Love and Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'

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Dear Mr. Stevens:

You will be surprised to hear

from me after all this time.

You've been in my thoughts since

I heard Lord Darlington had died.

We read that his heirs

put Darlington Hall up for sale...

... as they no longer wished

to maintain it.

As no one would buy

such a large house...

... the new earl decided to demolish

it and sell the stone for 5000 pounds.

We also saw some rubbish in the

Daily Mail "which made my blood boil:"

"Traitor's nest to be pulled down."

One hundred and eighty guineas?

One hundred and eighty?

Have we done?

Ladies and gentlemen,

a great highlight of the sale:

Lot 414...

...the fine Elizabethan portrait,

A Portly Gentleman.

I'll start the bidding

at 2000 guineas.

Four and a half thousand.

And a half.

And a half.

And a half.

And a half.

And a half.

And a half.

And a half.

Against you, sir,

at eleven and a half thousand guineas.

All done at

eleven and a half thousand guineas.

I was very relieved to read

how an American millionaire...

... named Lewis saved

Darlington Hall...

... so you wouldn't be turned out

of your home after all.

Is it the same Congressman Lewis...

... who attended His Lordship's

conference in 1936?

Mr. Stevens, I so often think

of the good old days...

... when I was the housekeeper.

It was hard work...

... and I have known butlers easier

to please than our Mr. Stevens...

... but those years with you were

among the happiest of my life.

You must have a completely

different staff now.

Not many of the old faces

around anymore.

There's not much need

for the small army of footmen...

... that Lord Darlington employed.

My own news is not very cheerful.

In the 7 years since I last wrote,

I have again left my husband...

... and, sad to say,

my marriage seems to be over.

I'm staying at a friend's

boarding house in Clevedon.

I don't know what my future is.

Since Catherine, my daughter, got

married, my life has been empty.

The years stretch before me and

if only I knew how to fill them.

But I would like to be useful again.

- Burned again?

- Yes, I'm sorry, sir.

The rule in the kitchen

has always been...

...cook cooks the cooked breakfast

while her assistant toasts the toast.

Why don't we get her a pop-up toaster?

We need not a new gadget

but a revised staff plan, sir.

A staff plan, huh?

I didn't know we had one.

A faulty one, unfortunately.

Sir, quite recently...

...you were kind enough to suggest

that I go on a little holiday trip...

...around the country.

Absolutely. Certainly, take a break.

See the world.

Thank you, sir.

When did you last see the world?

The world always used to come

to this house, if I may say so.

You may say so.

Take off when I'm in London next week.

I tell you what, you take the car.

- Take the Daimler.

- Good Lord, sir, I couldn't.

You and that Daimler belong together.

You were made for each other.

That's most kind of you,

I must say, sir. Most kind.

I'd meant to travel the West, where I

understand we have splendid scenery.

And I might incidentally be able

to solve our problems while I'm there.

A former housekeeper, at present

living in Clevedon, has indicated...

...that she might be prepared

to return to service.

What's this, your girlfriend?

Or a former attachment?

Oh, no, sir.

No, but a very able housekeeper.

A most able housekeeper.

I was just kidding, Stevens.

Sorry.

You know what I like best

about your papers?

These obituaries.

Every son of a gun gets

this stately funeral oration.

- It's not an art we have in the States.

- Indeed, sir.

Thank you, Stevens.

Mr. Lewis.

Dear Mrs. Benn...

... I propose to reach Clevedon

on October 3rd around 4 p.m.

I'd be grateful for a line from you...

... to reach me at the post office

at Collingbourne, near Hungerford...

... where I'm planning to stop.

Mrs. Benn, I always said you

possess an amazing memory.

Our new employer is indeed

Congressman Lewis...

... though he's now retired

from political life in the U.S.

He's taken up residence at Darlington

Hall, soon to be joined by his family.

But I regret to say we are woefully

understaffed for a house this size.

Mrs. Benn, will you permit me

once again to sing your praises?

Let me state that when you left

to get married...

... no housekeeper ever reached

your high standard in any department.

I well remember your arrival

at Darlington Hall.

You came somewhat unexpectedly,

one might even say impulsively...

... while we were dead in the middle

of the Charlgrove meet.

That day is marked in my

memory in another way as well.

It was the last time His Lordship...

... was happy to welcome

his neighbours, as in the old days.

Of course, it had been years since

any of them had coaxed him to hunt.

It was never a sport His Lordship

enjoyed or approved of.

- Good morning, Ayres.

- My lord, nice to see you.

Excuse me, sir.

I fear I may have been a little

unwelcoming, even a little short.

You presented the best references

I've ever seen.

Which proved to be well-deserved.

Though, I confess, I did have my

doubts, on account of your youth.

No gentleman callers allowed,

of course.

Forgive my mentioning it, but we've

had those problems before.

Inside the house too.

The previous housekeeper ran off

with the under-butler.

If two staff members decide to get

married, one can say nothing.

What I find a major irritation...

...are those persons who go from

post to post looking for romance.

Housekeepers are particularly

guilty here.

- No offense intended, of course.

- None taken.

I know how a house is at sixes and

sevens once the staff start marrying.

Yes, indeed.

- Might I have a word, sir?

- Of course.

My lord, it's regarding

the under-butler...

...and the housekeeper

who ran off last month.

Bad business.

How are you managing?

I've found two

first-rate replacements.

Miss Kenton, a young woman

with excellent references.

Very pleasing demeanour.

Appears to be very able.

And a man with

considerable experience.

- Older and happy to be under-butler.

- Name?

Stevens, sir.

- Stevens?

- Yes, sir.

- That's your name.

- He's my father, sir.

Really?

Couldn't do better.

I'd like to see him sometime.

He's outside the door.

Good. Bring him in.

Thank you, my lord.

Father.

Mr. Stevens, how do you do?

- My lord.

- Very good man here, your son.

He serves the house well.

I don't know what we'd do without him.

- Proud of him?

- Very, my lord.

Quite right too.

Glad to have you with us.

Thank you, my lord.

What are we at dinner tonight?

Twelve, sir.

Right.

Thank you, my lord.

- This pitcher seems out of place here.

- Dining room. Well spotted.

- Hello, William, how are you?

- Good day, Miss Kenton.

I thought these might

brighten your parlour.

Beg your pardon?

They might cheer things up for you.

That's very kind of you.

If you like, I could bring in

some more for you.

Thank you...

...but I regard this room

as my private place of work...

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