The Village

Mildew! The whole crop is ruined!

Poor Joe.

Look, it's a German dog! Get it!

Stop!

What was your childhood like?

Short.

What made it short?

Being poor, being hungry.

I said to my father, "What about a change? What about dairy farming?"

"What with?" he said.

"Maybe we can sell you so that we could buy a cow."

I knew he didn't mean it.

But I also knew that if we were going to survive, we had to do something.

And what really mattered was what Joe said to me before he went.

He said it was down to me to look after everyone.

He made you responsible.

I... he... he sent us a postcard.

Would you like to see it?

Stay away from my hands, they shake because I'm old.

That's all it is.

There you go, Grace.

Thank you.

"I am quite well."

Is that all?

It's enough.

I'll go and see to Peggy.

There you are, young man.

Thank you.

The doctor never comes.

Just issues the certificate, that's all.

Are you dying?

What if they bury me and I'm still alive?

Swear.

It's supposed to be one part water to three parts beer.

There's a war on.

See you at chapel, mother.

Baby!

Baby!

Baby!

Baby!

Is she all right?

Baby!

Baby!

You'll need to hurry.

I'm not coming.

Hmmm?

I'm going to chapel.

How's Joe?

Off the face a little, perhaps?

Oh, no.

There's too much looking at the ground

and closing one's eyes in our worship.

An open face turned upwards is a true Sunday face.

Is your husband here?

No.

I thought I might walk with him to chapel.

He some...

He...

Would you like one of these?

Please?

Sorry.

You go on.

I know what the sermon is, I've heard it a dozen times this week.

I'll wait for him.

Baby!

Baby!

Baby!

Baby?

Caro!

Where's baby?

I don't...

Where's baby?

Look.

Jesus Christ with a machine gun

mowing down German farmers and factory workers.

God is on our side.

And look, St Peter thrusting a bayonet into the belly

of a German coal miner.

Does he care if his victim is saved or not?

Why should he?

God is on our side.

Where have you been?

The Lamb?

What do you want?

What do you think the answer to that is?

Don't be afraid.

No. I'm here.

I'm here now, John.

Get away. Get away from me.

Give me your hand.

Come unto me.

Don't you touch me!

I won't take no for an answer.

What is the preacher in his pulpit in Berlin saying?

In Hamburg?

In Frankfurt?

In Frankfurt, and Munich,

and up and down the Rhine?

What is he telling his congregation?

Gott mit uns.

God is on our side.

It's in your hands to put yourself in God's hands.

Make the journey from pew...

to penitent bench.

From lost to found.

Oi!

There was feeling in your singing.

The words go up.

And they are heard.

What is it? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?

You don't know me.

I know that despair is easier than hope

and that self-pity feeds despair.

Breathe in.

Below despair. Smell it.

Smell me. Step back, Middleton.

Grace. Have you met George Allingham? George Allingham. Grace Middleton.

What were you doing at the house this morning?

You must be mistaken.

John Middleton was in chapel this morning. But he'd been here first.

Eh?

Lloyd George said it better than I can.

We're fighting Germany, Austria and drink.

You are destroying a man's life.

It's his choice.

He drinks, he doesn't feed his family, they suffer.

It's not Bert Middleton's choice, is it?

He wasn't here.

So you were open.

The Defence of the Realm Act states that opening hours

are strictly limited to...

Oh, it's Dora! We love Dora, don't we, boys?

There's nothing we wouldn't do for Dora.

Why are you so interested in helping a man like John Middleton?

We're wondering why you would do that?

Doing the devil's work now?

We'll pray for you. Won't we, boys?

Our Father, which art in heaven.

Hallowed be thy name!

Thy kingdom come...

You've got them praying in the pub?

Why were you at chapel?

Have you converted to Methodism?

I was impressed with what your father had to say.

Did you have advance notice of his sermon?

No.

Then your answer to my question makes no sense.

I came to chapel to see you.

Morning.

Please be honest with me.

Is my case hopeless?

May I know his identity?

He doesn't know my feelings.

I see.

I'm sorry.

Is it Joe Middleton?

I'm sorry I hit you.

Give me your shirt.

I said I'm sorry.

"Step back, Middleton."

"George Allingham. Grace Middleton."

"What were you doing at the house this morning?"

Nothing.

Would you?

Oh, Miss Caro.

Caro?

Caro?

You'll catch your death. Let me take that from you.

Caro?

Take this blanket.

Wrap yourself...

Thank you, Mrs H. Would you see to our guests?

Baby, erm...

Sssh.

Sit down.

Sit, sit down. Thank you, Jane.

Stay there.

Polly, what on earth is the matter with you?

What?

A maid saw a mouse.

Anyone would think the world was ending.

And what is it you thought you saw, Polly?

She was in her nightdress.

You do not speak about this to anyone. Do you understand?

Don't you want to know who was coming out of the woods behind her?

Mrs H?

And the family should know, shouldn't they?

Spot of advice.

Don't be caught with your trousers down.

Uh. No.

Sorry, what?

Kitchener.

Kitchener has promised the French we'll have 75 new brigades

in the field by June.

That's 35,000 men a week.

The number of men volunteering is falling.

Ergo...

Conscription.

Round the corner.

35,000 new pairs of boots a week.