The Paradine Case Page #8

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I should like to know whether you

intend to continue with the case.

Yes, of course. I'm planning to cut

out all the witnesses except you.

I'm going to rely on your evidence

and my final speech to save you.

I know I can trust you.

I feel it.

- Yes, you can trust me.

- You will save me.

But not at his expense.

You understand that, don't you?

And suppose that's

the only way to save you?

You are not to destroy him.

If you do, I shall hate you as

I've never hated a man.

I must go on the way I've begun.

I must act according to my own view.

You can do what you like.

I've not finished with LaTour yet.

After that I'll put you

in the box.

Say what you like. My questions

will be mine and your answers yours.

Now, LaTour...

you remember your evidence?

During the quarrel, the Coronel

used strong language with you?

- Yes, sir.

- Did he discharge you?

I didn't know what to think.

It was all a lie about my leaving.

Yes, yes, we've heard

about that.

- Did you assume you were discharged?

- Yes. I suppose so.

Aren't you aware that Mrs Paradine

is the mistress of Hindley Hall?

Yes, sir.

Well, let me review

things for you. You...

suppose you were discharged,

yet continue in the employ...

of a woman who allegedly lied

about you to your master?

Well, answer me, LaTour.

I felt I wanted to help take care

of the Colonel's estate.

- There was nowhere else to go, so...

- Yes, yes.

Do I understand, that after

the quarrel on May 6th...

you never again saw

Colonel Paradine alive?

- Yes, sir.

- But you did see him dead?

Yes, sir.

- When?

- After Dr Young left, I was told...

- to clean up the room.

- Who gave you these instructions?

She did.

Whom do you mean by she?

Mrs Paradine.

While you were

cleaning the room...

did you notice the wine glass?

- Yes, sir.

- Did it still contain the burgundy?

Just a few drops in the

bottom of the glass.

Oh, there were a few drops left

in the bottom of the glass?

Yes, sir.

If you were told that Dr Young

had examined the glass...

after he discovered

Paradine was dead...

and found it to be clean.

That it had been washed and dried.

Would you still say there were a few

drops in the bottom of the glass?

Yes, sir,

I still say the same thing.

When did you wash

and dry that glass?

I never washed

or dried that glass.

I never touched it. I left it

just where it was.

You stated that Mrs Paradine

sent you to clean up the room.

- Yes, sir.

- But after she sent you in...

- the glass was not yet washed.

- Yes, sir.

Then it could not have been

Mrs Paradine who washed the glass.

Really, all this

is most improper.

Questions must

be kept within bounds.

Yes, I noticed Counsel

was tending to make points...

rather than ask questions.

But I was reluctant to interfere...

knowing how

he resents interruption.

LaTour, are you aware

of the penalty for perjury?

- Answer me.

- I've told the truth.

I put it to you that Paradine had a

reason for his rage that fatal night.

A reason that had nothing to do with

the story that you told in this court.

Was it at Hindley Hall or London that

you first gave Mrs Paradine reason...

- to complain of your attentions?

- It's not true, she never did.

And was she not forced

to go to her husband...

to beg him to dismiss

you from his service?

I won't stand here and listen

to these filthy lies.

And was that in fact the only

cause of the terrible scene...

which took place on

the night of Paradine's death?

No, you can't say that.

The Colonel knew, didn't he? Because

she told him. Isn't that the truth?

- Answer the question.

- I will not answer.

Why, because you won't admit

that you betrayed his trust?

No. She's told you lies

and I hate her.

- She told her husband about you?

- No she did not. He found out.

Then you mean he heard you

speaking improperly to his wife?

- Yes.

- I've finished with the witness.

I didn't want to tell about it.

I didn't want to hurt

his good name.

But you've spoken...

you and she.

Both of you.

So I too will speak.

I am finished with the witness.

Tony.

It was she who dragged

us both down.

I hated every moment with her...

but I couldn't help myself.

This man is a confessed perjuror.

Must the jury listen to this rubbish?

- Mr Keane.

- He's been forced to tell the truth...

and is now trying to involve

my client in his treachery.

Mr Keane,

this is not the first time...

you are responsible for such

an over-emotional atmosphere.

- I cannot blame the witness.

- With respect...

I submit that his evidence...

be sent to the Director

of Public Prosecutions...

with a view to the formulation

of charges of perjury...

which he certainly committed.

And whether to such a charge

might be added...

- one of murder.

- Mr Keane...

you seem anxious to use up

the duties of the judge in this case.

Proceed, Sir Joseph.

LaTour, in testifying as to what

was heard by Colonel Paradine...

are you implying you had an adulterous

relationship with Mrs Paradine?

Yes.

You know now what I did.

I can't live with

the memory of what I've done.

I'm afraid I must ask you to bear

with a few more questions.

Did you avoid the truth because of

your feelings about this woman?

Yes, I lied.

Because I didn't want the world

to know what she was.

She was my Colonel's wife.

And also because

you care for her?

I don't know how to say it.

I tried not to but...

That's all.

My lord that concludes

the case for the prosecution.

Members of the jury...

the woman who is before you

in the dock is a foreigner.

Friendless and alone

in a strange country.

But a country that has always prided

itself on its passion for justice.

I had intended to call before you

numerous witnesses on her behalf.

To speak of her character...

of her self-sacrifice.

A sacrifice made by a beautiful

woman while still fascinating...

and still young, in order to bring

the light of affection...

into the darkness of

a blinded man's life.

But after hearing the case

for the Crown...

we have decided to call

no witnesses...

except the prisoner.

He hasn't lost his nerve.

I'll say that for him.

When she's been heard, I'm confident

the jury will decide not guilty.

I'll now ask the prisoner

to go into the box.

Absolutely certain

that when she leaves...

there'll be nothing left of

the stain which the prosecution...

has so wrecklessly

and unjustifiedly...

sought to place

upon her character.

I call the prisoner,

Madelena Paradine.

Hold the Testament in your right

hand and repeat the oath.

I swear by Almighty God, the evidence

I shall give shall be the truth...

the whole truth and

nothing but the truth.

If you wish, you may be seated

while giving your evidence.

No thank you, my lord.

- What is your name?

- Madelena Ana Paradine.

- The widow of Richard Paradine?

- I am.

What were your circumstances

when you married him?

I was very poor. My life had been

unpleasant and...

unattractive.

- Joyful, isn't she?

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