Original subtitles

SHE GRUNTS

CHILDREN LAUGHING

LOUD CHATTER

Passport, please, madam.

SHE CHUCKLES

FOGHORN BLARES

CLAMOURING

What you tinkin' 'bout, sis?

England. Just three weeks and we'll be in England.

That's all I want.

That's all you want?

What about roast beef and Yorkshire pudding?

Fish and chips?

What about Elizabeth Taylor? David Niven!

England have a lot more goin' on than Jamaica, and that's a fact.

Mama!

- You pack your coat? - What do you mean?

Mama!

Hey, lickle one. You lose your mama?

You can stay with me, OK? And we'll find her.

Child!

Are you all right?

What if England don't like me?

What if your brother don't like me?

Well, it's too far to swim back now.

# Let it shine, let it shine Let it shine... #

And the Lord spoke unto Moses,

saying, "This shall be the law of the leper

"in the day of the cleansing.

"He shall be brought unto the priest,

"and the priest shall go forth out..."

SIGHS

WOMAN: How is the search for my potential bride coming along?

Ah! Backside!

WOMAN: You will chaperone her to England, won't you?

Leah! Whoa.

Leah, you supposed to be helping me wid dis!

So, your Uncle Aston say, "If you all come and visit me in England,

"we could go and tek what dem call high tea at the Ritz,

"and then go and meet Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace."

CHUCKLES

"More people coming over every month now.

"Dem send for us and we come.

"It's starting to feel like home."

Can we go to England?

Maybe. One day.

And Daddy?

Daddy ploughing that field on his own.

Mummy needs to go and help him.

If you want to eat, you better catch one of dem chickens for me.

Go. Go.

CATTLE BELLOW

Easy, easy.

England, it's freezing!

SHUDDERS

Father God, I want to thank you for reintroducing us to dry land.

Thanks and praise in the Lord Jesus' name. Amen.

Where Chantrelle gone?

GIGGLING

- Tank you. - Ma'am.

Excuse me.

Lord forgive you.

You really tek the biscuit, Chantrelle.

When I'm a movie star, they'll have to pay to see all this.

How'd your lickle part-time lover take your departure?

He wanted to dip his spoon in my sugar bowl.

I tell him the cafe was closed.

One day, you're gonna catch hell for all your foolishness,

and I won't be there to come to the rescue.

MAN: Passports ready.

UNENTHUSIASTICALLY: Passport, please. Welcome to England.

Next!

Oi! Oi!

Bill, stop him!

SHOUTING

Look where you're going!

Stop him!

Get off me, man! Get off me!

Don't worry. The man has no documentation.

Thought he might get away with it.

Passports ready.

- The cabaret is over. - Next.

Back in line, please.

Passport, please. Welcome to England.

STAMPS PASSPORT

Thank you.

Next.

TRAIN WHISTLE, ENGINE HUFFING

Careful wid dem documents, you know?

CHUCKLES

Where is your brother?

If him want to marry me, this is not a good start.

And you say if I don't like him,

he'll pay for my boat fare back home?

If you don't like him, I will personally escort you back home.

I promise.

He is very handsome.

Even more so in real life.

Let me get one more look.

Bloody vehicle broke down,

and not one, not even one of these bad-mind white people

would look 'pon me, never mind stop an' help.

How long ago did he take that photograph?

He seems to have sagged a little bit in the middle.

In the end, I fix the raatid ting myself.

HE LAUGHS Aston.

So, you finally move here for good.

Where the children?

Well... the plan change.

- What happened? - They're safe. Momma Gladys.

Aston!

Look at my lickle sister Chantrelle!

BOTH LAUGH

I knew you was up to some ting.

I had to come myself on an adventure like this.

So... where is she?

My beautiful bride-to-be?

Ooh-wee! Well, you certainly know my type.

I thought you might have brought me

one of them headstrong, churchy, tight-ass kinda woman.

Aston?

This is Hosanna Drake. She's from Clarendon.

Her daddy's the pastor at the local church.

GLUMLY: Oh, right.

So, this is the plan.

I arrange wid my good, good friend Gregory

for us all to stay overnight at him place in London.

What we stoppin' in London for?

You mad? Because it's London!

Then tomorrow mornin', we drop Chantrelle off at her new job,

then we gon' make our way up a-Dudley.

I thought we were starting at the factory tomorrow?

Why we don't go straight to the Midlands?

You think it's easy doing all this driving?

I need to start earning money as soon as I can.

I am not Superman, y'know?

England turn you soft.

Like dis car.

Don't insult my car!

This car tough like Joe Louis and speedy like Blue Bird.

CARS HONK HORNS

I can't believe this, Aston.

Just give it ten minutes. She'll be all right.

- She? - The car.

Mr and Mrs Wantage of Borehamwood

would like to invite me, Chantrelle Brahms,

to begin work as their live-in nanny for their two children.

LAUGHS

Yes, Chantrelle! No more dress-makin' for me.

Chantrelle, you forget? Work is not your favourite ting.

When you write back to these people,

you tell dem you never wash a dish in your life.

Cleaning is not that difficult. I've seen people do it.

Clearly, the Wantages can see that I have potential.

Potential, my neck-back! You have to watch these people, you know?

These are decent white people, with money.

And they live near a film studio!

Borehamwood is where they make movies.

ALL: Yes. We know!

ENGINE STARTS

Yes! Didn't I tell you? What did I tell you?

# London is the place for me

# But just you wait Till you see Dudley... #

ASTON LAUGHS

Here we are.

Finally.

DISTANT VOICES, GLASS SMASHING

I never thought I'd see something like that.

- Like what? - A white man pushing a broom.

Number 76, at last we reach!

If them never want us here,

why send recruiters to Jamaica, begging us to come?

Most people all right in this country, you know?

Looks like it.

Here you are, here you are. I thought you'd forgotten.

ANGRY VOICES FROM ROOMS

We are not staying in this dutty, nasty, stinkin' room.

This is typical you, Aston.

You wouldn't know decent accommodation

if it crawled up your left nose hole!

Nobody said anything about sharing a room with a man.

This is sinful behaviour. I am not a heathen.

Everybody calm down. It's just one sleep, all right?

CHANTRELLE SUCKS TEETH We can do this.

Tomorrow, Borehamwood, and after that, Dudley.

I hope it's better than this.

I'm sorry, Gregory did say the accommodation was all sorted.

Look, I'll make sure we get... KNOCK ON DOOR

- Aston. - Gregory.

How you doin', brother?

Ladies, you all look beautiful.

Heaven must be empty if the tree of you's down here with me.

Never mind that foolishness.

Gregory, we're not bedding down

with all the wildlife and nastiness in this room.

Aston paid for us to have a room each.

Well, I...

So, if we're going to accept that this is where we're sleeping,

Aston will have to bed down in your room.

Who said anyting about sleepin'?

MUSIC: 'Speedoo' by The Cadillacs

LIVELY CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

# Well, now They often call me Speedoo

# But my real name is Mister Earl

# Well, now They often call me Speedoo

# But my real name is Mister Earl... #

"The desires of the spirit are against the flesh."

Galatians 5.

"The works of the flesh are plain.

"Fornication, impurities, licentiousness."

# Well, now, they often call me Speedoo

# Cos I don't believe in wastin' time... #

"Idolatry, sorcery.

"They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

- Hosanna, put the Bible down. - Repent!

Even Jesus went to a wedding reception

and turn water into wine so people could enjoy demself.

If He was here, He'd tell you to relax.

Hey! Nobody better damage Daddy's Bible, you know?

Come Judgement Day, you will all run to the rock for rescue,

but there will be no rock!

Excuse me, please.

Beautiful ladies come in free.

Especially you.

Gregory, I know I did borrow money from you

to get Hosanna an' Leah over here.

But I might need a lickle top-up for when I get back to the Midlands.

You crazy? This is my rent for the next two months.

Make sure we keep an eye on Hosanna tonight, all right?

She's not enjoying herself at all, so it's important she feels safe.

Yes, yes. We'll both watch out for her, all right?

Come now, Leah. This is our song!

BOTH GIGGLE

UPTEMPO JAZZ PIANO

Our Father

BOTH: Which art in Heaven

Hallowed by Thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those Who trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil

For Thine is the Kingdom The power and the glory.

- Thank you. That's very kind. - You's welcome.

Where Leah gone?

She and her sister were out there dancing like infidels.

Why did I come here, Aston?

You are supposed to be watching over me.

I was. I mean, I am.

- I mean, I want to. - It doesn't feel like it, Aston.

This isn't very Christian behaviour if you ask me.

Daddy would be disgusted.

And I'd drop to my knees and pray,

but who knows what all these stains are?

Listen, Hosanna.

To tell you the truth,

I haven't worshipped very much since I come to this country.

English church kinda miserable.

But if you can find somewhere up in Dudley like we have back home...

..maybe we can worship there together.

What d'you think?

Well, that seems quite reasonable, Aston.

It might be nice to worship with someone.

I like the way you smile, Hosanna.

You know, I bet you were the prettiest woman in your church.

Daddy always used to say, "Hosanna, you are the cream of the crop."

THEY CHUCKLE

Is this yours, Sister Hosanna?

"Your lips are like a crimson thread.

"And your mouth is lovely."

"Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil."

"For your love is better than wine."

"O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth.

"The king has brought me into his chambers."

Gregory, you think I stupid?

You better move before I shove that Bible up your nose hole.

Is just holy tings we're talking.

I know exactly what holy tings you talkin' 'bout,

and that ain't in the Bible!

It's the Song Of Solomon, Aston. All completely innocent.

Hosanna, you have to be careful in England, y'know?

The men in this country different when it come to woman business.

Hosanna, darlin', I would love to be in your business!

I give Aston money for bringing you here in the first place.

Aston?

I own a piece of you.

And I want...

HE GRUNTS, HOSANNA GASPS

That was a lucky punch.

Now you goin' see what a real man box somebody down.

You'll have to go through me first.

This is all your fault, Aston!

SUCKS TEETH

I'm sorry.

I get vex and thump him down in front of you.

Dis is not who I am.

I thought you were quite chivalrous.

MUSIC: 'Drown In My Own Tears' by Ray Charles

Thank you.

After you.

# Since you've been gone

# I guess I'll drown in my own tears

# I sit and cry... #

So, Barrington, you have very soft and gentle hands.

I'm guessing you're not a brick layer.

So what is it you do?

I mean, for work?

I work at the bakery.

Oh.

- We make biscuits... - Oh.

..baps... SHE GASPS

- ..muffin... - Mm-hm.

..rolls...

SHE GIGGLES

..tarts.

- I'm a master baker. - Wow.

Well, careful with dem hips of yours.

I don't need no bun in my oven just now, tank you very much.

HE CHUCKLES SOFTLY

# I'm so blue... #

So, what mek you leave Jamaica?

You.

HE CHUCKLES

You know what I mean.

You never met me before, you don't know what I'm like,

and yet you get on a boat and travel all dis way.

Police! This is an illegal gathering.

Everybody out.

What make you journey all this way to England?

Police! Out!

Music off. Everybody out.

CLAMOURING

I said off!

SHOUTING

Shut up. Back against the wall.

Everybody out.

WOMAN: Get your hands off me!

GLASS SMASHES

I don't care. POLICE WHISTLE

Good evening, officer.

Officer?

I just wanted to say this was a gathering of decent people.

Nobody here wishes to cause any trouble.

I haven't got time for this. Go back inside before you get hurt.

- Get hurt? I don't think you... - Shut it!

Get back in the house or I'm arresting you for causing an affray.

Now, you listen to me, officer.

This was a gathering of decent, Christian people

who just arrived to this country.

- What kind of welcome is this? - Hosanna! Hosanna, calm down.

- If I am a guest in your home... - That's it. You're nicked.

- Hosanna! - Get in the van now!

This is a Christian lady!

There's been some kind of mistake.

- This lady is a decent woman. - In!

- Please, officer! - Oi!

Back in your box, darkie.

Right, what are you all standing round here for?

Where the hell you been, Chantrelle?

Why you let them take Hosanna?

Let them?! You promised she'd be your responsibility as much as mine.

Where the hell have you been?

Leah, I don't interfere with your business,

so don't bother involve yourself in mine.

Oh, I see. You was with a man.

Typical Chantrelle. Why you so irresponsible?

Me irresponsible?

You're the one who leave a whole heap o' mess back home.

At least I'm not a slut!

- No, you're a judgemental bitch! - All right! This is not Jamaica.

Let go of me!

You know what, Leah? You're on your own.

Chantrelle?

Chantrelle!

SOBS

I'm just telling you that Miss Drake is a Christian lady.

She has done nothing wrong. So you need to release her.

Sorry. I don't understand what you're on about.

Officer?

Excuse me, please.

We just came to get our innocent friend, Miss Hosanna Drake,

released from custody, then we'll be on our way.

I don't give a toss. I just want you lot out my station.

Stinking up reception.

Come back and get her in the morning.

Now piss off.

Gregory! Open the door!

You know what this mean?

Thievin' bloody Gregory tek all the raatid door money.

Couple of hours ago, he was your "good, good friend".

Why did I ever come to this terrible place?

I'll never make a home for my children here.

It's worse than Jamaica.

I should have stayed with Ephraim.

Come on now, sis. You're here now.

He can't hurt you no more.

- That's all that matters. - My children matter.

I've never been away from them since they were born.

You don't know what I've been through to get here.

We just reach, and already everyting fallin' apart.

Leah... everyting is gonna be all right.

Momma Gladys is gonna guard dem pickney with her life.

Bringing you here...

..wasn't cos I wanted a wife.

I knew what dat boy was doing to you.

HE SNIFFS, SOBS QUIETLY

Stop bawl, Aston.

You'll start me off.

You're my lickle sister.

And I wasn't there to protect you.

I'm sorry.

Why you never tell me how bad it was here?

If I was to tell you dat...

..you wouldn't have come.

But I'm glad you're here now.

Dem find the money you hide by de tree, and dig it up.

Just some savings.

SHE GRUNTS

Liar.

- Ephraim, the children... - Shut your mouth.

These children need to know what happen when you lie.

What you savin' money for?

Hmm?

You sayin' I don't provide fi us?

No, I'm not sayin' that...

Ever try an' run away from me again...

ever...

HE CHUCKLES

I'm goin' out...

..and I'm taking this with me.

I'll come back when me ready.

When I come back, I goin' deal wid you once an' for all.

Ah!

Hosanna? Jesus Christ, me heart!

- It's the middle of the night. - You come to say sorry?

From Barrington.

He's up very early.

He certainly is.

This is a mighty big sandwich.

Barrington's a mighty big man.

So, when are we going to Borehamwood?

We'll get Hosanna first. There's a whole heap of time.

Oh, no, man, no, I can't be late on me first day.

I swear to God Almighty, Chantrelle.

We have a plan. We sleep.

Then we bruk Hosanna outta jail. Then we'll tek you to Borehamwood.

- But... - If you don't like it,

get out and walk.

SNORING

Mr and Mrs Wantage say they want me there at 9am.

On the dot.

Then you might have to get the bus.

And I might have to box you in your ear hole.

- What? - Are you two five years old?

Stop your noise.

POLICEMAN: Behave yourself.

Tank God you're all right.

All right? I am far from all right.

- Hosanna, listen, we tried... - Listen to me.

I have just spent all night in a cell

with two women of the night and a man with no teeth.

I don't feel safe here, Leah.

Jamaica was paradise compared to this.

So why should I spend one moment longer in this country?

Why?

SONG: 'Shake Your Hips'

# I wanna tell you 'bout a dance

# That's goin' around

# Everybody's doin' it From the grown-ups down

# Don't have to move your head

# Don't have to move your hands

# Don't have to move your lips... #

Tank you, driver.

This is the telephone box near me in Dudley.

Let it ring. Someone will answer it eventually.

All right. Wish me well!

Come here, everyone. She's here at last!

ENGLISH ACCENT: Sorry we're late.

There were a few h'inconvenient h'incidents along the way

that slowed us down a little, but...

You're still late.

You might get away with this kind of behaviour in Jamaica, Miss Brahms,

but it won't wash here.

Here we are. We're just glad you're here. We were worried.

Many apologies for the lateness.

I'm so delighted to meet everyone.

What delightful children.

You have a delightful home. This is a delightful area...

Let's just put the lateness behind us, shall we?

This is Ernest. I'm Diana. James, Patricia.

Say hello, children.

Mummy, she's... MOUTHS: ..brown!

I know, darling, and it's lovely, isn't it?

Exactly what we ordered.

If I could check your passport, please?

Of course.

And you didn't mention bringing family members?

We're just helping with the luggage, ma'am.

Well, if you could just stay off the grass.

Bang! GASPS

Oh, erm... you go round the back.

The lady of the house is lovely (!)

CHANTRELLE LAUGHS DRILY

I'm sorry about all that bad-mindedness last night.

We've always been the same.

Peas in a pod for months, and then, boom!

Tearin' each other's wigs off in front o' people!

Speak for yourself. This is my natural hair.

ENGLISH ACCENT: And it's absolutely delightful.

HE CHUCKLES

We only just say, "Howdy do" and you're gone already.

- You be good, you hear? - I'll try me best.

And you.

You must persuade Hosanna to stay here.

- She's a good woman. - I'll try me best.

Do better than that.

Oh, you forgot dis.

SHE GASPS

Don't forget us when you're a movie star, you know?

CHILDREN LAUGH

CHICKEN CLUCKS

What about de money?

Bank of Miss Eunice.

Open all hours.

Half o' dis coulda box down a hippopotamus to raatid.

One or two drops, that's all.

Tank you.

EUNICE: Tanks for the chicken!

Bring a bockle of white rum next time!

DRUNKENLY: # When you kiss me Fever all through the night

# Fever!

# When you put your arms around me

# I get a fever That's so hard to bear

# You give me fever

# When you touch me Fever all through the night

# You give me fever... #

Shh!

# When you put your arms around me

# I get a fever That's so hard to bear

# You give me fever... #

Last night, I bet nearly everyting 'pon Sugar Ray Robinson.

Him did win?

No man, him lose.

Oh... so you lose all the money.

I lose it, yes.

Who you know win money bet on a white man in a boxin' match?

Hmm? SUCKS TEETH

That wasn't real money anyway.

If I had serious money...

I'd find me a new woman.

She'd give me one or two more sons,

help me work this dry piece o' land.

Pass me the rum.

Maybe you should go easy wid that.

You tellin' me what to do?

What me did tell you 'bout that?

HE LAUGHS LECHEROUSLY

And when I finish this,

tonight is your lucky night.

Mm.

Right.

All right, now.

Come on, now. Momma Gladys waitin'.

I can't believe the dutty boy thieve de boat money.

Believe.

I'll send for them as soon as I can.

If that dutty mongoose try anyting wid me...

..I will knock him fi six.

Come in.

Come in, children.

# Tree lickle birds What you doin' up there

# Flyin' all day in the sun?

# Swoopin' and soarin' And divin' up there

# Looks like you're havin' fun

# I wish I could be just like you

ALL: # I wish I could be Just like you

# I wish I could be just like you

# But I got so much work to do...

# Three lickle birds One, two, three

# Please come down and rescue me

# If I was you, I could be free... #

CAR HORN HONKS

You're a good boy.

Where you goin'?

Shh! Just to market.

You three stayin' here.

Why you goin' to the market at this time of night?

It's a night market.

All right, everybody, time fi sleep.

Your mother have big people tings fi do.

Go on.

Mama kick Daddy.

It was a long time comin'.

Go to sleep.

Come on. Go.

SOBS GENTLY

Come, let's go.

Chantrelle all right.

Listen, Hosanna, if you determined to go back to Jamaica,

I will work tings out, and then...

What is Dudley like?

It's a wonderful place. Not posh and show-off like here.

And if you work hard, you can earn more than 30 shillings a week.

Please, Hosanna, you've come dis far.

I suppose it would be a pity to travel all this way

and not spend more than a day.

Really?

As long as Leah doesn't mind bein' my chaperone.

It would be my pleasure, Hosanna.

All right, then! Black Country, we soon come!

SONG: 'Let The Good Times Roll'

I liked it when it was the three of us.

There's still the three of us.

You don't count.

THEY CHUCKLE

# I said, baby, yeah, this is it

# This is something I just can't miss

# Come on, baby Let the good times roll

# Roll all night long

# Come on, baby Let the good times roll

# Roll all night long

# Feels so good

# When you're home

# Come on, baby

# Rock me all night long

# Come on, baby Let the good times roll

# Come on, baby Let me thrill your soul

# Come on, baby Let the good times roll

# Roll all night long... #

Subtitles by accessibility@itv.com