( Thunder booming )
( Engine revving )
( Footsteps echoing )
( Thunder booming )
( No audio )
( Thunder booming )
Prisoner: Where am I?
Woman: In the village.
What do you want?
Information.
Whose side are you on?
That would be telling.
We want information.
Information...
You won't get it.
( Bubbling )
By hook or by crook...
We will.
Who are you?
The new number two.
Who is number one?
( Chuckling )
You are number six.
I am not a number, I am a free man!
( Number two laughs )
Shouldn't you be doing this in the hospital?
I know what I'm doing.
What about number two... has it been agreed?
I'll take the responsibility.
If we wait for orders, we'll never get results.
I hope you do know what you're doing.
( Shimmering electronic noise )
Noise gets much louder)
They always do that... don't worry.
He'll be all right.
You know the instructions about number six.
If any damage is done...
He'll talk before that happens.
Ah, it's going to work.
I knew it would.
( Phone beeping )
It's a bore, old man... the committee.
They want a breakdown on all we know.
You, me, Arthur, the colonel, everybody.
Suspected security leak, apparently.
All the files you've seen
the projects you know about...
just headings, not details.
This phone is scrambled and I've got a recorder...
might as well tell me now.
You...
You must... not... ask me that.
I'm not... it's the committee that's asking.
I'm not...
it's the committee that's asking.
Who's that?
Who?
Who is that?
Who is that?!
It's Dutton... hello, are you there?
It's Dutton. Hello, are you there?
You must stop... you'll damage the brain, then we'll...
Number two: Stop!
Get him back to the hospital.
Number six was about to talk.
Don't you believe it.
He'd have died first.
You can't force it out of this man.
He's not like the others.
I would have made him talk.
Every man has his breaking point.
I don't want him broken.
He must be won over.
It may seem a long process to your practical mind
but this man has a future with us.
There are other ways.
Number two ( Over intercom ): Good morning.
It's another lovely day, so rise and shine.
Life's for living.
How did I sleep?
Sound as a bell.
Have a nice day.
Feel free.
( Motor chugging )
Yes.
Splendid.
Oh, he'll be no trouble...
just a matter of time.
Tomorrow night... we're preparing for it now.
Yes, I wish you could come, too.
Good morning.
Don't tell me that time travel is in it as well.
A woman is always impatient to wear a new dress.
How do I look?
Different from the others.
The maids come and they go.
We'll get along.
I'm sure you get along with everybody.
I've got a good mind to report you.
I'm new here.
Special delivery.
Sign your number here, number six.
( Carnival music playing )
( Bell' ringing' )
( Carnival music continues )
( Bell' ringing' )
( Music continues )
Number two: I see you've made a friend.
You've got your invitation to the carnival tomorrow?
It's one of our little traditions.
Each year, there's a fancy dress and a ball in the evening.
We're promised a cabaret this year.
You'll come?
I have a choice?
You do as you want.
As long as it's what you want.
As long as it is what the majority wants.
We're Democratic...
In some ways.
( Carnival music continues )
Morning, my dears.
No game is worth playing if you can't win.
That's not very English, I know.
Are you... English?
What you should do is find yourself
a nice, young lady at the carnival.
You're too independent.
Now, they're pretty and unattached.
What about her?
Quite unsuitable.
I'm independent.
Don't forget.
Don't go.
I must.
There's a reason.
Reason?
Number two wants you to go...
Or does she?
Am I playing her game or yours?
Nof mine.
Don't mind me.
Go if you like.
How long have you been here?
Questions are a burden to others...
answers a prison for oneself.
What did you do to have yourself brought here?
Questions are a burden...
And answers a prison for oneself.
I must go.
( Creaking zap )
Man: Are you all right?
You tried to go in.
By mistake?
It's fussy about who it lets in.
This is the town hall.
He tried to follow you.
It's hardly my fault.
Funny, though, your being his observer.
Woman: Remember, keep a sharp watch.
Tss!
( Meows )
Hello.
You've turned up again, have you, hmm?
Maid: Have a good walk?
( Cat meows )
Maid: Where did you find it?
It found me.
You're not allowed animals.
It's a rule.
Rules to which I am not subject.
Then I'll take it with me.
You might get scratched.
Where does it come from?
How does it get here...
the milk, the ice cream?
The potatoes and the aspirins...
at night, when everyone's asleep?
I've never seen a night.
I just sleep.
( Loud grinding )
Supposing I don't want any flowers.
Everybody has flowers... for carnival tomorrow.
Be seeing you.
Drink it while it's hot.
What is it?
It's good for you.
Good for someone.
Be seeing you.
And you.
( Ticking )
You're late.
There's a lot to do.
Are you going in?
To make my report.
Does it concern me and number six?
No... we'll overlook that
and put it down to... enthusiasm.
Oh, thank you.
Uh, could you get me a directive about Dutton?
He's being rather difficult.
( Snapping fingers )
Woman: Sleep.
Sleep.
That's it.
Sleep softly until tomorrow...
Lovely, gentle sleep
and a lovely tomorrow.
( Loud beep )
( Beep )
Has he?
Don't worry.
It'll test our efficiency.
( Loud whirring )
( Electronic tone pulsating )
( Tone fading )
( Waves crashing )
He'll eventually go back to his room.
It's the only place he can ever go.
( Seagulls calling )
( Clicks on )
( Static crackling )
( Clicks off )
Ringing e
man: A proclamation!
All citizens take notice that carnival is decreed for tonight.
Turn back the clock.
There will be music, dancing, happiness
all at the carnival
by order.
( Villagers cheering, band playing lively tune )
( Music still playing )
Maid: You didn't sleep here
last night.
I thought I'd save you the trouble
of making up the bed.
Where's the fancy costume?
They've given me a new dress...
Something special
tonight.
And the cat?
Gone.
I didn't make it.
Everyone's having a good time outside.
You wait until tonight.
Do you mean we're allowed out after hours?
Anyone would think you were locked in, the way you talk.
Oh, your costume came.
Yes.
Don't I get a choice?
Other people choose.
It's a game.
I expected something exotic.
What is it?
My own suit...
specially delivered for the occasion.
What does that mean?
That I'm still... myself.
Lucky you.
( Music still playing outside )
( Static crackling )
What are we to do with him?
Number two: There you go again.
You mustn't be so eager, doctor.
Your techniques are efficient
but not always beneficial.
Number six will yet be of great value.
He can't do as he likes.
He's an individual
and they're always trying.
Don't worry.
His observer will ring me
the moment he puts a bomb in your lovely hospital.
Incidentally, how's progress with Dutton?
Well, he's given me quite a lot of information
but he's reluctant to go any further.
I'm afraid I'll have to be more extreme.
Of course I'll win in the end.
I always do.
Rather a small fish, you know.
Still, it'll give you an opportunity to experiment.
After all, he is expendable.
( Clicks on )
( Indistinct transmission of man's voice )
Man: Nowhere is there more beauty than here.
Tonight when the moon rises, the whole world will turn to silver.
Do you understand?
It is important that you understand.
I have a message for you.
You must listen.
The appointment cannot be fulfilled.
Other things must be done tonight.
If our torment is to end, if liberty is to be restored
we must grasp the nettle even though it makes our hands bleed.
Only through pain can tomorrow be assured.
Number two: You were right, my dear
I'm too old for these stairs.
Where did you get it?
Does it work?
Woman ( Over radio ): That practice dictation was at 60 words a minute.
Now, here is a passage from the wartime memoirs.
( Clicks off )
Hardly useful.
The view's lovely from here.
I'm sad, number six.
I thought you were beginning to...
Give in?
Be happy.
Everything you want is here.
Everything's elsewhere.
Don't force me to take steps.
We indulge any member of our community for a time.
After that...
Yes, I know, I've been to the hospital.
I've seen.
You've seen only a fraction.
I know where you stand, don't I?
She's one of our best observers.
We have one each?
Only our more fractious children.
Shall we go down?
Suit yourself.
You're not thinking of jumping?
Never.
Good.
I have my duty.
To whom?
To everyone.
It's the rules:
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
It takes on a new meaning.
You're a wicked man.
Wicked?
You have no values.
Different values.
You won't be helped.
Destroyed.
You want to spoil things.
I won't be a goldfish in a bowl.
I must go.
I may see you later?
Can you avoid it?
I hope it's all right, the radio.
What would you do?
Report on it, ask for instructions.
Number one?
Yes.
Who?
No!
Tell me.
It's all I know, all there is to know.
In the place where you work?
Don't keep asking me questions.
( Water dripping )
To whoever may find this...
Number two?
I can't find number six.
That's no way to report.
I've tried everywhere.
Don't worry, he'll turn up.
It's only a matter of time.
He's very undisciplined.
Shall I watch number 34 instead?
No, he's dead.
Dead? When?
It's none of our business.
I got to know him quite well.
He didn't know you, did he?
You.
You, of all people.
I'd never have believed it.
Roland... Walter... Dutton.
Who was he?
His body was washed up on the shore.
How long have you been here?
You don't know?
Would I ask?
It's difficult to say.
A couple of months.
And you?
Quite recently.
How's London?
About the same.
Yes.
Places don't change.
Only people.
Some people.
I want to talk about it anyway.
Let's go inside.
I told them.
What?
Everything I know.
The irony of it is, they don't believe me.
You know I didn't have access to the vital stuff.
Yes.
They'll take me back to the hospital
and by the time they realize I'm telling the truth
it'll be too late.
When?
They've released me for 72 hours
so that I can reconsider in the peaceful atmosphere of the...
Of the village.
Still hope.
No, my friend.
Not for me.
Such noble thoughts are long dead.
Soon, roland Walter Dutton will cease to exist.
Number two: You're waiting for someone, Mr. tuxedo?
Or expecting someone?
Mr. Peter Pan?
So it seems.
With his shadow?
You're being hostile again.
What were you looking at?
A light.
A star.
A boat.
An insect.
A plane.
A flying fish.
Somebody who belongs to my world.
This is your world.
I am your world.
If you insist on living a dream
you may be taken for mad.
I like my dream.
Then you are mad.
Now go on up to the town hall.
May I?
You may enter tonight.
It's carnival.
Number two: What? No dancing?
Tonight's for dancing.
Amongst other things.
( Crowd murmuring )
Number two: Music.
Come along.
You've been practicing long enough.
And dance.
Enjoy yourselves.
It's carnival.
I rarely drink.
Then you'll enjoy it all the more.
Self-denial's a great sweetener of pleasure.
It's warmer than we think.
Undoctored.
To carnival.
Your administration is effective
though you have no opposition.
An irritation we've dispensed with.
Even its best friends agree
democracy is remarkably inefficient.
It's '53.
How impressive.
From here on, of course
we degenerate to the '55 and the '57
and if people really misbehave themselves
to a quite extraordinary '58.
Why haven't I a costume?
Perhaps because you don't exist.
Quite en-chant-ing.
Little Bo-peep.
Who always knows where to find her sheep.
Oh, you must cheer him up, my dear.
Dance... it's a special night.
We hope so.
Dance.
A glass of wine, doctor?
Ah, drink is too leveling.
How is he?
Still rebellious, but it will pass.
Without treatment?
We don't want to spoil him.
Unless we must.
( Playing baroque tune )
( Drunkenly ): Uh, how many of these have you been to?
This is my first and last.
Don't be silly.
Yes... who's saying that, you or the computer?
Me.
Don't stop, dance.
Oh, don't behave like a human being.
It might just confuse people.
Only you were confused.
Though not for long.
There are treatments for people like you.
I'm terribly sorry.
She, uh... she must get instructions.
Who do they come from?
Is he here tonight?
The man behind the big door?
Well, there's no need to know.
This place has been going for a long time.
Since the war?
Before the war?
Which war?!
A long time.
( Music ends )
( Dancers applaud )
( Baroque air begins )
Have you seen her?
Number two.
She's not at the party?
I'll be seeing her.
She must see this urgently... it's a termination order.
Is it? Like me to give it to her?
Would you? I'd be most obliged.
Not at all.
Don't forget, it's urgent.
Oh, right away.
Machine pumping )
( Machine humming )
ﬂying door)
You make the most of your opportunities.
You don't blame us for doing the same.
Ah, she's taken to you.
I'm jealous.
Oh, she's mine.
She works here, too.
She's very efficient...
Almost ruthless.
Never trust a woman, even the four-legged variety.
You can trust everyone...
And will, in time.
Let's go back.
The cabaret's beginning.
In his pocket...
The wallet?
Yes.
It's still there, "amended" slightly.
We'll amend h!!! Slightly.
It's you who's died in an accident at sea.
May I?
So to the outside world...
Which you only dream about...
I'll be dead.
A small confirmation of a known fact.
Don't blame me.
It's a question of waste not, want not.
Number six: I thought there was a cabaret.
There is... you are it.
In the matter of the people
versus this person
the court is now in session.
What is my crime?
We'll come to that.
Perhaps I should explain
our legal system is unusual.
No jury?
Three judges decide here.
As in the French revolution.
They got through the dead wood, didn't they?
I'm appointed by the court to defend you...
This lady to prosecute.
The judges have been chosen.
( Light music playing )
Number two: Proceed.
You are charged with having on your person
and using for unlawful purposes
and against the interests of the community
an object, the possession and use of which breaks our rules...
a radio set.
Don't you ask how I plead?
Judge: Proceed, prosecutor.
From somewhere, he has not yet been subjected to interrogation.
The accused acquired a radio.
How do you know he had this radio?
I am his observer.
She is biased and shouldn't be here.
I saw him with it in his room
and later on top of the bell tower.
Did anyone else see it?
The... defender was with me on the bell tower.
I saw him with it in his room.
Thank you, your majesty.
Proceed.
He was listening to a program.
Doctor: What manner of program?
I don't know, it's improper to listen.
Quite right.
Did you listen, madam?
How can my defender be a prosecution witness?
No, my lords, but it did work.
It is the duty of all of us to care for each other
and to see that the rules are obeyed.
Without their discipline
we should exist in a state of anarchy.
Hear, hear.
You do yourself no good, prisoner.
He had no radio of his own.
There's no radio he could have borrowed.
So in acquiring one
he made a positive effort against the community
indicating a malicious breaking of the rules.
The court's duty is to pass the severest possible sentence.
Do you wish to question the prosecutor?
We shall hear the defender.
I would beg the court to remember
that beneath its panoply of splendor
beneath the awful majesty of the rules
beat human hearts.
This is a human being
with weaknesses and failings of his kind.
That he had a radio
and has broken rule after rule cannot be denied.
Has anyone ever seen these "rules"?
I plead, your lordships, for clemency.
He is new and guilty of folly, no more.
We can treat folly with kindness
knowing that soon his wild spirit will quieten
and the foolishness will fall away
to reveal a model citizen.
That day you will never see.
Judge: The prisoner will be silent.
This is a serious matter.
Very serious.
Both officers have presented their pleas
with creditable simplicity.
We will now consider.
( Softly ): What do you think?
I want to call a witness.
Witness?
This lady and I
are the only witnesses there can be.
He has his rights.
What manner of witness?
A character witness.
I want the court to call roland Walter Dutton!
No names are used here.
It's a man I think I knew, a man who is scheduled to die
and therefore, better fitted than I
to say the things that need to be said.
A character witness.
The court will resume its deliberations.
It is decided.
We find the prisoner guilty of breach of the rules
which his folly and inexperience cannot excuse.
We pass sentence in accordance with the rules.
No, stop it!
It's the rules, my dear.
The sentence is death.
Doctor: We sentence in the name of the people.
The people carry it out in the name of justice.
Screaming y
man: Over there!
( Whirring )
( Clicking )
Number two: It's a one-way mirror.
They can't see you.
They've never seen in here, and they never will.
They lack your initiative.
Deal with them.
Why are they trying to kill me?
They don't know you're already dead.
Locked up in the long box in that little room.
She's no longer your observer.
Observers of life should never get involved.
You'll never win.
Then how very uncomfortable for you, old chap.
( Chuckling )
( Clicking )
( Number two continues chuckling )