Darkest Hour Page #13

After this awkward silence - HALIFAX looks directly atWINSTON -

HALIFAX:

Let the record state--that I have

received word from the Italian

Embassy in London that Italy is

prepared to mediate a resolutionbetween Britain, its Allies, and

Germany.

The CABINET SECRETARY, records this statement for history.

WINSTON fumes that this has been put on the record and stareswith anger at HALIFAX.

WINSTON has been totally put on the spot!

WINSTON:

(sunk by the news)

Perhaps--then-

The CABINET waits on the final INEVITABLE words -

WINSTON (CONT’D)

--the time for such an offer from

us is -

HALIFAX nods at CHAMBERLAIN - success, surely! But WINSTON stillcan’t speak the words they ache to hear.

WINSTON (CONT’D)

-is when Germany has made anunsuccessful attempt to invade this

country.

HALIFAX throws his GLASSES on the table in DISBELIEF!

CHAMBERLAIN:

Unsuccessful?!

HALIFAX:

Then you leave me no other option -

CHAMBERLAIN:

(cutting him off)

Winston--you are refusing to graspthe realities of how precarious ourposition is! Our entire army isabout to be wiped out! Terms!

Must! Be struck!

Silence. WINSTON has no room left in which to move. ALL FACES

examine his.

73.

WINSTON looks finally to ANTHONY EDEN - his staunchest

supporter.

WINSTON:

Anthony?

EDEN’s face is pained - as he retains a MEANINGFUL SILENCE.

CHURCHILL looks to each MAN around the room, and their faces

proclaim their support of HALIFAX’s view.

UTTERLY ISOLATED - WINSTON has no choice now.

WINSTON (CONT’D)

Then...

(pause)

Then it seems...

(pause)

...we have no choice but to at least

consider the path of negotiation.

CHAMBERLAIN and HALIFAX share an astonished look!

WINSTON (CONT’D)

If Hitler’s peace terms are--

overlordship of Central Europe andreturn of certain German colonies

(pause)

-and if he will leave us our

independence, then - then I wouldbe thankful to get out of ourpresent difficulties. It’s quiteunlikely that he will make any suchoffer, but...

WINSTON looks at the CABINET SECRETARY who records for

posterity his every word

WINSTON (CONT’D)

...if I were told what the German

terms were, then--I would be--

prepared---to--to consider them.

The SECRETARY notes down this historic concession, and

WINSTON observes this.

HALIFAX:

Thank you. Prime Minister.

CHAMBERLAIN nods at HALIFAX. They have prevailed.

HALIFAX (CONT’D)

(triumphant)

I shall prepare a draft memorandum

at once.

Finally, WINSTON nods. CHAMBERLAIN and HALIFAX look at each

other again - victory!

74.

EXT. TREASURY DRUM - DAY

HIGH WIDE-SHOT as WINSTON walks through the TREASURY DRUMtoward DOWNING STREET.

MILES ALDRIDGE, a lone photographer calls out -

MILES ALDRIDGE:

Mr. Churchill! One picture, onepicture, come on sir, one picture!

How about a smile, Prime Minister?

WINSTON steps toward him, and then DELIBERATELY gives theRUDE VERSION of the V-FOR-VICTORY sign (PALM-INWARD). Winston

walks on.

INT. BATHROOM/ TREASURY - DAY

CHAMBERLAIN, alone, steadies himself against a wall - hishealth is fading. He takes out his bottle of MORPHINE anddrinks.

INT/EXT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - NIGHT

KING GEORGE walks out on to a BALCONY and looks down the MALL

in BLACKOUT, as his EQUERRY joins him...

GEORGE VI:

I was--ju--just imagining never

standing--here again. Perhaps

because I am no longer alive, or-or

because the palace itself-- is

gone.

EQUERRY:

Canada. You must decide, sir. You

could rule in exile.

GEORGE VI:

Truly? Is that my fate?

(pause)

You know what? I feel angry. Inthis moment I’m aware of feeling-bloody

angry.

The EQUERRY studies him, as he studies the MALL.

INT. ELIZABETH’S “SHOE-BOX” ROOM/ WAR ROOMS - NIGHT

ELIZABETH LAYTON waits, her fingers at the ready. She sneaksa glance at the CLOCK on her DESK - it is 1.30!

WINSTON is in a BLACK MOOD. He struggles to DICTATE aSPEECH...

75.

WINSTON:

I have...come to...to

wonder...in... recent

days...whether it was...my duty...

ECU of:
the TYPEWRITER hammers typing “duty” -

WINSTON (CONT’D)

-to consider...

EVANS enters, carrying a TRAY holding a glass and a bottle.

Elizabeth yawns.

WINSTON (CONT’D)

...consider...entering...

EVANS is standing there staring at WINSTON, waiting to knockoff for the night. WINSTON notices -

JOHN EVANS:

Will that be all for tonight, sir?

WINSTON ignores him.

WINSTON:

...entering into negotiations

with...

(unable to speak thedreaded name)

...that...corporal...no...

EVANS departs without an answer, as - WINSTON pours himself aSCOTCH and mumbles to himself -

WINSTON (CONT’D)

...gangster--no--tyrant...

...monster of wickedness, no...

WINSTON, wanting more inspiration, turns over a NEWSPAPER andon the COVER is - a LARGE PHOTO of ADOLPH HITLER. WINSTON

looks at HITLER’S FACE with LOATHING -

WINSTON (CONT’D)

...butcher--no good--monstroussavage?--bloodthirsty guttersnipe!-housepainter...

(throws newspaper on theground)

HOUSEPAINTER!

(his head clears)

Where were we? Where - ?

WINSTON, hearing no sound of typing, turns - and seesELIZABETH LAYTON staring at her TYPEWRITER, frozen -

WINSTON (CONT’D)

Well?

76.

ELIZABETH:

(softly)

I didn’t understand you, sir.

He doesn’t reply. She finally adds -

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

You were -

WINSTON:

Were?

ELIZABETH:

You were - mumbling.

WINSTON:

Mumbling.

ELIZABETH:

Yes sir.

WINSTON, crosses to the other side of her and sits down -he

picks up a FRAMED PHOTO of A HANDSOME YOUNG SOLDIER from herdesk.

WINSTON:

Your beau?

ELIZABETH maintains her composure with true grit during thefollowing exchange -

ELIZABETH:

My brother.

WINSTON:

Where is he now?

ELIZABETH:

He was falling back on Dunkirk buthe never made it.

This rocks WINSTON to the core. He studies ELIZABETH, stirred

by the beauty of her sad face.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)

What?

His eyes moisten - at all she represents, innocence and lossand courage and purity.

WINSTON:

I’m just looking at you.

She turns back to her TYPE-WRITER and sits there waiting,

until - feeling awkward - she offers

ELIZABETH:

Shall I read back what we have?

77.

WINSTON:

Please.

ELIZABETH:

“I have come to wonder in recent

days whether it was my duty toconsider entering into negotiations-

with...”

WINSTON ponders his next line - but again, NO WORDS COME.

WINSTON:

With...

EXT. ROOF TOP/ DEFENCE MINISTRY - NIGHT

WINSTON emerges on to the ROOFTOP of the building, andproceeds to LIGHT UP a CIGAR as he takes in the CLEAR NIGHTSKY above him.

WINSTON (O.S.)

...with...

He then hears a DRONE... it is a SINGLE SPITFIRE on NIGHT

PATROL. It comes into view, slowly crossing the sky.

WINSTON watches this GHOSTLY SIGHT come and go. The littleplane looks very small in such a big expanse of sky...

His eyes are WET with TEARS, as he ANGRILY GRINDS OUT hisCIGAR.

The CAMERA rises up - up - into an AERIAL SHOT of -

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