A Matter of Life and Death Page #8

America, sir,...

.. is the only place|where man is full grown!

(applause)

Then I choose a jury of Americans.

Of Americans, sir, selected from|every walk of American life.

If one has fought|in the Wars of Independence,...

.. I want one who has fought with us|against our enemies in this century.

If the third has a mind that can|only think 170 years back,...

.. I want the fourth to be thinking|170 years ahead.

I cannot deny that I hope,...

.. that I know that this jury will be|prejudiced in favour of my case...

.. for I am pleading for the rights of|the individual against the system.

But it is also against the law, Dr Reeves,...

.. the eternal law of the universe.

Nothing is stronger than the law.|The whole universe is built upon it.

This is a court of justice, not of law.

My lord, I ask for a new jury|of American citizens.

Do you agree, Mr Farlan?

I'd welcome such a jury, Your Honour.

The jury will stand.

The jury will retire|and a new jury will take their place.

Robert Dupont, American citizen.

Lt Pete Vandereyk, American citizen.

Alexander Barbanov, American citizen.

George Wong, American citizen.

Jefferson Lincoln Brown,...

.. American citizen.

Patrick Aloysius Mahoney,|American citizen.

The jury will be seated.

Counsel for the defence.

Here in this rose is my case.

What is my case?|I entirely agree with Mr Farlan.

Has Peter Carter fallen in love|during the allotted extra...

Borrowed.

.. disputed extra 20 hours he had|or hasn't he?

Has someone - the name is unimportant -|fallen in love with him?

Now, here are two young people|who would never have met...

.. but for a mistake higher up,...

.. penalised for the most natural|and simple thing in the world.

They fell in love.

Here in this tear...

.. are love and truth and friendship.

Those qualities alone|can build a new world today...

.. and must build a better one tomorrow.

That is my case...

.. and, upon it, I demand a verdict|that Peter Carter shall live.

Your Honour, we feel the defendant|and this young girl...

.. should be given a chance to be heard.

My lord, nothing is impossible.

The court will adjourn.

No reason to be without the dimension|of time. They will not disturb us.

It would help establish|a true picture of the conditions.

Very well.

- I call Squ...|- My diagnosis was right.

Fine avascular meningeal adhesions|binding the optic nerve to the brain.

Similar adhesions|between chiasm and brain.

Did I tell you about my operation?

Dr Reeves, we are not here...

.. to check your diagnosis,|but to question this young man.

Quite right.

I call Squadron Leader Peter D Carter.

- Hello, Peter.|- Hello, Frank. How's the op going?

- Fine. Leiser's a good man.|- He'd better be!

Peter Carter,|you are on the witness stand.

- You are under oath, understand?|- Yes, Mr Farlan.

- You know me, sir?|- No mistaking you.

Your smile is not unattractive, sir.

Did you use it to enamour|this young American lady?

- I love her, sir.|- Answer the question.

Would you repeat the question?|It had "enamoured" in it.

Never mind the exact question.

Did you consciously try to influence|the emotions of this American lady?

- We fell in love before we met.|- You claim you love her.

- I do.|- Can you prove it?

Well, give me time, sir. 50 years will do.

But can you prove it?

Can a starving man prove he's hungry|except by eating?

Would you die for her?

I would!

But... er... I'd rather live.

Young devil!

Your Honour,|I apologise for the expression.

- Your witness.|- No questions.

Conductor 71.

- Monsieur?|- Is the young lady available?

She sleeps.

Sleeps? The jury will note that.

I put her to sleep.

Indeed? Why?

To enable you to call her, sir.

The jury will please note that.

I do call her, Your Honour.

You are before the High Court|in the case of Peter Carter.

You have been called as a witness|by the prosecution.

You will tell the truth.

This gentleman|is counsel for the prosecution.

Child, where were you born?

In Boston, sir.

- Do you know this man?|- I think so.

- You think so?|- I only met him a few days ago.

You hardly know him.

How can you think you love him?

- But I do love him.|- Nonsense.

I object.|Counsel will withdraw the expression.

It's all right, he's right.|There's no sense in love.

Wisdom still flowers in Boston.

- Can you prove that you love him?|- How can I?

Would you be willing to die for him?

Yes.

Would you take his place|in the balance sheet?

- Yes.|- Don't believe her!

- Stand aside!|- You've no right!

- How dare you address me like that!|- You must obey.

Of all the dirty tricks!

- This is contempt of court!|- Don't answer any more questions.

Do you realise you've forfeited|any chance of winning your case?

You won't get June as well!

Your Honour, members of the jury...|I'm afraid he really does love her.

Your witness.

June, you know me well.|Do you trust me?

Yes, Frank, I trust you.

It is absolutely necessary you take|Peter's place in the other world.

Have you gone mad?!

If you love him, step onto|this staircase and come with us.

- You are mad!|- It is the only way to prove your love.

- I do love him.|- No!

- I ask you to restrain him.|- Granted.

June.

Take care, Dr Reeves.

In the whole universe|nothing is stronger than the law.

Goodbye, darling.

Yes, Mr Farlan, nothing is stronger|than the law in the universe,...

.. but on Earth|nothing is stronger than love.

Members of the jury,|as Sir Walter Scott is always saying,...

.. "In peace, love tunes|the shepherd's reed,...

.. in war,|he mounts the warrior's steed. "

"In halls, in gay attire is seen,...

.. in hamlets, dances on the green. "

"Love rules the court, the camp,|the grove...

.. and men below and saints above. "

"For love is heaven,|and heaven is love. "

Will you please consider your verdict?

Case for the defendant, Your Honour.

Bravo!

The appeal is granted.

There now remains the new date|on Squadron Leader Carter's file.

Will both counsel approve it?

- Does that satisfy you, Dr Reeves?|- Very generous, my lord.

Do you agree, Mr Farlan?

Isn't that a little too much, Your Honour?|I agree.

My lord, I hope this will not|establish a precedent.

- (both) I object!|- Er, you, sir.

- You, sir.|- The rights of the common man...

- The uncommon man.|- Exactly!

The rights of the uncommon man|must always be respected.

(Farlan) Exactly!

Keep his head firm.

- Tell the nurse I'll send the notes.|- Yes, sir.

- Congratulations.|- An interesting case.

Peter,...

.. don't forget your book.

Frank...

Frank...

Frank.

Hello.

Hello.

We won.

I know, darling.

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