至暗时刻英文原版剧本
DARKEST HOUR
A Screenplay
By
Anthony McCarten
SHOOTING SCRIPT
? 2016 Working Title Films Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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On BLACK SCREEN: Run CAPTIONS:
MAY 9TH 1940: HITLER HAS INVADED CZECHOSLOVAKIA, POLAND, DENMARK, AND NORWAY. HE IS NOW POISED TO CONQUER THE REST OF
EUROPE.
IN BRITAIN, PARLIAMENT HAS LOST FAITH IN ITS LEADER, NEVILLE
CHAMBERLAIN.
THE SEARCH FOR A REPLACEMENT HAS ALREADY BEGUN…
FADE IN....
INT. HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBER - DAY
...is in an uproar. The PRIME MINISTER, NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN (71), sits with the MAJORITY, RULING CONSERVATIVE PARTY on one side of the house...
...whilst the LEADER of the MINORITY, OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY, CLEMENT ATTLEE (57) sits with the OPPOSITION PARTIES on the other side.
They face each other like two warring armies. Shouting. Accusations. Wild gesturing. Paper darts thrown. Mayhem.
CAPTION: MAY 9, 1940
ATTLEE rises to his feet, amid jeers and heckles, to denounce CHAMBERLAIN, directly opposite him across the aisle -
ATTLEE
Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker!
SPEAKER
The Honourable Leader of the
Opposition, Clement Attlee!
ATTLEE
Mr Speaker--Mr Speaker--it seems I
have not been clear enough. Then
let me leave no doubt regarding my
feelings about Mr Chamberlain’s
future as Prime Minister.
(over boos and applause)
Owing to his years of inactivity
and incompetence -
(cheers and boos)
(MORE)
ATTLEE (CONT'D)
- we find him personally
responsible, personally responsible
for leaving our nation ruinously
unprepared to face the present Nazi
peril. We are at war, Mr Speaker.
At war. And leaving aside whether
he is fit to be a leader in peace-
time he has proven himself
incapable of leading us in war-
time.
Cries of support to this -
Looking down from the LORDS GALLERY is - VISCOUNT HALIFAX (59), appalled by what he is seeing. He exchanges a look with the bereft CHAMBERLAIN.
ATTLEE (CONT’D)
Therefore, in the national
interest, we the Opposition, are
willing to enter into a Grand
Coalition--with the “ruling”
Conservative Party, so-called!...
An OPPOSITION MP stands and starts singing "Rule Britannia". Others soon begin to join in.
SPEAKER
Order! Order!
ATTLEE
...but not, and I stress this,
never, under the leadership of Mr
Chamberlain...
(angle on CHAMBERLAIN)
...who has lost the confidence of
this House!
A REBEL CONSERVATIVE MEMBER rises and crosses the floor to stand with the OPPOSITION MPs, betraying Chamberlain.
ATTLEE (CONT’D)
(directly to CHAMBERLAIN)
In the country’s interest man,
resign! Step down! And let us
find a new leader!
UPROAR, and many cry “HEAR-HEAR!” and “GO!”
SPEAKER
I said, ORDER!
The camera passes along the CONSERVATIVE benches to find ANTHONY EDEN (43), behind him sits KINGSLEY WOOD (59).
KINGSLEY WOOD
(into EDEN’s ear)
Where’s Winston?
On the bench beside EDEN, as if to reserve a space, is an old Royal Naval Yacht Club CAP.
EDEN
Ensuring his fingerprints
are not on the murder weapon.
The singing of “Rule Britannia” continues over -
INT. DINING ROOM/ SIR JOHN SIMON’S COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN addresses the other CONSERVATIVE guests gathered around a circular dining table.
CHAMBERLAIN
Accordingly--tomorrow--I will
resign as Prime Minister.
GREAT FEAR in the faces of the NOBLES. CUT BETWEEN their FACES, during the following -
CHAMBERLAIN (CONT’D)
(suppressing emotion)
As the Opposition refuse to join a
government headed by me, we must
select my successor.
(beat)
I will step down tomorrow but I
wanted my own party, the gentlemen
I most respect, to know first.
LORD LONDONDERRY.
Halifax. There’s no question!
Our Foreign Secretary -
SIR JOHN SIMON
No contest! HALIFAX
HALIFAX
I appreciate your confidence but my
time has yet to come. However, on
whomever the task may fall, he
shall be charged with the security
of these islands and of our Empire,
and shall be required to explore
all avenues.
CHAMBERLAIN
Including that of Diplomatic talks.
HALIFAX
Indeed, towards the restoration of
peace in Europe.
ALL
Hear Hear!!!
CHAMBERLAIN
Gentlemen, I’m afraid there is only
one candidate. Only, one man that
the Opposition will accept?
ALL
Oh no.
SIR JOHN SIMON
Surely not...
INT. CHARTWELL/ COUNTRY HOUSE OF WINSTON & CLEMENTINE CHURCHILL DAY
CAPTION: FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1940
A plate of BACON & EGGS is set on a BREAKFAST TRAY. Then...a glass of WHITE WINE is poured by WINSTON’s VALET, SAWYERS, and set beside the plate. A glass of SCOTCH and SODA is also prepared and set beside these on the tray. For Breakfast? SAWYERS carries the TRAY through servants quarters towards the ENTRANCE HALL of the house, where -
- the TRAY passes by - WINSTON’s PRIVATE SECRETARY, JOHN EVANS (35), as he schools the NEW YOUNG SECRETARY, ELIZABETH LAYTON. Evans, an immaculately-groomed rake, snobbishly thinks himself infinitely superior to the Elizabeth Laytons of the world.
JOHN EVANS
(to ELIZABETH)
...and if he stretches out his hand
and says, “Gimme”, you need to
anticipate what he wants - black
pen, red pen, paper, or “Clop”,
that’s his hole punch.
EVANS and LAYTON walk past -
- SAWYERS-with-TRAY, as he waits for the COOK to iron a NEWSPAPER (DAILY EXPRESS)and as the SCULLERY MAIDS, over her shoulder, ANXIOUSLY read the headline:
"CHAMBERLAIN TO RESIGN”
SAWYERS
Don’t smudge the ink.
MAID
How selfish to resign, time like
this.
COOK
D’you think they’ll take me to
Downing Street?
SAWYERS
Not after the Spotted Dick you
served last week.
The COOK then sets the PAPER on the TRAY, whereupon SAWYERS carries the TRAY up the stairs.
CUT TO: EVANS and LAYTON approach a BEDROOM DOORWAY.
JOHN EVANS
...He mumbles, so it’s almost
impossible to catch everything.
And be prepared to type fast –
short bursts - and double-spaced,
he hates single-spaced--hates it!
Good luck.
EVANS knocks on the door, opens it and then pushes the now- quaking ELIZABETH LAYTON inside, closing the door again.
INT. BEDROOM/ CHARTWELL - DAY
Her POV of the dimly-lit room. And then, a MATCH is struck, a CIGAR lit. We can just make out a MAN in bed, as -
SAWYERS tugs open the CURTAINS, revealing -
- WINSTON CHURCHILL (65), in BED, with the BREAKFAST TRAY on his lap, in a pink silk dressing-gown (naked beneath). His dispatch box, piled high with telegrams, stands open by his bed . His marmalade cat, TANGO, sits at the end of the bed, as WINSTON reads a dispatch and dictates...
WINSTON
To the French Ambassador. Come on -
WINSTON looks up at ELIZABETH, to see if she is writing this down. She’s not -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
- telegram!
ELIZABETH realises, to her horror, that the dictation has already begun, and she hurries to the TYPE-WRITER, which has already been loaded with a sheet...She begins to type FAST,
in short bursts -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
(dictating)
With German forces crossing into
Holland...Holland alone...request
reassurance...that French forces
will now move--move at once--to
protect Belgium. Stop. Read!
ELIZABETH
(nervously)
“To--to the French Ambassador.
With German forces crossing
into Holland...Holland alone...
request reassurance that -
WINSTON
- immediate reassurance -
ELIZABETH adjusts the typewriter’s carriage and paten and types the word “IMMEDIATE” above the previous text...
ELIZABETH
“- immediate - reassurance - “
WINSTON
“ - that -” Go on - “- that “
SAWYERS enters, as ELIZABETH struggles to re-set the carriage.
ELIZABETH
“ - that - “
The BEDROOM TELEPHONE rings -
SAWYERS
French Ambassador sir -
WINSTON
Monsieur Ambassador!
(pause)
Ah. They’ve already invaded
Belgium.
(pause)
I will convey your plea to the
Prime Minister at once. Yes, the
situation is still very confused.
Goodbye.
WINSTON hangs up. A concerned pause, and then -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
Holland and Belgium.
ELIZABETH types this - tap,tap,tap,tap -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
No, no, no.
ELIZABETH
(confused)
Sir?
WINSTON
Scrap that. New telegram.
In a fluster, she pulls out the old PAGE from the TYPEWRITER CARRIAGE and quickly inserts a new page, as -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
To General Ismay...
WINSTON grabs his WHISKEY and SODA, as - the PHONE rings again. SAWYERS re-appears.
WINSTON (CONT’D)
Dammit Sawyers! What is it now?!
SAWYERS
Your son.
WINSTON, his concentration broken, goes to the PHONE.
WINSTON
(into Phone)
Randolph, quickly -
(listens)
Last night they said I may be made
Prime Minister today. But that was
yesterday. Let’s see what Neville
does today. Thank--thank you my
boy. Keep buggering on!
Puts down the phone. Turns to look at ELIZABETH.
WINSTON (CONT’D)
Now...
Sips his SCOTCH. This calms him.
ELIZABETH LAYTON
General Ismay...
Moving to the end of the bed -
WINSTON
Ah, General Ismay.
(to Sawyers)
Sawyers - get rid of this will you?
Winston gestures to Sawyers to move his tray away and then swings his legs - indecorously! - out of bed. ELIZABETH quickly turns her face away! WINSTON then begins to pace -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
In the light of today’s events, the
time is ripe for many preparations
to be made...
(beat)
Are you striking those typewriter
keys in a normal fashion? It’s
awfully loud, I can’t think!
(beat)
Read it back.
ELIZABETH
Ahh--To General Ismay. In the light
of today’s events, the time is
right for many prep -
WINSTON
RIPE! Not RIGHT! God's teeth girl!
I said ripe, ripe, ripe - P-P-P!
The last sentence...
ELIZABETH LAYTON
(shaken)
The--the time is ripe...
WINSTON
For! FOR!
ELIZABETH LAYTON
(her nerve broken)
...many...many...many...
WINSTON
How many “many”s did you write?!
One many!
(sighs)
“For...for MANY preparations--
to be made...”
He walks up to her and looks over her chair, and is horrified to see -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
Single-spaced? What are you doing?!
What are you doing?!
ELIZABETH
Someone set it on single-spaced
and before I realised -
WINSTON
Then why did you persist?!
ELIZABETH
I -
As she starts to rush out -
WINSTON
Tell Evans to send me someone who
can do it right the first time!
RIGHT! T-T-T-T!
INT. HALLWAY/ CHARTWELL - DAY
ELIZABETH comes down the stairs, and stops, her face tear-stained.
CLEMENTINE CHURCHILL - WINSTON’s WIFE, 55 YEARS OLD - beautiful, elegant, highly-strung, is at that moment crossing the hall, with a HANDFUL of BROWN ENVELOPES. She sees ELIZABETH.
CLEMMIE
Ah. He shouted at you. Did he shout
at you?
ELIZABETH
Yes, but I....
CLEMMIE
He can be an awful brute.
ELIZABETH
No! I made too many mistakes.
CLEMMIE
I think you were nervous. And he
has a knack for drawing out the
very worst in those trying to
help him the most.
ELIZABETH
Oh it’s not him. It’s me. He’s -
he’s -
CLEMMIE
He’s just a man, like any other.
Wait here.
CLEMMIE climbs the stairs.
INT. BEDROOM/ CHARTWELL - DAY
CLEMMIE enters - WINSTON (on his knees) is looking for Tango the cat under his bed.
CLEMMIE
My Darling?
WINSTON
The War Cabinet has been called.
The bloody cat is under the bed
again.
CLEMMIE indicates that SAWYERS should go and moves around WINSTON tucking his shirt in.
CLEMMIE
Can I tell you something that I
feel you ought to know?
He looks at her -
CLEMMIE (CONT’D)
I’ve noticed a recent deterioration
in your manner. You’re not so kind
as you used to be. You’ve become
rough, sarcastic, over-bearing and
rude.
WINSTON
Is this about the new girl?
CLEMMIE
If the King asks you to become
Prime Minister -
WINSTON
We don’t know that -
CLEMMIE
I don’t want you to be disliked.
WINSTON
More than I already am?
CLEMMIE
Darling, you may be on the brink,
the brink--of having tremendous
power, surpassed only by the King.
With such power you really must try
to be more kind and, if possible,
calm. I want others to love and
respect you as I do.
Clemmie falls back in the bed, shortly joined by Winston-
they share a moment of fondness.
EXT. CHARTWELL - DAY
WIDE SHOT of Chartwell bathed in sunshine. ELIZABETH LAYTON, with hat and coat now on, is attempting to make a discreet escape from the house but is stopped by a MOTORCYCLE COURIER with a telegram to deliver. We do not hear what is said.
CLOSE-UP on the telegram turning in ELIZABETH’S hands as the COURIER rides away. ELIZABETH looks back to the house, makes
her decision and re-enters the lair.
INT. STAIRS / CHARTWELL - DAY
ELIZABETH climbs the stairs holding a telegram, braced to
once more enter the Lion’s Den. She enters -
INT. BEDROOM/ CHARTWELL - DAY
- and finds WINSTON, CLEMMIE, JOHN EVANS, SAWYERS and a MAID - all listening with rapt attention to a RADIO BROADCAST.
BBC RADIO ANNOUNCER
“This is BBC Home Service. Here is
a short news bulletin.The German
army invaded Holland and Belgium
early this morning, by land, and
land parachutes--
ELIZABETH
There’s a telegram.
JOHN EVANS
Sssshhh!
BBC RADIO ANNOUNCER
...”The Armies of the Low Countries
are resisting. An appeal for help
has been made to the Allied
governments and Brussels says the
Allied troops are moving to their
support...”
ELIZABETH
It’s from the Palace.
All eyes turn to look at her, as if an elephant has entered the room. A silent beat in which no-one breathes.
WINSTON
Thank you, Miss...?
ELIZABETH
Layton.
INT. STUDY/HALLWAY, CHARTWELL - DAY
CLEMMIE hands WINSTON his watch, glasses, cigar case, matches and a sugar cube.
CLEMMIE
You’re shaking.
WINSTON
So are you!
It’s true CLEMMIE is just as nervous -
CLEMMIE
You from excitement--I from terror.
You have been wanting this your
entire adult life.
WINSTON
No--since the nursery.
CLEMMIE laughs.
WINSTON (CONT’D)
But do the public want me?
CLEMMIE
It’s your own Party to whom you’ll
have to prove yourself.
WINSTON
I’m getting the job only because
the ship is sinking. It’s not a
gift, it’s revenge.
CLEMMIE
Let them see your true qualities.
Your courage...
WINSTON
...My poor judgement.
CLEMMIE
...Your lack of vanity.
WINSTON
...My iron will.
CLEMMIE
(in playful rebuke)
...Your sense of humour.
WINSTON
Ho Ho Ho!
CLEMMIE
Now go.
WINSTON
Go?
CLEMMIE
Be.
WINSTON
Be?
She touches his face tenderly -
CLEMMIE
Yourself.
WINSTON
Which self?
CLEMMIE walks away. WINSTON turns to a wall on which are hung many HATS - (Royal Naval Yacht Club Cap, Admiral’s hat with plume, aviator helmet with goggles, riding hat, pith helmet, French WW1 helmet, fez, Homburg, top hat, etc ) all on display like HUNTING TROPHIES.
WINSTON (CONT’D)
(to himself)
Which self should I be today?
WINSTON surveys the collection, then plucks the TOP HAT from its hook -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
One should have had power when a
young man. When wits were sharp,
sinews strong. Oh well.
He returns to her -
WINSTON (CONT’D)
Lead on Macduff--
When youth departs--
may wisdom prove enough.
They kiss, and she gives him a silver BOX OF MATCHES, embossed with loving message from his children.
EXT/INT. PRINCES STREET/ WINSTON’S CAR - DAY
WINSTON, in the back seat, (with JOHN EVANS in front) looks out the window at the human traffic - seems like he’s in a gold-fish bowl, disconnected. He watches as - MEN IN BOWLER HATS and YOUNG WOMEN in SUMMER DRESSES walk to work.
JOHN EVANS
Hardly seems like there’s a war
on at all.
THREE DELIVERY BOYS ride by on bicycles, notice him and wave excitedly.
WINSTON
How odd it is.
JOHN EVANS
Sir?
They stop, waiting behind a BUS.
WINSTON
You know--I have never ridden a
bus. Never queued for bread. I
believe I can boil an egg but only
because I saw it done once.
EXT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY
WINSTON’s car approaches the Palace gates, which are open. The CAR drives up to the PALACE. WINSTON gets out and he and EVANS enter the PALACE -
INT. PALACE ENTRANCE - DAY
A grand hall.
Winston removing his hat and coat, hands his cane and gloves, then hat to a LIVERIED DOORMAN whilst a LIVERIED STAFF MEMBER waits nearby.
WINSTON
The only time I tried to ride the
Underground was during the General
Strike. Clemmie dropped me at South
Kensington station. I went down--
but I got lost and came straight
back up. Awful!
(girding himself)
Well, “Here we go”...
EVANS
Good luck sir.
WINSTON strides away, following the EQUERRY.
INT. STATE CHAMBERS/ BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY
KING GEORGE VI (agitated, troubled) speaks with the ill, weak, outgoing PRIME-MINISTER NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN. CHAMBERLAIN watches the KING.
GEORGE VI
Why not Halifax? I favour Halifax.
CHAMBERLAIN
I wanted Halifax. The Lords wanted
Halifax. Halifax wanted Halifax.
GEORGE VI
Then--then why have I been forced
to send for Churchill?
CHAMBERLAIN
Because he’s the only member of our
party who has the support of the
Opposition.
GEORGE VI
His record is a litany of
catastrophe. Gallipoli, 25,000
dead. The India Policy. Russian
Civil War. The Gold Standard. The
the the Abdication. And now this
Norway ‘adventure’. What, eighteen
hundred men?
CHAMBERLAIN
One aircraft carrier, two cruisers,
seven destroyers and a submarine.
GEORGE VI
Winston lacks judgement.
CHAMBERLAIN
He was right about Hitler.
GEORGE VI
Even a stopped clock is right
twice a day.
EQUERRY enters.
EQUERRY
First Lord of the Admiralty,
Mr Winston Churchill!
GEORGE VI
Early.
CHAMBERLAIN
Keen.
GEORGE VI
I accept your resignation--but I
want you to know--how--cruelly I
think you’ve been treated.
CHAMBERLAIN
Thank you Your Majesty.
He and GEORGE shake hands.
EQUERRY
This way, my Lord.
The KING waits - SIGHS deeply, until...
We hear footsteps approaching. WINSTON enters.
WINSTON
Your Majesty.
GEORGE VI
Mr Churchill.
GEORGE VI (CONT’D)
I believe you know why I--I
I have asked you here today.
WINSTON
Sir, I simply can’t imagine why.
GEORGE VI
It is my duty to-to-to invite you
to take up - the position of of
Prime Minister of this United
Kingdom. Will you form a
government?
WINSTON
I will.
GEORGE VI
Very well.
WINSTON bows, and when the KING offers his hand, WINSTON kisses it. WINSTON rises.
GEORGE VI (CONT’D)
That was--quite easy.
WINSTON
Yes.
They stare at each other in uneasy silence.
WINSTON (CONT’D)
I believe we are to meet regularly.
GEORGE VI
Once a week, I’m afraid. How are
you on--on--on Mondays?
WINSTON
I shall endeavour to be available
on Mondays.
GEORGE VI
Four o’clock?
WINSTON
(resolutely)
I nap at 4.
GEORGE VI
Is that--permissible?
WINSTON
No. But necessary. I work late.
GEORGE VI
Then perhaps lunch?
WINSTON
Lunch! Mondays.
(WINSTON bows)
Your majesty.
GEORGE VI
Prime Minister.
When WINSTON backs out of the room, the KING anxiously lights a cigarette, and broods.
EXT. 10 DOWNING STREET - DAY
WINSTON pulls up in his PRIVATE CAR, alights, (followed by EVANS) waves at the PRESS, an effortless SELF-PUBLICIST, at total ease in the spotlight. Ever the showman - taps the NUMBER 10 on the famous front door with his walking stick for the amusement of the PHOTOGRAPHERS -
PHOTOGRAPHER
Prime Minister? First order of
business, sir?
WINSTON
A glass of Pol Roger!
He enters the building, and -
INT. HALLWAY/ 10 DOWNING STREET - DAY
- is greeted by EDEN.
EDEN
Prime Minister!
WINSTON
Anthony.
EDEN
How was the K-k-king?
WINSTON
Anxious. Never forgiven me for
supporting his brother’s
marriage to Wallis Simpson.
WINSTON and EDEN step into his office, with WINSTON closing the door on EVANS in the hallway.
INT. OFFICE/ 10 DOWNING STREET - CONTINUOUS
EDEN
You only have to meet him once a
week.
WINSTON
That’s like saying you only have to
have your tooth pulled once a week.
EDEN takes out a pen, opens a notebook -
EDEN
Composition of your War Cabinet.
Who should sit on it?
WINSTON
Chamberlain. And the Reverend “Holy
Fox” -
EDEN
(writes)
Halifax. Keeping your enemies
close?
WINSTON
More than that, without them the
party will get rid of me.
(beat)
And that sheep in sheep’s clothing,
Attlee.
MARY, CHURCHILL’s 18 year old daughter, appears in the doorway.
MARY CHURCHILL
Come on Daddy--everyone’s waiting.
WINSTON
Be there in a jiffy, my love.
MARY exits.
EDEN
I heard that before you were asked,
they offered it to Lord Halifax.
WINSTON
(shakes head)
I doubt that. Halifax would never
turn it down. He's the fourth son
of an Earl. Fourth sons turn
nothing down.
EDEN
I only wish the position had come
your way in better times, sir. You
have an enormous task ahead of you.
WINSTON
I hope it’s not too late. I am
very much afraid it is. But we can
only do our best.
INT. LIVING ROOM/ 10 DOWNING STREET - DAY
CLEMMIE and the CHURCHILL CHILDREN wear GAS-MASKS as they shout -
CHURCHILL CHILDREN
HURRAY!
RANDOLPH CHURCHILL
Hip Hip -
CHURCHILL CHILDREN
HURRAY!
WINSTON enters - and stops, aghast, and stares at his family -
WINSTON
Good lord, what a frightful sight!
CLEMMIE, SARAH CHURCHILL (26), DIANA CHURCHILL(31), RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (29) and his WIFE PAMELA (pregnant), and MARY CHURCHILL (18) all pull off their GAS MASKS, grab their
glasses of CHAMPAGNE, then converge on him and kiss him.
He stares at them, a SMILE FORMING AT LAST, deeply touched, actually. He is presented with a glass of champagne.
CHURCHILL
Thank you. Thank you.
PAMELA raises her glass -
PAMELA
A toast! Come on!
DIANA
Yes!
Mary makes her way to sit on a cushion on the floor next to Winston.
She looks proudly at WINSTON -
CLEMMIE
My darling husband--Something you
all might not know is that on the
eve of our marriage I got “cold
feet”--but as I’d already called
off two engagements by the age of
21 I was in danger of gaining a
reputation for being a ‘bolter’--
and it would’ve been poor form to
call off a third!
LAUGHTER. WINSTON smiles.
RANDOLPH
Hear hear.
DIANA
Lucky for Daddy.