Here in London we eagerly await the moment...
when the Duke of Gloucester will start the air race...
from London to Christchurch, NZ.
A distance of more than 20,000 kilometres.
Journalists from all over the world are here...
to report on this major event.
Who are the select few allowed on board this race as passengers?
Who applied for emigration at the same time KLM needed to fill its plane?
Most are young women joining their fiancés,
who went on ahead of them to start a new life in this unknown land.
Fleeing job and housing problems,
some having lost all in the February flood disaster,
these people are now looking forward to a much better life ahead.
Our Liftmaster is racing down the runway.
And he's off. We have lift-off. The race has begun.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are flying at cruising speed.
We are two minutes ahead of schedule already.
Do you have a light?
Did you see me at the airport? -No.
I posed for the cover of Revue. Dad's going to send me a copy.
Esther.
Frank.
Marjorie.
Look, you have to change your name over there. Frank.
Ada van Holland. -Ada van Holland?
Beautiful.
His name is Hans. Hans Doorman.
Isn't he handsome? He has beautiful hands.
And you? -I'm a fashion designer.
I've never been away from home before. -Really?
Never. All my family lives nearby.
I might never work.
We want to get married and have children as soon as possible.
Have they been ordered?
What do you want? -An estate. A large farm.
Are you from farming stock? -No, my father was a doctor in Java.
Can I offer you this on behalf of KLM? -Thank you.
Have you been to university? -Agricultural college.
I wanted to go to lndonesia. But that's no longer possible.
And Holland is too cold so I thought I'd emigrate...
and start my own farm abroad.
What about you? -I am.
I mean I'm from farming stock.
Have you seen this? Isn't it gorgeous?
I think it's real silver.
Mrs Doorman speaking.
Esther? Yes.
This is the weather forecast for our journey between Baghdad and Karachi.
There is a depression over Persia, with storm clouds...
occasionally reaching 25,000 feet.
What's he saying? What does it mean?
A plane like this is strong enough.
Don't say you want to leave. -No, of course not.
You know Gran.
Cast or no cast, she'll want to go to the funeral.
No, I agree.
Which is why I'll be going with her.
I thought you might like to see your dad again,
and Gran and New Zealand of course. Sydney's not all that far away.
You'll have to bring me some liquorice. Lots of it.
Mum knows which ones I like.
Bob? Bob?
Bob?
For Hannah. -Just imagine.
Come on.
You're really pretty.
Can't you sleep? -lf I had a figure like yours...
Dior. And lavish amounts of material. Can I design a wedding dress for you?
Are you getting married?
Hang on. Would you like to try on my dress?
I'll make you one if you like. -I don't know whether Derk...
If you've got it, flaunt it. Why not?
Wait a minute. A petticoat.
Esther said...
May l?
Leave it.
Ada van Holland.
Yes?
What are you up to?
Back! Go back!
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome in Karachi.
The captain hopes you weren't too frightened.
That would be a pity.
Madam, you can't leave the plane.
This is costing us valuable minutes.
Sorry.
I quit. -Would you rather live in Pakistan?
Ouch. Hot.
I'm not letting you go.
Stay with me? -Put me down.
You can think it over, just say yes first.
I am married.
What?
I was married by proxy.
He has the rings over there. For the wedding ceremony.
And a different dress. -By proxy?
Why? -He's in New Zealand already. Derk.
Do you love him?
What did the kiss mean? -I don't know him very well.
Couldn't you have waited?
You couldn't wait?
You're pregnant.
He comes from Oude Tonge. He has no one else. They all drowned.
I saw him at our church...
and one time he showed me where his house was,
and then he started to cry. It scared me to death.
I didn't know what to do. What was I supposed to do?
Comfort him.
It just happened. It shouldn't have, but it did.
Behind the mill. I know I'll be punished for it.
Or my children will because of me.
What makes you think that?
What I did is a sin. A terrible sin.
It's not. It's lovely.
Really sweet.
You've been cheating all night.
For me, for me.
Hey. How about lending a hand?
We have now started our descent.
We expect to be able to see New Zealand...
once we are through the clouds.
Clouds? I thought it was supposed to be sunny all the time.
Magnificent, can you see?
Here it is.
Ada van Holland.
Make sure you're happy.
We're here. We have broken the 1946 flying record...
by ten hours. We have won the race. Holland has won.
Is that them? I've heard of them. I never expected them to look like that.
No, no, no. Here. Stop. That's it there.
Look, Druivebloed.
Do you remember what it looked like? -Not really.
Druivebloed. How would they pronounce that here?
Come on. Are you okay? -Yes.
Bag. -Thank you.
Bye.
Will you be back in time? -lf Hannah's plane has no delay.
Esther?
Marjorie. -Yes.
Hey. Yes, that's broken.
Men never bring flowers here.
So they instantly knew I was Dutch.
I've given three interviews already.
I had forgotten... Were you... Have you grown?
Oh, sorry.
Minister, this is Ada.
Ada, Minister Houtsma. -Yes.
Good.
Welcome to our small parish.
We've got our own parish. We didn't like the Presbyterian one.
They're uninspired and sing in English.
Did you have a good flight? -Yes.
Aren't we going to... Aren't we going to wait...
I got us a truck. An absolute bargain it was.
Down here they take an old car,
saw the back off and build a loading platform.
People here improvise.
Ada?
The Minister can't drive.
And I could hardly let him sit here, so...
Everything okay?
Yes.
It can get cold in the Arthur's Pass.
How long's the drive? -Five hours or so, maybe six.
Well, this is pleasant.
It's a Sunday morning.
Dad's got to send money so I can go back.
I've made arrangements.
Did you bring anything else? Something less...
I'm not sure they... -Who?
Mr and Mrs Jottkowitz. From the boarding house.
Jottkowitz? -The Rabbi's family.
I'll see.
It would be good if you could change, because I don't know...
We can walk if you want.
It isn't far.
I'm going to go to the hotel. I'm too tired. I need some sleep.
I can't be on my best Jewish behaviour now. I'm exhausted.
When shall we meet? -Tomorrow. Plenty of time.
What time? Where?
We go round the back.
Only snobs use the front door here.
Margo?
And? -Did you see what that man's wearing?
They're relaxed about everything here. Laid back is the term they use.
They're just very nice. They don't laugh if you make a mistake.
What's happened to your hands?
So rough. And coarse.
I'll pick you up in the morning.
Ada?
I'm coming.
If it does not please you to serve the Lord,
decide today whom you will serve...
Look.
And...
A bunker. -They feared a Japanese invasion.
The city owns the land, but the bunker is ours.
This is the kitchen. It is nearly ready.
The fireplace will go here.
But I don't know... I have to work as well.
This is a good mattress, got it at a bargain price.
Derk, that... Well done.
Derk?
Can you undo my buttons?
If you want me to leave...
Would you like to lie in bed?
You must suppress these forces. You are carrying a child.
I don't know, Derk. I don't know.
I'm sorry.
Do you ever sleep? -Not very well.
It's fairly easy, you know.
So teach me, then.
That's the first step.
Now close your eyes. -Show me.
Anyone can do it.
Except you and me.
Were you still in lndonesia when the Japs came?
Did everyone get out okay?
No.
It'll be a nice day tomorrow.
Yes.
Hans.
Hello.
I wake up and hear birds.
I see a clear blue sky and the sun is out.
The people are so friendly. So nice.
I've never slept so well in my life.
Isn't it beautiful?
Did you see that? They have prams on the tram here.
I hope everything works out well for you. -You too.
Shall I come with you?
Esther.
What a fantastic day.
They were expecting you yesterday.
Go round the back. Only snobs use the front door.
I'd climb over the roof, as long as I don't have to see the Jottkowitzes.
I didn't come here for that.
Voilà.
Nice, different. Not my taste, but nice for the time being.
I'm not missing them yet. It may sound blunt but that's how I feel.
And you? -I've been missing them for ten years.
Perhaps we're making a mistake. -We just need time. That's all.
What if it turns out that we're not suited? -So what? We belong together.
There is no one else.
We don't have anyone else.
Will we be happy?
There have been so many deaths, Esther. Your whole family and mine too.
I can become supervisor in Auckland. My two years are up.
It's far better paid. We'll get a house.
Congratulations.
Listen.
You are a daughter of lsrael. -How delightfully solemn.
I want you to cook kosher meals.
Our kids should learn traditional values.
We'll celebrate Sabbath, Purim and Sukkot.
That's how we can pass on our lives.
You have so much energy. Devote it to a higher cause.
Which is? -You know.
The resurrection of the people of lsrael.
I give you children, and they grow up as happy and free Jews.
I make the Sabbath meal, you pray.
Our children dressed up smart.
We become a warm, cosy Yiddish family.
We light the candles and sing traditional songs...
for all the skeletons on the dresser.
They eat with us One bite for Grandma, one for Grandpa.
A bite for Sal. Six million mouthfuls.
Oh, I can hardly wait.
They're not eating my cake.
They won't eat it if it's not homemade. Ridiculous.
Where's Leon? And Hans? Have you seen Hans?
Hans? Hans?
I will call her Emma.
Or Danny.
And I want a...
Look at that child.
Come look.
This is what it will look like. -Nice.
Are there enough children's rooms? -Just say how many.
Show-off.
Marjorie?
Hey.
Are you okay?
Yes, it's all part of being pregnant.
I don't understand.
I want to go home.
It went well.
You just had surgery. -Shouldn't you be off to work?
Let me do that. -Why? It can't do any harm now, can it?
Just add it to the list. -No matter, darling.
I am not a cripple. I am not an invalid.
You're going to be late. Don't stay here for me.
Bye, Hans.
Hi, how are you? -Fine. Tea?
How are you doing?
Writing home?
Yes.
That must be tough.
I'd already written Mum and Dad a letter.
I was so happy. And now I have to...
But how? -Perhaps you should wait a while.
It's gone by boat. It's not even there yet.
And now I have to... What should I write?
Just leave it a bit.
I'm fertile. All of us at home are. -Marjorie?
One look is enough. My big sister has four.
Our Greet is expecting her third baby.
Don't be alarmed.
I'm almost seven months gone.
So all that time... -I don't want it.
I've lost my customers. I've been thrown out of my room.
Mrs Young felt awkward, but an unmarried mother would damage her reputation.
But I can deal with that.
I don't want to have a Jewish child.
Why not?
And Leon? -It's not Leon's.
Whose is it then?
You don't know?
Why didn't you get rid of it?
You must know places. -I won't have an abortion.
Virtually nil isn't nil. -But it remains virtually nil.
So should I just throw myself into the ocean?
That's not what I mean.
It could be our eldest if we are lucky to have more.
And if we don't? -Then at least we have one child.
Yes, otherwise you'd never have any children and you'd hate me.
Okay, we won't do it then.
Hans, don't cry.
Sorry.
No one will ever find out. Never.
Not even the child. -That's the one condition.
Promise. -Promise.
It's our child. My own child.
It will have a good and safe life.
Is... Is it okay?
She's perfectly healthy. A gorgeous daughter.
Julie.
Perhaps God's forgiven us. -Perhaps.
I'll put it here.
June 1954.
Dear Mum and Dad, thank you for sending me the magazine.
It's a shame there was only one copy.
Everything is fine.
My belly is really starting to swell, but I'm feeling fine.
I'm really busy preparing for the arrival of our little one.
It's adorable.
July 1954. We've got snow. Isn't that funny?
Everything is back to front here.
My blood pressure is a little high.
So I can't have salt anymore.
No more salt... -Awful.
Other than that, all is going perfectly.
I feel great.
Pressure on my bladder, painful thighs, can't lie down anymore...
Apart from the usual complaints that you get when you're pregnant.
I think about you a lot, Mum.
Yes. Me too.
About my mother.
Not yet. Hang on. -Okay.
The next one, or the one after that. -Wait. I can't.
The baby won't wait.
Bloody hell...
Push as hard as you can. And don't swear.
Well done. Now go ahead. Push, push.
Well done. Keep going. Push, push, push, push.
A little more. Yes, yes.
There's salt in it again now.
There.
Here you are.