Original subtitles

At Lowick,

I shall build a kind of colony,

where everybody shall live

and shall work, and the work shall be done well. Well!

With what you already owe, that makes £527. Is that agreeable?

I appreciate your understanding.

What I care for, more than I can care

for anything else...

..is absolutely forbidden me.

Please remember me.

If you return,

you will have to live on such fruits as your malice can bring! Har! Do as I say!

Or I'll send for the constable!

I hate your stupid experiments!

I HATE them!

I...

DOOR SLAMS

Tertius,

here is a letter for you.

It's my Uncle Godwin.

Rosamund,

it will be impossible to live with you if you continue to deceive me.

"Dear Tertius,

"Don't set your wife to write to me if you have anything to ask. It is a roundabout wheedling sort of thing.

"I never write to women on matters of business.

"As to my supplying you with...

"..a thousand pounds,

"I can do nothing of the sort."

Read the rest yourself! It sticks in my throat!

Do you see the harm you do with your secret meddling?

I had nearly resolved to go to Quallingham.

It would pain me, yet it might have been of some use. But it's of no use

for me to think of anything.

I'm at the mercy of your devices!

If you mean to resist every wish I express, for God's sake say so!

I'd at least know what I was doing!

Oh, Rosy!

Can't you see that nothing can be so fatal as a lack of openness...

of confidence?

Will you only say that you have been mistaken?

May I depend on your not acting secretly in future?

You expect me to make promises

when you have used such cruel words?

I... I think you ought to apologise.

You should allow for a man's words when he's disappointed and provoked.

You and I can't have opposite interests.

I only wished to prevent you

from hurrying us into wretchedness

without any necessity!

It is so very hard

to be disgraced here

amongst the people that we know,

and to live in such a miserable way!

I wish I had died with the baby!

Come here.

What if we redesigned it...

..on a smaller scale?

CHETTAM: It is very sad

but you'd need to be as rich as Croesus

to build any model village.

You saw for yourself in Yorkshire what would be required.

I've already examined the figures.

I must confess they surprise me, too.

GARTH: It is a great shame.

But it would be a greater one to botch it through lack of resources.

And there are many good ideas

you can put to work at your cottages at Freshitt, Mrs Casaubon.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr Garth. You've been very helpful.

Thank you, both.

It was good of you, Doctor, to attend on me so promptly.

That sounds satisfactory.

There's a slight irregularity of the pulse.

Insomnia is nothing to worry about but you are overextending yourself.

You should relax your attention to business for a while, if possible.

That is what I hope to do.

If cholera comes to town - as many believe it will -

I fear its effects on a delicate consitution such as mine.

You have done your share to protect Middlemarch against infection. True.

But I have, in any case, been contemplating

a withdrawal from public business.

I think of changing my residence and retiring to the coast.

I see.

I have for a time felt I should open this subject with you in relation to our hospital.

In the circumstances I have indicated,

I must cease to have any personal share in the management.

That being so,

I would wish to withhold any further financial contribution, as well.

The loss to the hospital can hardly be made up, I fear.

I suggest an amalgamation of the two hospitals under common management.

That implies an end to all my reforms here!

Sacrifices are demanded of us all.

We must submit to the Divine Will.

As to funding, I've spoken to Mrs Casaubon.

She may be willing to become chief benefactor.

Thank you, Mr Bulstrode. I'm obliged to you for giving me full notice...

..but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to continue with the hospital.

Partly through devoting my time to unpaid work there, I've slipped into money difficulties...

Oh, I see. ..which I can see no way out of...

..unless someone who trusts me and my future would advance me

a sum without security.

It would take a thousand pounds

to save me from the bailiffs.

That is why I mentioned my position to you.

I see.

Well, I am grieved but not surprised.

I regretted your alliance with my brother-in-law's family,

which has ever been of prodigal habits

and has been already much indebted to me.

My advice is that instead of involving yourself in further obligations,

you should simply become a bankrupt.

It will be a trial.

But that is our portion here on earth.

BABBLE OF VOICES

Sh! Sh! >

Ha! > Dear, oh, dear! >

Game to Mr Horricks! >

Bad luck, Dr Lydgate. >

Go another, sir?

Certainly.

Lydgate,

Mr Farebrother is anxious to speak to you.

Farebrother.

Yes, he's just outside.

Yes, of course. I've just finished a game.

Excuse me. Excuse me, gentlemen.

What does he want? Do you know?

Nothing. I thought you might like an excuse to leave off in there.

No offence.

I've been there myself before now.

Thanks, Fred.

Rosy will be wondering what's become of me. Right.

You all right, old chap?

Whoa!

You're in no fit state to walk!

Where are you going?

To see an old friend.

Must see old Bulstrode again.

I'll take you to Stone Court. Come on.

HE GASPS:

You're very good, sir. Very good.

Have you known Mr Bulstrode a long time?

Years.

Put him in the small bedroom, Mrs Abel.

Come on, now. Not much further.

My housekeeper will make him comfortable.

He needs a doctor.

You'd best lose no time.

He looks bad. Would you send for Dr Lydgate if you're going that way?

Aye, I will.

Mr Bulstrode...

..I want you to put your business in some other hands than mine.

I'm sorry about this.

But I must give it up.

Will you take a seat, Mr Garth?

I'll stand, thank you, sir.

No doubt you've been led to this

by some slander from that unhappy creature.

I believe he told the truth, Mr Bulstrode.

And I can't be happy working with you...

..or profiting by you any more.

It hurts my mind.

What DID he tell you?

No need to repeat it.

I'll never talk of it with anyone else.

It's not for me to make your life any harder than it is.

But you do make it harder by turning your back on me.

That I am forced to do.

I am sorry.

A man may do wrong,

and wish he might rise clear of it -

and not be able to.

If that's how it is with you...

..I'm very sorry for you.

But I have that feeling inside me that I can't go on working with you.

That's all, Mr Bulstrode.

I'd best be going now.

One moment! I need your assurance

that you will not repeat these slanderous allegations. Why should I say it, if I didn't mean it?

I'm not in any fear of you! I'll take your message to the doctor.

'He was in my employment, years ago.

'Afterwards he went to America. I feel I must do my utmost for him.'

What's his name? Raffles, John Raffles.

The case is serious, I apprehend?

He HAD a good constitution but years of abuse have weakened him.

The symptoms are those of delirium tremens, not fatal in itself...

..but his liver may give out at any time. His system is full of poison.

RAFFLES GROANS

I've seen men pull through worse and live to tell the tale.

Ah.

He should be well watched. Who will attend him?

Unfortunately my wife is visiting her sister

and my housekeeper is newly in my service.

I shall take responsibility myself to oversee things.

Get him to take plenty of fluid - water and tea. NO alcoholic liquors.

New symptoms may arise.

I shall come again tomorrow morning. Thank you.

You're very good. Strange, isn't it?

I wonder what makes us care for one another?

..When we DO, that is.

Step over that lot. > I'll put it on the side. >

↑ What are they doing?!

Slide it in.

Ah! Doctor Lydgate!

I came over in person to make sure everything was done with the least inconvenience to you and Mrs Lydgate.

Did you? Yes.

I see. Where is Mrs Lydgate? Is she at home?

Oh, Rosy!

Rosy!

Forgive me for this misery.

We SHALL weather it.

I went to Papa when the man came.

He said he could do nothing about the debt,

that if he paid it, there would be half a dozen more.

He said I'm to live at home until you have found a proper place for me.

Should you object to that, Tertius?

Do as you like.

I shall not go until tomorrow -

I want to pack my clothes.

Why not wait a little? I may break my neck - that'd solve your problem.

I see you do not wish me to go.

Why can you not say so without that sort of violence?

I will stay here until you request me to do otherwise.

It cannot by Thy will, Lord, surely,

that this wretch should live to destroy me...

..that all my good works,

not for MY glory, Lord, but for Thine,

should slip from my fingers.

Surely Thou wilt release this wretched sinner here

and take him to You,

so that I may continue Thy holy work on earth.

Why do you continue to torment me?

Why do you not die?

I'll water him for you, sir.

Good boy.

What do you think? >

The symptoms are worse.

You're less hopeful?

No.

I think he may come round.

< Uh! Uh!

Uh! Uh!

I'm going to try him with opium.

Every two hours: two drops exactly, in water. Nothing alcoholic at all.

He wants brandy whenever he wakes.

He loves best what is worst for him... Many men could say that.

Uh! Uh!

Aargh! Aargh!

Eurgh! Eurgh!

Dr Lydgate, you seem disturbed. You are troubled?

The only change is that my creditors are carting away my household goods.

Stay, Dr Lydgate. Stay! I have been reconsidering.

Mrs Bulstrode is anxious for her niece, and I myself should grieve

at a calamitous change in your position.

You've supported my efforts to raise the spiritual and bodily health of our town and I have but few friends.

I think you have been - ARE - a friend to me.

I think you are.

A thousand pounds, you said, would suffice to free you of your burden?

Yes.

I shall be deeply obliged to you.

And I shall have great pleasure in being of service to you, Dr Lydgate.

Rosamund, we are out of our difficulties!

I've cleared all our debts today.

Everything is secured -

the furniture, the silver,

the jewellery.

Everything!

Rosy,

I'm so sorry.

The anguish I must have caused you!

But now we have the chance to make a new start!

But how has it been managed? Bulstrode.

He has been more than generous!

You see, Tertius?

I said our friends would not leave us without money. Yes. But we must learn

from this and try to be economical.

I'll devote more time to my practice

and we must be careful with our household expenses. Of course.

You're not saying we shall not entertain guests?!

Will Ladislaw wrote. He's coming on business. I didn't know how to reply,

but we can give a dinner party for him now, can we not? Yes, why not? A small one.

Why not? If that will make you happy.

Oh, Tertius!

It makes me very happy!

Oh!

Nick.

Nick, I'm going.

It's a terrible thing,

frightening -

to be nowhere,

to be nothing.

I wish you were...

I wish you were in hell!

KNOCKING AT DOOR

Ah, Mrs Abel. There you are.

I shall sit up in my room after dinner.

Don't hesitate to call me if there's any change.

Yes, sir. You know the dose?

Two drops every two hours.

No more. Yes, sir.

Very good.

All right, then. There you are.

RAFFLES: For Christ's sake, woman! Get me some brandy!

MRS ABEL: I wouldn't take it upon myself. I'll go and ask the master.

FOOTSTEPS

KNOCKING AT DOOR Mr Bulstrode! Sir!

What is it?

Can I give him a little brandy to settle him? He's terrible restless!

He feels himself sinking. What do you think, sir? Can I?

RAFFLES GROANS Just to nourish his blood a bit!

Can I have the key to the wine cupboard, sir?

It's not a time to spare. He's at death's door!

Wait!

RAFFLES SHOUTS INCOHERENTLY

Thank you, sir!

I'll dose him directly. I'm sure it's for the best.

RAFFLES GROANS

MRS ABEL: Careful!

Careful!

Now that's enough. Give me that now.

That's it. RAFFLES COUGHS AND CHOKES

I don't understand.

When did the change begin?

Between three and four o'clock, I'm told.

I did not watch with him last night. I was overworn. I left him in Mrs Abel's care.

She understood the dosage? Of course!

It's over.

More work for the undertaker, eh!

Good morning to you, Mr Bambridge.

Saw you by the churchyard this morning.

Trade must be very good!

He was poor with no friends. >

Bulstrode paid it all...

..and Bulstrode's a close man.

Close as wax! Well known for it! Why's he paying for the funeral?

Who's the man?

His name was Raffles.

Raffles.

Raffles and Bulstrode.

Raffles told me, 'e could tap Bulstrode

for any amount... and now he's dead!

Where did he die?

Stone Court. The housekeeper said he was a relation of the master -

but he weren't!

Was there any doctor in attendance?

Dr Lydgate!

A man's enticed to a lonely house, nobody to come near but Dr Lydgate -

well known for cutting up folk before the breath is out of their body!

And then he's paying off Mr Byles, the butcher, with a bill that has been running a twelvemonth!

There's been more going on than

the prayer book's got a service for!

I don't need to sit winking, blinking and thinking!

They should dig him up and have the Crowner!

If there's foul play they should find it out!

Not they, Hiram. Doctors are a deal too cunning. This Lydgate -

he has drugs you neither smell nor see.

Mark my words! They've done away with that poor soul - the pair of 'em.

HUBBUB OF CONVERSATION

RAPPING ON TABLE

If the meeting would come to order...

ROOM BECOMES QUIET

The purpose of this meeting

is to review the measures taken against the recent case of cholera in the town

and to consider further measures, principally the acquisition of land to be used as a burial ground.

Mr Bulstrode?

Mr Chairman...

..I request permission to speak on a matter of public feeling.

Most of you know what I'm talking about.

OTHERS: Aye! We do!

CHAIRMAN: Very well, Mr Hawley.

I am speaking now not simply for myself,

but on behalf of a group of my fellow townsmen, eight in all

and all present here today.

OTHERS: It's true!

We call upon Mr Bulstrode to resign...

..immediately...

..and for good

from all those public positions he now holds,

not simply as a taxpayer

but as a gentleman amongst gentlemen.

RAPPING ON TABLE BRINGS SILENCE

There are practices and there are acts,

which the law cannot visit,

though they may be worse than things which ARE legally punishable.

A man, now dead -

a man who died in Mr Bulstrode's home -

alleged to more than one person

that Mr Bulstrode, for many years,

was engaged in nefarious practices...

MURMURING BREAKS OUT

..that he won his fortune by dishonest means

and held onto it by worse.

I call upon Mr Bulstrode

either to deny and confute those allegations now

or else

to withdraw from those positions,

which he could only hold as a gentleman among gentlemen.

UPROAR BREAKS OUT

RAPPING ON TABLE BRINGS SILENCE

I protest

against the sanction of proceedings against me,

which are dictated by hatred! Who...

..who shall be my accuser?

Not men whose own lives are unchristian,

nay, scandalous!

Answer the charges!

Men whose profession is chicanery, whose incomes go on sensual joys

while I have devoted mine to advancing the best objects for this life and the next!

If you mean me, sir,

I call upon you and everyone else to inspect my professional life!

I repudiate your canting Christianity, sir

and call on you, again,

to answer the charges laid against you or resign!

OTHERS CRY: Resign! Resign!

Resign!

As for the way I spend MY income,

I don't maintain thieves

or cheat offspring of their inheritance...

..in order to set myself up as a saintly killjoy!

CHAIRMAN: Mr Hawley!

↑ Mr Bulstrode,

it is not desirable, I think,

to prolong the present discussion.

Since you seem unwilling or unable to answer immediately these allegations,

I recommend you, at present,

as one of those who hopes to see your reinstatement in respect,

to quit the room now and avoid further hindrance to business.

OTHERS SHOUT THEIR AGREEMENT

CROWD JEERS AND HECKLES

THEY WHISPER

I'm very sorry,

but Mrs Plymdale is not at home.

You don't know the facts! We must find out the truth and clear him.

It's a delicate matter.

Lydgate is proud and sensitive.

I count myself his friend but

I would shrink from questioning him.

We must do what we can, surely?

I can't ignore the troubles of a man who helped in my troubles. Can you?

You can't manage his life for him,

Dorothea.

He must know how he stands.

He will clear himself -

if he can.

The devil of it is, he can't prove his innocence. But his character...

I'm afraid character is not something cut in marble.

It may become diseased,

as bodies do.

Then it may be rescued and healed!

I am sure

Dr Lydgate could clear himself.

Then we could all stand by him and bring him out of his trouble!

Walter!

God help you, Harriet! You know it all!

What?

What? I know nothing!

Nothing! What is it, Walter?

No-one will speak to me.

No-one will tell me anything! What is it? Is it so very bad?

I believe it's just about as bad as it could be, Harriet.

You'd better have stayed a Vincy all your life...

..and so had my poor Rosamund.

Ah, sister,

it's a bad business.

Look up, Nicholas.

None of them will come, Tertius.

Not one.

Everyone indisposed or otherwise engaged.

We shall have to be content with each other, it seems.

You KNOW we must leave Middlemarch now.

What have you heard?

Everything...

..I suppose.

My father told me.

Good morning, sir. Good trip?

Yes, thank you.

How my orders came to be disobeyed,

I still don't know. Such cases are judged on a man's character -

and Bulstrode's character has enveloped me in the public eye because I took his money.

Well, it's done now.

Can't be undone.

I cannot believe that this should have happened to you.

You meant to lead a higher life than the common and to find better ways.

Yes, I had some ambition.

I thought I had more strength and mastery.

I cannot rest in this as unchangeable. Suppose we kept on the hospital according to plan?

People would soon see your purposes were pure.

If I had my old trust in myself!

Nothing galls me more than running away before this slander!

I can't ask anyone to put money into any plan which depends on me.

I am uncomfortable with my money. I need to do something good with it.

The hospital is one good. Making your life whole again would be another.

You have the goodness, as well as the money, to do all that but...

..you know what sort of bond marriage is.

I cannot now take any step without considering my wife's happiness.

She married me without knowing what she was going into.

I cannot see her unhappy. If she saw the good that may come of staying...

She would not see it.

And, indeed, I have lost all spirit about carrying on my life here.

We have not been able to talk to each other about it.

She may fear that I really have done something base.

May I go and speak with her?

If Mrs Lydgate knew there were friends who would believe in you,

she may be glad to stay and recover your hopes.

Perhaps then you would see how important it is that you continue at the hospital -

if you still feel your knowledge is of use.

Don't decide now.

I cannot consent to being the cause of your goodness being wasted.

The hospital can join the old infirmary and go on

I must get an income to support my wife.

Let me at least help you in that way!

Give you an annual sum until you are free from want. I can't be pensioned

for work I never achieved!

I must think of bringing in money -

find an opening in the London crowd and push!

That's the sort of shell I must creep into.

That is not brave...

..to give up the fight! No.

It is not brave.

You have made a great difference by believing in me.

If you can clear me in a few other minds, especially Farebrother's,

I shall be deeply grateful.

Mr Farebrother will believe. Others will believe.

I will take any pains to clear you.

You will do me another great kindness and come and see my wife?

Yes, of course I will.

You have achieved much in Middlemarch.

Nothing to what I dreamt of.

Humankind advances by small steps as well as great ones, does it not?

I must believe that.

Perhaps.

Sometimes I wake very early,

go out alone,

and imagine I hear the cries of the poor scurrying creatures

in the grass...

..so much suffering in the world...

..I think of it as a kind of...

..muffled cry on the other side of silence.

If our senses were sharp enough

to apprehend it all,

I think the pain of it all would destroy us.

I think we should be glad we are not too sensitive

and work in any small way we can to help our fellow creatures.

Come in, my lady.

Is Mrs Lydgate at home?

I'm not sure...er...

..would you like to walk upstairs? Thank you.

If you'd like to wait in the drawing room,

I'll see if she's upstairs.

I'm so sorry, Mrs Lydgate. The servant didn't know you were here.

I came to deliver a letter for Dr Lydgate.

Please!

Goodbye.

Good afternoon.

Will you take tea in the library? No, thank you.

Is anything...?

Why?!

Why?

I DID love him!

I DID love him...

DOROTHEA SOBS

MAN: Morning, ma'am.

Morning.

Looks like a fine one.

Yes...

..yes, it does!

Your husband has warm friends who believe in his high character.

I have spoken to Sir James Chettam and Mr Brooke and Mr Farebrother.

They all believe in your husband.

That will cheer you, will it not?

That will give you courage?

Thank you.

You are very kind.

I did not think that you would be so kind.

I...

..I know your husband cares more for your happiness than anything else.

Nothing hurts him more than that his misfortunes

must hurt you.

He told me this because I was very bold and asked him.

Tertius is so angry and impatient with me if I say anything!

Marriage is so unlike anything else.

There is something even awful in the nearness it brings.

But even if we loved someone else better -

better than those we were married to, it would be of no use.

I know it may be very dear

but it murders our marriage!

And then the marriage stays with us like a murder...

..and everything else is gone.

Then our husband -

if he loved and trusted us -

and we have not helped him,

but made a curse in his life...

You are thinking what is not true.

When you came in yesterday it was not as you thought.

In my unhappiness,

I had turned to him for comfort.

He told me that he loved another woman

and could never respond to me.

He said yesterday that no other woman

existed for him beside you.

He said he could not explain to you what had happened because of me.

But now I have told you

and he cannot reproach me any more.

No, he cannot.

You're not leaving? Yes, I must.

Thank you, Parsons.

We had a long talk and I think -

I hope - it has done some good.

I must thank you for the generous cheque.

When one is grateful for something too good for common thanks...

I am grateful I was able to help.

I spoke to Mr Farebrother and our other friends.

All of them now believe in you utterly.

Well...

..what do you think of Mrs Casaubon?

I think she must be better than anyone.

And she is very beautiful.

If you talk to her often, you will be even more discontented with me.

But has she made you any less discontented with me?

I think she has.

Tertius,

how heavy your eyes are.

And do push your hair back.

Mr Ladislaw.

Mr Ladislaw!

What's this?

From Mrs Lydgate.

"I have told Mrs Casaubon the truth -

"that there was nothing between us,

"that you loved her, and her alone.

"You cannot reproach me now. I shall not have made any difference to you."

Harriet.

Is there anything you would wish me to do with regard to the property?

I would like to do something for Rosamund and her husband.

Walter says they will have almost nothing.

Dr Lydgate has rejected any further service from me.

He has returned the £1,000

I lent him.

Mrs Casaubon has now advanced him that sum.

But we might do something for your nephew, Fred.

He might be prepared to take over this house as tenant.

Caleb Garth told me Fred was much changed

and was likely to turn out very well.

Would it be of satisfaction to you if Fred were to take Stone Court?

Yes, it would.

Stone Court?! But Bulstrode never had a good word to say about me!

Seems he's changed his mind... as have others.

Not all bad, Nicholas Bulstrode.

I don't think many men are.

I'll certainly make a go of it.

Mind you do!

We can get married at once now, Mary.

You'll be so poor!

What about your plans? You might have gone on doing what you liked!

On the contrary, I never could do what I liked.

I've never carried out any plan yet.

You always want things that won't do!

You WOULD have Mr Casaubon with

his great soul! And now Mr Ladislaw!

He has no estate or anything! Kitty!

It's very serious, Dodo!

You'll go among queer people and live

in a street! I'll never see you!

Nor shall little Arthur! If you never see me, it won't be my fault.

How can I come to you or have you with me when James can't bear it?

Is he very fond of you, Dodo?

I hope so. I'm very fond of him.

That is nice.

Only I would rather you had

such a sort of husband as James is -

with a place nearby I could drive to.

I cannot think how it all came about!

I dare say not.

Can't you tell me?

No, Kitty.

You would have to feel with me,

else you would never know.

"Dorothea never repented giving up position and fortune to marry Will,

"who was eventually returned to Parliament by a constituency which paid his expenses.

"Lydgate built up a successful practice,

"alternating between London and a continental bathing place.

"He always saw himself as a failure.

"He died at 50, leaving his wife and children well provided for.

"Mrs Lydgate soon afterwards married an elderly and wealthy physician, who took kindly to the children.

"All who have cared for Fred Vincy and Mary Garth will like to know

"that they achieved a solid, mutual happiness.

"Fred became rather distinguished as a farmer

"but always believed he could make money by buying a horse,

which turned out badly,

"though this was always the fault of the horse - not Fred's judgment(!)

"They had three boys and never became rich

"but saved enough to become the full owners of Stone Court.

"And Dorothea - she had no dreams of being praised above other women,

"feeling there was always something better which she might have done,

"if she had only been better and known better.

"Her full nature spent itself in

deeds which left no name on the earth

"but the effect of her being

on those around her was incalculable,

"for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts

"and on all those Dorotheas who live

faithfully their hidden lives

"and rest in unvisited tombs."

Subtitles by Helen Rankin, 1994