Jimmy's Hall Page #6

it's an opportunity.

Here are five children

out on the street

from a lord who has thousands of

acres inherited from foreign invasion.

I mean, who has

the right to the land?

We know who has the right

to the land. We know that.

Is it... Is it the

rich man on his own,

or is it the families that

live and work that land?

What is the burning issue

up and down this country?

The breakup of large estates

to landless labourers.

- D'you know?

- I do.

I don't think we're gonna

get a better chance.

- And we shouldn't let it pass.

- That's right.

This is critical. People are angry.

They're desperate.

There's no money coming from family

in America because of the Depression.

We should strike now, James.

Think before we leap.

- We forget the bishops at our peril.

- Exactly.

They've never been stronger

after the Eucharistic Congress.

You saw the crowds in Dublin.

They've the Government in their pocket.

They'll go for the kill.

We have supporters.

There are thousands of landless

labourers outside these estates.

The rich are nervous. Fearful.

We have to keep pushing.

Ruari's right.

And let me ask you this.

What is the feckin' point of this hall

if we do not support these people?

We built this hall

with our own hands.

We put our lives into it.

Heart and soul. Everything we had.

It's not just a building,

it's... it's what we are.

It's everything.

And we have to protect it.

Not just for ourselves, but for

the youngsters coming after.

And I know from bitter experience that

if you bite off more than you can chew,

you'll feckin' choke.

Exactly.

I'm sorry, lads,

but that's my fear too.

It's time for caution.

My heart goes out to

that woman in the cart.

They're too strong at the moment.

They're too wild.

We have to bide our time.

I agree.

I don't think Jimmy should talk.

He shouldn't speak this time.

For Christ's sake, though,

they're coming after us anyway.

I mean, there's no denying that.

- I say we support this family.

- Stand together.

Oonagh. You've hardly said a word.

- Mam.

- Hello, Jimmy.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jimmy, can you

thread this needle for me, please?

My eyesight is getting so bad,

and I need to mend your shirt.

- Here.

- Thank you.

If they drive me out again, Mam,

I want you to come with me.

I mean it, Mam. I'll find

a place for us both.

Maybe somewhere easier

to manage. Not so isolated.

Well?

What do you think?

You need a new pair of boots.

Your other ones are very worn.

I cleaned them last night.

Now, there's His Lordship, hmm?

- He's shaking in his breeches.

- Yeah.

Fine day for it!

Come on!

Come on then, lads. Get in

there and open the doors.

Get them all off. Quick as you can.

What's going on here?

This is private property!

Get off before we call the guards!

Shush your trap and get

you back to the big house!

This is my home, my family's home.

I heard there was loads of room up

in Gralton Hall. Go up there for you.

No more evictions without just cause.

All these people are going

to jail, I promise you that!

Go back!

Down on your knees!

Get on your knees!

If you... If you or your earl or

anyone lays a hand on this family,

you'll get what's coming to you.

Do you hear me?

You're to leave these people

in peace in their own home!

- You won't get away with this.

- I will get away with it.

There's to be no more

evictions on this estate!

Come on, put the rest of the stuff

back into this house. Come on.

A chairde!

I want to introduce to you

a man whom all of us know,

whom all of us trust and

have confidence in.

Jimmy Gralton, come up

here and say a few words.

Go on, Jimmy.

Friends, comrades.

Who could not appreciate the

magnificence of the mansion we passed?

Fertile land as far

as the eye can see.

And the simplicity of this cottage.

The Earl snaps his fingers,

and our brother and sister

here and their five children

are thrown onto the street.

This is the greatest lie they

try to stuff down our throats,

that Ireland is one,

that our nation is one,

and that we are all one people,

united in our beliefs

with one common interest.

But do you think the interests

of a child in the slum

are the same as the

rack-renting landlord?

Do you think the interests of a

labourer are the same as the Earl's?

No.

The interests of a miner

or a factory worker

the same as the owner's, his bankers',

his lawyers', his investors'

and the prostitute journalists'

hired to write their lies?

Some here today.

Do you think they give

a damn about our old,

the sick, the unemployed,

the hungry, the homeless,

and those forced to leave our

shores desperate for work?

I saw the '20s in New York,

with my own eyes,

and the wild speculation and

greed that infected everyone.

And then I saw the bubble burst.

The crash of '29 and misery

in a land of plenty.

Let's not forget how it

spread round the world,

from a system steeped in illusion,

exploitation and avarice.

They tried to pretend that it

was destiny or an act of God,

but it was all man-made.

We need to take control

of our lives again.

Work for need, not for greed.

And not just to survive like a dog,

but to live and to celebrate.

Yes!

And to dance, to sing,

as free human beings.

Now, on you go into your home.

Everybody down! Everybody down!

Everybody down! Get down!

- Stay down!

- Everybody down!

Stay down everyone.

Keep your heads down.

Everybody's fine.

Anyone hurt?

Stay where you are,

stay where you are.

Keep your heads down!

Stay down, stay down, stay down.

Is everyone all right?

Now you're gonna have

to watch your back.

Now it's started, Jimmy.

Cowardly bastards.

Is that a truck driving off,

you hear that?

I see no lights, but I'm sure that was a

truck driving off there. D'you hear it?

- I can't be sure.

- Bastards!

Cowards, huh?

The hall's full of

women and children.

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

It is over 25 years since

my last confession.

I would like your advice on what

to do with the Pharisees who,

from the safe distance of

the pulpit, have told lies,

incited hatred and

encouraged the rifle squad

to attack and endanger the

lives of innocent people.

What are you talking about?

I would like your advice

on the sin of pride,

on those who assume they are

the fount of all knowledge,

and yet do nothing but promote

ignorance and superstition.

Do you want confession?

And those who try to destroy

what is best in us,

our imagination, our sense of fun,

by threats of damnation.

But worst of all, those who try to kill

our spirit by their miserable drabness,

who have such venom in their hearts

for everything they cannot control.

Gralton, this is a sacrilege.

No, I'll tell you what the

sacrilege is, Reverend Father.

Having more hate in

your heart than love.

Goodnight, Mary.

Can I ask you something,

Father Seamus?

You can, of course.

Do you think Father

Sheridan is his usual self?

It's Gralton.

He's obsessed with the man.

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