"To the honored memory of Jonathan Brookfield...
...who hath founded Brookfield School...
...to the glory of God and the promotion of piety and learning...
...in the year of our Lord 1492."
- 1492. - The year Columbus discovered America.
Brookfield School. One can almost feel the centuries.
- True. - Gray, old-aged...
...dreaming over a crowded past.
We're in the heart of England, Mr. Jackson.
It's a heart that has a very gentle beat.
[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING ]
There's the special train. In 15 minutes, the heart of England's...
...going to have slight palpitations.
Get out, you beast. It's mine.
BOY: Assembly.
Assembly. Come on, you boys. Assembly.
Hurry up, now. Assembly.
Assembly. Assembly.
- Carrie primus. - Carrie secundus.
- Danvers. - Denville.
Darby.
- Good afternoon, boys. - Good afternoon, sir.
You may sit down.
Well, here we are at the beginning of another school year.
One which I sincerely hope will be a credit to Brookfield.
We require not only to win the matches against Millfield and Sedbury...
...but also, if it's not troubling you too much...
...some fairly decent results in the examinations.
[LAUGHING ]
Now I have a small disappointment for you.
Perhaps you're aware of it already.
For the first time in 58 years...
...Mr. Chipping has been unable to attend first-day assembly.
Chips, and you'll allow me to refer to him as Chips...
...seeing that 37 years ago this autumn...
...he gave me a thrashing for sheer bone laziness.
[LAUGHING ]
Well, Chips has a cold.
And a cold can be quite a serious thing for a young fellow of 83.
So Dr. Merivale has ordered him to stay at home.
It was quite a battle.
But our old friend was finally induced to surrender...
...and he is now sitting, under violent protest, by his own fireside.
Oh, oh.
BOY: Oh, sir. Sorry, sir. - What is this? A scrimmage?
No, sir. I'm looking for assembly.
Oh, are you? So am I. Hang onto my tail. Come on.
Locked out.
Well, I'll be--
Well, we'll have to wait. That's all there is to it.
- So you're a stinker? - A stinker, sir?
A new boy. That is what we call them here. " Stinkers."
- What's your name? - I'm Dorset, sir.
Duke of Dorset? I taught your father. He was always late. Always late.
Look.
Here.
- Ancestor of yours. - Yes, sir.
- Drake! Was he here, sir? - Yes.
- Was he a stinker too, sir? - To be sure, he was.
But he grew out of it, and so will you.
- Are you a master, sir? - I was a master once.
I've taught thousands of boys, right back to 1870...
...but I gave it up. Gave it up 15 years ago.
I say, you must be terribly old, sir.
Well, I'm certainly no chicken.
No chicken.
[CHOIR SINGING ]
- That's the school song. - Oh.
- It's a beautiful song. - Yes, sir.
[SINGING INDISTINCTLY]
- Mr. Chipping, we weren't expecting you. - Good afternoon, Martin.
- Good afternoon, sir! - Rigby, good afternoon.
My governor asked to be remembered. He'll send some grouse.
Thank you, Grayson. I shall appreciate that very much.
- Where did you go for holiday? - I stayed home.
- Glad to see you. - Thank you, Mills.
- The head said you couldn't come out, sir. - Couldn't I?
- How do you do, sir? - Collingwoods.
You look more like your father every day.
- Good afternoon, sir. This is my brother. - Miller? Miller secundus, eh?
- Yes, sir. - Hm.
Do they starve you at home, Miller?
[LAUGHING ]
- Hello, sir. - Hello, Morgan.
Still growing out of your trousers? Your grandfather's trousers were short.
Runs in the family. Morgans are always three inches ahead of their trousers.
MAN: Chipping.
Why, Chipping.
Sorry I'm late. Interference. Interference. The first time for 58 years.
- I told you to stay indoors. - A lot of namby-pamby nonsense.
I'm as sound as a bell, no thanks to you. Ridiculous old man. He's in his dotage.
- Mr. Jackson, this is Mr. Chipping. - I thought so.
- Mr. Jackson, our new history master. - Oh.
Now you can say you've shaken hands with Chips of Brookfield School.
You mustn't let the honor turn your head.
Well, here we are.
- Won't you come in? - Sorry. I must be getting along, sir.
I've got to unpack. Lower school prep at 6:00.
Oh, of course. That's always the new master's fate.
- It's a bit of an ordeal, isn't it, sir? - Well, I found it so when I started in 1870.
You found difficulty with the boys?
- But seeing you just now...? - It took time.
Too much time.
You seem to have found the secret in the end.
Hm? What? The secret? Oh, yes, in the end...
...but I didn't find it myself, Mr. Jackson.
It was given to me by someone else.
Someone else.
Mr. Jackson, when you go into class tonight...
...to take evening school for the first time...
...remember you're not the first master who stood there and felt afraid.
- Good night. - Thank you, sir. Good night.
[BOYS SHOUTING ]
Oh, do come in, sir. Standing out there in the cold.
- All right, all right. - There's quite a wind.
- Mrs. Wickett, I can do that myself. - Really, sir, not so much as a scarf.
You don't seem to show good sense. Wait till the doctor hears about it.
He has heard about it from me. I gave him a piece of my mind.
You sit down by the fire. What you want is a nice cup of hot tea.
I'll wait a bit. Some of the boys might drop in.
Well, I have to pop out for a minute. Everything's ready for your tea.
- And a cake? - Yes, there's a cake.
I wonder how many of them those boys have eaten since you first came here.
Letting them gorge you out of house and home.
Last term, 26 iced cakes, 200 rock cakes, 156 Bath buns--
Enough of your loathsome statistics, woman.
Go about your business. Go.
They ought to feed the boys better.
Remember how you used to starve them when you were undermatron?
All that was a very long time ago. Things is different now.
A long time ago.
Yes.
A long time.
Things are different now.
MAN 1: Chips of Brookfield.
MAN 2: Discipline, Mr. Chipping. Discipline.
[BOYS CALLING ROLL]
- Harper. - Hazlitt.
- Hatfield. - Hatherly.
- Hawtrey. - Hesley.
- Henson. - Hetherington.
MAN 3: Special. Special edition.
French defeated at Sedan.
Ticket.
Brookfield Special. First train.
MAN: You're in this carriage, Gregory. In you get, boys.
Excuse me. In you get, boys. Come along. In you get.
- Are you Mr. Bingham? - Yes.
- I'm Chipping, the new master. - Yes.
- Can I be of any assistance? - Not now, I've finished.
Martin! But where's Martin?
- Martin. Martin? - Martin!
BOYS: Martin! Martin! Martin! Martin!
MAN: Here he is.
I'm sorry, the horse in our cab fell down.
Gerald's chest protector. He's had whooping cough.
There are two of them. One on and one in the wash.
All right, I'll see to it. In here, Martin. Better get in, Mr. Chipping.
CONDUCTOR: Take your seats.
Thank you, boys.
Oh, thank you.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Whoa!
Sorry, sir.
- Where did you spend your holidays? - Margate.
The ladies bathe in the sea. The men have to keep off the beach...
...every morning while the ladies go in.
We used to watch off the top of the cliffs with a telescope.
There's a battle in France. The emperor surrendered.
The emperor's a funk. I bet the Prussians win.
- I'll bet a tizzy the French win. - I'll bet the Prussians march to Paris.
- Papa goes to Paris. - So does my uncle.
He says Paris is a gay old spot.
- The French eat frogs. - Frogs.
- Say, there's a balloon. - Where?
- There she goes. - Shove over.
- I wish I were up there. - Stop shoving.
- There are two people in it. - I bet I could go higher than they are.
- You'd funk it. - I wouldn't.
- I wonder where he's going. - So does he.
[LAUGHING ]
Cheer up.
[CRYING ]
I'm new too. It's not easy to begin with.
- What'd he do, slap him? - Kicked him, most likely.
Here we are. Mind your head.
I used to have this room.
You'll find the draft from this window will give you a stiff neck.
What are you looking at? Is something going on?
It's just as I imagined it. It means everything to me, to come to Brookfield.
I suppose you felt the same way. I'll get on. I know I will.
Headmaster at Brookfield. That's something worth working for.
- Ever done any teaching before? - Hm?
Ever done any teaching?
Oh, no, no.
[KNOCKING ]
- Come in. - Your bag, Mr. Chipping.
- And the headmaster will see you now, sir. - Oh, thanks. Thanks.
My gown. I mustn't keep him waiting, must I?
A bit of a terror, isn't he?
- Look out, the old boy. - Wetherby?
Trotting out the new man.
- This is your new colleague, Mr. Chipping. - How do you do?
I want you to show Mr. Chipping the ropes.
He is taking lower school for preparation.
Good evening, Chipping. Anytime you need to see me. Good evening.
- Good evening, sir. - Lower school prep, eh?
- It's always the new master first day. - You mustn't let them rag you.
- Take a look for drawing pins in your chair. - Or rattraps in your desk.
- Thanks. I shall manage. - You athletically inclined, Mr. Chipping?
Not that they ever become violent. I mean, they don't carry weapons.
You mustn't take any notice of these fellows.
The boys are a bit restless the first day.
New masters are an exciting blood sport with them, but--
[BELL RINGING ]
- The bell. - You'll have to hurry.
- Good luck, Mr. Chipping. - We'll keep our fingers crossed.
- Thank you very much. - Mr. Chipping?
The headmaster has your home address, naturally. Just in case.
[LAUGHING ]
BOY 1: Have you seen him? What's he like?
BOY 2: New masters are always smelly.
- He's coming! - Sit down.
Your cap, sir!
- Let me get it for you, sir! - No, sir, let me!
- No, sir, I'll pick it up! - No, sir, I will!
- That will do, thank you! - We're glad to help.
Do you hear what I say? Go to your places.
I have it, sir. I have it.
- It's a bit battered, sir. - Do you lose your cap often?
- That's a silly question. - Give that to me!
It's awfully dusty, sir. I'll see to it for you, sir. It won't take a second, sir.
Give that to me.
- What's your name? - Colley, sir.
Colley, back to your place. Back to your places, all of you.
Yes, sir.
You will employ the hour in writing an essay...
...on the book you were given to read during the holidays.
I understand this was Kingsley's Westward Ho!
If you're in difficulty, I'll answer questions.
Thank you, sir.
- Sir? CHIPPING: What is it?
- Is a pencil all right? - Of course not, idiot!
- Who's an idiot? - Silence. I'll have no more of it.
- No more silence, sir? - Sir?
- Who was Queen Elizabeth's husband, sir? - She didn't have a husband.
- Surely you know what she was called? - No, sir. What, sir?
Well, she was called the vir-- Well, she was called the--
- Never mind. - Oh, sir. Please, sir.
- Please, tell us, sir. - Get on with your work.
- Sir, who was Cadiz? - Who was Cadiz? Who was Cadiz.
- Cadiz is a town in Spain. - Of course, you ass.
- Isn't he an ass? - Don't listen to him.
- May I kick him, sir? - Quiet, please. Quiet.
- I think we'll get on with our work. - Yes, sir.
- Well, is a pencil all right, sir? - I don't care what you use...
...only please get on with your work.
- Yes, sir. - At once, sir.
- Sir, how do you spell " armada"? - Can anyone enlighten this boy?
- Yes, sir. A-M-A-R-D-A. - No, no, no.
- A-M-A-D-A! - A-R-M-D-A!
No, it's A-M-A-R-D-A!
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
- Silence! Do you hear me? - Silence! Silence! Didn't you hear me?
The teacher said, " Silence!" Shut up, you lunatic!
Boys, do you hear me? Sit down! Be quiet! Sit down, boys!
- Who did that, sir? I'll kill him for you, sir. - Colley!
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
What is this?
What is happening?
Mr. Chipping?!
I'm-- I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid I--
WETHERBY: It is just 18 years ago this term...
...since I had occasion to cane the entire lower school.
The young gentlemen of that day came honestly by their punishment.
I think I can say the same for you.
You will present yourselves at my study tomorrow...
...in alphabetical order at intervals of three minutes starting at 3:00.
I believe I can promise you that I have lost none of my vigor.
- I think you better see me after prayers. - Yes, sir.
Our profession is not an easy one, Mr. Chipping.
It calls for something more than a university degree.
Our business is to mold men. It demands character and courage.
Above all, it demands the ability to exercise authority.
Without that, I think any young man should ask himself seriously...
...if he has not perhaps mistaken his vocation.
- No, sir-- - When a man is young, Mr. Chipping...
...there are many walks of life open to him.
I hope you don't mean I should resign. I should be very reluctant to do that, sir.
It means everything to me to come to Brookfield. I'll get on.
- Please give me the chance to prove it, sir. - I am willing to forget the incident...
...but will those boys forget it? You're going to have to face them again.
That'll take courage. Moral courage.
- However, if you care to make the trial-- - Thank you, sir.
- I shall watch your progress with interest. - Thank you, sir. I'm deeply grateful to you.
Hello, Chipping. I hear the boys gave you a rough time.
They will not do it again, Mr. Bingham, I assure you.
Before we leave I want to wish our cricket 11...
...the best of luck against Sedbury this afternoon.
This year, Sedbury claims to be sending us the finest team...
...that ever came out of a very fine school.
Well, we shall give them a hearty welcome.
We shall give them a big tea, but I venture to predict...
...we shall not give them the cup.
The boys are unusually quiet.
What does it mean?
Something has occurred. What is it?
Well, sir, it's really no business of mine, but--
- I think, sir, perhaps I can explain. WETHERBY: You, Mr. Chipping?
Yes, sir. I'm keeping my class in this afternoon.
- That means Maynard, our best player-- - Please, Mr. Shane.
Sir, I'd entirely forgotten about the cricket match.
- Forgotten? - Yes.
My attention was drawn to the fact by my class in such an insolent manner...
...I thought it inadvisable to go back on my decision.
WETHERBY: You observe the effect on the school?
I do indeed, sir. It's most regrettable.
[CHEERING ]
[CROWD CHEERS]
[CROWD GROANS]
BOY: Go on! Run it out! Run! Run! - No, no, get back, you ass!
- Get back! - Get back! Get back!
REFEREE: Out!
We've lost.
- Bad luck, Maynard. CHIPPING: Colley.
All right, sir. Sedbury's beaten us. We've lost the cup.
Not just us, it's the whole school.
You don't care how the fellows feel. You don't want to be liked!
Perhaps you don't mind being hated!
Boys...
...I'd like to say that my judgment, in the first place, was hasty and ill-advised.
And no one regrets more than Dr. Wetherby...
...that my authority had to be upheld.
If I've lost your friendship, there's little left that I value.
You may go.
- Latton. - Lemare.
- Ligbottom. - Miller.
Mitchell.
[CHEERING ]
- Wagstaff. - Wallington.
- Walters primus. - Walters secundus.
[CHOIR SINGING ]
Almighty Father, thou who has watched over us and protected us here at work...
...grant that the holidays ahead may be to us a source of rest and refreshment.
And that we may employ the happy time of leisure with grace and wisdom...
...to the greater glory of thy son, our Lord.
- Amen. - Amen.
Sorry, sir.
And where are you going to spend the holidays?
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
- Have a good holiday, Matthews. - Thanks awfully, sir.
- Where are you going? - Folkestone, sir.
- Oh. - Hey, Johnson, wait for me.
Mr. Chipping.
You remember me? Hargreaves.
Of course, I remember you, but you've grown, you know.
Do you remember the day we met in the train?
Oh, I remember, yes.
You told me to cheer up, and I nearly drowned you in tears.
It was my first term as well. If you hadn't started first...
...I should have done the crying myself.
I heard that you were leaving here a few years ago.
Yes, I was going to leave. I was going to be a classics master at Harrow...
...but it just didn't happen though.
Perhaps I shouldn't mention it, but I rather expect to be housemaster next term.
- Woodward is leaving. - That's splendid. Congratulations.
- Thank you. - I suppose I'm keeping you...
...from your packing. Goodbye, Mr. Chipping.
Goodbye, Hargreaves.
Glad to have seen you.
Well, here we are. Now, who will have a piece?
- Raven. - Thanks, Staefel.
- Ogilvie? - Cake. Where'd you get that, schnitzel?
- It was a present from my German class. - Good.
I can't understand these English boys.
The whole term, they behaved to me like 50 devils.
Then today, they make me a speech, they give me a cake...
...and I burst out of tears.
- Into tears, Staefel. In English the-- - Shut up, Ogilvie. The term's over.
- Chipping, cake? - That's very nice of you. Thank you.
- Mind if I borrow this? - Go ahead.
"H.G. Wells." Never heard of him.
His first. He won't come to much. He's too fantastic.
- Where do you go for your holidays? - Harrogate. He always does.
Hello, Jenks. Cut yourself a piece of cake.
You will have your little jokes.
Headmaster's compliments, sir. He'd like to see you in his study, immediate.
I'll bet that's about taking over Woodward's house.
- Congratulations, Chipping. - Thank you very much.
- You certainly deserve it after all this time. - It's quite a surprise, if it's true.
Though, mind you, I had rather hoped.
- But I better get along. - Well, good luck.
Good luck, Chipping.
STAEFEL: See, Chipping.
I knock on wood for you.
Thanks. Thanks.
I expect you've guessed why I wanted to see you, Mr. Chipping.
- Well... - Sit down.
Thank you.
Mr. Woodward's retirement leaves a housemastership vacant.
- Yes, sir. - You are the senior master.
Normally the vacancy would go to you.
That is why I feel that, in fairness to you, I should tell you personally...
...why the governors and I have decided to appoint Mr. Wilkinson.
We felt that with your unusual gifts of getting work out of the boys...
...that you'd rather concentrate on teaching...
...and leave the rather tiresome job of housemaster to someone...
- ...with special gifts in that direction. - I understand, sir.
Though I doubt if Mr. Wilkinson will ever turn out...
...as many minor Latin poets as you have.
I quite understand, sir.
Yes. I thought you would.
- Just off for the holidays, Mr. Chipping? - Yes, yes. To Harrogate.
Oh, you are. Well, have a pleasant time.
- Thank you. - Goodbye, Mr. Chipping.
Goodbye.
[BOYS SHOUTING ]
[BELL RINGS]
[KNOCKING ]
[KNOCKING CONTINUES]
STAEFEL: May I come in? - Oh, yes. Do.
It's got dark, hasn't it?
Chipping, I hear...
- Is it true that Wilkinson--? - Yes, it's true.
- I'm sorry. - Thank you, Staefel.
I won't say I'm not disappointed because I am.
There it is.
- Forgive my bursting in. - Yes, of course.
The fact is, I wanted to make a suggestion.
I planned a walking tour to my own country...
...through Tyrol, to Salzkammergut, to Vienna.
Do come with me.
Me, go abroad?
You'll like it, I'm sure. You like to climb, you say. The country is beautiful.
It's very good of you, but it's out of the question.
But why? Tell me that.
Well, for one thing, I've booked my rooms at Harrogate.
Harrogate! Must you always go to Harrogate?
Well, I daresay, I am in need of a change, but--
- But you don't care for my company. - Oh, no, Staefel. I should be very glad.
As a matter of fact, I often feel lonely.
- There is no more to be said. It is settled. - But, Staefel--
I'll arrange everything! We meet the train tonight. Pack yourself, Chipping!
Staefel, listen!
MAN: Bye, schnitzel. Have a good time. STAEFEL: Thank you. I shall.
- And Chipping is coming with me too. MAN: What, old Chipping going abroad?
STAEFEL: To Tyrol, he shall climb!
MAN: Well, don't break your necks!
MAN: Such a heavy mist.
It is strange.
So early in the year.
Does he know anything of climbing, the English gentleman?
He hasn't climbed for years.
Is it safe, do you think?
If he stops still he will be well enough.
But if he's foolish enough to start climbing down...
...there are bad places.
This is a nice business.
I could be here all night.
[WOMAN CALLING IN THE DISTANCE]
Hello!
Good heavens!
A woman.
Hello!
Are you in danger?
Well, upon my word.
Hello!
WOMAN: Hello.
I can't see you.
Here I am.
Hello there. I thought I heard a voice.
- Are you all right? - Yes, quite. Thanks.
- The mist's a nuisance, isn't it? - You're not in danger?
No.
Do you mind?
- No, of course not, but-- - You shouldn't move about. It's foolish.
Foolish? But I heard you call. I thought you needed help.
- Don't say you climbed up to rescue me! - As a matter of fact, I did.
Really, I should be very angry. Supposing you'd fallen.
- I must say-- - I never head of such utter stupidity!
- Where were you? - On the Gamsteig.
You climbed in that mist to rescue me...
...when I'm a better climber than you are.
- Well, what were you screaming about? - I wasn't. I just let out a shout at random.
So that was why.
When I think that road might have been paved with your good intentions.
Really, it was idiotic of you.
- And rather wonderful. - Not at all.
Well, anyway, I'm glad you came. It was going to be very lonely.
Won't you sit down?
This is quite comfortable, as rocks go.
Thank you.
My name is Chipping.
Mine's Ellis. Katherine Ellis.
Won't you have a sandwich? I've got loads here.
This one is...
- ...ham. - Thank you.
I ate mine early. I am rather hungry.
I'm sorry I wasn't in any danger.
It was rather inconsiderate of you.
What are you doing alone on the mountain?
Isn't it unusual for a young lady?
I'm not usually alone. I have a friend at the inn.
- Oh, so have I. We're on a walking tour. - Really? We're bicycling.
- Bicycling? Through Austria? - Mm-hm.
Good heavens, I didn't know ladies rode those awful things.
I'm afraid so.
With one leg on each side of the saddle?
Well, you don't imagine I ride sidesaddle, do you?
What happens to your...
...dress?
Oh, they breed female bicycles now, didn't you know?
Ladies riding bicycles.
I don't approve of this rushing around on wheels.
The other day a man passed me at 15 miles an hour!
You know, humans were never intended to go that speed.
I suppose you think I'm old-fashioned.
I like men to be old-fashioned.
- Have another? - You're sure?
Thank you.
We reserve these for emergencies.
It's chilly, isn't it?
Oh, I say, I should have thought of it. I'm so sorry. Here.
- Do have this. I'm rather warm. - I wouldn't think of it. Put it on.
You must have it. Really. I insist. Please.
Why don't we share it? It's big enough for both of us.
- No. Someone might see you. - On this mountain? What if they did?
- But I don't need it. Really, I don't. - I insist. Look, like this.
Take hold of it. There.
Don't worry. We'll find our friends.
If a search party's going, I insist on coming.
- But I-- - That's final.
A penny for your thoughts.
Oh, as a matter of fact, I was thinking of you.
Kindly, I hope.
I see very little of ladies at Brookfield. I was rather realizing what I missed.
If I may say so, I think the ladies have missed a great deal too.
It's very kind of you, but I'm not a ladies' man.
- Afraid of them? - Terrified.
- Not of me, I hope. - No, not up here in the clouds.
Perhaps the altitude's gone to my head, but at the inn--
Because I'm a strong-minded female who rides a bicycle?
Oh, no. No, on the contrary.
- Because-- - Because?
Well, because you're so very nice-looking, I think, and charming.
So are you, Mr. Chipping, frankly.
Good heavens, no one has ever called me that!
What extraordinary ideas come into one's head up here.
- It's the altitude. - Do you experience a sort of exhilaration?
- Definitely. - As though we owned the mountain?
- To put it mildly. - We're pretty superior persons.
We're gods!
Up here there's no time...
...no growing old...
- ...nothing lost. - We're young.
- We believe in ourselves. - We have faith in the future.
It must be the altitude.
Do you suppose a person in middle-age could start life over again...
...and make a go of it?
I'm sure of it.
Quite sure.
It must be tremendously interesting to be a schoolmaster.
I thought so once.
To watch boys grow up and help them along...
...see their characters develop and what they become...
...when they leave school and the world gets hold of them.
I don't see how you could ever get old...
...in a world that's always young.
I never really thought of it that way.
When you talk about it, you make it sound exciting and heroic.
It is.
And the schoolmaster?
Is he exciting and heroic too?
I've met only one...
...a reckless person...
...who climbed the Glockner in a mist to...
Oh, look!
The mist is lifting.
We can go down now.
Yes.
I'm almost sorry.
It was an adventure, wasn't it?
It was.
Well, back to reality!
I see them! They're together, look!
You are right!
Hello!
CHIPPING: Hello! KATHERINE: Hello!
It is Kathy!
Oh, thank heaven! Come on!
And to the special health of the hero of the mist.
Der hochwohlgeborene Herr Von Chipping.
Herr Von Chipping!
Servus!
But I did nothing. Nothing at all.
Modest fellow. The minute I let him out of my sight, he becomes a hero!
Oh, nonsense. This is absurd. I merely--
You were wonderful, I'm going to kiss you.
My dear young lady, really, I'm at a loss.
Miss Ellis, good night. I hope you'll be none the worse.
- Good night, why? - Yes, I'm rather tired.
- I think I'll go to bed. - To bed?
[SPEAKING GERMAN]
No, no, no, no. I have food for you. A goulash, strudel.
Perhaps you can send it up to my room.
- Good night, you wonderful man. - Good night.
Thank you again, you were very kind.
Not at all.
- Good night. - Good night.
- Good night, everybody. - Good night!
Good night.
MAN: Let us have a song. Something gay for the Fraulein.
KATHERINE: Thank you. That's sweet of you.
[MEN SINGING IN GERMAN]
[MEN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING ]
WOMAN: Katherine, what are you doing?
Looking at my mountain in the moonlight.
I should've thought you'd seen enough of it.
It's going to be a rather thrilling memory back in Bloomsbury.
It's a pity your knight errant was such an old stick-in-the-mud.
- Flora! - He might have been young...
...and splendid-looking. Then you would've known you'd met your fate.
He isn't at all old, darling. And I think he's quite charming.
- Kathy! - I mean it.
He's just shy, Flora.
And a little difficult to know, perhaps.
I'm sorry for shy people.
They must be...
...awfully lonely sometimes.
Chipping, you should have stayed. It was quite a party.
- I'm not much good at that sort of thing. - A pity.
They wanted so much to give you an evening.
They did?
I didn't understand. I hope I wasn't rude.
Oh, no. They understood.
Miss Kathy asked me to say goodbye and to thank you again.
- Goodbye? - Yes. They're going away...
...early in the morning. On their bicycles.
Well, I'm sleepy. Are you coming?
Yes.
[WHISTLING ]
You are so silent. What are you thinking?
That was a very intelligent young woman, Staefel.
She was a very pretty one, Chipping.
I wonder if we might run into them again on our travels.
Well, we must look out for two bright new bicycles.
MAN: English ladies, quite English.
CHIPPING: It is them. STAEFEL: Mm-hm.
They're acquaintances of mine. Will you give them my card, please?
- Tell them I'd like to have a word. - Certainly, mein Herr.
[SPEAKS GERMAN]
Hardly dressed for ladies, are we?
- Shall we not ask them to lunch with us? - I don't see any objection.
The ladies are here.
Is this the person?
- Well, you stated that you knew me. - Madam, the fact is--
- You told the porter we were acquainted? - No, not exactly.
Not exactly!
Did he or did he not?
[SPEAKS GERMAN]
- What is your purpose in accosting us? - Madam, I had hoped--
You had hoped?
Well, this isn't the first time we've been subjected to unwelcome attentions.
But I warn you, young man!
If I so much as set eyes on you again...
...I shall place myself and my friend under the protection of the British Consul!
[WHISTLING ]
Why do they call it the Blue Danube? It looks brown to me.
There's a legend, you know.
Yes. The Danube is only blue to the eyes of...
- ...well, to people in love, you know. - How so.
You surprise me.
- Vienna's a pretty big city, isn't it? - Pretty big.
- Lots of tourists go there, I suppose. - Droves of them.
Chipping?
The Danube doesn't by any chance look blue to you, does it?
What do you mean? Nonsense!
You do talk the most infernal rot sometimes, really.
KATHERINE: Only two weeks more.
It seems such a little while.
- Let's not think about the end till it comes. - It has been fun.
And now Vienna.
Don't you hope it's gay and romantic?
Well, they say it is.
But then they said the Danube was blue.
But, Flora, dear. It is blue.
Thank you.
Miss Ellis, well!
And Miss-- Oh, well of all the...
- Well, how do you do? - Why, Mr. Chipping.
And, miss, how are you? I'd just about given you up.
- I hoped I'd run into you. - And now we have.
- Extraordinary. - We always meet in a mist.
We do, don't we?
[MAN SPEAKING GERMAN]
Oh, yes, of course. I'm so sorry. We'd better move on.
Staefel, I say. Staefel!
I found Miss Ellis. And on the boat all the time.
Well, what a surprise.
[MAN SPEAKS GERMAN]
Oh, yes, of course. Come.
[ORCHESTRA PLAYS WALTZ]
Just think, it was in this ballroom...
...that Prince Metternich drew up the treaty of the five kingdoms...
...nearly 100 years ago.
Doesn't that interest you?
I must confess, the historical significance of the ballroom doesn't impress me at all.
Whenever in days to come I think of this place, and I shall think of it...
...I shall say that's the place where I dined with...
...well, with you.
Thank you, Mr. Chipping.
Tell me, are those two...?
- Do you think they're...? - In love?
No.
Well, I wouldn't know.
Have you never been in love, Mr. Chipping?
No. Oh, yes. Yes, I was once.
Oh, I thought so.
Rather a long time ago.
I was 14 at the time.
She was the greengrocer's daughter.
And Papa and Mama intervened, I suppose.
Yes. So did the greengrocer.
Pity this all has to end tomorrow.
For us, but not for you.
You have three weeks more.
Oh, yes, yes. That's true, but...
It's been wonderful.
For me too.
What will stand out in your memory?
Oh, I don't know.
Schonbrunn and the emperor driving by, the whipped cream...
...the music.
What will you remember?
I really can't say.
Shall I tell you?
- Can you? - The waltz you danced in Vienna.
- Waltz I danced-- What? When? - Tonight. Now.
Oh, but I couldn't possibly. I don't dance.
Good heavens, I haven't danced since college.
Are you turning me down?
In front of these people? No, really. It's out of the question.
Well, of course, if you'd really rather not.
It would have been fun just once before going home.
Miss Kathy...
...may I have the pleasure of this dance?
I shall be happy, Mr. Chipping.
[SPEAKS GERMAN]
Did I drink too much wine?
- Liking it? - Loving it.
- As much as you'd hoped? - And more. You're doing splendidly.
Now reverse.
- Reverse? - Round the other way.
Evening dress is very becoming to you, Mr. Chipping.
- You approve? - Heartily.
Wonderful, isn't it?
Reverse.
Miss Kathy, a penny for those solemn thoughts.
I was thinking of tomorrows and railway stations...
...and goodbyes.
- I hope you'll have a comfortable journey. - I hope so too.
What time do you get to London?
- Oh, I asked you that before, didn't I? - Yes.
- Isn't saying goodbye awful? - Yes. It's awful.
Know what I mean? It's so--
Oh, it is. Very, very. Oh.
- Rather a crowded train, isn't it? - You said that before too.
Did I? It's saying goodbye, you know.
I know. It's awful.
- Miss Kathy? - Yes?
I wanted to say something to you.
[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, CONDUCTOR SHOUTS IN GERMAN]
- Dear, it's time. FLORA: Come along.
- Goodbye, Mr. Chipping. - Goodbye.
Can't you remember?
I wanted to say that you made this the most wonderful holiday of my life.
FLORA: Kathy! STAEFEL: Miss Kathy?
You must go.
- Goodbye, Miss Kathy. - Goodbye, Mr. Chips.
Miss Kathy!
Kathy! Kathy!
- You kissed me! - I know. It was dreadful of me.
No. But do you--? Are we--? Oh, this is awful.
Look here, you'll have to marry me now, you know.
- Do you want to? - Do I want to? Do you?
- Dreadfully! - Oh.
- Goodbye, my dear. - Kathy! You can't go now, my dearest!
Goodbye, my dearest.
Bye!
She's gone.
I don't know where she's gone.
- I may never see her again. - I shouldn't worry, Chipping.
Miss Flora has selected the church already, and I'm to be best man.
My good fellow, do you imagine that we were both blind and deaf?
We are going to open a bottle of champagne...
...at the first cafe that we come to.
MAN: " Married at St. James' Church, Bloomsbury...
...Katherine Mary, only daughter of the late Henry Forbes Ellis...
...to Charles Edward Chipping of Brookfield School."
- Brookfield School? - It's not possible.
- Chipping? It can't be! - See for yourself.
Fantastic!
Hey, Staefel, you sly old dog, did you know about this?
- Of course I know. - I suppose she's elderly.
- I would hardly call her that. - Plain as a post, I suppose.
My dear fellows, please, she's Chipping's choice.
- Is it as bad as that? - No. Do I give a wrong impression?
She's a good creature.
Her nose is perhaps a little red.
- Good Gad! Does she drink? - No. It is only indigestion.
- Well, I'm off. - No, please.
I told Chipping to bring her to meet you this afternoon.
You must be kind to her, for Chipping's sake.
- He's bringing her here? - He might have kept her to himself!
Women aren't allowed in this room.
Shh. I hear them.
I must say, this is a nice start to a term.
- Hello. - Congratulations!
- Thank you.
My wife would like to meet you. May I bring her in for a moment? Kathy.
These are my colleagues.
Mr. McCulloch, Mr. Ogilvie, Mr. Baucovy, Mr. Raven...
...Mr. Porter-Watson, Mr. Hildersley, Mr. Murdoch.
It's so nice to meet you all, and a little terrifying.
- Won't you sit down? - Yes, yes. Do, do.
I oughtn't to break in to a private room.
- No, no. Not really. - It isn't private.
- Certainly not. - Chips told me it was terribly private.
Chips?
My dear, I told you not to. It's just a nickname she's given me.
Chips! Why didn't we think of that?
You will stay and have some tea with us, Mrs. Chips?
- Well, thank you. I don't believe-- - Really, you must. I insist.
- Well, then I'd better pour it out. - I'll get some more cups.
- May I? - Thank you.
Thank you.
- McCulloch doesn't drink tea. - Nonsense! Of course I do. Frequently.
- See her? - Is she old?
Shut up!
- Can't see if you keep shoving me. - Who's shoving?
- What's all this, you kids? - Mrs. Chipping's in there.
What's she like?
She's not much older than some of us, and she calls him " Chips."
Made him buy a new suit and trim his mustache.
Poor old Chipping, it'll kill him.
Quick, they're coming!
KATHERINE: Goodbye.
CHIPPING: Thank you so much.
- Hello, sir. - Good evening.
- Are these some of your boys, dear? - Yes.
Hello, Matthews, Winthrop--
- Colley, sir. - Colley. There's always a Colley here.
Brown and the rest of you, this is Mrs. Chipping.
BOYS: How do you do, Mrs. Chipping?
I hope we'll meet again soon. In fact, I know we are.
Mr. Chipping wants to give a tea party every Sunday.
What?
It would be nice if you boys start the ball rolling next Sunday.
- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
- You said 4:00, didn't you, dear? - Oh, yes, of course.
4:00 then. We shall look forward to it. Good night.
- Good night, Mrs. Chipping. - Goodbye, Mrs. Chipping.
- Not bad, eh? - She's pretty.
Pretty? She's wonderful.
[BOYS LAUGHING ]
KATHERINE: Now, Bullock, you can't find room for just one more muffin?
No, thank you. Really, Mrs. Chipping.
Last muffin means a handsome wife and 10,000 a year.
I should risk it for the sake of the future Mrs. Bullock.
- Mrs. Bullock! - Mrs. Bullock!
- Why, Martin, you hardly ate anything. - I'm in training.
He's one of our best footballers. He'll get his colors next term.
- Really? - Oh, yes.
- Do you think we'll beat Sedbury? - We ought to.
- The Sedbugs are funks anyway. - What, Mitchell?
Sedbugs. That's our name for them.
Oh, I see. What do they call you, the Brookfleas?
If you do win, Mr. Chipping and I must give you a feast of victory.
You'll wear vine leaves and eat muffins lying on couches...
...like the ancient Romans.
[BELL RINGING ]
I'm sorry to interrupt your classical lesson, but there's the bell...
...and these ancient Romans will be late for chapel.
I haven't enjoyed a party so much for ages. Come again soon.
- Oh, thank you. - Thank you.
Now, don't be late for chapel, or you'll get us into trouble.
- No, we won't. - Thank you very much. Goodbye, sir.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
- Goodbye, sir. - Goodbye.
- What a nice lot they are. - They certainly are when you know them.
Though what authority I shall have in class after these orgies--
Ten times more because now they look on you as a friend.
What a revolutionary you are.
Try one of those jokes you've kept hidden away, see what happens.
No. There's a limit, even to revolutions.
[SPEAKS LATIN]
A woman...
[SPEAKS LATIN]
...of the plebeian class.
Can anyone tell me what is the Lex canuleia?
It was the law that allowed patricians to marry plebeians.
As a matter of fact, it was a very handy law...
...because if Mr. Patrician told Miss Plebs he was very sorry he couldn't marry her...
...after they'd made the Lex canuleia...
...she probably replied, "Oh, yes, you can, you liar."
[LAUGHING ]
Canuleia!
That's enough. That's enough. That's enough. Thank you.
Bullock!
It's very kind of you to show such violent appreciation of my joke...
...but we mustn't return you to your parents with a broken blood vessel.
"Mr. Pickwick was sufficiently fired with Mr. Pott's enthusiasm...
...to apply his whole time and attention to the proceedings--"
[BELL RINGING ]
Lights out.
- Are you taking dormitory inspection? - Yes, shan't be long.
- Chips! - Yes?
Cough a little before you come to number 11.
Now, Kathy, why?
Jones Minor got a box from home today. Did you ever have a dormitory feast?
Well, I do remember once, but that's beside the point.
Is it?
I think you're trying to pull Brookfield down stone by stone.
Hm. Thought I heard a noise.
Must have been the cat.
[CHOIR SINGING ]
- Merry Christmas, sir. - Thank you.
- Bullock, go easy on the mince pies. - Merry Christmas.
- Say goodbye to Mrs. Chipping for me. - Yes.
- I'm bringing Mrs. Chipping silkworms. - How very nice. Thank you.
- Mater hopes you'll see us, sir. - I will.
My uncle's taking us to the Drury Lane pantomime.
Then you'll see Dan Leno. I believe he's even funnier than I am.
Beg your pardon, sir. The headmaster says, would you see him in his room?
- At once? - Yes, sir.
Yes, of course. Well, goodbye. I must go.
- Goodbye, sir. - Merry Christmas.
What do you suppose the head wants with me?
There. How do you think it looks, Nellie?
Oh, it's ever so beautiful, ma'am.
CHIPPING: Kathy! Where are you? - I'm here, dear.
Kathy, such news! They're making me housemaster.
Longhurst's leaving, the head's offering me his house.
Darling!
Oh, darling. I'm so happy.
Not that it's any more than you deserve.
Longhurst, it's a lovely old house. It's 18th century, isn't it?
Yes, I believe so.
There's a most imposing library for you and a greenhouse with a grapevine.
We ought to have lighter paint in the hall. It's a little gloomy.
Now, now.
The bedrooms are lovely.
There's a little room I always thought would be perfect for the nursery.
- You always thought? - But of course, dear.
I was sure you'd be housemaster one day...
...just as I'm sure that one day you'll be head.
I've been trying to make up my mind which of the houses I like best.
- The presumption of the woman! - Imagine.
Longhurst will have to be called Chipping's now.
Chipping's? Oh, of course. Yes. Well, well.
Oh, I'm so proud.
- I do believe you really meant it too. - Meant what?
I might be headmaster one of these days.
My darling, you're a very sweet person and a very human person...
...and a very modest person.
You have all sorts of unexpected gifts and qualities.
So unexpected that you keep surprising even me with them.
Never be afraid that you can't do anything you've made up your mind to.
As long as you believe in yourself...
...you can go as far as you dream.
Certainly you'll be headmaster, if you want to.
Don't move. I've brought something for a celebration.
Max, what a lovely surprise.
It isn't every day our friend becomes a housemaster.
We haven't drank wine together since that evening in Vienna, remember?
The beautiful Blue Danube.
The Danube would certainly be blue for both of you tonight.
To Herr Von Chipping of Chipping's House...
...and to Frau Von Chipping, the most sweet lady in the world.
And to you, dear Max, we shall never forget you.
What was it we said in the cafe that night my hero rescued me?
Servus?
- Servus, Max. - Servus.
- Now you shall make a toast, Miss Kathy. - What shall I say?
I know.
Max, Chips, to the future.
- To the future. - To the future.
Yes, sir. Is it true that lady spiders eat their husbands?
- With certain species, yes. - Be careful not to marry a spider, Colley.
Well, thank you, sir. We mustn't keep you, sir.
It was jolly decent of you to explain it.
Can't think what boys are coming to.
April the 1 st, and they stand around and ask silly questions about spiders.
When I was their age, a master's life used to be a purgatory on April Fools' Day.
Well, times are changing. I must be off. See you at lunch.
- Is it over? - No.
No. I'm afraid it's going to be a bad time.
I must go back at once. I came down to tell you...
...that we're doing everything we can. I'll come back again directly as possible.
It's best for you to stay here, old man. Please.
- What's all this? - Bring the postmark across this letter.
It's an April fool for Chips.
He'll think they're really letters, only they're nothing but blank paper.
- I don't see much in that. - That's the point. There isn't.
Chips will see the joke. He's good at seeing jokes lately.
Have you heard the news? Chips is having a baby.
- Chips is? - Mrs. Chips, you fool.
Just like old Chips, he would have a baby on April Fools' Day.
Mrs. Chipping?
Yes, Nellie, and the baby too.
[SOBBING ]
I'll send the message to the common room. Someone else can take your class.
- It's all right. - But, Chips, there's no need--
BOY: He came in!
Please, sir. There are a lot of letters for you.
Oh. Thank you, Henley.
- First of April, sir! - April fool!
[LAUGHING ]
BOY: April fools!
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
Will you turn to page 29?
Colley?
Colley, will you begin?
[SPEAKING LATIN]
The Roman ambassadors...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...crossed...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...from Carthage...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...as it had been commanded to them...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...into Rome...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...into Spain...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...in order that they might approach the state...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...and entice them...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...into an alliance.
- Owen. - O'Hara.
- Pearson. - Pringle.
Pendennis.
Ewart.
Ellison.
Easton.
Eddington.
Fairbank.
Finch.
Fortescue.
- We've got a new telephone at home. - Does it work?
No.
- Beddington. - Bickersteth.
Bell.
- Stinks volunteered for South Africa. - Crikey, that's tough on the Boers!
- Smith. - Simpson.
I'm going to Queen Victoria's funeral.
Won't it seem funny having a king?
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
- Lewis. - Livingston.
- Logan. - Lister.
Did you hear?
- Some French chap's flown the Channel. - What?
- Mansfield. - Maxwell.
- Martin. - Mitchell.
Hey, boy, you! Come here.
- Well, haven't you got a name? - Yes, sir.
- Is it a secret? - No, sir. It's Morgan, sir. Derek Morgan.
Oh, a Morgan, eh? I might have known, trousers too short.
Morgans always grow out of their trousers. Run along.
- Yes. - The head would like to see you.
Oh, he would, eh? Thank you.
You'd better take over for me, will you?
[CRASHING ]
BOY: You beast! I'll kill you for that.
Hey, hey! Boys, boys! Get up! Stop it! Stop it at once.
Get up! Get up! Come on. Get up.
[TSKING ]
A disgraceful exhibition.
Did no one ever tell you to keep your hands up? Keep them up.
It's a wonder both your eyes aren't closed.
- New? - Yes, sir.
- What's your name? - Colley.
A familiar name at Brookfield.
My grandfather's John Colley, chairman of the school governors.
He's a scrapper too. Caned him more than once. I'll do the same for you.
- What's your name? - Perkins, sir.
I gather you're engaged in the vegetable business.
- Do your duties include brawling? - He called me a town cheese.
- He said I was a stuck-up snob. - A " town cheese"?
That was ill-mannered of you, Colley.
Shake hands. No more of this nonsense.
I've got to get along. Hurry up.
That's better.
If you knocked some sense into each other, the afternoon hasn't been wasted.
- Come in, Mr. Chipping. - Thank you.
- Sit down. - Oh, thanks.
Have you ever thought you would like to retire?
No, I've never thought about it.
The suggestion's there for you to consider.
The governors would grant you an adequate pension.
I don't want to retire. I've no need to consider it.
In that case, things will be a little difficult.
Why difficult?
- Do you want me to be quite blunt? - Oh, yes, of course.
Look at that gown you're wearing. It's a subject of amusement to the school.
I told you I wanted the new style of Latin pronunciation taught...
- ...and you totally ignored it. - Oh, that. Nonsense, in my opinion.
What's the good of teaching boys to say "Kikero" when they'll still say Cicero?
Instead of vicissim, you'd make them say " wekissem. "
I'm trying to make Brookfield an up-to-date school...
...and you insist on clinging to the past.
- The world's changing. - I know the world's changing, Dr. Ralston.
I've seen the old traditions dying one by one.
Grace, dignity, feeling for the past.
All that matters today is a fat banking account.
You're trying to run the school like a factory...
...for turning out moneymaking snobs!
You've raised the fees, and the boys who really belong have been frozen out.
Modern methods, intensive training, poppycock!
Give a boy a sense of humor and proportion, and he'll stand up to anything.
I'm not going to retire. You can do what you like about it.
He told Chips he's got to retire, but Chips said he wouldn't.
I should think not. He's been here hundreds of years.
He used to cane my father.
If Chips went, the school would fall down.
- I never heard such rot. - What's the rumpus?
Ralston wants to kick Chips out. Says he's got to retire.
What? Get rid of Chips? He just better try.
If he says another word to Chips, I'll kill him.
The governors don't want you to resign.
Brookfield wouldn't be the same without you.
You can stay here until you're 100 if you feel like it.
- We hope you will. - We do indeed.
Sir John, gentlemen...
...it is good of you, John, of all of you...
...to take this trouble for an old man.
But before I avail myself of your confidence...
...I should like to persuade the head that in these times...
...Brookfield has need of both of us.
That's generous of you, Chips. But will it work?
I'll shall see to it that it does.
I'm even going to teach my Latin class to say Kikero!
A few years of that, and I'll have to retire.
Five years ago this summer, when I was new to Brookfield...
...I ventured to suggest to Mr. Chipping...
...that it was time for him to retire.
I was as new as that.
[LAUGHING ]
I even persuaded him to replace the venerable garment...
...that had become another Brookfield tradition.
[LAUGHING ]
Today, no one regrets...
...more sincerely than I do...
...that he finally feels himself compelled to take my hint.
[LAUGHING ]
I invite you all to join me in a toast...
...to Chips of Brookfield!
To Chips of Brookfield!
BOY: School! Three cheers for Chips.
- Hip-hip-hurrah! - Hurrah!
We all know that Mr. Chipping's retirement is a great loss to Brookfield...
...but we hope that he will have many long and happy years.
[CLAPPING ]
I'm not going to tell Mr. Chipping what we paid for the present...
...because, well, that's rude.
[LAUGHING ]
I believe he'd like to know that every boy in the school subscribed to it...
...and every subscription was collected without force of any kind.
[LAUGHING ]
Mr. Chipping, we want you to accept this little token of esteem...
...from the boys of Brookfield.
It's meant to keep biscuits in.
[LAUGHING AND CHEERING ]
Boys of Brookfield...
...I'm afraid Wainwright has been guilty of exaggeration...
...in speaking of my services to Brookfield.
But then, of course, he does come of an exaggerating family.
[LAUGHING ]
I remember I once had to punish his father for it.
I gave him one mark for Latin translation...
...and he exaggerated it into a seven.
[LAUGHING ]
I've seen a good many changes at Brookfield.
I remember so much...
...I sometimes think I ought to write a book.
What shall I call it?
Memories of Rod and Lines?
[LAUGHING ]
I may write it one day.
I may forget some things, but I never forget your faces.
If you come and see me in the years to come, as I hope you will...
...you may see me hesitate.
You'll say to yourself, "The old boy doesn't remember me."
But I do remember you, as you are now.
That's the point.
In my mind, you remain boys...
...just as you are this evening.
Sometimes when people speak of Sir John Colley...
...our chairman of governors...
...I think to myself, " Yes, a jolly little chap with hair that sticks up on top...
...and absolutely no idea of Latin verbs."
[LAUGHING ]
Although I am resigning, I shall still be near the school.
I shall live at Mrs. Wickett's house, just opposite Main Arch.
Well, remember me sometimes.
I shall always remember you.
[SPEAKING LATIN]
I need not translate it for you.
[CHEERING ]
Well, good night. And thank you.
- Glad you won't be far away. - Anytime you need me.
I shan't hesitate.
- And, Chips... - Hm?
...when you write that book of yours...
...remember that in addition to all those boys you taught...
...you managed to teach something to at least one headmaster.
Goodbye.
- Good night, Jenks. - Good night, sir.
We're all sorry at losing you, sir.
Thank you, Jenks.
Do you know, sir, I always kind of thought that you'd be headmaster here one day.
Did you?
Well, so did...
...someone else once.
- Any news, Jenks? - Oh, nothing very much, sir.
- An Austrian archduke's been murdered. - Oh, dear.
- Well, good night, Jenks. - Good night, Mr. Chipping, sir.
[BAND PLAYS MARCHING MUSIC]
BOY 1: It's the Manchester Regiment. They're off to the front.
BOY 2: Isn't it exciting, sir?
CHIPPING: Is it? Well, I suppose it is.
BOY 3: I bet those tommies wish they had a band like ours.
BOY 4: There were sentries on every bridge at home, with bayonets fixed.
My uncle saw the Russians come through.
- How did he know they were Russian? - Easy, Wes.
They had beards, and snow on their boots.
I say, Waterhouse has joined up.
Waterhouse?
Yes, sir.
But he only left last term.
[TSKING ]
How long do you think it will last?
Why, Forrester, you thinking of joining the army?
- I will as soon as they'll have me. - It'll all be over long before they do that.
- But I'm 16 and a bit, sir. - I know, Forrester.
But I'm afraid you won't have a chance.
It can't last. Stands to reason.
It's a question of weeks.
Sorry to disappoint you, Forrester.
Tonight adds to the roll of honor...
...the names of 11 boys and one master of Brookfield School...
...who have given their lives for their country.
John Forrester of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Killed while counterattacking the enemy in the salient at Ypres.
He left here to join the army at the age of 17 years and 6 months.
He was moved up into the line on his second day in France...
...and two days later was killed in action.
FORRESTER: But I'm 16 and a bit, sir.
CHIPPING: I know, Forrester. But I'm afraid you won 't have a chance.
RALSTON: Richard Kingsley of the Warwickshire Regiment.
Fell leading a bombing raid upon the enemy trenches.
Kingsley was captain of the school in 1909 and entered Sandhurst.
- Colley. - I wanted to see you.
I'm off to France on Friday.
RALSTON: Martin Rutherford and John Passmore were friends.
They came here together in the same term...
...they joined the flying corps together...
...and died upon the same day...
...covering the infantry attack upon Delville Wood.
So you see, Helen's going to be rather lonely while I'm out there.
I say, this is an awful thing to ask you.
Go on. Go on, Colley, please.
Well, she's going to live at Charborough.
The kid's nearly a year old now.
I'm just wondering whether you'd run over and see her once in a while?
It's not far.
I'd feel terribly happy if there were someone she could see.
Of course, Colley. Of course.
Oh, it's awfully good of you, sir. The address is here.
You're doing me a great honor.
Here's an old friend of yours, Chips.
You don't remember me, Mr. Chipping, sir?
Why, bless my soul, if it isn't the town cheese.
Perkins is my batman. We're off to France.
Really?
You're not fighting each other this time?
It's a great bit of luck for me, sir, being with Mr. Colley.
Well, goodbye to you both.
God bless you.
Don't worry about, you know.
- I'll keep an eye on them both for you. - Thank you, sir.
Goodbye.
My goodness, sir, you are late.
There's two gentlemen waiting for you, and they're in a dreadful hurry.
We're going to give you a shock, Chips, so you'd better hang on to your chair.
We're going to be in a bad hole next term.
And you know half the masters have joined up...
...and the substitutes are a dreadful lot.
I know. I know it's difficult, yes.
And now the head wants to go himself.
If you feel equal to it, will you come back?
- Me? - Yes.
No man living knows the school as you do.
Our governors want you to be headmaster...
...and to hold the fort until the war is over.
The headmastership?
Will you, Chips?
Yes. Yes, I'll come.
You were right, my dear.
I am headmaster after all.
[BAND PLAYS MARCHING MUSIC]
I congratulate you. Smart parade and a fine-looking lot of boys.
Thank you, general.
Very important, this OTC work. These lads are the officers of tomorrow.
I prefer to hope, general, that tomorrow never comes.
Burton, I understand you've been impertinent and disobedient to Mr. Smith.
I've written the lines. I've done the punishment.
Providing you do the punishment...
...you think yourself entitled to play stupid practical jokes, is that it?
Sit down.
I want to know why you do this kind of thing.
I do it because the whole crowd of masters here are weak-kneed women.
They're not in the army because they're not fit to be, or too old.
They get it back on us by being tyrants.
Before you go on with your interesting speech, get over that chair.
Get over that chair.
Get up.
Sit down.
You'll find the armchair the most convenient now.
It didn't amuse me to do that, Burton.
Very soon now, you'll be an officer in France.
You'll need discipline from your men.
And to get that, you must know what discipline means.
Now, you despise the masters here...
...because they're not young enough or strong enough to fight...
...you might like to know that every one has done his best to join.
We take no man unless he has done that.
I'm headmaster now because every man fit to be headmaster's fighting in France.
I'm a wartime fluke. A temporary officer risen from the ranks.
But I'm going to keep Brookfield together until the war is over.
- You understand? - I didn't know that, sir, about the masters.
I'm sorry.
If I thought you hadn't any good in you, I shouldn't have told you.
Now, are you gonna stand in and do your share?
- Of course I am, sir. - That's right.
[SIRENS WAILING ]
[EXPLOSIONS]
Look, there it is. There.
- Look, over there. - It's a cloud.
- Searchlight's got it. - The guns, they must have spied it.
Here, out of this, you kids. Down to lower school.
[EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE]
Put those blinds down.
Get to your places. Put them down.
Um, at this particular moment...
...in the world's history...
...it may seem to you that...
...the affairs of Julius Caesar...
...in Gaul 2000 years ago...
...are of somewhat--
Somewhat secondary importance.
[EXPLOSION]
But believe me, you can't judge the importance of things...
...by the noise they make.
[EXPLOSION]
Is there anyone who would like to volunteer to construe?
- Maynard? - Yes, sir.
Turn to page 40 and begin at the bottom line, will you?
[MISSILE FIRES AND EXPLODES]
[SPEAKING LATIN]
This was the kind of fighting...
[SPEAKING LATIN]
...in which the Germans busied themselves.
You see?
These dead languages do come to life sometimes, don't they?
They were going at it, hammer and tongs.
Game as a pair of fighting cocks.
One of young Colley's eyes was closing. "Keep your guard up," I said.
- Yes, I can hear you. - Oh, dear.
No, thank you. I always eat too much when I come here, you know.
Well, young Colley, that's a fine mess you've made.
This fellow must come to Brookfield, Helen.
Of course. The Colleys have gone to Brookfield since Queen Anne died.
Here, little pig. You precious little pig.
- Peter always asks after you in his letter. - We're even then.
His letters to me are full of you.
Well, I must be off if I'm to catch that bus.
- Oh, I'm afraid so. I'll get your coat. - Thank you.
Well, goodbye, young fellow. Goodbye.
And don't choke yourself. Bye-bye.
Aren't the colors marvelous this autumn?
I like to think he'll be back before the leaves fall.
There's every hope, Helen. Hope of peace.
Beats me how any fight could last so long with a Colley in it.
Think of living without fear again.
Without trembling at the sight of a letter or telegram.
I know.
I try to imagine him about the place again...
...doing some commonplace thing.
Working in the garden, perhaps, or washing the dog.
I can't imagine I shall ever get used to the joy of it.
Surely, we shall never again take our happiness for granted.
Goodbye. There's no one I'm so happy to see as you.
Goodbye, Helen.
Next time I come, I'll expect to find the three of you.
There's that bus. Goodbye. Hi there. Hi.
From every point comes news of hope.
We can say at last without fear that the end is in sight.
But even in victory, we have cruel news to bear...
...losses that are the more tragic...
...because peace is so close at hand.
Peter Colley...
...lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards...
...was killed in action during a trench raid on the night of November the 6th.
He remained in full view of the enemy in order to rescue his batman...
...who had fallen fatally wounded.
Both men died before they could be brought in.
It is a great honor to Brookfield that His Majesty the king...
...has posthumously awarded Lt. Colley the Distinguished Service Order.
None of you here will remember Max Staefel.
He was German master at Brookfield from 1890 until 1902.
He was very popular here, made many friends...
...among whom I was proud to include myself.
I received a letter from Switzerland this morning...
...informing me that he had fallen advancing with the Saxon Regiment...
...on the 18th of October last.
The Saxon Regiment? Does he mean that he was fighting for the Germans?
Must have been.
Funny reading his name out with the others. After all, he was an enemy.
One of Chips' ideas, I suppose.
He's got lots of funny ideas like that.
Yes, sir. He should be just coming out of school now.
I expect him at any moment.
Hold the line, sir. Here is Mr. Chipping.
From London, sir. Col. Morgan.
Yes? Oh, hello, Morgan.
Yes.
Oh.
Yes. Yes, of course.
It was good of you to call me.
Thank you. Goodbye.
MAN: Pardon me, sir. Anything wrong?
Ask Mr. Melford to be good enough to assemble the whole school in Big Hall.
Boys, the war is over.
[KNOCKING ]
There isn't any answer.
Knock again.
- What shall I say? - Say, " Here I am, Mr. Chips."
Here I am, Mr. Chips.
What on earth?
I can see you're there.
What is all this?
They told me you wanted to see me, sir.
Oh, so they told you, did they?
That's quite right. I did want to see you.
Come along inside and have some tea.
Come along.
I've warmed the pot.
- Would you fetch me the kettle? - Yes, sir.
Thank you.
So you're a new boy?
Yes, sir.
- Name? - Colley, sir.
Young Peter Colley?
Why-- Why, yes, sir.
I knew your father.
Yes, sir, my father was here, and my grandfather.
Yes, of course.
Uh, one.
Two.
And one for the pot, eh?
All right. Pour away.
Steady, steady. Don't drown it.
- Draw up that chair, will you? - Yes, sir.
- Two lumps? - Please, sir.
Sit down.
Here you are. Have a piece of cake.
Thank you, sir.
There we are.
Now...
...what do you think of Brookfield?
Oh, it's big, sir.
You'll like it, though, when you get used to it.
It's not half such an awful place as it seems the first day.
- A bit afraid of it, I expect? - A bit, sir.
So was I to begin with.
But that's quite a while ago.
Sixty-three years, to be exact.
Try one of those sponge cakes.
Won't you come to see us someday, sir? You'd like my mother. She's funny.
I mean, she makes quite good jokes.
She does, eh? I'm glad of that, Colley.
It's good to have a mother that makes jokes.
I know those hills of yours quite well.
I was there one autumn when the leaves were turning.
Beautiful colors. Green and red and gold.
[BELL RINGING ]
I'm afraid that's the bell for call-over. You'll have to go.
Oh, must I, sir? I'm sorry.
Just walk by the master and call your name.
- Don't let it scare you. - Oh, it won't now, sir.
School doesn't seem half so bad after that lovely tea.
You must come again one day, Colley.
Will you let yourself out? I'm a little tired.
Yes, of course, sir.
Thanks awfully.
Goodbye, Mr. Chips.
MAN: Headmaster of Brookfield.
BOY: A-M-A-A-D-A.
[BOYS CALLING ROLL]
- Ainsworth. - Attwood.
Avenmore.
KATHERINE: Hello!
STAEFEL: The Danube would certainly be blue for both of you tonight.
KATHERINE: To the future.
BULLOCK: First of April, sir. BOYS: April fool!
[BOYS CALLING ROLL]
- Barnard. - Bryant.
Benson.
RALSTON: Killed in action.
- Cooper. - Craven.
- Castle. - Colley.
Better send for the headmaster. I promised to let him know.
Whittaker, stop that bell tonight. Mr. Chipping's very ill.
Yes, sir.
MAN 1: Poor old chap.
He must have had a lonely life, all by himself.
MAN 2: Not always by himself.
- He married, you know. MAN 1: Did he? I never knew about that.
MAN 2: She died a long while ago. MAN 1: Pity.
Pity he never had any children.
What was that you were saying about me?
Nothing at all, old man. Nothing at all.
We were just wondering when you were going to wake up out of that beauty sleep.
I heard you.
You were talking about me.
Nothing of consequence, old man. I give you my word.
I thought I heard you saying it was a pity...
Pity I never had any children.
But you're wrong.
I have.
Thousands of them.
And all boys.
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
Goodbye, Mr. Chips.
Goodbye.