Original subtitles

While God is marching on

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea

With a glory in his bosom That transfigures you and me

As he died to make men holy Let us die to make men free

While God is marching on

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

Glory, glory, hallelujah

His truth is marching on

Please be seated

Chuck always said to me, Wilbur, you talk too much

So he'd be pleased that his beloved daughter, Marie

is going to say a few words

First of all, I know that Daddy would be very pleased

to see so many veterans here today

Especially members of the 401st Bomber Group

I guess, he would want to talk

I guess he would want me to talk about his life

and about the most important thing in his life

his love for my mother

He was a brave man in wartime, in his lifetime

and in the time of the long illness that led to his death

But his was an unspoken bravery

His heroism was as quiet and as constant as he was

Many who loved him

You don't smoke

I thought I'd take it up again

You should be in there, you know I know what she's gonna say

I just can't sit there and listen to all of that

I understand

Only you would understand

I'm really sorry

Oh, no need to It was his time to go

No, I mean about being late

I mean, I'm sorry about that too

I just, I mean, about him

It's all gassed up, Dad It's ready to go

You sure you want this?

He would

You won't remember Daddy for what he said

As you know, he didn't say much

He never spoke to me about the past, about the war

and about his medals

Not even once

He felt that a man should be judged for his work

and for the way that he led his life

Marie will be upset that you missed her eulogy

I don't think Marie cares either way if I'm there

Your husband was a fine man

You'll miss him very much

Well, I know you loved him, so

He never believed that, Peter

All the years I wore this ring we never talked much about love

Would you like me to take you back inside?

No. They'll roll him out when they're through

At least he has a grave

What the devil do you mean, creeping up on me like that?

What you digging for? Who the hell are you?

I'm Jimmy

Eleanor Reilly's wee lad? I know you

She's my granny

My mom went away

She's expected back any time now

Does your granny know you're up here? Don't know

Well, you go home

Tell her Mr. Quinlan said you're not to come up here again

This is a dangerous place, do you not know that?

The Army's here all the time

If it's not them, it's the Republicans, the bloody IRA.

So, what are you doing here then? None of your bloody business.

You're digging something

I dig here sometimes for my granny

I can keep a secret, you know

Then you tell me one secret you've ever kept

My granny keeps photographs in her dressing table

You what?

From the war. Americans

And that's your secret, is it?

Well, it's not anymore, you half-wit You just told me

But you asked

Do you wanna spend your whole life being a complete idiot?

No wonder your mammy buggered off

shit

Come on, back up here

Give me a hand. Come on

And, listen, don't you tell your granny

Promise

Cross my heart

What is it?

Treasure

The past, boy

The past

Look. What's going on?

Was that your crazy father?

It's a tradition, Marie

God, you're as stupid as he is Flies beautiful, doesn't it?

He's not allowed to fly that low

Don't make a fuss, Marie. It's exactly what your daddy would have wanted

Oh, really? Is he doing it for Daddy or is he doing it to impress you?

You don't know what you're talking about

Is he coming around again?

Oh, I certainly hope so

You should take this

Number 17 There's a family trapped

That's it. Hold on, on the right

Michael Quinlan, where in God's name have you been?

Get in that shelter right away

Everybody outside, come on

Run. No messing about

Eleanor, didn't expect to find you here

Well, where did you expect to find me? Not usually with us.

In the Georgian Hotel with one of your gentleman friends

I do more for the war effort than you, Mrs. Doyle

Making your wooly underwear for the troops

And you taking it off fast as they can put it on

Ah, Michael, we missed you at evening Mass

You'd have got here in time for a seat

Ah, Michael, you're a big lad now

Will you be joining the army, fighting for king and country?

No, I'm gonna be a fireman like my dad

Sit here, Michael Can I sit there?

We can't possibly mix both congregations, Michael

I'm forced to agree with him there, Michael.

Cathal? Sweet Jesus, is that you? You're taking that chance, aren't you?

Cathal, you'll get yourself caught They've put a reward out for you

I don't care

Here, these are for you Look, I had to see you

Eggs? Dear God in heaven

He has connections over the border

Thought you were away fighting for the other side, Cathal Thomas

He's right It's a dangerous place for you

Is he fighting for the Germans?

Irish Republican Army You should join us

Don't you dare

Thousands of good Catholic Irishmen serving in the British Army

fighting against Fascism

My son's one of them

And you, you're a damned traitor Cathal

I say, hello, are you all right in there?

Hello? You all right in there?

Cathal, no Don't. We'll not say anything

If he's a policeman, I'll kill him He's a Brit. He's army, not police

They won't know you Hold the door. Come on, Mr. Cobb

Hurry up, come on Hello? The door's stuck

Don't. Don't say a word

Evening Good evening, officer

Everyone all right?

We're fine

Do you think they've gone for the night, sir?

There may be some unexploded stuff

So best stay down here till the all clear

Could you pass the word?

We need an ambulance in Market Street. Four casualties

I like your helmet

What on earth is this?

Where did you get it?

Bloody thing's loaded

Who gave this to you?

You little idiot, Quinlan What are you doing with that?

Belonged to his old dad From the last war. Souvenir

He'll scalp your arse, so he will

All right, look, I've got to confiscate this

No need to tell the police, though Sure, he's only a wee lad

No, no need

Are the police up there now? The local boys?

Just my chaps from the barracks. I'll come up

and give you a hand, sir

Get the hell out of here, Cathal

We should have given you up

you could have, but you didn't

None of you did

Is this what we're looking for, Mr. Quinlan?

Just a piece of iron?

Aluminum

From the fuselage Or the wings, maybe

Biggest piece I ever found. B-17

You know what that is? Sure, it's a rock group

A band A band? It's not a bloody band

It's an airplane, you idiot

Crashed here

Fifty years ago

Ten people killed

Blown to bits

They've all forgotten, but I remember

You remember it crashing?

I heard it

I lived down the bottom Murray Street. Still do

Why do you do this for, Mr. Quinlan?

What are you looking for?

Why should I be looking for anything? Why do you dig all this up then?

Just shut you up and give me a hand here

See if we can lift it

Hey, Ethel Ann, come on

Wilbur?

chocks in and checked Come on out, sirs

Is it time for me to check them?

Okay, sarge

Let's move out of the back

That's the most incredible thing I've done

You're telling me?

Hello, fellas. That was fantastic

Jack, those B-17s are just the greatest

It's a piece of cake to fly Pilot showed us

You wanna take us up then, Chuck?

I feel like I could though, you know You look swell, Ethel Ann

Who wants a soda? Let's go to Joe's

I wanna go I thought you had classes

So we skip one

What? You'll get in trouble

We're all gonna get in trouble, I mean, there's a war coming, right?

Yes, trouble. Big trouble

So it's supposed to be the final approach

and we're thinking, Something's wrong here

We're flying at the runway at 200 knots

And the instructor says, Well, buddy

Well, buddy, Well How about putting down the flaps?

And the pilot goes, shoot And, wham, he puts down the flaps

But he pulls back the stick at the same time

Airplane must have been standing straight on its tail

No, no, no, I saw you guys coming in You were like

Yeah, that was me

Anybody want another soda?

Can I get that blue-plate special up pronto? Thank you

What can I get you? Sheep in a blanket, for six

I wish I'd been up there with you

I really wanna fly

I don't think the Air Force would like that

Hey, Chuck, you got any cash?

There's plenty of girl pilots Amelia Earhart

Yeah, but not in a B-17

Not with a bunch of hairy apes like us

So, what about pilot school?

Still going? I don't know

The other guys are okay but I got problems with math

They won't stop me from going up there

Bombardier, gunner, I don't care

Nor do I, as long as you're happy

I'm happy

I've never been so happy

Seems the whole town's in love with that girl

Never thought she'd choose the country boy

Country boy? I'd trust him with my life

Don't worry, my lips are sealed Young love, huh?

Here's a vanilla milkshake

Come on

One hamburger and three fries

Well, honey, I said I'd get to it Come on, lover boy

Come on, guys

I guess you upset her Not hard to do

Stupid tune come on, they were great tunes

I need a drink

Steady, you've had a few already

Why not? I can have anything I want now

Yeah, what do you want, Ethel?

To go inside

Well, at least let me get the door for you

I can get the door

I've lived here long enough

Well, just as you please

This house

Does seem kind of strange, doesn't it?

Coming back to the house that he built without him in it

Jack, thank you for the air raid and all

My pleasure, girl

Scared me half to death You ought to lose your license

that's what the sheriff said

But I told him it was an old tradition Class of June '42

Go home, Jack

what do you mean? Now?

Come on, Dad

Uh, you won't forget to do something for me, will you, Ethel?

What's that?

Grieve?

Your father's picture at the Air Academy Put it back, please

You never talk about those times

Neither did Dad

Did you know a lot of these boys? Yes, they were a great bunch of guys

We had some good times Could you tell me about it?

Could you tell me about them?

What you want to know is whether I did it with one of them and which one

It's not just a picture, they were flesh and blood

Okay, just forget it

Have you been with Pete yet? What?

Jack's boy, Pete Have you been with him yet?

Mom, what has gotten into you? How much have you been drinking?

Time you got something for yourself, Marie

Life is passing you by

Peter is a nice guy I'm just not ready

But you must never, ever let a man build you a house

Mm-mm. As long as you stay there, he'll stay with you

You may try to hide him, but he'll be there, inside it

Why don't you try it with Peter?

Would you stop talking about sex?

You shouldn't be thinking about that right now

What the hell else should I be thinking about?

Daddy. We just buried him

I guess this means I won't be getting any anymore, huh?

I'm sorry, sweetheart

Me too

Your father was a fine man

I guess I should be grateful to him

Grateful

The boys at the Academy, I didn't I mean, it wasn't like that

I was faithful

I was always, always, always faithful

So how do you say three I's in Spanish

It's so big

He had his cousins helping him over the winter

But they're back at the farm now, so we're helping him finish it

That's it

Teddy around? Back of the house

It's beautiful

He's sure been working hard

Hey. I wasn't expecting you so soon I, I fell asleep upstairs

You've framed out the upstairs already?

Sure have

So much more to do, though

Could you help me bring up the delivery?

That pile up by the road?

Sure. Yeah, we can do that for you

Jack, these are my best clothes

How come you've told me so little about this place?

It's no secret

Where did you get the money for it?

My dad left me this piece of land

Little cash

I worked in a sawmill last summer and they paid me in lumber

I wanna look upstairs

I thought you told me you were away getting an education

That was it, I guess

I read books too. Place is solid

Building up to a standard, not down to a price

is what the lumber guy said I'll bet he did

Hey, buzzard

He's around here all the time

Keeps me company

You've almost moved in

I may be running out of time

What do you mean?

The war, I guess

So it's gonna come, then?

That's why we all joined the Air Academy

Why are you doing all this?

Your folks wouldn't like me one bit

But when I do ask them, I gotta have something I can show

Something I can give you

You're building this house for me?

If I get into the Air Force

and become a sergeant, maybe then that'd be something

And then I could ask your folks

I'd be some kind of gentleman

You are a gentleman, Teddy

I sure don't smell like one just now

Let me try

Excuse me?

Let me smell you You kidding?

I wanna remember you, just as you are now

Don't move

I wanna remember this moment all my life

Teddy, Ethel Ann?

Come on, Chuck. Let's go

You're so beautiful

Sometimes I can still smell it

What? Aviation fuel

That was 50 years ago And you said it burnt

Some soaked into the ground, maybe

I can't smell it, but, look, I found this

What is it?

Granny says I shouldn't mix with you You promised you wouldn't tell her

She says you're worse than a Protestant What's worse than a Protestant?

An atheist

Mr. Quinlan, what we're doing, is it illegal?

Probably

Only, there's a man over there Do we stop digging?

Turn away, don't look at him

He'll not bother us

You took your time, Cathal

Mr. Thomas to you There was no need for you to be here

Just an observer

Do they think I can't run me own operation?

Why did they change the target?

We wouldn't want to lose the support of the community

And we have interests in that area

You mean, you're selling drugs there?

Beautiful view

Who's the old man?

He's digging up an airplane It crashed here

And you let him do it?

I know him

Digging on Black Mountain is a bad idea

Never know what you'll find

What I gave you, what is it?

It's very good, a switch

Radio maybe, intercom

I'll get it home, do some research

I found that, you know By rights, it's mine

Shankhill Road

You're an atheist then?

You don't believe in religion

and God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and all that stuff?

Why not?

Thirty years being a firema in Belfast

Clearing up after that lot

Will there be a second one? There's always a second

That's the one does the damage

They wait until the army get there, or the police, or the bloody firemen

There, it's ready

Last time a man used this switch was 50 years ago

And that man was killed

Right here, in this very spot

Here, you found it, you do it

Don't want to

All right, I will

What the hell was that?

It's too bloody soon

It's supposed to be set for 20 minutes

Maybe just as well

High Command thinks that bombs may be little old-fashioned

Counterproductive at this stage of the struggle

Counter-bollocks It's a war we're fighting here

Aye, that we are

And maybe you're losing it for us, Cathal You thought of that?

We have suffered a serious setback in Hawaii

Many American soldiers and sailors have been killed by enemy action

American ships have been sunk

American airplanes have been destroyed

The lives of our soldiers and sailors

depend upon the manner in which each and every one of us

fulfills his obligation to our country

Gunnery School?

When do you go?

Next week

Chuck is training as a pilot

Jack is gonna be a navigator and they need gunners, so that's me

I have to go

So it's over, then?

All this

I'm gonna send postcards home every day

My folks think I'm walking out with Chuck

Good old reliable Chuck If they only knew it was you

Well, I'm not gonna send them to your folks' house, Ethel Ann

I'm gonna send them here

When any of us guys get leave

we're gonna come back here, we're gonna finish the house

I can put a telephone in

What are those places in college where everybody stays like brothers?

Fraternity

Okay, well, this will be our fraternity house

I mean, Chuck can get away from his parents

and Jack can get away from all of his girlfriends

and we can be together

I mean, this is your home It can't be my home without you

When I'm through Gunnery School, they'll give me some leave

You could marry me

We'll do it secret

but when I'm back for good, we'll do it proper and we'll

We'll invite everybody

Is that all right?

Ethel Ann, say it's all right?

It's gold

I love you

I guess I'm just not used to feeling so much

I will always love you, Teddy

I'll be yours till the day I die, I swear it

There won't be room for anyone else in my heart but you

No one else, not ever

Till I'm laid in my grave

I love you

Mom, you all right?

What are you doing in my room?

This is not your room

What do you mean?

I'm moving back into this room

But you and Daddy were always in the other room, you

Okay, if you want my room, that's fine I understand

Mom, why don't you come to the grave with me today?

It's a beautiful grave We can just be there together with him

Dad, of course

Your father. He was a fine man

He saved my life, actually

He picked me up and put me back together

Always treated me right

He was a fine man He was a good husband

Is that what you want?

No, what I want is for you to start

grieving like everyone else

Grieving?

I was 21 years old

My life was over

You don't know what grieving is

Twenty-one, what do you mean?

It's none of your business

Mom, that was before you married Daddy, before I was born

What happened?

I am going to move in here tonight

This is my house and if you don't like it, you can leave

So leave

What can I get you guys?

have a seat

Can I get you something?

Peter, would you mind giving us a minute?

Now, what will it be, love? All right

When I was a kid, this was a soda fountain

Your ma used to come here all the time

She loved those disgusting root-beer floats

Her life was over at 21 That's what she said

I'm trying to understand, Jack What happened to her?

The war happened, for chrissake

And the kids she knew, some of them didn't make it back

but you did. Dad did

Yeah, that's right He was shot up in a B-17

She nursed him back to health, she put him back together

No, she said that he put her back together

They helped each other

All right, so they helped each other but what happened?

She said her life was over, Jack

Look, um, let me give you a piece of advice

If I were you, I wouldn't just come in here and start digging around

The past is gone Digging around?

What am I supposed to do? Pretend that nothing is wrong?

You don't understand what it's like at home without Dad

I knew Chuck for 50 years

For 40 of them, he sat right there where you are now

Don't tell me I don't understand

And if your ma doesn't wanna talk to you

that's none of my business, is it?

So get the hell out of here

And that's just what she told me to do

What did you say to her?

Too much

Not enough

Hey, Granny

You know, I made you your tea

It's gone stone-cold and I had to give it to the cat

No, not more of that filthy stuff Please, don't do that

no, Jimmy. Look, at least, use your own blade, come on

Don't be using my good knife

I wish you wouldn't go up that mountain

I wish you wouldn't, things go on there you shouldn't be poking your nose into

What things? Just things, son

And I wish you wouldn't mess around with that Quinlan fella

He said he knew you when were young

Never, never, never

He's a born liar, that fella. Always was So you did know him, then?

If you spent more time looking for a job, wee man

Don't be stupid, Granny Don't call me stupid

I've worked all my life There are no jobs

Then go to London, find your mother

And that pimp she ran away with

And don't-- And clean that up after you, will you?

And don't use the sink again

This is not a hotel, you know

This is me who has to keep his place clean, young man

I'm not spending my life cleaning after you

Ethel

Teddy

Ethel and Teddy

Looking sharp

You want a beer? We got it worked out

Jack stole the key I borrowed it

This place looks great Nice job setting it up

I thought I'd bring her straight back here, you know?

Carry her across the threshold

Sure. Be out of your way

Oh, no. Me and Ethel Ann, we don't want that

This is the last time we're gonna have together

before we leave and you guys are both officers, right?

So I'm not gonna be able to talk to you after this

You will, we've got plans We're gonna fly together in the same plane

There's no There's no chance of that

Yes, there is

I've been dating this girl in Personnel Administrations

I can pull some strings we can fly together

What do you mean? I've been working on this girl for weeks.

Well, I mean, you know what if we didn't come back, you know?

All three of us in one B-17 Jesus Christ, Teddy

Okay, we are not all flying in one plane

If I don't make it through this

then I gotta know that there's somebody to look after Ethel Ann

To take my place

There's no one who could do that, Teddy

Really?

So I'm the only person in this room that's in love with Ethel Ann?

What are you talking about?

No, I mean, I think she's a great girl She's wonderful. But, no

You're not in love with her? No, I'm not

All right

But Chuck is

God, Teddy, I

It's okay, buddy

It's okay

She's yours, Teddy. I never

I would never, ever, I swear She doesn't know, she never will

Chuck, shut up

It's just practical

I need to know that there'll be someone to look after her

What about Jack?

Whoa. No, guys, I'm not that kind of guy

He's already got girls in every state

I drink, smoke, belch

And he can't dance

I can't dance You're the dancer, Chuck

You're the guy This isn't even gonna happen

You're gonnaYou're gonna come back, you're gonna have 17 kids

I'm gonna find a nice girl from Idaho

She'll be a potato In a sack

So it's all right then, if I can fix it

I mean, no reason why you and I can't fly together

Jack, that'd be great

Teddy, I never, I never

I know that, Chuck

But if something happens to me, you gotta promise you'll care for Ethel Ann

Promise me

I promise

Jack, you promise to help?

Sure. I promise

You guys believe in God?

I don't know

No, me neither

We're gonna say a prayer

Dear God, tomorrow we're leaving for combat

and today I'm getting married

Both of which are pretty dangerous

Maybe you were expecting Pete

You haven't seen each other for a while, huh? Jeez, that music's loud

Yeah, it is

She's not going out anymore, not even to Dad's grave

She's drinking, she's cutting everyone off

Well, you are too

Pete misses you, you know

For God's sakes, Jack, I like Peter

I have always liked Peter, but now is not the time

Front bedroom

She won't sleep in her and Daddy's room

She's moved into mine

The front room?

She moved back in there?

What do you mean back? That was always my room

They were always in the other one

answer the phone, Marie and give her these, please

I'll come back some other time

Is that--? Is that America?

Is this a joke?

It's all right, I got through

So maybe you'll finish before midnight

Could I speak to Mrs. Gordon, please?

You've got the wrong number No, I mean, Sorry, I mean

Mrs. Roberts. Mrs. Ethel Roberts

That was my mother's name before she was married. Who is this?

Uh, my name's Jimmy, Could I speak to her?

About what?

I'm calling from Belfast and I don't have a lot of money

All right, just a minute

Pennsylvania 6-5000

There's a phone call for you

Will you pick up the phone?

No, thanks, sweetheart

It's a man, says he's from Belfast

She doesn't wanna answer, you'll have to leave a message

Can you hear me?

No, just a minute, please

Did you pick up?

Hello? Who is this, please?

My name's Jimmy Reilly

I'm calling from Belfast

Could I speak to Ethel?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what her name is now

Marie?

Marie, you can hang up now, please

They told me she wouldn't have the same address

Not after 50 years, but I thought I'd try anyway

Are you there?

What do you want?

I have something belonging to you

Well, I think it belongs to you. It's a ring

A gold ring, It's got names on the inside

A ring? it says, Ethel and Teddy

Hello? Can you hear me?

bugger, Wait a minute

Wait, wait there

Please, do you have any money?

Aye, I do and I've a mind to use it

if you would get the frig out of there Is he gonna talk all night?

Look, listen to me, I'll call you back, okay? Hello?

I'll call you back

Bugger

Sorry, America, long distance

You could have walked there in that time

I wish he would

Mr. Quinlan? It's me, Mr. Quinlan?

Bloody hell It's 6:30 in the morning

Please, I need a phone It's really urgent. I found something

It wasn't your brains, was it? Go to hell

I found a ring on the mountain

A gold ring It belonged to one of the crew

It's got names on it

I went to the library and they told me to call Veterans Administration

Only I had to keep calling and it cost a packet

When my granny found out, she went apeshit

I had to use the phone box and call America

But I ran out of money last night and I have to call her back

The name on the ring You wanna see it?

No, I don't. I don't want it Get out. Get out

Mr. Quinlan? Are you all right?

So you found it, you stupid bugger

Doesn't mean a damn thing to you but you found it

And then what do you do?

After 50 years, you just call her up out of the blue

guess what I've got

Well, I thought she'd be pleased

Only I was halfway through and I ran out of money

What do you want me to do about that?

Well, I just want to use your phone

Get inside, come on

I don't believe it This is incredible

All this stuff Don't touch it

This is fantastic

Phone's there. Go on

And be quick

Ahem. Three-six-nine-two

Yes, who is it?

Gander?

Do you know anyone in Gander? it's an airbase

Teddy! Yes, I'll pay

Teddy?

See you, Jack

Ethel Ann, no, it's not Teddy, it's Jack. Sorry

Jack, hi. How are you?

Oh, it's so good to hear from you

Where the heck is Gander?

Newfoundland

Well, what's it like up there?

Raining

Hey, are you on your own?

No, Chuck got back a week ago

He hurt himself, but he's okay now

Hey, you should see me in my nurse's uniform

I'm training to be a nurse

Chuck says I look great

I bet you do It's so good to hear from you

Have you spoken to Teddy? Is he okay?

The last I saw him, he was good but I broke my ankle

Yeah. I was dancing So I'm coming home on leave

Jack, you're crazy He broke his ankle in a dance

Hey, can I talk to Chuck?

He wants to talk to you But then I wanna talk to you again, okay?

You keep smiling

You hear me? Whatever you do, you keep smiling

Yeah, I'm gonna do that, Jack

Yeah, so what happened to you, buddy?

Jesus Christ

Chuck, I wanted to talk to him

Oh, he'll be here in a few days. Weather's clearing

He's grabbing a flight with some transport boys

What is it?

I would give anything not to have to tell you, Ethel Ann

What?

Tell me what?

Tell me what?

Could I speak to Ethel, please?

Yes, this is Ethel

This is Jimmy Reilly

I found this ring on Black Mountain Where the plane crashed

And I thought it might belong to one of the airmen who got killed

For chrissake

Are you there?

The ring says, Ethel and Teddy

Ethel Ann is my name

Only on the list of dead guys, there was

On the list of deceased, there was Teddy Gordon

So I called the veterans people Only they said he wasn't married

but he left everything in his will to Ethel Roberts

And they had an address

They said you'd probably moved

But you haven't

The ring Would you like me to send it to you?

But it's yours

No, it's his

But he's-- I mean, he's not here

Then you keep it

And we were married

Well, they said you weren't

Maybe she was cut off

Shall I call her back? No, leave her alone

You go home

Can I leave it here?

What? The ring

It won't be safe with Granny around

Mr. Quinlan

I'll let myself out then

Oh, come on, Jack Teddy, this is crazy. I can't do this

You got him We got him, We got a problem too

I'm leaving in the morning We don't have time

I'm not allowed I haven't taken Final Orders

The Lord works in mysterious ways She's gonna be here any second

She's here now

I think it was my mother's

Ethel Ann?

He's marrying you?

Your folks will never agree to this

That's why they're not here

Will you give me away, please?

Wilbur, are you going to marry us? I can't. You don't have a license

Is this a church?

And is God here?

What do you mean?

This man is going to war

I love him I want God to protect him

So I'm asking you

Is he here right now?

Then marry us

In his sight

You got rings? Just the one

One ring? Well, it's the ring you gave me, Teddy

I had our names put inside it

I'm gonna marry you with it and then I want you to take it with you

I got it for you, Ethel Ann

This way, you can remember me wherever you go

Say the words, Wilbur

Matrimony is a holy state, not to be entered into lightly

Because in the eyes of God, this is forever

And I mean forever

Forever

Teddy

do you take this woman, Ethel Ann, to be your lawful-wedded wife

all the days that you shall live?

I do

do you take this man, Teddy, to be your lawful-wedded husband?

I do

I'll be yours till the day I die

You better do whatever you're gonna do with that ring

Jack, will you?

By the power vested in me by the state of

No, can't say that

Just say what you can say

By the power vested in me, by the God of love

who sees all things and hears all promises

I now pronounce you man and wife You may kiss the bride

Bloody great

You know who we are?

We know who you are

You're lucky You could have been found

by those Republican bastards if we hadn't been watching you

Why were you watching me?

Do you know him?

Yes, you do

I don't

He's lying to us

Can you tell me who this is?

And this man?

That's Mr. Quinlan He's not done anything

Where did you get those? And what about this one?

Have you seen him?

Take your time

You've already told us a lot Hasn't he?

I haven't told you anything

You've identified two photographs That's very helpful

His name is Cathal Thomas

By the way

didn't you say that you had seen him or did you deny not having seen him?

I didn't say anything But you just did

You said yes

I don't wanna help you

Ah, but Mr. Thomas will think that you have been helping us

That's what he thought about this gentleman

And, yes, you do know him

That was his body you found this morning

But I thought that was from the airplane

Afraid not He was buried there six months ago

By Mr. Thomas, actually As a punishment for helping us

Thanks for finding him

Now all we need to do is find Mr. Thomas

Why don't we keep the lad for a few days?

Let him watch some dirty videos

I'll put the word out in the street how helpful he is

Don't-- Don't be doing that

Or of course, I could let you go right now

But if I did do that, could I rely on your help in the future?

Like keeping an eye on Black Mountain

Letting me know if you see him up there

I didn't hear that

Did you say you are gonna help us or not?

If we let you go without roughing you up they'd be suspicious, wouldn't they?

So say thank you

Jimmy, where have you been? dear Go-- You stupid idiot

Mr. Quinlan, what are you doing here?

Who did? Mr. Quinlan, I

Oh, Jesus, it's you Don't hurt me, please

You know me, then? How come, when we've never met?

What did they do? I told you not to go up there

Leave him alone I told him about you, Cathal

I'll get you a cup of tea, son

You're a bloody liar

You've been talking with the Special Branch, Jimmy

You were seen I said nothing

You found a body

But you couldn't keep your mouth shut

You went to the police

No, they were on the mountain They were watching for you

Oh, were they, now?

So let me guess

They showed you my photograph

Asked if you'd seen me

And what did you say? Yes or no?

I don't know, I got confused Confused?

Little creep

Do you want a bullet in the knees or would you rather lose your balls?

Jesus, Cathal. He's just a kid

He knows nothing. Good for nothing

This is all your fault I kept telling him not to go

Digging up the past Can't you just let things lie?

We wouldn't wanna be digging up your past

Don't you dare Shut up, the pair of you

I got something planned on that mountain

So if I see you again, there will be another body up there

He's my grandson, Cathal

I'll shoot him, Eleanor Don't think I won't

You better see me out the back

Heard you were in trouble Come here to find you

Found Cathal instead

You all know each other?

You need to get out of Belfast for a wee while

But I've nowhere to go Aye, you have

What's all that for? I want you to do something for me

I need to know if she's all right

I want you to go to America

I think you should take it back to her

All right?

Listen, you Republican shite

The IRA can be most unpleasant

But if you mess with us, you won't recognize your granny's body

Who are you? Friends of Mr. Maguigan

He says you'll help us find Cathal Thomas

We know he's around here and up there in the mountain

All you have to do is lead us to him

We're watching, Jimmy Every second

I'll get it

I'm really sorry I had to call you

Please, I need some help

I found a body, on the mountain I found a body

What are you saying? What are you telling me?

They never found a body Don't you tell me that, you little bastard

I'm an old woman and I wanna be left alone

They buried a man on the mountain I found him

I have to get out of Belfast Mr. Quinlan said I should ask you

What do you want me to do? Can I come and stay?

What, come here?

Please, just for a wee while

But I don't even know you

Mr. Quinlan wants me to bring you the ring

I could give it to you, please

Just for a couple of weeks, till it blows over

all right, you can come

Good trip? The worst

This one's Teddy's

Looks like you got yourself a story there

She been crying?

No, I have

What happened to you? I got shot up over Bremen

Plexiglas in my eye I might lose it

I can't fly, can't even shoot I'm out of the war

Ethel Ann's looking after me now

That's good, seeing how he wanted you to take care of her

He should have asked you, Jack

She doesn't love me but I know she could love you

I wish he'd asked you, Jack Well, he didn't

And we promised

You're the man, Chuck

Let's do this

Jack. You better come inside

What the hell is going on here?

She doesn't tell me a thing, just someone's coming to visit

Who? Where from?

I don't wanna leave her alone but I can't take much more

all right, all right Go on, get out of here, both of you

Well, you look like hell

You wanted me to grieve

Would you go to the airport? I'll send Peter

No, I want you to go yourself

I don't even know this guy Neither do I

Marie says he's from Belfast Well, that is none of her business

Look, Ethel

Take your hands off me You have got to talk to her

And who the hell do you know in Belfast? Who is this guy?

Well, his name is Jimmy Reilly

He's arriving at 12:10 tonight on American 301

Would you take your hands off me and go?

You listen to me What?

If you don't talk to Marie now, you're gonna lose her

She's gonna go

You just tell her what happened, she'll understand

Listen to me. All the love she ever got was from her daddy

All the kisses and hugs and bedtime stories and cuddles and

Never from me

You think now she will understand why?

I think you should give her the chance

Well, that's what I intend to do

Now, please go

Oh, no, don't Don't do that, please

Just come on in

I'm real glad you're safe

Look at that foot

Must be hard for you, not racing around

Let me take these

Did they find a body?

So there's no proof?

Ethel Ann, he's gone

We could arrange a memorial service

We're the only ones who will remember him

He has no family now

No children

Was that his case I saw you put in the hall?

I brought his things back for you

Let's bring it in. Open it up

There's plenty of time for that

No, let's do it now. Please

You must be Jimmy

How do you do? I'm great. I'm just great

Come in, please

Through there

Why did you do this?

This is Jack's son, Peter Jimmy Reilly

Hello, how do you do? Nice to meet you

Let me take that

And this is my daughter, Marie Jimmy Reilly

Hello. How do you doody?

Did we speak on the phone?

Sit down, Jimmy and how was the flight?

Oh, it was fantastic

Seven-four-seven all the way Well, not all the way

We had to fly to London first, then right across to New York

And they gave us meals and all, no charge

They had little things of salt and pepper, sachets. I've got some here

And they had little bottles of Irish Free

And there was a film

And then we had to fly from London to New York

then from New York to Detroit and from Detroit to Branagan

And it was really fantastic

Jack, do you remember when we used to take two

three, maybe four days to do the same thing?

We'd have to go from Belfast to Iceland to Newfoundland

Dad, you all right?

Yeah, why don't you take these cases and put them upstairs

Oh, thank you, but this one's for you

Don't mind if I put this on your table? No, go ahead

just let me get the flowers there

They made me open it up This whole thing is for me?

Uh-huh. They couldn't believe what I had inside

Look at this Part of the aileron. Starboard wing

And these are switches from the radio operator's position

And this is a piece of Plexiglas

curved, from a gun turret

And this

A pressure gauge

Oxygen. They had to breathe oxygen, you know, they went that high

Oh, Jesus Christ. Oh, Jesus Christ

All right, Mama, that is enough Tell me what this is about right now

Look, is this all right?

I mean, this stuff's just fantastic for me and I just thought

Would you like to see the ring?

The what?

The ring. It's my secret

Mr. Quinlan said I can't keep secrets but I can

Except I told Mr. Jack in the car

What are you talking about?

I found it on Black Mountain

Where the plane crashed In the war

The B-17

The B-17?

A B-17G

It had the new chin turret, it had double 50-caliber machine guns

That's where I found the ring What ring? Whose ring?

Well, your dad's

Before he was, you know, killed

You're just gonna let this happen, huh? My daddy wasn't killed in Belfast

He died here a couple of months ago

And his name wasn't Gordon It was Harris, Chuck Harris

Wasn't it, Mom?

Of course, he couldn't be your dad

You're too young

Shall I put these away? Maybe you don't have a place for them

I have a place

Peter, there's some tools out back A crowbar, some hammers

Would you bring them to me, please?

What? Now?

Yes, I need to take down this wall

Stop, Mama. Don't Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy

This was Daddy's house You are not going to smash it up

This was never your daddy's house He just let you believe it

Then whose house is this?

Now, which of you gentlemen is going to bring me the tools?

That's what you really want?

He kept all your letters

I guess you don't have a place for these

I have a place

Did he have any photographs, postcards?

Pocket, right side

He never even got to write these

Ethel Ann, maybe we ought to take some of this stuff down

Nobody should touch this wall

We could make an album

We could take the photos and put them in a scrapbook

This is his wall, this is his house I don't want anybody

Ethel Ann, this is your house

He left it to you

He wouldn't like it

You living here every day, this stuff staring down at you

He was gonna build a shed out back

We'll just use the wood

Do you want us to build you a shed?

No, I want you to board it up

Don't touch it, just cover it up

Is that really what you want?

This Teddy, who was he?

Sergeant Teddy Gordon

Rear gunner on B-17 337833

He crashed June 1st, 1944

He was killed

All those years, Daddy lived in another man's house

I'm getting out of here right now

Your mother needs you You shut your mouth

Don't you talk to me Shut your mouth

He loved you

In spite of all of this, he loved you

But you never did, did you?

And all of his life

he knew you locked your love behind a goddamn wall

There was no proof

And it was all I had left of him

I don't care about him

You bitch, you shut Daddy out

And then you shut me out

All of my life, all you have ever done is shut us out

Peter, can I please come stay with you?

Go and get in the car

You were kids then

The both of you

But you haven't been kids for 50 years

That wall should have come down a long time ago

Mrs. Harris?

Mrs. Harris, I brought you the ring

Gentlemen, the city of Belfast, dead ahead

Skip, do you think you could fly this thing backwards?

Can't see a damn thing -sure, you can

Just look out your ass like you always do

Oh, boy, if the babes of Belfast only knew what we had in store for them

Maginty, Mr. Maginty, is it a raid? Relax, Michael. It's the Americans

They've a new base near here No, I'm talking to somebody else

You know what that means? We're gonna win this bloody war

I'll see you tonight That should do it

There will not be a single virgin in Belfast by the end of the year

Why don't you join in the party? Find some girl for yourself

I'm fixed, thank you

Shame. Gorgeous man like you

Climb down there

Don't you know he's sworn to eternal love?

Just like we are

I need the powder room I won't be long, boys

Come on

I need some air

She is great

In every department I'll bet

Yeah, I'm gonna marry her

I'm gonna ask her tonight

She's very-- Hi. --popular See you, Jack

Come on, Jack, you're drunk You got your girl

Why shouldn't I get mine? No, get a girl. Fall in love

Not with Eleanor

Oh, yeah? Who should I fall in love with?

How about Ethel Ann?

Don't you walk away from me

You got your love

You got her and you gave her away to Chuck

Not me, no, no, I wasn't Jack? Jack wasn't good enough

I did not give her to anybody

If I die, pass her on down the line to good old reliable Chuck

Who cares? Who cares what Jack thinks?

Are you in love with Ethel Ann?

No, I don't love her

I wouldn't touch her

I'm gonna marry Eleanor

Why the hell shouldn't I?

Because she's a tart, Jack

Oh! Jesus, my ankle You broke it, you asshole

I was lying, of course

I loved Ethel so much it hurt just thinking about her

So did Chuck

Three guys wanted her, two of them got her

and then there was me

And when my ankle healed, I signed on for more missions

Stayed till the end I didn't need to

Fifty-two missions

Jesus, I should have died a hundred times over

Somehow I always came back

And I could see how broken she was

real bad

She depended on Chuck now

And he needed her

He'd have lost that eye, but for her

She wouldn't move out of the house so he moved in

I left them to it. I got married

Three times

The only good thing that came out of that was Pete

And your mom wouldn't marry Chuck for ten years

Another five before you came along

Your dad was so happy to see you

He nearly died of joy

Now you know it all

Do I?

Why did they wait so long to have me?

I guess she couldn't bring herself to believe he'd never come back

I mean, there was no body Everything burnt up

Is he still trying to get you to go back?

She's not going back, Dad

How's the Irish kid, Jimmy? Jimmy? Oh, jeez

He's having a ball

Your mom is taking him everywhere

God, he's a funny little guy

She doesn't talk much but, oh, boy, does he make up for it

She never did have a son

Well, there you go

And I guess I was an accident, right?

Excuse me

I love you, Chuck

I never heard her say those words Not once

Oh, they had good times together They made a good couple

Peter here They never spoke

They both knew what was behind that wall

and they didn't say a damn thing to each other in 50 years

Neither did you

Well, we didn't need to

Everybody needs to talk

No, honey

Everybody needs to cry

And your mother never did Not once

You have to forgive her for that

Do you ever wish you had just pushed in and married Mom?

no, don't

don't ask me that, please

Ask me anything you want but please don't ask me that question

I was dead

We all got killed or maimed, all of us and Teddy didn't choose me

And when he got killed, I knew it was my turn to die next

and I deserved it, I deserved it

That is not true

They got a new navigator, just a kid

and he screwed up

It was my fault

I should have been on that plane

Hey, Teddy, how about that dance tonight? Get yourself a new girl

I got me a girl Same one every night

Yeah, but she's a long ways away

Oh, no, sir She's right here with me

tight squeeze down there You mind if I join in?

Langford, Langford, this is F-Fox 338733

Hell, how low does this cloud go?

All the way down by the look of it

You guys see anything?

No, negative, skip

It's pretty dark out there

Brad, you got a fix? kind of

I mean, we should be seeing Belfast right below

Navigator, you got a fix or not?

I don't know I think one of the beacons is out

It's not making sense right now

Bloody hell. Skip

Full flaps, full flaps

Jesus Christ

Two hoses! Seven bar pressure

Michael! Michael Quinlan What the devil are you doing up here?

You'll get yourself killed

More tea, love?

no, thanks, no. Plenty of tea

He's late

Very, very late

He's not late

Will you just sit down or something?

He's here, Michael

thank God, he's here

He's here

Don't be dribbling on my new shirt, Granny

Look at you

How about you?

Don't shut the door Why?

We have a guest Who?

Is this your first visit to Belfast?

God, I can remember when there were hundreds of Yanks around here

Yeah, lovely people We had a great time with them

I nearly married one of them

He kept saying to me, Would you come back to Branagan?

Branagan?

Then he broke his, Broke his foot

And he went back to Branagan

And I never saw sight nor sound of him since

And he was in a fight

Truly, a fight over me. You wouldn't believe it now, but he was

He were gorgeous

Oh, I'd have had him, all right

Jack. Jack Etty

How did you know that?

You mean, your Jack?

And my granny? That's disgusting Shut your mouth, young man

So you would have known Teddy?

Teddy Gordon

Teddy? Hold on

You see, I had so many of them

Well, no, I mean, I knew an awful lot of them

Very friendly people

I have photographs somewhere

What are you doing here, Mrs. Harris? That's a rude question

What a question

It was her idea

She just bought a ticket and came

Fantastic

Oh, right, Okay How long have you been there?

Twenty years. I'm going back now

Wake up, she's gone

She's gone, huh? She's gone

To Belfast

To look for bits of him

You're drunk

I have been for some time

Jack, Dad never told her, did he?

That Teddy made him promise to marry her

Why not?

It's like she had Teddy's permission

Why didn't you say something?

Because it was none of my goddamn business

You're a coward, Dad

And you're a liar

You lied to Teddy, you lied to Chuck

And worst of all, you lied to yourself

You've always loved Ethel, go and get her

Don't be stupid

Oh, for God's sake, Jack, go and get her

She's your mother

Now, go get her yourself

You know what? I have better things in my life to do

Mr. Quinlan, how was it that night?

Well, they say it hit the ground somewhere here.

I think this is where I found it

The ring?

And you're still finding the pieces? aye, lots

A buzzard

He's here all the time, you know

Keeps us company

How about that? We have them too

Would you say, Mrs. Harris?

I'd like to know

Would you say, on balance, have you led a happy life?

Well, I have to wait till it's over and I'll work that out

You're a strange man, Mr. Quinlan

Do you believe in keeping promises, Mr. Quinlan?

What about the promises you make to the dead?

Do they count? Even more

I think promises are stupid

Why?

Well, I promise my granny I'll wash the dishes

and I mean to, but I never do

You're never free of the promises that you make, you know

Even if you break them, you're never free of them

It's the Germans. It's the bloody Germans

It's not the Germans, Granny

We have to get out What is it?

Contact, Pound Street, one man down Wait out

Are you all right? Oh, Jesus, I'm so sorry

It's not usually like this here

Belfast is a great place, really

We have to get out Get out?

There will be another Another?

Always a second bomb We have to get out

Shit, no pulse. He's a goner

Sir, there's another fucking bomb Shit

Clear the streets Get everyone out now

Leave him. Pick him up later

I'm so sorry. I really am

Come on, Mrs. Harris. Come here Granny, don't be bothering with that

Granny, get out Come on, Mrs. Harris, quickly

Granny, get out

Move. Clear the streets You're okay. Quickly

Move, move Come on, top of the street

You stupid bitch

Get out the back Get out the back door. Go! Go, go

I've gotta get back

Right, Chris, get that cover hose on

Get them behind the wall Go back

I haven't seen you for a while I have friends down here

Anyone hurt? Only that poor squaddie

They want us to go, get him, don't they?

And blow more of us to pieces We need to clear this area

Take her in, would you? You're okay

Clear the area

I said leave this area. Stay clear

I need to get to her No, you can't

She's my friend You can't. No way

I told you before, you can't go No, come on

Clear the area immediately

There's another bomb there Get off the street

Come on, girls You can't go down there

Stop. You can't go down there Come back here

Oh, my God

Clear the area

Get back Mr. Quinlan, what the hell are you doing?

Leave me be There's something I have to tell her

Hold it That's as far as you're going

This is Pound Street, sir but we can't get through

This is okay

You're welcome

Get body cover on

Mr. Thomas, please, don't do it

Come on, quick as you can

It's Eleanor

Eleanor Reilly

Jesus Christ, Eleanor You must be looking for Teddy's girl

Yeah, Teddy's girl

Well, she's over there, but it's We've all been evacuated, you know

There's been one bomb, and there'll be Saying there'll be another

Mr. Thomas, please

You bloody little idiot

Get away from here

You trying to get yourself killed?

We knew he'd be up here somewhere

I'm sorry, sir, no further No, wait a second, please

Come slowly away, please

There's another bomb here

I know. You move away

This is none of your concern

Yes, it is

Yes, it bloody is

You might survive, you know that?

Just with bits of you blown off

Arms, legs, eyes

I've seen it

Teddy wouldn't like that Nope.

Nice try, Mr. Quinlan

You're a brave man

No. No, I am not

Do you think he looked like this when he crashed?

No. He was alive

I was there

Help me

Please, help

What? Help. Help me, please

Please, kid, take

Take the ring

Promise me to tell her she's free

Teddy says make her own choice

Give her the ring

Promise me

I promise

I didn't take it I should have found you

Told you what he said

I looked for it all my life

The ring

You were free

He wanted me to tell you that

I'm so sorry

We have to go, Mrs. Harris

Have to go now

Have you ever been in love, Mr. Quinlan?

No. Life's hard enough

So is it possible to love more than once?

I know I have That's for sure

We've left it a bit late Well, that was my fault

According to Marie, it was my fault

I don't know why I should get all the blame

Because you're an easy target You're getting too old and too fat

How come none of that ever happened to you?

It happened to me. Look

But if you promise to love one person and no one else forever and ever

You can't make promises like that

You can't keep it

Well worth making it, though

I'd love to fly

I'll take you up some time

Teddy was gonna take me flying He promised

Teddy, Teddy, Teddy

He was the greatest guy in the world when he was alive

But once dead, my God, what a pain in the ass

What's happening to me?

You're grieving, girl