report to some barracks in the middle of nowhere.
- Where is she? - Just gone upstairs.
- Do you mind if l...? - Of course not.
I didn't tell her you were coming, just in case.
Nothing arrives on time these days.
Why couldn't Daddy come?
Because he's a soldier now, darling. He has to do what he's told.
Grandpa says there isn't going to be a war.
He says everybody's just playing silly games.
Well, let's hope he's right. Now hop into bed and I'll read you a story.
Oh, I've missed you so much.
Then why don't you take me back with you?
I can't.
Not yet, anyway.
Don't know where Daddy's going to be posted.
It's all very last-minute.
They very nearly wouldn't let him join up at all.
I wish they hadn't.
I know, my darling. So do I.
MAN: It's not just me. There's all this talk of the same.
SARAH: And what good will it do if you leave and get yourself killed?
MAN: And what else am I supposed to do?
I walked my feet off for 20 miles in every direction.
There's nothing in the whole county, nothing that'd pay a man's way...
JOE: (whispering) Lass. Lassie.
(Sarah continues indistinctly)
MAN: No, we can't. It's not fair on the boy.
(argument continues indistinctly)
(door opens)
There's a Mr. Carraclough at the door, Your Grace.
Shall I send him away?
No, no. I was expecting him. I'll see him in the study.
(door closes)
Do you have to go today?
Yes, darling, I'm sorry, but I'll be back as soon as Daddy's settled.
We have to find you a new school.
Why can't I stay at my old school?
Because, darling, London's not safe.
I'm sure we'll find you somewhere nice.
(school bell rings)
Be brave, darling. I'll be back before you know it.
Say hello to Charles for me.
Tell him I still think he's a blithering idiot.
I'll tell him.
- Look after her for me. - Don't worry about us.
Young lady.
I've got something to show you... someone, I should say.
Where's Lassie? She wasn't at school. I think something's happened to her.
Have you seen her?
Someone has to tell him.
DUKE: Isn't she something?
GIRL: I thought you said they wanted to keep her.
Well, they changed their mind, didn't they?
Couldn't get rid of her fast enough
once the subject of money was mentioned.
She doesn't look very happy about it.
Nonsense.
Where is that dratted fellow hiding?
- Hynes! - Just coming!
- Yes, sir? - What's the matter with this dog?
Um... matter, Your Grace?
Look at her, man.
Well, you mean her not taking her food or naught?
Well, used to table scraps and all sorts, I should say.
They have no idea how to handle dogs down in that village.
Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, miss.
We'll have her eating kennel style in a day or so.
What's her name?
They never bothered to give her one.
Called her Lass or Lassie. It just means "girl."
No feeling for animals, in my experience.
Don't worry, we'll give her a proper name.
I like the one she's got.
Lassie.
See? She knows it's her.
Come on. You can come back and see her later.
GIRL: Why can't we take her up to the house with us?
DUKE: When she's settled. Let her get used to us first.
I'll see you eat
if I have to push your bloody food down your throat.
Yeah, that's right. Take a good look at me.
I'm in charge now.
(school bell rings)
(whimpers)
Good boy.
Thanks, Peters.
Lassie, I've got to go and have a bath before tea,
but I'll be back straight after, I promise.
(whimpers)
(whimpering)
(barks)
CHILDREN:28.
Five sevens is 35.
Six sevens is 42.
Seven sevens is 49.
Eight sevens is 56.
Nine sevens is 63.
(whimpers)
(school bell rings)
Lassie!
Lassie.
How did you get here?
Come on. I'll take you home.
HYNES: (angrily) Get in there!
And I don't want any more of your tricks, young man, do you understand me?
Can't blame the boy.
It's not his fault you can't look after your own property.
Hey, you've no cause to talk to me like that, Sam Carraclough.
I know you've trained it to run.
And it won't happen again, make no mistake.
(barks)
(growls)
(sheep bleat; shepherd whistles)
Will you get 'em out of the way?
Come on!
Crikey!
(Lassie barks)
(truck horn blares)
Wait!
Somebody stop her!
What's going on here?
SAM: It's your dog. She run away again.
DUKE: Again?
I'll deal with this, Your Grace.
I brought my lad with me to pen her up this time.
This'll be the last time.
DUKE: Lt'd better be.
- Cilla? - Coming, Grandpa.
Let the boy do it. It's him she runs for.
Go on, lad. Get it over with.
Stay here and bide happy, Lass,
and don't come home no more.
You're a bad dog, and we don't love you no more...
so stay here and leave us be.
Do you understand?
Bad dog.
CILLA: She isn't happy here. That's why she runs.
HYNES: 'Course she's happy.
She runs because they've trained her to do it.
Then they can steal her back and sell her to somebody else.
Bloody Yorkshiremen.
They're nothing but thieving vagabond scum!
If they wanted to steal her,
why did they bring her back themselves?
Because they're always up to tricks, aren't they?
But we're too smart for 'em.
Hey! Don't try that with me, you little beggar!
You stay away from her, miss.
She'll bite you as soon as look at you, if I know dogs.
You just want to go home, don't you?
Well, that makes two of us.
So do I.
(whimpers softly)
(chuckles) Don't even think about it.
You'll not get under that.
It's buried too deep.
We're going on a nice trip together tomorrow,
and it'll be goodbye to Yorkshire for you, my girl.
(malevolent chuckle)
(barking)
Ohh! Get out of the way, you idiot!
Under.
(pounding at door)
HYNES: Where is she? Eh?
- I said where the bloody hell is she? - Well, she's not here!
Where's Joe?
Well, I don't know. He's not back yet.
Couldn't have got far. I'll find him.
I'll come with you.
We don't want any more funny business.
Just go right home, Mr. Hynes.
Your dog'll be back to you just as soon as I find her.
Yeah, well, she better be.
The Duke's going to Scotland tomorrow,
and he's taking the dog with him.
Joe.
We can't make this right by stealing her back.
It's not stealing when she comes by herself.
It is if we keep her.
She don't belong to us, Joe.
Not anymore.
Come on.
SAM: Lass.
JOE: She'll come back again, you know. They'll not keep her caged.
SAM: Not this time, she won't.
JOE: She will.
SAM: They're taking her away tomorrow, to Scotland.
JOE: Where's that?
SAM: Long, long way, Joe.
Much farther than you'll ever travel, even if you live to be 100.
So let it go, eh?
Maybe when times are better, we'll get another dog.
I don't want another dog, do I? I never want another dog.
- MAN: Hey, are you in or not? - HYNES: I'm in, all right.
Don't worry about that.
(men converse indistinctly)
HYNES: Hey, hey, keep your hands where I can see 'em.
Here, let me help you.
(Scotlard the Brave plays on bagpipes)
(playing Scotlard the Brave)
She brushes up nicely.
Good posture. Great energy.
A little lacking in confidence, perhaps.
Let's see what they make of each other. Come on!
She could be just what we've been looking for.
- Good morning, Grandpapa. - Morning, Cilla.
- Morning, Lassie. - Careful now, miss.
- She's a nasty temper on her. - No, she hasn't.
DUKE: What do you think, Hey-Hey?
Huh? What do you think of her, boy?
Look. She's saying hello.
HYNES: Let's keep them apart till she learns some manners.
Exercise is what she needs. That'll cheer her up.
Keep her on a lead to start with,
but I want her to get used to the other dogs as soon as possible.
Come on, you. There's a kipper in the dining room with your name on it.
Now come on. You get in here.
Oy! In here.
Joe?
Come on, Joe, you have to eat.
Please, Joe.
I love Lassie just as much as you.
And if I've done something wrong, it's loving you more.
We've barely enough food for the three of us.
It would have been cruel to keep her.
Sometimes you have to let things go.
And you can't hold on to everything.
Be happy that you knew her and that you watched her grow,
and that you helped make her strong and beautiful...
so beautiful that everyone who saw her knew it.
Think of it as an adventure for her, and be proud of her.
Hey?
(sniffles)
(weeping silently)
(dinner plates clatter)
You just want to get out, don't you?
Go back where you came from, like you did before.
I'll be the same if they send me to some stuck-up boarding school.
(church bell tolls)
Get here!
Oy! Come here! Get here!
Sit!
You go on. Don't worry, I'll deal with this one.
I think it's time we started your education proper.
Not set in yet.
Come on. Oy!
Get here!
Right.
(Lassie yelps; belt lands hard)
(Lassie barks)
Come on.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
See? Now, come here, will ya?
Stop her!
Stop her, you stupid Scottish clods!
Are you deaf or something?
The dog, you idiots!
(Hynes lands hard)
I'll do it.
HYNES: Come back here!
What's going on?
I think Mr. Hynes is playing a game with the dogs.
Well he's no business to!
Don't open the gate!
What did he say?
HYNES: Don't touch that bloody gate!
Nothing.
- What did you say? - Are you mad?
I said don't touch the bloody gate!
Oh. Sorry.
What's going on?
This stupid girl's let the collie out.
What happened to your belt, Mr. Hynes?
Were you using it on the dog?
No, I was just teaching it...
Mr. Hynes, please do not say another word.
Never under any circumstances whatsoever will I allow anyone
to attack an animal of mine.
Collect what wages are due to you and leave my property immediately,
otherwise I will not be answerable for the consequences!
I'll look after this for you.
Into the car, young lady!
But Your Grace!
- Your Grace, you don't understand! - (car horn honks)
Your Grace!
Never mind that. I want to talk to you.
Come here.
Have you lost your tobacco?
No.
Just forgot I'd given up.
Because we're poor?
Well, times are not what they were, Joe.
And your mother said I was smoking too much, anyway.
(chuckles)
Listen...
I'm going to have to go away for a little while.
To fight in the war?
No, no. Not to fight, I hope.
Just to train and such. Probably won't be any more than that.
But I'm going to need you to look after your mother while I'm away.
- But what about Lassie? - Joe.
Joe, you love Lassie, don't you?
- You know I do. - Then be happy for her.
She's better off where she'll get fed proper,
with a grand kennel and a fine, big run,
with stable boys to wait on her hand and foot.
So let it go.
Hey?
(Lassie panting)
(sneezes)
DUKE: If she's not found quickly, she'll die.
She won't be able to survive on her own.
Why not?
Because the instinct for knowledge has been bred out of her.
She's a pet.
She won't be able to fend for herself, so she'll starve,
and that's if she doesn't fall down a cliff first and break her legs.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I shall call the police one more time.
You don't mean that. You're just saying that to make me feel bad.
And do you feel bad?
Yes.
Good. Now go to bed.
(birds chirping)
(Lassie barks)
(truck horn blares)
Bloody lunatic animal!
Go on, get out of it before I do something I regret!
Go on! Get out of it!
- Hungry, are you? - I always eat when I'm worried.
Now there's no time for that. She's been spotted.
Where?
On the road about ten miles south of here.
A farmhand saw her on his way to work and called the police.
Then what are we waiting for? Come on!
- What about your breakfast? - I'm not worried anymore!
MAN: Wait a minute.
There she is by the post office.
GIRL: Look, Mum, there's a dog.
WOMAN: Come on, Nell, you'll be late for school.
NELL: Isn't she bonnie?
Take it easy. We don't want to startle her.
Young lady,
will you step away from the animal, please?
- Come on, Nellie. - Just step away, please.
I've got her.
Come on! I'm not going to hurt you.
(Lassie barks)
(indistinct shouting)
DUKE: We'll not catch her now! She's frightened.
She'll come back when she's hungry.
I don't think she will come back.
She's trying to get home like she did before.
(small dog yapping)
(door opens, closes)
SARAH: What made you so late?
JOE: I got kept in.
What for this time?
- Nothing. - Nothing?
Miss told me to sit down, and I didn't hear her.
- Daydreaming, I suppose. - I couldn't help it.
What do you mean you couldn't help it?
It were near four and I heard a dog barkin',
and I thought it were... Lassie.
SARAH: Lassie?
Bloody Lassie?
If I hear that dog's name mentioned one more time in this house,
I swear I'm gonna walk out and leave the pair of you!
- As If I ain't got enough to cope with! - (door slams)
(chickens clucking)
(chickens cluck excitedly)
Who's there? Somebody after my chickens!
(shotgun cocks)
Go on! Go on!
Go on!
Go on, you filthy mongrel!
You stay away from my chickens, or I'll give you a taste of this!
MAN: 236 against Surry.
MAN #2: 239 against Somerset, not Surry.
I saw it myself. 239.
MAN: In '32?
MAN #2: Summer of '33, at the Oval.
Rained a bit in the afternoon.
Wait a minute.
I think I've just seen something.
I can't see anything.
- Markland. - What?
Name of the bowler. Never forget it.
Yes, look. There, in those bushes.
MAN: Nah. There's not a thing, old boy.
Give me those.
MAN #3: (Scottish accent) I think that's a dog you're looking at.
MAN #2: A dog? Don't be ridiculous.
Well, that's a dog, of course.
But what's it doing?
MAN: It's acting very oddly. Perhaps it's seen the monster.
Very sensitive, you know, dogs.
Wait a minute!
- That would be me, sir. - Yes, of course.
What is she doing?
I'm not sure. Maybe she's wanting to cross the Loch
and can't see how to do it.
- That's impossible. - Aye.
MAN #3: She would have to go round.
MAN #2: Go round? Well, how far is that?
Near a hundred miles before she's back on this track.
Why would she want to do that?
MAN #3: She has business on the other side, maybe.
Your collie's a Scottish breed originally,
and the Scots can be awful determined when they put their mind to it.
- You know, I think you're right. - What about?
It was the summer of '33, and Markland was the bowler.
I told you so, old boy.
There's not much you can teach me about cricket.
(whale-like sound)
MAN #2: Getting a bit... choppy, isn't it?
(fishing reel spins wildly)
(whale-like sound)
Come on, then.
WOMAN: This is where Cilla will sleep.
All the beds are marked, dear, so if you'll find your number,
you'll know where you're sleeping.
Off you go, dear.
Do you remember your number, darling? 110?
Do I have to be a number?
Of course, dear. Every girl is, like the Army.
Don't worry about me.
I know how to look after meself.
I know.
Joe...
I'm relying on you, lad. Don't let me down.
WOMAN: Come along, girls!
No talking. Lights out in three minutes.
And you, young lady, into bed.
I've got to do 100 strokes. I promised my mother.
Well, hurry yourself up, then.
Everybody out now! Lights out in two minutes!
(bell tolls)
- (bell rings) - Come along, everybody!
Rise and shine!
(gasps)
(blows whistle)
(lorry horn honks)
Thanks a lot!
(truck horn honks)
(car horns honking)
At last!
Don't even think about it, young lady.
You're in enough trouble as it is.
Withers, if you'd be so kind.
That's a definite.
I'll give you odds of a hundred to one.
No accompanying adult, poor appearance, weary demeanor.
I think you're right.
Pincer movement, Mr. O'Donnell. Classic maneuver.
You drop off here, approach from the rear.
I move ahead, halt, take up a covert position,
and bingo, we attack from both sides with maximum effect.
Right, sir.
Stand aside.
Come to the nice gentleman.
Here, steady.
- Go on! - Hold him!
(Lassie growling)
You don't have to treat a dog like that.
Sorry, Mum. It's for the protection of the public.
Aye. See, there's a lot of mad dogs around.
Well, you don't have to do it like that.
MAN: She's right, you know.
- I beg your pardon, sir? - Well, you're upsetting the dog.
Oh, I am? I'm so sorry.
Am I upsetting didums?
Get up. I'll put her in the van for you.
It'll get away from you, Mum.
Stop calling me Mum and stand up.
I think you should let her try.
We'll just have to go through it all over again!
Stand up!
Leave go and take that away.
(sighs)
WOMAN: Little girl.
Would you please open the doors of your van?
L...
Don't stand there gawping like a halfwit!
(dogs barking)
There. You don't have to treat stray dogs like wild beasts.
Very grateful, I'm sure.
Thank you, thank you. Show's over.
Can I just say, I thought you were absolutely brilliant.
The rest of us just stood there, and you did something.
I had a dog like that when I was a kid.
Same eyes.
What'll they do with her?
Well, I'm not sure. They'll keep hold of her for a while, I suppose,
and then if no one shows up, they...
well, they...
They'll kill her?
I'm sure it's quite humane. Just put her to sleep or something.
No, you're right. You're absolutely right.
Where is the pound?
I don't know, but I'm sure we can find it.
(dogs barking)
Oh, no. No nonsense from you.
Shut up, the lot of you. You're not long, anyway.
(dogs barking and yelping)
Get in there. Go on!
Faugh!
Mind the door! Aah!
What are you doing, you stupid idiot!
Ohh!
(excited shouting)
Step aside! Step aside! Mind your back!
MAN: Right.
(indistinct speech)
You cannot come in. Court is in session.
Milord, if I may respectfully submit...
Mr. McTaggert,
is this the surprise witness the defense has promised?
- Milord. - (onlookers laugh)
I take it that is an answer in the affirmative,
and I congratulate the defense on producing finally
a witness who is capable of answering yes or no
to a simple question without equivocation.
(onlookers laugh)
- Have you lost a dog? - Yes, we have.
Mr. McTaggert, whom am I addressing?
It's a dog, milord.
JUSTICE: You confirm my own suspicions.
Well, well, well. A dog.
Sergeant of the Court, what do I want done with it?
You wish it removed, Your Lordship.
May I congratulate you on your powers of deduction.
(barristers laugh; Lassie barks)
Well, go to it, man.
(whispering) There's two men outside.
(indistinct, excited speech)
Faugh!
Silence.
Everybody, please don't startle the dog.
She cannot jump from there,
so please let the officers do their duty quietly and safely.
Come on, there's nothing to be frightened of.
(Lassie yelps)
Come on! Come on!
(small dogs barking)
I've told you already, we don't have a collie.
Not for a number of weeks, as a matter of fact.
I have a whippet
and a couple of very annoying terriers, if you're interested.
(door closes)
That's them all back, at last.
- Fancy a cuppa? - You were there!
The collie! We've come for the collie!
We've brought money.
We'll pay for her, whatever it is.
She escaped.
Ohh, brilliant!
Bloody brilliant!
Now we've got to fill in a missing dog report.
Our perfect record lies in tatters.
- We don't have a perfect record. - Well, we haven't now, have we?
You mean she's gone?
(sighs) Yes, madam, she's gone.
Now, if you and your husband wouldn't mind doing the same,
my colleague has a report to write.
(small dog barks)
- MAN: What a couple of idiots. - WOMAN: Yes.
- Husband, indeed. - Oh, that?
Yes.
- Look... - Yes?
I don't suppose you'd like to... I mean...
I'd love to.
You would?
Most definitely.
Good.
I'm so sorry. About the dog, I mean.
Sorry?
Don't be.
She's free now. That's all I ever wanted for her.
I think we got company, Toots.
Wonder what she wants of us.
(man whistles sharply)
(imitating Greta Garbo) I think perhaps she varts to be alone.
(whimpers)
Whoa.
Let's see if Miss Garbo's hungry, shall we?
Hey! It's not for you, you greedy beast.
You're not a film star. Not yet, anyway.
You're no wild dog, are you?
(music) There's a tyke, she's shy and canny (music)
(music) And she's slowly coming near (music)
(music) She's as cautious as me granny (music)
(music) But will overcome her fear (music)
Whoa.
(signals horses using nonsense words)
Now, we know a trick or two, don't we, Toots?
Let's see what Your Majesty thinks of this, shall we?
There's your dinner, Your Highness.
Eat up.
Come on, Toots.
We seem to have made a friend after all.
(embers sizzle)
Put it down in the road, and it's no good.
Too well-trained.
Put it down in a bowl... that was the secret.
That made it all right.
You're gonna have to come along with us if you want any more.
(Lassie barks twice; man clicks tongue)
(school bell rings)
Hello, Joe. How was your day?
Miss Branson liked my poem.
Well, that's a surprise.
I didn't think she liked anything other than the sound of her own voice.
(Sarah chuckles)
JOE: Did you hear from Dad?
SARAH: No, but he'll be home for Christmas, I'm sure of it.
(distant vendors hawk goods)
WOMAN: Naught can beat our prices!
Dresses! Get your dresses here!
MAN: No, no. Not that one.
Hello, everybody.
ALL: Hello!
PUNCH: Has anybody seen my dog Toots?
No!
PUNCH: Well, are you sure?
He's behind you!
PUNCH: Where?
He's behind you!
- (Toots barking) - Oh! Oh!
(children laugh and applaud)
(blowing whistle)
Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
for the terrifying tale of Androcles and the Lion.
What are you doing up there, Toots? Come down.
(dog whimpers; children laugh)
Were you looking out for the children?
Who wants to see a trick by Toots the Wonder Dog?
ALL: Me!
Up you go.
(laughing)
There you are!
A round of applause, please.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the terrifying tale of Androcles and the Lion.
Your Highness, if you please.
Doing fine, Your Majesty, you're doing fine.
So Androcles found himself alone in the desert
when suddenly he heard a strange sound.
The poor slave Androcles was very frightened by the lion,
but then he noticed something unusual.
Looking closely, Androcles saw there was a thorn in the lion's paw,
and that's why the lion was so unhappy.
So, plucking up his courage, he took hold of the lion's paw
and plucked out the thorn.
The angel Gabriel got a bit of a black eye last year,
so this year he'll have a new head.
I reckon he'll be all right for Christmas.
What do you think?
Beginning to feel the cold, are you?
Winter's coming.
I think we're not gonna make the Riviera this season, Your Majesty.
It's time to head back.
You'll like it at home, won't she, Toots?
Well, we'd best get tidied up...
get an early start tomorrow.
What the hell is that?
It's a bloody midget!
Is it, now?
Or are we looking at a bloomin' dwarf?
What?
Dwarves or midgets. Have to be sensitive about these things.
Dwarves are richer. They dig for gold.
Then let's call it a dwarf.
Do you think he'll have it with him?
The gold?
Let's go and ask the little fellow, shall we?
(Lassie and Toots bark)
Get your dog, little fella. It's all right.
We ain't doin' nothin'.
Quiet down, Your Majesty, quiet down.
Toots.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
(short, soft growl)
Were you having a cuppa? Isn't that nice?
Could you just spare a swallow for a couple of homeless chaps
looking for work?
Got a fresh-caught rabbit we could let you have by way of exchange.
You're welcome, friend.
Water's almost boiled. Tea's in the wagon. I'll just get it.
No hurry.
- Is there, mate? - No hurry at all.
Only sorry we missed the show.
Big audience, was it?
Bet you make quite a killing this time of year,
Christmas coming and all that.
Come on, where is it?
The gold?
'Cause if you're nice and hand it over,
we won't hurt you,
will we, Mr. S?
No. We won't hurt you.
'Fraid I haven't got any gold, just tea.
So you want it the hard way, do you, little 'un?
Fair enough.
Ow!
Don't just stand there! Get in there after him, you bloomin' coward!
Ah! You little beggar!
Stay out of this, Your Majesty! Toots and I can take care of ourselves.
Oh, you want some of this, do you?
- (Toots barking) - Is this what you want?
Come on, my little beauty.
- (Lassie yelps) - Go on! Get out of it!
(chuckles) What a dog!
You see, little fella?
Even your best friend can't stand by...
(Toots barking)
You get underneath the wagon, I'll get the cash.
Get off me, you rascal!
Ohh!
Snickers, where are you?
There's no sign of him under here.
I'm aware.
(Toots snarling)
Ohh! Ohh!
Aah!
Oomph!
(bandit chuckles)
(Toots snarling)
Toots, get away!
Toots!
(Toots snarling)
You little rat!
(Toots falls silent)
Aah!
Get it off!
- (Lassie snarling) - Get off!
(Lassie barking)
Unkh!
(Lassie barking)
I hate dogs.
I always have.
Hello there, my darlin'.
You put up a pretty good fight, didn't you, now?
(Lassie cries softly)
(whispers) Quiet, Your Majesty.
She hasn't much time left.
Seven years we've been together,
and I couldn't have asked for better company.
What blessings He has to spare, may God give them to you now.
The Lord says His Father notices even the fall of a single sparrow.
So, trusting in Him,
we commend our dear friend to His bosom.
Come on, then, Your Majesty.
Don't want to?
Well...
perhaps it's best that way.
Still want to go south, do you?
Winter in the Riviera...
with all the other la-di-das.
I'd like to go with you, but...
winter's coming,
and I'd best be gettin' back home.
Besides...
you'd always be remindin' me of me Toots, wouldn't you, Lass?
Ah, nay.
That's the pity of it.
You can understand my language, but I can't understand yours,
and it's us that's supposed to be the most intelligent.
We had some pretty good times together, didn't we?
Yeah.
Well.
Off you go, then.
And may luck go with you.
Off you go.
Come on, then, old girl.
Time to head for home.
Hup way.
CILLA: What was that?
Some kind of animal, darling. A fox, I should think.
- Looked bigger than a fox to me. - Look, we're here.
Will Grandpa have a Christmas tree?
Of course. It'll be the biggest you've ever seen.
- Can we light them now? - No, darling.
It'll burn down, and it's all we've got left.
We'll light them when we get back from church.
Come on.
We're late for practice.
(organ plays)
CHILDREN'S CHOIR: (music) O come, all ye faithful (music)
(music) Joyful and triumphant (music)
(music) O come ye (music)
(music) O come ye to Bethlehem (music)
(music) Come and behold Him (music)
(music) Born the King of angels (music)
(music) O come let us adore Him (music)
- (music) Christ the Lord (music) - Happy Christmas.
I knew you'd make it.
Is it snowing?
Aye. Aye, it's beautiful outside.
And inside too.
(music) Leaving their flocks draw nigh to gaze (music)
(distant) (music) We too will thither (music)
(music) Bend our joyful footsteps... (music)
(music) In the bleak midwinter (music)
(music) Frosty wind made moan (music)
(music) Earth stood hard as iron (music)
(music) Water like a stone (music)
(music) Snow had fallen (music)
(music) Snow on snow (music)
(distant) (music) In the bleak midwinter (music)
(music) Long ago (music)
ALL: (music) What can I give Him (music)
(music) Poor as I am? (music)
(distant) (music) If I were a shepherd (music)
(music) I would bring a lamb (music)
(music) If I were a wise man (music)
(music) I would do my part (music)
(music) Yet what can I give Him? (music)
(music) Give Him my heart (music)
(small dog whimpering)
Cricket! What's the matter with you?
You're not supposed to be in here.
What are you doing?
Where's Joe?
He was standing right here.
Lassie!
It's Lassie! She's come home!
Listen for yourself, Joe.
The heart's very faint, but it is there.
She's had a terrible ordeal,
and I can't say whether it's possible she'll survive it.
An animal doesn't know how to fight for life
in the way a human often can.
It may be that, having got home and having achieved what she wanted,
she'll be content to just go to sleep
and pass on.
Is there anything we can do?
Try and get her to eat something.
Warm milk and brandy, I would suggest.
We haven't got any brandy.
I've got some. We were saving it for the Christmas pudding.
We'll all see how she is in the morning.
I'll come round first thing.
SAM: All right, Doctor.
(children laugh softly)
This is for you. I made it myself.
For me?
At school. I wanted to remind myself that it was still possible to escape.
Did you indeed?
(chuckles softly)
(knock at door)
HYNES: I know she's here, so don't try and make any trouble,
and I've got officers of the law with me just in case you do.
He can't take her, can he?
This is a sick animal. She can't be moved.
We have a certificate from the vet here saying she's fit to travel.
Well, go on, then. Get on with it.
- Don't touch her. - I'm sorry, Sam, we've seen the papers.
Everyone knows you sold her.
She's not going anywhere unless I take her myself.
That won't be necessary. Officers.
She's under my care. I'm responsible for her.
What difference does it make?
You want her back, he'll take her back.
- No! - You can come too, Joe.
I'm not stopping here by myself.
Well, I demand an escort in case they run off with her.
They've tried it before, you know.
Oh, shut up!
HYNES: All right, you keep an eye on 'em. I'll get it sorted.
Easy.
MAN: Your Grace!
Your Grace!
(dogs snarling)
Mr. Hynes is here, Your Grace, and he was most insistent...
I've found her, Your Grace! I've found her!
I've got her outside just like you ordered!
CILLA: Lassie! He's found Lassie!
Please, everybody stay here.
I told you she'd not get past me.
Detective work, Your Grace, months of it.
I knew it would pay off in the end.
She arrived here Christmas Eve, very poorly.
We were just looking after her till she were well enough to bring back.
(Hynes chuckles skeptically)
And what are these officers doing here, exactly?
Well, Your Grace, Mr. Hynes here says that this here animal is stolen.
Quite insistent, he was.
Was he indeed?
Well, let's have a look, shall we?
Would you allow me to examine your animal, young man?
Well, I'll be blown.
All the way to Bermuda and back again, what?
- Please... - Quiet, boy.
I suppose you think I'm an old buffer who's easily fooled.
This isn't my dog.
Any idiot can see that!
She must be some kind of a stray you picked up.
Well, don't try palming her off on me.
The dog I bought was big and healthy, not a worn-out old mutt like this one,
and Mr. Hynes here knows that very well.
But Your Grace, look at these markings!
- I'll stake my reputation... - Reputation?
Mr. Hynes, I think we are both aware of what a fragile little creature that is.
Don't be ridiculous, man!
How could a dog get all the way here from Scotland?
It's nearly 500 miles for a bird, let alone for a dog wandering about,
trying to make its own way.
It's impossible! Wouldn't you agree, officer?
Yes, Your Grace.
If you say it's not yours, then that's the end of it.
You keep her if you want her. Nothing to do with me.
Come along, girlie.
SAM: (laughing) Aye!
That was kind of you.
Nonsense. I'm not a kind person. I'm not finished yet.
What do you mean?
Your Grace!
I swear that was your dog.
She knew me! I could tell!
Mr. Hynes, are you still here?
Yes, sir.
I mean, Your Grace, sir.
I'm sorry, but you must excuse us.
We were in the middle of lunch. Some other time, perhaps.
- But I'm telling you... - Get back! Boson!
(Boson growls)
Hello, boys. Remember me?
Now then, now then, let's not get too excited, eh?
Stay!
Oh, me!
Aah! Aah!
I have a proposition to make to you, Mr. Carraclough.
Since the sad departure of Mr. Hynes,
we have a vacancy at the Hall.
I wondered if you'd be interested.
Head kennel man, looking after my dogs...
when the Army is done with you, of course.
Pay's fair enough, I should think.
And how much would fair enough be, exactly?
Oh, I should say...
Seven pound?
Good Lord, no! Five, and not a penny more.
Six pound, 10 shilling.
Shall we call it six guineas?
Done.
(spits)
You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Carraclough.
And what about the kennel man's cottage on the moor?
As head kennel man, yes, the cottage would be yours.
We'll have to take the family.
And of course any animals you have.
Would that be acceptable?
Thank you, Your Grace. That'd be most acceptable.
That old mutt of yours is looking a little better, young man.
You won't be able to recognize her in a couple of weeks.
I don't doubt it.
(chuckles) I don't doubt it.
Come on, girlie.
DUKE: Now, don't wiggle!
I can't stand anyone wiggling!
See, you are nice after all.
Nonsense! I swore I'd have that dog,
and now I've got her.
I just had to buy the man as well.
I think I got a bargain, don't you?
(laughing)
(ringing bicycle bell)
Good morning, Mrs. Carraclough. Is Joe here?
Cilla, hi! He's inside.
Go on, in you go and see him.
CILLA: Where are they?
JOE: Shh. Under the stairs.
(Cilla gasps)
CILLA: How many?
JOE: Seven.
CILLA: Seven?
They are so beautiful.
Are they still blind?
No. They get their eyes open when they're ten days old.
They'll be runnin' about on their own soon enough.