Original subtitles

J“ a happy, happy holiday and many, many weeks of play j“

j“ and merry, merry things to do in summertime j“

j“ a happy, happy holiday and many, many weeks of play j“

j“ and merry, merry things to do in summertime j“

j“ a happy, happy holiday and many, many weeks of play j“

j“ and merry, merry things to do in summertime j“

j“ a happy, happy holiday and many, many weeks of play j“

j“ and merry, merry things to do in summertime j“

alright, children, dismissed.

- Happy holiday, miss sims! - Thank you.

See you next Autumn, miss sims!

I'm gonna try awfully hard mathematics next term, Ms. Sims.

All of you be sweet and good, and I hope

you have the loveliest of holidays.

- Goodbye, Ms. Sims. - Goodbye, Jane.

- Goodbye, Ms. Sims. - Oh, happy holiday, Helen.

And thank you all for these lovely gifts.

0h, these flowers! They're Jennifer's, aren't they?

Thank you, dear. And the pears...

Those are from the brown girls.

Thank you, malvolia.

- A beautiful holiday, Ms. Sims. - Thank you, dear.

- And you, edwina. - Happy holiday.

Nail Polish?

Ohh, I only put it on this morning.

She's meeting a boy, miss sims.

Ohh, does your mother know?

Not yet, miss sims. But she will.

Goodbye, miss sims.

Goodbye, velvet. And thank you.

0h, don't thank me for anything.

I ate my pear. I forgot.

Well, it was a kind thought anyway, velvet.

She's absent-minded. She's always dreaming.

I know.

What do you dream about hour after hour?

Things.

Why don't you follow your sister mally's example?

Look, even on the last day ofschool

she's brought her grammar.

0h, don't move! My canaries!

Don't step on trilby!

I'll miss the brown girls.

You had no right to. I'm so furious I could shake you.

But, edwina, I only wanted to explain about the Polish.

So you told miss sims I was meeting a boy.

It's a wonder you didn't tell her who and where.

I didn't know where.

I'll buy crunchies, huh?

- My treat. - No, thanks.

I could slip my plate out in a minute.

Put it back, velvet. Your teeth will never straighten

if you keep pushing it in and out all the time.

Hello, Mr. Hallam.

No more antique.

- Take my books home. - Mine, too.

You know, mally's thoughtless.

That was Ted, wasn't it?

Aren't you meeting him?

At the spinney at four o'clock.

But you didn't even say hello.

In public?

Undignified.

Strange. Not dignified to be polite when you're in love.

Velvet, you're too young to understand some things.

Have you ever really felt keen about anything?

- Oh, yes! - Horses!

What does it feel like to be in love with a horse?

- I lose my lunch. - You're a child.

Here's where you feel it. It...

It skips a beat.

See you at supper.

Step out now.

Stop pulling at the bit!

- Whoa! - 0h.

I wouldn't be cantering that horse uphill.

I don't usually. I was hurrying.

- Hurrying? Where to? - No place. Just hurrying.

Should be at school, shouldn't you?

Summer holidays started today. Where should you be?

Any place my feet take me.

- Is that sewels over there? - Mmm-hmm.

- Is that where you're going? - Mmm-hmm.

I live there. My father's the butcher.

That's nice.

I have two sisters and a brother.

That makes it chummy.

- What you got? - The whole world.

My pa left it to me, all of it.

Hungry?

Did I ask you for anything?

No, thank you.

I didn't mean to be rough with you, but a fellow

gets tired of people being sorry for him.

He gets not to like it.

It's like edwina said.

It, it skipped a beat instead of losing lunch.

Are you feeling alright?

Isn't he beautiful?

He's new. I've never seen him before.

Yeah. He's got lots of vinegar, I'll Grant you.

About 15.2 more nearer 16 hands, I'd say.

He's got speed.

Short back, well ribbed up. He's a nice mover alright.

- He's loose. - He made it!

Did you see him take that fence?

Come back! You'll get trampled on!

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa!

There. What a lovely boy he is.

Oh, you're a sweet one!

You're a plucky one, velvet.

- What's his name, Mr. Ede? - Name?

He's a murderous pirate, not deserving of a name!

Oh, no, not pirate.

He's a gentle one.

I'll just call him pie.

Ohh, you're a pretty one, pie. You didn't mean to run away.

You're a wizard, velvet.

- May I ride him, Mr. Ede? - Ride this horse?

- Oh, please, let me ride him. - Not this horse.

You know, he's wild as a hare.

And what's the lad doing, letting a girl

throw herself in front of a horse?

But he did try to stop me, Mr. Ede.

Not too hard. Friend of yours, velvet?

We both think your horse is beautiful, Mr. Ede.

Where did you get him?

Bought him cheap at barnet fair,

but he's got the devil in him.

Tramping the roads, my lad?

And if I am? England's a free country.

Free, is it? Well, you better detour around sewels.

That's a piece of free advice.

Our constable don't like odd characters.

But he's a friend, Mr. Ede. And he knows all about horses and

and he's coming home for supper.

Velvet, your father won't like it.

I have business in sewels.

No doubt.

Ede: Mrs. Herbert brown.

That's very interesting.

You say this was your father's address book?

Yes, ma'am. I found it among his belongings.

His name was Dan Taylor.

Did you wash your neck, velvet?

- Yes, mother. - It's soaking.

Next time unbutton your collar.

Mr. Taylor, what do you like poon's

Finch mixture for canaries?

Ohh, mally, he doesn't know anything about canaries.

How do you know?

Do you know anything aboutcanafies, boy?

No, sir.

That's settled.

I was sick all night.

I was sick all night!

Go on. Go on.

I am getting on.

You're just rolling it 'round and 'round.

- Now swallow. - Can't. Isn't slidey.

Isn't he lovely?

He collects insects.

Mrs. Brown, must he wear that bottle to the table?

Young man...

There's a very strict rule about feeding Jacob at table.

- I'm sorry. - Makes a beggar out of him.

- Where's edwina? - Meeting that boy.

Don't tease her when she comes in.

So sorry to be late.

'Dwina's late! 'Dwina's late!

'Dwina, this is mi Taylor.

I found him on the Brighton road.

Don't look so shocked, 'dwina.

He was coming to see mother anyway.

Uncanny, isn't it?

'Dwina's late and I was sick all night.

That's a lie, Donald. You weren't sick.

I could have been sick if I wanted to.

Donald, you told a story, didn't you?

Yes, it was a story.

Well, you know what a story is.

Say you're sorry.

He's thinking.

Well, make up your mind.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Well, go on. Sorry for what?

For being sick all night.

The child will make a lawyer.

Edwina: Velvet, put that back.

It aches me when I eat. It's a devil plate.

Ache or no, that cost four pounds ten. And it's solid gold.

How many times must I tell you girls

that you have only your faces for your fortunes?

Do you want to have a face like a rabbit?

She'd rather have a face like a horse.

Mrs. Brown: Enough, mally.

Now then, you've something to say about your father.

Uh, you said that you knew him.

I didn't say anything.

You said you had things to talk about.

Y... you must have known him.

Why should he have your name in his address book?

I thought you were going to answer that.

Well, uh, well, to tell you

the strict truth, ma'am, I... I can't.

Uh, you see, I... I found the book among

my father's belongings after he died.

And, uh, I thought that since I was passing through sewels today

that, you, uh, being an old friend of his that...

Maybe you could, uh...

No, uh, no, thank you, I...

I think I'd better be running along before it gets too dark.

Dark? Forgot to cover the canaries!

Malvolia, you forgot something else too.

Amen.

Mally and her birds!

- Well... - Must you go?

Yes, I'm afraid I must.

Where will you go?

If you stay on the road, you're sure to find another town.

Father... how are you feeling?

You don't look well at all.

I never felt fitter in my life.

But you don't really look well, father.

Don't you need a helper in the shop, just for summer?

There's more sheep come to market in summer than winter.

May be something in what you say, velvet.

It's quite true, there are more sheep

come to market in summer than in winter.

But, however it may grieve you. I feel fine.

No reason why you should go on in the dark, Mr. Brown.

There's that small bed in the stable he could have tonight.

You'll find a blanket too.

It's castle pudding, mi.

- Father! - Huh? What?

Good night, Ted.

Night, 'dwina.

Well... good night.

Boys.

She's the age for it. Don't say anything to her.

I don't fancy you working at night, Mrs. Brown.

Let it go till morning.

You look tired.

Ohh, I'm well enough.

It's you who must conserve yourself, Mr. Brown.

After all, there is more sheep coming to

market summer than winter.

Now, you know, there's small sense in

hiring that boy, Mrs. Brown.

Hiring? Never crossed my mind.

But you could do worse.

Seven and six a week to make a few deliveries...

Ten Bob would be more fair.

Boy must clothe himself and save a little.

Ten Bob? What for? Because he's the son of Dan Taylor?

Did you ever hear me ask favor of any man

because I'm the son of my father?

He won't get special favor, Mr. Brown.

Ohh, I'll see that he earns his ten Bob, Mrs. Brown.

Never fear.

See the girls get to bed, would you, Mr. Brown?

I am a little tired.

Alright.

You're an odd one, velvet.

This is my driving night. I'm only allowed on Fridays.

I've got two minutes more driving.

Come on, pie. Gallop!

What's that covering, mally?

'Dwina's knickers that she had for the party.

That don't look like knickers.

You see, I always thought Jacob had a little bird dog in him.

He'd better not, father. Down, Jacob!

It's wonderful how edwina can sleep through all this bedlam.

Velvet: Easy now, pie.

Easy now, pie.

Oh, you're a sweet one, pie.

What is this pie business? A new one?

Father, he's the loveliest thing.

You should see him. He never puts a foot wrong.

Who?

Mr. Ede's new horse. I'm in love with him.

You're a fickle woman. I heard you say that about other horses.

But this is the real thing, father.

Yes, now calm yourself.

You'll be losing your supper next.

But this is really different, father.

It... it just skips a beat here.

Like 'dwina!

- 'Dwina skips a beat? - For boys.

Mr. Brown: Oh, for boys.

Come, Jacob, I must take you for a walk.

Sleep, girls. Mother won't be in.

- Why not? - She's just tired.

Edwina, you'd better take your clothes off.

Edwina: Skips a beat, does it?

That's the last time I take you

into my confidence, velvet brown!

May I come in, mother?

Yes.

Are you angry, mother?

I had to come.

Of course I'm not angry.

What's disturbing you, velvet? You're all lighted up.

Mother, did you know mi Taylor's father?

Perhaps, when you were a swimmer? When you were having

your pictures in the paper and all that?

Way back, I mean.

Way back.

Know how I came to swim the channel

and have my pictures in the paper and all that?

It was mi Taylor's father, who showed me how.

- Mi Taylor's father? - He was my trainer.

It was he told me what to do. Worked with me for months.

Followed me in a boat.

Leaned over and fed me.

Breathed the spirit into me.

Made me do it when I was ready to give up.

Why didn't you tell mi about his father?

It wasn't the time for it.

There's a right time for everything.

But he'd be so happy, mother.

It would give him something to go on with.

He needn't go. He can stay.

- Ten Bob a week and his keep. - 0h, mother.

It's not charity. He'll work his way.

I know he will.

Mother, may I go and tell him?

Tell him he can stay, but no more.

We'll not let him trade on his father's name.

If the stuff is there, it'll show.

Yes, mother.

Velvet: Mi!

You still up?

Yes, I'm, uh, I'm still up. Come in.

I know something, mi.

- You do? - You can stay.

Not just for tonight. Mother managed it.

Ten Bob a week and your food and keep for helping father.

Isn't it wonderful, mi?

The room may look a little shabby...

But you'll find it very comfortable. Really, you will.

Huh!

The floor does that in places.

But the bed's good.

This yours?

Yes, thank you.

You can fix it up bit by bit, in your spare time.

You can paint it, perhaps. And...

And you can raise this and get a nice breeze.

And in the winter you can put it down again.

You can have a little stove, too.

I haven't said I was staying.

- I'm considering. - Considering?

Don't you know if you'd be happy?

It isn't the happiness I'm considering.

It's what it'll get me and where.

You see, it's for the lack of considering

that people stay poor.

Have you ever been quiet for a few hours and, and just think?

All the time.

All the time, about horses.

All day and every night.

I want to be a famous rider.

I should like to hunt...

Ride to hounds.

I should like to race.

I should like to have so many horses,

that I could walk down between the lose boxes

and ride what I choose.

Do you feel alright?

That's miss Ada.

- Who? - Miss Ada. She pulls the cart.

Meet her yet?

She is a little old and tired.

We love her. Don't you love horses?

I hate 'em.

I don't believe it. You know too much about them.

That's when you really hate something when you know

too much about it.

Perhaps you're just scared by horses.

You will stay, won't you, mi?

Yes, I'll... I'll stay.

- Perhaps it's smarter. - Ohh, I'm sure it is.

You better get to bed then. Father leaves for shop early.

Ohh, uh...

I... I think she wants another carrot.

- Velvet: One is her usual. - No. She wants another.

If we don't give her two, she's liable to snuffle

and whinny all night, I'll uh...

I'll get it myself.

See, miss Ada?

He's ashamed to admit he likes you.

- Here you are. - Oh, no.

You give it to her yourself.

Here.

Mi? Why be ashamed of your feelings?

If you like miss Ada, why pretend you don't?

Because I told you I hated horses.

You'll have to get over that, mi.

- Why? - Because I love them so.

Every day I pray to god to give me horses...

Wonderful horses.

To let me be the best rider in england.

- Hello, velvet. - Good morning, Mrs. Melbert.

- I brought miss Ada, mother. - Good.

Miss Ada here?

Boy! Come, lad.

I've sluiced the runway.

Mr. Brown: I have an order for Mrs. Ede.

Velvet's brought the cart. You know where the ede farm is?

Up past table gully, right close by the sea wall.

- Father, I'll show him the way. - Nonsense.

- He must learn by himself. - Please, let me, father.

You can get lost on those hillocks.

There's one road to ede's and one to tupper's.

It's terribly confusing, father.

The ride will do her good. Sharpen her appetite.

Yes, it will, father. Sharpen my appetite!

Come on, mi.

Mrs. Brown, I've been thinking.

Now mind you, I'm not against this Taylor lad.

But not for him.

Well, you'll allow that tramping the road's

not a proper upbringing for a lad.

Would you guarantee there wasn't a bit

of lying and sharp dealing about him?

I guarantee there was.

But what's the meaning of goodness if there isn't

a little bad to overcome?

It's what I figured. Thought I'd lose my way, huh?

You could. You're a stranger.

Not to the ways of a woman.

Mi? Am I deceitful?

Why didn't you say you wanted to come out here

to make a call on a horse?

Mi, what have horses ever done to you?

- Nothing. - But there's gotta be a reason.

Alright, so, I took a spill once. You'd hate them too

without reason if you had any sense!

What's a horse? An animal that earns his keep

by breaking his back.

I'm a horse and I'll be one till I use my head again.

Again?

Thank you, mi.

Jacob, come back here!

Stop it!

Pie! Get away from that wall!

He didn't do it!

I don't believe it!

Must be something wrong with my eyes.

Mi, he'll trample someone in the village.

He didn't!

But maybe he did.

We'll be generous, we'll... we'll see if this is two feet.

Would you say that's two feet? Maybe it's a little bit more.

We'll call it two, anyway.

You know what that crazy horse did?

He leaped beecher's brook.

He did? What's beecher's brook?

Jacob, Jacob, leave that meat alone.

Leave that meat alone, Jacob!

Give me a hand with these, velvet.

We'll take them down by the gully and wash 'em up.

- Might give 'em more flavor. - Mi...

What's beecher's brook that the pie leaped?

Forget it.

Forget it. It never happened at all.

Nice way to deliver meat.

Come on, Jacob, come on.

Third time this week your animal's cut loose, Mr. Ede.

Aye! You'll have to make restitution no doubt.

Now, let's see. There's Mr. Illdale's begonias.

And over here we have two seed frames measuring about...

- Five by ten feet. - Aye.

But, however that doesn't absolve

the jeopardy to life and limb

or safety to traffic on the king's highway,

occasioned by this horse!

You are the responsible party, Mr. Ede,

because you're the rightful owner.

Not for long!

I see you've been busy in my absence.

Well, I see no great harm in it, Mrs. Brown.

This is a butcher shop, not an auction room, Mr. Brown.

Well, Mr. Ede came in and asked for it as a special favor.

- Now, how could we refuse him? - We?

Mr. Brown, in every sound partnership one does

the work and the other, the refusing.

Well, you shouldn't have left me alone so long.

The pie!

It's the pie. They're raffling him.

Put your bands back in. Your father's watching.

Bread. Best smell on earth!

A stinging ant just stung me!

Father, is it true Mr. Ede's gelding

could be won for a shilling?

Well, if you won, you'd lose.

What good is the brute?

You'd have to feed and lodge him,

and pay for all the damage he does.

Father, do take in some tickets, won't you?

Didn't you hear what I said?

But... but, father... you don't understand.

Sit down, velvet. The food will get cold.

I said a stinging ant just stung me!

Child, you want to keep that up all day?

- Where'd it sting you? - On my thumb.

Not a Mark. Besides, ants don't sting, they bite.

Eat, velvet.

- What's all this? - For raffle tickets.

One for each of the girls and one for Donald.

Boy, are you challenging my authority in this family?

No, sir. I'm buying raffle tickets.

You'll have to pick your own numbers.

Girls are nearly all open.

I don't want a ticket.

Mi, you're wonderful! I'll take 62.

Me, 119. It's on my brain in letters of fire!

Oh, you're sweet, mi. I'll have ten.

I'll have one, two, three, four, five, six, 11.

We'll get the tickets after dinner and pin 'em in the Bible.

Boy... it's one thing to out think a man,

but another to outsmart him.

And who will say which is which?

- Well, little velvet brown! - Hello, Mr. Hallam.

Velvet, I hear you've been saying that

you're going to win the raffle.

- Are you? - Ohh, of course! I'm to win.

Are you now?

- And what's the lucky number? - 62.

Did your father promise? I can keep a secret, velvet.

Ohh, I promised myself.

Number 62 is bound to come up, isn't it?

There's ways of arranging it.

And your father's a clever, lad, eh!

Ohh, I didn't bother him, Mr. Hallam.

I just arranged it with god.

I'll not waste your time with talk. We're all gathered...

And I'll ask my friend, Mr. Brown, to reach in his hand

and to time in who's to take that handsome gelding

for the price of a shilling.

Look out, the winning number doesn't stick to

Mr. Brown's fingers.

What's that you imply, Mr. Hallam?

I imply nothing. Only, there's some hear

that feel the horse is now in the hands of the browns

family and that's where he'll stay.

- Alright. - Williams, you've said as much.

Brown, your daughter, velvet's been whistling up and down

the village the horse is as good as hers.

Ede: There's a pastime!

The casting a mud on the name of an honest man!

Never mind.

Hey, brown! Brown! Brown!

Brown! Hey! Brown.

Now, you'll pick the ticket up yourself.

- Brown, you can't make me. - I can break your head.

Look lively! Go on.

Mr. Brown: Go on!

Stir 'em up.

Well, sing it out!

The winning number... is... 113!

Woman: Mine was 119.

Velvet's teeth go.

Take him out, will you, mi?

Mother, I'm, I'm sorry.

A cup of tea will fix you up.

Anyway, I didn't faint, mother.

Thank you, dear.

Sometimes it frightens me. I see things.

I see things as big as life and think they're real.

At this moment, I can see plain as day...

The whole village coming here bringing me the pie.

I suppose it's 'cause I want him so much.

Don't fret. If you see things that way,

you'll grow up to be a poet or prophet.

Velvet. They are bringing you the pie.

Is it true? The pie is mine?

He's yours. Mr. Hallam drew a number that hasn't been sold.

So, we had to start all over again.

Hallam's hand went into the bowl and out it came

with 62, your number!

The very number hallam said I was going to pick.

The old fool was fit to die.

You should have seen the expression on his face!

Well, you'd better sleep now, you're all lighted up.

Well, I don't know why I'm so pleased. The joke's on me.

I'm saddled with a crazy horse I don't need.

If there isn't enough trouble in the world,

you people arranged to draw it out of a hat.

Velvet: Psst. Mi.

I've something to ask you.

What's beecher's brook that the pie leaped over?

Beecher's brook is the sixth jump of the grand national.

The greatest horse race in the world.

That's what you measured?

With the string off the mutton chops?

Now, don't go floatin' around. Just lie down.

Or your ma will blame me.

Mi, would you do something for me?

- What? - Just walk the pie up and down.

Under the windows.

What and have you crawl out of bed and faint again? Huh!

Cross my heart, I'll just shut my eyes and listen.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hup!

Hyah! Hup! Hyah! Hyah!

Come on, pie, faster.

Ohh, you're a sweet one, pie.

Now then, here's a jump.

Easy. There.

Ohh, well done, pie!

Come on, faster!

Come on, now, faster! Faster!

Mi, it's like riding a fairy horse...

Who knows what you want before you know you sail.

When he takes a jump, he kind of gives a second hitch

and tucks his feet up under him

so he's only a body without legs.

You just have to sit on him. Wait till you...

I see that the horse is tired, and his coat shiny

from sweat and he needs water.

You probably had him over six counties since morning.

Your pa wants you home for lunch.

Watch.

Velvet, don't!

What's in the bag, Mr. Brown? Seems you're a bit afraid of it.

It's odd a man should be afraid of his own dinner.

Sure that's enough for dinner, Mr. Brown?

Ohh, sure, generous!

Two big claws. You and me, adults.

Donald can scoop in the tail, child just fiddles anyhow.

The middle part for the girls, with a crumb and two for Jacob.

- And mi? - Huh?

You can't quiet accept him in the family. Can you, Mr. Brown?

Ohh, it's not that. It's... ow! Ow!

Treacherous beast bit me.

Mrs. Brown, that's the first time I ever got

into trouble listening to you.

Mally: "He crossed the room in determined strides

and stood there looking down at her."

I want my insect bottle.

Shut up and stop being disgusting.

"He did not speak for a moment, but his face softened.

Oh, Gwendolyn, he whispered, forgive me."

It's in the cupboard. Somebody will use it.

Well, what kind of savagery is this?

- Paint. - Only in fun, father.

We thought it would look pretty.

I don't like it.

I want my insect bottle and 'dwina hid it.

The child doesn't like it. Wipe it off.

I don't mind it.

What does the child mean? First he says he doesn't like it

then he says he doesn't mind it.

Velvet: You take the saddle, mi. I'll cool him off.

Where are you taking him, velvet?

Whoa. Water and rubdown, father.

And good oats and good grains, buckets of them?

My girl, if your show horse wants to eat, he must work.

There's an order you'll take to Meade's before lunch.

But, father, he does work. Jumping, racing and leaping.

Isn't it good job of work just to be beautiful?

Boy, harness prince charming to the cart, will you?

A horse that consumes oats must pull his weight in the home.

Velvet, you're worse than Donald.

It's a matter of economics, a science of which

you know nothing due to your youth.

But in a way of speaking, it's a matter of decency.

Donald, will you get down off there?

I want my insect bottle.

- Father, he'll bolt! - I'll teach him to bolt!

Whoa, pie. Whoa!

He isn't worth his salt.

Whoa, pie!

Whoa! Mr. Brown: Steady there!

- Whoa! Pie. - Whoa, pie!

Whoa!, pie.

Whoa!

He'll stop somewhere, father. I'll catch him.

If you hadn't defied my authority

and bought those tickets we wouldn't have a broken cart!

Donald!

- Donald, what have you done? - It's jam!

I told you not to put his insect bottle up there!

Oh! I cut myself.

I only wanted my bottle.

The papa ant's dead.

I'll have you know that it's both wasteful and sinful

to destroy good foodstuffs!

You had no call to take the child's bottle!

I hope it'll teach us a lesson not to meddle.

If we'd learned the lesson a little sooner,

we'd still have a cart.

- Did your pa calm down, yet? - He's furious.

He won't speak to anyone.

He's gone to bed.

Mi, I'm frightened.

Father said he'd send the pie to the knacker's yard...

For cat's meat.

If anybody ever sells the pie...

I might as well die.

I don't think he meant it.

Oh, he couldn't!

The pie's too wonderful and...

- And, noble and great. - Great?

Do you think that greatness just hatches like mally's canaries?

Someday you'll learn that greatness

is only the seizing of opportunity...

Clutching with your bare hands till the knuckles show white.

That's all I want for the pie... opportunity.

Mi, I haven't told you,

that stone fence you said was as tall as beecher's brook...

Three times, this morning, he sailed over it.

I ought to be whipped for putting

a crackpot notion like that in your head.

You'll talk and dream of it until I get sacked.

Mi... could the pie win the grand national?

Velvet brown, who do you think you are?

I'm the owner of the pie.

And, does that give you a lead to go poking your head out

amongst the stars, believing you can take the richest

grandest prize a horse ever won? Well, that's for kings!

And, you're just a wisp of a butcher's daughter

in a cold stable late at night.

When you better to be in bed with a doll!

The pie's a king.

A king in tatters. A king without money or a jockey

or a trainer! And your pa wants to chop him up for cat's meat!

Mi, could the pie win, if he had the money,

the jockey and the trainer?

He could fly to the moon if he had wings!

But if he had the money, and you were the trainer,

would you know where to find a jockey?

I don't like that way you're all lighted up.

There's something terrible you've done.

- I feel it. - Answer me, mi.

Without all the other ifs, I could get a jockey. What then?

Would it be weatherby's in London where horses are entered?

Would this be the letter to send?

"Messrs. Weatherby, racing commissioners,

"cavendish square, London.

"Dear sirs, please, I am the owner of a horse.

"Could you send rules of entry for the grand national race?

I am your obedient servant, velvet brown."

Is it a proper letter to send, mi?

You're not sending it.

But I did. Last week.

Here's the reply.

But you won't tear this up, till later you help me fill it in.

Name of horse, name of sire and dame...

Where purchased, and what the owner's colors are.

They also tell you, that you need a 100 pounds to enter?

Well, we'll come to that later.

Velvet, you know what you're bringing on

yourself with this craziness?

To get him fit, summer and Autumn into winter,

you'd be riding, riding, riding. Hard going, heavy going.

Over fences and over ditches over walls.

Until you get weary, you're worn to a shadow.

Up early with day in, day out, every after week,

month after month, till you destroy yourself with work.

For what, velvet?

You can't answer that, can you?

It's his chance to be great. And, your chance too, mi.

My chance will come when your pa sends me packing.

- Did mi put you up to this? - No, mother, he's against it.

He begged me to change my mind.

- Are you sure? - Oh, it's the truth, mother.

Velvet, the dozen times today you might've talked to me

and you waited till now. Why?

Because large dreams come easier when it's dark and still?

I didn't think of that, mother.

What will you win if you win?

Money and a cup.

But it's not for that. It's for the pie.

It's for the glory of it for him.

With half a chance, he'll prove

he belongs in the history books.

And not in the knacker's yard.

The grand national.

Large dream for a little girl.

Fetch mi.

Mi! Mother wants to...

Well, you've done it.

Mrs. Brown, if it's about that national business,

she's been touting, it's me that said it was folly.

A... admit it, velvet, it's me that was against it.

- The expense? - A fortune of expense.

100 pounds to enter, jockey fees,

money for a horse Van, lodgings at aintree...

But, it'll all be folly for nothing.

- The horse not good enough? - The pie?

Why, it's not only the pie, ma'am, but the money,

it's a score of other things.

Thirty jumps, the hardest course in the world.

The national, the greatest race on earth.

Training him month on month. It'd just be folly for nothing.

Tell me, mi...

What's wrong with folly?

Come along, velvet.

- Did mi say jockey fee? - Yes, mother.

- Doesn't he ride? - Did.

Had a spill once, though.

I nearly drowned once in the firth.

But I went back to swimming the very next day.

He must have had a nasty fright, mother.

So did I. That wears off.

Mi had more than a spill.

Dan Taylor?

My trainer.

You thought a heap of him, didn't you, mother?

There was greatness in him.

In you too, mother.

Often I just sit and wonder about you.

I wonder what you're thinking.

You don't think like us, mother.

You think back here.

I've seen you do the same. We're alike.

I too believe that everyone should have a chance at a

breathtaking piece of folly, once in his life.

I was 20 when they said a woman couldn't swim the channel.

You're 12. You think a horse of yours

can win the grand national.

Your dream has come early.

But remember, velvet...

It'll have to last you all the rest of your life.

Make a lap.

It's your prize money for swimming the channel.

You knew I still had it.

Be truthful.

Yes, mother.

I always hoped I'd find the right use for it.

You'll have paper money for the jockey fee and expenses,

but this will be for your entry money.

We'll use the gold sovereigns for luck.

Oh, mother! Mother, mother!

We'll win for you, mother.

Win or lose, it's all the same.

It's how you take it that counts.

And knowing when to let go.

Knowing when it's over and time to go on to the next thing.

The next thing?

Things come suitable to the time, velvet.

Enjoy each thing then, forget it and go on to the next.

There's a time for everything.

There's a time for having a horse in the grand national.

Being in love, having children.

Yes, even for dying.

All in proper order at the proper time.

Tuck the sovereigns under your pillow for tonight.

Say your prayers and get some sleep.

Yes, mother.

But who's going to tell father?

I'll do the telling.

I don't think your father believes too well

in the importance of folly.

Clean collar for weatherby's.

Brush and comb.

Mi, your hands don't even tremble.

Why should they? I've been in London before.

The, uh... hundred quid?

Heavy, isn't it?

I can't complain.

There's an extra half-crown in the bag.

I saved it. It's for you to spend.

Better let me finish alone.

We'll jabber on and the train will leave me.

Alright, I'll saddle the pie and see you off.

- Good luck to you. - Thanks to you, ma'am.

My lad, you can't say that your big chance

didn't came to you in the village of sewels.

Going to London town with a hundred golden sovereigns

in your pocket.

Mrs. Brown wishes you good luck.

I wish you a good time.

Goodbye, mi.

Goodbye, ma'am.

400...

500...

600, 700...

Making calculations, Mr. Brown?

I am. Calculating how many lamb chops I must hack

to make up a 100 golden sovereigns.

Because I'll lay my two ears on this block,

if you ever see the... sovereigns again.

Or the hide of master Taylor this side of doomsday.

That boy crammed everything he owned into that carpet bag.

Goodbye!

- Half and half. - Half and half, sir!

Right you are.

Aren't we pretty?

There she goes!

Here's your mister greenford, and a good man he is to know.

What do you want, lad?

Maybe we can do some business. I've got a mount,

and I'm looking for a rider.

In carny stuff? County fair, hm?

Oh, no, aintree.

- Who you acting for? - Owners. Take it or leave it.

Now, uh, why wouldn't a lad like you go to a place like...

Manchester to find a rider?

Why'd you mention Manchester?

Man: 'Cause that's where you had your spill, wasn't it, lad?

What's your game?

I'm taking these over to weatherby's in the mornin'.

He means it. He's serious!

Got the papers in his hands,

got the entry money in his pocket.

Hey, get your hands off of there.

There's no need to get ratty, Matey.

There's no harm in a little horseplay

among horsey men, now, is there?

Where's a table? No sense in talking on your feet.

Think of it sober.

This Ms. Brown of yours, entering a horse

what never run anywhere. Why you might as just as thee

go down to the thames and banquet and take your 100 quid

and fling it right in the river.

Well, well, it ain't mine to fling.

What's the odds?

Cupping the money in the thames would get your name in the paper

but taking it down to weatherby's to enter a

whiskey horse will get you nothing! 'Cause why?

'Cause your nag ain't going to win the national!

Mr. Greenford here, he's been picking

national winners all his life.

Yes.

Well, gentlemen...

W... what, what do you suggest?

Listen with your wits.

The horse what's taking the national,

is in the advance betting now, at 40 to 1.

Can you count? 4000 pounds for your measly hundred!

And, all I ask, is a little commission.

- W... what could I tell them? - Tell them anything.

- What could I tell them? - Tell them you lost the money.

Tell them... here.

Tell them you had a drink or two in a pub and a couple of touts

like us pinched the money!

And the day after aintree, you slips away,

comes up to London and lives like quality

for the rest of your days. What do you say, son?

What do you say?

Victoria stuff!

Here...

What's that, half a crown?

You got this bag watered down?

She gave it to me to spend.

S... saved it.

And, she was glad to give it to me.

Generous owner you got!

Old lady sweet on you, is she?

Husky lad!

Not old!

Not old.

Not old.

Not sweet on me.

She trusts me.

She trusts me.

I see you took me at my word

and had a right good time.

Here's the receipt for your money at weatherby's.

And, you get five pounds change.

Yesterday you calculated how many lamb chops

went to make a 100 sovereigns.

Yes, and today I'll calculate in mutton head.

No need for too much humility, Mr. Brown.

- Everything alright? - Mm-hmm.

Did they take the money?

- They took it. - Did you find a jockey?

But, I thought you'd find a jockey, mi.

Be grateful for what you have, val, you've got the

100 pounds safe at weatherby's, you've got the expense money,

you have the horse.

I know. I ought to be grateful, mi. But I can't help it.

I want it all quickly 'cause I don't want god to stop and think

and wonder if I'm getting more than my share.

Look, the jockey, you'll have to wait, I'll do what I can

for you, alright? I'll write a few letters for you to London.

But that's all. You've bit off a big piece of

dream for yourself, velvet. From now on, it's your show.

But, mi, I couldn't do it without you!

The national's no business of mine.

Your pa won't stand for me chasing around with a horse.

But it's you who know what to do and how to train him.

And what the jumps are going to be like.

Well, half the pie's in my heart...

And the other half's in yours.

I swear by the pie that half of whatever he wins is yours.

Thanks, I'll buy me a bowler hat with my half.

A castle with your half, mi. The pie's going to win.

Half the sweeps.

Tidy.

A man could get a real start.

Buy himself a livery stable in a lively little town.

Drop anchor and raise some young'uns like Donald.

Alright. Your dream of glory for your pie...

As for me, I'll take the cash.

Now, they go twice around the course.

That's 30 jumps in all.

It's mostly job of training them to jump and jump

and to keep going. But he's got a heart.

He can do it. The first five jumps are Thorn fences,

four and five feet high.

We can teach him those on the hedges over by Meade's.

Ah, the third jump here, there's...

There's a ditch on the take-off side.

I can dig him one.

And, then there's also a guardrail.

Faster! Faster!

Steady.

Steady now.

Mi: Steady.

Steady. Lift his head.

Alright, we'll try it once again now.

Steady now.

What are you training him for a hearse?

Steady now! Steady.

That's it! Hey!

That's it.

There's beecher's. Sixth jump.

It's not the tallest one, but it'll be

one of the meanest for him.

There's a bad drop on the landing side over here.

It'll look awful rough to him on the race course,

but if we take him over this one often enough,

why, it might not scare him so much.

Go, ahead, now but be careful. Don't jerk his head!

I know I just sit still as a dummy,

and let him handle it. Watch!

Passed it fair!

Are you alright?

Huh?

Come on.

- Oh, boy. - Up you go!

Nothing like salt water for his legs!

Makes muscle!

Thank you.

Velvet. Velvet brown.

You're wanted home at once.

Is it Donald? It's not mother?

Edwina, what is it? What's happened? Is somebody ill?

It's Ted!

They've sent him away to live with his aunt in Lancaster.

You mean you're sniveling for a boy?

You brought me home for that?

Mi: Velvet...

The pie?

Oh!

Edwina: Sniveling for Ted!

That's better than sniveling for a dirty old horse!

I hope he dies!

Pie, what's wrong?

Tell me what hurts.

Tell me.

I'll understand.

Is he very bad?

- I'll go get a vet. - No, no vet.

There isn't a good one in town.

Mi, please!

You can help him.

He's ours, mi.

Would you trust me, velvet?

I'm not very lucky, I might guess wrong.

- But, would you trust me? - Yes.

You won't hurt him more than need.

Go get some blankets, some whiskey and some more hot water.

So, tragedy stalks the house.

Pearson's weekly came this morning, I put it on your bed.

Not going to bed yet. Atmosphere is too disturbed.

I don't hear a sound in the house.

Don't you think that velvet will catch her death

out there in the stables?

It's to be helped, she's beside herself.

You need your sleep, Mr. Brown.

Not at all.

When tragedy stalks the house

once in ten years I can stay up.

Mrs. Brown: Come in, mi.

- Down, your feet are wet. - Any change?

Sit down, mi, and pour for yourself.

Thank you, ma'am. Excuse me.

Worried about the animal?

He's sick.

I wouldn't be surprised if you and Mrs. Brown were sick too.

Matter of a cool 100 pounds with those racing people.

What're you gonna do, take the carcass

to London and demand a refund?

Mrs. Brown: We're not thinking of the money, Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown: Oh, not you, Mrs. Brown.

You're a woman of deep feelings and faith.

I mean master Taylor's half interest in the winnings.

Mrs. Brown: Mr. Brown, remember once you entered a competition

for five shillings which the headmaster posted for spelling.

Was it the love of spelling or the love of

five shillings, Mr. Brown?

Now, that was entirely different, Mrs. Brown.

Mrs. Brown: It was love of five shillings, Mr. Brown.

Don't be ashamed of it.

Sometimes even money can be a faith.

I haven't sat up so late since Donald arrived.

Which, of course, was late at night.

No need to sit up, Mr. Brown.

Tragedy can stalk the house without assistance.

I sleep too much.

I'll decide. Upstairs.

Is the child in the habit of coming down at this hour?

You heard your mother, back to bed!

I'll only fall asleep.

That is the general purport and intention.

I've been sick all night.

- Mrs. Brown: You haven't. - Why haven't I?

Now, don't let him start why-ing.

You changed my sheets in the middle of the night,

and the new ones was cold.

I changed your sheets for other reasons. Now, get on!

I must have been sick all night.

Oh, pie!

Pie!

Mother, mother, he's fine!

Stood up on his own legs and said,

"thank you!" As perky and cheerful as Donald!

- Steady. - Mi cured him!

He's on his feet! He's up.

The horse is up and you'll be down.

You haven't eaten, haven't slept.

Is it fair to impose illness on a household?

Why, I won't be ill, father. I'll show you.

I'm quite well. Like the pie.

I could sit up a thousand nights!

I'll be late for school!

Are you letting her go to school, Mrs. Brown?

If that's what she wants.

Well, you think school is the place for her today?

I like the spirit that makes her want to go

after sitting up all night.

She'll collapse by afternoon.

She'll be home in half an hour, Mr. Brown.

This is Saturday and there is no school.

Today we'll teach him the canal jump. That's a bad one.

There's a brush fence and a sharp turn.

That's the teaser to turn!

We've got to teach him not to run out.

He's almost got to start turning while he's in the air.

If we can teach him the canal jump,

we'll have taught him plenty.

Here, it's over here.

I'll show you.

There's a guardrail here, and a ditch six feet wide,

and a hedge five feet high.

But, the real danger is here, right at the turn.

That's where they pile up, that's where they go wild.

That's where things happen.

We'll start him on it this morning,

we'll take him on the hedge over by tupper's.

Steady! Steady now!

Careful! Careful!

No, no, no, no!

You can't start him straight off!

You'll run him into the canal!

Turn him, I told you!

Turn him!

That's good! That's good.

That's good. He's well away! That's the canal turn!

That's it.

Good boy! That's the fastest time yet.

Look at that, velvet!

Paper horses just before the grand national.

I've been neglecting them.

Somebody's been changing these all around.

Who's been at my box?

- I. - You too?

Mr. Brown: Good evening, ede. Come in.

I expected to see more excitement tonight.

Mr. Brown: There's nothing to be excited about.

- When do you leave? - Five o'clock in the morning.

Before breakfast.

Got any tips on the grand national?

The pie.

In that case, I'll put a pound on him.

That's a pound wasted.

We can't let down the home colors.

- Pound to win. - Thank you, Mr. Ede.

I'll put it here in the book with the other bets.

Other bets?

You're the ninth one that's been here.

Mr. Jenkins bet three pounds.

Didn't know Mr. Jenkins had three pounds.

- Well, good luck, velvet. - Thank you.

- Goodnight, all. - Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Mr. Ede. - Goodnight.

A fool and his money are easily parted.

It's bad enough to see this family wasting it's money

on hired horse vans and fancy jockey silks.

But when I see the village of sewels...

Throwing good money after bad...

It's enough to make me lose my faith in humanity!

I'm glad to hear you've got faith in humanity, Mr. Brown.

As for me, I'd sometimes sooner put my faith in a horse.

- Tell me that one. - Mrs. Brown: Bedtime, Donald.

I'm busy. We're all busy.

Tell me a horse.

One more.

Alright, this was a horse called moifaa. Came from...

New Zealand... on a big ship.

Now, they sent him around the world...

Uh, and, finally one day the ship went down.

And the horse swam off to an island.

Now, there wasn't anything to eat on the island,

so, the poor frightened horse run up and down

the seashore, gazing out at the sea.

And then what?

Well, he cried and whimpered and neighed for help.

- The horse did? - Mm-hmm.

You see, there wasn't anything to eat on the island, but

salt grass, and salt water, and him used to a good stable!

Did he die?

No, he...

Yes, he did, I know he did.

No, some fishermen saw him and fetched him.

He won the grand national that year.

He died! He died on that island! I know!

- How do you know? - I was there!

- You weren't! You weren't born. - I was born!

- I was born! - That's a story, Donald.

You weren't born. You were a star.

I wasn't a star. I was born, and I was there,

and that horse died!

He died on that salty place.

And he lied down, and his eyes was dead.

And he died! I know he did.

He died! He died!

He died on that island!

- Hysterics. Past his bedtime! - He died!

He died on the island, I know.

He died, he died on the island...

- You too, velvet. Bedtime. - Bedtime now?

But, I just ate my supper.

Go to bed, velvet.

- Goodnight, father. - Goodnight, velvet.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

We're almost ready.

- Goodbye, 'dwina. - Goodbye, velvet.

Will you forgive for what I said about the pie...

- When he was sick? - Of course. You didn't mean it.

- Goodbye, velvet. - Goodbye, mally.

Don't forget the canary catalogue for finches.

Goodbye, Donald.

Bring me back a monkey!

You'll be proud of the pie, mother.

I want to be proud of you.

Alright, push!

Heave!

You'll understand I'm not a frivolous man...

But I'd like to risk a couple of pounds.

- Put it on the pie for me. - Yes, sir.

And, I'll not be angry if you say nothing

to the missus about it.

Good luck, my boy.

Father, do you mind about all this?

I'm not angry, velvet.

Run along with you!

Alright. Go on!

Bye, velvet.

- Bye-bye. - Bye.

- Bye. - Bye, velvet.

Donald: Bye!

Mi, let me see it again, the letter.

Oh, why don't you settle back and try to sleep, velvet?

We got a long, long trip ahead of us.

Oh, please!

"Ivan taski."

I wonder what he'll be like.

It's important.

Mi, do you think he's going to like the pie?

Yes, he's gonna like him, alright.

Ajockey knows a good horse when he sees one.

Well, how do we know these clothes are going to fit him?

All jockeys are the same size,

same brain, same vision,

seeing the world from the height of a horse.

Oh, just this once, mi!

I've got the rest of my life to wear them.

Ah... horses!

Count Carlo, a good horse!

"The great count Carlo," they call him.

He jump like no jumper lever see.

Where is he? Dead.

What's he talking about, mi?

A foreign horse he was supposed to ride dropped dead on him.

That's bad luck, Mr. Taski.

But you've got a fine mount now. The pie's a great horse.

Huh! This every owner believes.

He has best horse.

Such a little girl.

Her money's as good as anybody's.

I have not seen it yet.

There's your money in advance.

My papers.

Current papers, we'll probably take them around in the morning.

So, business is finished.

Tomorrow I ride your horse,

tomorrow night, I take train to seaport.

You're a man for speed, Mr. Taski.

Don't you like england?

I must like england, too?

Your food? Your climate?

It kill count Carlo. It can kill me too.

Little taski goes home tomorrow night.

Forget that when miss brown leads you in the winner,

you'll wanna stay around for the fun.

Mi: Huh, velvet?

Such a little girl.

Only in england, can it happen that a child

brings a plough horse from the field.

I know you feel pretty bad now, Mr. Taski,

about having lost your mount. That was bad luck.

But... wait till you see the pie.

Oh, finish your food and we'll go around and pay a...

Tonight? You're serious?

Why not? You can see the horse. Say hello, get the feel of him!

Shake his hand, give him a visiting card, make a bow!

Mr. Taski's right, mi. It would be foolish...

Foolish to go out there tonight.

And, just as foolish for you to ride him tomorrow, Mr. Taski.

Velvet. Velvet.

You may be a fine rider, Mr. Taski,

but the pie would know your heart's not in it.

He would know you don't believe in him and he'd say to me,

"why did you bring me a rider who doesn't believe we can win?"

What you call crazy, eh?

No, what you call the truth, Mr. Taski.

Looked everywhere. Tried everything.

Asked everybody. No jockey.

Looks like there'll be no race for the pie.

Oh, the waste! The sickening waste of it

on a scatterbrain dream.

Snow, slush, mud...

Mornings, nights, sundays.

The soreness of your back, the rawness of your hands

and your face in the wind.

Searching for weeks for a rider and then you say,

"no, Mr. Taski. Thanks, goodbye."

But, mi, that man taski lost the race tonight.

You know that. He just didn't believe.

And what good's a jockey who's only riding for the fee?

He's a rider. Things happen in a race, you know.

Not with the pie, he would know.

He'll know when I take him, put him in the Van, and take him

home before he's had a chance to try his legs on the course.

Why don't you ride him, mi?

You wanna know why?

I'll tell you why, if you wanna know.

It's been going around in my mind all night.

- No, no. - Yes, yes, I'll tell you!

I was a jockey...

And I rode at Manchester one fine day.

There was three of us going for the final jump together,

and I saw a chance to win the race, and I took it.

It was me that did it.

Then there was a tangle...

A tangle of reins...

And jockeys...

One of 'em got killed.

That's why I don't ride anymore. 'Cause I'm afraid!

I'm all soft and yellow inside, so I don't ride!

That's why I'm no good to you when you need me most!

No, no, mi, it's you who kept me going,

you breathed the spirit into me.

There's greatness in you, mi!

- There's nothing in me! - Oh, no, no, mi.

Come on, pie, we're going home.

Man: Tough luck, old boy.

You're never gonna have a chance to walk in that paddock.

And it's all my fault.

Because if I wasn't a yellow coward, I'd ride you myself.

But you wouldn't know me if I rode you.

You'd say, "that isn't mi Taylor."

Because I'm always down here on the ground...

Never up there on your back.

It is mi Taylor! I dare you to throw me!

You'd better take a good look at it now, pie.

Tomorrow you'll not have the chance.

For you and I'll go flying around that course

like the devil himself was at our heels!

And up there somewhere, watching, will be

the king and queen.

What in the name of all that's crazy are you doing?

Oh. Look. Isn't it perfect?

Perfect... perfect for what?

Oh, mi, it's a wonderful idea!

You'll have to cut my hair, but the clothes are just right.

And the description on the clearance paper fits.

Velvet, the grand national is no game for a little girl.

But they'll never know I'm a girl.

If cut my hair and I'll be exactly right.

And you'll get your stupid silly little neck exactly broken.

The pie will take care of me.

Mi, please don't be angry.

You know the pie would burst his heart for me.

And 40 horses and riders ready to trample you over!

I'll not let you ride, velvet! I won't let you to do it.

But he'll be enchanted horse, with invisible wings

to take him over every jump, if I ride him!

Velvet, I'm gonna ask you a question now

and I want you to think it over before you answer me.

Suppose I told you now that I... I found a rider?

I should still want to ride myself.

Mi, I know you're angry, but you'll understand.

If you ever rode a horse again, you'd want to win.

That's how I feel.

So now it's the glory of winning one for yourself, is that it?

You want to ride your race, take your risks and win.

You wanna win over them all, in sight of the world...

Velvet brown before the king and queen, is that it?

Perhaps you're right.

Perhaps that's what I'd want if I'd ever ride again.

Someday I may get the chance.

Alright. You ride.

Oh, mi, I knew you'd see! Oh, thank you, mi!

There's lots we have to do! You've got to be Ivan taski.

I've been all over it. The description will be alright.

"Eyes, blue. Hair, brown."

You'll have to cut my hair.

Velvet: Here.

The pie won't mind you using his scissors on my mane.

Go ahead, mi, cut it quite short at the back.

I wished your mother were here.

She is here. She's inside me.

Velvet, you'll be disqualified at the end

when they find out you're a girl.

You'll have to forfeit the prize money.

They may even send you to prison for fraud.

But if there's trouble, you tell them

it was me who did it, you understand?

It was me who put you to it. It was my idea! I made you do it.

There won't be any trouble, mi.

Well, if you're going to ride, there's tricks

of the race you'll have to learn.

Don't worry about the start, get off

as fast as you can, and jump sure and clean.

Yes, mi.

And you go twice around the course...

- That's thirty jumps in all. - Yes, mi.

I might as well start at the beginning.

The first jump's a, just a plain hedge jump...

Mi. Mi, don't tell me anymore.

Well, you've got to know the order ofjumps

and the tricks of the race.

- Why, there's a lot to know! - It's no use.

Everyone riding out there tomorrow

will know more than I do.

It's no use, mi.

Do you think a race like this is won by luck?

No. By knowing the pie can win.

And telling him so.

100 to 30, number 22.

Woman: Two pounds on tantibus.

Man 1:40 pound to 2, tantibus. Number 23.

Man 2: I'll have a pound on folsum.

10 pound to 1, folsum. Number 24.

I want an outsider. Who has the longest odds?

The pie. 100 to 1.

- I'll take a pound on it. - Let go, lady. Here you are.

The pie, a hundred pounds to one.

Keep your mouth shut and your eyes down.

Sit down there.

Sit down.

Mi, they're staring!

Velvet: They're whispering.

Let them whisper.

I've seen you somewhere. Newmarket, last year?

I've, uh, I've been about.

I thought I knew you. Pretty young, ain't he?

Mi: A Latvian. They teach them pretty young over there.

You know, like for the Russian ballet.

Oh. Going to waltz over the course, Matey?

Uh, better save your breath, he doesn't speak English.

- What's his horse? - The pie.

Never heard of him!

Where's he been running?

- The merry-go-round? - Come on, beasley.

Going to ride the national in the skin for england!

- Ten, ten. - Ten, ten.

- Weight? - Ten seven.

Man 1: Ten seven. Man 2: Ten seven.

They gonna ask your weight and they gonna put in the chair...

I thought he didn't understand English.

Well, he's got to learn sometime, hasn't he?

Alright, off you go.

Chair! Uh, chair.

Sit down.

- Weight? - Ten even!

He doesn't speak English. Latvian lad...

You'd think he'd never seen a scale before.

9, 13...

And11.

9,13 and 11.

Penny piece...

And a half.

Penny piece and a half.

Alright, go on.

Dull of comprehension.

- Man 1: Weight? - Ten four.

I'm going over and saddle the pie now.

And I'll meet you in the center over by the hedge.

W... where?

In the middle of the paddock and keep your mouth shut.

Don't talk to anybody, please.

Up you go!

Once again the grand national has brought contestants

and spectators from all the corners of the world.

We have perfect weather too for the most hazardous of all races.

There are 32 entries ready for a grilling

four and a half miles, over thirty hair-raising jumps.

They're now parading past the stands.

Yes, there they are!

A handsome show of the best jumpers

in the world, gathered here from Ireland, France,

america, Spain, India and half a dozen other countries.

There's blue Tommy, the favorite,

number fourth in line.

Ebony star, number 9, with Martin trilby up.

Number 3, miracle lad, ridden by cudahy.

Number 17, tantibus. There's a good, long-odds chance.

Well, this is where I leave you.

Mi, I... I can't!

You'll beat them all. Think of your ma.

Alright, gentlemen.

Let's get this done as quickly as possible.

No rushing now!

Steady, number 13. No hurry!

You're not going on a sprint, you know.

This is almost a five-mile race!

Take your time, number 16.

It doesn't get dark till 6 o'clock, you know.

Get them in!

14 back! Back, that's it!

Bring up 31!

Dolly, can't you keep that Irish horse quiet?

You're in england now.

Take it easy, number 8.

Steady now!

Steady.

Come on, pie!

Come on, pie, boy!

Come on, steady, boy!

Where are they?

The fifth jump now. Percy flage is down!

Approaching beecher's brook.

It's beecher's, pie! Here comes beecher's!

Nothing to be frightened about.

Just like the hedge at east Meadow.

W... what's happening at beecher'sl? Who's down?

I haven't the slightest idea. I can't see a thing.

They're going over the seventh.

I shall now turn you over to Tom foley at the canal turn.

This is foley at the canal turn. Here they come!

Blue Tommy! Faraday! Ebony star! Folsom! Tantibus!

Wait, something's wrong moonray and jumping star are down!

Others are refusing, they're running out.

- What's happened? - Something wrong at canal turn.

What's wrong at the turn? Who's fallen? Who's down?

Don't know. Can't see a thing.

Did the pie get past the canal turn? Where's the pie?

- The pie! The pie! - Never heard of him.

They're approaching the thirteenth jump.

Blue Tommy's in the lead.

Approaching the water jump, the favorite

blue Tommy still in the lead, ebony star is second place!

Here they come. Oh, it's a beautiful sight

as they soar over the pit water!

Come on, pie!

She made it! Taken like a champion!

- That's a girl! - Still not done, you know!

- That's a girl, velvet! - Ebony star...

Hang on!

Starting around again, the last lap.

Blue Tommy's still in lead, ebony star second.

Duke Arthur's losing ground.

They're not as fresh as they were.

They're tiring. It's a long, hard race!

Come on, pie!

I don't if you're interested my horse, ebony star...

- Is doing jolly well. - Come on, pie!

I hope it wins. I've got fifty quid on him.

Velvet! Velvet!

It's blue Tommy, the favorite, he's down!

Blue Tommy's out! He's out!

That leaves my horse, ebony star, in the lead.

Jolly good, what?

Where's 28? Where's the pie? Where's 28?

Somewhere out there. I don't know.

They're at beecher's brook again.

A bad spill at beecher's. They're piling up! Four, five...

No, six of them! Others refusing.

Beecher's took a toll today!

Who's over? Who's over beecher's?

Ebony star have been doing well.

Keep it up, my boy! Keep it up.

Where's the pie? Where's 28?

- I don't know. - Has she fallen?

Really! Really!

Sorry.

Here they come again to the canal turn.

With blue Tommy out of the race, it's now ebony star,

ragaway, silver puff, tantibus...

Ebony star, tantibus.

Wait! There's a horse coming up fast on the far side!

It's coming up fast, I can't quite see who it is.

It's number 28...

28, it's the pie!

A hundred to one shot! The pie in fifth place!

Hey, see old boy, what was that number you were interested in?

It's still up. Just saw him take the jump.

Doing jolly well. In fourth place.

Ebony star is still leading, with tantibus second.

Faithful lad and the pie are neck-and-neck in third place!

Come on, velvet!

Hang on, velvet! Come on, pie!

Approaching the 30th, the iastjump!

It's ebony star, tantibus, the pie!

We won!

Man: Is he badly hurt?

The pie won!

The pie won the grand national!

The pie...

I repeat that just as the pie passed the post,

the rider slid to the ground.

This is a infraction of rules and unless I'm much

mistaken, an objection will be launched.

Wait! Something's wrong!

Objection flag is up.

Here it is, rule 144 states the winning jockey must not

dismount before he reaches the enclosure.

Question now is whether the objection will be sustained?

Put your screens around!

Constable, run for one of the stewards quickly.

- Very good, sir. - Is she alright, sir?

- She only fainted, exhausted. - Oh.

She? What do you know about her? Hey!

Urgent bulletin! Astounding rumor circulating track!

Is winning jockey a girl? We're taking it.

I know it seems absurd but the rumor's gaining credence.

Excuse me, sir.

Read it.

"The head steward reports for your information...

"That the course doctor finds the winning jockey...

Is an adolescent female."

I'm a doctor, sir, and believe me, that's a girl!

A girl, ladies and gentlemen!

A bit of a girl clutching the neck

of a bandy-legged outsider streaked

across the line to win the greatest race in turfdom.

A girl wins the grand national!

The objection has been sustained,

the pie is disqualified.

Ebony star wins, tantibus second, faithful lad third.

Man: Put down velvet!

Man 2: Hurrah for velvet! Crowd: Hurray!

Man 3: Nice going, velvet! Man 4: Good old velvet!

Man 5: Goodbye, velvet, and good luck to you!

Velvet and the pie, they're here!

Man: It's our own velvet brown!

Velvet.

Mother...

We won!

Were we the best in the world, mother?

Yes, dear...

The best in the world.

I say, brown... What's the bow tie for?

Lord darby wears one just like it.

He's got a couple of champion race horses too.

And has he got a daughter who's going to prison for fraud?

Perhaps, you'll be surprised to learn there won't be charges.

Englishmen treat their heroes better.

They were satisfied to disqualify velvet and the horse.

Huh, and made her forfeit all the money!

Would you expect them to be both forgiving and generous?

Tell us more about your sister velvet...

When she was a little girl.

Sometimes she doesn't wash her neck.

Reporter: Yes. Well, uh, tell us something nice.

Yesterday I caught a stinging ant. I ate it.

It said I could eat it.

Take my picture.

Alright.

Reporter 2: Smile.

I see you've lost a tooth.

Uh-huh. I swallowed it in my suet pudding.

See?

I thought you said you'd swallowed...

And now about these telegrams. Decisions must be made!

Cablegrams too. It's become an international matter!

Offers for velvet and the horse,

the cinema, the American wireless, the music halls.

- Our daughter's famous! - Famous.

There's fortunes of money in this!

Are we in need of money, Mr. Brown?

Am I to understand you've taken to despising money, Mrs. Brown?

Have I ever argued a man need worship it

but then, need he despise it?

There's making too much money too quick.

Would you have a man make too little too slow?

We could let velvet decide.

Let a child make such an important decision?

- It's in her to do right. - Ah, you'd sway the child!

Put it to her yourself, Mr. Brown.

Velvet. Velvet: Yes, mother.

Would you come down a minute?

You want me, mother?

Mr. Brown: Now then, velvet, it seems you're famous.

All this excitement at aintree, you liked it, didn't you?

Oh, yes!

Well, there's gonna to be more of it.

More? Oh.

Wouldn't like to go to america and act in the cinema?

You mean, leave here? Leave school and Donald and everybody?

And mi and the pie?

Oh, they'd take the pie, along. They want him too.

It might be fun for us to go and see me

doing things in the pictures.

Donald would love it.

But the pie...

He wouldn't understand.

Oh, no, he's better here, safe in the fields.

What's the good of that?

You didn't run the national alone.

- They want the horse too. - To stare at?

Do they want me to pretend he's a human

and knows how to be funny?

Is that it, mother?

It's your father talking to you, velvet.

Is that it, father?

If a horse and rider does something that's never been done

before, is it strange or wicked for people to want to stare

or newspapers to want to write?

But I can't drag him about for people to stare at.

If you could see what he did for me, he burst himself for me!

When I asked, he burst himself more.

And when I asked him again and he doubled it.

Would it burst your own foolish heart

to stare at an account of 5000 pounds in a solid bank?

I can't help it, father.

I'd sooner have that horse happy than go to heaven.

Run along now, velvet, and change your dress.

Well, your mother says to run along, so it's alright.

It's alright!

Your braces, velvet.

Now, Mrs. Brown...

I put it to you calmly.

Is that a good reason for throwing away a fortune?

Unwilling for people to stare at a horse?

That will be a dispute till the end of time, Mr. Brown.

Whether it's better to do the right thing for the wrong

reason or the wrong thing for the right reason.

Now, you...

You packing?

I thought to find you unpacking.

I'm going, I'm leaving, Mr. Brown.

Leaving? But why? Where?

Nowhere special.

You're not taking to the empty roads again?

Fair enough if they belong to you

my pa gave me every road in the kingdom. And now...

I'm ready to look them over. I'll be back one day.

I don't understand you.

And then again, perhaps I do.

Perhaps you are right, mi.

You know, that's the first time you've ever called me mi.

It's always been "my boy" or "my lad" but never my name

as if I didn't have one.

I get your meaning, mi, but...

There's, there's character to be considered

when a man takes a stranger under his roof.

Rightly so.

Because there was a certain watchful sharpness about you.

But I was wrong and I'm sorry.

No, you were right.

I was waiting for my big chance,

waiting to find out how I could best use you.

Oh, I don't blame you.

These days a lad must look ahead.

I meant something different.

To be frank with you, I thought you'd steal

that hundred sovereigns.

I nearly did.

Goodbye, pie.

You did, huh?

Well, why didn't you steal them?

What kept you from it?

I don't know, perhaps it was the village of Sewell's...

Or the pie, miss Ada in her stall...

Maybe it was Donald or Mrs. Brown.

Perhaps it was velvet, I don't know.

Maybe someday I'll know.

If I was a sheep, you could quarter and search me.

D... did you say goodbye to velvet?

Does she know you're going?

I told her someday I'd be leaving.

Mr. Brown, I, I don't like goodbyes.

Would you say goodbye to velvet for me?

Would you say goodbye to...

Jacob, and Donald...

Mrs. Brown?

Mrs. Brown, she's a fine woman.

But I don't have to tell you that.

There's nothing better I'd like than to go away

with her thinking well of me.

She does.

Goodbye.

God bless you.

Jacob, how can there be so many currents

in such a little puddle?

Mother.

Mother!

Mother, he's gone!

Mi's gone!

I know, velvet.

Sit down.

Remember the night we talked in the attic

remember how we said things come suitable to the time,

all in proper order?

Tonight I was proud of you.

When we asked you about the telegrams,

you knew the race was over

and it was time to go on for the next thing.

Would you not allow the same for mi Taylor?

It's time for him to leave, velvet

and make his way in the world.

Or would you say, "don't go, mi, because I'll be unhappy?"

The world's opened up for him again, velvet.

He'd shut himself away it, before he was angry with it.

But that's over.

I think he'll come back.

That's what he said, mother.

He said, "only way to come back is to go."

But, mother, we've never told him

what he asked, what he wanted to know.

His father, remember mother?

How we wouldn't tell him because it wasn't the right time?

Now, now shouldn't he know, mother?

He deserves to. He's earned it.

Let me tell him, mother.

He can't be far up the road. The pie could find him.

Please, father!

That child's more yours than all the rest...

Araminty.

That child's got something.

Sometimes you haven't known how to value it.

I knew how to value you once, araminty...

Didn't I?

Yes, you did, Herbert.

Although that might have been bubble and

squeak of the channel swim.

Oh, you know it wasn't.

Perhaps I lost my head a bit about those telegrams.

It's like the sweepstakes you read about

that break up the home.

But we're not gonna let this to-do break up our home...

Will we?

You always was a nice chap, Herbert.

Nothing's gonna break up this home,

not even if you do lose your head.

But it'll be easier if you keep it.

You see that I do.

You know the way I act, sometimes...

I feel I belong in Donald's bottle.

Can't!

No room!

Velvet: Mi!