Dunkirk Page #6

We have a right to know.

Why don't you give it

to us straight?

By whose authority is this

high-handed action being taken?

I can't tell you any more

than I have already.

That's precisely nothing.

There must be some reason.

They're our boats

you've taken.

Perhaps the commander

can tell you.

I can't.

I'm sorry, I'm not allowed

to tell you the reason,

but I can assure

you it's official.

That's as may be, sir,

but we know nothing

about this at the station.

You will, constable,

you will.

Mr. Foreman?

Yes?

"Vanity"?

Yes?

I see you registered

your boat.

Are you prepared to help us

a bit further, Mr. Foreman?

Certainly.

Would you take it down

to Sheerness,

starting at dawn

tomorrow?

Sheerness?

Well, yes, of course.

Thank you, Mr. Foreman.

Now, here's your pass

for the lower river.

Get your petrol from Mr. Tough.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, please.

Holden, Heron.

She's not registered.

Why not?

Well, it doesn't seem

to make any difference.

You've got her

just the same.

That's right, Mr. Holden,

we're requisitioning her.

But you have no right.

Are you prepared

to take her to Sheerness?

My wife just had a new baby.

Sheerness is not at

the North Pole, Mr. Holden.

I'm sorry. Sorry.

I haven't the time.

I've got responsibilities.

So have many men,

Mr. Holden.

I understand

you're a motor engineer.

We need them

to keep the engines going.

Are you sure

you can't take her?

I can't spare the time.

Uh, Excuse me.

Mr. Holden!

There wouldn't be any objection

to young Frankie

taking the Heron

to Sheerness?

Who? Young Fra--?

No, there wouldn't be

any objection.

He's pretty good

with engines.

Yes, I'll let him know.

[CRYING]

John?

John, is that you?

Hello, darling.

Oh, John, you should've

been here earlier.

Why weren't you here?

The ARP people

have been here.

Well, what of it?

They brought this.

Well, what is it?

It's a gas mask for baby.

A gas mask for baby?

I tried to put him in it,

but he screamed,

he was so frightened.

He went red in the face.

Now, look, darling.

You cant just shut

your eyes to it.

You must know how to use it.

Come on, let's try it again,

shall we?

You go and fetch the baby.

Come on.

Now where are

the book of words--.

Uh, "Lay the helmet down,

open the screw to the back

and turn on top...

The window."

Yes, I see. Like that.

"Place the baby in the helmet

so that its seat rests

in the curve

of the tail press."

That's it.

Well, now, show him in.

And put his bottom there.

Then, uh--

[MURMURS INDISTINCTLY]

Oh, I see. Yes. Right.

Now let me try.

Now, then.

Pull that back like that.

Tie the tapes over.

Tight, like that.

Okay, just start pumping.

[BABY CRYING]

Don't. Don't!

I'll never be able to do it.

I couldn't.

You'll have to be here.

I can't always be here,

Grace.

John, promise me

you'll never go away.

Never leave baby and me.

I don't think I can,

Grace.

I don't feel right

about things sometimes.

What do you mean?

Well, about this war.

I don't really

feel I'm doing enough.

Sometimes I feel terrible.

Like the other night

in the pub with that navy--.

Navy bloke.

I hate this war.

I hate it!

Yes, well, uh,

there are plenty of others

with reason to hate it

more than we do.

I don't think I can make

you that promise, Grace.

[BABY CRYING]

Is that Tough's Yard?

Hello, darling.

Hello, dear.

Had a good day?

Mm-hm.

I heard they're taking over

the boats.

Yes.

I suppose that's why

they asked us to register them.

When do they collect her?

They don't.

I've got to take her down

to Sheerness

tomorrow morning.

Well, that's asking

rather a lot, isn't it?

Oh, I don't know.

Some of the other

chaps are going.

Be rather like

a club outing.

Good excuse

for farewell celebrations.

What do you mean?

Farewell to the boats.

After all,

they're being conscripted,

they're going off to war.

Yes, of course.

You'll be back

by Wednesday?

Be back tomorrow night.

If you weren't

going to be back,

I'd ask you

to ring Michael.

You promised to go to the school

for Founders Day.

All I've got to do is to take

the boat to Sheerness

and catch a train back.

Yes. It's just that

he'd be disappointed

if he didn't hear from you

and--

I'll be back tomorrow night.

Yes.

It doesn't take long

to Sheerness and back.

What time do you want

the alarm set for?

[]

Did you have a good trip,

Frankie?

Smashing, Mr. Foreman.

[FOGHORN BLOWS]

How did it go?

Pretty well.

Chief, call in

the boat owners.

You men there!

Will all boat owners report

to the office, please.

Will all boat owners

report to the office, please.

Where's the office?

Across the bridge,

that building there.

Thanks.

Have you reported yet?

Yes, we have.

And got railway warrants

for the return.

They still won't tell us

why they want our boats.

I think I can guess.

So can I. But you won't get it

confirmed by them.

Hey, look, Mr. Foreman,

look.

Come on, pal.

Go over there,

straight over the bridge,

right over

to the other side.

We got everything

you want there.

Good, boys.

Come along now.

OFFICER:

Come along, sir. Go now.

Straight over the bridge.

Right over the other side.

Everything's there.

So that's it.

They'll need all the boats

they can get

over there to do any good.

And every man they can get

to take 'em over.

Well, they're our boats.

OFFICER:

Straight over the bridge,

right over to the other side.

[]

All right, thank you.

Now, will you collect

your railway warrant

at that table over there.

Yes?

Come on. Come on.

Name, please?

Charles Foreman.

Foreman, Charles.

Name of boat?

Vanity.

Vanity. Right.

Will you fill out that form,

sign at the bottom,

and then

collect a railway warrant

at the table over there.

Right.

Next, please.

Name?

Holden.

Holden. Name of boat?

The Heron.

Will you fill out one of these,

sign at the bottom,

and then you collect a railway

warrant from the table there.

I'd like to go over with her,

sir.

Well, you can't.

But you can't possibly have

naval crews

for all the boats

coming in.

Well, I know my own boat, sir.

Nobody better,

Don't be a fool. It's no place

for civilians over there.

Nevertheless,

I'd like to go.

I expect some of you feel

the same.

ALL:

Yes.

We know our own boats,

sir.

We can handle them

better than anyone else.

Now, why can't we go

with them?

Because this is

a naval operation.

Have you the slightest idea

what it's like over there?

We've lost two--

We've lost two ships

already today.

I still want to take

my own boat over, sir.

I have no authority on that.

Who would have?

All right.

I'll ask the commodore.

But I don't think

he'll agree.

We asked him

and he brushed us off.

Wouldn't listen.

Of course they can't manage.

MAN 1:
Navy never couldn't

handle small boats.

MAN 2:

Where would they get crews?

MAN 3:
Right. We know

our own boats best.

MAN 4:

How far is it across?

MAN 5:
Where are they

working from now?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes