Original subtitles

Never, Debbies. I planned it. I took the knife. I made the map.

You're right.

Nobody helped us. Nobody, nobody, nobody.

When a prisoner escapes, all prisoners guilty.

So, all prisoners punished.

From now, you work much harder.

You work morning to night without break.

No food in day.

Only one meal at night.

Until prisoners learn they are defeated race.

And obey.

Obey always.

Imperial Japanese Army.

Why should we always suffer for the British?

Adamanto.

Oh, my Jesus.

Why couldn't you leave it alone?

Telling tales.

Prisoners, go, compound! We don't have to go out into the compound! Or, or, go,

compound.

Quick!

Prisoners, not go to, or speak to, those who escape.

Prisoner Simmons and Bowen, not shot.

Because the first confess who helped them.

Natives who helped outside compound.

I got you. I smell.

Microphone.

Watch out. Who's got whom?

Look at the mess.

I can't bear it. Give me two.

Give me two.

Give me two.

Thank God.

It's safe.

More than can be said for Blanche and Debbie.

She cares more about her precious diary.

You've even taken my bed cover.

What else could I do but report their escape?

I promised Judith.

Promised I'd take care of Debbie.

So you keep telling us. On her deathbed. Now she'll be shot. Yeah, at least out

there they'll have some kind of a chance.

I'm sure they wouldn't. Oh, so what? At least they'd better take the freedom

first. Time would seem the only thing to do. I mean... I thought if one of us

reported them, then Yamauchi might be lenient.

Lenient? After what they'd done to us?

Well, it's a fail, then.

I wish they would. You can talk.

Only you'd shut up instead of running to Marion like some little sneak thief. We

will not be suffering now.

That's not fair.

Rose would never have said anything if it was only Blanche. Never.

You know, she's not like that. Please, leave it alone.

If only you had.

I would have told Marion.

I don't think, Christina, you quite understand.

Understand? What don't I understand?

Oh, I see. Me not quite being what you'd call British.

Something like that. Well, Mrs Ashburton... Look, look, if you all feel

strongly about it, perhaps it would be better if someone else represented it.

Take the flak from Yamahuchi. Why the hell should we?

Besides, it's your contribution to the group, which I seem to have done very

badly. Oh, you're so good at it, chopping to the lip.

Bebe.

Bebe.

Try not to cry, huh?

Make you more thirsty.

I... I wet myself.

You think I haven't?

Thank you.

is done.

However, this is the last time that we Dutch will pay for your,

to be charitable, your lack of consideration.

From now on, we live as two separate groups, and I shall inform the

that we are no longer responsible for anything that the British do.

Ever.

God, how can you eat?

You haven't even got a bloody smoke.

God's too frightened to do deals, are they?

It's a very little snob.

What are we forgetting, Debbie and Blanche?

You lied. You had friends outside.

Map of land. Over village. Lear told her. Lear?

What Lear?

The trader's wife.

Before you killed her.

She not speak English.

Lisa, please. We don't know anything.

There is much time to speak truth.

Many days.

Can't blame them for being angry.

It's not that, is it?

It's Blanche and Debbie.

Don't.

Debbie's poor little ravaged face.

I was the one Blanche really trusted.

Fine friend I've turned out to be.

Now, I could try again to see Yamuji.

I've hated many people in my time.

But him?

Hey, Sylvia, did you hear Marion is seeing a commandant after supper this

evening? She's very determined.

Yes, they'll soon be back in their huts. You'll see.

You too.

Say something.

Boycott. An English captain hated by the Irish. It's not that bad. It's worse.

Everybody's trying to be so understanding.

You've forgotten Dorothy.

Give me her every time. At least one knows where one is.

As for Sylvia, one more kindly remark and I will throttle her. She's only

to be fair.

She's patronising.

I was a girl at school once.

Prefect you are, and too bloody perfect for words.

You might not have guessed, but I come from a fairly strapped background.

And my parents, they had to scrape and save everything to send me to a proper

school.

We went, and so will you, they told me.

So, no holidays.

No brandy for Carl.

Same old dress for mother.

Revamped year after year. New collar.

Flower of the folk.

Fancy belt.

What was I talking about?

Your school.

Oh, yes, and Judith's.

Well, they finally managed to send me there, and they were over the moon,

What they hadn't reckoned on was that every other girl in the school would

an especially expensive tennis racket except me.

Oh.

And a new frock each term for Sunday evenings except me.

I didn't mind the teasing.

Not a bit.

Blacked it up, actually.

Must have been going through my martyr period, but... That prefect!

She came and told you how it didn't matter.

How did you guess?

Rose, you can be so naive.

It's happened to almost all of us one way or another.

Well, it doesn't help.

I wondered where you'd hidden yourself.

I've spoken to the other women and told them that it was the only thing you

could have possibly done. Sylvia, we... Shut up.

Thank you, Sylvia. That was most considerate. At least I could do it.

She's old and she's trying... By God, she's there.

And you scare the living daylights out of her sometimes.

Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you can be very sharp

won't... Go on.

She told me about the governor's wife who made her feel so gauche.

And, you know, you are just the same.

she knew.

Any of us did. About any of us.

So close.

It's best to face forward to the crowd.

And Yamauchi.

Wish me luck.

Dorothy, put that back.

It's no use to blanch. Go on.

Changed his mind. He wouldn't see me.

Not that I couldn't see him, though.

Working the pieces on his billboard so delicately.

I could have killed him. I know the feeling.

And I had a gun.

You shoot the lot, eh?

Something like that.

It's all that experience up country.

The men sobbed, striding into the unknown, ready to give as good as they

Only joking.

Of course.

Up country.

It's hard to believe it ever happened.

In fact, none of my life seems real anymore.

Only this here.

I know the feeling.

I suppose I should count my blessings. So much of my life in peace time.

Tea. Sorry, it's a bit muddy.

No matter.

What do we think?

About Sally's age?

Why don't we just come out?

On the first World War.

Do that if I were you, it'll go septic.

Some wouldn't mind. Here, here.

That's quite enough of that.

It's over and done with.

So let's have a bit of old -fashioned tolerance.

Tell that to the Dutch. If they wish to take it out on us, who's to blame them?

Finally made dentist.

All the skills I'll be able to add when.

If.

It's not like you.

I'm beginning to wonder what is.

Giving you a hard time, are they?

Some. And no more than I deserve.

It's not a fact. It is.

Do you know when I finally discovered I'd grown up?

When I realised I couldn't be right all the time.

And I think I am.

Well, you're always very sure of yourself.

Not any more than you.

Don't bank on it.

I should never have reported them to Marion. Given Debbie's age, you had no

choice. But I shall always feel guilty. That, if I may say so, is part of the

human condition and has to be lived through. Even someone's death? Yes, even

that.

Before I took my finals, just before, my mother wrote to me, begging me to come

home.

I'm ill, she said.

I knew better.

She never loved me, not really.

But she died calling my name.

Funny thing.

For years afterwards, I never stopped apologising.

Not for her.

But for everything else.

Excuse me, what are you doing?

What does it look like? Taking mud for the vegetables. It will help them to

grow.

Hey, come back! We need that for straining!

Well, how do you like that?

Cheek! I think it's more than that.

Well, what are we going to do about it?

What do you think?

Give me tea. Have you gone mad? Mad?

You know we're trying to strain off the water. Such a stupid idea. Stupid or

not, we've dug that mud so we've every right to do what we want with it. You

have no right to abuse us or to tumble over our vegetables.

Our vegetables? They're for the bloody nips, same as your bloody fresh water.

dear, you swear in front of our system. And why not? Look, it's one thing being

forced to grow their vegetables. It's quite another putting ourselves out for

them. Tracking medicals for comfort.

Freeing them up when we're starving. If you British men always caught in

trouble, we wouldn't have had our rations cut.

Well, at least we didn't collaborate with the enemy.

How dare you say we collaborate?

Why not?

At least we didn't capitulate to the Nazis like you lot.

May God forgive you.

Come.

Let us return to our quarters and let us pray for our sisters that they may see

the error of their ways. You do that!

You!

She stood up for the Holy Catechism. Why, not bloody woman, she deserves it!

I suggest...

that from now onwards we live our lives separately in order to retain some best

date of human dignity.

If you do that, you will never ever speak to us again, is that understood?

Never.

It'll be a pleasure.

How could you say such a thing? Ah, he was there! When they've started it. Oh,

if only you could have heard yourself.

You'd have done the same.

No, I wouldn't. Well, if that's how you feel, you go and join the Dutch.

They're just as bad.

All of you.

You're such, such hypocrites.

Singing your hymns and pretending to love and forgive one another.

The mood is perfect.

My mother was.

A small Chinese woman.

You wouldn't even have noticed.

But she had more charity and compassion than all of you put together.

Commander, go.

If it's because I shouted... Commander, go!

I thought it was some kind of Japanese joke.

I mean...

Me, of all people, working for the commandant.

Because she has a job on the camp, I wouldn't wonder.

I suppose it was that card I filled in when we arrived. The offices I'd worked

in.

You know, I do find Yamauchi, well... Frightening.

Yes, that too, of course, but more... foreign.

Foreign?

Even you.

Think all non -whites have something in common?

Yes, I suppose so.

Stupid, really.

Yes, it is. Very.

You're very certain all of a sudden.

Yes, I am.

Maybe something to do with not pretending anymore.

Telling myself I'm Scottish because of a father and a name had never worked.

So, I'm just stuck with, well, me.

color and all.

And what's more, it doesn't really matter. Not any longer.

Anyway, from now on, I'm to write out the order, tally the thick.

That kind of thing.

So, I'll be out of the sun.

Which is more than can be said for you lot.

Prisoner Campbell?

Yes, Commandant.

Take to guardhouse.

Yes, Commandant.

Taffy! Taffy! Prisoner Campbell!

Marion! Marion, wait for me!

Thank you for seeing me.

I bet you guessed.

It's because of Prisoner Bowen.

She's very ill.

She's very young.

She'd never have thought of escaping on her own. But she did escape.

Her mother had just died. She didn't know what she was doing.

Please, Commandant, please.

If you'd just let me take her place, anything, anything that would save her,

please.

I've never begged before.

She's only 14.

In Japan, the young are cherished, but we also honor the dead.

We don't ask you to be honored, just living.

I mean, just to be alive.

Oh, God!

Forgive me, showing my feelings.

Feelings are part of all people, even so just.

You're very kind to our children.

They are the God's joy.

Because the prisoner Bowen is close to child, Imperial Japanese Army show

goodness of true conqueror and release her.

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.

The other prisoner, Prisoner Simmons, she's very brave.

What a woman.

If we two could be permitted to be as brave, to share more of the punishment

what she did.

British, you gamblers!

We know of indiscipline in House of Gambling.

Your royal ancestor, King Edward.

I have orders for prisoners to make 500 hats for workers in fields.

I say, not possible in time given.

So, if you make in quicker times than ordered, I will consider prisoner

Seven days from tomorrow.

Right, over there, please.

Forward!

Gently.

I was

so afraid.

I know we all were.

All right.

Gently, Norris.

This will better happen on her stomach, if you don't mind.

Sister, will you get me that bucket of water, please? Careful.

Now, Debbie,

I'm just going to sponge the dress off your back.

Now, don't worry.

I couldn't help it.

Out!

This is neither the time nor the place.

Out!

She tried to pretend she was all right.

But when they didn't cut her down... It's impossible.

500 hats in a week with us working all hours. Not to mention we don't even know

how. Nonsense. If I can make a hat look on anyone.

Look at us. I mean, look at us. We can't but try. Try? What do you mean, try?

There's no question of trying. We've got to do it. We've got to. That's all very

well. But try and think. We have all survived so far, haven't we?

And for once, Yamouchi's right.

We are gamblers.

And what's more, we are at our best against the odds. She has a point. Of

I have.

I mean, remember Dunkirk.

They all gave that up as lot. And they made it. It's a belt up.

Look. Right after supper we could start. Three, four hours. And we've got three

hours. And what about the Dutch? After what Mr. Oric has said. Especially after

I try... Please never go back on a word. Never. No, we'll have to tackle it on

our own. So, when are the materials arriving?

Food lorry, first thing. That's it, then. I'm on cooker, so I'll get it

into three parts. Now, we could have a tally to make it competitive.

Best hat, how many, that sort of thing. That's more like it. That would be it.

Never say die.

Why not?

Never say die. That's what it's about, isn't it?

She's going to die.

Nobody's going to die. It's all right, Debbie. It's all right.

No,

no, Blanche.

Shh. Never you fear, my pet.

It'll all be all right. Blanche will be saved, I promise you.

Right. So it's one, make the frame out of split cane.

Two, stick the leaves together into thick sections with rice water glue.

Three, sew the sections to the frame.

Finally, trim the edge. And that's all there is to it.

Oh, what about the sewing?

They've given us enough thread, but we have to make do with bamboo needles.

Or nails, fishbones, the choice is endless.

All right, then, everyone. Oh, do let's get on with it. Is there no more

questions? Are you ready for the auction? And remember, I'll write up

tally the next morning.

In other words, ready, steady...

Debbie. Back at ya.

Thought I was so tough.

He's convinced they're for the male prisoners.

Hmm. Bank on it.

Oh, dammit. The natives make their own hats, so they might be.

Oh, that's hope so.

I think they might be out there somewhere.

Through the trees.

Who might be? Through the trees.

The men.

The prisoners.

Down. Yes, right.

Even perhaps your banners.

Even him.

The house, Nathan.

Yes, ma 'am.

What, Helen?

You've picked it very, very important, the word. Don't be a panic.

It's the one thing, why not? Go on, go on.

Don't be like that.

I'll be any way I like.

It's so important.

The only important thing to me is a smoke.

You don't mean that. Yes, I do.

Look.

If you wet the leaves, it's much easier.

How much?

Oh, don't be so stupid. Just match that doll.

I can't even feel them. Honestly.

Lucky you.

Mum, she looks so ill.

Every time I pass her, it's like, oh, if only we had more help.

Little Anna asked if she could do something.

Child, what could she do?

She could sort out the leaves, get them ready for working.

Of course.

Oh, that's it.

Oh, that is it. Oh, listen, everybody, I've just had an idea. Well, rather,

Christina has.

The children want to help. Now, the only thing that they could do is to get the

materials ready for working, which, of course, is the answer.

Like what?

Like a production line.

Don't you see?

Some of them could prepare the panes for the frames.

Some of them could keep the needles full. Right.

And the rest of them could sort out and flatten the leaves.

So? How are we going to know who's the best hat maker?

Oh!

I'm glad you see the British are taking our sister's instruction seriously.

At least we shall now have some peace.

Well, that's it, then. All the teams are worked out. The Johnson girl is in

charge of the children.

Yes, Mrs. Sally? Fifty -six. All told, one hundred and twenty -four.

Good day.

Well,

we're getting fast all the time, but the production team will make a great

difference. Of course it will. Everything helps. We'll get you as the

individual to make the most hats.

Christina!

What do you guess?

Well, she doesn't get her hands torn to pieces when he has got sat in a

blistering heat all day. I was told to work in the office. Don't rise to it, my

dear. It only makes her worse.

I'm pretty about that.

What? Her best hat maker. It really works.

Well, we could make it the best hut. It's not the same thing.

When are you going to have a prize to spare them all?

How about paper, OK?

I could steal some from the office. When young witches not look pretty, that

would be wonderful.

Wonderful? It would be blitz.

Real proper lavatory paper.

Enjoy.

Don't forget, they must all be flat, each one.

And there's a bite of banana for the best work.

Debbie. Only me.

Here, let me.

Who can't go on?

Nothing, Debbie.

It's just that everybody's working very hard to get Blanche released, that's

all. How?

By making hats.

If by the day after the day after tomorrow we've made 500, then the

might release her.

How many have you made so far?

Quite a lot.

You're afraid to tell me. You're afraid because there won't be enough.

Debbie, everybody's doing their best.

I want to help. You, my girl, must rest.

Please. For Blanche.

Commandant. Good morning.

Is not Dutch for good morning?

I think it better if we speak in English.

So, Sister Urika.

Commandant, I wish to complain.

Of course.

Of course?

No prisoner yet come to office to thank Captain Yamauchi of Imperial Japanese

Army.

For what we should thank you?

For teaching much -needed lesson of good discipline.

It is about discipline that I wish to complain your discipline.

My discipline? The discipline of the guards at my Sunday service.

They point and make fun of us.

Fun? Laugh when we kneel and pray, even during the most sacred moment. I know

they are heathens, but it is... Heathens?

What is such?

They do not believe in God.

Ah, soですか.

Sister Ulrika, I have always much surprise at the ignorance of a

they believe only their God exists.

But, Sister Ulrika, there are as many gods as a people.

Each see out of their own eye, their own picture.

I'm sorry, Commandant, but I disagree.

Our God is... Ah!

Our God?

God is one and Catholic, which is meaning universal.

He is the God of all people, all love and all... If he has so much love, why

not help other Christians, British Christians?

I do not understand.

Many things.

Why you not help make hats to release your Christian prisoner?

They are working for her.

But they did not tell me.

We have been separate.

Under the same God.

Under the same God.

500 hats by day after tomorrow.

And then you will release the prisoner?

I will think on it.

I understand.

Thank you, Commandant.

Thank you.

Dorothy, wake up.

Oh, God, what have we done now?

I don't doubt it.

Where are the supplies?

If we are to save our sister, there are heads to be made.

Thank you, Sister Ulrica.

Oh, thank you.

That'll teach me. Well, let us not waste time. Believe.

Ah, then.

I

can't

bear it. There's so few times.

Still, everyone's working now. I'm getting faster.

I'm more exhausted.

Blanche dies.

You mustn't think like that.

But I must.

That's what I did with Mummy.

Prepared myself.

I know it's morbid. No, of course not.

I used to have the same when I was expecting my baby.

And I was right.

The only sensible thing to do.

Excellent.

So, you

speak Japanese?

Only the few words I've learned here.

And some Dutch.

Dutch, too?

Languages have always been easy for me.

And what language your mother speak?

Hokkien, Malay, and French. I never knew which language she was going to use.

And in what language you dream?

Dream?

I'm not sure.

So many things, not sure.

And how are the hats?

Last night we did quite well.

And with tonight and tomorrow night, we just might... What is it, Commandant?

You have one night less than you think.

It is the lawyer of tomorrow evening that take hearts.

Six o 'clock.

Oh, no.

Please, Commandant, may I go out for a moment?

Nor shall my soul...

I have to pray the transport's late.

Nips are never late.

Exhausted or not, we've got to work all night.

Eight, nine, ten.

We must be mad.

Go on.

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine.

It doesn't help.

It does.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Look. It's gone.

And on the seventh day...

Has much wood.

So today, no tree chopping.

Work in compound.

Has very little water in well.

Prisoners are out water from spring.

Now it is straight to bed with you and no cheating.

Children.

Bless you.

You've all been wonderful.

What? I need some strips. What? Here.

Debbie? Yes?

Please try and understand how it was.

And Marion, after she had promised your mother, what else could she do?

I understand.

Don't tell me.

She understands you shocked her.

I would never have betrayed her.

Never. She is my friend.

And if she had gone alone, I would have died, Rush.

And now she will.

Very good.

Well done.

They want them now. They're to be counted in the cookhouse. Well, what's

time? No time to count.

There you are.

Time's up.

Oh!

You're taking them to the cookhouse? Hold on.

Could I have those?

How many now? No time to count. I'll take them. Here, let me.

Rehab time.

Excuse me, Commandant. Could I please take the two sample hats?

They are no use here.

I can't bear this.

And six.

Branch?

Branch is all over.

Nothing bad.