Turn of the Screw (Otra vuelta de tuerca)

Subtitles revisited by flitze

If I have decided to write these memoirs, it is because...

deep in my heart...

I harbour the secret hope that one day a curious reader might be able to understand me.

Or perhaps it is with the longing to unburden myself of the terror that overwhelms me...

by passing it on to others.

My father was the humble sacristan of a parish in the Loyola Valley.

Thanks to the help of the parish priest,

my father secured for me and my three sisters

a careful Christian education.

A few kilometres from my village stood the Basilica of Loyola,

birthplace of Saint Ignatius and sacred sanctuary of the Society of Jesus.

From a very young age, I admired the Jesuits

and hoped one day to become part of that invincible legion of defenders of the faith

and hammer of heretics.

The first years at the seminary were very hard.

Latin by day, and fear of ghosts by night.

Endless hours of study,

difficult to absorb for a poor peasant like me.

But even more distressing were the years of the novitiate.

The study of theology filled me with vertigo,

as if at every moment the threat of doubt could shake my faith.

The Turn of the Screw

Take heart, my young friend – you are not the first to lay aside the habit.

If the monastic life is not for you, then so be it. Your whole life is still ahead of you,

and your studies will prove most useful.

Do you truly think so, Father? Latin and scholasticism will not put bread on the table.

I had not meant to tell you until we reached the village,

but you look so downcast that I shall give you the good news right now.

What news, Father?

Well, I have found you a good position. Or rather, the parish priest has...

no less than a position in the household of Count Etxeberría.

I need a man of absolute trust to take charge of my nephews' education.

They live in the Villa of the Lions, a very beautiful house we have on the coast.

When I took charge of them after they were orphaned,

I immediately realised that it was the ideal place for them to grow up in good conditions.

And I believe I was not mistaken.

But...

I suppose they've had other teachers before, haven't they?

Yes.

A governess.

Miss Cristina.

An admirable woman who faithfully fulfilled her duties until the very end.

A great educator.

We were all amazed at the broad knowledge the children had acquired.

It was as if they had a whole team of teachers at their service.

But...

it's best that you never speak to the children about her.

They were very deeply affected.

Was there a problem?

She died.

Yes, unfortunately Miss Cristina passed away just a year ago.

I decided to send Mikel to a Jesuit boarding school.

You will meet him when the holidays come.

As for Flora, I left her in the care of Mrs. Antonia.

A good woman, an old servant of the house, who takes care of all domestic matters.

Well...

if the boy is with the Jesuits...

perhaps all that is needed is someone to take care of the girl's education.

And possibly the most suitable thing would be...

a new governess.

You see, young man, I have thought about it a great deal,

and I have come to the conclusion that in that house, there are already too many women.

I need not only a teacher, but also a man capable of imposing his authority.

You are used to obeying, aren't you?

Of course, sir.

He who knows how to obey knows how to command, don't you think?

I am convinced that is so.

They've just sent me these from Cuba.

No, no. Thank you very much.

I've never smoked.

Very well.

I think, young man, that we shouldn't dwell on the matter any longer.

You were going to dedicate yourself to teaching.

And this is a job you can perform perfectly.

There is only one condition I want you to know.

Name it, Count.

You must never bother me about anything.

You will have to resolve any difficulty that arises yourself.

Of course, you have absolute authority over the whole house.

My administrator will make sure the money reaches you,

and you will take care of everything and leave me in peace.

I made a firm resolution not to betray the trust that the Count had placed in me.

But I found it difficult to overcome strange feelings of doubt and fear.

What would the children be like?

Would I manage to earn their respect and, at the same time...

their affection?

You are Don Roberto, aren't you?

Indeed.

And you must be Mrs. Antonia.

Of course, sir.

But we weren't expecting you today.

We were sent word that you would be arriving tomorrow.

Don't worry, Antonia.

As it happens, I was just preparing your room now.

What a joy!

What a joy, sir, that you have arrived!

Pachi, come on, bring all the luggage inside.

Come in. Come in, sir. You must be very tired from all the travelling.

Come in.

Shall I prepare you something to eat, sir?

No, no. Thank you very much. I have no appetite.

It's a marvellous house.

Indeed, sir, indeed it is.

Too big.

There used to be twenty servants here.

But now I have to manage on my own.

You alone for such a big house?

Well, two girls from the village come to help me, but they leave in the afternoon.

And why don't they stay overnight?

It's quite a distance to the village.

Well...

it's that the girls prefer to spend the night in their own homes.

Very well.

And where is the girl? I am eager to meet her.

The truth, sir, is that since we weren't expecting you today, Miss Flora has gone outside.

Gone outside?

Alone?

Of course, alone.

And where did she go?

She went down to the beach.

But...

that could be dangerous, couldn't it?

For goodness' sake, sir,

the girl was born by the sea.

Of course.

I'll go and find her. I want to see her at once.

She's in for quite a surprise, what a surprise!

Good afternoon, sir.

I was expecting you.

So...

you were expecting me?

Well, Mrs. Antonia told me you weren't expecting me until tomorrow.

Well...

say hello to your new teacher.

But Flora...

you don't have to kiss my hand.

You kiss priests' hands, don't you?

But I never became a priest.

Flora!

Flora!

They're calling you.

You're mistaken, sir.

No one is calling me.

Don't you see?

The beach is empty.

Flora!

How many trunks have you brought?

Just this one.

And all your clothes fit in just one?

The truth is, I don't have many clothes.

Until recently, I lived in a seminary,

and there I only wore a cassock.

Miss, instead of asking so many questions, you should go and take your bath,

or the water will get cold.

You must be eager for a bath, aren't you?

Well...

yes, of course.

Then you can have mine. I'll go and put the salts in the water.

Come on, go ahead.

I'll prepare another one for Mr. Roberto right away.

Should I put a lot of salts in the bath, sir?

As you wish.

I'll put in some scented salts... that you'll love.

She is truly a remarkable child.

Indeed she is, sir, indeed she is.

By the way,

what was she like?

- Who? - The late governess.

Miss Cristina, well...

She was young.

And beautiful.

Very beautiful.

She came from England.

I didn't know she was a foreigner.

Not at all!

She was from Madrid.

The thing is, the master brought her from London,

where she was working as a governess for a Spanish diplomat's family.

And the master brought her here?

The master has always taken personal care...

in choosing everyone who works under his orders.

And he is very demanding.

You may go to the bath now, sir.

Flora, you don't have to call me sir.

And what should I call you?

Well... call me teacher.

Very well, teacher.

You may go to the bath.

It's lukewarm now. If you don't get in soon, it will get cold.

Come on, hurry up.

Go on, Flora.

Leave me alone.

Why?

Don't you want me to help you bathe?

I'll explain it to you more calmly later.

It's not proper for a young lady like you...

to help a gentleman with such intimate matters.

And now, please...

leave me alone.