Original subtitles

[Orchestral Fanfare]

[Inspirational Orchestral Theme]

[Narrator] Down beside the docks in the East End of London,

they say London isn't a town,

it's a group of villages.

This is the story of one of those villages,

a community bounded by a few streets

with its own marketplace, its shops, its church,

its police station and its Fire Brigade.

It's the story of the men who joined that Fire Brigade,

and how they and the people of the village stood together

through the flames and destruction of the September Blitz.

[Noisy Chatter, Stallholders Shouting]

[Organ plays, Congregation sing a hymn]

♪ In praise and glory ♪

♪ Ever more ♪

♪ Amen ♪

I publish the Banns of Marriage

between John Masters of this parish and Eileen Durham, spinster,

of the parish of St John's, West Ham.

This is the first time of asking.

Also between Robert James Matthews

and Nan Elizabeth Harper, spinster, both of this parish.

This is the first time of asking.

- Hello. - Hello.

Ain't seen you in church before.

Oh, it's the first time we've been.

- You got a house yet? - A flat.

Start moving in a fortnight.

- Well, good luck. -[Together] Thanks.

[Noisy Background Chatter]

-[Man] Hiya, Tom - Hiya!

[Noisy Chatter]

-[Ted] Hiya, Tommy. - All right, Ted? Working?

Yeah.

- What do you want? - Three dinners!

How much you got?

- Ain't enough. - That's all Dad gave Ma.

Well, just this once.

- Hello, Tommy. - Hello, Ma.

Here you are, son.

At it again.

Three dinners for sixpence! It's a miracle we're not out of business.

Feeding the multitude on fish and chips!

- Ah, only do it once in a while. - Sure.

Every time a skinny little mite with a hungry look on his face

comes into the shop.

And that's happening every darn minute of the day!

- Now, look here, Ma... -[Dog yelps]

[No Audio]

Yours?

Nice, isn't it?

Didn't i tell you, you hadn't to buy one of them racing dogs?

Well, it was given away, practically.

- You'll lose everything you've got on it. -[Chuckles] Not me!

Oh! You mean, it's just a pet?

Yeah! Yeah, that's it!

Oh!

That's different.

Here you are, pup.

He, uh, doesn't like fish.

- Come on, mate, let's take a walk. - Down to the stadium, I suppose?

[Noisy Chatter]

Have you got far to take it?

Got a flat down beside the dock.

We want the stuff in about a fortnight, if that's all right.

Whatever you say, it's your parameter.

- Well, thanks. - Oh... Thanks.

[Narrator] Moving in a fortnight on Sunday.

But on that Sunday, war is declared.

Down by the docks everything looks peaceful, unchanged.

For these folk, whose lives are being turned upside down,

it seems strange and unreal.

Around them everything is the same and yet nothing is the same.

None of them knows what the future will bring.

-[Nan] We can still get married. -[Bob] I've got other responsibilities now.

[Nan] But people get married in the autumn.

[Bob] That wouldn't be fair to you, Nan.

[Nan] We can make a go of it, Bob, it doesn't matter what happens.

You've got to do what they tell you in the war, but we can still get married.

[Bob] Better wait, see what i've got to do.

- Hello! - You coming? Hello, Mrs Robbins.

Haven't seen Susie in a uniform, Ma. How d'you like it?

- Very smart, I'm sure. - Hello, Sue. Try something?

No, thanks.

We've got to get back to the station, we're all on standby.

- Why, do you think they'll be over tonight? - I dunno. We've got to be ready.

Oh, come on, Ted. Bye just now.

Bye-bye. Mind the blackout!

Fancy her joining the Fire Brigade!

Can't let our Ted out of her sight, she can't.

- They want to be near each other, Ma. - Oh!

Pint of mild and a port, please.

-[Noisy Chatter] - Hello, Jim. When you going away?

- Tonight. - Oh.

- There you go now. - Thanks.

Thank you!

Good luck, old boy!

-[Noisy Chatter continues] -[Jim] Thank you!

[Tommy] Do you know a good dog when you see one?

- I'm afraid i don't. - She's a real champion.

Would have won me a fortune.

You know, it's the first time in my life anyone's sold me a pup, but...

[Laughs] ...at least it's a real one.

- Dogs closed, didn't they? - Yeah. I used to work there.

Well, I lost my job too.

[Laughs] We're both in the same boat, aren't we?

I don't know about you, I've got to do something pretty quick.

- Why? No money? - Spent it all. Was going to get married.

You see that? It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

It took a war to save your neck.

Oh, I don't know about that. It depends on how you look at it.

What happened? Your girlfriend run away with a sailor?

No.

We... We're gonna wait a bit.

Ah, well, here's to the war and a bachelor's life.

You gonna join up?

What, the army? Don't be silly. You can't get in.

They've gone all exclusive this time, like a blinking West Ham club. I've just been round.

Do you know, you're lucky if they put your name down on the waiting list.

No, there's nothing doing there.

Same with me. Wouldn't even take me name.

What are you going to do?

Well, I've been thinking about that.

Now, that's what i call polite. An invitation, see?

The Fire Brigade. Why not?

I can see us now, climbing through bombs and flames,

rescuing pretty girls in their nighties.

[Laughs] Lovely grub!

What are we waiting for? Come on.

- Guy, look after her for me, will you? - Sure, Tommy.

- Bit short in the head, ain't she? - Maybe.

Maybe that's what she'll win by, a short head.

You know, that's what i'll think i'll call her, Short Head.

Well, we'll being seeing you. We're going to join the Fire Brigade.

That's fine. Tell Ted i sent you.

What, and spoil our chances? [Chuckles]

He'll think we're a gift from heaven. Come on.

Come on, this is the place!

[Police Whistle Blows]

Give me a fag.

Light?

- What does he want you for? - I've been milking the Guinness boat.

I've got a barrel on my hands and he knows it.

- What you trying to do to me? - I didn't invite you here, did i?

How was i to know you'd be in a blinking Fire Brigade queue?

- Thought you'd have more sense. - He thought he was in a queue for the pictures.

Well, you're in the ninepennies for the duration now.

Line up there! Well, well, look who's here.

Your old man told us you needed men in the Fire Brigade.

We've got men in the Fire Brigade but they seem to be taking almost anything in the AFS.

That was said to wound.

- Robbins! - Yes, sir.

- Get this AFS nonsense finished with. - Yes, sir.

Put that out!

Yes, sir.

- AFS! - Alfie.

- Yes, sir. - I'll have this lot down at Q-Sub.

- This way. - Come along.

-[Car Door Slams] - The Ritz.

Very good, sir. Eh?!

[Tommy] I know this place. It's my old school!

[Chuckles] You can't catch me!

Get inside! Playtime's over for you guys.

[Chuckles]

Come on, girls.

Teacher's angry.

This is where you sleep.

What, on the bare floor?

You get a blanket.

- Only one?! - Sure, if there's any left.

I've got one or two things to do. When do we start?

You've started.

But... But i've got to tell my... my people. They'll be worried.

Look, it was your idea to join the Fire Brigade, it wasn't mine.

- You mean, we don't get out tonight? - That's roughly what i mean.

But i've left my dog at your old man's boozer.

- It'll get nothing to eat. - Don't worry, neither will you.

Now remember, you're on a standby,

and there's a war on, and they'll probably be an air raid.

Well, if there is, what good will we be?

That's something the Home Office never told us.

Blimey, we're prisoners of war!

I thought you had this whole thing figured out.

Did he get you into this too? What do you say we do him?

[Man] Cut it out!

You don't undress when you're a fireman.

Oh.

It saves time if the bells go down.

Anyway, it's too bloody cold.

What brought you here?

Well, I had to do something, job folded up.

- You been in it long? - Ever since Munich.

Came back from Spain, found myself without a job, so i thought i might as well join this.

Least i knew what was coming.

What do you mean?

- I was in Madrid. - What, bullfighter?

- No. - International Brigade?

- Yes. - What was it like?

You'll find out soon enough, tonight perhaps.

That's right, cheer us up.

They used to come over every night there

and knock some of the town to pieces.

They started fires that sometimes blazed for weeks.

But the people never gave in.

They died for each other, or went on living for each other.

Just went about among the flaming ruins as if that was the Madrid they'd always known.

[Whimsical Music]

- You're a fast worker. - I ain't used to this kind of work.

You soon will be. What were you before you joined the AFS?

Happy.

Hey!

Go on, Sam! Go on! I lay six to four he doesn't catch him.

Good old Sam! Go on, Sam!

He's winning! He's... he's... he's...

He's got him.

- Where do you think you're going?? -I...

- I've got business to attend to. - Your business is sweeping up this yard!

- But i've got some property on me hands. - Yeah! Lost property.

Go on, get back to work.

Put out that cigarette!

Look... you're volunteers, aren't you?

You came in here of your own accord.

Well, I didn't. I'm just obeying orders.

I didn't ask to be put on AFS instruction.

But my first job is to teach you discipline

and the sooner you learn it the better it will be for all of us.

Now, get on with it!

Here, hold this.

Turk!

[Men Laughing]

Get on with it!

[Telephone Rings]

Eastchapel Police Station.

Yes.

What? Another lot gone?

Uh, yes, certainly. At once.

Benjamin's Wharf. They checked up tonight after unloading.

Another barrel of Guinness disappeared.

- That's the third this month. - Sam again, hey?

Well, I'll take a look around down at the river.

Why don't you pick Sam up and be done with it?

Because we'd have to let him go again and that would break me heart.

I haven't a thing to go on.

Except i know he's doing it, bad luck to him.

[Engine Starts]

[Barrel Clattering, thuds]

[Engine Starts]

Where have you been all night?

Someone's been knocking the hell out of that fire alarm.

Look at the bleedin' thing. Tore to bits, see?

It's yourself all right.

In the Fire Brigade now.

Might keep you out of mischief, but i'll have you in jail yet.

Bit acid, ain't you?

Been hit by a lorry, that's all.

It's your worry now. Goodnight, chum.

Goodnight.

Bob!

Nan!

[Metal Clatters]

You all right?

Except i was worried.

I... I thought you'd gone away.

Joined the Fire Brigade. They don't let you out.

I was ordered to take this down to the super-station.

I heard you lost your job. Rather be in the Fire Brigade?

It's all right. Of course the money ain't so good but i like the job.

- Have you got a job? - I tried to get my old job back.

- I'm sorry i ever made you give it up. - That's all right, I'll get something.

Eastchapel Fire Brigade District Control.

Right away, sir.

MacFarlane, he wants the rest of the appliances down at Wilson's garage.

- The fire's reached the petrol. - Right.

[Alarm Bell Rings]

Eastchapel Fire Brigade District Control.

[Italian Accent] Hello, hello, hello! Is the Fire Brigade?

Me, I am Mr Vanetti! You come quick, no?

- What address? - Another call?

- Hello? - We'll have to send an AFS crew.

But what address?

It's Mama to blame, it's not me. We have a Christmas tree.

I say to Mama, "You light up the tree, Mama."

She supposed to light the candles.

But no, she light the tree!

There's poof! It's a big fire!

Yes, but what address?

Oh, the address. It's 69 Eastchapel High Street.

[Woman] Benetto, Benetto!

Oh, it's all right, Mama! The Fire Brigade is coming now.

But, Benetto, I have put the fire out!

Santa Catalina! You have put the fire out!

But no! Non possibile! Santa Catalina! Always you do the wrong thing!

I'm sending the boys from Q-Sub.

That'll spoil their Christmas party.

You should have seen her this afternoon, going like a steam engine.

She's absolutely a dead certainty.

- What's all this about? - Short Head.

Stadium's opening up again on Saturday and Short Head's running.

I don't know what you're going to do but i'm going to put on everything i've got.

[Woman] Hello.

- Hello, June. - Hello.

- Would you care to take a walk? - Not much.

Neither would i. Come on.

- You got away all right? - Mm. Said i'd work late tomorrow.

- Good. How's business? - Business is fine.

But you can't get any oil and the price of fish is something awful.

- You'll have to put your prices up, Ma. - Mm, that's what i'll have to do.

[Alarm Bell Rings]

[Bell Stops]

What the hell are you doing?

Just seeing how far i could go in a taxi without anyone driving.

Let's get going!

[Stirring Music]

[Short Head barks]

[Ted] 69 Eastchapel High Street.

[Tommy] It's Short Head! She's coming to the fire.

Step on it! She's gaining on us. What are we doing now?

- Can't you go any faster? - Can't you call off your dog?

What and stop her road work? It's good for her. She's racing Saturday.

Come on, my little beauty!

Come on, Short Head!

I thought you could drive!

See you at the fire!

She's made it! Wheee!

Do you want the dog to get there first?

Come on, Short Head! Come on! Come on, girl, come on!

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

Look! He's gonna pinch our fire! Go on, Sammy, give him the works.

Don't worry, they're going to a real fire up at Wilson's garage.

We can still give 'em the works!

Go on, Sammy boy, have a go!

-[Tommy] Come on, come on! -[Bob] Go on, Sam, overtake 'em!

- Come on, Sammy! - Go on!

Get out the way!

[Wheels Screeching]

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

She's still with us! I told you we've trained a real champion!

- Where is it? - Oh, we are very sorry.

- Mama, she put the fire out. - What?!

- What, no fire? - No, it's out.

- Oh? - Okay, boys, make up.

- Why, what's the trouble? - Sorry, boys, false alarm.

Uh, don't apologise. It was good training.

- Eh? - For Short Head.

- Oh. -[MacFarlane] Robbins!

Well, what's it like?

Nothing much, sir. I've put in a stop. How's the fire at Wilson's garage?

We got it in time. I, uh, saw your turnout.

- Not bad at all, for an AFS crew. - No, sir.

I can see you've put in a lot of work with these men.

- Had three months with them, sir. - Aye, time you had a rest.

- Like to come back to the Super-Station? - Very much, sir.

- Report tomorrow then. - Very good, sir.

- Eh, Robbins. - Sir?

Better have another crew up at the Super-Station. Tell them to report too.

- Tell who, sir? - These AFS men.

Yes, sir.

- Merry Christmas, boys! - Happy New Year!

Hello, boys.

Blimey, look at this one!

This is the real thing.

There's another one over here.

What a beauty! Wait till i get me hands on this.

- We'll give Short Head a run for her money now. - Not half.

Merry Christmas, girls! Ha! How are you, gorgeous?

Turks the name. Do you mind if i use the phone?

Twenty to one the field! £5 payroll! Ready to Come from Zeet's Way the Rascal.

£10 each way, Golden Star.

You've got the wrong number. You want Whitehall 1212.

Six to four Ugly Duckling. No, not you.

-[Chuckles] Tommy always pays. - You can't do that!

Most people can't but i can, I'm different.

Twenty to one Gorgeous Thing.

You'll get me into trouble.

- Will i? - Come on.

- Will you go quietly or do i scream for help? - It's all right, I don't need any help.

Come on, we're going upstairs.

Sorry, knocking off for dinner.

[Noisy Chatter]

- Merry Christmas, boys! - Happy New Year!

- Look, it must be a mirage. - I can't believe it!

- Hey, boys, come and have a look at this! - What?

- Cor! - Now we're real firemen.

- I wonder how it works. - Go on, Bob, have a go.

Whoppeeee!

- What the...? -[Tommy] What?

- Whaaaay! -[Tommy cheering]

What is this?

Yippeeeeee!

[Chuckles] Sir...

Is this a fire station or a lunatic asylum?

A fire station, sir. See?

- Who are these men? - The new crew from Q Sub-Station, sir.

Ah. You've got a lot to learn.

You're in an LFB station now

and i'll have no auxiliary firemen here who don't know how to behave in one.

The first thing you've got to learn is discipline.

If you think you can play the fool here you've got another thing coming.

You've had your preliminary AFS training.

You can handle some of the equipment but you haven't even started to be firemen yet.

But by the time i'm through with you,

you'll begin to know what it's all about.

You've got to learn discipline.

It's discipline that makes a good army or a good ship's crew,

and it's discipline that makes a good firefighter.

Brookes!

Matthews!

Turk!

You've got to know your equipment inside out.

You've got to learn every trick of it, in the light and in the dark,

so that when the time comes you'll know it like a soldier knows his rifle.

[Stirring Music]

[Metallic Crash]

You've got to learn to go up the side of a building or up the ladders

just as easily as you walk across the road.

Someday you'll life will depend on it and other people's lives too.

You've got to keep cool in danger and you've got to keep your head at heights.

Oh!

- Phillips. - Sir.

- Cook. - Sir.

- Ruskin. - Sir.

- Benson. - Sir.

DCO, Fellow Officer Pickwick.

- Roberts. - Sir.

[Rollcall Continues]

- Gibson. - Sir.

- Govan. - Sir.

- McGrove. Wakeling. - Sir.

- Staunton. - Sir.

All present and correct, sir.

Parade, dismissed!

- Will you look after my equipment for me? - Why

- Bye now, see you later. - Are you coming to the stadium?

- And of course, Short Head's running today. - Today's the big day.

- Put five bob on for me. - What, you aren't coming?

No, I've got to see Nan. We've got something to do.

Why don't you get wise like me? Stay away from women.

Hello, ducks. Hello. Remember me?

What do you want?

I came to thank the little lady for looking after my dog and give her some advice.

- Go ahead. - That dog's running this afternoon.

- You wanna put your shirt on it. - Sue's not interested in dogs, of any kind.

- I'd like to back it. - How much?

- Five bob. - It's a bet, you're on.

Give me Old Park 3434.

- Those phones are private. - So's this information.

Do you think i'd give it away on a public phone?

Hello, Morris? How's Short Head?

Good. Now, I want you to put five bob on for a lady before the odds short.

Testing, testing.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday.

Okay.

That phone's all right, nothing wrong with that.

- I want to see you for a moment, Robbins. - Yes, sir.

I never thought the Chief would do me a good turn.

- What do you mean? - He got rid of old sourpuss for us.

Oh, Ted's all right. He doesn't know how to enjoy himself, that's all.

He won't take me dancing.

Bet you don't dance.

[Chuckles] Don't be silly! I taught Saint Vitus.

It ain't been touched since you took your stuff away.

We'd like to see it again.

[Romantic Music]

-[Nan] I'm glad we kept the furniture. -[Bob] Sure thing.

Won't take as long to get settled in.

We've got a lot of time to make up for, you and me.

We'll catch up on it.

[Wistful Music]

♪ Here comes the bride ♪

♪ Short, fat and wide ♪

♪ See how she wobbles ♪

♪ Side to side ♪

Come out well, hasn't it? I like the best man.

- All right, isn't he? - He's all right with me.

What's all this about?

Photos of the wedding.

Firemen gotta get married sometime, you know.

Or don't you?

Here, let's have a look.

- Well, ready? - Won't be a minute, just going to change.

[June] Hello, Tommy darling!

[Tommy laughs nervously]

Hello.

- Where have you been all this time? - Uh, busy, busy.

You, uh... You haven't met my sister, have you?

Oh! [Laughs]

- Oh, how do you do? - How do you do?

- I didn't know Tommy had a sister. - Neither did i.

Well, that...

Whoa!

Whoa!

- Looking for someone? - Me? No.

Not supposed to come in here, you know.

What's come over you these days?

Sore at me for going dancing, aren't you?

You can do what you like.

Well, how can i if you're gonna be like this?

Either you take me yourself or you let me go without getting sore.

You might choose your company.

Tommy?

Well, he asked me.

Besides, he's harmless enough.

It isn't as if it was somebody good-looking.

I'll cut it out if you like.

But you've got to tell your Ma to mind her own business.

If i like dancing there's no reason why you shouldn't take me,

as often as i want.

There's no harm in it, is there?

- I'm no good at it. - You were getting on swell.

Yes?

What you say we try it again?

Next leave night.

Okay.

[Crowd Shouting]

Come on, Short Head, come on! Come on, Short Head!

Come... Ugh!

Uh!

[Doubtful] Come on... Short Head.

Come on, my little beauty! Come on!

[Doubtful] Come on.

[Crowd Cheering]

[Crowd Roars]

Goodnight, duck.

- Bad luck, old boy. - Your game.

- I'm going to bed. - Me too.

- Hello, chaps. Found Tommy yet? - No, he's keeping out of the way.

Better keep that ruddy dog of his out of the way, too.

- How much you lose this time? - Ten bob.

- I lost a quid. - Only five bob.

- Three half crowns, me. - You're lucky, I lost a fiver.

Short Head!

Hey, where did you get a fiver? Have you sold another barrel?

Perhaps.

- There he is. - Come on.

Oi!

[Laughs Nervously] Hello, boys. How doing?

- Where have you been hiding? - Me? I haven't been hiding.

Thought that dog of yours was going to win.

So did i.

You haven't by any chance been backing against it all this time?

No! Honestly. I'm broke too.

Now, look, boys, boys, I've got a certainty.

- Yeah? - Next Saturday.

What's its name?

Look, it's been put in a lower class and it's cast iron.

[All] What's its name?!

Short Head.

[All Shouting]

-[Alarm Bell Ringing] -[Man] Get up! Get up!

[Engines Starting, Alarm Bell Ringing]

[Fire Engines Rumbling]

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

Hey! Where are you going?

To the fire, sir.

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

[Ted] Okay, leave her there.

- Nobody reported in the building. - Okay!

This is the real thing!

Wait till it's out before you start smiling.

Still at it?

Honest job, isn't it?

[Car Approaching]

[Brakes Screech]

Have you seen a fire?

Get in!

Yes, sir.

Bob!

- You've never been on the ladders! - No!

Up you go!

- Thanks! - You're welcome!

- I'll see you back at the station. - Yes, sir.

[Flames Spitting and Crackling]

[Bob] All set!

Right!

[Ladder Whirring]

-[Ted over speaker] You okay? - Fine.

Take me in a bit.

Okay, that's enough!

Down with the pump!

Down with the pump! 120 Lbs!

[Water Rushing]

[Water Hissing]

[Ted] You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Sorry to move you back like that.

I thought you might get roasted when the roof went in.

- Ready to go again? - Sure!

[Tommy] Reporting for duty.

Now? You took your time!

Well, somebody might have wakened me.

We don't provide nannies, not even for little boys in the AFS.

- Take a branch in there. - Okay.

What, in there?!

That's right. It's safe enough, even for you.

In fact, it's quite cozy. You'll find Sam there.

[Ladder Whirring]

[Water Hissing]

- Is Bob here? -[Brookes] yes.

He's all right. He's on the ladder.

It's a bit peas in the pot!

- What?! - I said it's a bit hot!

- Well, let's get out of here. - We'd better lash our branches.

Right.

Okay, Bob, you've had enough. Come down for a breather.

Thanks.

Had enough?

- We lashed our branches. - Like to try the ladders?

That would be jolly.

How do you feel, Bob?

- Fine! - I say, Nan's here!

- Nan? - Yes, over there.

Okay, funny man, it's all yours.

Now, don't you try any monkey tricks while i'm up there.

I'm a fireman. Anything i do to you i do off the job.

- You shouldn't have come, Nan. - I had to.

- But weren't you in bed? - Yes.

But i heard the engines leave the station and i couldn't just wait.

You'd better go back now, you...

You can't come popping out of bed every time there's a fire.

But how will i know you're all right?

Tell you what, I'll phone the callbox when i'm through.

If you leave the window open you'll be able to hear it.

- You'll always do that? - Sure.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Well, boys, now you can really say you caught a fire.

It wasn't bad. Guess i like it.

There's no accounting for tastes.

As far as i'm concerned, I'd rather play around with an old flame.

[Bob Laughs]

[Wistful Music]

[Door Rattles]

Nan.

Darling, what's happened? What's wrong?

Nothing. I just want to lie down a bit.

What is it?

Nothing.

I fainted again.

Can i get you something?

You're gonna give up your job.

Don't be silly.

I mean it.

There's some time yet.

We can't lose all that money.

Who cares about money?

We get along, don't we?

Of course.

I've got to go to the station now.

I'll drop into the shop and tell them you won't be back.

All right.

Do you feel better?

Now, just you lie there nice and quiet.

- You've got to take care of our son. - It's a girl.

It's going to be a fireman, like me.

- Don't want two firemen in the house. - Well, why not?

They're all right.

- Morning, Joe. - Hello, Pop.

- Nice day. - Lovely for a swim.

How's the news?

Ruddy old Hitler's bitten off more than he can chew, you mark my words!

Hello, Sue!

- Ted in? - I'll get him.

Morning, Ma.

Morning, Susie. More dance tickets?

- Why not? - Hah! All right with me.

If you think Ted doesn't need any sleep.

Ted gets plenty sleep.

Not since he took up with you again, he doesn't.

He gets as much sleep as i do.

A girl can do a lot for a man, if she's the right kind.

I suppose i'm not the right kind?

Well, our Ted was never a one for... for hanging around dance halls.

- Where's Sue? - Seems she couldn't stay.

You been riling her again?

Now look here, Ma, it isn't good enough.

Susie's all right.

She's doing a good job of work over at the fire station

and it's no concern of yours if she does like a little bit of fun in her spare time.

[Scoffs] Little bit?

- Trouble with you, Ma, you're old fashioned. -[She Gasps]

If you were her age, you'd be doing just what she's doing.

- Not in trousers i wouldn't! - Ah!

[Narrator] Through winter and spring, London stayed unharmed.

Norway fell, Holland, Belgium and then France.

The Battle of Britain was almost over

and still the men of the Fire Service had not been called on. Still they waited.

You know, that dog's got me fair beat.

And she's got me flat broke. Why don't you give her up?

I don't know. She's got it in her.

Sure, but she never brings it out.

You know, she's been in every class except the lowest and she hasn't won a race.

I can't make it out.

- Told you not to come up here, didn't i? - That blinking copper's rumbled us.

- How do you know? - Don't know, just guessed.

Tiptoes round me yard.

We've got a barrel to get up tonight, haven't we?

Yeah. I don't like it.

Oh, you've got the jitters.

He don't know nothing.

- I've paid for yours. - Oh, thanks.

I'll have a Guinness, please.

If you've any left.

[Cash Register Rings]

Two pints of old and mild, please.

- Here you are, ducks, that's yours. - Lemonade, eh?

Hey, Tommy, what about Short Head today? Have we got any money coming to us?

Well, uh... [Laughs] Something went wrong again.

- So she lost again? - You know, she's a regular problem child.

But never mind, she'll win one of these days, you wait and see.

- I'll wait. - Why don't you feed her proper?

You can't expect her to run fast when she's nothing but skin and bone.

But, Mum, a racing dog's supposed to look like that.

Here, you haven't been taking pity on her, have you?

You don't treat her human.

Dogs like you to give 'em a bit of encouragement.

I hope that's all you give her.

She's fond of doughnuts.

And doughnuts is good for you, gives you strength.

- Doughnuts! - Blimey! No wonder the dog can't run.

What do you mean? I've seen the other dogs getting doughnuts.

Sure, sure.

But that's when they want them to lose!

[Susie] Hello, Tommy.

- Hello, duck. Ready for Tommy? - Won't be a sec.

Just a minute, just a minute.

Mmm! That's okay. Put it on.

- Can we go dancing? - Why bother dancing?

Oh! After you, sir.

- Hello, Ted. - Officer.

Hey, Tommy, I see we gave old Musso a basinful last night.

Coo! Look who's talking!

[Drunkenly] What do you do about it, eh?

Three quid a week! Ha! Three quid a week for keeping out of the army!

Just a minute, ducky.

- Screw-- - Now, come along, Bill, let's get out of here.

Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Three quid a week for doing sweet Fanny Adams!

- Strewth! Ha! - All right, what have you done?

- Me? - Yes, you.

I'm...

Don't you get personal.

- Well, what have you done? - I'm...

- Shut up, Bill. - Wait a minute, my pal's done plenty.

He was at Dunkirk, he was. Got a medal.

- Nah, come on, Bill, and shut up. - A medal, see?

You don't get that for doing nothing.

- I guess you don't. - Come on.

All right, come on then.

Get out of it.

Whose side are you on anyway?

Well, he was right, wasn't he? We haven't done anything really.

Well, we can't set fire to London just to prove we can put it out again.

We've got to wait until somebody else does it.

But it won't happen. Look at the planes they're losing now.

They'll never get through to London. We're just wasting our time.

Well, you can't do anything about it. Come on, Tommy, we'll be late.

Just a minute, ducks. Look, Bob, we can't get out of the Fire Service even if we want to.

- They won't let us go. - It's all right for people to laugh.

It's the easiest thing in the world to do.

But the war isn't over yet, not by a long way.

Nan's right. Our cities are still behind the lines.

When someone starts to pin medals on us,

it'll mean they've moved right up to the front.

It'll mean another Rotterdam, another Warsaw,

right here in England.

They'll call us heroes when it comes to that.

I'd rather that they went on laughing.

It's lovely.

- You shouldn't have bothered. - Like it?

It's just what I wanted.

[Chuckles] What, are you starting a toy shop?

The boys at the fire station made them.

Even your Tommy.

- Tommy made this? - Well, not the clothes. Sue made them.

Seeing a lot of each other, Tommy and Sue.

You'll be a granny before you know where you are.

Well, Tommy's got to settle down some day.

Suppose i must get the fish frying.

If you need any help, Nan, you know where to find me.

Thanks.

Have you fixed up where you're gonna have the baby?

We're going to do that tomorrow. Bob's day off, coming home early.

Oh, good.

[Indistinct Chatter]

- What do you fancy, Sam? - Don't feel lucky today.

[Chuckles] Here, do you want to retire for life?

Yes. Not at the workhouse.

You don't know what i know.

Look.

That lap dog? So it's down among the small fry.

- Oh, it won't be after today. - Short Head?

Oh, they'll sling her out of the stadium. Set them up again, Bob.

- Don't tell me you've got money on her? - Oh, no.

Don't put the money on till the dog's at the post.

This is too good a thing to let get around.

Says you.

But you don't know what i know! You wait till tonight.

Susie and i will be lapping up champagne, the best of everything.

Money to burn. Ha!

Saturday the 7th, the day I join the upper classes.

[Brookes laughs]

[Air Raid Siren Whines]

- Told you they'd try and get through again. - He won't take a telling, will he?

[Explosions Rumbling]

- Guns are pretty close. - They'll never get through.

That's another thing i wouldn't bet on.

[Loud Bang of Snooker Balls]

[Explosions Rumbling]

[Alarm Bell Ringing]

[Engine Roars]

[Fire Engine Bells Ringing]

[Explosions Rumbling]

-[Explosions Rumbling] -[Distant Fire Engine Bells Ringing]

[Telephone Rings]

Brigade Control.

-[Woman] Ada Smith here. - Just in, sir.

They're still concentrating everything on the dock area.

Warn all Outer London stations to move in.

Very good, sir.

Two AFS crews just reported to Station 21, sir.

Send them down to MacFarlane at Haley Street.

- He's right in the centre of it. - Yes, sir.

[Water Hissing]

Robbins!

- How's it going? - Not too bad, sir.

- Are we getting any more pumps? - Two AFS crews coming over.

Best i could do. LFB men are all out.

Well, better than nothing, I suppose.

Is it like this everywhere?

The whole district's gone up.

Half the pumps can't get water.

My God, look at that!

And they said a week ago they'd never get through to London.

They're through all right.

-[Aircraft Hum Overhead] - Hear them?

[Aircraft Hum Overhead]

What are you doing?!

Setting in, sir.

Smoking on duty, eh?

- Well, it was the first one, sir. - And see it's the last.

- Yes, sir. - Fireman! Ha!

Smoking in the middle of a Blitz.

[Explosion Rumbles]

[Bomb Whistles and Explodes]

- That was close enough! - Sounded like two.

- Two? - Yes, one didn't go off.

Can i go and find it?

Delayed action?

Might be. It sounded nearer than the other one.

- What?! - It's a trick, sir.

- What do you mean? - They used it on Madrid.

They used to send down two together, one an H.E. and the other a D.A.

It's hard to hear the D.A.

- Off you go then. - Right, sir.

Brookesy, give us a hand with this.

Wait a minute, we've got a job to do first.

Oh.

[Ladder Whirring]

[Flames Crackling]

In a bit closer.

[Explosions Rumbling]

[Aircraft Hum Overhead, Explosions Rumbling]

[Distant Telephone Ringing]

[Explosions Continue]

[Distant Telephone Ringing]

[Telephone Continues to Ring]

Is that you, Bob?

You all right?

I...I was just waiting.

So that you'd know where i was.

But you'll go to the shelter now, promise?

Yes, I'll go now.

Where are you phoning from?

Seems like the top of the world.

I'm on the ladder.

And, Nan...

you've got to leave London tomorrow.

We'll talk about it when i see you.

-[Explosions Rumbling] - Of course.

Bye, Bob.

[Bomb Whistles and Explodes]

Nan! Nan!!

Give me more pressure.

Sam! Increase pressure to 110 Lbs!

Right!

Sounded as if it dropped round here. Better separate.

All right, mate.

- Did you hear the D.A.? - I thought i did.

It was somewhere around here.

Seen Sam?

Sam, no, he's not with us.

What's this?

This is it! Part of the fin.

Yeah, been forced off.

Looks like it.

- You report it. - Right.

We're working round the other side there.

I'll go and warn the boys.

- It might go off at any minute. - Okay.

Come down, Bob, I want to see what it's like.

O'Brien's looking for you!

Like to lie low for a bit?

I'm busy.

Get the branch and work it from the ground, Bob.

- Right. - Adams!

- Is Tommy back yet? - Not yet.

Must be still looking for that bomb.

You all right, Bob?

Sure. Sure, I'm fine.

[Flames Crackling, Water Hissing]

Hello!

- Hello? - Found that bomb yet?

Yes, next to the pillar box the other side of the building.

I think we're all right around here.

There's a bomb gone off and there's a fire next to it.

I can see the pillar box.

The fire's getting pretty close to it.

Okay. Well, we'd better get around over there. I'll go up.

Okay!

Tommy!

Hey, Tommy!

Tommy!

Give me all the pressure you've got!

Sam, he wants all the pressure you've got!

[Loud Explosion]

Tommy!

You all right, Tommy?

- Tommy, are you hurt? - You all right?

I think i'm all here.

Oh, I'm lucky to be alive.

If it hadn't been an accident with the hose...

When i get somebody with a hose,

it isn't an accident.

Thanks.

[Menacing Music]

[Poignant Music]

[Siren Whines]

There's the all-clear.

I'm going up to the station.

- You been with the boys from this station? - No, miss, we just got in from Cambridge.

- Any of the boys been back? - No, miss.

- You getting this ready for them? - I'll get it ready for them all right.

Though goodness knows who's going to eat it.

No one seems to know where anyone is.

It was a night, wasn't it?

Yes.

[Organ Plays, Congregation Sing a Hymn]

[Distant Hum of Aircraft]

[Distant Explosions]

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

[Flames Roaring]

[Explosions Rumbling]

Blimey, this is where we came in.

Yeah, and this is where we see the whole ruddy performance through again.

That's the lot.

When that's done we'll have to go on the scrounge again.

Here, boys, look what Ma brought us!

Chips!

Thought the fire was beginning to smell pleasant.

[Ted] What's the trouble?

Have one?

Thanks.

Now, come on, boys, back on the job!

- You take the ladders, Bob. - Right.

[Flames Crackling]

[Water Hissing]

Have a chip, mate?

Thanks.

You can have the lot. Here you are.

All set!

Right!

[Ladder Whirring]

[Flames Crackling]

Down with the pumps!

Down with the pumps, Sam!

110 Lbs!

[Water Rushing]

[Water Hissing]

On the low one! We want to stop it getting across.

Okay, sir!

[Explosion Rumbling]

What's wrong with the pressure?!

What's the matter, Sam? Knocked off for dinner?

They've got the water main!

Well, get a water unit and get it quick!

Yes, sir.

Eastchapel Fire Brigade District Control.

Get a water unit down to Haley Street.

It's urgent. That last bomb got the water main.

Water unit, Haley Street, hurry.

- I'll see if there's one left. - Okay.

[Ted] Susie?

That you, Ted?

That last bomb got the Hopvine too.

Ma and Pa all right?

Nobody seems to know.

Warden says they went down in the shelter. Did they?

I don't know.

I got to get back.

Susie... do what you can.

Okay, Ted.

Mary, take over for me, will you?

[Explosions Rumbling]

[Aircraft Hum Overhead]

Water unit's here, Sam.

Right! Go to it, boys!

- Here you are, Tom, it's all yours. - Thanks!

Water on!

Okay, Sam!

Pull it, boys!

[Tense Music]

Water's through, sir!

Down with the pumps!

Down with the pumps!

Down with the pump!

[All] Down with the pump!

[Water Hissing]

[Triumphant Music]

[Aircraft Hum Overhead]

- Well, where are they? - I don't know.

- But i thought-- - I know they're here.

- Yeah, but how do you know? - I found Ma's handbag on the bar.

- Well, that doesn't mean much. - It does if you know Ma!

She wouldn't go far without her handbag.

- Now look, we've got other people to see. - Please!

Maybe they're in the cellar.

Where's that?

This way.

It's here.

God!

Hello!

Can you hear me?

Is there anyone down there?

No one there. We've got to get back.

All right, men.

What was that?

Didn't you hear something?

All right, clear this stuff away.

Petrol won't last more than half an hour, sir.

Petrol next!

Go up to the station and see what you can do.

- Yes, sir. - Better take somebody with you.

- Yes, sir. - And if you can't get it there, steal it!

[Flames Roaring]

Bob!

Here, take over!

We've got to go and scrounge for petrol!

- Where are we going? - To the station first.

- You won't want me on the way up, will you? - No, why?

Will it be all right if i meet you there?

- Okay. - Thanks.

Are you looking for someone?

Been no one there tonight.

Where'd they go?

You might try the basement round at Truscott's warehouse.

Maybe they thought it was safer.

Thanks.

[Noisy Chatter]

Well, if it hadn't have been for Susie we should have been down there yet.

Went out herself, she did, and made 'em dig for us.

- Susie's all right. - Well, we've got to get along.

- Thanks for the drinks. - Don't thank us.

- Come in again. - That's right, any time you're this way!

- We will. Goodnight, Pa. -[All Speaking]

- Goodnight, Ma. - Goodnight. Bless you!

- You all right? - We're fine.

- Have you seen Nan? - No, we ain't seen her.

Don't worry, she'll be all right.

- We'll look after her, Bob. - Thanks.

You had a lucky escape.

We've got Sue to thank for that, haven't we, Ted?

We might still be underneath if it hadn't been for her.

- I got some petrol. - Good.

Chap coming over from the garage with 50 gallons.

Hello, Sue. Got a nice drop of port for you, ducks.

Hi, Sue.

Come on, Bob, we've got to get back.

Let's wave them off, Ma.

Haley Street!

[Explosions Rumbling]

Never mind, love. He'll be back.

Morning.

Thank goodness it is.

Ha! That's good.

"Fit Lou Freeman's draught proof blinds

and laugh at Blast and Wintry Winds."

Winds! That's poetry.

Oh...

[Pa] Okay, leave it there.

Blimey, you had a rough house last night.

Yes.

We had some Jerries in.

- Morning, Ma. - Good morning, Jack.

Tommy's all right. He damped a fire in Haley Street.

Course he's all right. Tommy can look after himself.

[Playful Music]

Hello, Tommy.

Hello.

I've just seen your Ma. She's fine.

- Good, good. - Congratulations.

What for? i'm not getting married. [Chuckles]

Sue hasn't proposed to me yet.

- No, Short Head. - Short Head?

Saturday, she won.

She won.

She won?!

She won! She won! i'm rich!

- I've made a fortune! - How much did you have on?

I've got everything i...

Nothing.

Nothing?

I forgot to put it on.

Blimey, that's a good 'un!

The only time his blinking dog comes home and he hadn't got a cent on it.

I wonder if we'll get off tonight.

Sure to. They can't keep us here three whole days at a stretch.

- In any case, they won't be over tonight. - The Jerries?

- Old Hitler hasn't got the petrol. - How do you know?

I'll lay you six to four they don't come over tonight.

- Quid! - A quid?

Have you sold another barrel?

- You might lose a packet. - Me lose?

It's as safe as houses.

Well, they aren't so safe these days.

Come to that, nothing's very safe.

But they won't be over tonight.

It's plain commonsense. See?

[Distant Explosions]

Big fire at Benjamin's Wharf, sir, spreading rapidly and threatening Queen's Dock.

What's the last report from Haley Street?

- Under control, sir. - Get through to MacFarlane.

Tell him to move over to Benjamin's Wharf with all the appliances from Number 21.

Yes, sir.

[Fire Engine Bell Ringing]

[Fire Crackling]

So they won't be over tonight, eh?

Why, are they here?

[Explosion Rumbling]

Some people have all the luck. Look, we've driven you home.

I suppose you couldn't put me up for the night?

I wish i could. Lucky that one didn't get the flat!

- The flat's safe enough. - Yes.

I suppose we'll stop the fire further up.

Say, whose idea was it to join the Fire Brigade?

I want someone up on top there.

- I'll go, sir. - Can you find your way?

Well, I ought to, it's my flat!

[Explosions Rumbling]

Well, take your branch up there and play it over on the east warehouses.

Yes, sir.

Stay there until the fire reaches you.

You can get down by the ladders.

We're not fighting this side?

- We must save the warehouses. - But...

The rest will have to go.

Okay!

- Is she all right? - Fine.

I expect it was the excitement.

Oh, she'll be well looked after in hospital.

All right, David. Right, boys.

You'll be all right, Nan. You'll be out in no time.

I'll be fine.

If only Bob knows where i am.

I'll tell him, Nan, don't you worry, I'll tell him.

Ted!

Ted!

Tell Bob Nan's all right. She's been taken to St John's.

Tommy, I'm going to swing you over!

Here, you talk to him.

[Ladder Whirring]

Ma's just rung up. They've taken Nan to St John's.

You've got nothing to worry about, Ma says she's fine.

Thanks, Tommy.

You all right, Tommy?

As safe as a bank.

There's one thing, you can see them coming from up here.

Good.

Okay, Ted.

See you later, Bob.

Get the heavy unit on to the dock.

We'll have to set into the river.

Back her on to the wharf.

- No one reported in the building. - Good.

That didn't take long to go up.

Five hundred tons of butter and some whisky.

- Irish? - Scotch.

Oh.

- Sam about? - Sam?

Haven't seen him?

Oh.

[Flames Roaring]

- Right, lend a hand here. - Hello, Sam.

Hello.

- Are you coming quiet? - Me?

- You've got the wrong man. - No. I got the other one too.

- I don't know what it's all about. - We'll tell you.

[Flames Roaring]

[Man Shouts]

All out!

[O'Brien] Help!

Help! Help!

Here.

You're just about the weight of a barrel.

Well...

Now i know how it's done.

[Flames Crackling]

Come on, give me a hand, I'm getting roasted.

You're in a hurry to get home. It ain't properly on fire yet.

They've caught a packet over there. A Molotov.

- Where? - St John's Hospital.

- Get a couple of branches, full pressure. - Right, sir.

A message from the superintendent, sir.

He wants you to go over to St John's.

I'll be over.

Sir John's has gone up, sir.

I know, I'm just going over.

Can we come, sir? My wife's there.

I can't do that, Bob.

You should be up there.

I had to come out, sir.

Have you lost your branch?

Yes, sir.

Well, get another one on the pump and work it from the street.

Yes, sir.

MacFarlane here.

I'm going over to St John's.

Have you got the warehouse damped down then, sir?

Well, not exactly. It's under control though.

Oh, whatever you think, sir.

There's people in that hospital!

- Alfie! - Sir.

Tell Ted's crew to make up and get over to St John's.

Chief says you've got to go down to St John's. I'll tell Ted.

[Aircraft Hum Overhead]

Can't you save the wing?

First thing to do is to concentrate here and prevent it spreading to the main building.

- Has the wing been evacuated? - We're just finishing.

Ah, here come my boys. I'll see what can be done.

- Robbins! - Sir!

We've got to stop it spreading to the main building.

I'm going in to see what can be done.

Third floor, over there.

- Use the ladder, sir. - Right.

- Will you be all right, sir? - Of course!

Okay, Adams, I'll take over.

All set.

[Ladder Whirring]

[Flames Crackling]

Bob! Get over to the gantry and drop a line.

- Then play across and stop it spreading. - Okay!

Take Sam with you!

Sam! We've got to work from the gantry.

- Bring that line! - Right!

Any news of Nan?

- I'll go up. - Right. Here you are.

- Alfie! - Yeah!

- Connect this up to the pump. - Okay.

[Baby Crying]

Think you'll be able to stop it from spreading?

We've stopped worse ones than this.

Don't suppose you know of a Mrs Matthews? She's just come in.

- Afraid not. - Thanks.

Bob!

Take it away!

Okay!

- Down with the pump! - Down with the pump!

[Water Hissing]

- Okay, Sam! - Tommy!

- Tommy. - Nan!

Hello, Nan. How are you?

I'm fine.

- How's Bob? - Oh, he's... he's grand.

He's up there.

Bob!

- All ready, nurse. - Well, goodbye, ducks.

- Bye, Tommy. - All right.

Bye, Bob.

Goodbye, ducks!

[Explosions Rumbling]

Look out!

[Bomb Whistles and Explodes]

- The Chief! - I'll go!

Too late, I'm on the ladder.

[Suspenseful Music]

Hello, Chief!

MacFarlane!

Hello!

[MacFarlane] Hello.

- Hello. - I'm going in.

[Ted] I'm swinging Black over to help you.

Get the rescue gear, I'm going in.

[Tense Music]

Chief!

Chief!

Hello!

Hello!

[Flames Roaring and Crackling]

- Hello, Tommy. - Oh...

So this is where you've been hiding yourself.

What happened? Did you fall out of bed?

See here. See if you can raise the beam.

That's it. Easy now.

Look out!

Oh, well.

That's not the way out anyway.

Well...

I reckon that puts us off duty.

[Rumbling]

[Organ Plays]

Hello, Ma.

I haven't seen you since...

since the fire.

I was up there.

You ought to feel proud.

I do.

Am i to christen him Thomas?

No.

Just Tommy.

[Poignant Music]

"They brought young children to Christ that he should touch them.

And his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased and said unto them,

"Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not,

for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily i say unto you,

whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child

shall not enter therein.

[Noisy Chatter, Stallholders Shouting]

[Inspirational Orchestral Theme]