Original subtitles

- Morning, Dr Allen. - Morning.

Morning.

- Morning, Doctor. - Everything all right?

Yes, same as usual.

- No surprises? - All the readings are stable.

Morning, sir.

Morning, sir.

Morning, Dr Maitland.

- Morning, Dr Maitland. - Morning.

Morning, Dr Maitland.

Right.

ECG.

Morning, sir.

- Morning, Doctor. - Morning, sir.

Fine, fine, blood temperature normal, respiration steady. Pulse rate?

Fifty-six, sir.

Trifle rapid for him, isn't it? Why is that?

Perhaps he senses what he's in for, sir.

You must be looking forward to tomorrow, Dr Allen?

Very much.

Yes, indeed.

Er, the urn, television people will be arriving after lunch.

You will give them every assistance.

We'll do what we can.

Dr Maitland?

What do you think his chances are?

I should ask Dr Bergen that.

- Go “way! - Towel, madam?

No, you're not old enough for this. It's not just tomato juice.

I'm awfully sorry, I'm sure he must have kept you awake all night.

No not at all. It's a long trip from Los Angeles,

all the noise and strangers, why shouldn't he cry?

Well, it's very kind of you, and very understanding.

- What's his name? - Christopher.

I wonder, would you mind holding him just for a minute?

No not at all. Here we go.

All right.

Good! Go on, cry.

Yell. Good for the lungs. Attaboy.

Morning, sir.

Dr Bergen, welcome.

- Dr Maitland. - How do you do?

- Nice to see you. - Excuse me, sir.

I hope all of this isn't on my account?

Well, we're having a small reception afterwards.

Afterwards?

Now, I expect you'd like to see your room?

I'd like to see John Soames.

There he is.

Are you sure we should try to wake him?

I mean, he looks happier than most conscious people.

We don't know whether he's happy or not.

He's like a hibernating animal.

You're going to make him human.

No, no, I'm going to try to make him conscious.

You'll have to make him human.

Well, we're prepared for that.

All right, everybody, quieten down.

Now let's not be all night with the lights, Ian.

And Naomi, now, look,

if I forget to ask that, give me a wave, right?

Fine. Dave, Dave, where are you going to be cueing me from?

- We're over here, Tom. - Fine.

Michael, Michael? Can you hear me in there?

Camera two start on me,

then the doctor, then Mr Soames.

Yes, that's okay. That's all right with me.

Pull out as Dr Maitland approaches.

All right, now settle down, everybody, settle down.

Stand by.

He wants you in mind for...

Stand by, Dave.

Probe interview 4257.

- John Soames, take one. - Five, four, three...

Dr Maitland,

you are Director of the Midland Institute of Neurophysiological Research.

How did Mr Soames come to be at your institute?

Well, he was born at a nearby hospital.

When his condition was discovered, they called our senior consultant

who had him moved here.

That was, of course, before I took up my present post.

And what is his condition?

He's been in coma since birth.

Could you elaborate on that, please?

Well, it was a difficult delivery,

and our patient sustained damage

to the sleep centre at the base of the brain.

As a result of this, he's been unconscious since the day he was born.

But he is alive? All other organs are normal?

Yes, his vital functions are working well,

but he remains, as it were, very deeply asleep.

Why, after thirty years,

is Mr Soames still alive? Why isn't he dead?

Well, he's fed intravenously,

his heartbeat has been kept minimal by the cold temperature of this tank.

He's given regular daily massage to prevent muscular atrophy.

In a strange way, Mr Soames is very fit.

Dr Maitland, thank you.

Take one. Two, give me a two shot.

Now, Dr Bergen, how did you first become interested

in the case of Mr Soames?

Well, the topography of the brain

is my area of expertise. And, er... with the help of the recent advances

in stereo-taxic surgery, I hope to locate the sleep centre accurately,

stimulate the affected area,

and, er... wake him up.

I see. And if the operation is a success, what then?

With completion of surgery, Dr Maitland will be in charge of the patient.

Dr Bergen, thank you, thank you.

- Take two. - Dr Maitland,

when he wakes up, won't his mind be that of a baby?

Yes, exactly. A baby.

Come in.

Hello.

Dr Maitland asked me to give you this.

What is it?

It's a training program he worked out for Mr Soames.

Have you read it?

Yes. We all had a copy.

What do you think of it?

Well, er... I'm a doctor, not a psychologist.

I see, Doctor.

Would you like a drink?

No, thanks. I'm still on duty.

Good night.

This is Thomas Fleming,

reporting from the Midland Institute of Neurophysiological Research.

Thank you.

Neurologists, psychiatrists, and surgeons from many countries

have been invited to observe this operation,

unique in the history of medicine.

Welcome to the Institute.

I am standing in the visitors' gallery,

looking down into the main operating theatre.

In a few moments, our visitors, and you, the viewing audience,

will witness an operation that may bring to life a man who,

for all normal intents and purposes, has been dead for thirty years.

And here he is. John Soames.

And that's Dr Michael Bergen himself,

seeing that his patient is placed

in precisely the position that he requires for the operation.

Very good.

Excuse me.

Good morning, Dr Maitland.

Morning.

- The patient is ready, sir. - Thank you, Sister.

- Everything okay? - Yes, fine.

Dr Bergen has made his first incision.

What did I eat lunch for?

I warned you.

And the drilling is about to begin,

to form an entry to the brain beneath.

How can Tom stand it?

Two.

He used to be a medical student once.

Threw him out when they found he had no heart.

Would you...?

Thank you.

The position of the probe must

be accurate to within half a millimetre.

With this tiny probe, Dr Bergen will attempt to

stimulate the

dormant area of consciousness.

If he is successful, life will begin

for Mr Soames.

All right. Six volts, one minute.

Six volts, one minute.

Thank you.

One minute.

It's done. The operation is over.

Dr Bergen looks pleased.

And that is Dr Joseph Allen removing the bracket,

- suturing and closing up the wound. - So far, so good.

Dr Bergen, I haven't been able to congratulate you yet.

- Thank you. - It was a great job.

That's nice.

You've enabled Dr Maitland to conduct a fascinating educational experiment.

Will you be staying to watch any of it?

I hadn't intended to.

We'll be covering it for television.

Six hour-long documentaries on Soames' progress.

From cold tank to first-class citizen.

Thank you.

Dr Maitland doesn't mind?

He knows all about it. Naomi, see if you can find Dr Maitland.

Very good, Mr Soames. You're ticking over nicely.

Any chance of a wee nip, Doctor?

Yes, of course. Come in.

What's it to be? Vodka?

Yes. Neat, please.

This is a great moment for the Institute,

and we have you to thank for it.

Well, I hope it's a great moment for the patient.

What if he never wakes up?

No show.

To Mr Soames.

To Mr Soames.

By the way, did you get a copy of my training program?

- Yes, I did, thank you. - What do you think of it?

Well, it's very interesting. Matter of fact, it's beautifully detailed.

There's only one thing that I feel...

It seems to me that it's a bit...

inflexible.

I'd say controlled, not inflexible.

At three weeks he will stand. At four, walk. Five, count.

Six, learn to eat with utensils.

- You don't think he can do it? - Well, I'm sure he can do it, but, er...

what's the rush?

Soames is thirty years old. He hasn't the time a child has

to learn all the skills he's going to need.

Of course, when he does learn a skill, he'll be rewarded.

And what if he doesn't?

We shall keep on trying.

Well, I'm sure it's splendid.

Anyway, good luck with it.

About two minutes ago.

No, no, don't frighten him.

He can see.

John.

John Soames.

Get out. Get the hell out of here.

Take your equipment, and get out of my patient's room.

Wait outside, would you?

- But when will we...? - I can't let you into this room until much later.

Welcome to the human race, John Soames.

Go ahead, let it out.

It was never easy being born.

Orange.

Orange.

Fish.

Fire.

Rocket.

Big day today, Mr Soames. We'll need our strength.

So let's eat all our food.

There.

Door.

Very good.

His milk is heating, Ron. Will you bring it?

Cat.

What he needs is a good steak,

instead of that pap they keep serving him.

His stomach isn't digesting properly yet.

Here we go.

- Morning. - Morning, sir.

Turn over.

I'll do that.

Gaped.

I think we can have that off now.

Morning, Soames.

No need to gulp it. Slowly will do.

Slowly!

We'll have to control those sudden movements.

Soames,

you're going to try to walk today.

Take your first steps.

Help him out.

- I'm sorry. - Come on, Naomi. This is important.

Come on.

Now stand up.

Come and get it.

Now stop that, Soames.

You'll get it when you stand up.

Good.

Good.

Now stand up.

Good.

Come on.

Come on.

Now walk, Soames.

Like this.

Good.

Very good.

We're on our way.

Will you help him, Mr Davis?

Come on, Soames,

we don't want you to get it in your eye.

Come on, Soames.

Cut.

For God's sake, stop it!

Wait, wait.

John, John.

John.

Thank you.

Good boy.

You can put him back now.

There we go.

He can't have things all his own way.

There we are.

All children have tantrums.

They're all id and no superego. All drive and no control.

When Soames wants something, he wants it immediately,

and if he doesn't get it, he becomes angry.

And it's a total anger, capable of anything.

That's why we have to teach him not only knowledge but control.

And quickly.

Yes, but you won't be teaching control, you'll be imposing it.

And there is a difference.

Well, the end result will be the same:

Acceptable behaviour.

Acceptable to whom?

To the world at large.

Bergen, as you know, some parents pick up their child the moment it cries.

Other parents leave their child to cry.

And after a while, the child learns the world will not adjust to him,

he must adjust to it.

Now, the second parents may seem heartless,

but which is kinder in the long run?

I've got three kids.

I always pick them up.

Well, naturally, it's up to each parent to choose.

Naturally.

This is for counting.

- One, two, three... - Train.

- Four, five, six, seven. - Line.

Eight, nine, ten.

Four minus one is...

Three. Six minus one...

Four minus three leaves one.

Six minus four leaves two.

You are John Soames.

I know you can say it.

John Soames.

Don...

Thome.

That's right. Now, in the house...

lived the man.

In his house. The man's house.

And the woman

lived in the house with the man.

- You're a man. - C...

Thee.

Good. D...

Dee.

This is the Tower of London.

London is the capital of England.

D... E...

In the house there was a little man, and he was called...

Boy.

Boy!

Add is plus, subtract is minus.

One, two, three, plus one

equals one, two, three...

- O... P... - O... P...

Apples and oranges.

And the little hand is on one, and the big hand is on six. The time is...

John.

Sixpence.

Car.

Yes.

Two, and the big Sixpence is...

Soames.

Soames.

One...

shilling.

How's our boy doing?

Scholarship material.

- Q... - Q...

Pay attention, Soames. You can have a sleep later. 8...

- Three plus one... - Sun... fish...

One pint.

Two pints.

Three pints.

Pour it in the bowl.

And then five more times.

Three and five makes eight.

There are eight pints in a gallon.

Wet water.

Yes. Water is wet.

Now pour another one in the bowl.

Why?

To learn.

Why?

Well, you don't want to be a baby forever, do you?

Now pour another one in the bowl.

Go on, Soames.

So now he hasn't eaten anything for two whole days.

He shows no interest in anything.

Doesn't even respond to his name.

Well, that's blood pressure, reflexes and respiration.

All normal.

According to these tests, he's conscious and alert.

I'm not disputing the tests. I'm looking at the man in front of us.

And it appears very much as though he's sinking back

into the comatose state he was in before the operation.

Now, Soames, listen to me.

What is your name?

I know you can hear me.

Soames, stop sulking.

John? John?

Give me your hand.

Do you want a drink of water?

Hey, John, how about a bath?

If a second operation should be necessary...

I hope not.

Could I have a few minutes alone with him, please?

Yes, of course.

John, I have something for you.

Brought it all the way from London.

Would you like to see how it works?

How often do you play games with him?

Games? What sort of games?

Well, I don't mean games to teach him anything,

I mean for fun. Fun games.

Games can be educational and enjoyable at the same time, you know.

How often has he been out?

- Well, at the present moment, I... - Has he been out at all?

He's not ready.

How many people has he met?

I don't see what this has to do with his physical condition.

Has he had any more tantrums?

No, on the contrary.

He's been fascinated, and he is developing.

He's learned more in a few weeks than a normal child learns in years.

If you don't let up, you're going to teach Mr Soames to death.

Now listen to me, Soames.

You won't gain anything by refusing to eat.

You'll only disappoint us, and make yourself ill.

He won't go to the lavatory either, Doctor.

Now that's ridiculous, Soames.

- Hi. - We're your friends.

Would you like us to eat with you?

Erm... bring the soup over, will you, Nicholls?

I hear you're staying for a while.

Yes, as long as I'm allowed.

Toys?

I bought out the store.

Well now, suppose he wants to play all the time?

And refuses to work or study?

Well, he'll get tired of playing.

After a while, he'll decide he wants to learn something,

and he'll learn all the better once he's made the decision for himself.

Well, that's not exactly what Dr Maitland believes.

But it's what I believe.

What do you believe?

Thank you.

Now open your mouth, Soames.

We were having a little trouble with the feeding.

Now, John...!

Nicholls, leave him alone!

Nicholls, leave him alone!

John! John!

John! Ball!

Ball.

John. Catch!

Catch. Catch.

Catch. Catch. Whoo!

Good, John. Very good.

Now, come on.

Come on.

Come on!

Good, John! Very good.

John, good.

Here we go! Very good, John. Good! Good, good!

Now, Dr Maitland.

Smile.

Big smile.

Good, John, good! Good, John!

Very good. Come on now, join in. We all want to play.

Very good. Good boy. Good, good.

Fine. Good.

- What was he resisting? - Food. He didn't want to eat.

Right, get some food. Six plates of it.

We're all going to eat with Mr Soames.

Right! All right, that's it! Come on now!

Keep smiling.

Good! Thank you! There we go! Hey!

Alice's crazy tea party.

Very good, John.

Spoon.

Spoon.

John Soames spoon.

Very, very good.

Wait.

Here.

That was for trying to hold him down before.

Why don't you include me in some of his recreation periods?

With what object?

Give him an outlet for some of that rebellious energy of his.

Let him take it all out on me.

What precisely do you intend to do?

I think I'll let that be John's first decision.

You're one lap behind, John!

No.

- Yes, you are. - It was... fifth time.

- Fifth? - One, five, fifth.

If you don't hurry up, you're gonna be two laps behind.

- I'm winning. - You're lying.

- I won't play. - Well, I don't care.

- I like it just as well without you. - No, no, look, we'll start again.

Right, John?

I want red car.

- Why? - It's best.

- No, it isn't. It's just the brightest. - I want it!

Please! Damn it, John, your manners are terrible.

Damn it. I want it. Please.

Give it to him.

All right. Now this time you count down, John.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One-go!

You've cheated now, you're not supposed to start till you say go.

You've cheated every game the whole day, and I'm tired of...

There we are. Sleep well, John. Pleasant dreams.

Dreams?

Yes, you know, all those nice places you go when you fall asleep.

You close your eyes and go to sleep now, and

you'll dream about the house. Remember? On the farm?

And you'll see the horse, the cow, the dog.

All those lovely things outside.

John?

You let him out?

I opened the door.

Why?

Look!

- We can't let... - Relax. Relax.

Waaa-ter.

Come on. He may not get the right door, and get into a panic.

- What then? - Well, we'll show him.

Suppose he runs out the gate?

- How are your legs? - Spindly.

It'll do you good, then.

- You see? - John! John!

Mr Soames, where are you?

Damn!

Mr Soames! John! We've been looking for you everywhere.

- Hey, come back! - John! John! Come back here!

Let him go! Don't chase him. He wants to go inside.

- Don't hurt him! - Don't let him get behind the trees!

Mr Nicholls! Gently! Mr Nicholls!

You'll have a nice cup of tea, John. Come on, let's get some rest.

Need a blanket.

Take him inside.

Jim, go and get cleaned up. I'll stay with him.

John?

- John, listen... - No! No!

That was a stupid, irresponsible thing to do.

I should have thought you'd have more sense.

For God's sake, Maitland. He was happy out here.

He was exploring and learning about the world at first hand.

Dr Bergen, the Institute is very grateful

- for what you did for Soames... - He was going back of his own free will.

To show our gratitude, I allowed you your play sessions with him,

much as I disagreed.

Now, I'm afraid I can no longer allow you to influence our patient.

Patient? Soames is a person.

He is not an experiment on which to test your ideas.

Or yours?

Would you like something to eat?

John, I know you're clever,

and I know you're going to understand.

You'll be free to go out there when your training is over.

When?

Well, let's say six months.

- How long is six months? - It's not long.

- Out there? - Yeah.

No.

They'll hurt me.

- They'll bring me back. - No, no. They will not, John. Not then.

All right, then, Soames? Feeling better?

He hurt Soames before.

Jim didn't mean to hurt you. He was told to bring you in.

I'm hungry.

All that running about?

We'll eat together.

Jim, bring some fresh bread and cheese. And some cocoa.

Yeah, yeah, sure.

John!

John! John!

There he is! Come on!

Soames!

Out. Out. Out.

John! Stop! John!

God.

This is the latest.

All right, Sergeant, put out an alarm.

Yes, sir.

Your man, Nicholls, the nurse. How is he?

- Well, he... - He has a concussion.

Is he going to die?

No, no, no, no. I don't think so.

It shouldn't take long to catch him.

He's never been outside before. He won't know what to do.

We must remember that mentally, he's...

well, he's only a small child.

Have you ever had to catch a runaway child, Doctor?

- No. - I have. Several.

The last one got to New York.

Red car!

Can I give you a lift?

I'm going as far as Tilfield. Hop in.

What are you dressed like that for? Training for the Olympics?

I do a lot of business in Tilfield.

I'm in plastics.

Cups and saucers and that sort of thing.

I sell a lot to the factory canteens.

Bright colours, you know. Friendly.

Makes a meal a pleasure.

Some designs, also.

Floral, mostly. They seem to like those.

I don't know whether it's the flowers they go for.

Well, don't ask.

Would you like me to pour you a drink?

Or maybe you'd prefer to get it yourself?

Drink. Yes, please.

Pint of draught?

Milk, please.

I was wondering what you were on about.

Here, dear.

Here! That's not funny.

- What's going on around here? - I wish I knew.

Spitting out our good draught all over the floor.

We'll want an explanation for that.

Or you'll be required to vacate these premises.

And he hasn't paid for the sandwiches, either.

That'll be four and eleven pence, including the beverage.

- Four... five... - I think you've had

a drop too much, if you'll pardon me.

Come along, sir.

Game. Game.

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Hey, watch it!

Come on! Get on with the game!

Nicholls has come to.

He'll be all right. There was no permanent damage.

Thank heaven for that.

- Any more news? - No.

What's going to happen to Soames when they find him?

Well, if we're lucky, they'll let him come back here.

And if we're not?

That depends on what he does between now and then.

Hey, you!

Put that coat down!

Come back at once!

Hey, you! Come back!

Look out!

Are you all right?

Can you move?

Don't worry. We'll take care of you.

Richard!

Let's get him into the car.

- What are we going to do with him? - Help me lift him.

He must be in shock.

- Be careful. - I am being careful.

Now what do we do?

We take him to the hospital.

Fine. First thing they'll do is phone the police.

I'll get six months this time. Is that what you want, Jenny?

No, Richard, that's not what I want.

Are you sure? Give you a little time to yourself.

Are you sure that's not what you want?

- Shut up and take us home. - Home?

It'll give us time to think. And time for you to sober up.

You drive.

It's all right.

I'm just going to clean you up a bit.

How do you feel?

Do you remember what happened?

Happened?

Last night.

Lights.

- A car? - A car.

You see, we found you.

Lying by the roadside, near here.

It must have been a hit-and-run driver.

Are you hungry?

Hungry. Yes.

Then we'll feed you.

Would you like to get up?

Where are my clothes?

I've washed them.

I'll bring you breakfast in bed,

and then I'll iron everything.

Perhaps you'd like a bath?

Right in here.

Mr Soames?

Yes.

John Soames?

John Soames.

You're wanted for attempted murder, Mr Soames.

You tried to kill a man.

You hurt him.

Very badly.

Nicholls hurt me. He...

He...

Locked you up?

Now listen...

I think you ought to stay here for a day or two,

until you're really well, and able to go.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Poor Mr Soames.

I don't know what they did to you,

but I'm sure you never wanted to hurt anybody.

I'm not going to tell the police,

because it was my useless drunken husband who knocked you down.

He's a lot more dangerous than you are.

And I can't remember the time

he was half as gentle as you're being now.

Charlie Delta three four.

Message for Inspector Moore.

Moore speaking. Go ahead.

Phone call from Mr Richard Bannerman, 22 Fulland Drive.

You told them what?

I just said we found him injured in the road.

It puts us in the clear, you see.

Now keep him there. The police are on their way.

We have to hurry. The police are coming.

Hurry? Where?

To the Institute.

We have to get you back to your doctors before the police arrive.

No. No more Institute.

My husband has the car.

I'll take you by train.

The station's at the bottom of the road.

I know you don't understand.

Poor John.

Please, trust me.

I'll get my coat.

You stay here.

John?

John Soames!

Where to, please?

A ticket, please. Thank you.

- London? - London.

She's coming in now. Change at Bedford.

Hold on!

We'll have fifteen and a penny for that.

Money.

Bedford train!

Bedford train.

Change at Bedford for London!

Hurry along now, please.

Stand away, please.

Next stop's fifteen miles down the line, sir.

- Soames was definitely on it? - Yes, sir.

Was anyone with him? In the same compartment?

They didn't know that, sir.

Let them know he's coming.

Apple.

London...

is the capital of England.

I am going to London.

My name is John Soames.

What is your name?

Melanie. Melanie Parks.

Mel... an... ie.

Many trees.

There are many trees at the Institute.

I do not like the Institute.

No. Quite... right.

Get away from me! Get away from me!

Help! Help!

Get away from me!

Help! Help!

Help! Help! Help! Here! Please!

- Please, please hurry! - What's happened, Miss?

- He just escaped that way. - Who did?

He said his name was John Soames.

Did he attack you?

Well, he tried to. He... he reached for me. He...

- Please, please hurry! - Come on, Ted.

He's somewhere round Tilfield. They're out searching for him now.

Get on to the office, and tell them to send down the camera crew and the van.

Come on, step to it!

Over here!

Right, Prince. Here you go. That's it, boy. Find him.

Go on!

Hello, Control. Over.

Hello, Control. Over.

Inspector Moore just called. They've found Soames.

Thank God. Where is he? Is he hurt?

They don't know. He's in a barn, the other side of Tilfield.

- The police are surrounding it now. - How far is that?

About twenty minutes at the outside.

Has anyone spoken to him yet?

I was waiting for you, Doctor.

Where is he?

In there.

All right, Steve. You'll be up on the roof with the camera.

- You get up with him with the spotlights. - Okay.

When I bang on the headlights,

- you hit the spots. - Right.

Soames? Soames, can you hear me?

You must be very tired. Please come out now,

and we'll give you something to eat, and put you to bed.

Soames, I asked you if you could hear me.

You don't want to stay there all night, do you?

Soames?

- John Soames! - Be careful. He may have some kind of weapon.

I think I know how to handle Soames.

You don't want me to get angry, do you, Soames?

Don't do it, Dr Maitland. Don't go in there.

Soames, I'm telling you for the last time.

Are you coming out, or do I have to come in and fetch you?

No, no! Go away!

For God's sake, don't frighten him.

He may panic and do something else violent.

Your advice, Dr Bergen, on each and every occasion,

has been signally disastrous.

Right, we'll discuss that later.

Our job now is to get him to come out of his own free will,

act sane and responsible,

and we're not going to achieve that by shouting at him.

Gentlemen, we don't want to be here all night.

May I try?

Certainly.

Dr Bergen, it might be dangerous.

I'm willing to take that risk.

John?

It's Dr Bergen.

I want to talk to you.

John?

John?

They're outside. I heard.

They don't mean any harm.

They will take me back.

Don't you think it's best, John?

I don't know.

What happened to you, John? Are you hurt?

My leg.

How did you do that?

I fell.

After the train.

Could I see it?

Please?

That's not bad.

But you don't want to get any germs in this, do you?

I have some medicine in the car.

And drink.

And food.

Food?

Can you walk?

Yes. Walk.

Do you think he can make him come out?

He won't try to make him do anything.

I'm not going to force you, John. It's up to you.

I'm going to the car,

and you can come, if you like.

I don't know.

You must decide for yourself.

Don't go.

Any minute now.

It's all right. He's coming out of his own accord.

Not yet.

Over here!

Get in the car.

Dr Bergen?

It's up to you, John.

It's your decision.

Now!

Turn those off, damn it!

Turn it off! Leave him alone!

John!

John... Soames...

John?

John?

SUBTITLES BY POWERHOUSE FILMS LTD