Somewhere in France in 1954, near the sea.
"Madam, do not torment an unhappy prince.
"We mustn't allow ourselves to soften.
"I am consumed by a cruel affliction.
"It seems I am still torn by your sweet tears."
I told Daddy I wanted to be alone with you.
You must take good care of him, darling.
Thomas...
Open the window.
No, Mum. The doctor forbade it.
You can do it. You're not the doctor.
Go ahead, darling. Open the window.
"Without you, I shan't be able to live.
"My heart is ready to desert me.
"Living no longer matters. I must reign."
Mummy?
Shall we go away for a holiday this summer?
I don't feel like travelling.
You shouldn't leave your vines when the workers are away.
I'll employ the housekeeper recommended by...
by your mother's cousins.
She has a son your age.
He'll keep you company for the holidays.
I'M THE KING OF THE CASTLE
Nearly there.
Push now, push.
It's coming out now.
It's a little boy.
Is that how I was born?
Of course.
All children are.
I came out of your own tummy?
Do you like me best of all people?
Yes.
- For ever? - Yes.
Come and see, that must be him.
Go and let him know we're here.
Please hurry. I'll be right there.
Don't put too much lipstick on.
- I'll go and check. - Thanks.
- Are you Mr Bréaud? - Yes.
I am Charles Vernet.
Hello.
Will you help me?
Where's your mother?
Resting in the ladies.
Is she unwell?
No, she's better now the baby's been born.
I beg your... pardon?
- Is this your mother? - Yes, sir.
Mum, listen to this.
They're buoys. Whistling buoys.
They whistle when there's a swell.
They warn sailors of dangerous zones along the coast.
- Is the sea close by? - Yes, very.
We can't see it from here because of the mist.
A gale blew the trees down last April.
It was a real hurricane.
I lost over 300 beech trees along this lane.
All a hundred years old.
A real tragedy.
My bag!
Charles...
Will you follow me, madam?
I'm sorry.
You won't see Thomas. He felt faint after lunch.
He is in bed. He's asleep.
Blessed be Thou, Lord God, for uniting us in Thy Son's blood.
Thou hast set up a table and given us bread from Heaven.
We thank Thee for our earthly bread
which sustains us on our way to Thy Kingdom
where Thou awaitest us for ever and ever.
Please Lord, bless Mrs Vernet and her son Charles
whom we are welcoming today.
There's a broken window in my room.
- Why didn't you tell me? - I didn't do it.
- It was a stone. - A stone?
It could have been a bird. It happened before.
A huge crow.
It flew right through the window as if it were blind.
Didn't you see a dead bird in the garden?
- I didn't do it, I swear. - Let's forget it.
It will be fixed tomorrow.
Eat up, Thomas. It'll get cold.
Shall we play together?
I don't like playing.
Will you show me the house?
Your father said so.
A guest room. My room.
My uncle's room.
A small sitting-room.
- I told you to follow me. - I'm not interested.
Your mother's room. Your mother's bathroom.
Your room. My grandfather died in that bed.
The castle's archives. The punishment closet.
The stairs to the dungeon. The attic door.
Are you still downstairs? You must obey me.
- I don't have to obey you. - Yes, you do.
You and your mother are employees, you're poor.
No, we're not poor.
Why doesn't your father buy you a house?
- He's not living with us. - He left you!
He's a POW in Indochina, but he'll escape.
- How do you know? - I had a dream.
I don't believe you. Dreams mean nothing.
I never have dreams.
Here are some Canadian stamps for you.
Is this the new machine?
Can I have a look?
Is it coming by boat?
Where is Charles?
I don't know.
You must know.
You should be with him. I'm not happy with you.
I never know what he's up to. I told you.
Don't talk to me like that.
You shut yourself up for hours and Charles is bored on his own.
You used to go out and stroll in the park.
- Yes, with Mum. - Thomas, your mother is dead.
Try to think of her a little less.
I will think of her a lot.
Where are we going?
- It's a surprise. - I don't like surprises.
- Dad. - Yes?
I'm going to be sick.
He always says that, but he never does.
- Are you all right, Thomas? - Yes, madam.
You're not too hot?
Your skin is very soft.
Be very careful.
That's it.
- You're not dizzy? - No, sir. Not really.
You don't have to call me sir.
- Is that the sea over there? - Yes, that's the sea.
I want to get away from this place.
Mum!
Charles, where are you?
Mum, take me away.
I want to go home.
Open the door.
Thomas, do you hear? Open the door immediately.
- Why did you do it? - I didn't.
Swear on your mother's grave that you didn't.
I'll never swear on my mother's grave, never.
Don't go away.
Don't leave me alone with Thomas.
- You could have told me. - Told you what?
That Thomas is sick or mad? He's neither sick nor mad.
He's unhappy.
- Are you afraid of my son? - No, I'm afraid for Charles.
I'll double your wage.
I'll pack tomorrow morning.
Listen to me.
My son is very fond of you.
He's accepted you.
He needs you.
I need you too.
This place was like a grave before.
If you go, you'll take its life with you.
I loved my wife.
Yes, I loved her.
I didn't understand her.
She came from a different world.
I even thought she had married me for my money.
I know now that I was wrong.
She did love me.
- Had I known... - Why are you telling me this?
There's no one else I can talk to.
Don't go. I won't let you go.
Please stop this.
Leave me alone.
And that before him comma...
And that before him, his father...
his grandfather...
You know, darling...
I had a long talk with Mr Bréaud.
We talked about Thomas.
He's a very frail little boy.
He faints a lot for no reason.
He's at the doctor's now. You'll see him later.
Please forgive him.
Is he going to apologise?
That's not the point. What matters is...
that in your heart, you forgive him.
That you don't bear a grudge against him.
That means we're staying.
Thief! Creepy little thief.
- You're running away. - No.
Liar. You're a liar and a thief.
I'm going to wake father up and tell him.
- You're afraid of me. - I'm not.
So why are you leaving?
That's my secret.
I'm coming with you.
I'm not allowed to go into the forest.
It's dangerous.
- Is this the right way? - Of course.
- Where to? - None of your business.
I bet you don't know where you're going.
- Do you have a compass? - No need.
- Are you afraid? - What of?
The forest, the animals. Animals that live at night.
Wild boars, wolves.
- There are no wolves here. - I'm sure there are.
Your mother must have realised we're missing.
She never wakes up at night. We'll be far away by morning.
- How far have we gone? - 5 or 6 km.
No way, a lot more.
- I've got cramps. - That'll teach you.
And shut up when you walk.
We must find shelter.
Charles, wait for me.
I can't breathe any more.
I can't go on.
I'm tired of this game.
It's not a game to me.
We're lost.
That's your fault. I hate you.
No one will ever find us.
Merciful God,
You Whom I have never offended,
have pity on me.
Grant me Your blessing.
Give me Your strength.
Our Father Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread...
Let's go back now, Charles.
You must obey me. Let's go back.
You'll never make it.
- You don't know where I'm going. - It's easy to guess.
Tell me, smarty.
To the ocean to find a boat and go after your father.
- You're wrong. - I'm not.
You'll never find him again.
He's dead.
You just say that because you have no mother.
I don't need a mother. A father is better.
Men aren't always after people like your mum with Dad.
Liar! Your father is nothing. My mother hates him.
He's rich, you're poor.
You came to our house so your mum could marry Dad.
Women do that.
They need someone to give them money, a house, dresses...
My father's alive, do you hear? And I'll find him.
Now you're my prisoner.
There must be another way. Let's go back.
I'm in charge.
I can't do it.
You can, it's easy.
And stop whingeing or I'll leave you behind.
I'm going to fall.
Charles, help, hurry!
I'm going to fall.
Grab my hand.
Open your eyes. Look at me.
I can't, I'm dizzy.
Free your right hand and grab mine.
Hurry, Charles. I can't go on.
- Who threw that stone? - I did.
- Who put the crow in my bed? - I did.
Now you repeat after me.
I apologise for what I did to you.
Repeat it.
I apologise for what I did to you.
All right, come on.
I'm dead... I'm dead.
No Thomas, you're not dead. I'm here.
Kill me.
You're right.
I'd better kill you.
If they find you, you'll talk.
You'll betray me.
And now die, you filthy Viet.
I didn't want to go, Dad. He forced me.
Nothing broken. Just a bad sprain.
But I'll keep him overnight.
Apologise to your mum. You gave her quite a fright.
Mum!
Mum, that's not true. I didn't force him.
He did. He wouldn't let me go back.
- Be quiet. - He pushed me.
Liar. I didn't even touch you.
He held me under water, kicked me, punched me.
Enough, Thomas.
He was scared shitless. He even wet his pants.
I should have let you die, you bastard.
Why did you run away?
Answer me, Charles. Why?
I wanted to spend a night in the forest.
Just like Dad.
Were you afraid?
No.
You're not brave normally, especially in the dark.
Thomas was scared. I wasn't.
He's lying.
- Do you believe me? - Of course I do.
Didn't you think I'd worry?
Yes, I thought of that, but I was perfectly safe.
I'll never be afraid again.
Promise never to do it again.
Mum, I'm a Musketeer.
- I'm very sorry. - Where were they?
I'm fine.
Your mother's a prostitute.
Are you convinced now? She's not in her room.
Do you want to see them?
Peep through Dad's keyhole.
No.
How did you know? They told you?
Of course not, silly.
I saw them at the hospital. They thought I was asleep.
They kissed each other full on the lips.
I hate her. I hate you too.
- You must leave. - Let's go back to your room.
Stop worrying. They'll be in there all night...
You know what'll happen? Dad will send you to my college.
- You'll be in my dorm. - Why?
You're new. They'll do it to please you.
I don't care.
Except there's something you don't know.
I'll be head boy in the dorm. I'll do as I please.
Know what we do to new boys? We lock them in the cellar.
But I'm not a first-year boy, anyway.
It doesn't matter. You're a baby.
Wait and see, mummy's little boy!
I'll tell them you fell and wet your pants.
No one will listen. No one believes new boys.
A new boy can't speak unless he's spoken to.
And now you must swear.
Swear you'll leave and take your mother too.
Are you ready?
Go ahead.
- I swear... - Look at me.
I swear I'll leave and take my mother too.
Good.
Now we'll seal our pact with blood.
You must lick it.
If you break our pact... you'll go to hell.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Wait, I'll start again.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Mr Thomas and I'm in love.
Here is the woman I love.
Thomas, give me my mirror.
Thomas, have you forgotten our agreement?
No, my love, I haven't forgotten.
Well then?
Is that all?
I've given you everything, my love.
Liar, liar.
Not like that. A real slap.
Make it go thwack.
It's all wrong. We'll never be ready for tonight.
We'll start again from when you get up.
You're too stiff.
Be like your mum, always wriggling her bottom.
Look.
See? It's not hard.
Wear a dumb smile and look cheap.
We'll start again. Sit down.
And give me a real slap.
I've given you everything, my love.
Liar.
Well, carry on.
- Liar, what about your house? - It's yours.
- And your factory? - Yours, as well.
- I want your name. - I'll marry you tomorrow.
Then...
Then, I'm all yours.
You forgot to lift your dress up again.
Come along, Charles, we're going home.
What's wrong? What's going on?
Stay away from him.
Wait.
Your reward's in your suitcase.
Farewell, Charles.
Clear off.
Are you sad?
I'll go to confession tomorrow morning.
Go away.
Disappear, do you hear? I never want to see you again.
Get up, Thomas. I know you're faking it.
You've always faked it.
Where did you get that?
Did you steal it?
No, Mum.
Thomas gave it to me.
You can have it, I don't need it.
- Send it back immediately. - No.
It's mine. I'll do as I like with it.
Mum.
- Mum, open the door. - No.
You can stay in there. Go to bed without dinner.
Mum, open the door. I'm sorry.
Forgive me.
- Will you forgive me? - Of course I will.
Just one thing...
We won't mention Mr Bréaud or Thomas again.
We'll put them out of our minds.
We'll never see them again.
Leave me alone. Let go of me.
- Calm down. - Let go of me.
Here, these are for you.
I came to see you because your mother refuses to meet me.
I know, she told me.
Did she talk about us? About her and me?
No, sir.
May I talk to you like a grown-up, a friend?
Yes, sir.
I love your mother.
Yes, I love her.
I would like her to know it.
You must tell her.
What if she doesn't love you?
Yes, she does.
She proved it to me.
There are things a woman can't conceal from a man.
You're too young to understand.
I should never have let her go away.
Or you, for that matter.
I like you a lot, you know.
May I kiss you?
I trust you.
I'll be expecting you on Sunday.
On the 5 o'clock train.
Got that? On Sunday at 5 o'clock.
Put that away, it's my treat.
You see, I'm still rich.
Drink up, it won't kill you.
Let's celebrate the last Sunday of your holidays.
This is my favourite tune.
- Mum... - Yes, darling?
What is it?
Let's go and dance.
Mr Bréaud came to see me.
He loves you.
Jean.
I was dreaming of you.
You were on a ship.
I smelt your perfume.
I won't let you go away again.
You broke your vow.
I'll choose the weapons.
On guard.
And now, fight!
You saved my life before. Now, we're even.
Something's going to happen to you, Charles.
You can't harm me any more.
Watch it, stand straight! A few more seconds.
Stand still. One, two, three...
Charles.
Subtitles: Chantal Chalier Mary Coupe
Subtitles: Copyright 1993 SBS, Australia