( Engine revving )
( Footsteps echoing )
( Thunder booming )
( No audio )
( Thunder booming )
Prisoner: Where am I?
Man: 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?
You are number six.
I am not a number, I am a free man!
Fiendish laughter)
( Helicopter whirring )
Man ( Over loudspeaker ): Attention, ladies and gentlemen, attention.
This is an announcement from the general's department.
Will all students taking the three-part history course
please return to their dwellings immediately.
The Professor will be lecturing in approximately 30 minutes.
I will repeat that:
This is a special announcement from the general's department...
repeat, from the general.
Will all students taking the three-part history course
return to their dwellings immediately.
Waiter.
Sir?
Another coffee, please.
Sorry, sir, we're closing.
You did hear the announcement, sir
about the Professor.
I'm not one of his students.
One coffee, sir...
two credit units, if you please.
You're never too old to learn, sir.
Who told you that, the Professor?
No, sir, the general.
The general?
Best of luck
with your exams, sir.
Thank you.
This is a special announcement
from the general's department...
repeat, from the general.
Will all students taking the three-part history course
return to their dwellings immediately.
The Professor will be giving his lecture in 30 minutes.
Man: You don't believe it?
A university-level degree in three minutes.
It's improbable.
But not impossible.
Nothing's impossible in this place.
You should enroll, number six.
You'll find the Professor most interesting...
Would I?
With an extraordinary range of knowledge.
The only subject that I'm interested in
is getting away from this place.
Exactly.
Who are you?
A cog in the machine.
And the general?
( Helicopter whirring )
( Siren blaring )
Who are they after?
The Professor, I think.
Why?
You know, professors, absentminded.
Best of luck with your exams.
All units, orange alert.
Orange alert.
All units, all posts, orange alert
orange alert.
Man ( On tape recorder ): Ladies and gentlemen...
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow villagers, students
this is the Professor speaking.
This is the Professor speaking.
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow villagers, students
this is the Professor speaking.
I have an urgent message for you.
( Siren approaching )
Are you a student?
Who isn't?
Are you prefects?
What are you doing here?
Playing truant.
( Crowd yelling )
Come on, we'll give you a lift.
Where to?
Home.
100% entry, 100% pass.
You know what the general said.
Who's the general?
Come on, you don't want
to start the term with a black mark.
All right, let's go.
( Crowd yelling )
Get in, mister.
I think he'll make it.
Who's that?
The Professor...
he's due to lecture in a few minutes.
He'll make it.
Great man, the Professor.
Lectures as though his life depended on it.
All right, let's go.
Uh... be seeing you.
Man: A significance far beyond this community.
To quote our friend, the Professor
"speed learn is nothing less than a revolution
in educational techniques."
The latest figure shows a 72.4% enrollment
in the "three years in three minutes" history course.
Many thanks, and congratulations.
( Fanfare plays )
( Simple music playing )
( Fanfare plays )
And I think we can promise the general
that we will improve even on that figure.
And now, someone who needs no introduction.
Hello, nice to be seeing you all again.
My husband, the Professor, has asked me, personally
to convey his apologies
for detaining you for a few moments.
As you know, the huge success of his course
has put an added strain upon him
and he's just now completing the notes for the second lecture
and should be with us shortly.
Meanwhile... poor substitute though I am for my husband...
to bring you up to date on our future program
the extra-curricular seminar
for post-graduate and advanced students
will be held next week...
( Electronic tone )
Excuse me.
Right, thank you.
Thank you, madame Professor.
Your husband is now ready
to complete the lecture.
We now take you over
to the Professor in his study.
Best of luck with the exams!
My apologies, ladies and gentlemen.
I would like to say a brief word about speed learn.
It is quite simply the most important most far-reaching
most beneficent development in mass education
since the beginning of time.
A marriage of science and mass communication
which results in the abolition of years
of tedious and wasteful schooling.
A three-year course, indelibly impressed upon the mind
in three minutes.
Impossible?
That's what I said
until I was introduced to the general.
And then I realized that not only was it possible
but that education was ready for a giant leap forward
from the dark ages into the 20th and 21st centuries.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been a teacher for 30 years.
Speed learn has made me as obsolete as the dodo.
Announcer: And we're going to prove it!
( Fanfare plays )
The subject of tonight's lecture is "Europe since Napoleon"...
a hard, complicated six-month study.
Ladies and gentlemen, sit back, relax, watch the screen.
We're going to cover it in 15 seconds flat.
( Fanfare plays )
15 seconds flat.
Students wishing supplementary information
will please address their queries
to "the general speed learn, town hall."
I will repeat that:
Please address their queries to "the general..."
Moping up operations, number six?
Many thanks, ladies and gentlemen
and congratulations.
Have you lost something?
Not me, the Professor.
Oh.
I believe you took a stroll on the beach.
What beach?
Poor, old Professor...
losing his recorder
with all his notes in it.
You didn't see it, of course.
Would it be something about, uh...
That big, wouldn't it?
The Professor is rather worried about it.
Why don't you get your man
to look in the wardrobe.
Number two: Very amusing.
Tell me, are you still as keen as ever to leave us?
Any more questions?
I was thinking that a compromise could be arranged
in exchange for the recorder.
I wonder who has it.
Enjoy the lecture?
What lecture?
It's a great experiment number six, you can learn a lot.
History's not my subject.
Isn't it, when was the treaty of adrianople?
September 1829.
What happened in 1830?
Greek independence was assured and guaranteed.
By whom?
Russia, France, britain.
Who was Bismarck's ally
against Danish prince Christian of gluckenburg?
Frederick of austenburg.
He, like the German bundestag
had never accepted the treaty of London in 1852.
Bismarck wanted war
but he wanted it waged by prussia and Austria
in alliance and not by the whole German blind.
He realized that a successful war against the danes in 1864
would serve the same purpose
as cavour of Italy's entrance
into the crimean war.
( Speaking at same time ): Namely, that it would indicate future leadership
and would, at the same time, raise prussia's prestige.
Very good, ten out of ten.
Don't underestimate yourself, number six.
And don't underestimate me.
Can I help you?
When was the treaty of adrianople?
September 1829.
What happened in 1830?
Greek independence was guaranteed.
By who?
By Russia, France and britain.
Who was Frederick of austenburg?
Bismarck's ally against the danes
under prince Christian of gluckenburg.
Frederick, like the bundestag
had never adopted the treaty of London in 1852.
He, like Bismarck was...
Man ( Over intercom ): Curfew time, 15 minutes!
Waves lapping )
( Twig snaps )
Is there anything I can do for you?
You want to get out of this place, don't you?
So?
Here's your passport.
Number two offered you a deal, didn't he?
Don't you trust him?
I don't trust number two, I don't trust you
and I don't trust your tame Professor.
Who do you trust number six?
I trust me.
Join the club.
Oh, what was the treaty of adrianople?
September 1829.
Wrong, I said, "what" not "when."
You need some special coaching.
Professor ( On tape ): Ladies and gentleman, fellow villagers, students
this is the Professor speaking.
I have an urgent message for you.
You are being tricked.
Speed learn is an abomination, it is slavery.
If you wish to be free, there is only one way.
Destroy the general!
Learn this and learn it well.
The general must be destroyed!
Morning, nice day again.
Be nice again tomorrow.
What happened in 1878?
1878?
Eastern Romania was declared an autonomous province
of the turkish empire.
Oh, word perfect, best of luck with the exams.
Number two: No, I assure you, there's no problem, sir.
We're getting 100% cooperation from everyone
and I'm anticipating a truly exciting result.
Who, sir?
Oh, the Professor... just a mild aberration, I assure you.
A couple of day's rest and adjustment
and he'll be doing everything we need.
Yes, yes, I will keep in touch, sir, in closest touch.
Thank you, sir.
Probably the most important human experiment
we've ever had to conduct
and it's treated like a military exercise.
Anything new on the Professor yet?
He is responding, sir.
The doctor will be in to see you personally.
Get over there and tell him to hurry things up.
Yes, sir.
Nope, no, I'll do it myself.
Yes, sir.
Frankly, sir, I think we're going
the wrong way about it with him.
You mean about the Professor?
We indulge his idiocies far too much.
He's a crank and should be treated as such.
You think so?
I know he's the cornerstone of speed learn but...
Yes?
I can't help feeling he's a troublemaker
and he attracts troublemakers.
How long have you been with us, number 12?
Me, sir? Quite a long time, sir.
But obviously not long enough.
Yes, sir... sorry, sir.
Number 12...
Your opinions about the Professor
should be carefully guarded.
Section 32, sound and vision.
Put up section 32, sound and vision.
How's it going, Professor?
Please, I'm busy.
Breaking the back of the next lecture?
Please don't distract me.
Very good, very good, indeed.
I'm glad you approve.
You mustn't overdo it.
All right, nurse.
I have to finish these notes!
Yes, of course you do
and after a little rest and some mild therapy
you'll be able to work twice as fast.
Track the Professor?
No, the seminar.
Right, put up section 39, sound and vision.
Man: It's number six.
Really, how very odd.
Can I help you?
I don't know, can you?
Finding things a bit strange?
That is the trouble...
I can't find anything at all.
What exactly are you looking for?
What are we all looking for?
Well, let's see now.
That gentleman over there, what do you think he's doing?
Tearing up a book.
He's creating a fresh concept.
Construction arises out of the ashes of destruction.
And that woman?
Standing on her head.
She's developing new perspective.
Really?
Him?
He's asleep.
One learns only when the mind wants to, and not at set times.
Oh, is that what your husband believes?
It's self-evident, surely.
What's your subject?
What's yours?
Mine? Modern art.
Really?
What do you think of this?
( Marching music playing )
Not all together flattering.
So art's your subject, too?
No, military history, generals and that kind of thing.
I'm afraid you may be wasting your time.
What a pity, I understood that your husband
was quite an authority on the subject.
He may be, but I'm not.
Oh, creation out of destruction?
Number six, out of vision.
Scan.
Madame Professor: This is a private room.
Interesting view from here.
Who are you... A spy?
How long have you been in this place?
I don't have to answer your questions, kindly leave.
The whole house is most elegant.
Books, paintings...
And a very beautiful garden.
The Professor and I have certain privileges.
As prisoners or as warders?
We came here voluntarily.
We have everything we need, we're perfectly happy.
Doing what?
My husband is a teacher, he teaches.
Oh, I see.
And you...
Are the artist?
For the last time, I'm asking you to leave!
Studies from life?
Rough exercises.
Very good.
You really have a... Considerable talent.
What are you looking for?
I would have thought that with all these privileges
we might find at least one study of...
The general.
Hmm.
Certainly not a bad likeness, is it?
Are you playing truant?
Just... doing a little homework.
I didn't ask him here, I found him.
You don't have to explain, my dear.
Number six and I are old friends.
I can recommend him
as a thoroughly zealous student.
With a tendency to overdo it.
How's the Professor... cooperating?
I've given him some sedation.
Has he been overdoing it, too?
Probably a bit excited.
You know your husband, my dear
this speed learning...
he's as enthusiastic as a child.
( Whispering ): Ah, he's sleeping like a babe.
He's not... To be disturbed.
I wouldn't dream of it.
Get out!
Stop him!
( Screams )
You should take greater care of him, ma'am
he's gone to pieces.
You are an odd fellow.
I'm afraid you have the wrong end of the stick.
I haven't, the doctor has.
Just a minute... the offer I made you
about the Professor's notes... it's canceled.
Is it?
He's changed his mind...
he doesn't need them now.
That's extraordinary, neither do I.
Best of luck with your exams.
Why don't you open the blinds, let in some daylight?
You've got nothing to hide, have you?
I'd better warn control.
Don't warn anyone.
You do your job
I'll do mine.
Now, my dear...
I am afraid he's made a bit of a mess of your masterpiece.
What does he want?
What some of us want, ultimately...
To escape.
He persists about the general.
I shouldn't worry too much, my dear.
I have an obsession about him, myself.
( Dramatic music )
( Screams )
( Loud, festive music )
( People shouting and laughing )
Far exceeding expectations...
Why, it seems that everybody, and I do mean everybody
is falling all over themselves to enjoy the fruits
of speed learn, and why not?
A three-year course in three minutes.
Madame... czar Nicholas I occupied the danubian principalities?
1853.
Absolutely correct... sir... when was Victor Emmanuel
declared king of Italy and turin?
1861.
Absolutely correct again.
Announcer: Excellent answer!
( Newsman laughing )
Ah, number six, what was the date of the boer war?
1899, 1902.
And in 1910?
Number six: In 1910, the two boer republics
were incorporated into the union of South Africa.
Well done... coming along nicely, number six.
( Electric door humming open and shut )
( Festival music muffled )
( Loud bang )
( Phone beeping )
Yes.
Man: Please stay where you are, number six, do not leave.
The fault on the electrical circuit
will be attended to forthwith.
Electrics and administration are on their way.
You will find candles for such an emergency
in the upper kitchen cabinet, second right.
( Tractor rumbling )
( Electric door humming open and shut )
Electrics.
Over there, I think.
( Electric door humming open )
Number 12: Administration here, what's the trouble?
Repairman: This, sir, deliberate short-circuit across the contacts.
Sabotage.
That's punishable.
We'll need a two-cell "d" replacement, sir.
All right, contact control.
Get them to switch in temporary reserve.
Very good, sir.
Calling electrics control.
Is this some of your work?
Some... listen carefully, we have about 15 seconds.
The Professor's real lecture
the one you heard on the tape recorder...
would you like it to go out?
I might.
Take it.
In the ink cylinder... micro... be careful.
How?
With these.
Passes.
When?
Tomorrow.
Where?
I'll fix it!
All on line, sir.
I'll fix it, number six
so that you become aware that deliberate destruction
of official property is a most serious offense.
I must recommend
the full penalty.
Which is?
It could be imprisonment, it could be a fine.
I'll take the fine.
Yes, I thought you might.
Report to my office in administration tomorrow morning.
Yes...
Sir.
How is he, doctor?
Fine... beautiful response.
Will he be able to complete the lecture?
Able...
And willing.
Man: Your business, please?
Board member...
lecture approval session, education.
Proceed to pass.
Pass.
Now, you have them?
Right here, sir, ready processed.
Excellent...
summon the board.
Pass.
Micro reduction report satisfactory?
Oh, first class, sir.
Splendid.
Number two calling the general's office.
The lectures have arrived, full security alert.
Man: Yes, sir.
Everything all right, sir?
I don't know about the general
but I think I can say in advance
that the experiment is going to be a 10096...
Success.
Your business, please.
Board member, lecture approval session, education.
Proceed to pass.
( Buzzing )
Number two for sublimator.
Did the micro come through, sir?
Transmission has been scheduled.
Has this been cleared with the board?
It will be, prepare to transmit.
Man ( Over speaker ): Education board about to enter session, hurry, please.
Lecture approval session, education, new member.
Proceed to pass.
( Faint buzzing )
Pass, boardroom straight on
first right, first left, straight ahead.
You were nearly late... 90 seconds to session time.
Board about to enter session in 87 seconds.
( Whooshing bang )
Do not attempt to pass without using the key.
Second occasion is fatal.
Session time in eight minutes.
Your business, please?
Lecture approval session, education, new member.
Proceed to pass.
( Faint buzzing )
Pass.
Number two: Thank you, gentlemen, for your confidence in the general
and now to show our confidence in you
we will give you a breakdown of the entire operation.
In confidence, of course.
( Board applauding )
( Muffled applauding and speaking )
Speed learn is the outcome
of the general's prolific knowledge.
Its basis is the students' confidence
in a tried and trusted Professor.
And the Professor's confidence in science.
( Loud smack )
Man ( Over speaker ): Standby, all operatives.
Transmission will begin in approximately five minutes.
Check in, please.
Sound?
General studio?
Lecture studio?
Telecine?
Cameras?
Projection?
Thuds )
Projection?
Projection, will you clear, please?
Projection!
All clear.
Standing by.
All operatives clear, stand by, please.
Thus, the miniaturized course can be projected
through the sublimator at a speed thousands of times faster
than the eye can record.
Man ( Over loudspeaker ): Transmission will start in two minutes.
It is imposed directly onto the cortex of the brain
and is, with occasional boosts, virtually indelible.
Tonight's lecture, for instance.
Man ( Over loudspeaker ): The transmission will commence in 60 seconds.
And so much for the theory, gentlemen...
now for the practice.
Man: Final clearance, please... sound studio.
General studio.
Lecture studio.
Cameras.
Projection.
Telecine.
Hold that picture.
What picture, sir?
Number two: Projection.
Closer.
He's cut his hand, sir.
Poor old chap.
( Thud )
Man ( Over loudspeaker ): Transmission will start in five seconds.
Five...
Four...
Three...
Two...
One...
In.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the end
of another successful edition of speed learn.
Our thanks to the Professor
and our congratulations to the general.
Good night to you all.
Sweet dreams.
Number 12: Who were they, number six... who let you in?
What are their names?
There's an organization, isn't there... dissidents?
Who's the head man?
Santa claus.
Who's the head of the organization?
You'd be wise to tell us.
He won't tell you anything.
He's a trained conspirator... a very hard man.
This reactionary drivel
that you were on the point of sending out
to our conscientious students...
"the freedom to learn..."
"The liberty to make mistakes..."
Old-fashioned slogans.
You are an odd fellow, number six.
Full of surprises.
( Phone beeps )
Two here.
Ah, yes, my dear, congratulations.
The lecture went splendidly.
You're pleased?
( Aver phone ): Yes.
Then, may I see him?
Of course...
as soon as he's completed
the first phase of the next installment.
Number two: He's performing so well, it seems a pity to disturb him now.
How long?
Oh, who can tell?
But not long, my dear... he needs you.
You'll let me know.
Naturally, I'll let you know.
Lovely woman... warm, sympathetic.
She'd talk him into anything to keep him alive.
The Professor.
Indeed.
Such is the course of true love.
Do you need him?
They're both necessary...
the one for the other...
even essential.
Now...
to the matter in hand.
I'm sure that a man of your caliber
will appreciate that rebels... That rebels must be kept
under the closest possible surveillance
with a view to their extinction, if the rebellion is absolute.
The Professor?
Oh, no, no, no... not the Professor.
No problem... he has an adoring wife.
And an even more attentive doctor.
No, no... a lovely fellow.
People love him... they'll take anything from him.
It's the image, you see, that is important...
the kindly image.
The general's office, if you please.
You see, my dear chap, he won't answer our questions
but the general can answer anything given the basic facts.
Ahh.
Yes.
Yes, it all went splendidly.
Delighted... absolutely delighted.
Ah, just a slight problem, though.
Mind if we come round?
Thank you... right away.
The general awaits us.
We shall soon know what's what.
Knocking on door)
Plato, Aristotle, Voltaire, Rousseau and the rest.
They're all here, all available to the general.
There is no question...
no question from advanced mathematics
to molecular structure, '
from philosophy to crop-spraying the general cannot answer.
( Machine buzzes )
This is how it works.
Allow me to introduce the general.
Number two: All the Professor's own work.
He gave birth to it
and loves it with a passionate love...
probably hates it even more.
That mass of circuits, my dear fellow
is as revolutionary as nuclear fission.
No more wastage in schools...
no more tedious learning by rote.
A brilliantly devised course, delivered by a leading teacher...
subliminally learned
checked and corrected by an infallible authority.
And what have we got?
A row of cabbages.
Indeed...
knowledgeable cabbages.
What sort of knowledge?
For the time being, past history will have to do
but shortly, we shall be making our own.
Napoleon could have used it.
Professor!
Come here.
Take down a problem for the general...
an illustration of infallibility.
Point one...
a traitor in the village.
Point two...
security-pass disks were issued to number six.
Point three...
access to these is through...
Through where?
Through where?!
Administration, sir.
Exactly.
Put that down.
Also, that number 12 is an official in administration.
Now, ask the general...
A question that can't be answered.
What's that?
There is a question that the general cannot answer.
Impossible.
Allow me to ask it.
No!
Are you afraid?
Go ahead.
Excuse me, Professor.
Thank you.
With your permission.
( Machine buzzes )
Feed it in.
( Machine chugging )
( Chugging increases )
( Machine starts beeping )
( Machine starts grinding )
Switch it off.
I can't!
( Machine grinding and popping )
Turn it off.
( Small explosions )
( Cries out )
( Groaning )
( Explosions )
Explosion )
( Many small explosions )
What was the question?
It's insoluble... For man or machine.
What was it?
W-h-y-?
Why!
Why.
( Whispered ): Why.
( Gates slam )