Original subtitles

How lovely. Thank you, Joy.

Sorry.

It will... calm you.

No, thank you.

David?

Why did you do it?!

Why did you have to kill him?!

Nail file. Scent bottle.

Lip brush. Sixpence in copper.

Powder compact.

One .38 revolver and six empty cases, already in custody.

We've just seen the body of David Blakely

at Hampstead Mortuary.

I understand you know something about it.

Tell us about how Blakely ended up dead.

I am guilty.

I'm rather confused.

Hold still!

I've got lippy on, Vicki.

Well, not enough for Morrie.

Perfect. Drinks on you tonight?

If I get the job.

Knock him dead.

You're a good hostess, Ruthie,

but it's a big step from hostessing to management.

Not many girls of your...

background make it.

I know, sir, but I will.

A peer of the realm, an actor,

and a travelling salesman all want a table.

You've got one left. Who gets it?

Well...

the poshos get a kick out of being treated like scum.

So you send Lord Snootybollocks packing.

He'll tell all his mates and come back for more.

The actor just wants free booze.

So you set him up at the bar, let everyone get an eyeful,

got yourself a gossip piece in "The Mirror" the next day.

Now the salesman... he may look shabby,

but he's got pockets full of cash.

A few years ago he was a hero, fighting Nazis.

Now he's flogging dusters door to door.

You make him feel like somebody again,

he'll spend everything he's got.

He gets the table.

How's it going with the new bloke?

He sent me every bouquet from The Dorchester's florist.

- How'd you meet him, anyway? - Stephen, obviously.

Of course, that bone-crunching perv.

He's been good to me.

Could introduce you to Lord Astor.

He's just got divorced. - No, thanks.

What you need is a nice, rich husband, big, posh house.

All you'd have to do is spank him once a week.

Thank you.

Do you mind?

This is a private conversation.

Shush, I know him from Carroll's.

Oh.

Erm, er, sorry. I wasn't, erm, eavesdropping.

It's Miss Ellis?

Yes. Hello.

Er, Desmond Cussen.

This is Vicki Martin. My children, Andre and Georgina.

Hm.

"The Beano."

I'm more of a "Magnet" man myself.

Well, I was thinking that I might

go to Carroll's Club tonight.

Actually, I'm not working there any more.

Got a new job.

...Er, congratulations. ...Thank you.

It's at the Little Club.

Er, good... Er, goodbye then.

Stephen Ward may be a perv, but at least he's amusing.

It's, erm... very funny today.

Desmond?

Since I'm celebrating,

you can buy me a drink later if you like.

That would be lovely.

Shall we?

- Evening, Reggie. - Evening.

Evening.

The club's reopening next week, redecorated.

I'll be London's youngest club manager.

Quite an achievement.

I've been working since I was 14...

Cinema Cafe, Lyon's Corner House.

Most of the money went to my mother. Still does.

It's all I've ever wanted to do, really... work.

I-I thought, erm, girls mostly wanted to get married.

Tried that. No, thank you.

And the, erm, the... the children's, erm... their father?

I'm separated from Georgina's,

and Andre's was killed in the war.

Hm.

So, you've done all that on your own.

I've done nothing with my life,

except turn my father's successful business

into a middling one.

You, on the other hand... well, you're quite something.

Can I get you another drink?

I'm buying.

Oh! Sorry.

I suppose you're the hostess?

I'll have another gin and tonic.

As a matter of fact, I'm an old has-been.

Two vermouths, please, and who is that pompous arse?

Some racing driver.

You set out from home tonight with a gun in your bag,

and you shot David Blakely.

That is correct.

Blakely was your lover.

Why did you want to kill him?

He hadn't picked me up when he said he would.

He was drinking with some friends,

and there was...

some other woman there.

I became very furious.

Where did you get the gun from?

It was given to me as security in a club.

By whom?

A man. I don't remember his name.

When was this?

About three years ago.

Mrs. Ellis, when you put the gun in your bag,

did you intend to kill Blakely with it?

Yes.

I left Andre at home,

I took the gun, and I got in a taxi to Hampstead.

Andre... who's that?

My son.

Where's Andre now, Ruth?

Yes? Can I help you?

Detective Inspector Peter Gill.

Andre, the son of Mrs. Ruth Ellis... where is he?

Here. It's room number five.

Mum?

It's alright, Andre. Go back to sleep.

Hello?

I can't afford to pay solicitor's fees, Mr. Bickford.

That's all in hand.

Mrs. Ellis, you have signed a written statement

admitting your guilt without any legal advice.

Well, I am guilty.

I've already agreed to tell the court

I fully intended to shoot David...

Stop there. Do you feel quite well?

Have the police treated you well?

Perfectly.

Ever been in any trouble with them before?

Certainly not.

Why did you decide...

to do what you did earlier tonight?

I was in a rage...

at the way David and his friends were treating me...

laughing at me...

hanging up when I tried to call, like I was nothing.

You killed him because he wouldn't answer the phone?

When did you decide you were going to do this?

Yesterday morning. I hadn't been able to sleep.

I hadn't been able to find David.

I suddenly had an overwhelming and peculiar desire to kill him.

You thought he was with another woman?

What, you lost control?

No, I saw things clearly for the first time.

Has a doctor ever treated you for...

mental instability?

I'm not cuckoo, if that's what you mean.

No, no, no. Of course, but it...

it's important that we explore

every possible line of defence.

You don't understand, Mr. Bickford.

I'm not interested in any defence.

You have admitted to a capital crime.

Without mitigation, without a defence,

any judge would be forced to...

To hang me. Yes.

I chose to do what I did. I don't regret it.

I don't ask you or anyone else to plead for my life.

An eye for an eye.

I took David's life.

I don't ask you to save mine.

Just over there by the piano, Sam.

Lovely.

What do you think? Too much?

I think it's perfect.

Thanks, Jackie.

Almost.

Good evening. Welcome.

Ruth, you look wonderful.

Thank you.

Vicki...

What do you think?

Bloody gorgeous!

- Hello, Cooch. - Hi.

- Champagne? - Oh, please.

Champagne each for the Vicki and Cooch.

I've seen you before.

You look...

different.

I was probably rather rude to you.

I probably deserved it.

Can I buy you a drink?

I run this place, Mr. Blakely. Let me get you one.

Well remembered.

I'm very good at my job.

Hm.

It's a little too much tonic.

Perhaps you should go back to Carroll's.

Most nights I'm at the Steering Wheel Club, actually.

I'm a... - Racing driver, I know.

I expect you're waiting for me to ask you about it.

I travel all over Europe. I meet a lot of famous people.

You think I should go weak at the knees for your little hobby.

I was once engaged to a Canadian Airforce pilot.

Now, flying... that's something.

Not just racing toy cars.

Oh, believe me, they're not toys.

Who's he? Your boyfriend?

Do you care?

Not particularly.

I think you do.

I think you came here for me.

I'm not taken by this little...

international playboy act.

I think you're a spoiled brat spending Daddy's money,

and you are too used to getting your own way.

I do always get my own way.

- This one's on me. - Thank you.

Ruthie looking after you alright?

Always.

You need some extra special looking after, you let her know.

Oh, th-that's not, erm...

Have lunch with me tomorrow.

Gosh, I'm so busy with the place, I...

You could bring Andre and Georgina,

and we could do whatever you want.

Andre has been going on about the zoo.

The zoo it is.

Erm, I could, er, pick you up at 10:00?

I haven't been able to get you out of my mind.

I know.

You've been thinking about me, too?

About what an arrogant bastard you are.

It's all an act.

But you know that, don't you?

Because you are, too.

Mr. Bickford! Just in time for Peter's round.

Have you dusted the gun for fingerprints?

Whose prints would we be looking for?

Half a dozen witnesses saw her shoot Blakely.

Question is, who gave her the gun?

She claims it was security for a loan at the Little Club,

that she kept it in a drawer for three years.

- And? - We both know that can't possibly be true.

That gun hasn't been sitting in a drawer.

It's in perfect working condition. It's oiled.

You're a two-bob brief, not an arms expert.

I prosecuted war crimes in Austria.

Believe me, I know guns.

Does anything about this crime make any sense to you at all?

A young woman with no previous record,

never even fired a gun.

20 years of policing have taught me

anyone is capable of almost anything.

Have you conducted even the most cursory investigation

into where she obtained that gun?

What I am investigating is the murder of an innocent young man.

And what interests me are the four bullets

that that gun and your client put into him.

Hey!

You know David went down after the first shot?

He was on the ground when she fired the next three.

Point-blank range.

Tell your client to do the decent thing.

Spare his family a trial.

Ruth Ellis, you have been charged

with the murder of David Blakely.

You will appear in this court to enter a plea in 10 days' time.

Until then, you will be remanded in custody

at Holloway Women's Prison.

Where did the gun come from, Ruth?

I told you, security for a loan.

If I'm to defend you, I need you to be honest with me.

Honest, Mr. Bickford?

My parents had a visit from a journalist at "The Mirror,"

says his newspaper are paying my legal fees, your fees.

That's why you turned up the night I was arrested...

because a tabloid wants an exclusive.

Someone's put you up to this.

Someone gave you the gun, and you're protecting them.

This way, Miss.

Look how long your eyelashes are.

Are you wearing mascara?

I once threw a girl in Frensham Ponds

for asking me that.

Naughty boy.

You don't know the half of it.

I heard you once drove a Bentley around the Albert Hall

at 60 miles per hour.

Mm-hmm.

Didn't get caught, though.

I'm late.

Late for what?

Race meeting in Surrey.

Well, you can show me what all the fuss is about then

with your toy cars.

Hmm?

I'll pack a champagne picnic.

Thank you.

Now, mind your fingers. Alright, you all in?

Whoo!

It's a twin-cam version of the 1500 Singer HRC.

Give me that.

Look, we call it "The Emperor."

This car is gonna make my name.

You don't believe me.

Hm.

- The Emperor has arrived. - Ah, David.

...David, darling. ...Well, how's she running?

Like silk, old boy, like silk.

It's a beautiful day for it, eh?

- Good to see you, David. - Hi.

Er, this is Clive Gunnell and Anthony Findlater. - Hello.

Ant's been working on the car with me.

Well, he's the money, and I'm the brains.

- Hello. - Hello.

And this is Carole Findlater.

Carole, Ruth Ellis. Ruth works at the Little Club.

- Does she now? - Manages it, actually.

We brought champagne. - Ah.

- Let's crack it open, shall we? - Good choice.

So, what did you think of The Emperor?

Don't tell David, but I thought it was thrilling.

You're very sweet.

- David! Stop that! Stop! David! - Watch out.

Are they always like that?

Ant's never entirely trusted him,

ever since...

Since what?

It's no secret. David and I had a tendresse.

Oh, an affair, darling... all very much in the past,

we laugh about it now, but, well, I'm afraid

Ant never finds it very funny.

Carole, darling, we're off.

You know, I do hope we see you again.

One never knows with David,

but I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed for you.

Coming!

David's being naughty.

I'm so sorry to put you all through this.

You have to plead insanity.

I was sane when I did it.

I meant to do it. I won't lie.

What about Andre?

It'll be alright, Mum. It's alright.

He's going to be taken care of.

It's all arranged.

Arranged with who? Who? Ruthie!

She swears she was sane when she did it.

And I know my daughter.

Stubborn as a mule when she wants to be.

What's going to happen to her?

I need something...

to mount some sort of defence.

She won't tell me where she got the gun.

And her reasons for wanting Blakely dead

make precious little sense.

You know he knocked her about?

David was violent towards her?

She does pick 'em, our Ruth.

She has a history of violent relationships?

Her ex-husband, George Ellis...

handy with his fists, too.

I don't know what went wrong.

She was such a...

happy little girl.

Ray of sunshine.

Are you alright, love?

Just get some water.

Muriel?

Is there anything you can tell me

that might help your sister?

Muriel?

Ruth...

she lost a baby recently.

It was David's.

Stop! Terrible!

Jackie?

Jackie, will you help Mr. Cussen?

- Come on. - Yes, of course.

Not good for business...

favouring some punters, neglecting others.

Go home to your wife, Morris.

Ah, lover boy doesn't know, does he?

Her rate's 10 quid a night.

Worth every penny.

She asked you to leave.

Piss off, little Lord Fauntleroy.

You know, I don't think I will.

I think I'll be staying tonight and tomorrow night.

In fact, I'm moving in,

so there'll be no more late-night calls

from you or any other sweaty, old bastards,

unless you want my stepfather to speak to his good friend,

the commissioner at Scotland Yard,

and tell him you're running a brothel.

Clean up the bar downstairs.

It's a bloody state!

Did you mean it?

I want to live with you.

So how many have you had up here?

How many?

Men.

It's gonna have to stop, you know?

'Cause I'm not gonna be able to stand it.

I'm awfully afraid I'm falling in love with you.

He beat you, didn't he?

"Body covered in large bruises with the skin broken in places.

Temporary deafness in one ear.

Strangulation bruises on neck.

Recent pregnancy loss,

likely due to blows to the abdomen."

This is what your doctor recorded.

Why didn't you tell the police?

They never asked.

You lost a baby because David beat you.

There are four defences to murder...

self-defence, insanity, proof you didn't do it.

But we can't use any of those.

The fourth is provocation.

If David did something so terrible to you,

it caused you to temporarily lose control,

that could be a defence.

Get back into bed now!

I didn't lose control.

If you could be honest about what you've suffered,

if you can gain their sympathy,

then the jury could recommend mercy.

I won't stand in a courtroom and beg.

And I didn't kill David because he beat me.

Why did you kill him?

You wouldn't understand.

You think I'm just a drab, little man in a suit.

Perhaps I am.

But men like me... we've seen things you can't imagine...

inconceivable acts of cruelty, inconceivable suffering,

and always the impulse is never to speak of it again,

because to speak of it makes it real.

I know you're lying about the murder.

You said it was a black cab dropped you at the Magdala Pub,

but not one cabbie has come forward.

I've met a lot of London cabbies,

and they remember who's in the back of their cars,

especially when they're blondes all over the papers,

accused of murder.

Right.

That's all, Mr. Bickford.

Mr. Bickford? These came for Mrs. Ellis.

She's sent these every day.

Mrs. Ellis has been remanded in Holloway Prison,

charged with murder.

I have been instructed to act as her solicitor.

I believe you're a friend of hers.

More than a friend.

Well, I wouldn't say that.

Someone must have helped her.

Someone must have given her a gun.

Was it you?

I have only her interests in mind.

It was Desmond Cussen gave you the gun,

drove you to the Magdala.

He confessed to me.

Wouldn't say much.

He's lying.

- I have to tell the police. - No.

I'd be struck off. I could be prosecuted.

I'll plead Not Guilty. That's what you want, isn't it?

I will let you fight my case in court.

But his name stays out of it.

I'd be committing a crime,

withholding Cussen's confession from the police.

I-I could be seen as an accessory

to murder after the fact.

You'd be committing perjury.

These are my terms.

Well, I can't accept them.

Fine. I never wanted a lawyer, Mr. Bickford.

I want to plead Guilty.

But you are the one who is so concerned with saving my life,

though I haven't quite worked out why.

These terrible things you saw...

...I suppose they happened in the war?

Was it you who did them?

So, this is all what?

Penance?

I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you, Mrs. Ellis.

Mr. Bickford, I'll do it. I'll do the trial your way.

You can use provocation as defence.

You can go for manslaughter.

If we do this...

you must do everything I ask...

give evidence in your own defence.

And his name stays out of it.

Knightsbridge 044.

- Jackie, it's Ruth. - Ruth!

I need to know he's being taken care of properly.

Who?

David.

What's your real voice?

What?

Your accent.

I know it's not this fake telephone voice you put on.

Where did you grow up?

We moved around...

Manchester, Basingstoke.

I was born in Rhyl.

Mm-hmm.

I've never met anyone from Rhyl.

Hmm.

Well, we're a very exotic breed.

You're different to the girls I know.

Carole?

That's all over.

It's you I want...

...and only you.

He won't give you what you deserve, you know.

He'll never marry you.

Oh, for Christ's sake, who said anything about marriage?

You could have everything you want, everything the children want.

You could... You could be set for life with me.

Desmond, how much have you had to drink? Come on.

Who you are, what you do...

it doesn't matter to me.

But it does to him.

You don't know that.

I do.

He's engaged.

What is this?

Bugger off home to bed, old chap.

No, you should leave.

You know you're a joke to her.

I flew Lancasters in the war.

I dropped bombs on German children.

And for what?

To defend entitled boys like you,

who take everything that they want,

and they never give a second's thought

to the people that they destroy.

Well, sooner or later, the bill will come in.

Is it true?

It isn't real. It's... It's for my mother.

For your mother?

Should have known that's what you were doing here...

hiding from Mummy.

Stop it.

I was right about you...

playing with your toy cars. Playing at being a man.

'Cause you're not, are you?

You're just a frightened little boy.

"The Emperor"?

It's you that's the joke.

"Dear Mrs. Blakely.

No doubt these last few days have been a shock to you."

"The two people I blame for your son's death and my own

are his so-called friends, the Findlaters."

"You will not understand this yet,

but perhaps before I hang, you will."

I'm so sorry.

"I implore you to forgive David for living with me,

but we were very much in love with one another.

Unfortunately, David was not satisfied

with one woman in his life."

"I shall die loving your son."

"And you should feel content

that his death has been repaid."

It's alright.

It's alright.

"Goodbye.

Ruth Ellis."

It was Desmond Cussen gave you the gun.

I have to tell the police.

No.

I'd be struck off. I could be prosecuted.

I will let you fight my case in court.

But his name stays out of it.

These are my terms.

Ruth Ellis...

you are charged with the murder of David Blakely.

How do you plead?

Not Guilty.

They've called Desmond Cussen

as a witness for the prosecution.

The prosecution? What do they know about Desmond?

I don't know, but when this goes to trial,

Desmond will be speaking against you.

Everything he's seen you suffer, we can't use it,

but it's not too late

to go to the police and tell them about it.

There is nothing to tell.

There's something you need to understand, Ruth.

You represent everything they fear,

and they're going to try to destroy you.

- "They"? - The police, newspapers,

even the courts.

An ambitious woman, no respect for class boundaries,

no respect for sexual boundaries.

A mother who has, as they see it, abandoned her children.

You have used everything to try to advance yourself

at the expense of everything they value,

and they won't forgive you for it.

You're going to be on trial for far more than murder.

And we will need to use everything we have.

I won't betray anyone.

Well, then I hope to God we can say the same of him.

It will all come out at the trial...

what you put her through, what you made her suffer.

Hey. Why put his family through a pointless trial?

'Cause I believe she's not guilty of murder.

You've seen the press here.

You know this'll be the biggest case of both of our careers.

And I promise you, I will see her hang.

Why has the Crown called Desmond Cussen as a witness?

What's he given them?

See you in court.

I chose to do what I did. I don't regret it.

David.

You are not trying her for immorality...

but for murder.

He was... violent on occasions.

Why did nobody ask about the gun?

It is quite obvious when I shot him, I intended to kill him.

I know she lied about how she got it.

I will make him see who and what you are.

Then you will have my blood on your hands.

I know you think you can save me.

Sleep with him again, and I swear, I'll kill both of you.

She didn't carry out this crime alone.

My job, my daughter,

my unborn child are all gone because of him.

He does not get to walk away. He doesn't!

You've perjured yourself in the witness box.

You've condemned yourself.

People are on your side, Ruth. They're getting angry.

What people?

Ellis! Evans! Bentley! Ellis!

You really think you can take them all on and win?

You never really believed you could save me, did you?

No matter what anyone says or does now...

Call the bloody police.

If she isn't hanged tomorrow, she never will be.

If we make enough noise, we can stop this.

I don't want to die.

I don't want to die.