(Child singing)
(Menacing growls)
♪ Each little bird that sings
♪ He made their glowing colors
♪ He made their tiny wings
(They bark)
(Theme music)
Ah, there she is - Sarah.
Well, now, don't keep her waiting, and enjoy your week off. You've earned it.
- Thanks. Thanks for the cottage. - Think nothing of it.
It's been a successful trip. You're a good lawyer.
So are you. See you.
Taxi!
- It's good to have you back. - You make a wonderful chauffeur.
Certainly. Where to, sir?
Back to the flat for a quick...
change of clothes, then straight down to the West Country and Harry's cottage.
We should be there by suppertime.
SARAH: We'll never make it to the cottage by suppertime. We should've left earlier.
TOM: Well... it doesn't seem quite so urgent now, does Lt?
SARAH: You're making me blush.
TOM: You've nothing to be modest about, Mrs Martin.
Well, only another hour.
Couldn't Harry have bought a cottage closer to civilization?
Don't be so ungrateful.
Anyway, for a honeymoon, even a delayed one like this,
who needs civilization?
Actually, it's quite near to the village, I believe.
A beautiful wild garden.
Harry says it even has its very own magpie. It's quite tame.
When you get this partnership, Tom, will you be able to be with me more?
I hope so.
TOM: That's funny.
- What? - I've taken my foot off the gas,
but we're still accelerating.
(Loud revving)
Damn.
- What's wrong? - It's bloody jammed.
(Tires screech)
I knew something like this was going to happen.
Cross your arms over your face.
(Grinding)
Thank God.
(Grinding noise slows to a stop)
(Both sigh)
Are you all right?
Come on. Let's get out.
Oh, Torn! For goodness' sake... for God's sake.
I thought you didn't believe in God.
(Tom sighs)
Well...
here we are in the middle of nowhere.
We'll have to thumb a lift.
How many cars have you seen in the past hour?
- Phone. Phone for help. - A phone?
Where phone?
(Leaves rustling)
You know, it's really peaceful here.
I think part of me kind of expected to be here.
Wind up here.
Come on.
We could always sleep under the stars, like the raggle-taggle gypsies.
Look, there's a gate.
It doesn't look very promising.
It's worth a look.
Come on.
It's just a path through the woods. I think we should stick to the road.
Follow me.
Well, now... what have we here?
(Gate squeaks)
- Cold? - Mm.
- Hasn't it gone quiet? - Listen.
- (Children playing) - I can hear children.
- Children? - Listen.
- Yes. - Come on.
TOM: I can't hear any children now. Maybe we imagined it.
- Do you think they've got a phone? - I don't even know if anyone lives here.
(Rings doorbell) This must be the back of the house.
Well, the proper way in must be round the other side.
There's probably a main road a few yards away.
And hopefully, a garage.
(Door creaks) TOM: Good evening.
Our car's broken down and I wondered if we could...
Use the telephone! Of course.
Of course. Come in, my clears.
Come in.
My goodness. What a nuisance for you.
Is there a road on the other side of the house?
A road, dear?
Yes. I'm sure we must have come the long way round.
Bless you, dear. There's no other road round these parts.
Come along. Follow me.
There's not a garage nearby.
The nearest town is Applegrove, and that's 23 miles away.
Still, they probably have an emergency service.
Well, there's the phone, and you're welcome to use it.
You do look chilled, dear. Why don't you come with me into the parlor?
I'll make you a nice cup of tea, or cocoa.
Perhaps you'd prefer a glass of red wine.
(Lively tune on flute)
Come in.
My name is Mrs Ardoy.
My name's Sarah. My husband's name's Tom. Tom Martin.
I hope he's lucky with that phone.
Sit down by the fire, dear.
The clogs won't hurt you. (Dogs growl)
Have a nice glass of wine.
Thank you.
Mm. It's delicious.
We grow it ourselves. Er... make it here at the manor.
From your own vines?
Pinot noir.
Mr Ardoy has the touch.
It's difficult to grow in Britain,
but Mr Ardoy can grow anything.
Green fingers.
Oh, no, clear.
Mr Ardoy doesn't have green fingers.
What about car hire? Could you hire me a self-drive car?
Tomorrow.
No, I'm afraid that's too late.
OK. Thanks.
Good bye.
Carrots, peas...
Oh! And lovely fruit, my dear.
The most beautiful red apples you've ever seen.
We have our own clear spring, too.
You must taste the water.
So, you're completely self-supporting?
Oh, completely. Yes. Yes. Quite completely.
And vegetarian.
No...
No, the children do like their little bit of meat.
- (Distant voices) - Oh, that's them, the little horrors.
They must have heard you arrive.
How many?
- Mm? - How many do you have?
About eight.
Eight little lovelies.
Eight's a very large family for these clays.
Oh, they're not all mine!
Some of them are fostered and some are little stepchildren.
Mr Ardoy's been married before?
Oh...
well, you know what it's like around these parts. (Laughs)
You look famished.
I'm going to make you some soup. Soup and an omelette.
I do hope we didn't wake them up.
Oh, they never go to bed at normal hours.
Not our little ones.
TOM: Yes, OK. I understand.
Yes. Thanks.
Good bye.
Hello.
Now, where have you come from?
They're very shy. Not used to people.
I haven't had much luck, I'm afraid.
You wouldn't, dear. This is really the back of beyond.
(Chuckles quietly)
(Children laughing)
SARAH: Hello.
Come on in, I won't eat you.
He's not having much luck, poor thing,
so I've offered you could stay the night.
Oh...
- Oh, that's really too much trouble. - Oh, there's plenty of room, clear.
That turret room's always prepared.
Sometimes Mr Ardoy likes to bring a friend home, you know what they're like.
Your husband's gone to get your things from the car.
- Well, if you're sure you don't mind. - A real pleasure. And a privilege.
Ah!
Eloise, I know you're there.
Come along in. And you others.
Cheeky little pups.
Hello.
This is Eloise.
And Andreas, Sophy and lrenya.
Children,
this is Mrs Martin.
How do you do?
(Lively tune on flute)
That's our brother Tibor. Would you like to meet him?
Yes, please. I'd love to.
Well, I'll see to the supper.
Have you had your supper, Eloise?
Yes. It was soup.
Mutton broth?
Of course.
(Children's voices)
It's getting dark outside.
(Camera shutter clicks)
What's that for? Let me see.
I...
(Children giggling)
(Sarah gasps)
The children are very shy, but they like you, clear.
They're extraordinarily pretty.
Thank you.
Is Tom back?
He's only just gone.
Oh, then I'll give him a hand with the luggage.
Oh, I'm sure he'll be all right.
Oh, well, so am I, but I'd like to help him anyway.
Fine.
Why don't you take the dogs? They're very obedient.
(Dogs growl) If you don't mind, I think I'd like to go alone.
- They know the woods. - I'll stick to the path.
(Dogs panting)
(Gate squeaks)
(Owl screeches)
(Alarmed bird call)
Tibor?
Eloise?
Back, Sarah, back!
Run for the house. For God's sake, just run.
What is it, Tom? What's wrong?
Hurry, hurry! Don't look back.
What is it, Tom? What's wrong?
What is it? What's happened?
There's something awful out there. There's something terrible in your woods.
Whatever's happened?
Well, I was on my way... back to the car,
- but just as I got near the road... - Yes, what was it?
Well... maybe I'm going mad...
but there was this... strange thing,
this creature.
I've never seen anything like it.
It looked... half human...
Half human, dear?
Oh, surely not. I mean, either human or not human, don't you think?
It was covered in Grey spiky fur,
its hind legs... but its eyes...
If I hadn't seen it,
I wouldn't have believed it. What in God's name was it?
A stag.
Oh... No, not a stag.
Deer abound in these woods, Mr Martin, and wild sheep
that have strayed over the years, but I think it was a stag.
Give you a nasty turn, in the twilight, too.
It bit me.
Or tried to.
Snarling and snorting.
I'll never forget that sound.
And its eyes...
yellow eyes.
Well,
it's their season. They get protective over their territory.
A drink, Mr Martin.
You look as though you could do with one.
It was a stag, wasn't it?
Yes.
Mrs Ardoy has some lovely wine.
They make it themselves, you know.
TOM: Wonderful soup.
It's mutton. Mutton broth.
How do you feel?
All right.
A bit of a fool, really.
Thank you.
Where's your mum, Sophy?
Sophy?
That's my mum, in the photograph.
She's pretty...
She was pretty.
Have you finished?
Yes, thank you.
My goodness, that looks good.
(Loud crackle)
It was a stag, wasn't it?
(Clattering) ELOISE: Oh, no! I'm getting clumsy again!
(Howling)
A wolf? Really, Mr Martin.
- We both heard it. - A dog, perhaps. Dogs...
TOM: Abound in the forest?
Well, no, not really.
They're frightened of my beasts.
But I'm sure that's what you heard.
It's a terrible sound, dogs howling...
I think I know a wolf when I hear one. I think anyone would.
That sound, it's primeval.
Well, I think you'll be quite safe and comfortable in here.
The bathroom is adjoining.
Fresh towels.
Lovely soft pillows.
It's a nice big bed.
It was our marriage bed, Mr Ardoy and me.
But I don't really see the need for it now, not at my age.
Well, it really is very kind of you.
Yes. And it was a lovely supper.
Beautiful kids.
Well, good night.
Oh, there was
just one other thing. Silly, really, but...
I wonder if you'd mind staying here in this room until morning.
Any special reason?
The children, really.
They tend to roam about a bit in the night
and, well, I wouldn't want you to give them a scare.
I'm sure you understand.
Sleep well.
Give them a scare?!
Oh, Torn, what have we landed ourselves in?
Maybe it's...
some sort of loony bin.
Good food.
But that was a wolf.
Oh, come on.
It probably was a dog.
You heard it.
Yes.
Well... we've had a long clay and...
...that car thing upset us and...
...well, you can hystericalize yourself into anything.
Let's just have a bath and...
And?
(Knock at door)
I've brought these night things for you.
How did you get these?
Tibor and the other children went down to the car to fetch them.
Surely you don't let them go out to the woods alone.
(Sighs) Bless you, dear.
There's nothing in them woods that my children need be afraid of.
Well... thank you.
Look, I know it's none of our business, but...
...do they ever sleep?
Certainly they sleep!
Why, sometimes it's the devil himself couldn't wake them up.
But tonight's different.
- It's a special night. - Special?
Why?
We are of Hungarian extraction, us Ardoys, and we celebrate festivals that are different
from the English ones.
Tonight's a special night
in the region that we come from.
Sort of like what?
Christmas Eve?
Yes, Mr Martin. Something like that.
Well, good night to you.
That was a funny thing the old bag said before...
Stay in your room,
in case we scare the kids.
They're not frightened to roam the forest all night.
Unless...
Unless it's the children who might scare us.
This seems a bit out of place here.
I wonder who slept here last.
What do you mean?
I'm not sure.
But just suppose the creature in the woods was not a stag.
Suppose the animal we both heard howling out there was not a dog.
And consider...
what sort of Hungarian ritual
causes little children to be afraid of a cheerful fireside hearth,
- Torn... - and causes them to grow progressively clumsier
as daylight fades?
And those two clogs...
To protect whom?
- From what? - Oh, let's just change the subject, Torn.
And suppose it's a full moon.
(Growls)
(Screaming)
What is it?
(Key in lock)
What in God's name's going on here? I'm going to take a look.
- I can get down to the ground from here. - No,
stay with me.
Look, darling, I'm a lawyer. I'm a logical man.
For God's sake, Sarah, I'm not allowing some cranky family
in the middle of a Somerset forest to make a fool of us.
I'm just going to look around the grounds, see what's cooking. I'll only be 10 minutes.
No, Tom! Tom, please stay with me.
No, don't go. I've a horrible feeling. Please, Tom, close the window. Stay with me.
I think we're both being a bit silly about this. I'll only be a moment.
Take care.
Don't worry.
(Door rattles)
Who is it?
(Key turns in lock)
No... no...
This isn't happening.
(Growling)
TOM!
Aaaarrrgh!
(Snarling)
Oh, Mrs Ardoy,
please, please call him off.
Oh, no.
Pie-ease!
Aaarrgh!
(Howling)
Hello.
Welcome to land of living.
What...?
- Where? - Sh... It's all right.
You're in hospital.
- Where? - Applegrove.
The car crashed.
The car...
Are you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. I only had mild concussion. I woke up hours ago.
I fell...
- I can remember. - Fell?
Oh, no. No.
The car crashed.
They say you wrapped it round a tree.
Ow!
- What...? - You broke your wrist.
- (Tom sighs) - You know...
we were both very lucky.
I'm confused.
I can remember the car, but I can't remember the crash.
There was a house.
We hit a house?
No... no, there was this house...
in the woods... and a woman.
I think you must still be concussed.
I must have dreamt it.
- How extraordinary. - Dreamt what?
It's crazy but...
there was this family of...
werewolves.
(Laughs)
Oh, Tom...
Only it seemed so real.
It must be something the doctor gave you.
Do you know, it's a miracle we're alive.
TOM: Then, after a day's observation,
we were discharged.
We rented a car and Sarah drove us on down to the cottage.
- So you got there in the end? - Oh, yes.
- Thanks, by the way. - But the BMW didn't?
A complete write-off. They brought it into a local garage, what was left of it.
I'm getting a new one next week, when I get this off.
I'm glad you're all right.
Apart from all that, was the holiday OK?
Tom!
Oh! Yes. Sure.
It was fine.
Is the magpie still there?
Yes.
What is up, Tom?
It's Sarah, Harry.
There's... something odd about her.
Something strange.
The old ardor has cooled, eh?
Cooled? Oh, no. Nothing like that.
In fact, she's incredible in...
in bed.
- Really? - Oh, just incredible, but...
I don't know, it's just not the same old Sarah.
You mean she's changed?
Yes.
My dear fellow, I'm not surprised.
After a bad car accident,
followed by a week alone with you in the country, talking corporate law at breakfast.
I mean, that is likely to turn anyone a bit odd.
Harry
did you ever have concussion?
Three years in the Parachute Regiment? Of course I've had concussion.
It happened a couple of times. Stupid landings.
A couple or three times.
Did you ever have dreams, bizarre dreams, when you were unconscious?
No, the point of concussion is that you are out cold.
- No dreams. Good God. - Ah.
Why?
Oh... nothing. No reason.
We'd better have a look at this, old boy.
Yes. The Perry, Newman and Schreiber business.
How are we going to handle it?
Well, old man Perry will be in Connecticut just now.
Someone should brief him before the offer comes through from Venezuela.
God knows, they pay enough for our advice.
Someone from the Boston office?
No.
No, I'll go myself.
Concorde tomorrow, then fly up to Maine in the beach-craft.
That's my boy.
For a time, I was afraid you were beginning to lose the magic touch.
You're not mad at me?
Why would I be?
I could be gone for three or four weeks.
Super. Have a lovely time.
- Tell me something. - Of course.
Have you ever had that dream again?
NO. Why?
Just wondered.
It... it seemed to get to you.
Well, it did.
If you had a nightmare about a werewolf, a bloody family of them...
You really are silly.
Listen, I'll make the coffee.
What's the matter? Don't you fancy me any more?
You know I do.
- But? - Well, it's just that...
- Go on. - You used to be more tender about it.
Maybe you've never stayed around long enough to know what I'm really like.
- Oh, come on... - And my cooking. You used to love it.
I still do. You're a marvelous cook.
Listen, Sarah, I'm sorry.
You hardly ate a thing tonight.
Well, it's just that...
Er...
- Yes? - Oh...
- nothing. - Go on, say it.
Look, darling, I love steak, but every night?
You used to be such an imaginative cook.
Poor Tom.
When you come back, I'll make something really nice for you.
Let's go to bed.
- Here. - Huh?
Here.
Do it here.
SARAH: You're looking well.
- You look pretty well yourself. - Do I?
Actually, you look extremely well.
Would you say radiant?
Radiant?
What? You're pregnant?!
How long? When? I mean...
- Eight weeks. - Oh, that's fantastic!
Tonight, we celebrate.
Oh, couldn't we just stay in?
- I've cooked you a lovely meal. - All right.
I'll get some pink champagne.
What's for dinner?
First, some mutton broth...
If it's a boy, we'll call him...
- what? - Mark.
I rather like "Mark".
Mark...
I like "Andrew".
- "Mark Andrew"? - Hm. Sounds a bit like "Mark Antony".
Also, "Mark Martin..."
Doesn't sound right.
"Toby - 11
"Toby Martin".
"Toby Martin."
This fish is good.
Why aren't you eating it?
Hmm?
The salmon.
What are you having?
Thin, raw strips of fillet, darling.
It's delicious.
How about "Tibor"?
- That's a strange name. - Fiber'?
Have you never heard it before?
Maybe.
Tibor. Mrs Ardoy's child.
One of the eight, Sarah.
Who is Mrs Ardoy... when she's at home?
What are you doing?
Just getting a few things ready. For when I go to have the baby.
(Quiet laughter) Nothing like being prepared, eh?
Tom.
Yes, my love?
I don't think it's a very good idea for us to... to make love anymore.
Why?
What's wrong?
Just till the baby.
Oh, for God's sake, Sarah.
You're only two months pregnant.
This baby is very important to me, Tom.
Well, to me too, strangely enough.
Good.
That's settled, then.
And it's been like that for weeks now.
Ever since I got back from the States that last time.
Oh, my poor old Torn.
Well, you know, er...
Lucy, the, er... (Laughs)
- the new temp... - No, no, no.
That's not the problem.
Sarah's changed so much, Harry.
She's hardly the same person.
She's gone a bit... odd.
Remote.
She's even got her bag packed, and it's months before her time.
What does the quack say?
Oh, he says she's fit as a fiddle.
"The perfect child-bearing unit" is how he romantically describes her.
But the fetus is growing at one hell of a rate.
Faster than he's ever known.
And the, er... (Clears throat) the, er, the nookie problem...?
Ah, I didn't mention it.
Well, perhaps you should.
Look, Harry, Sarah's a private person.
She doesn't need to if she doesn't want to.
And she doesn't want to?
It all started after that bloody car crash.
You had a, er, recurring nightmare, didn't you? What was that?
(Scoffs quietly) You'd laugh.
Oh, no, I wouldn't. But you've probably forgotten all about it.
I mean, that's the way of dreams, isn't it?
They're as clear as anything in the morning, and then...
tea, two boiled eggs, and bingo - you can't remember a damned thing about it.
Wrong.
I can remember every detail.
Every second of every minute.
Sarah?
(Phone rings)
One six double-O.
HARRY: Tom, old man.
About this South African shipping contract...
Harry, can I ring you back?
Of course. Ls anything wrong?
Well, it's Sarah.
I think she's left.
Where for?
I think I know.
I think I've always known.
HARRY: Tom...
(Sarah groans sharply)
(She gasps)
The time is near.
Yes.
The others will finish this.
(Growling and snarling)
Couldn't have left it much later, could we, dear?
I wasn't sure if...
if I'd dreamt it.
Welcome home, dear.
And now we must hurry.
There's not much light left.
(Sarah gasps)
Contractions nice and regular?
Lovely. Now, you take your clothes off, there's a clever girl.
(Faint howling)
SARAH: You know, it's really peaceful here.
I think part of me kind of expected to be here.
(Gasps)
(Sound of wind rustling leaves)
(Groans sharply)
(Birdsong)
(Twig snaps)
- Fine evening. - Yes.
It'll be dark soon enough.
Rain, too, like as not.
Are you lost, friend?
Well, I'm looking for the entrance to an old track near here.
A track, friend?
Well, actually, I'm looking for a big house.
There's an overgrown track that leads up to it from the road.
No... there’s no tracks for miles either side 'ere.
The woman who lives there is called "Ardoy".
Ardoy...
You know, with hordes of children.
It's a funny set-up, really.
You've passed the spot, friend.
Or, maybe it's further on.
This road stretches for miles before Applegrove.
It is around here.
I know it.
You see, I think my wife's gone there.
There's no tracks.
No house.
Why... you're welcome to walk a ways with me.
Look for yourself.
Right.
I'll do that.
(Sarah gasps sharply)
There, there, clear. Not much longer now.
Is something troubling you, dear?
I'm frightened.
Only few more minutes, it'll be all over.
Do you see anything familiar?
Well, one tree looks very much like another.
Oh-ho, don't you believe that, my friend.
Every tree's known to me.
You know that in nature, no two creations are exactly alike.
You... you must know a few legends about these parts?
Legends? What sort of legends?
Well, witches, that sort of thing.
Witches? (Laughs)
You'll not find witches in this part of the forest.
How about werewolves?
Werewolves?
Legends.
Any legends about werewolves?
No. Nothing like that.
Nothing I've ever heard of.
Why, you won't find werewolf legends this side of Hodmezovasarhely.
Where's that?!
It's a province...
of Hungary.
(Gasps)
Tell me one thing, Woodsman.
Yes?
Just suppose there was a werewolf in these parts?
(Wheezy laughter)
I'd try.
Why should he want to lure young women into the forest?
Mate with them, rear their children,
with a foster-mother like Mrs Ardoy,
of whom, naturally, you have never heard?
Hmm? (Soft howl in distance)
Wolves friend.
They live in packs, wolves do.
And each pack has its leader.
And the leader has many mates.
Many cubs.
Now, a werewolf... not that I would know...
why, surely it would be natural for a werewolf, if such a legendary creature existed,
to have the same instincts.
Wolf-like.
Vulpine.
But Mrs Ardoy, the foster mother; those beautiful children.
Beautiful children when it's light.
But when daylight has finally fled the forest,
it's time for the wolf in them to... scamper among the trees.
- Kill an occasional wild sheep. - Oh, they do like their mutton broth.
But, Tibor.
The flute, that house...
In the day, do not werewolves take on their human form?
Surely any father would want his cubs to have a cheerful foster mother
and a comfortable house? Learn the graces which their human side
needs for their happiness?
Why, if you ask me...
this particular werewolf sounds quite civilized.
(Sarah gasps)
(Dogs panting)
The mothers. Where were the mothers?
I remember you now.
Please, if anything happens to Sarah...
(shrieking)
Arghh!
(Baby cries)
He's going to be a fine, fine fellow.
Just like his dad.
(Children laugh quietly)
(Howls)
(End theme music)