MAN". {MUFFLED} Well, we don't want another Ann in the family.
- WOMAN: Thank you. - I think one Ann is enough.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
MAN". Now, look, ”Fores'rer” has three syllables.
What if we had a Christian name with three syllables?
- WOMAN: Okay. - Like, Amanda.
Josephine.
She can hear us, you know.
(LAUGHING) How do you know it's a she?
Trust me, I'm a doctor.
Ooh. She can kick like a mule.
(LAUGHING) 1 know.
She can't hear us, can she?
She can hear our voices.
And your heartbeat.
And your bowel sounds.
Urgh!
How does she feel?
Impatient.
Poor misguided thing.
Okay, the left.
Okay. Right.
Right.
Take it easy, girl.
Right.
Another swab, Heather, please.
Thank you.
Here we go.
That's a good girl.
(CHUCKLES)
Very good.
Oh, yes.
Okay.
Come on, Mary. Push for me, girl.
(EXCLAIMING)
Come on, Mary, push.
Clamp, Heather.
Welcome.
Okay.
(BABY MEWLING)
Well done, Mary.
(GROWLING)
Mary, easy.
(MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY)
Sedative, please. Now, quickly.
(GROWLING)
Right.
Okay.
(CRYING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
1 dream of a new species.
One with man's intelligence,
but without his homicidal aggression.
(GROWLING)
You've made history, Mary.
We have.
I don't think she appreciates it!
What I mean, sir, I had her marked down for an old maid.
Perhaps we just hadn't found her the right partner.
- Odd. - Odd?
Well, I've seen a lot of gorilla babies, but I've never seen one quite like him before.
Well, this isn't quite a gorilla baby, is it? The sperm was orang-utan.
Well, I know that, sir, but he doesn't look like orang-utan either.
What do expect a hybrid to look like? A mutation?
You think he'll survive?
I think it'll be a miracle if he survives the night.
- No, I'm sorry, darling, I'll have to stay. - Oh, no.
The chances of a hybrid surviving are just...
- Thank you. U'?! wax'? up for you.
- What? - ['[/ stay up.
No, don't wait up. I'll see you in the morning.
- Yes. Night-night. - Nx'_c7h f-nrph z'.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
- Y e s . - L on don, sir, for you.
- Wh a t? - L on don for you, sir.
Yes, of course. Put them through.
- MAN: Forester. - Speaking.
Just had a signal. Ref H07.
- '{ es? - Success reported.
- Y e s. {Tan you can fifrm?
Confirmed.
Holyjesus. Is it still alive?
So far.
With you tomorrow, at the crack of 10:00. Stand by.
(WHEEZING)
I thought we'd lost him.
He's been having awful trouble with his breathing.
He seems pretty strong, Doctor.
Placenta was delivered and found to be normal,
three vessels found in the cord.
Nursing staff reported a deterioration in colour.
Oxygen at 28% was administered via facemask.
Close monitoring commenced, 02.40.
That was when
I': should have died.
A': the first
hurdle.
Bu': if didn'? die.
Thank you, sir.
My God.
It looks almost human.
Correction.
It looks human.
The first hominoid.
Tell me, Edward, do you think it might be capable of breeding?
Well, hybrids are usually infertile of course, but...
You can't be sure with a human hybrid.
No, but it will be a long time before we can find out.
Well, let's hope the mother can keep up the deliveries.
Who donated the sperm?
All the donors are anonymous, as you know, Colonel.
Of course.
Who is he?
I'm afraid he's dead.
Pity. Who was he?
He was a student.
COLONEL: What did he die of? Nothing organic.
Er, no, it was an overdose, I think.
- Of what? - I don't know.
You don't know? Well, then find out, man.
Maybe he was using something.
It might have some bearing on why we got a conception.
I will, Colonel. Of course. I will.
Fortunately, we're not short of donors.
No. But so many of these wankers are sterile.
Listen, are you sure that no one suspects what that sperm really was?
I'm sure. I made the substitution myself.
Good.
Stick with that story of the orang-utan hybrid.
There's no precedent for that either so no one knows what the hell to expect.
(MONKEYS SCREECHING)
Do you realise, Forester,
do you realise that you and I are the only two people in the world
who know what's been achieved?
Think of the potential of these hybrids.
For organ transplants, say,
or space exploration as astronauts. Or space scouts.
- Even maybe as warriors. - \/\/arriors?
Imagine a hybrid battalion, crack troops. Total loyalty.
- The gorilla isn't an aggressive species, Colonel. - Yeah, but we are.
"Man is the most formidable of all beasts of prey,
"and the only one to prey systematically on his own species." William James.
Oh, we'll supply the aggression.
Have it ready for collection tomorrow.
- Collection? - Yes, we're moving it to Central Laboratories.
- Is that wise? - What do you mean, wise?
You know how vulnerable hybrids are.
We lose most of them within hours of their birth.
- Now, this hybrid might be even more... - Spit it out, man.
What I'm trying to say, Colonel, is that...
I think its best chance is to stay here with its mother.
Well, she knows even less about hybrids than we do.
But she can care for her baby.
Never realised you were so sensitive, Forester.
(SCREECHING)
NURSE: Quickly. Quickly!
NURSE: In here.
Bring the oxygen.
- Could you spare a moment, sir? - Yes, of course.
- What happened? - She rejected it.
- Is he all right? - Yes.
But I wouldn't like to risk it again, Doctor.
I think she's had enough.
When she stops, she's had enough.
She seems to spend most of her time feeding.
Every half hour.
How many feeds a day does she have?
About 12.
(CHUCKLING)
How many does she have would you say?
Edward...
Oops.
Allow me to introduce Helen.
(BABY CRYING)
She is your daughter. Yes?
She is not one of your experiments.
Thank you.
How many feeds?
- Eight. - Eight.
You're worried?
No. She's doing marvellously.
About the hybrid?
Why do you say that?
Trust me.
Yes.
My little Caliban.
He needs mothering.
Couldn't you send him to one of the other institutes?
I wish he could stay with us.
No.
I wish I could help, darling, but no.
(BABY CRYING)
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Have you seen his toes?
- Yes, I have. - Thank you, Rhona.
They're not opposable.
I know.
But all the apes have opposable thumbs and toes.
Like four hands.
EDWARD: I'm aware of that.
He can oppose his thumbs but not his toes. It's amazing.
- Look... - It's more like a human.
He's two weeks old. We don't know how he'll develop.
Thank you, Rhona.
Our job is to observe and record that development.
And to keep him alive?
For as long as we can, yes.
CHRIS: I was felling Nanny about if.
EDWARD: Thank you.
Oh!
He's just like a baby.
Like you said.
- What's his name? - HO7.
H07?
Well, we have been calling him Gordon.
Gordon. Right. Come on then, Gordon.
- Come on, Gordon. Gor. Come to mummy, Gor. - Thank you, Chris.
NANCY: There.
- Why did his mother reject him? - EDWARD: We don't know.
Perhaps because he's hybrid.
It's not his fault, is it? Poor little thing.
He's lucky to have such a good foster mother.
I love fostering.
Only trouble is, she cries her heart out when they have to go back.
She gets too fond of them.
I wouldn't get too fond of this one.
Why not?
He might not live very long.
She'll watch over him night and day, sir. Believe me.
I'm sure she will.
We were never able to have a child of our own and...
How's your little girl?
She demands attention night and day, too.
Thank you, Chris.
EDWARD". At six weeks Gordon is developing like a normal human baby.
1n appearance he is startlingly human, with no sign of his simian origin
except for the unusual amount of body hair.
He has one odd characteristic.
He doesn't coo or gurgle
or smile
like a human baby.
(BABY CRYING)
♪ Had ten thousand men
♪ He marched them up to the top of the hill
♪ And he marched them down again
(ANN LAUGHING)
♪ And when they were up, they were up
♪ And when they were down, they were down
(SHUSHING)
Yes.
♪ And the Grand old Duke of York
♪ He had ten thousand men... ♪
His eyes follow me everywhere. It's uncanny.
Well, most babies do that.
Chris, can't you leave him in peace for one night?
You're forever weighing and measuring.
You know I have to have the data for Dr Forester.
Anyway, I want my own record.
He hasn't grown at all.
Still...
Chris, when you look at Gor, don't you think...
No.
I don't think. I just observe and record.
Well, I think he's a lovely baby.
- Frederick, how are you? - Hello. Nice to see you.
Good.
All the research institutes, including yours,
will receive an order discontinuing the programme of embryo research
and requiring the disposal of all existing research embryos,
whatever the stage of their development.
I assume some deal has been made with the Americans and Russians.
- Change of strategy. You want another one? - No, thank you.
Genetic science has never really recovered
from the experiments of the Third Reich.
To many people it still implies eugenics and lampshades.
We will have to proceed on tiptoe.
Pity about your hybrid though, Edward.
My hybrid?
You'll have to have it put down.
Put down?
But it's survived for seven weeks.
It's healthy. Thriving.
Surely it would be a crime to kill it.
It would if it existed.
- It does exist. - Officially it doesn't.
Officially it couldn't. It's a chimera.
An impossibility.
What if I announce his existence to the scientific community?
- As your personal triumph? - No.
To save him.
Well, you'd either be shot or made a professor.
At the very least...
you'd end up in the bin.
My dear Edward, I've been with this programme even longer than you have.
- We all have our dreams. - It isn't a dream.
- He's a reality. I don't see how we can possibly... - Ours not to reason why.
Now your immediate priority is to devise a major research programme
into the relative immunity systems of the primates.
The hybrid must be put down.
Its timing was unfortunate.
NANCY: GOV'?
CHRIS: Destroy him? EDWARD: That was the order.
It'll destroy Nancy.
Well, I'm sorry, Chris, but they want to eliminate all traces of the hybrid programme.
- But we've learnt so much from Gor. - Yes.
And, I mean, we've a hell of a lot more to learn as he grows.
Isn't there any chance they might spare him?
Officially, he doesn't even exist.
Officially, he is a non-person.
Non-beast.
(GOR GRUNTING UNEASILY)
What is it, pet?
Is it the washing?
(SIGHING)
Suppose you just left him here?
- Here? - Yes.
What about the order?
Well, you could confirm that the order had been carried out.
And the certificate of destruction?
Well, I'd issue it.
See, no one would know if hejust stayed here.
But he couldn't stay here indefinitely.
Oh, no. No, no, of course not. No.
When the time came we'd find him an animal sanctuary.
See, no one would ever know.
He doesn't like the washing flapping on the line.
Frightens him, silly boy.
PRIEST: Helen.
I baptise thee in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Helen, you have become a new creation.
And clothed yourself in Christ.
See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity.
And bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life in heaven.
Amen.
Receive the light of Christ?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Parents and godparents,
this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.
This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ.
She is to walk always as a child of the light.
Will she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart?
When the Lord comes,
will she go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom?
ALL: Amen.
(CHURCH BELLS RINGING)
- Oh, come on! - I can't. I've hurt my knee.
GIRL: Mummy! Mummy!
COLONEL: Well, without experiment there's no progress.
But there are experiments and experiments. You're interfering with nature.
But sometimes nature needs to be interfered with.
How? When?
Well, if you had Parkinson's disease, you'd be glad to know there may be a cure.
Oh? What?
Well, it seems that the disease may recede
if cells, taken from the foetus, are implanted in the brain of the sufferer.
What about the foetus? Doesn't that have any rights?
Foams fights?
(LAUGHING)
Anyway, that's not why you're into genetic science, is it?
- I'm sorry? - I mean, at the Ministry of Defence.
You're interested in its military potential.
We know the enemy are developing biological weaponry.
- We have to have counter-measures. - What enemy?
We're not at war.
- Potential enemy. - Oh, yes.
They're doing it for aggressive reasons, we're doing it for defensive.
I heard it all before.
It's a vicious spiral. It's a trap!
Yes, and we're in it.
Edward, you're a scientist, you're also a religious believer.
How can you do it, for God's sake?
God is a scientist, too, you know.
Sometimes I just despair of the human race.
I refuse to despair of the race
as long as we produce people like your sister.
Lucy!
I got your signal.
Ah.
Pity.
Had to be done.
[PRESENTER: {ON RADXO] A5 you know, today's studio discussion is about the pill.
Now in July, the pill became free on prescription but the argument now
is whether it should be available over the chemist counter.
And I'm sure you'll have plenty to say about that.
In the meantime, let's hear from Peter Skellern.
(MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)
Gar. There, Gar.
Gor. He's got a really strong grip.
Let him hold the spoon himself, then.
Puts more on his bib than he does in his mouth. Come on, Gor.
Come on, Gor. You'll like this.
Yeah.
- Gor! - What's the matter with him?
I don't know.
What was that?
- Chicken. - Chicken?
I just wanted him to try it.
But, Nancy, he's vegetarian.
You can't be sure until you try.
Can you tell now?
He might like fish.
Is that fish?
No. It's puree of prunes.
There's a good boy.
Lovely prunes.
EDWARD". 1 had expected to close this far long before now.
But HO 7, or Gordon, as he is now called,
has survived for 24 weeks.
How long can 1 go on telling myself that he's bound to die naturally?
[s if my duty to and his [ifs or to prolong it?
I've prayed for guidance.
[s he inf ended to live?
Bu': how can he live in our world?
In a zoo, half-human?
God, no.
That's unthinkable.
Tried to stand up?
He's way ahead of my daughter.
He is developing fast.
Yes.
No, thanks, Chris.
But not in quite the way I expected.
Why do you say that?
Well, I thought with time, he'd grow more like an ape.
If anything, he's growing more human.
It's the way he crawls for one thing.
Nancy noticed it.
We had an argument about it.
Chris. Chris!
Chris, look.
I'm looking.
He's trying to crawljust like any other baby.
You mean like any other human baby.
You know what I mean.
Apes don't walk like that.
They walk like this. On their knuckles.
Chris, I'm serious.
I know you are, love.
Now, Gor goes like this.
Well, all that proves is that Gor hasn't learnt to crawl properly.
Properly like an ape.
He crawls like a human.
One day he's going to walk like one.
Aren't you?
Come on.
- Bye. - Bye.
NANCY: There you are.
You look lovely.
(GROWLING)
Thank you, Chris. You know, your wife is quite right, up to a point.
- Is she? - Yes, of course.
Most apes are knuckle walkers. You know that.
But the orang-utan walks on the sides of its palms. Rather like a human crawling.
That'll be influencing Gor.
Or do you think we've found the missing link?
(GOR GRUNTING)
NANCY: Chris?
Chris?
Look at this.
He's got hardly any hair now.
And look. Cute, isn't it?
- I wonder. - What?
Well, you must be right.
There's been a mix-up with one of the babies.
Who's been a good boy? Didn't offer any resistance at all.
Marvellous little chap.
Wish some of my older patients were that cooperative.
- He's all right then, Doctor? - Sound as a bell.
Just as well to have a checkup, though.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
- just the one thing. - CHRISI What's that?
His voice. Makes some funny noises, doesn't he?
Dare say it'll sort itself out as he gets older, starts speaking. Early days yet.
Doctor Chapman.
(WHISPERING) Do you think he'll be okay?
CHRIS: See the length of the forearms.
Length of the torso.
The opposable toes.
The hair.
Virtually all that body hair has now gone, you see.
He is human.
It's not just the way he crawls, it's every anatomical feature.
Plus the absence of body hair. Why, I can't find a single simian feature.
And what about his voice?
He doesn't sound like a human baby, he grunts like an ape.
Well, may be a defect.
Maybe he's dumb or autistic, I hope not.
- The doctor said he might learn to speak in time. - Doctor?
Yes. We took Gov to the doctor.
She couldn't find anything abnormal.
- You had him examined by a doctor? - Yes.
She said he was a perfectly healthy child.
You were there at the delivery. You saw Mary give birth.
- I don't believe that Gor is Mary's baby. - What?
We had two human babies under observation then.
There must have been some mix-up at the incubators.
Well, there's no other explanation.
Nancy and I would like to adopt him.
That's absolute madness.
Why?
- Because he's the property of the Institute. - He's nobody's property.
We reported him dead.
Nancy really loves him.
He'd have a good home here.
- That isn't the problem. - Then what is?
There must have been a mix-up with the babies.
There's no other explanation.
- There is. - What?
I can't tell you.
- Why not? - You'lljust have to take my word for it.
Well, I'm afraid that's not enough.
I'll take him off your hands.
No, he stays here with us.
- He is hybrid. - No! Never!
He's a human hybrid.
Human?
Part human, part gorilla.
That's impossible.
It's not impossible. He is Mary's baby,
but the sperm was human.
I didn't invent the hybrid programme, you know. It was official.
- You carried it out. - Yes.
A perversion of nature.
Are you sure, Chris?
You believe in evolution, you believe we all share a common origin
back in the ocean slime.
- We are all hybrids by origin. - Oh, maybe.
But to create a human-animal hybrid, now that isn't a step forward, that's a step back.
I mean, what next? Human fishes?
And why didn't you tell me?
- I didn't think he would live... - But you brought it here.
- I only thought he would last for a few weeks... - You should have destroyed it!
Yes, I should have.
Well...
you have to destroy it now.
(SCREAMING)
She is never gonna get to sleep tonight.
It'll be a blessing when her sleeping time synchronises with ours, won't it?
Now, come on, Nell, please.
I'm so tired, darling.
Come on, that's a girl. There we are, that's it.
(SCREAMING)
Now, be a good girl.
Now, go to sleep. Come on, I've had enough.
(NELL SCREAMING)
She's very demanding, your daughter.
She's yours as much as mine. She's your daughter, too.
I'm sorry, I have to go out. I might be quite late.
Got to see the Institute vet. There's a problem with one of the field animals.
No rest for the wicked.
(NELL CRYING)
EDWARD". 1 dream': of a new species.
One with man's intelligence, but without his homicidal aggression.
Officially, I': doesn't exist.
It doesn't exist.
(NANCY WAILING)
No!
(NANCY SCREAMING IN ANGUISH)
(GRUNT $3
(GOATS BLEATING)
(CRYING)
- My God, man. Couldn't you have changed him? - Change him?
My animals wipe their own arses.
This is not an animal.
Come on.
Get me a towel or something.
Sorry I don't keep nappies here, Doctor.
This'll do.
Whose is it, then?
He's one of the babies we've been using at the Institute, that's all I can tell you.
When did I ever ask questions about the Institute, eh?
What did you bring it here for, eh?
You wanna swap it for a monkey?
This is a perfectly normal baby.
That's all right. I'll give you a perfectly normal monkey.
He's been part of a series of experiments we've been doing at the Institute.
A research programme
comparing the human immune system with that of the great apes.
- Now, his parents... - Do they know he's an experiment?
His parents were colleagues of mine and they were killed in a traffic accident.
So, the poor little chap's without a home.
He can't stay at the Institute, he's got no other family...
You've helped us in the past with homes for young animals.
Animals is one thing, but babies...
I'll make it worth your while.
I want you to find me a temporary home for him, just until we can sort out his future.
EDWARD: just an ordinary home.
FARMER". Emily. My sister.
She trained as a nurse then got herself pregnant, had to get married.
Two kids, grown, flown.
Bu': now she's a widow.
She's ordinary.
Bought her council house. Can't afford to keep up the payments.
So she works part-time in a bookshop.
EDWARD". She'll have to give up herjob.
As long as you make I': worth her while.
{DWARY}: 1 hope she doesn't get too fond of him. - You don't know our Emily.
- What's his name, sir? - Gordon.
Hello, Gordon.
Isn't he a bonnie little boy?
Yeah, he's a strong bugger, too. You wanna feel his grip.
I don't think he'll be any trouble. He's been well trained.
- Who by? - His parents.
Young couple I knew who were killed in a car accident so...
Poor little baby. Not had much of a start, have you?
But never you mind. I'll take care of you.
You'll be all right here.
There. How's that?
He's lovely, isn't he?
I'll pop by in a day or two, if that's convenient?
Whenever you like, sir.
- I'll... - Yes, yes, of course.
- This will be handy for you, Em. - And for you.
- (WHISPERING) Hey, Steve. - What?
- Is it his? - His what?
- Is it his kid? - You heard what he said. He's an orphan.
- You got a dirty mind, Emily. - Must run in the family, then.
I don't give a bugger whose kid it is as long as he's willing to fork out.
EDWARD". 1 didn't like the look of the woman, but I had no other choice.
As long as she got her money regularly, she never once asked any questions.
My visits over the last five years have been painful
as it's not an ideal situation.
1 would like to move him
but there is no alternative.
- Ready. - ED\/\/ARDI Right.
It's beautiful. It's my arty shot.
Mummy's arty shot.
Number one. We could do this on video now, you know.
Shh! We'd never get her away from the telly.
(EDWARD CHUCKLES)
Madam, could we straighten this up, please?
Thank you.
I wonder who took this one?
- One of Mummy's better ones that, isn't it? - Thank you.
- Number three... - Don't put that in.
- Why not? - It's not very pretty.
You don't wantjust pretty pictures in the album, do you?
Of course I do.
Nell! That's very rude.
EDWARD: And there it stays.
(ANN LAUGHING)
EDWARD". 1 did neglect my family, however,
because 1 couldn't stop my gathering obsession with Gordon.
1 even dream': of bringing him home.
1 wanted other people to know about this miracle.
But, of course, they couldn't.
How a gorilla gave birth to a hybrid
which has become a strong and beautiful child.
Although he seems happy enough,
he has a problem which is growing more acute every day.
Extraordinary.
In fact, unique in my experience.
And I would say in the literature, too.
A total malformation of the vocal organs.
Can anything be done?
It's entirely unprecedented.
No wonder the poor little chap keeps "nahing".
That's all he's equipped to say, "nah".
Come on, Ger.
So, what would you recommend?
Sign language.
It's his best bet.
Seems a bright little chappie.
- Could nothing be done by surgery? - Oh, surgery...
Not unless you give him a complete new set of vocal organs.
Could you?
Well, I mean, it's not like giving him a new set of false teeth, you know.
I appreciate that, Mr Graham.
I've never tackled anything as extensive as that.
Has anyone else?
No, no. No, of course not.
Then would you?
I read a report of the work you've been doing at your clinic in Switzerland.
Switzerland, yes.
Gordon, have a sweet.
No sugar.
- It's murderously expensive. - Mmm-hmm.
And murderously risky, too.
BOY 1: Get Forester! Get Forester!
There he is! There he is! Right there!
BOY 2: Cut him off!
BOY 12 Quick! BOY 2: Come on!
BOY 1: Over there! There!
- Where'd he go? - Over there!
ALL: Get him!
Nah! Nah! Nah!
(ALL CLAMOURING)
(ALL IMITATING GOR)
WOMAN: Clara, bye.
(CHILDREN YELLING)
(ALL IMITATING GOR)
(GOR GRUNTING)
Gordon.
Gordon!
EDWARD: You mustn't fight with them, Gordon,
whatever they do.
You're too strong for them.
You understand?
You'll really hurt one of them.
EDWARD". 1 shrink from having to make the decision.
But as a scientist,
1 know the operation is essential
if my son is to have a normal life.
GRAHAM: Oh, Forester, I really wouldn't worry.
I mean, just look at this. Isn't it amazing?
I've always believed nature's the best rest cure.
Mountains, lakes, woods.
He'll love it here, if he stays.
I mean, if we decide to proceed.
We'll do the laryngoscopy in the morning.
By noon, we should know what our chances are.
(SPEAKING IN FRENCH)
There's Marais.
(GRAHAM: Bonsai)". Comment ga Va?
- Graham, good to see you. - And you.
Edward Forester. Frangois Marais.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
And this is Gordon.
Hello, Gordon.
Welcome to the chocolate paradise.
Let's have a look at you, young man.
Up.
Good night.
Thank you.
Night-night, Gor.
God bless.
I won't be far away.
Unique.
Quite unique.
The boy has perfectly formed laryngeal pouches
running either side of the larynx.
MARAIS: I've never seen anything like it.
It looks almost simian.
Well, we all have remnants of such pouches.
Yes, Graham.
But they are no more than tiny crypts.
A reminder of our origins.
- Does this affect his ability to speak? - GRAHAM: No, no.
The problem is, his vocal cords arejoined together.
There's no space there.
No wonder he can't say anything.
I mean, no space, no speech.
Of course, it's not quite my field,
but the development of the larynx in this boy...
it's almost like a young gorilla.
(GRAHAM CHUCKLING)
Well, he'd be able to beat his chest and make a mighty roar
even if we can't give him a voice.
But can you help him to speak?
I think we must say no.
- Couldn't you operate? - Of course we could.
Graham.
Well?
I've never done it before.
Ah.
(MARAIS SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
Marais, when are you going to learn English?
EDWARD". Oh, God. You can't let him die now.
Please don't let him die.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
(WHISPERED PRAYING)
(Ex'ns, zwef, dref, V1191", Jilin)'.
(BEEPING)
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
(SPEAKING IN SWISS GERMAN)
EDWARD". Why doesn't she get off the phone?
Smug bitch!
(EDWARD SIGHING)
What am 1 doing here?
(CLEARS THROAT)
If Gordon lives, I'll take him home.
(WHISPERING IN SWISS GERMAN)
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
(OVER SPEAKER) Mr Forester.
EDWARD". So, what's the prognosis?
GRAHAM: 6000', I think.
MARAXS". It'll be some time yet before we know.
Physically, he's amazingly strong.
Bu': has he the will?
EDWARD". Oh, he has the will.
MARAXS". And you have faith.
EDWARD". And 1 have faith.
MARAIS: C'est bien.
(GLASS CLINKING)
Ladies and gentlemen.
Today the biological research programme comes of age.
And our success has at last persuaded the government to grant us the funds we need.
MAN: About time, too.
The next decade will see a vast expansion of staff and resources.
In preparation for this, we are appointing a central controller
to coordinate the research programmes of all six institutes,
leaving me free to concentrate on the European connection.
And I'm pleased to announce
that the new controller will be that rising star of biological research,
Mr Edward Forester.
And, you will be relieved to hear,
I've asked him not to bore the bollocks of you by making a speech.
(ALL LAUGHING)
- \/\/ell done, Edward. - Thank you very much, sir. Thank you.
- Cheers. - Congratulations are in order.
- \/\/OMAN: I would just like to congratulate you. - Very kind of you.
Not yet.
Right, go! Quick! Quick!
(LAUGHING)
Oh, splendid!
Be careful!
Will it affect you?
Not really.
I mean, he'll have to spend more time in London
and visiting the other institutes occasionally.
- When actually does he take over? - In three months.
The press releases go out then.
I won't leak it.
You really...
- You had no idea? - No.
Edward doesn't talk about his work.
- And you don't ask him? - I wouldn't know the first thing about it.
- No, maybe you wouldn't want to know. - Want to know what?
Oh, urn...
How the new biology is going to conquer the planet.
Well, I don't know about conquering it, but it might well transform it.
Let me have a go! Let me have a go! Let me have a go!
Oh!
- Give it to me. - Nell, don't snatch!
Sit down.
Imagine if you could just tell it what to do.
You can't talk to a car, silly man.
One day.
Thank you.
(LOW GROWLING)
She never conceived again?
No, just the one birth.
And that a hybrid.
She's very loving.
Bye, Edward.
- Hello. - Mrjessop.
Hey, how's the boy? Gordon?
- Very well I believe. - \/\/here's he living to now then?
- He's abroad. - Abroad, eh?
Well, then.
Gor! It's wonderful in here.
Come on!
Come on, Ger.
Don't be such a cowardly cat. Come on.
Come on.
Okay.
It's even better in here.
You don't like the water, do you?
Never mind.
For Gov.
For Gerry.
For Gov.
- Say Gor. - Nah.
Glass.
G-G-G-Glass.
Nah.
EDWARD". Gor has recovered completely from the operation.
His vocal organs are normal.
He should be able to speak. Bu': he doesn't speak.
Why?
Ball.
What is it?
Nah.
Let's try again.
Ball.
Nah.
Now...
let's try "ba".
Ba, ha, ha,
ha, ha, ha.
Nah, nah, nah.
- Nah, nah, nah, nah. - Ba, ha, ha, ha, ha.
- Ba. - Nah.
Ba. Ba.
- Nah. - Ba.
Nah.
Ba.
EDWARD". It's now 10 months since the operation.
He's gone through all this pain.
For what?
There is obviously
no hope.
Where is he?
Gov'?
He's been doing that ever since he arrived.
Gov .
Gordon!
- Hey, Gordon, don't run away from me. What... - Gordon!
EDWARD: For God's sake, what are you doing?
- Gordon! - Gordon!
What's he doing?
- Gor, what on earth do you think you're doing? - Gordon, be careful!
Gov, phase!
Come on!
Gor!
- Come back! - Gor!
Gor!
Gor, come back!
Stop him, Dr Graham. Stop him!
Gar, come on, Gofl Come here.
Gar, come harm!
Gor! Come...
Come on! Stop playing around.
Gor!
Gor, come back!
- Gor! ~Gor!
Come on, Gor!
Gor! Gor!
- Gor, where are you? - Gor!
Gor!
- Has he ever done this before? - No, never.
He could have gone down to the lake.
- Graham, what a marvellous idea. - I doubt that very much.
- He can't have gone very far. - \/\/ell, we've got to find him.
- Gor! ~Gor!
- Gor, where are you? - Gor!
- Gor! Gor! ~Gor!
- Gor! ~Gor!
- Where are you? - Gor!
~Gor!
Gar, don't...
Christ!
My God.
Gor, stay where you are. We'll get you down.
GORI (PLAYFULLY) Gor!
Gor!
I'm Gor!
Gor!
GOR: Gor!
(GOR WHOOPING)
You see, I told you.
It's not so difficult, is it?
I'm Gor!
Moody Gov!
Gor! Gor!
I'm Gor!
Gor!
Bed.
Book.
EDWARD". Once he'd had the pleasure of uttering his own name, his progress was remarkable.
Man.
His 1Q isn't outstanding but average.
He can read quite well, but his spelling is dreadful.
(Bar's ha“.
He's a normal boy.
Gor's bat.
To all appearances.
- Gor drinks milk. - Very good.
Gor likes ice cream.
- Good? - Good!
"A monkey once danced in an assembly of the beasts.
"And so greatly pleased all by his performance, so they elected him their king."
There he is.
"A fox, who envied him the honour, having discovered a piece of meat lying in a trap,
"led the monkey to the titbit
"and said, 'Look, I've found this store and have not used it.
"'It's not for the subject to lay claim to a treasure trove,
"'the king himself should take it.'
"The monkey approached carelessly and was caught in the trap.
"Whereupon, he accused the fox of leading him into the snare.
"The fox replied, 'Oh, Monkey, can it be that you, with so simple a mind,
“could rule as king over all the beasts?“
So we'll have another one tomorrow, okay?
Come on, down you go.
Can't you sleep?
- What' s the matter? - Nothing.
Go to sleep.
Ann, what is it?
Tell me.
Is it Gordon?
Look, he won't be here long. It's just until I find him a good school.
It's odd that he doesn't remember his parents, isn't it?
No, not really.
Remember absolutely nothing about them. Seems damned odd to me.
- Look, after the crash... - Oh, he doesn't even remember the bloody crash.
He was lucky to survive, both his parents were killed instantly.
He suffered terrible injuries.
(STAMMERING) He's just blanked it from his mind, that's all.
There's nothing odd about that.
Ann, he's had a rotten time. I'm just trying to help him to...
What? Huh?
'Why you? 'Why me?
Why are you responsible for him?
- Because I'm his guardian. - Yes, but why? Why you?
- He hasn't got any family. - Oh!
No grandparents, no uncles, no aunts?
No. That's why his parents appointed me.
Must have had a lot of faith in you.
And you don't?
Edward, I don't know.
Ann.
I shouldn't have sprung him on you the way I did.
I think we better get some sleep.
(CHURCH ORGAN PLAYING)
CHILDREN: ♪ The Lord's my shepherd
♪ I'll not want
♪ He makes me down to lie
♪ In pastures green
♪ He leadeth me
♪ The quiet waters by
PRIEST: The body of Christ.
♪ My soul he doth restore again
The body of Christ.
♪ And me to walk doth make
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
♪ Within the paths
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
♪ Of righteousness
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
♪ Even for his own name's sake
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
♪ Yea, though I walk
The body of Christ.
Amen.
♪ Yet will I
- The body of Christ. - Amen.
♪ Fear no ill ♪
"Mr Forester at home with wife and daughter, Nell,
"and adopted son, Gordon."
I thought you might be interested.
So he adopted him.
I knew it was his all along, I told you.
So you did.
He sent him to Switzerland for a year.
- Yeah, well, he's loaded, isn't he? - You mean his missus is.
Same thing, isn't it?
Missing? What do you mean missing? Since when?
- ANN: Since {unch time. - But...
- Oh, Edward, please listen. - \/\/asn't he at school?
They said he didn't come back after the lunch break.
They thought he'd come home. Edward, I think we should do something about...
- Oh, Ann, just a minute. - W/75f.7
- I'll go and talk to them. - 7'hey'// all have gone home now.
- Do you think 1 ought to call the police? - The pohce'? No.
No, I'm sure there's no need for that. Urn...
- Let me go and Look first. - Okay.
Dropped off at last.
- Why don't you go to bed? - I won't be able to sleep.
Darling, I think we have to tell the police. I mean...
- Ann... - He's been missing a whole day.
- Yes, I'm aware of that. - And he's such a responsible child.
He wouldn't just disappear.
- Let me ring them. - Ann, can we wait a bit, please?
- But what could have happened? - How should I know?
I don't know.
(PHONE RINGING)
Forester.
ESSOP". The boy is back where he started.
- What? Who is this? 44/150 do you think?
(CLICKING)
Hello?
- Any news? - I'm not sure.
- Edward! Who was that on the phone? - Um, the Institute.
20 grand.
- I beg your pardon? - I want £20,000.
- £20,000? For what? - \/\/ell, for the boy.
- Is he here? - Oh, he's here all right.
Where? Where is he?
He's with the rest of my lodgers.
- Where is he? - Here I am.
Help! Here I am.
Oh, my God.
- Are you all right? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Don't you worry.
Open it.
(LAUGHING)
I said open it!
When you've paid.
Don't worry. I'll get you out, okay?
Okay.
Jessop!
- Jessop! - When you've paid.
Come on, then.
We've got the bugger.
He'll pay. Yes, he bloody will.
Hey, where are the keys?
I ain't got them.
Hey!
(SHOUTS)
(KEYS JINGLING)
Give me them.
You can spare 20 grand for your son, can't you?
My Son?
All that crap about his parents dying in an accident. Of course he's yours.
He is not my son!
You brought him here in the middle of the night, a baby, wrapped in a jacket.
Your jacket! Where from? The Institute.
An experiment. What bullocks!
You've been dipping your wick where you shouldn't have done.
Does your wife know about it? Do you want me to tell her?
Tell her what you like. Give me that bloody key!
(GROANING)
All right, Gor, we're going to get you out.
Oh, come on.
(co UGH ING)
(GOATS BLEATING)
(SCREECHING)
Damn!
Yes!
(CHOKING)
One more.
We're in luck.
Oh!
You all right?
Let's get you out.
Go on.
Off YOU g O-
Come on.
(YELLING)
(sums FIRING)
Keep going! Keep going!
Come on, let's go!
Go on. All the way across.
Good. Next two, ready.
Okay, start. All the way across. Next two.
What are you playing at?
- Get out of here at once. - It's no time for swimming! Get out!
- You great turd! - That's it, swing.
- Come on. That's it. Good. - Keep going. Keep going.
EDWARD". Gordon is nearly 18.
He'll soon be leaving the military academy which has been his home for the last 11 years.
He's been a great success there.
A star athlete.
But a resourceful and determined character, too.
Whoa!
OFFICER: Shut up, Forester! Come on, you!
(PLANES DRONING OVERHEAD)
Get into positions, fast as you can.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
Come on, come on.
Go on!
OFFICER: Go on, stick him!
Stick him! Rip his guts out!
What's the matter with you, man? Go on!
Rip his guts out! Now! Do it!
Rip his guts out! What are you waiting for?
Go on, stick him!
Rip him apart.
What are you waiting for? He's your enemy!
Stick him!
Go on! Now! Now!
Leave?
- But I thought you liked the military life? - I love the life.
Well, then...
I don't like the death.
The killing.
The killing?
Well, that's what it's all about, isn't it?
That's what we're being trained for, to kill.
In defence, yes.
But what about "Thou shall not kill"?
But that's an ideal. A noble ideal.
But even the Church allows that it's legitimate to kill
in self-defence or in the defence of your country.
In the real world, it is kill or be killed.
Then I don't like the sound of the real world.
- But you want to leave the academy? - Yes.
Hmm.
Is this a sudden change of heart...
I've thought about it for a long time.
I'm not meant to be a soldier.
What are you meant to be?
A priest.
A Priest?
I've thought very deeply about it.
Would you object?
No.
No, not if it's what you sincerely want.
A priest.
EDWARD". Gor has abandoned his military career. He lacks the necessary aggression.
1s this his inheritance from Mary?
He has chosen instead to enter the priesthood.
Perhaps this was how I': was always intended.
You should feel privileged.
I've never been able to persuade Daddy to show me here before.
Never shown any interest before. Gor.
Phew!
It's quite strong, isn't it?
I don't notice it any more.
(SCREECHING)
Quiet!
You know, it's been argued that our closest relative is the orang-utan.
That's a Malayan word meaning wild man. Did you know that?
No.
Other anthropologists will argue for the chimpanzee.
She's an intelligent girl.
Mastered quite an elaborate sign language.
What do you believe?
Oh, I believe that our closest relative is this magnificent beast.
The gorilla.
Gov .
(LOW GROWL)
(Mar)'-
(SIGHING)
It was when we were talking to that gorilla that father showed us.
(STAMMERING) I had a sort of... It was like I was having a dream.
(APES SCREECHING)
(DISTANT) Gordon?
- A dream? - No.
- More like a vision. - A vision?
I've been reading too many lives of the Saints.
It's nothing to worry about, I've had it before.
Just throws me, that's all.
A vision of what?
'Jungle. 'Jungle?
Milk?
Thanks.
- And you've no memory of your parents, at all? - No.
- Wow, that must feel really odd. - No, not really.
Poor little orphan.
Do you remember the car crash?
No.
Here.
Well, maybe you've just got a rotten memory.
At the academy, what did you do with your spare time?
There didn't seem to be any spare time.
It was always either study or prayer or games or athletics or field exercises.
That sounds frightful.
Oh, I loved it.
- Did you have any social life? - I had a few friends.
We used to go to the pictures.
Girlfriends?
I'm sure you're better off without them. They're more trouble than they're worth.
(LAUGHING)
Wait for me.
Come on, then.
Come on.
(SCREAMING)
Nell!
- You all right? - Oh!
Oh, I think so.
Come on.
Oh!
Oh, no.
How do you do it?
NELL: Show off.
Nell, throw us a ball.
(NELL CHUCKLING)
Get back over your side.
GOR: That was in.
Gor!
- It's from the Abbot. - Oh!
- Wants to see you. - Oh, Edward, that's great.
Yes, he wants to satisfy himself that your vocation is really serious.
Yes.
And if all goes well, they could accept you as a postulant immediately.
And a month later, you begin your novitiate.
Novitiate?
Yes, you have to serve as a novice for two years before you can be ordained.
So, there it is.
He wants to see you in three weeks.
Daddy, it's Gordon's birthday in two weeks.
Yes, I know.
Party?
Oh, he's got to have a party on his 18th. I'll arrange everything.
Okay. You arrange it.
Thanks.
Gordon.
It is what you want, isn't it?
- Your father's been so good to me... - Forget Daddy. Is it what you want?
It is what you want, isn't it?
(CAR HONKING)
- NELL: This is Gordon. - Hello.
- Happy birthday. - Thank you very much.
MAN: Happy birthday.
- This is Gordon. - Happy birthday. How are you?
Happy Birthday.
GOR: Gosh, is that for me?
- Hi, how are you? - Very good.
- This is Gordon. - Hello. How are you?
Hello.
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
Happy birthday.
Do you feel guilty?
No.
I do.
Why?
I feel as though I'm stealing you from God.
No.
He's giving me to you.
What about your vows?
I haven't made any vows yet.
Hello. You're a bit late!
Ann, would you mind?
Edward, I'll...
Hello, who's this?
You're ever so late. We had a lovely time.
- Come and do some Hula Hooping with me! - Yes.
- Oh, oh. - Edward!
Would you... Yes, I'm coming. Just sit down there, will you, please?
- I think we can have a lovely time here together. - Yes, I'm sure we could.
Hula Hooping on the old grass.
- Do you come here often? - No, I live here.
Do you mind? Thank you.
'BYE-bye. 'BYE-bye.
- Come back soon. - Hmm.
(NEED YOUR LOVE SO BAD BY LITTLE WILLIE JOHN PLAYING ON STEREO)
Nell, we're back, darling, come on. Wake up.
(NELL EXCLAIMING)
Nell!
I'm sorry.
It was my fault.
Upstairs, my study.
Darling, oh, shh. There, there.
It's all right. It's all right.
I want you to pack your things and I'll take you to the abbey in the morning.
- In the morning? - That's what I said.
But I'm not due there for another week.
You can stay at the guesthouse, you'll be made welcome.
- Do I have to go tomorrow? - Yes.
- It's for the best. - But why?
Why?
Look, Edward, I'm sorry about Nell.
- But I'm very fond of her. - So I see.
Edward, I'm sorry, but I should have told you this earlier.
- I've had doubts. - What about?
My vocation.
I need time.
It's inevitable that you'll have doubts about your vocation but you will have time.
You have two years as a novice before you take your vows.
You said that the Abbot would want to make sure
that my vocation was serious before he accepted me.
- Yes. - \/\/ell, I don't know if it is serious.
- Because of Nell? - Yes.
I think we could have a good relationship...
Gordon, no. You must not have a relationship with Nell.
Or with any woman for that matter.
- What do you mean? - Exactly what I said.
Sit down.
There's something I have to tell you.
Something I should have said to you a lot earlier.
Your mother suffered a congenital defect which you've inherited.
It would damage any offspring you might sire. I mean, children you might have.
I'm afraid the truth is you must never have children.
Sorry.
That may be, who knows, the very reason God called you to the priesthood.
- You understand? - Yes.
It is best for you and for Nell, isn't it?
Yes.
I mean, there's no reason why you shouldn't continue to be friends so long as...
It's all right. I understand.
Let's go back to the original plan.
- I'll take you to the abbey next week, hmm? - Thank you.
(WHXSPERXNG) Gov, R's me, Ne“. Gov, R's me.
(GROANING)
(GASPING)
(MAN SCREAMING)
It's in there.
No, in the top drawer.
A book.
Blue note book.
It's this?
It was Chris's book.
- Was? - He died five years ago.
I'm sorry.
It's all in there. Dates. Weights.
What you were eating.
H07?
I knew... I knew you were a real baby.
From the night Chris and Dr Forester brought you.
I had a big argument with Chris.
You see, they were comparing some human babies
with baby animals.
And they obviously got you mixed-up.
But who your real parents were
we never knew.
They just took you away.
(SOBBING)
Thank you, Mary.
I don't believe it.
- What? - This.
I do.
You believe Daddy took you from the Institute when you were two weeks old?
Yes.
Gordon, it's just not credible.
What about your parents?
Well, they didn't die in a car crash. I'm sure of that.
But why would Daddy cook up a story like this?
That's what I want to know.
Nell! Nell!
"23rd of October, 1975.
"Weight 12 pounds, 10 ounces.
"Twenty..."
What's that say? Oh, right.
"25th of October.
"Colonel Lancing gave orders to terminate the programme."
What programme?
Well, it is nice to see you. Come to say farewell, have you?
I must say, Nell Forester, you've certainly shot up
since I last clapped eyes on you. You were only that high.
Hey, you sure you don't want to spike that caffeine?
No. No, thank you. I don't drink.
- Don't smoke either? - I'm afraid not.
Very wise.
I knew my number was up when the MO told me I could smoke and drink as much as I like.
God!
I'll never understand why the spittoon went out of fashion.
What brought you here?
Does this mean anything to you, sir?
Nell.
Would you mind giving Squiffy and Star a couple of sugar lumps?
There's a good girl.
Hi, you must be Squiffy.
Beautiful.
GOR: What is H07, sir?
In the '70s, the Institute carried out a series of experiments to produce a hybrid.
A cross between a gorilla and an orang-utan?
No, between a gorilla and a man.
- A man? - Yes, a human.
But surely that's... not possible. Is it?
Everything's impossible till it's done.
They used in vitro fertilisation.
Injecting a gorilla ovum with a human sperm.
The first six attempts ended in natural abortion. The mother rejected the embryo.
Now, Forester was working on a method of coating the cells with a genetic print
that would deceive the rejection system and allow the embryo to be accepted.
The seventh attempt, he succeeded. H07.
Hybrid Operation Seven.
He delivered the human hybrid.
- How did you get hold of this? - From a Mrs Knott.
Her husband worked at the Institute.
She said he took me from there at the age of two weeks.
- Took you? - For fostering.
That's highly irregular.
She said that this notebook was his record of my upbringing.
- Your upbringing? - Yes.
Oh, no, no, no, she's confused.
She, well... She did say something about a mix-up at the Institute.
She was very clear about the notebook. She said it covered the first six months.
Six months? No, no, H07 was terminated long before that.
No, I'd...
I had the signal from Forester.
Yes.
Now, the...
You see, "Forester signalled that the hybrid had been terminated
"on October 26th, 1975."
Knott makes a reference to the orders for termination,
but the record goes on.
"The birth of a hybrid was signalled on September 14th, 1975."
That's my birthday.
Thousands of children must have been born on that day.
So you were born on the same day as the hybrid, so what?
That doesn't mean to say that that's a record of your upbringing.
I saw the hybrid and it was covered in hair.
"The hybrid was covered in hair
"which gradually disappears to reveal a birthmark above the left hip."
It is my record, isn't it?
No, it's not!
Look... that woman must've been right after all.
I mean, there must have been a mix-up with the babies.
No.
Now, Gordon. Wait, Gordon.
Gor!
Gordon! Gordon!
Gordon, wait!
Gordon!
(GOR SOBBING)
My son, what is it that you want me to do?
Bless me, Father.
How can I bless you
if what you say is true?
If you're not human?
Half of me is human.
Half human and half...
Do you wish to make a confession?
Is it there's something that you're afraid to confess?
- You don't believe me? You don't... - I want to help you.
Then give me your blessing.
Whatever I am
I'm part of God's creation.
You say you are part of man's creation.
A hybrid.
An insult to nature and to God.
You have no place in God's creation.
Not in your God's.
Oh, God, have mercy on the poor demented child.
- Morning. - Morning, john, mate.
- You got the kettle on? - Yeah.
What should I have done?
Killed you?
Yes. You should have killed me.
An insult to nature and to God.
That's what the priest said. That's what he called me.
And I am.
I'm not human.
I'm not an animal. There's no place for me.
What did you expect me to be, to do?
- There is a place for you. - Where? In a monastery?
- A monk with half a soul. - You can't have half a soul, you have a soul.
You lived because it was God's will, you should...
Not God's will. Your will!
- It was yours! - If it had been my will...
If it had been my will, you would have died naturally,
as I always thought you would.
But you didn't die.
And I had to accept the responsibility for what I'd done.
You think I haven't felt guilty?
Hmm?
I've been living with guilt for 18 years.
18 years.
I just... I tried to give you a good life.
How can I have a good life?
Oh, the only record of your origin was in this file.
From your birth.
The only other record was in that notebook.
Lancing has burnt that.
As for Lancing himself, you could trust him, but he's terminally ill anyway.
So you see, you've nothing to fear.
Nobody knows.
I know.
How can I live with that knowledge?
How can I even look at Nell?
Nell?
Yes.
I love Nell.
Oh.
You can never love Nell anyway.
Why?
Oh, Gar.
She's your sister.
What?
She's your sister.
My mother?
Who's my mother?
Where is she?
It's her, isn't it?
- Open the door. - But, Gor...
Open the door!
(GROWLING)
Mary. Go back.
(GROWLING)
Mary!
Mary, no!
No!
Oh, God!
Is it your will that William Edward be baptised in the faith of the Church
which we have all professed with you?
It is.
William Edward.
I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost.
Nah.
Nah!
Nah! Nah!
Nah! Nah! Nah! Nah!
Nah!