- 5 weeks ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:38Welcome to the past, a time of amicable rhythms, well-disposed refinements, a period of quality, a gracious time, a
00:52sensible time.
00:53Yesterday, somewhat uneasily as constant today, like myself, extinct yet somehow still among the living.
01:04A regal dinosaur in the midst of a modern city.
01:08This is my possession.
01:11A man's field house to my guests, who stay a week, a month, or a lifetime.
01:18A man's field house is home to me.
01:23If you will, a relic of what once was, a ghost in antique wood and paint.
01:31Yesterday's courtly phantom standing frozen in today's most uncourtly world.
01:38Good evening.
01:39Oh, good evening, sir.
01:42Ah, yes, which brings us to our point, said the devious dinosaur.
01:47But I should introduce myself.
01:49My name is Essex, Winston Essex.
01:52But to continue.
01:54Ghosts somehow seem indigenous to yesteryear.
01:57Part and parcel of antiquity.
01:59Gothic aliens grotesquely incompatible with the nuclear age.
02:03And yet, they still exist.
02:06Like Mansfield House, like me, like you.
02:10But, uh, let's not be rude and stare.
02:13But if you'll glance in the mirror, you'll see two charming young people who are receiving a bottle of champagne
02:18at my compliments.
02:20Their names are John and Eileen Travis.
02:23The Travises have been guests here while their house is being completed.
02:28Tomorrow, they're leaving for their new home in the country.
02:30A town called Pleasant Hill.
02:34I understand they've built quite a nice house there.
02:37With a nursery, of course.
02:39The child is due in a month.
02:41It all sounds highly promising, doesn't it?
02:44Country living, youth, love, and parenthood.
02:49And yet, I...
02:50I feel uncomfortable.
02:52I feel...
02:54negative for some inexplicable reason.
02:57I...
02:57Well, I truly wish they weren't going there.
03:02I...
03:10I...
03:16I...
03:19I...
03:21I...
03:22I...
03:23I...
03:23I...
03:25I...
03:25I...
03:26I...
03:26I...
03:27I...
03:28I...
03:29I...
03:30I...
03:37honey
03:40honey
03:44what
03:45somebody in the house
03:49what again
03:51shh listen
03:58sweetheart i don't hear anything
04:00but there were footsteps i heard them perfectly
04:06all right
04:09john don't there's somebody down there
04:11hey there's been somebody or something down there practically every night since we've moved in
04:18but this is the first time i've heard footsteps
04:23you sure
04:25yes
04:29we should call the police
04:32sweetheart
04:34i really don't think i could go through that again
04:38let me check first
04:39john no
04:43i'll be all right
04:44and
04:53and
04:58and
04:59and
05:12ORCHESTRA PLAYS
05:44ORCHESTRA PLAYS
06:05ORCHESTRA PLAYS
06:05Um, no, no, it's all right, thank you.
06:08John?
06:16What are you doing?
06:27John?
06:39What is it?
06:42Were you just standing outside the door?
06:44What?
06:45Were you?
06:46No, I just came upstairs.
06:48He's upstairs.
06:49I heard him right outside the door.
06:58Operator, get me the police.
07:06I'll call him, thank you.
07:11Well, whoever it may have been, they're gone now.
07:14Thanks very much, Sergeant.
07:16Not at all.
07:17You did the right thing by calling us.
07:23I'll check the grounds now, ma'am.
07:25Good night.
07:26Do you want to lock the front door after me?
07:28Yeah, yeah.
07:31Thanks very much.
07:33Perfectly all right.
07:34Good night.
07:34Good night, ma'am.
07:47I, uh, think we better get some sleep.
07:54You don't think I heard them, do you?
07:57I'm not saying anything.
07:58But that's what you think, though.
08:01We talk about it in the morning?
08:03I heard footsteps, John.
08:06Okay.
08:09Sweetheart, I have an awful big day in court tomorrow.
08:13Oh, I'm sorry.
08:16I know I've been hearing all sorts of strange noises since we moved in, and most of my imagination,
08:22I suppose, but, but I never heard footsteps before.
08:27I didn't say that you didn't hear them.
08:30It's possible we had an intruder, but if we did, he's gone now.
08:35And what do you say we get some sleep?
09:01Oh, hello.
09:03Where have you been?
09:04I've got a statue in this little antique shop.
09:07Can you help me, please?
09:09Oh, here, let me carry it for you.
09:10No, it's awfully heavy.
09:11We'll do it together.
09:12Oh, it is heavy.
09:17It's very unusual.
09:19I hope John likes it.
09:23There.
09:26Let's put it over here on the coffee table.
09:28Oh, it really is heavy.
09:30Yeah.
09:34By and down?
09:35Yeah.
09:39There.
09:47Isn't she interesting?
09:48She's beautiful.
09:50I just couldn't resist her.
09:52The coffee's on.
09:53Would you like some?
09:54Oh, I'd love some.
10:00Will you join me, Mrs. Ramsey?
10:02Oh, no, thanks.
10:03I had plenty.
10:05I'd better finish up with the dishes.
10:07I'm sorry I didn't do them last night.
10:09I was just so tired.
10:10Don't be silly, love.
10:12After all, that's what I'm here for.
10:14Come and sit down.
10:19Would you like to put your feet up?
10:21Oh, no, thank you.
10:23Didn't sleep much again last night, huh?
10:26I don't know what's the matter with me.
10:28I'm driving poor John crazy.
10:30Last night I heard footsteps outside our bedroom.
10:33Well, don't give it a thought.
10:35When I was carrying my first, I heard frogs under the bed.
10:41Frogs?
10:42Days on end.
10:46You know, Pleasant Hill hasn't been very pleasant for us, I'm afraid.
10:52It's funny they should build this town on this hill.
10:55It certainly was never considered pleasant when I was a child.
10:59This, this is Pleasant Hill?
11:01Yes, your house is built right on it.
11:05Oh, well, it was nothing.
11:07It was superstition.
11:08You know how children love to scare themselves.
11:10What was so scary about it?
11:13Well, there was a rumor that there had been a cemetery here once, but no one really knew.
11:19Oh, I've, I've upset you.
11:23I'm sorry.
11:26No.
11:28No, I'm all right.
11:33These are things out of the distant past, nothing to do with now.
11:37You have a lovely new home here.
11:41Why don't you find a spot for your statue and then drive into town and get some more material for
11:48the baby clothes?
11:49Get your mind off of all of this nonsense.
11:51That's a good idea.
12:19Excuse me.
12:20Can I help you?
12:22Do you have any books on local history?
12:24About the town itself, you mean?
12:26Yes.
12:27I'm afraid we're a bit small to have a book written exclusively about us.
12:31Perhaps I can tell you what you want to know.
12:34I've lived here all my life.
12:36Well, my husband and I live out on Pleasant Hill.
12:38Do you?
12:39That's a lovely spot.
12:43But our housekeeper told us that there was a rumor that it was a cemetery once.
12:47Oh?
12:48I never heard that.
12:51In the 19th century, I believe there were superstitions about the hill.
12:56Superstitions?
12:57I have no idea what they were.
13:00I tell you who might know, though.
13:01Our former head librarian, Mr. DeWitt.
13:04He's an absolute fund of information about this area.
13:08Local history has always been his hobby.
13:11Well, I wouldn't want to bother him.
13:12No, no, don't feel that way.
13:14He loves to have visitors.
13:18He's a bit lonesome, I suspect.
13:21Just him and all those books.
13:24This is a dress.
13:27Yes, Elm.
13:28Well, thank you very much.
14:45I mean, what is it?
14:47There was a cracking noise downstairs.
14:50What?
14:53Well, I'm going to find out what it is.
14:56Wait a second.
14:58I'll go with you.
14:59You don't have to.
15:01Yes, I do.
15:03You'll fall down the stairs.
15:04You're so off balance.
15:28Where do you think it came from?
15:29I don't know.
15:38I don't know.
15:40Everything's all right there.
15:41Come on.
15:44Come on.
15:56You wait here.
15:57I'll be right back.
15:57All right.
16:37John!
16:38John!
16:40Right here.
16:41What is it?
16:42What's the matter, sweetheart?
16:44The statue, it frightened me.
16:45I thought I heard it.
16:48Shh, it's all right.
16:49It's all right.
16:51Sweetheart, it's all right.
16:53Shh.
16:53Shh.
16:58Every time I handle a divorce case like the Johnsons,
17:01I wonder what makes people like that get married in the first place.
17:04I mean, they're enemies.
17:07Implacable enemies.
17:08Like World War III in that court.
17:11I have to block.
17:20Sometimes Mrs. Johnson's lawyer and I look at each other,
17:22and I swear it's...
17:26It's all we can do to keep from bursting out laughing.
17:34Hey.
17:36Eileen, what is it?
17:38There's something in this house.
17:43Something.
17:44Yes.
17:46What, Ellie?
17:48A ghost?
17:50In a brand new house?
17:54All right, it's not a ghost then.
17:57But there's something here.
18:01And I'm not just being a foolish pregnant woman.
18:10No, no, of course you're not.
18:19You're my beautiful wife.
18:23You're carrying our first beautiful child.
18:39And now, my beautiful wife, would you, uh, get my beautiful briefcase?
18:44I'll put a woman with the child.
18:45She'll call me.
18:46No, no one knows.
18:51I do try.
18:55I'm trying to get out and I'm crying.
19:05bands thru, your friend,
19:14I tell you who might know, though, our former head librarian, Mr. DeWitt.
19:18He's an absolute fund of information about this area.
19:22Local history has always been his hobby.
19:24He loves to have visitors.
19:26This is address.
20:08Yes, I... I hope I haven't disturbed you.
20:11You haven't disturbed me, child.
20:13And just napping of it.
20:15I'm sorry.
20:16Oh, think nothing of it.
20:18I'll be having my eternal sleep soon enough.
20:21Come in. Come in.
20:26To what do I owe this pleasure?
20:28The librarian gave me your name and address.
20:31Miss Tate.
20:32Yes.
20:33Nice girl.
20:35Doesn't owe the snacks too well.
20:38Nice girl, though.
20:40Would you like some tea?
20:42Yes.
20:43The kettle is on.
20:45She said you're an absolute fund of knowledge about local history.
20:49Oh, yes.
20:50That I am.
20:52That I am.
20:54It's been years since a pretty girl has graced these walls.
21:00Please, be comfortable.
21:02Yes.
21:03It will be only a moment.
21:07Can't guarantee the quality of my tea, but the cookies will help to kill the taste.
21:12Oh, you don't have to go to any trouble.
21:14No trouble at all.
21:16No trouble at all.
21:17No trouble at all.
21:17Absolute delight.
21:18Your dropping in has done more for my prime ordeal arteries than a decade of prescriptions.
21:24I assure you.
21:26I assure you.
21:28So, what can I do to help you?
21:31Well, you see, my husband and I had our house built on Pleasant Hill.
21:35Oh, did you?
21:38Yes.
21:39Cream and sugar?
21:41Please.
21:43Lovely spot, Pleasant Hill.
21:46What?
21:47Um, didn't it used to be a cemetery?
21:49A cemetery?
21:51A cemetery?
21:52Oh, no.
21:55What...
21:56What was it then?
21:57In the 18th century, they called it Gibbett Hill.
22:03Gibbett.
22:04Gallows.
22:06It was a place of execution.
22:10If your house is built on the crest of Pleasant Hill, and I assume it must be to take proper
22:19advantage of the view, then very likely it's constructed over the very spot on which the
22:28gallows stood.
22:31You shouldn't let that disturb you, child.
22:35All this happened almost two centuries ago.
22:38The gallows were dismantled in 1779, following heated public reaction to the hanging of a young
22:46girl.
22:48A girl?
22:50For the first and only time, Thomasina Barrows, 19.
22:57A tragic incident.
23:00Her life was an endless series of calamities.
23:05Orphaned at seven, I have a book here somewhere.
23:12Ah, I remember.
23:16Married less than a year when her husband was killed in the war.
23:20Losing her child at birth shortly afterward.
23:30Finally, sentenced to hang for stealing a loaf of bread.
23:36They really did things like that?
23:39Oh, yes.
23:41Ah, here we are.
23:46Would you please hand me that magnifying glass?
23:53Malefactor.
23:54Tomasina Barrows.
23:5619 years old.
23:57Thief.
23:58At 11 o'clock in the forenoon on Saturday, the second day of March, 1779, the condemned
24:08woman cried to the assembly that she went now to her final home from which no one could ever
24:15evict her again.
24:16After that, she only laughed.
24:19A laugh so terrible and mocking that those who heard it swore it was laughter from hell
24:26itself.
24:28She died unrepentant.
24:33Little wonder.
24:36Where was she buried?
24:38It was customary in those days to bury victims of the gallows on the hilltop.
24:44Well, she's there then, she's, she's there where our house is.
24:49Yes.
24:52Poor mad thing that she was, finally, addressed.
25:05Listen to me, will you?
25:07This is the first time we've lived in the country.
25:10Now, there are all kinds of strange noises here.
25:13I mean, the wind in the trees, branches tapping against the windows, or small animals.
25:19Don't forget, sweetheart.
25:20This is a new house.
25:21New houses take time to, to settle.
25:27And what you've been hearing could be any one of these things, helped along by your imagination.
25:34But nothing like this has ever happened to me before.
25:38Well, you've never been pregnant before, either, have you?
25:41Oh, you're very persuasive, Mr. Travis.
25:43You should win all your cases.
25:45Well, the point is, do I win this one?
25:51Hmm?
25:52Yes.
26:00That's a nice big tree.
26:01I'm sorry.
28:46John?
28:49John?
28:51Where are you?
28:52John?
28:54Excuse me, doctor.
28:55I'm down here.
28:57Is something wrong?
29:02What are you doing?
29:04I'm talking to Dr. Ridley.
29:06Oh, is he here?
29:09No, no, no.
29:10It's on the phone.
29:11Well, why didn't you use the phone from up here?
29:15I didn't want to wake you, babe.
29:17Are you all right?
29:18Yes.
29:18I just got scared because I didn't know where you were.
29:22It's all right.
29:23Go back to bed.
29:24I'll be up in just a minute.
29:30Sorry, doctor.
29:33No, I...
29:34I don't know why she woke up.
29:36I even gave her a sleeping pill.
29:41Yes, I know I shouldn't have given it to her without calling her.
29:45But she was practically hysterical.
29:49Well, doctor...
29:53You don't think she's having a nervous breakdown or anything, do you?
30:26No, no, no, no, no, no.
30:34I had no idea what to do with a sleep for her and the light.
30:35I even thought I didn't want to be a problem with her.
30:35I wasn't there.
30:35It's like there's something that I was a Catholic.
30:35I was just thinking about my life to be a Pole of my life.
30:36I was a Catholic.
30:37I was just looking for a man.
30:42Repent your sins, Kamasina Baros.
30:45Prepare your immortal soul for everlasting rest.
30:49No.
30:51Never!
30:52Never!
31:08Ah!
31:10Ah!
31:13Ah!
31:16Ah!
31:21Ah!
31:22Ah!
31:24Ah!
31:27Ah!
31:29John!
31:31John!
31:36Blood.
31:37Oh, love.
31:38Get me to the hospital.
31:44Uh-huh.
31:47Isn't she beautiful?
31:49Oh, yes, she is a love.
31:56Would you like me to carry her upstairs?
31:57Yes, would you please, Mrs. Ramsey?
31:59Oh, my.
32:01Isn't she precious?
32:04Oh, she's the lambkin of the world.
32:13Another conquest for Caroline, huh?
32:31I'll be with you every second.
32:47They're beautiful.
32:49Well, it's not every day your lady comes home, you know.
32:52Oh, I love you.
32:57Hmm.
32:59I love you, too.
33:00You know that?
33:04I, uh...
33:06I thought we should start fresh with nothing to frighten you.
33:10So I got rid of the statue.
33:21Are you happy?
33:23Yes, I'm happy.
33:26Come on, then.
33:27Doctor's orders.
33:29It's upstairs to bed with you, sweetheart.
33:30Bye-bye.
33:35You know, something you and Doctor Ridley were right.
33:38It was my imagination.
33:41I'm gonna be fine.
33:54I wasn't.
34:21I have been sentenced by a lawful tribunal, and will now be hanged by the
34:26lawful tribunal.
34:56Honey?
35:03I was just looking.
35:08Anne?
35:11Black's got his sleep.
35:32Honey, you don't have to wait until she comes.
35:34No, no, it's all right. I'll wait. After three days, I think they can do without my legal genius for
35:40a few more minutes.
35:43Oh, here she is.
35:48Oh, good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Mrs. Ramsey.
35:52How is our little love this morning?
35:55Hungry.
35:59I'd better be on my way.
36:01Well, you may be driving in rain.
36:03Hmm. Yeah, I noticed it was clouding up.
36:06Seems one of our autumn storms is on its way.
36:09You drive carefully in the rain.
36:11I will.
36:13Bye-bye.
36:15And you too, Princess Kabatia, you.
36:20We have a nice day.
36:25Princess?
36:27Oh.
36:33Mrs. Ramsey, look, I should be back about 6.30. Can you stay till then?
36:38Oh, yes. My family can wait a bit for supper. That'll be fine.
36:41Good.
36:42Bye-bye.
36:43Goodbye, honey.
36:44Bye-bye.
36:45No more problems.
36:48No more problems.
36:49It's hard to believe it was just the pregnancy, but it's been three days now and everything is fine.
36:55Good.
36:56I knew it was the pregnancy.
36:59After all, when I was carrying my second, now there were troubles indeed.
37:18It's, uh, it's quite a storm, isn't it?
37:21Oh, you'll get used to them, love.
37:23Hope it doesn't wake the baby.
37:25The babies sleep through anything.
37:27Um, what time is it?
37:29Now, don't worry. He'll be home soon now.
37:33Oh, would you get the one, please?
37:35Oh, of course I would.
37:44Hello?
37:46Oh, yes.
37:48Mr. Travis.
37:51Yes?
37:53Yes.
37:55Oh, dear.
37:57Something wrong?
37:59How long will it be?
38:02I see.
38:04Of course, of course I will.
38:06All right, then.
38:08Would you like to talk with Mrs. Travis?
38:15I'll tell her, of course.
38:18Drive carefully, sir.
38:20Goodbye.
38:21What is it?
38:23The main road has been cut off by some fallen trees and he's going to have to drive home by
38:27way of Westridge.
38:29Well, that's so far.
38:30It would take an hour at least, he thinks.
38:33Is he all right?
38:34Yes, he's fine. He would have talked to you, but he thought you would rather he'd get home sooner.
38:39An hour?
38:41Um...
38:42I hate to do this to you, but would you mind...
38:45It's all right.
38:46My family will do fine until I arrive.
38:49I would like to call if I miss.
38:52Oh, now, now, don't be frightened, dear.
38:55This happens all the time.
38:56They'll have the lights on before you know it.
39:00The phone is dead.
39:02I've got to go check my baby.
39:03Oh, wait.
39:04Now, let me get your account.
39:07Here's one here.
39:10Oh, my God.
39:11It's only a storm.
39:14It's only a storm.
39:17Would you like me to go up for you?
39:19No, I'll do, but thank you.
39:22I'll light some candles and get dinner.
39:34It's only a storm.
39:53It's only a storm.
39:56You're so cold.
39:58I'll get you a blanket.
40:11Mrs. Ramsey
40:13I'm just going to get the last of the cookies out of the oven, dear
40:17That's all right, I want you to go home
40:20Oh, no, I couldn't
40:22I promised Mr. Travis
40:24No, I want you to go home to your family
40:26They'll be worried about you
40:29Are you sure?
40:30I'm positive
40:31I'll see you in the morning and thank you for staying as late as you have
40:35Well, that's all right
40:37I put your supper on a low flame
40:39Thank you
40:57Can you sleep through all this, Caroline?
41:11Mrs. Ramsey!
41:13Mrs. Ramsey!
41:21Sweetheart, it's all right
41:22Come on, I see you
41:27Why did she leave?
41:29She said she wouldn't
41:32Don't cry, everything's going to be all right
41:35It's going to be all right
41:42No, I will not stay in this house one minute longer
41:47I know
41:49We'll wait in the station wagon until Daddy gets home
41:56That's what we do
41:57Jesus
41:57Jesus
42:12Come on
43:14She's mine, child.
43:18She's mine.
43:20She's mine.
43:22You got her.
43:25In the name of God.
43:29You're my child.
43:33She's mine.
43:38So
44:27I mean, what's wrong are you all right?
44:34Is Caroline all right?
44:37Well, what is it then?
44:38What's wrong?
44:39Where's Mrs. Ramsey?
44:44She left you alone.
44:45Come on.
44:47Oh, sweetheart, do you like ice?
44:49Yeah.
44:50Let me hold Caroline.
44:51I'll...
45:13I'll, uh...
45:17I'll get you some brandy.
45:47I'll get you some brandy.
46:13Thomasina Barrows, it appears, had finally and irrevocably found us of a home, from which
46:18no one could ever evict her again.
46:22I hear that the child, Caroline, is beautiful and healthy, and that her father loves her.
46:29He doesn't seem to notice either the indications of impending wildness or her most unusual laugh.
46:37Well, he feels, of course, that the entire incident was psychological on his wife's part.
46:42As for the mother, well, she doesn't ever talk of it with anyone.
46:47She's a singularly quiet woman nowadays.
46:51Rather strange herself, they say.
46:54It's a pity, because while she was living in Mansfield House, she was quite a lovely child herself.
47:03Ah, new guests.
47:06I must go down and make their acquaintance.
47:09I want them to be happy here.
47:14The Mansfield House has a very strange history, you know.
47:18Not everyone, I'm sorry to say, has been happy here.
47:28I've even been told that parts of the house are haunted.
47:32Some of my guests have claimed to see ghosts.
47:35Of course, that can't be true.
47:37See, I don't believe in ghosts.
47:38Do you?
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