DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD TRANSCRIPT This script was transcribed by Kristine Howard from the video in August 2001. In some places either the audio mix or the actor's enunciation made it difficult to hear what was being said. I have tried to copy down the dialogue as closely as possible, but it's not 100% accurate. I have also included scene descriptions and actions where appropriate. Actor's names are included when their characters are first seen. Unfortunately I found it difficult to tell Rabbetts and the other keeper apart, so sometimes Rabbetts is simply referred to as "2nd Keeper". Please do not reproduce this transcript on your site without my permission. --------------------------------------------------- Scene: Men shooting pheasants. Dogs retrieve the birds and the men put them in a pile. Many closeups of shotgun shells and the dead pheasants. Scene: "Somewhere in England, Autumn 1955" We hear gentle music and pull back to see a large country estate. Victor Hazell (played by Robbie Coltrane) steps out his front door and surveys the flock of young pheasants pecking away on the lawn before him. Satisfied, he climbs into his Rolls Royce and pulls out as we see the title... "Roald Dahl's Danny The Champion of the World" Camera pans over gentle hillsides and we see the village at a distance. Victor Hazell slows his car and looks out his window at a mother and baby pheasant beside the road. He happily puffs on his cigar. He hears voices and looks up to see two men with guns (the keepers) approaching. 1st Keeper: (Tips his hat.) Morning, sir. 2nd Keeper: Morning sir. Hazell throws his cigar out the window and drives off, while the men look after him in disgust. Hazell's Rolls Royce finally pulls out of his massive front gates and turns onto a highway towards the village. After driving a bit, he turns onto a side road and stops beside a field. He climbs out and we see a large sign that reads "PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY HAZELL ESTATES LIMITED, GREAT MISSENBOROUGH." Hazell looks through a set of binoculars across the field and zooms in on the only house. Actually, the "house" has a large sign on it that reads "GARAGE", and we can see a small person filling up a car in the driveway beside it. Scene: We're now beside Danny (played by Samuel Irons) as he fills the car. He's dressed in a dingy pair of coveralls and a woollen hat. Behind him, Doc Spencer (played by Cyril Cusack) leaves the garage and waves to Danny's father inside. Doc: See you soon, William. William: (Unseen.) Bye Doc. Danny: (Turning around.) She's full up, Doc. Doc: Who? Hmm. Oh, yes, ah. (Reaches for wallet.) Danny closes the gas tank and hangs up the hose. Doc: Now, let's see. (Hands Danny money.) There you are Danny, thank you. Danny: I checked the oil. Doc: (Mumbling.) Oh you've done it? Oh bless you. Doc and Danny head towards the office together. Scene: Back in the field, Victor Hazell puts down his binoculars and gets back into his car. He speeds off. Scene: In the garage later, Danny sits in the driver's seat of a car and starts it up. The camera pans to the front and we see Danny's father William (played by Jeremy Irons) closing the hood. He closes his eyes and listens to the motor purr. William: (With a conductor's flourish.) Like a cello. Danny smiles and shakes his head. William: Well it is! Danny: Can I take her out? William: All right. Danny: Where's reverse? William: (Leaning in the window.) Across and up. Danny puts the car in gear and slowly backs out of the garage. Just as he's pulling out into the open, Victor Hazell's Rolls Royce comes flying around the corner into the driveway. Danny just manages to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting him. Hazell: (Climbing out of the car.) You idiot. Why don't you watch where you're-- (Suddenly realizes it's just a kid.) William: (Stepping out of the garage, addressing Danny.) Well done. Quick thinking. Hazell: Afternoon. (Goes to shake hands, but William's are covered in grease.) Teaching your boy to drive, I see. Good idea. Seems like a bright lad. My name's-- William: Hazell. Hazell. Correct. (Chuckle.) Already famous around here, am I? William: Notorious. Hazell: Yes, well, that's what I like about the country. Everybody knows everybody. My solicitor sent you a letter. William: I replied to it last week. Hazell: Yes, well that's why I wanted to see you in person. I don't know why I bother with the lawyers, really. Face to face, man to man, that's the way I like to do business. (Puts another large cigar in his mouth.) Danny: Dad... William: Oh, ah... (Gestures towards a large "NO SMOKING" sign.) Hazell: Ah. William: Sorry. Hazell: Is there somewhere a little more private we could talk? William: This is fine for me. Hazell: Yes, well, whatever you say. Let's be frank: you've got me over a barrel, really, haven't you? William: Have I? Hazell: Yes, well, I knew I was going to have to pay out some money to buy you out. I'm not complaining. Business is business, and I do happen to be a very rich man. I'll give you two thousand for this place. (Danny looks up at his father in surprise. Hazell looks at Danny.) Yes, that is a lot of money. I'm prepared to put my cards on the table. I've got one of the finest pheasant shoots in England, here. I want to make it the tops, and I can't do that with you sitting on half a dozen acres slap bang in the middle. Mmm? Now this is your lucky day. William: I'm sorry Mr. Hazell. I thought I explained in my letter I'm not selling. Hazell: (Looking towards Danny.) He's got quite a head for business, your Dad, hasn't he? All right. Two thousand five hundred. Now that's my top whack. William: Mr. Hazell, it's not for sale! (He turns and heads into the garage, with Danny following.) I don't know how to say it more clearly. Come on Danny... Hazell follows them into the garage. William is standing in a kind of a pit for working beneath cars while Danny sits on the edge. Hazell: How much d'you make at this place, eh? Ten, maybe twelve quid a week? If you're lucky! I'm offering you a small fortune - the opportunity of a lifetime. (Gestures to Danny.) Now what about the boy there, eh? Shouldn't you be thinking about his future? William: (Turns to Danny.) Do you think we should sell, Danny? Danny looks around, then shakes his head "No." William: (Smiles.) See, we're happy here. Hazell: I think I should warn you. I always get what I want, one way or another. William: No one can have everything they want. Hazell: I can. (He lights his cigar as the others look at him.) Happy here, are you? We'll see about that. (Throws smouldering match on the floor and leaves.) Scene: At night, William is drying some forks in the gipsy caravan he and Danny live in. William: Right, now where did we get to? Danny: (In pajamas in bed.) Where the Big Friendly Giant and how he could hear things... William: Oh yes. (He sits on the floor near Danny's bunk.) Your mother always loved stories about giants too. The Big Friendly Giant's sense of hearing was absolutely fantastic. He would hear the tread of a ladybug (Danny plays with his father's face during this) as she walked across a leaf. He could hear the whispering of ants, as they scurried about under the soil gossiping. See, my love, there's a whole world of sound around us that we can't hear. Because our ears-- Danny: Dad? William: What? Danny: That man... William: Victor Hazell. Danny: Do you think he's going to do nasty things to us? William: (Thinks for a second.) Yes, my love, he is. Danny: He's a millionaire, isn't he? William: Well, he's what we used to call a 'spiv' in the War. While the rest of us were off fighting, he was busy making money off everyone else's misery. Danny: Is he a crook? William: I suppose he is, sort of. But I reckons as though you and I are match enough for him. (Danny smiles.) Now sleep. First day of school tomorrow! (Makes face.) Yuck! (They both smile as William blows out the light and Danny snuggles under the covers.) Good night my darling. (Gives Danny a kiss.) Scene: The sun is shining the next morning as William walks Danny to school. They stop and look offscreen as we hear hammering. William: So he's bought old Waddon's small holding. (Shakes head.) They continue as the camera pans and we see two men putting up another "HAZELL ESTATE" sign in a field. Scene: The village is bustling. We see Mrs. Clipstone , the vicar's wife (played by Ceri Jackson), pushing a large baby carriage through town as Danny and William pass. William: Morning Mrs. Clipstone. Mrs. Clipstone: Morning William. (William tips his cap.) Morning Danny. We see Sergeant Enoch Samways (played by Jonathan Adams) climbing on his bicycle near the post office. William: Morning! Samways: Morning. Man near post office: Lovely day. Finally Danny and William arrive at the school. William: (Pulling an envelope from his coat.) Danny, don't forget to give this to Mr. Snoddy. It's his bill for the tire. Danny: Okay. (Starts to leave.) William: And Danny... Danny: Yep? (Returns so William can kiss him goodbye.) Bye. William: See you for tea. Danny: Yep. Scene: Danny and his friend Sidney (played by Jonathan Leigh) walk together into the school. Inside, Mr. Snoddy (played by Lionel Jeffries) opens a bottle of gin. Humming to himself, he pours some of the water from his pitcher into a vase of flowers and then tops up the pitcher with gin. In another room, the teachers lead the students in singing while Mr. Snoddy sneaks in late. Danny and Sidney are singing from the same book in the back. Captain Lancaster (played by Ronald Pickup) watches disdainfully as Mr. Snoddy fills his water glass from his pitcher. Danny and Sidney (and several other students) see him and giggle. Mr. Snoddy: (After taking a drink.) Boys and girls, you've no doubt have noticed a new face here this morning. (Gesturing to Lancaster.) It's my pleasure to introduce Mr. Lancaster. Capt. Lancaster: Hrrrmmph. (Clears throat.) Mr. Snoddy: Wha--? Oh. (To the class.) CAPTAIN Lancaster. (Smiles at Lancaster.) He'll be taking the senior class. (Danny and Sidney share a look.) I'm sure you'd all like to give him a warm welcome. The students look at each other uncomfortably and begin to clap. Later, students are going to their classrooms as Danny digs through his bag for Mr. Snoddy's bill. He grabs it and bursts into Mr. Snoddy's office, where he catches the teacher with his gin bottle in hand. Mr. Snoddy: Eh... Did you not learn to knock before entering a room, lad? Danny: I'm sorry sir. I didn't think you were here. My dad told me to give you this letter. Mr. Snoddy: Ah, thank you. (Takes the letter then gestures to the bottle.) Uhh... I take a wee nip, just now and again. You understand. Danny: Of course. Mr. Snoddy: I mean, there's no great secret about it. What I mean to say is that, um, uh... Nobody knows. (Touches nose.) Danny: I won't tell, I promise. Mr. Snoddy: I'm sure you wouldn't, I'm sure you wouldn't. Ah, well, off you go then. Danny leaves and heads back to his classroom. Captain Lancaster is at the blackboard with his back to the class. Danny quietly tries to sneak through the door without being seen. He waves to Sidney and heads to his seat. Capt. Lancaster: (Without turning around.) BOY! (The entire class turns to look at Danny.) Danny: (Tries to speak but words don't come out.) Yes? Capt. Lancaster: (Finally turns around.) You're late. Danny: Sorry, sir. Capt. Lancaster: Name? Danny: Danny, sir. Capt. Lancaster: I asked for your name, boy. Danny: Smith, sir. Capt. Lancaster: Well, Smith. Do you know, if there's one thing I hate more than a boy who's late, is a boy who attempts to sneak, creep into my classroom like a nasty little snake. Do you understand? Danny: Yes, sir. Capt. Lancaster: Now get to your place, on the double. (Danny runs to his seat.) Now, as it's the first day of term, I'm prepared to be lenient. (Lancaster walks back to the front of the class and picks up a ruler off his podium.) But, I want to make one thing very clear. I will not tolerate any breaches of the school rules. Punctuality, order, discipline... (He walks towards Danny.) That's what I demand. And I know how to get it. (Gestures with ruler towards Danny's hand.) Scene: Danny walks along the top of a fence near the garage. He seems two men in long coats taking samples from their gasoline tanks. Inside the garage, William watches the men from his workbench. Danny runs in. Danny: Who are those men, Dad? William: Men from the Ministry. Some garage owners top up with low-grade fuel in their high-grade tanks to make a bit more cash. It's an old dodge. The two men enter. 1st Man: Right, sir, we've finished. (Holding out a clipboard.) If you would just like to sign here. William: Proper blitz on, have you? 1st Man: Just routine, sir. William: No it's not. A couple of your chaps were here two weeks ago. 1st Man: I don't know anything about that, sir. William: Well, you can tell Mr. Victor Hazell from me that he's wasting his time. 1st Man: I don't know what you're talking about sir. Afternoon. (The men leave.) William: How was the first day back, Dan? Danny: All right. There's a horrible new master called Captain Lancaster. (Danny walks over to the garage window.) Dad? Did they really come because of Mr. Hazell? William: No doubt about it. And I don't expect they'll be the last. Scene: Victor Hazell is smoking a cigar and talking on the phone at home. Hazell: Yeah, well of course he knew it was a put-up job. That was the idea. (Listens.) Well you let me worry about that. All right. (He hangs up and thinks for a minute. Then he reaches for the phone and begins to dial another number.) Hello? Is Councillor Mitchell still there, please? Operator: Putting you through. Hazell: Stan... There's something I'd like you to do for me. Scene: It's a dark and foggy night back at Danny and William's gipsy caravan. Danny wakes up and checks his father's bunk, but it's empty. He looks at the clock and sees that it's after 11:00. He opens the caravan door and shines a flashlight around the yard. Danny: Dad? (He runs to the garage and checks in there.) Dad? (He shines the flashlight around.) Dad? (He checks the floor pit, but it's empty as well. He then turns to the office but still can't find him.) Dad? (Frightened, he stands in the yard looking around.) Dad? Where are you? Finally we see Danny wrapped in a blanket sitting on the steps of the gipsy caravan. He's nearly asleep when he hears a noise. A silhouette appears on the hill. Danny climbs down and see that it's his father. William: Danny? Danny: (Running to him.) Dad! William: Danny, what're you doing? Danny: Where have you been? I thought something terrible had happened to you. (They hug and William carries him inside.) Inside, Danny lights the fire. William: I'm sorry Danny, I was wrong. I shouldn't have done it. I didn't think you'd wake up. You never do. Danny: Done what Dad? Where've you been? William: I've been up to Hazell's Woods. Danny: But that's miles! Why? Why? William: (Thinks for a minute.) Do you know what poaching is? Danny: You mean, catching things? William: Yes, well, it's rather more than that, actually. It's going out to the woods in the middle of the night and coming home with a nice, fat pheasant for the pot. Danny: But that's stealin'! William: What? No it's not. Danny: But it is. William: (Stops to think.) How would you like a midnight feast? And I will explain to you the mysterious art of poaching. As the sausages sizzle in a frying pan, Danny's father continues. William: Well, now, once upon a time... Danny: Dad... William: Do you want your sausages? (Danny smiles.) Then listen to your old dad. Once upon a time, people who lived in the country were incredibly poor. In fact, some of them were starving. And they were so poor, that they had to poach their own food in order to survive. Danny: But that was ages ago. William: (While preparing the food.) No, not so long ago. In your grandfather's day. And then, when things got better, people just continued poaching because... well because... well because it's one of the most exciting and difficult sports there is. Danny: (Munching on a sausage.) But the pheasants still belong to somebody, don't they? William: Ah, well yes. Strictly speaking. I mean, legally, they belong to the person whose land they happen to be on at the time. Now that's never really bothered anyone around here. Not, of course, until Mr. Smarty Pants Hazell came and bought up all the land. (Hands Danny a cup of tea.) Tea, sir. Hot. (William sits down and takes a sip of his own tea.) Oh, I hate organized shoots like Hazell's. Danny: Why? William: Because they're unnatural. I mean, they're against nature. Do you know why he's got so many pheasants? (Danny shakes his head.) Because he buys them as chicks. He puts them in pens and the keepers feed them like, like, pets. And when they're released they're practically tame! Then on the big day of the shoot, an army of beaters crashes through the wood and frightens them all up into the air and a load of rich idiots who couldn't hit a barn at fifty paces blasts the senses out of them. Well, that's disgusting. That's organized slaughter. (Collects himself.) Now poaching, on the other hand, is a quite different matter. It's one man on his own. It's the hunter and his prey. And the pheasants have a chance. I mean, it's not easy to catch a pheasant. And anyway, there's the added spice of the keepers lurking behind the trees with loaded shotguns. Danny: Guns! They wouldn't shoot you would they? William: Well Hazell's keepers might. But in the old days they'd just pepper your backside a bit. Your old grandfather had a backside like a pincushion. Danny: (Yawning.) Grandpa was a poacher? William: He studied the art of poaching like, like, a scientist. Your grandfather discovered one of the greatest secrets of poaching. Danny: (Drifting off.) What was that? William: It's time you were in bed, young man. Danny: Aww, Dad, please. I'm all right. William: No Danny, it's a secret. Danny: Please. William: Well... (Thinking.) I suppose my Dad told me, so that I should tell you. Pass it on, so to speak. Like a family heirloom. (He digs in his coat pockets and pulls out a paper cone.) The thing he discovered, Master Daniel, (pulls out a raisin) was that pheasants love-- (He sees Danny is asleep.) Pheasants love raisins. (He pops the raisin in his mouth.) He puts Danny to bed while "Pheasants love raisins" echoes in Danny's head. Scene: The next morning, William begins teaching Danny the art of poaching. They're crouching behind a fence post near some chickens. William: Now keep very still. Don't let them see you. If we just stay here a minute... Chickens like raisins too. Not as much as pheasants though. They adore them. My old dad didn't stop there. (We see a chicken pecking at the ground near a paper cone similar to the one William pulled out of his pocket the night before.) He thought about it. And one day the idea hit him. Watch. (The chicken is getting closer.) Watch that one. (The chicken pecks in the cone and it becomes stuck on his head.) Gotcha! Come on. (They jump up and head over to the chicken.) You can prod her. Stroke her, go on. (Danny pets the chicken, but it doesn't move.) You can do anything you like to her. She won't move! If she was a pheasant we could snap her up right now. See that's the beauty of it. That's the poetry. It's completely silent. Go on. (He removes the cone and tosses the bird aside.) The Sticky Hat, my old dad used to call it. (Danny examines the cone.) And it's a landmark invention in the history of poaching. (They hear a car approaching.) Hello, it sounds like business. Come on. A car is pulling into the filling station. It's not running smoothly though, and it backfires often. Danny and William watch nearby. William: Uh-oh. Danny: Who's this? Dad? The passengers (a well-dressed man and woman) get out and head towards the office. It's Miss Hunter (played by Jean Marsh) and Mr. Parker (played by John Grillo). William: Danny, I've got a job for you. But not until I tip you the wink, all right? Miss Hunter goes back to the car and honks the horn. William: Morning! Hunter: Ah, morning. Mr. Smith? William: Yes. Hunter: Name's Hunter. District Council Child Welfare Department. (William shakes her hand.) This is my colleague Mr. Parker. Parker: Housing. (He shakes William's hand.) William: Good morning. Hunter: Now Mr. Smith, we've had a... William: A report. Yes, I thought you might be getting one. Hunter: Ah, did you indeed. Well, we're empowered under Section 3-- William: If you want to inspect the place I've no objection. (Gesturing.) This is the workshop, office, stalls... Hunter: Living accommodation? William: Around the back. I'd be very happy to show you around. Hunter: I see. Well, I'm glad you're adopting a responsible attitude. Hmm. Hunter and Parker head off, while William whispers something to Danny. William goes to join the inspectors while Danny gets tools from the workshop. The inspectors measure the caravan, the bathtub, the outhouse, etc. while Danny goes to work on their car. Hunter: I've never seen anything like it in my life. A tin tub to wash in, a hole in the ground to... Do you really think this is the proper way to bring up a child in this day and age? William: I do, Miss Hunter. In this day and age especially. Why don't we discuss this over a cup of tea? Hunter: According to our records, you didn't send Danny to school until he was seven and a half. Now are you aware of the legal requirements? William: Yes, I'm perfectly well aware. You see, I taught Danny myself. Hunter: Oh. I'm afraid that just won't do, Mr. Smith. Law's quite clear. Attendance at a school is compulsory. William: Unless alternative instruction is provided by a qualified teacher. Hunter: Mmm-hmm. William: Well I am a qualified teacher. Hunter: What? William: I taught full-time before the War. Hunter: Ah. Well, did it never occur to you that Danny might benefit from the companionship of children his own age? Hmmph! She takes off towards the car with Parker in tow. Suddenly she spots Danny up to his elbows in her engine. She runs towards him. Hunter: What are you doing? How dare you! Take your hands off my car! This is criminal damage! I shall prosecute! I shall-- William: We thought she sounded a bit rough when you drove up this morning. Do you have trouble starting her in the mornings? Parker: She does. William: Points, is it Danny? Danny: And carburetor. William: Uh-huh. Danny: Fuel pump's a bit wonky too. I can fix it, but it really needs a new one. William: All right, Dan. We'll leave you to it. Hunter: What? William: Your car's in safe hands, Miss Hunter. He does know what he's doing. Now come along and have a cup of tea. Danny continues to work on the car while William leads the other two into the gipsy caravan. William: (While he serves them tea.) Danny's been tinkering with motor cars since... since he could walk. Mr. Parker, tea? Mr. Parker: (Writing something down.) Mmm-hmm. William: I suppose he's the best nine-year-old mechanic in the world. I know I should've asked you first... Well I thought it would convince you that he hasn't been wasting his time. You're right. I should've made him go to school earlier. But... my wife died when he was four months old. (Miss Hunter and Mr. Parker look surprised.) He was all I had. (He looks at a photo of Danny's mother on the mantelpiece.) Hunter: Fine looking girl. (She and Parker look ashamed as they drink their tea.) A horn beeping alerts them that Danny has finished and they go out to the car. William: Sounds like he's ready for us. Danny: If you'd like to try her. Hunter starts the car up and it purrs. Hunter: (Delighted.) Well... Parker: Bless my soul! Hunter: Danny, thank you very much. Well, I'm convinced. And I can assure you you won't be hearing anymore from the council. Danny, you're a lovely boy. You've got the most... spiffing father. Ready, Mr. Parker? Parker: I'm probably talking out of turn, Mr. Smith. But if I were you, I'd hang on to this bit of land of yours . Say no more. Mum's the word, eh? Hunter: (Backing out of the driveway.) Bye! And God bless you both. William: Well done, Dan. Danny: Piece of cake. William: (Starting towards office.) Go... uh... I... Do those tools. Don't forget them there. Danny picks up the tools and follows his father. Danny: Dad? William: Yeah? Danny: About last night. Did you ever do that when I'm asleep and I don't know? William: (Jacking up a car.) Not since your mother died. I made a vow then that I wouldn't go out poaching until you were old enough to be left alone at night. Danny: I'm old enough now. You can go out whenever you like. William: (Looks at him.) Do you mean that? Danny: As long as you tell me. William: Of course I will. Scene: Victor Hazell talks on the phone in his house that night. Hazell: Stan? Victor here. So what happened then? Oh, he'd an answer for everything, did he? Oh, forget it, forget it. Stan... (Pours himself a drink.) When did I ever forget a favor? Yeah, yeah, I suppose that could be arranged. Goodbye. (Hangs up phone.) An answer to everything, eh? We'll see about that. (Drinks.) Scene: William is walking Danny to school the next morning down a country path. William: (Gesturing.) Weasel, Danny. You missed it. It went down there. I love weasels. Brave little animal. Did you know that a mother weasel will fight to the death to protect her young even against a fox which is a hundred times bigger than her? Danny: A hundred times-- William: Shhh! (They hear a squeaking noise and stop.) Danny: What? William: Do you hear that? (More squeaking.) Come on. (They step off the path.) Shh, shh. Don't frighten it. Don't frighten it. (They see a small rabbit caught in a trap.) Barbaric. Did you know, he'll chew right through his leg? Shh, shh. (William starts trying to get the trap off.) Bite it right off to get out of this. It's a vile thing. Just what you'd expect from Hazell. Here you go. (The rabbit is freed.) Off you, go on. Go on. (William stands and looks at the Hazell Estates sign. A bell ringing is heard.) Danny: Dad! (Checks his father's pocket watch.) Oh no! William: Come on, Dan. (They rush off to the school.) Scene: In the classroom, Captain Lancaster is sitting at his desk. Danny takes a deep breath before the door and then goes in. Capt. Lancaster: Ahh, Smith. Oh, how kind of you to grace us with your presence at last. Danny: I'm sorry, sir. My dad told me to tell you that-- Capt. Lancaster: Don't want any of your excuses. You're late, boy. Late! Come here. (Danny slowly walks to the front.) Now, what did I saw about unpunctuality, hmm? I said it would be punished, didn't I? One thousand lines by tomorrow morning. Now get to your place. Scene: Danny dejectedly walks into the garage at home after school. Danny: Hey Dad. William: Hi Danny. (Danny sits.) What happened? Danny: I got a thousand lines. William: Well, didn't you explain? Danny: Didn't get a chance to. William: He's got it in for you, this Captain Lancaster, doesn't he? Danny: S'pose I better get on with it. (Leaves.) Scene: It's dusk, and Danny sits in the caravan writing out his lines: "I must not be late for Captain Lancaster." His father enters. William: How's it going? (He hangs a set of keys on a hook near the door.) Danny: Five hundred and forty-seven lines to go. William: I thought I might go out again tonight. Is that all right? Danny: Of course. William: I shall be back by nine. But don't wait up. Lights out in bed at eight. Promise? Danny: Promise. You will be back? William: Of course I will. Unless the keepers catch me. (Sees look on Danny's face.) Don't worry, love! They won't. (Danny smiles.) I'll be up at Hazell's Woods. (Touches his nose and winks.) Scene: Later that night, Danny wakes and sees that his father's bunk is empty. He checks the clock. It's after midnight. He remembers that his father said he'd be back by nine. He looks out into the yard. Danny: Dad? Dad! Danny looks like he might cry. He gets an idea. He grabs the keys from the hook by the door. We see him in the garage, wearing his coat and carrying a flashlight. He climbs into a tiny red car (an Austin). He starts the car and backs it out of the garage. He puts it into gear and heads for the road. Danny: Lights... Instead he puts on the windshield wipers. Eventually he finds the headlight switch, but he nearly runs off the road in the process. Finally he's on his way. We see a police car coming in the other direction further down the road. Danny shifts into the next gear and is feeling good. The two cars pass each other and Danny has a slight smile. Suddenly he looks in his rear-view mirror and sees that the other car has slammed on its brakes. The policemen inside confer about what they've just seen. Danny knows that he must hurry and get to the turn before they catch him. Unfortunately he shifts incorrectly and the motor dies. He tries to quickly stop it from rolling and restart it. Meanwhile, the police car is turning around. Danny gets his car started and continues. He keeps checking his mirror expecting to see the police, who aren't far behind him. Suddenly Danny sees his turn and whips off the road. He gets behind the bushes and shuts off the motor. The police drive right past. Danny collapses into his seat with relief. He remembers his task, though, and climbs outside the car. With his flashlight on, he starts wandering through the dark woods. Suddenly he sees more lights up ahead. He turns off his flashlight and dives behind a tree. He hears voices. It's the two keepers. 1st Keeper: Here. Did you see a light? 2nd Keeper: Nah. They turn to walk away but they stop when they hear a noise (Danny's foot). 1st Keeper: What was that? 2nd Keeper: Nothing. Come on, let's get on with it. I wanna get on home. Him with his fancy ideas. Doesn't pay us fancy wages, does he? They walk off. Danny gets to his feet and follows them. He only goes a few steps when he sees the men pointing their flashlights at the ground. 1st Keeper: I think we got one! 2nd Keeper: You're not gonna hide your face? (They shine their lights into a pit, and we can see William at the bottom covering his face.) We got you now, me lad. (Laughs.) 1st Keeper: Let's have the beggar out. 2nd Keeper: No, we're gonna fetch Hazell. This was his idea. He can take responsibility. Come on. 1st Keeper: Hey, wait a minute. We can't leave him here. 2nd Keeper: Look, if he could get out, he would've got out. Come on. The men leave and Danny creeps over to the pit. Danny: Dad? (He shines his light on William.) Is that you, Dad? William: Danny? Danny: Are you all right? William: (Can't believe what he sees.) Danny. I think I've broke my ankle. I don't know how I can get out. Danny: There's a tow rope in the back of the Austin William: Here? (Danny smiles.) Good boy. Danny runs off to get the rope. Meanwhile, the two keepers are walking up to Hazell's big manor house, where a fancy party is going on. 1st Keeper: (Looking at party in disgust.) It's all right for some. Back in the woods, Danny gets the rope and runs to his father. At the party, the two keepers explain what they've found to Hazell. He whistles for his gun and a flashlight. Still dressed in his tuxedo, he takes off with the two keepers. Meanwhile Danny's got the rope tied around the tree and throws the end to his father. William: Good boy. William tries to pull himself out, but he collapses near the top. William: Ow! Danny: Are you all right, Dad? Hazell and his men are getting closer. William tries again. Danny grabs his arm and pulls. William slides back down again. Hazell's men are still closer. William gives it one last try. William: Pull me, Danny! William manages to make it out of the pit. He hobbles off with Danny just before Hazell gets to the pit. Hazell shines his light down happily. Hazell: Well, well, well... His face falls when he realizes that no one's there. Meanwhile Danny and William have reached the car. Hazell: You bloody fools! 2nd Keeper: I don't understand this-- Suddenly they hear a car motor starting. William and Danny are about to pull out. William: Now you're in reverse... Hazell yells at the keepers. Hazell: Well, get after 'im! The keepers take off running towards the car. Unfortunately for Danny, the Austin is in some mud and the wheels are spinning. William: Give it a bit more acceleration. You're skidding. (They know the keepers are getting closer and closer.) Now give her some gun... A bit more, bit more... (Trying to stay calm.) Good boy. Gently now with the clutch. That's right. (They manage to get the car backed out.) That's it, clutch in. Clutch in! Danny gets the car into gear and they take off, just before the keepers get to them. Danny and William laugh as they realize they've made it. William: Woooh! Back in the woods, Victor Hazell lights a cigar. 2nd Keeper: It was that beggar from the garage, Sir. I just know it was. Hazell: Course it was. 2nd Keeper: Yeah, well, if he tries that again-- Hazell: He will. Rabbetts, I don't have to remind you that you are legally entitled to shoot him on sight. (The keepers look shocked.) Yes, I want him. I don't care how you get him. Just get him! There's a hundred quid apiece in it for you when you do. Hazell walks off, leaving the keepers stunned. Scene: Back at the garage in the morning, William lies on the floor while Doc Spencer calls for an ambulance. Doc: Yes. (He looks at Danny, who sits near his father.) Well, they're on their way. (He gently touches William's foot, who winces.) Oh sorry. You really ought to take something for the pain, you know. William: (Drinking tea.) This'll do me. Doc: Well, we can be too stoical, you know. Hmmm. Bloody awful man, Hazell. (Embarrassed.) Oh, sorry, Dan. You didn't hear that. Absolutely appalling. I mean, you could've been killed, you know. Oh yes, you could! You could. And... good heavens, I was thinking of popping up to the woods myself one of these nights. (Danny looks up surprised.) Oh no, it's disgraceful, that's the thing. That's really disgraceful. Sergeant Samways rides up to the garage on his bike. Doc: Ah-ha. Samways: Morning, William. William: Morning, Enoch. Samways: Danny. Danny: Morning. Samways: Doc. Doc: Morning, Sergeant. Samways: (Parks his bike and comes to look at William's ankle.) Ooh. That do look nasty. Is it broken? (William nods.) Ah. We've had a complaint from Mr. Lord God Almighty Hazell. William: Oh yes? Samways: Yes, he's got some idea in his head that you was up in his woods last night poaching his pheasants and that you might have broken your ankle. (Danny and William look concerned.) So I'm afraid I gotta take a statement. (Pulls out his notebook.) Right then. Can you account for your whereabouts last night? (William thinks for a minute, but before he can speak, Samways continues.) The suspect replied that he was 'at home all night.' (William looks up surprised, while Doc gives Samways an approving smile.) Now, how do you account for the fact that your ankle is broken? The suspect replied that he broke it 'haccidental, falling down the steps of his caravan'. (William smiles at Samways.) Doc: That's very good. Very good. (We hear an engine.) Samways: That'll be your ambulance, doctor. William is put onto a gurney and lifted into the ambulance. William: Don't worry, my love. I'll be back tonight. Danny: Good luck, Dad. Danny and his father wave at each other as the ambulance drives off. Doc: Well done, Sergeant. (Reassuring Danny, who is crying a little.) They'll just set the bone and plaster him up. He'll be as right as rain. Samways: Right, I'll be off now then. Sergeant Samways rides off. Scene: Later that day, Danny puts away supplies in the garage while the rain falls. A taxi pulls up and William and the doctor climb out. William's got a cast on his left foot with a metal bar sticking out beneath. He's walking with a cane. Doc: Now wait. Easy, there, easy. Danny: (Running to him.) Dad, are you all right? William: I'm all right, my love. A bit woozy. (They help him towards the office.) Danny: I got up at two! William: Oh, two... A horn is heard, and Hazell's Rolls Royce pulls up. He climbs out, along with the two keepers. Hazell: I'm getting wet, Rabbetts! (One of the keepers runs around and holds up an umbrella over him.) So, we fell down our own stairs, did we? Doc: Now look here. You listen to me-- Hazell: No, you listen to me. Do you think I don't know what's going on here? You think I don't know you're all in this together? What do you take me for? I'm warnin' you, Smith. You trespass on my land again, you're gonna get shot. Doc: Who the devil do you think you are? (Poking Hazell in the chest.) Just because you've got a little bit of money you think you've got the right to, to-- Hazell: Shut up, will you! Did you hear me, Smith? William: At the moment, Mr. Hazell, you're on my land. You have one minute to get off it. Come on, Doc. William, Danny, and Doc head for the caravan while Hazell and the keepers go back to the car. 2nd Keeper: Summons the beggar, Sir! Hazell: Nah, I wanna catch him red-handed. 2nd Keeper: Yes, that's all very well, Sir, but he ain't gonna try it again! Hazell: Of course he will! He won't be able to resist it! He'll risk anything to get even with me. And when we get him, boys, we'll see what he'll take for this precious garage of his. (Laughs as he gets in the car.) Scene: In the caravan, Danny lights the lamp while William and Doc have a drink. The Doc drinks his whiskey and coughs. William: Better? Doc: Much better. You know, that fellow... He really ought to be... Yes, I mean, he ought to be... Well, he ought to be... William: He will be. I'll see to that. Doc: Well, a lovely tea, Danny. Thank you. (Pulls out some pills from his pocket.) And now, William, this is to make you sleep. William: Oh, no no no. No, honestly. Doc: Oh, yes, yes yes, honestly. Straight to bed, too. Danny: (Takes the pills to his father.) Go on, Dad. William: All right, then. (He swallows the pills.) Scene: The next day, the students are all hunched over their desks at school writing furiously. Sidney: (Whispers.) Hey, Danny! Danny: What? They both look down as they realize Captain Lancaster is watching. Capt. Lancaster: You two boys. (Everyone looks around.) Stand up. (Danny and Sidney don't move.) Morgan. Smith. Up. (They reluctantly stand.) Now, what were you whispering about, hmm? Danny: Nothing, sir. Capt. Lancaster: You were cheating. Danny: No, sir. Capt. Lancaster: You were cheating. Come out here, both of you. They walk slowly to the front as Lancaster gets down his cane from a special case. Capt. Lancaster: Smith? Here. Hold out your hand. Danny: I was not cheating, sir. Capt. Lancaster: Boys who whisper during exams are cheating as far as I'm concerned. Hold out your hand. Danny holds out his palm and Lancaster whacks it with the cane. The class gasps. Danny stumbles with his hand between his legs. Capt. Lancaster: Smith, I haven't finished yet. With tears in his eyes, Danny straightens and holds out his hand again. Captain Lancaster raises his arm to strike. Mr. Snoddy: Captain Lancaster! I'd like a word with you. Immediately, if you please. Lancaster follows Snoddy out of the classroom, while the other students gather around Danny and help him to his desk. Scene: In Mr. Snoddy's office. Mr. Snoddy: Captain Lancaster, I thought I made it crystal clear when I appointed you that I will not tolerate any form of corporal punishment in my school. Capt. Lancaster: I was perfectly within my rights. The boys were cheating. Mr. Snoddy: Oh, were they? Were they, indeed? Mr. Snoddy walks over to the classroom. Mr. Snoddy: Danny? (He gestures for Danny and Sidney to come out in the hall.) The rest of you sit down. Sit down. Try and be good. (He closes the door and addresses the boys.) Now then, on your word of honor, were either of you cheating just now? (Captain Lancaster watches from the office doorway.) Danny? Danny: No, sir. Mr. Snoddy: Sidney? Sidney: No, sir. Mr. Snoddy: All right. Back to class. (He ushers them back to their classroom.) Captain Lancaster, if I catch you using the cane ever again in my school you'll be out on your ear. Is that understood? Is that understood, sir? Capt. Lancaster: Yes, sir. Mr. Snoddy: Good, sir. (Lancaster goes back to his class.) Scene: That afternoon, Danny comes home and goes to the garage. His father is in the pit working on a car. Danny: Hello Dad. William: Hello Dan. (He bangs on a nut that's stuck and hurts his hand.) Ow! Damn this nut. Danny: Try this one. (Goes to hand him a wrench but changes hands to hide his injured one.) William: What's the matter with your hand? (Danny doesn't answer, so he grabs it and opens it up. He sees the ugly red mark.) Who did this? Who did this, Danny? Danny: Dad... William: Was it Lancaster? Danny: He thought me and Sid were cheating. William: Cheating. You. Right. (He jumps out of the pit.) Danny: Where are you going? William: I'm gonna see this Captain Lancaster. Danny: (Danny jumps up.) Dad, please don't! Please! William: (Starting to put on his coat.) And I'm going to beat the living daylights out of him. Danny: Please don't. It'll only make everything worse. William: It'll make him stop and think before he lays a hand on a child again. I guarantee that. Danny: I'll hate you if you do it. William: Danny. Danny: You've always taught me to fight my own battles. You've always said... William: I'm sorry Danny. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're right. You're right. I'm all angry inside and when people get like that, it just... comes out. I want to get even with Hazell and I can't. (He goes to get a drink of water.) I have this dream... You know the shooting season starts on Saturday? Danny: Yeah. William: Well, they'll all be up there. All be up at Hazell's. All the local bigwigs and the toffs down from London. Oh, they don't give a fig for Hazell, but they know his fields will be crawling with pheasants. That's all they care about. (Leaning forward conspiratorially.) But what if... it wasn't? Danny: But what if what wasn't? William: What if there wasn't a pheasant in sight? Nothing. (Danny laughs.) What if someone had poached the lot? It'd make him the laughingstock of the county? He'd never show his face 'round here again. Danny: It's a fantastic idea! William: Yeah. Trouble is, no one can poach six or seven hundred pheasants. (Sadly.) It's impossible. Scene: In the gypsy caravan that night, Danny is making some tea and notices the bottle of sleeping pills on the shelf above him. He takes down the bottle and looks at it. He remembers Doc saying: "This is to... make you sleep." William comes in and joins him. Danny: Dad? I think I've had an idea. Scene: Danny and William are in Doc's office the next morning. Doc: It's, it's... it's... absolutely flabbergasting. William: If it works, it will make Danny the all-time champion of the world. Can you give us the stuff? Doc: Well, eh, yes... of course. But I think it will require a little... a little planning. Military planning. Danny and his father then head to the general store and pass Mr. Snoddy on his way out. William: (Tipping his cap.) Afternoon, Snoddy. (Thinks.) Oooh, would you, uh...? (He draws Snoddy close and begins to talk.) Then William and Danny go inside the store. Shopkeeper: Raisins, eh? (Winking at them.) One bag do you? William: How many have you got? Shopkeeper: Oh, I don't know. Twenty or thirty I suppose. William: (Looks at Danny.) We'll take the lot. (Shopkeeper is stunned.) Scene: Back at home, William and Danny open the bags and pour the raisins into large bowls to soak. Then William begins opening the many bottles of sleeping pills Doc has provided and grinding the tablets into a powder. William: This should just put them to sleep for a day and a night. Then we'll snaff them. Easy as pie. (Danny sets down a bowl of raisins ready to be prepared.) Let's have a go. William begins by nicking the raisin with a razor blade. Then he uses a pocket knife blade to fill it with the sleeping powder. Lastly he sews it up with a needle and thread. William: Darling, I think we're going to do it! They continue to prepare raisins all day, and that night Danny's head is drooping on the table. William: You should go to bed, my love. I've got all tomorrow. I'll close up for the day. Danny goes to bed while William continues to prepare the raisins. He also folds some burlap bags to put the pheasants in. Scene: Next morning, William is rushing Danny out the door for school. William: Come on Dan. Hurry up. Now come straight back after school, all right? If we're not up the woods by sunset we'll be too late. Danny! (Gives Danny his forgotten school bag.) Go on. (Danny rushes off to school.) Scene: Captain Lancaster is pacing through the classroom watching the students write. He's got a metal clip he's holding behind his back that he's snapping. Sidney elbows Danny, who has fallen asleep on the desk. But Danny doesn't wake up. Lancaster walks over to him and snaps the clip right by Danny's head. He jerks awake. Capt. Lancaster: Having forty winks are we, Smith? Well, we'll have to wake you up a bit, won't we? Stay behind after the bell. Danny: But sir, I've got to get home. Capt. Lancaster: You'll do as you're told, boy. After the bell rings that day, the other students happily leave while Mr. Snoddy watches from his office. Nearby, Danny waits with Captain Lancaster. Capt. Lancaster: Right, Smith. (Opening door.) Danny: Please, sir, I'll do any other punishment. I just can't be late tonight. Capt. Lancaster: Then you'd better put a bit of beef into it, hadn't you? Twenty times. At the double. Danny heads out into the schoolyard and begins running laps as Lancaster watches. Capt. Lancaster: Come on, boy. Pick those feet up. Hup hup hup! Back the caravan, William checks his watch and wonders where Danny is. At school, as soon as Captain Lancaster looks away Danny darts behind a shed and climbs over the wall. By the time Lancaster realizes it, Danny's disappeared. Capt. Lancaster: Smith? Smith! Lancaster heads towards the shed and figures out what's happened. He tries to climb up the wall but he gets his trousers caught on a nail. As he tries to go over, his pants rip further and further. Mr. Snoddy comes out and sees him. Mr. Snoddy: Captain Lancaster. What on earth are you doing, man? Capt. Lancaster: (Trying to hold on and keep his pants up.) I'm... He was... This is the school... It's a bear pit. The most disgusting shambles I've ever seen. I'm resigning. You heard me! As of now. (He falls to the ground.) Mr. Snoddy: Good. Scene: In Hazell's wood, Danny and William - wearing dark clothing with black on their faces - are scattering raisins for the pheasants. The birds happily peck away. Suddenly William hears the keepers nearby and he and Danny dive for cover. The keepers have heard something too. 2nd Keeper: Wait a minute! (They listen.) Nah. 1st Keeper: What's that? (Pointing in the opposite direction.) William: (To Danny.) If they see the raisins... The keepers walk over to check on the birds. To distract them, William breaks a stick. 2nd Keeper: Ah-ha! Ah-ha. This way, this way. (The keepers run towards William.) Stay here. The keeper walks around searching, but Danny and William are too well hidden. Danny's hand is sticking out, though, and the keeper stands right on it. Danny tries to remain silent and still. The keeper eventually moves. 2nd Keeper: How about this? And what for? 1st Keeper: About a hundred quid. 2nd Keeper: A hundred quid? Our lad won't be out poaching with his leg in plaster, will he? Hmm. I'm certainly not standing out here all night on the wages I get paid. (Starts to leave.) Are you comin'? The two keepers leave and William breathes a sigh of relief. William: Are you all right, Danny? (Danny stands and stretches his fingers.) Let me see your hand. (William kisses it.) William and Danny continue spreading raisins until their sacks are empty. William: All we can do now is to wait. As the birds fly up to roost, Danny and William sit on the forest floor. Danny: Maybe it isn't going to work, Dad. Maybe there's something we haven't thought of. William: Give it time. Danny: What? William: Give it time. (Looks up at the trees nervously.) They wait longer, but nothing is happening. Just as William looks like he's about to give up, they hear a thump. Then another. Two birds have fallen from the trees. William: Come on, Dan! They stand there laughing as the birds begin to literally rain down around them. They do a dance of joy. Meanwhile, two cars and a truck pull up to the woods. It's Doc, Mr. Snoddy, and the Postman. William beckons for them to come and see. There stands Danny surrounded by hundreds of sleeping pheasants. Mr. Snoddy: (Incredulous.) Oh my laddies... It's a pic! The men begin packing the birds into the burlap sacks and then onto the trucks. Later, Danny helps unpack them onto a bed of straw back in the garage. Mr. Snoddy: Well, that's the last. I can hardly believe it! It's historic! Doc: (Looking at all the birds.) What are we going to do with them all when they wake up? William: What do you think we should do with them, Danny? Danny: (Considers.) Let them go. Mr. Snoddy: Well said, lad. William: Danny, we've got to spread the good news. The men make a fire balloon and and light it. William: Okay, let's let her go. (The balloon rises into the night sky.) Oh, it's a good one, Danny. This'll let the village know. Scene: In the village, a crowd of people see the balloon. Woman: What does it mean, John? Man: Well, that means they did it! They got the lot. Nearby, the shopkeeper sees the balloon on his way home and grins happily. At the vicarage, Mrs. Clipstone sees it. Mrs. Clipstone: Lionel, look! Vicar: Oohh! Sergeant Samways sees the balloon and tips his helmet. Scene: That morning at Victor Hazell's estate, Rabbetts is addressing a crowd of men (beaters). Rabbetts: Morning. Men: Morning, morning. Rabbetts: Take your names. Fred Furty? Man: Yeah. Rabbetts: Tommy Stanton? Man: Here... Scene: Victor Hazell is standing on the steps of his house talking to his butler and waving to his arriving guests. Two well-to-do men speak in the yard and are served punch in silver cups by a maid. Lord Claybury (played by Michael Hordern): What the devil does Hazell think this is? A wedding? Charles Tallon (played by John Woodvine): I suppose he thinks it's traditional. Claybury: Traditional? Punch at a shoot? Good God, the fellow's a-- (Hazell walks over.) Morning, Hazell. Hazell: Good morning, Lord Claybury... Charles. Claybury: Expecting a record bag today? Hazell: Well, we'll try not to disappoint you. Could you spare a moment, Charles? (He leads Tallon away.) The Duke (played by Andrew Maclachlan): (Walking by.) Morning, Claybury. Claybury: Morning, Duke. What do you think of this? Punch, at a shoot! Duke: Exactly what you'd expect from a fellow like Hazell. Doesn't know the first thing. Claybury: No. Duke: Shouldn't be out here at all this early in the season. Nonsense. Scene: Inside the house, Hazell and Tallon look over a large blueprint. Tallon: I'm impressed Victor. Hazell: How impressed? Tallon: You're going to have a lot of local opposition. Old Claybury, for instance. He'll go mad. Hazell: He's mad already. No one's going to listen to him. Tallon: Perhaps. What about the village? they're not going to be very happy about a new town in their backyard. Voice of the people, you know. Hazell: It's all in line with government policy. And I bought out every acre I need. Tallon: (Looking closer at the map.) What about this plot here? (Gestures on the map at William's property.) Garage, small holding, whatever it is. Hazell: (Pulls the map away from him.) Got it. Tallon: How much did it cost you? (Hazell just looks at him.) That's the key to the whole thing, or didn't the owner know that? Hazell: I must have forgotten to tell him. Tallon: All right, Victor. I think I can persuade the Board. (They shake hands.) I'm in. Scene: Up on a hillside, all the rich people begin to prepare for the shoot. Claybury: What's the, uh, best stand for the first drive, Rabbetts? (He sticks some money in Rabbett's pocket.) Rabbetts: That'll be number four, my Lord. Claybury: Number four. In the woods, Rabbetts gives the beaters their final instructions. Rabbetts: Listen! First drive's up through the woods to the house. Everybody know it? Men: Aye. Rabbetts: Now keep the line straight and use those sticks. (Checks his watch.) Right then. Let's get on with it. The beaters disappear into the woods. Nearby, Danny drops out of the tree where he's been eavesdropping. He and William go get ready to watch. Meanwhile, another keeper is handing out stand numbers to the shooters. Keeper: Number seven. Duke: (Not happy.) Hmmph. Keeper: Number four. Claybury: Number four? Good show. Back in the woods, the villagers gather to watch the action. The beaters are working their way through the woods driving the (non-existent) birds forward. Rabbetts: Come on! Hup, hup! Keep that line straight! On the hill, the shooters look around in confusion. The beaters are advancing, making noise and whacking with sticks, but no birds are appearing. The villagers laugh to themselves. Duke: (Over his shoulder.) What's going on? Rabbetts knows something is wrong. He runs around looking desperately for pheasants. Hazell: What's going on? Keeper: I don't know, sir. (Rabbetts runs out of the woods.) Ah, there he is now, sir. Excuse me. (Goes to meet Rabbetts.) They confer while Hazell looks around nervously. Finally he goes to join them. Hazell: What the devil's happening, eh? Where've all the birds gone? Rabbetts: I can't understand it. Claybury and Duke wonder what's happening. Suddenly a bird appears in the sky. Claybury excitedly takes aim and fires. Duke: Silly ass. Claybury: What? Duke: It's a sparrow! Claybury: Sparrow? (Realizing.) Sparrow. (As Hazell starts back down the hill.) Is that all you have to offer us, Hazell? One sparrow? The shooters laugh heartily and head back towards the house. Meanwhile, Danny, Doc, and William are driving back to the garage exploding with laughter. Back at the house, Hazell is furious. Keeper: Nothing in the woods, sir. Hazell: What do you mean, nothing? Keeper: Well, nothing. Hazell: Now you listen to me. I can't keep them hanging around much longer. So find me some birds, or you can find yourself another job. The keepers take off driving through the countryside looking for the birds. Scene: Back at the garage, the pheasants are waking up. Doc: Oh my! Oh, they're waking up. The pills seem to be wearing off. (Hundreds of birds are coming out of the garage.) Danny: Dad, they'll shoot them! William: They'll shoot us too Danny if they spot where the birds are coming from. The three of them try to keep the birds from flying off, but it's impossible. William: Get 'im, Danny. Get him. Nearby, the keepers have seen the birds in the sky. Keeper: (Pointing.) Pheasants! They get Hazell and rush off to the garage. The truck and the Rolls Royce knock Sergeant Samways off the road. He gets up and composes himself. Meanwhile, all the rich shooters have joined the chase as well. There's a line of Rolls Royces roaring through the village. They all pull up at the garage, where there are still pheasants walking around. Hazell gets out of the car. Hazell: (Brushing a pheasant off the hood.) Get off the paint. (Addressing William.) Well, well, well. I've got you this time. Sergeant Samways has arrived. Samways: Hazell. You're in for it now, my lad. Dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention... Hazell: Ah, Sergeant. The very man I wanted to see. Samways: Hmm? Hazell: Why don't you do something useful for a change and arrest this man? Samways: Arrest him? What for? Hazell: Don't pretend to be more of a fool than you are. For stealing my pheasants. Enough evidence, isn't there? Samways: (Looks down at the birds by his feet.) Are you claiming these birds is your birds, sir? Hazell: Of course they're my birds, you blockhead. Samways: I'm not so sure about that, sir. Hazell: You're not so sure about that. Well, who else's bloody birds would they be? Samways: Language, sir! (Mrs. Clipstone covers Danny's ears.) Please. At the present moment, sir, these birds is on Mr. Smith's land. In which case, these be Mr. Smith's birds. That's the law. Claybury: Not doubt about it. He's quite right. It's the law! Hazell: What? Tallon: Mr. Smith? (Beckons William to the side.) William: Yes? Tallon: Am I to understand that you still own this land? William: I certainly do. Tallon: I see. My name is Charles Tallon... (Hands William a business card.) The Premiere Building Corporation. If you're thinking of selling... William: Which I'm not. Tallon: I didn't think you were. I'm afraid the deal's off Hazell. And something tells me that you won't be building your new town here. Claybury: (Shocked.) New town!? (Collective gasp.) Hazell, what-- Hazell: Shut up, you doddering old fool! Blast you. (The villagers begin to laugh.) Blast you all! Hazell gets in his car and drives off. Doc: Excuse me, I... We don't understand. Tallon: Well, it's quite simple. Hazell was never interested in pheasants or shooting. He was going to use the whole of his estates for a new town. Luckily for you, Mr. Smith here seems to have saved the day. William: Not me, Danny. If he hadn't rescued me from the wood, Hazell would've forced me to sell the land. Doc: Yes, I rather think he would, wouldn't he? Claybury: Then it's three cheers for Danny! Hip hip... Crowd: Hooray! Claybury: Hip hip... Crowd: Hooray! Mr. Snoddy: God bless you, Danny boy. Claybury: Hip hip... Crowd: Hooray! The crowd sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" as the credits roll. ------------------------------------------ SUPPORTING CAST: Doc Spencer: Cyril Cusack Lord Claybury: Michael Hordern Mr. Snoddy: Lionel Jeffries Miss Hunter: Jean Marsh Rabbetts: Jimmy Nail Captain Lancaster: Ronald Pickup Tallon: John Woodvine Springer: William Armstrong Mrs. Clipstone: Ceri Jackson Vicar: James Walker Postman: Phil Nice Wheeler: Anthony Collin Samways: Jonathan Adams Sidney: Jonathan Leigh Inspector: Richard Cubison Mr. Parker: John Grillo The Duke: Andrew Maclachlan Filmed on location in Oxfordshire, with special thanks to Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames