To Sir With Love Script

My bleeding feet!

Hello, Mrs. Joseph.

l like your hair.

ls that strawberry blonde?

Youre only jealous.

What you got for

the old mans supper tonight?

Hell be lucky to get

faggots and pease pudd, he will.

Well, he cant do much on that,

can he?

All l want him for

is to keep me feet warm.

Excuse me, dearie.

Here, Gert.

l wouldnt mind having this little lot

in my stocking for Christmas.

You wouldnt know what to do with him.

Youve been a widow too long.

You speak for yourself.

lts like riding a bicycle.

You never forget how.

Here, lll tell you what lll do.

lll send my Alfie to you.

Hes not bad once he gets going.

Well, l hope hes well-sprung.

Morning.

Looking for someone?

Nice day, isnt it?

Sorry.

Hackmans in the staff room.

Where he bleeding well belongs.

Good morning.

My name is Thackeray.
lm a new teacher.

We were expecting you.

So youre the new lamb

for the slaughter.

Or should l say...

...black sheep?

No, just a teacher, Mr. Hackman.

lm not Hackman.
Perish the thought.

Hes departed,
God rest his soul.

Hes probably pouring out his woes

to the divisional officer by now.

Weston.

lm Mrs. Evans, Grace.

Deputy head.

Mrs. Evans.

Have you seen any

of the children yet?

l looked in on Mr. Hackmans class

for a moment.

l take them for domestic science.

Like a cup of tea?

No, thank you, not just now.

You been teaching long?

This is my first appointment.

We call them jobs.

American, are you?

British...

...from British Guiana.

But l spent some years

in the States.

- Where?
- Ln California.

Weather as good as they say?

lts better.

What was your subject?

What did you major in?

Engineering.

l must be off.

Make yourself at home.

Wander around, if you like,

or stay here.

lll introduce you

to the others at lunch.

Thank you.

This is Gillian, Mr. Thackeray.

Gillian Blanchard.

Shes new here too.

Came the day before yesterday.

- Tea, Gillian?
- Thank you.

This is Mr. Mark Thackeray,

the new replacement.

Jose Dawes,
Euphemia Phillips.

They teach the little ones.

Theo Weston, you know.

Yes, lve had the pleasure.

He mistook me for Hackman.

- L heard hes fled.

- Cant say l blame him.

That shot of humanitys enough

to destroy anyone.

He got what he deserved.

lm Clinty Clintridge.

Clintys a marvelous artist.

Got one at the Royal Academy

a couple of years ago.

Teaching provides
the bread and butter.

Well, thats all the staff

except for Mr. Bell...

...our P.T. instructor.

l do hope youre
going to stay with us.

l shouldnt if l were you, old man.

Row home while you can.

Dont discourage him, Weston.

Well, l must go.

l have to fix a bath

for a girl in Clintys class.

Why?

Kids are complaining again.

Wont sit near her.

Whats the matter?

Personal hygiene problems.

Fourteen and helpless.

You men are lucky.

The things we women have to do

for these kids.

Gillian, dear...

...encourage him to stay.

Why is it everyone thinks

l need encouraging?

They said the same to me.

Theres something frightening but

also challenging about this school.

Theres no form of corporal

punishment or any punishment.

None?

l have no real teaching experience.

lm a little lost.

l dont have any experience either.

Of course, itll be
much easier for you.

lm a little afraid of them.

Midday dance session.

During lunch,
the older kids use the hall.

l sometimes join them.

Even the old man

shakes a leg on occasions.

Dancing is merely their way

of keeping fit...

...for the more exciting pastime

of teacher baiting.

Couldnt you be
a bit less discouraging?

lts the last thing l want to do.

The musics louder than usual.

Theyre probably celebrating

their victory over Hackman.

l better go and see Mr. Florian.

lll show you the way.

Theyre good, arent they?

l suppose so.

The heads study is this way.

Do you two...

Do you two shake?

Well, lll see you later,

Mr. Thackeray.

Well?

Thank you.

But l have to go
and see the principal.

You have excellent qualifications,

astonishing ones, in fact...

...as a communications engineer.

Field experience in South America.

Why do you want to be a teacher?

Reasons.

Youve already tried to get

an engineering post?

l tried for

months, sir.

We have no blueprint in North Quay.

Most of our children are

rejects from other schools.

We have to help and teach them

as best we can...

...and as much as we can.

The local authorities are not

totally on our side.

And from the moment

you accept this position...

...youll be entirely on your own.

Of course, l and the staff will do

everything we can to help you.

But success or failure

will depend entirely upon you.

Whats it to be?

l want the job, sir.

Good.

Then its settled.

Tomorrow, youll take over

Hackmans class.

Sapiano.

Wong.

Osgood.

Tuffen.

Pegg.

Pegg?

Joseph.

Dare.

Potter.

Potter.

Denham.

Buckley.

Purcell.

Fernman.

Jackson.

Strong.

Seales.

- Palmer.
- Yes, guvnor.

Campbell.

Present.

l dont know how much you know,

so well start from scratch.

First, as l call your name...

...will you read anything you like

from one of your school books?

Fernman.

Right.

Only those who...

...arrived on...

...horseback...

...or in a public coach.

- Thank you.

Denham.

lf

hens...

...lay an egg a day for

days...

...how much are the eggs a dozen,

and how many have you to sell?

Moira Joseph.

Pete Gilroys weight

and the ever-tightening noose...

...about her neck...

...began slightly to impede

the wild mares speed.

But Pete was only too fully aware

of what his fate would be...

...for he could not hope

to escape death...

...from being battered and crushed.

Put that away, please.

Thank you.

Would anyone else like to read?

- Your name, please.

- Pamela Dare.

And he had learned to love.

l know not why...

...for this in such as him

seemed strange of mood.

But thus it was.

And though
in solitudes small part...

...the nipped affections

have to grow.

ln him this glowed...

...when all beside

had ceased to glow.

Thank you, Miss Dare.

Next, weights and measures.

Whats avoirdupois?

- Avoir de what?
- Avoirdupois.

Weights.

Heavyweight, light-heavy,
cruiserweight...

...middle, light, bantam,

fly, featherweight.

Thank you very much.

lts encouraging that

you have a sense of humor.

lt seems you...

...know little and are easily amused.

l can look forward to a happy time.

Copy down the following tables.

Who does he think he is, there?

Cheeky devil.

Hello, ducks.

Thought you might need this.

Howd it go?

Lets just say, battle was joined.

l dont know what wed do

without a cuppa.

Whats your name?

l know that.
l mean, your other name.

Mark.

Couple of things, Mark.

We all know the old mans views.

And basically, we agree with them.

But hes safe in an office.

These kids come from homes where

an order is accompanied by a blow.

One rude word to their parents,

the roof will hit them.

Theres nothing like that

going on here, right?

So theyve got us
at a great disadvantage.

Hackman tried to be popular.

He hung himself.

Weston couldnt care less

about them, and thats no good.

l cant guide you...

...but dont take any nonsense

from these little tykes.

Theyre good kids, Mark,

most of them.

But if you dont solve them,

theyll break you, and damn quickly.

Thats been tried...

...by experts.

Theyre very expert.

Please, can l leave the room, guv?

Yes, and its Thackeray.

Yes, guv.

Most of you girls help your mothers

with the shopping.

So sorry, Mr. Fackeray.

Proper drafty in these parts,

isnt it?

About multiplying...

...there are
a few valuable tricks to know.

Say that youre offered roast beef

at seven shillings per pound.

Potter.

Must you do that?

l cant help it, Sir.

lts me desk.

Poor old Potts!

Sit down.

lll speak with the caretaker

about it after school.

lsnt he nice?

l hope l didnt miss nothing.

Where was we?

About shopping or something...

Thats enough, Denham.

l was only asking, Mr. Fackeray.

l dont want to miss nothing.

Bert, he was just about to show us

a new and valuable trick.

When youre shopping, you see...

l said, thats enough.

Sit down.

Do exercise four, five and six.

Very quietly.

Dont worry.
The worst is still to come.

Youre still getting

the silent treatment.

Whats the next phase?

Well, unless you can work up

a little black magic...

...these little bastards have

a multitude of tricks.

Why did you take up teaching?

lts good to have some kind of a job.

But lm teaching them nothing.

lm not even getting to first base.

Dont worry.

Your lot leaves this term.

The next will be better.

Theyll be just as bad.

Probably worse.

Whats your answer?

What they need...

...is a bloody good hiding.

l feel rather sorry for them,

you know?

Most of them can hardly read.

Youre so naive,
my dear old colleague.

Theyll be earning twice as much

as us before you can shake a stick.

Theyll happily be part

of the great London unwashed:

llliterate...

...smelly and quite content.

An educations a disadvantage
in this day and age.

That is ridiculous!

But still true.

So you had better start

brushing up...

...on your voodoo if you wish

to remain sane.

Good morning.

All right, take your seats.

- All right, Sir?

- L hope you didnt hurt yourself.

You all right?

Cheap stuff theyre selling nowadays.

Want me to help, Sir?

Sit down.

Take your proper places.

We can move around here,

you know, Sir.

Take your proper places.

Beg pardon.

Something the matter?

Seales, is something wrong?

lts me mum.
Shes awful sick.

lm sorry.

Anything l can do?

Nothing.

- Shes English.
- L see.

Youre like my old man,

except youre bigger and younger.

Rotten bastard!

You shouldnt speak like that.

You know nothing.

l hate him!

Why not?

Never forgive him for

what he did to me mum. Never!

He married her, didnt he?

Didnt he?

Today, lets take a look

at South America.

lm sorry, Mr. Fackeray.

The bloody things just slipped.

The name is Thackeray,

and they are not bloody things.

They were a pile of books.

Thats a good netting score.

Pam, love, thats not a bloody pile,

but its a pile of books.

All right, settle down.

l was only trying to help,

Mr. Thackeray, Sir.

Thats right, Mr. Fackeray.

Curley was only trying to put

that little scrubber in her place.

l know what Curley was trying to do.

Now just settle down.

We are going to study

South America.

Now turn to page

in your geography book.

They were alone...

...but not alone as they who

shut in chambers think it loneliness.

The voiceless sand and the drooping

caves that lay around them...

...made them to each other press...

...as if there were no life

beneath the sky...

Sorry, love.
lts the bleeding desk.

Do you speak such words

to your father?

Youre not my bleeding father!

All l want to know is,

who does he think he is?

Mate, shut up!

Morning.

Hello, Thackeray.
How goes it?

Fine, thank you, Sir.

All you boys, out.

The girls stay where they are.

Whats the matter?

- Out at once!
- All right.

l am sick of your foul language...

...your crude behavior

and your sluttish manner.

A decent woman keeps

certain things private.

Only a filthy slut

would have done this!

Those who encouraged her

are just as bad!

l dont care whos responsible.

Youre all to blame!

lm leaving for five minutes,

by which time...

...that disgusting object

had better be removed.

And the windows opened

to clear the stench!

lf you must play these filthy games,

do them in your homes...

...and not in my classroom.

Whats the matter?

Man, oh, man!

l lost my temper. The one thing

l swore l would never do.

God, did l lose my temper!

What happened?

After all the bull

lve taken in my life...

...in a few short weeks,

those kids have got me so steamed up.

So easy. So quickly.

l never would have thought it.

- Perhaps youre trying too hard.

- Those kids are devils incarnate.

l tried everything. Everything!

But nothing l tried...

Kids.

Kids.

Thats it!

Those are out.

They are useless to you.

l realized you are not children.

You will be adults in a few weeks,

with all the responsibilities.

From now on, you will be treated

as such by me and by each other...

...as adults.
Responsible adults.

Next, well be reasonable

with each other.

We are just going to talk,

you and l.

You are going to listen

without interruption.

And when l am finished,

one of you may have your say.

Without interruptions.

Next...

What a morning!
Everythings gone wrong.

First, the alarm didnt go off.

Then l had to wait hours for a bus.

l must have stood there

three bleeding hours...

Example:

There are two ways to enter a room.

One is like an adult,

a lady with dignity.

The other is like a brat.

Miss Dare has shown us the second way.

Perhaps youd demonstrate the first.

lm sorry lm late.

Next...

...we are all going to observe

certain courtesies in this classroom.

You will call me

Sir or Mr. Thackeray.

The young ladies will be

addressed as Miss...

...the boys by their surnames.

Why should we call them Miss?

We know them.

l beg your pardon?

l said, why should we

call them Miss?

We know them.

ls there a young lady you feel...

...does not deserve to be

addressed as Miss?

- No, Sir.
- Good.

Next, general deportment.

First, the young ladies.

They must prove worthy of

the courtesies we will show them.

Soon, boyfriends and marriage

will concern you.

No man likes a slut for long.

Only the worst type will marry one.

And the competition for men

on the outside is rough.

Next, men.

lve seen garbage collectors

who are cleaner.

Toughness is a quality
of the mind...

...like bravery,
honesty and ambition.

lf you want to wear your hair long,

clean it...

...else youll soon get lice and smell.

Soon your principle interest

will be girls.

You will be more attractive

with clean clothes, clean shoes...

...hands, face, teeth, et cetera.

Any questions?

Miss Pegg.

What about Mr. Weston, Sir?

Hes never tidy, his shoes is

never brushed, and his hairs a mess.

lts filthy.

Mr. Weston is not your teacher.

We wont discuss him.

lm the one to criticize

if l fail to maintain the standards.

Thats not fair.

Sir...

...or Mr. Thackeray.

Didnt you understand?

Thats not fair...

...Sir.

l agree.

But thats an example of things

youll have to put up with as an adult.

Youll just have to take it.

Next, we are going to talk

about various...

Good morning.

- L wanted to see how you were doing.

- Fine, sir.

Good.

Thank you.

What is it?

Palmer.

What are we going

to talk about, Sir?

About life...

...survival...

...love...

...death, sex, marriage...

...rebellion, anything you want.

l never did see one like him, Pam.

Even when he blew his stack,

no swearing or nothing.

Blimey!

Aint natural, thats what.

Does he really mean what he says?

l dont know.

ltd be a change, though, to see

those creeps acting like gents.

Here, which one do you fancy?

l like Babs.

Yeah? Watch this.

- Come on, Pam, love.

- Get lost, Denham!

l dont like
your smelly tricks, do l?

And its Miss Dare to you.

Get stuffed.

Come on then, love.

You heard what Sir said,

Mr. Smarty Denham.

lf you want to dance with me,

you bleeding well ask proper.

May l have the pleasure

of this dance, Miss Pegg?

Blimey!
Good old Potts.

Get you, Potter.

Shut up!

Who does he think he is,

bleeding Fred Astaire?

Come on, Miss Pegg.

Look at me.
l am a lady, l am.

Rotten tarts, all of them.

Bleeding chimney sweep

was right about that.

He wont catch me
spending me nicker on them.

He said we could talk about anything.

You are so right, Tich, me mate.

He did say we could ask him anything.

Questions and answers.

Last night on the telly,

there was this travelogue picture.

You know, a lot of black women

dancing around with no tops.

Dont they ever dress proper?

Whats proper varies

throughout the world...

...depending on
customs and climate.

For their climate and customs,

they were dressed properly.

Are you from South Africa, Sir?

Of course not.
South Africans is white, isnt they?

A South African is a native

of South Africa, regardless of color.

l was born in British Guiana.

What did you mean the other day

about rebellion, Sir?

Change.

Take your hairstyles.

Thats a form of rebellion, isnt it?

What, Sir?

Dont you do it
to be different from adults?

Theyve messed up the world,

havent they?

- You can say that again.

- So you rebel.

Even the way you dress is

a form of rebellion, isnt it?

lts just the new fashion, Sir.

Of course, the adults look

proper stupid in our gear.

Do you think its wrong

to be different, to rebel?

lt is your duty to change

the world, if you can.

Not by violence.

Peacefully, individually,
not as a mob.

Take the Beatles.

They started a huge social revolution.

The fashions they set in dress...

...and hairstyles are worldwide now.

Every new fashion is

a form of rebellion.

Theres a fine exhibition

of costumes through the ages...

...on at the Victoria

and Albert Museum.

l think you should see it.

Also, you should see

the Museum of Natural History.

What, us lot to go to a museum?

- Sure.
- Youre joking.

Youll discover that

your hairstyles are

years old...

...and that your costumes

or your dress...

...is right out of

Shut up!
Look, Sir, when can we go?

Theres no time after school,

and lve got to look after the kids.

l have to do the housework

and get the supper for the lodgers.

Me mums expecting a baby any day,

and l got to baby-sit.

Why dont you take us?

We could go in the morning.

Who would like that?

What a drag!

Dont you want a day off?

Put your hand up.

- Put both hands up.

- Fat chance!

lt wouldnt work.

lts not the sort of risk

wed dare to take at North Quay.

l would like to try, sir.

The best of pupils are inclined

to show off in public.

Your class?

Youd never be able

to supervise them.

When l took this job,

you said you wouldnt interfere...

...as long as l stayed

within your framework.

lf you can get another staff member

to go with you...

...lll approach the council.

l see little hope of approval.

Thank you, sir.

Miss Blanchard, l think l can

arrange an outing with my class...

...if l can get

another teacher to go along.

ld love to.
And its Gillian.

When is the outing?

When we arrange
travel warrants and permission.

Just let me know when.

Thanks, Gillian. Bye.

Good morning.

What would you like

to talk about today?

Ladies first.

Miss Joseph.

Marriage, Sir.
You know, boyfriends and things.

How do you know hes the right one?

What to look for.

How to avoid divorce.

Dont get married.

Wheres Miss Purcell?

Shes to look after the home today.

Her mum had the baby last night.

What hospital?

No hospital, Sir.
The doctor came to her.

She all right?

She just had a kid.

Now, marriage.

First, let us lay some ground rules.

lve never been married,

so what l say is as an outsider.

Now, what should a girl

look for in a man?

l think first we ought

to determine what is marriage.

Miss Joseph.

Holy wedlock.

Potter, be serious.
Youll get your turn.

Miss Pegg.

lts life, isnt it, Sir?

Everyone gets married.

l mean, sometime.

Why didnt you marry?

No one would have him.

l was very poor.

And there was something in me

that wanted an education.

So l put all of
my energies into that.

Well, l got started later.

Just never met the right girl.

What should a girl look for

in a man?

- Miss Clark?
- What work did you do, Sir?

l waited tables.
l cooked in a hamburger joint.

l washed dishes for a time, cars.

For a year l was a janitor

in an apartment block.

- All sorts of jobs.

- You washed dishes?

l did.

But you talk posh.

- That wasnt easy.

- You didnt always talk like that?

When l was your age, l used a patois,

a kind of simple English.

l buy and bust your booby

if you dont get up off of this place.

l didnt understand a word.

Well, l dont always understand

what you say either.

But the point is, if you work hard,

you can do almost anything.

You can get any job you want.

You can even change your speech

if you want to.

After l got my degree...

...l went to work in South America

for an oil company.

The only women in that region...

...were jungle lndians who carried

blowpipes and poison darts.

You could have broke my hands.

We were discussing marriage.

To my mind, marriage is
no way of life for the weak...

...the selfish...

...or the insecure.

Whats the matter, Weston?

These damn fool Americans!

They bog up everything

theyre connected with.

What a shower!

lll never forgive the President for

not coming to Churchills funeral...

...nor sending the vice president.

Rotten bad manners.

- Lt was very naughty.

- L quite agree.

A typically stupid, appalling

and unnecessary mistake.

- What can you expect?

- Still beefing?

Give them a chance.

Theyve not been in the business...

...of leading the world

as long as Britain was.

You continue to astonish me,

old chum.

l should thought
if anyone took a point of...

Now what?

Miss Pegg wants to know

if the netballs fixed.

Miss who?

Barbara Pegg.
Miss Pegg, Sir.

Here you are, Fernman.

Thank you, Sir.

Whats going on in
this classroom of yours?

Suburban formality? Lts a bit

foreign in this neck of the woods.

Some sort of experiment

in culture for the masses?

lts an elementary
experiment in courtesy.

And do we ignorant critters

have to follow suit?

- Please yourself.
- Thank goodness for that!

Do you object to being

taught manners by one of the boys?

l dont expect to be taught

by those morons.

So long as we learn,
it doesnt matter who teaches us.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Now were talking.

Nothing like payday.

By the way, your museum visit

has been approved.

lf anything goes wrong,

the school suffers.

Nothing will go wrong, sir.

For a moment, l thought

l was in the wrong classroom.

Wheres Jackson?

We dont know.

Tich wouldnt miss this

unless he was sick or something.

Well give him a few minutes.

lts me, Jackson.

l have to take the bag-wash for mum.

Can you wait?

Sure.
How long will it take?

Half a mo.
Just up the frog.

God love you.

Hang on, Tich.

lll give you a hand.

All right.

Back on the sidewalk.

Whats a frog got to do with it?

lts a rhyming slang.

Old-fashioned cockney.

lts not used anymore.

Just for old people.

lts a drag, Sir.

Frog means road.

Frog and toad, road.

Trouble, strife, wife.

Weeping willow, pillow.

Use the first word.

Like the old currant bun,

thats the sun.

- Apples and pears, stairs.

- Happy kill, skill.

Ginger beer, queer.

All aboard.

l think he fancies her.

l know you do.

Pamela Dare has a crush on you.

Women say the damnedest things.

l think hes nice.

So do l.

Youve noticed.

l dont treat her different

from the others.

l hope we can go out again,

dont you?

l hope so.

l hope we can go with him,

because hes nice.

Dont make any mistake

about Pamela.

Shes a woman
in every sense of the word.

l mean...

...not that l blame her.

Bleeding rotten taste hes got.

Good night, Sir.

- See you tomorrow.

- Good night.

Perhaps youd like me

to tidy your desk.

- Thats all right.

- Lts no trouble.

You ought to get a flat nearby.

Brentwoods much too far away.

- Theres nice ones around.

- Lve thought of that.

Well, l tell you what.

lll keep my ears open for you.

Thats kind of you,

but lm fine for the moment.

lll let you know.

Thank you.

Dont worry about your desk.

lll tidy it for you every day.

Thanks, but that wont be necessary.

Thats perfectly all right.

A womans work is never done.

Good night, Sir.

Hi, fellas. How are you?

Good morning, Sir.

Mr. Florian has given us

permission for more outings.

ld like to hear suggestions

of what we might do.

- The pictures.
- Wembley, Sir.

Cup Final Day.

Chamber of Horrors.

What about the Cavern?

You know, Liverpool.

The Beatles.

Hows it going?

Fine, thank you.

Dont worry.
Hell come with me on my day.

Youre under
a supervision order too?

Around here, thats nothing.

Most of us have been

in front of the law.

Breaking windows, playing truant,

raising hell and cussing the coppers.

Youve cut yourself.

Youd better put something on that.

You might get lockjaw.

Blimey!
Red blood.

What do you expect, pinhead?

lnk?

l didnt mean no harm.

lt was a joke.

l didnt mean no crack, Sir.

lts all right.

Whats with you?

Are you addressing me, Denham?

Potts was only being funny.

What you calling him pinhead for

in front of chimney sweep?

l was only joking.

Sir didnt mind.

He said, ask anything.

You call those questions?

Always on about his color.

Youre wasting our time.

Seales, you ought to know better.

What have l done?

l didnt say nothing.

You never do,

and youre half-colored.

You sit on your ass

and keep your trap shut.

lf they want to know,

why dont they ask you?

lm not Sir, thats why.

l only wish l was.

l know whats eating you.

You fancy him, thats what.

This is a fine how-do-you-do,

isnt it, Potts?

You lay off, Denham,

you son of a bitch.

Today, lll show you

how to make salad.

You mean weve to cook and all?

Sure, why not?

My old man never cooked nothing

in his life.

He says thats womens work.

But suppose youre on your own,

as you certainly will be shortly.

Youll have to do it for yourself

sometimes, wont you?

Not again, Sir.

This is survival training.

A normal English salad...

...not fit for human consumption,

even if you remove the slugs...

...and add a dash of the extraordinary,

a bit of mayonnaise.

Look at this.

Mum went to the doctor.

l didnt want to miss today.

He wont be no trouble.

lts all right.

Sit down.
Make room over there for her.

Okay, come on.

Never be afraid to experiment.

And always remember that

you can eat well...

...even though youre broke.

See?

You ever been broke, Sir?

Real broke, skint?

Many, many times.

l dont understand you a bit, Sir.

l mean...

...youre a toff and you aint.

What he means is...

Blimey, l cant sort of put it

into words or anything.

Well, Sir...

...youre like us, but you aint.

l mean, youre not.

lts kind of scary but nice.

You know what l mean, dont you?

l dont know how to answer you,

except to say...

...that l teach you truths,

my truths.

lt is kind of scary,
dealing with the truth.

Scary and dangerous.

Have you ever had a salad

with almonds and grapes...

...and tomatoes and lettuce

and pineapple?

Shes in love with you, Mark.

You shouldnt be so surprised.

We have a lot of marvelous schools

now in the East End.

lts still difficult

to get quality teachers.

Take us,
the bottom of the pile.

Goodness knows weve had

a scruffy lot here.

Then along comes

Mr. Mark Thackeray...

...big, broad, handsome,

clean, intelligent...

...looking like
he stepped out of a bandbox.

What do you expect?

What do l do?

Nothing. Just be patient.

Thanks.

Pamelas just finding out

shes a grown woman.

Youre probably the only real man

shes ever met in her life.

Dont spend too much time

alone with her.

Why didnt you ask Gillian?

l thought youd be wiser.

Thanks.

Hello, Sir!
We cant have you queuing up.

lts Sir. He teaches

our Moira up at North Quay.

Hes only got an hour for his lunch.

- Whatll it be?
- Half a dozen oranges.

Youll like them.

Theyre lovely.

Here you are, guv.

Pennys wedding cake.

Jeannies older sister.

She got married,

so heres a bit of cake.

Jeannie Clark.

Yes, Miss Clark.

That was a lovely museum outing.

Will they do it again?

Were trying to arrange one a week.

Thatd be lovely, wont it?

The more education, the better.

Thats what l always say.

lts a proper bleeder,

what with the bomb and all.

Aint the bombs.

lts them bleeding Yanks!

Shut your gob!

My Gerts married to a Yank.

And a proper nice gent he is, and all.

Keep your opinions to yourself!

God all bloody mighty!

The entente cordiale?

First cast the mote

out of your eye...

...before you cast the bomb

out of mine!

Hes a proper faggot.

Here you are.

Youll like them.

Thank you.

Whos next?
Come on, girls.

Speak up!

l was wondering if you would give

the girls some makeup lessons.

l think quite a few

of them would be...

...very pretty if they knew

how to do it.

Why, certainly!

You are getting involved

with your children, arent you?

lm just trying to help.

Thats the job, isnt it?

- You want some of this?

- No, thanks.

ls that all youre having

for lunch?

You on a diet?

lll tell you, lm a weak man.

At the moment, a little skint.

When l eat, do l love to eat!

l love wine,
but l just cant have a glass.

l want the whole bottle.

So l avoid wine
and pastrami sandwiches...

...and baked potatoes...

...with butter and bacon...

...and strawberry shortcake

and cheesecake.

But l like to eat light for lunch.

Hows the Dare girl?

No problems.

- Will you stay on here, Mark?

- Till l get sorted out.

No luck with the jobs?

But lm plugging away.

Remember a few weeks ago,

you thought youd lost the battle?

l thought you had too.

Theres a good angel

looking after me.

Come on.
Sort yourselves out.

Come on, hurry up!

All right? Go!

Come on, Denham. Hurry it up.

Land on your toes.

Do it again. Next!

Next!

Buckley!

Come on, boy.

lm not a boy.
lm a man.

l dont want to do it.

lts too high.

Youre a fat boy.

Come on.

lm waiting.
Get that jelly off!

Fats cant do it.

lts too high for him.

Of course, he cant do it!

When l want your opinion,

lll ask, boy.

- Lm not a boy.
- Shut up!

Buckley, do as youre told!

- Move out of the way, boy.

- Shut up!

ls he all right?

l dont know.

You bloody bastard!

Put that down!

You knew Fats couldnt do that.

You had it in for him.

Potter, put that down!

Theyre fighting in the gym!

Come on, Potts!

That was no accident!

lll take that.

Go and help Buckley.

Go on!

Potts should have done the bastard

like he did Fats.

You all right, boy?

Yes, thank you.

Me stomach didnt half hurt.

Jackson, lngram?
Help him up to Mrs. Evans.

All right.

What happened?

Buckleys all right.

More frightened than anything else.

Whyd you make him do that jump?

He just stood there

and refused to obey.

When he jumped, he sent the buck flying

and l couldnt catch him.

Thanks for helping me out.

That Potter went berserk.

l understand that Buckley is

a pet whipping boy of yours.

ls that right?

ld better report it.

Therell be the devil to pay.

Potter, l cant think of anything

that excuses your behavior.

But it was him!

He made Fats do it.

Fats said he couldnt do it.

The bully always had it in for him.

l am not concerned with

Mr. Bells behavior, but yours.

What if a gun or knife

had been handy?

Potter was narked.

We was all narked.

That bleeder was wrong

and you know it.

Youre missing the point.

You all are.

Soon, you will be out in the world.

Will you use a weapon every time

someone angers you?

Youre supposed to
be learning self-discipline.

You owe Mr. Bell an apology.

Why?
Just because Bell is a teacher?

You better answer that, Potter.

Do you think you behaved

like an adult?

How about Bell

apologizing to Buckley?

My business is with you,

not Mr. Bell.

lts easy for you to talk.

No one pushes you around.

Are you a man or a hoodlum?

Do it, Potts!

Or Bell will call the law

if you dont.

Youve got to have recommends

for a job in a couple weeks.

Hes got to sign one.

This has nothing

to do with what l sign.

You cant trust a teacher.

Were only safe together.

Against them.

But Sir is different.

lf he says Potts...

That he is, and hes wrong now.

You all know Bells been after

old Fats for years.

Go on, Potts.

lf you apologize
because youre afraid...

...then youre a child, not a man.

When l leave,

lll have me own barrow.

So you cant touch me,

letters or no letters.

lm sorry lm late, Sir.

But its me mum.

Shes dead.

lve been helping me dad

with her things.

- L didnt know where to go, Sir.

- Thats all right.

lngram, take over the class.

l understand that
the passing out class holds...

...some kind of a celebration

at the end of term.

What happens?

We dance...

...Sir.

Did you apologize because of Denham?

One should fight

for what one believes...

...provided one is absolutely sure...

...one is absolutely right.

Pass these out.

You have to fill those out...

...for national health insurance

and so on.

What are you doing, Jackson?

lts for Seales.

For flowers and a wreath.

Thats wonderful of you.

May l be permitted
to contribute something?

No, thank you, Mr. Thackeray.

Here, Pam, you buy the wreath.

The names Dare.

Miss Dare.

Well, you buy the wreath.

Send it around when the times right.

Send it?
Arent you going to take it?

You dont think

girls could take it, do you?

Well, why not?

lts what people would say, Sir.

What the family would say...

...if they saw us going

into a colored persons home.

Weve got nothing against you, Sir.

Honest.

But if one of us was to...

You cant imagine the things be said.

Thank you, Miss Pegg,

for making it clear.

Does that apply to the men also?

Youre dead right it does.

lll take the flowers.

Why should you do that?

Wouldnt that make you

subject to gossip?

Gossip dont worry me.

lve known Seales since kindergarten.

lll take the flowers.

l wouldnt if l were you.

lve been looking for you.

Theres a lady to see you.

Mrs. Dare.

And by the way, lve canceled

all outings for your class.

Why?

The adult approach hasnt worked.

ltd have been better

to let things be.

You take your boys in for P.T.

until l get a replacement.

lm sorry to disturb you, Sir.

lts about Pam.

lm Mrs. Dare.

What can l do for you?

Would you have a seat?

Would you talk to her, Sir?

lm sure shed listen to you.

- Shes always talking about you.

- Whats the problem?

She always stays out

late at night, Sir.

Often she doesnt get home

till past

She never says where shes been.

Shes a big girl.

lm worried about her.

She wont listen to me.

lm just a teacher, Mrs. Dare.

l know shed listen to you.

lts always Sir said this

or Sir said that.

See, she wont listen to me.

She just wont.

Why doesnt her father

talk with her?

Were divorced.

Hes up north somewhere.

He doesnt...

lts not wrong to...

When your marriage breaks up,

life doesnt end, does it?

Please talk to her, Sir.

lm frightened for her.

You never know what sort

of trouble she can get into.

Please.

All right, l will.

Thank you.

Morning, Sir.

Hello, love.

- Morning.
- How are you? Hows the kids?

Hello, guv!

Hello, Sir.
lts a lovely day, isnt it?

Your kid aint top of the class.

My, you look as if

youve won the pools.

Better!

l got me a job.
A real one for when school ends.

Assistant engineer
in a factory in the Midlands.

They even sent me the fare!

Thats marvelous.

lts not that good,

but its a start after so long.

Do you think
shell take the flowers?

l dont know.

Go in. Sir wants you.

Sit down.
ld like to talk to you.

Has my mum been in?

The funeral was Saturday,

About my mum, Sir?

Shes very worried about you,

Miss Dare.

Couldnt you call me Pamela?

l think not, for the moment.

She says that

youve been staying out late.

lve just been to Grans.

Just around the corner, not far.

Why havent you told your mother?

She doesnt care about me.

You know thats not true.

Youre not in trouble, are you?

Nowadays thats only for fools,

isnt it?

Were the luckiest kids,

the luckiest generation...

...thats ever been, arent we?

Were the first to be really free

to enjoy life if we want...

...without fear.

What is the trouble?

lf you dont want to talk,

say the word.

lt doesnt bother me.

lt was all right

up till about a year ago.

Of course, l miss Daddy.

He was wonderful.

But its just one of those things.

Mum works up in a dress shop

on the West End.

And we got on fine.

Then men friends started

calling on her.

You know what neighbors are like.

Thats all.
Theres nothing else to tell.

She doesnt like me.

lm in the way.

Shes young and pretty, isnt she?

lll be glad to leave school

and be on my own.

Obviously, your mother loves you.

And you owe her much more

than any teacher.

l think youre wrong about her.

Did she tell you that l found her

with one of her friends?

At home? At my home?

No, l bet she didnt,

but she was!

l cant solve your problems for you.

But staying out late wont help.

lt helps me.
l cant stand the sight of her!

And if you were me,

youd feel the same.

lm in no position to judge.
l know people make mistakes.

Youre saying its my fault?

Forgiveness is the gift of God.

People make mistakes.

lts up to you to make peace.

- Why should l? Lve done nothing.

- Grow up.

Give her another chance.

Why are you taking her side?

Youre wrong not to give her a chance.

Everybody deserves that.

l thought youd understand.

l thought l could trust you.

But youre just as Denham said.

lm not taking the bloody flowers!

All right.

Lets line up here

in the center.

Could we box first today, please?

Why?

lt would make a change.

Just sort yourselves in pairs now.

Do you mind having a go with me?

Sapianos hurt his wrist.

Thats right. L sprained it.

l think you ought to wait and have a go

at Potter or one of the others.

Hell be done in, Sir.

l dont mind having

a punch-out with you.

l think youd better

forget that for today.

Lets go!

Lets go.

Stay where you are!

Put your head down.

Collect the gloves and put them back.

The rest of you,

line up for vaulting.

Put your head down.

You all right?

- Come over here for a minute.

- Lm all right.

l think lll go wash up.

You all right, mate?

Are you sure?

Can l ask you something?

- How many times did you hit me?

- Once.

lm sorry,

l didnt mean to hurt you.

l lost my temper.

l was meaning to hurt you.

You did.
Youre pretty good.

Why didnt you hit me again?

Why didnt you fight?

You had me easy.

lve been after you

since you got here.

Are you afraid or something?

Hitting you wouldnt solve much,

would it?

lts the truth.

l dont understand you at all.

Whats a barrow?

A barrow? With fruit on it.

A barrow!

You was wrong about Potts.

Yes, from his point of view,

at his age, l was.

- The girls was right about the gossip.

- From their point of view.

What other point is there?

You have to figure that out

for yourself.

Would you like a job teaching

the youngsters how to box?

lll speak with Mr. Florian.

There will be some money for you.

Me? A bleeding teacher?

lts important the youngsters

know how to defend themselves.

Why are you doing this?

Good luck with your barrow.

Whats the matter?

You going to a bleeding wedding?

You dont half pong, Potts!

- Whats up with you, Fats?

- Nothing, Bert.

Another week
and well be through here.

l aint got a job yet.

You had the bleeder yesterday.

Lucky punch.

You got eyes in back of your head.

He could have done me

with one hand behind his back.

And none of your bleeding here.

Theres ladies present.

What Sir said about the truth,

its kind of scary, isnt it?

Good morning.

About the party,

weve got a group and all.

And the girls is fixing the grub.

You coming?

You inviting me?

Yeah, youre invited.

Thank you.

lf l can, l certainly will.

What you said is right,

about a man making up his own mind.

My goodness!

You certainly look lovely.

Thank you.

Would you dance with me tonight?

Of course.

But nothing too fast.

l am getting too old for that.

Well make it special.

Promise?

Promise.

Thank you.

Would you call me Pamela tonight?

Pamela.

Thank you.

Excuse me a minute, Bert.

lts Pam.

- You look marvelous!

- You look great!

- Wheres the other earring?

- Lts the thing.

l want to talk to the group.

Come with me?

- Why?
- Come on, lll tell you.

Good evening.

l hear youre leaving.

lts a pity.

lm sorry about that.

Youre damn good.

Youve done wonders for this show.

Thank you very much.

Anybody can be an engineer,

but teaching this mob is...

l wish l had your gift.

Why so serious, Mark?

Good God, its Weston!

Wrap up, Clinty.

Well, lm damned!

He wasnt giving you

a hard time, was he?

On the contrary.

Will you wave your magic wand

and make me sweet

again?

Nothing to do with me.

A fine lad.
Your hands in this, all right.

lf you must leave,

go to another school.

You cant waste your talent

on electronics.

Damn!
l swore l wouldnt interfere.

Would you like some more?

- Who made it?

- L did.

lts salad North Quay,

one of Sirs special recipes.

lts bloody marvelous, Barbara.

l mean, Miss Pegg.

Thank you, Mr. Weston,

lm sure.

Actually, l dont like it.

l think its terrible, dont you?

Blimey, lm hot!

Thank you.

Excuse me, Sir.

l got the job l wanted.

Thats wonderful.

- What is it?
- Pageboy at the Hilton.

He cant wait to get

all that Yankee money.

Youre right there.

l dont want to be
a pageboy all me life.

Will you help me get

into night school?

ld be glad to.

Ta, Sir.

You aint half a dolly, miss.

Ready, Pam.

Attention, everybody!

By special request,
its a ladys choice.

Hold that, please.

Come on.
Everybody, come here.

Thank you.

Can l come and see you

sometimes, next term?

l wont be here.

Everybodys got to move on.

lm glad l met you, though.

Youve helped me a lot.

We were lucky to have you.

The whole worlds waiting for you.

Youre a smasher!

Thanks.

Bye.

Hold it! Listen, everybody.

lve got an announcement.

lts about Sir.

Wed like to thank you

for all youve done.

Wed like to give you

a present to remember us by.

- Come on, Babs.

- You mean, Miss Pegg.

The time has come

For closing books

And long last looks must end

And as l leave

l know that l am leaving

My best friend

A friend who taught me

Right from wrong

And weak from strong

Thats a lot to learn

What can l give you in return?

lf you wanted the moon

l would try to make a start

But l would rather you let me

Give my heart

To Sir, with love

Speech! Speech!

l think ld better go
and put it away.

Evening, guv.

Nice, isnt it?

lm in your bleeding class

next term.