"어톤먼트"

"1935년
영국"

"끝"

"'아라벨라의 시련'
브라이오니 탤리스 작"

- 다 썼어요
- 잘했구나

엄마 봤어요?

아마 화실에 계시겠지

오늘은 우리 일하는데
방해하지 말렴, 브라이오니

저녁을 10인분이나 준비해야 한단다

- 안녕, 친구, 공연할 거라며?
- 어디서 들었어?

그냥 들었어

- 보러 올 거야?
- 잘 모르겠어

그냥 극본을 보여주면 안 돼?

나한테 합본해서 주곤 했잖아

- 아직 모두 갖고 있어
- 그래도 왔으면 좋겠다

- 생각해볼게
- 그만 가봐야 돼

엄마, 어딨어요?

네 첫 희곡이 굉장하구나

정말요? 리온이 좋아할까요?

좋아하고말고

브라이오니 탤리스의
'아라벨라의 시련' 이라

- 씨
- 왜?

다른 사람이 된다는 건 어떤 기분일까?

멋지겠지

- 연극 때문에 걱정이야
- 명작일 텐데 뭐

연습할 시간이 오후뿐이잖아
쌍둥이들이 연기 못하면 어쩌지?

걔네들한테 잘해 줘

엄마가 바람나 도망갔다면
네 기분은 어떻겠니?

리온에게 그냥 글을 써줄 걸 그랬나 봐

글에 '성' 이라고 써있으면

독자들은 탑과 숲과
그 아래 마을을 상상하잖아

그런데 연극에서는...

관객들이 상상해주길 바랄 수밖에 없어

- 씨
- 응?

요즘 왜 로비랑 말 안 해?

해, 그냥 다른 삶을 살 뿐이야

- 꼭 연극 해야 돼?
- 왜 해야 되는데?

- 리온 오빠를 환영하는 뜻에서
- 연극 싫어

- 나도
- 어떻게 연극을 싫어할 수 있니?

- 잘난 척하는 거잖아
- 연극 할래, 맞을래?

- 부모님께 이른다
- 누나가 어떻게 우릴 때려?

우린 손님이잖아
부모님이 어떻게 행동하라고 했지?

- 피에로?
- 순종

- 잭슨? 순종, 맞았어
- 순종

브라이오니, 어떤 연극이니?

사랑은 좋은 거지만

분별이 있어야 한다는 내용이야

- 네가 아라벨라 역이겠지?
- 꼭 그렇진 않아

- 그럼 내가 해도 돼?
- 우리 누나 학예회 때 연극 했어

하게 해줘, 요즘 들어
계속 안 좋은 일만 있었단 말야

그러지 뭐

그럼 시작해볼까?

언니가 아라벨라면 난 연출할래, 고마워

미안해

서막을 읽을게

'서막'

'이것은 외부인과 도주한'

'충동적인 아라벨라의 이야기이다'

'첫 아이가 이스트본에 가기 위해서'

'집에서 사라진 것을 본 부모님은
몹시 슬펐다'

네?

- 아무것도 아냐, 그냥 보는 거야
- 연습은 비밀인데요

연극은 저녁에 보러 오세요

- 그땐 일해야 되는데
- 미안해요, 대니

- 수영하러 가도 돼?
- 그래, 가자!

- 시간이 없는걸!
- 세실리아는 허락해 줄 거야

30분 휴식도 괜찮을 거야

세실리아!

세실리아, 수영하러 가도 돼요?

그래, 갔다 오렴
너무 깊은 데 가지 말고

한 대 줄래?

- 멋진 날씨야
- 그래, 좀 덥군

- 책은 어때?
- 별로

나아질 거야

필딩이 더 좋아

열정적이지

- 리온이 오늘 오는 거 들었어?
- 응

친구를 데려온대
초콜릿 백만장자인 폴 마샬

- 꽃은 그 사람 주려고?
- 안 될 이유라도 있니?

매력적이라고 리온이 그러던걸

어젯밤에 아빠랑 통화했어
네가 의사가 될 거라고 하시더라

- 응, 생각 중이야
- 학생 노릇 6년 더라

- 안 그럼 어떻게 의사 되냐?
- 그냥 연구원 해

- 일등 했잖아, 안 그래?
- 교수는 싫어

너희 아버지께 돈 갚을 거야

그런 뜻이 아냐

- 내가 도와줄게
- 괜찮아

- 꽃을 들어
- 괜찮다니까

이 바보

저게 얼마나 귀중한 건지 알기나 해?

이젠 없어졌군

조심해!

미...

안녕, 로비!

부추길 필요 없어

씨?

어머니?

- 다 어딨어, 대니?
- 잘 모르겠어요

- 도련님
- 한잔해야겠어

- 한잔할래?
- 응

- 위스키?
- 그래

- 리온!
- 여기 있었군

보고 싶어서 미치는 줄 알았어

- 내 동생 세실리아야, 여긴 폴 마샬
- 말씀 많이 들었어요

- 저도요
- 어디로 안내하지?

파란 방에
엄마는 편두통이 생겨서 누워 계셔

이런 더위에 놀랄 일도 아니지

아기방 옆의 큰 방이에요

아버진 안 오신대?

내각에 급한 일이 있나 봐

- 우리 연극 안 해?
- 응

- 왜?
- 나한테 묻지 마

여기 싫어

새 브랜드가 나오면 언제나 문제가 있지

재마케팅, 재포장, 재구성

어떨 땐 맛까지 다시 만들지
새로운 기술도 말야

관건은 새 아모 초콜릿바의 출시 여부야

아미 아모, 알겠어? 아모 배급?

내각의 소식통이 믿을 만해

학생일 때 그 사람 구두를
닥아주곤 했지

군대에 납품할 수 있을 거라더군

그럼 공장 3개는 더 열어야 해

히틀러가 조용해지지 않으면
징병을 할 테니

그럼 더 많이 필요해

영국과 한 편이 되진 않을 테니까

안 그래?

- 이거 별로야
- 난 칵테일 만들 때

잘게 부순 얼음과 럼
녹인 다크 초콜릿을 넣지, 아주 맛있어

- 오다가 누굴 만났게?
- 로비

- 오늘 밤에 오라고 했어
- 리온, 왜 그랬어?

로비는 아비가 20년 전 버린
가정부의 아들인데

동네 학교 장학금 받다가
우리 아버지 덕에 케임브리지에 갔지

씨도 같은 학교 다니는데
3년 동안 말을 별로 안 섞더군

자기 여자 친구들 옆에도
못 오게 하더라고

담배 있어?

요즘엔 우리 정원일 하면서
허송 세월하고 있지

사실 의사가 되려 해

우리 아버진 허락하시고?

그에게 오지 말라고 해줘

왜? 너희 무슨 일 있었냐?

무슨 소리야?

- 집에 언제 가?
- 곧

집엔 못 가, 이혼했잖아

- 감히 그런 말을!
- 정말이잖아!

다신 그 말하지 마! 알겠어?

- 이젠 어떻게 하지?
- 나도 늘 자문하곤 해

난 폴 마샬이라고 해
너희는 북쪽에서 온 사촌들이겠구나

- 이름들이 뭐지?
- 피에로

- 잭슨

- 멋진 이름들인데

- 우리 부모님 알아요?
- 신문에서 읽었어

- 어떤 걸 읽었는데요?
- 그냥 쓸데없는 소리

애들 앞에서 그런 말 안 하시면
감사하겠어요

너희 부모님은 아주 좋은 분들로

너희들을 사랑하고
언제나 생각하신단다

바지가 멋진데

공연을 보러 갔다가 리버티에서 샀어요

- 무슨 공연?
- '햄릿'

오, 그래, '죽느냐 사느냐'

신발이 맘에 들어요

털가에서 산 더커야
발 모양의 나무 모형을 만들어

영원히 보관하지

배고파요, 저녁은 언제 먹죠?

내 직업이 뭔지 맞히면 알려주마

- 초콜릿 공장 하잖아요
- 누구나 안다고요

그럼 맞힌 게 아니네?

이게 모든 영국 군인의 배급통에
하나씩 들어갈 거다

- 설탕 코팅이라 녹지 않아
- 왜 군인들이 공짜로 사탕을 받죠?

나라를 위해 싸울 거니까

아빠가 전쟁은 없을 거랬어요

너희 아빠가 틀렸어

- 아미 아모라고 부르지
- 사랑한다는 뜻, 아모, 아마스, 아마트

라틴어를 잘하는구나

사탕 이름은 다 '오' 로 끝나
'폴로', '에어로'

- '옥소', '브릴로'
- 갖고 싶지 않나 보군

그럼 누나한테 줘야겠구나

깨물어봐

깨물어야 해

공주는 그의 무자비한 사악함을
잘 알고 있었지만

로뮬러스 경에 대한 넘치는 사랑을
숨길 수 없었다

공주는 본능적으로
빨간 머리를 가진 사람들을

믿어서는 안 된다는 것을 알고 있었다

어린 시종이 마법에 걸린 성배를 찾아
연방 깊은 호수로 뛰어드는 동안

로뮬러스 경은 무성한 콧수염을
비비 꼬고 있었다

로뮬러스 경은 두 동반자들과 함께
북쪽의 눈부시게 반짝이는 바다로

말을 달렸다

그의 영웅적인 태도와 용맹한 모습에

아무도 로뮬러스 턴블 경의

검은 가슴에 잠재하는 어둠을
알지 못했다

그는 세상에서 가장 위험한 사람이었다

'세실리아, 나의 서투르고
지각 없는 행동을'

'편지로 사과하고 싶어'

'내가 이상하게 보이는 걸 용서해줘'

"나의 꿈에서"

"난 네 그곳에 키스를 해"

"달콤하게 젖어있는 그곳에"

세실리아에게
내가 오늘 한 행동 때문에

날 미쳤다고 생각해도 좋아

사실 난 네 앞에 있으면
머리가 어지럽고 바보가 되는걸

더위를 먹은 건 아닌 것 같아

'날 용서해 주겠니?'

'로비'

나가니?

리온이 저녁 식사에 초대했어요

그래서 오후 내내
은식기를 광내게 했구나

숟가락에 비친 제 얼굴을 보며
엄마 생각할게요

너는 네 아빠랑 참 달라

전 엄마만 닮았으니까 그렇죠
늦을 거예요

이층에 셔츠 준비해놨다

- 얘
- 네?

아무것도 아니야

브라이오니! 너니?

괜찮니?

부탁 하나 해도 될까?

이거 씨한테 전해 줄래?

- 직접 주긴 좀 그래서
- 알았어

브라이오니

브라이오니!

"그곳"

- 오빠 눈엔 괜찮아 보이나 봐
- 그래

자기가 상당히 멋진 줄 알던데

귀에 음모가 자라는 건 알까 몰라

시끄럽고 멍청한 자식들을
많이 가질 수 있겠어

- 좋은 사람이라고
- 오빤 다 좋다 그러잖아

- 리온!
- 내 작은 여동생!

오빨 위해 희곡을 썼어
연극을 할 생각이었거든

- '아라벨라의 시련'
- 아직 시간 있어

- 꼭 오늘일 필요 없잖아
- 아냐, 불가능해

- 브라이오니
- 나 성대모사 잘하거든

너는 더 잘하잖아, 저녁 먹고 같이 읽자

- 브라이오니, 이 편지 읽었니?
- 멋진 생각이야

- 브라이오니!
- 여기 초코 칵테일이 왔어요

맛 좀 보세요

봉투는 어딨어?

들어가도 돼?

지독한 저녁이었어

쌍둥이들한테 고문당했어, 봐

안됐네

찰과상이야

맞아

걔들은 집에 가고 싶어해
나 때문에 여기 있는 거라고 생각해

롤라

내가 무슨 얘기해줄까?
정말 끔찍한 얘기야

응, 제발

언니가 생각할 수 있는
제일 나쁜 말이 뭐야?

- 변태 같은 놈!
- 글쎄 말야

- 세실리아 어쩌면 좋아?
- 몰라

- 경찰에 신고해야 돼
- 그럴까?

하루종일 거기 생각만 했다고 말했어

편지를 보여주면 되잖아

- 아무한테도 말하면 안 돼, 약속하지?
- 응

좋아, 그가 알면 어떤 일을 할지 몰라

맞아

눈물 닥아, 난 옷 갈아입어야 해

고마워, 큰 도움이 됐어

세실리아!

- 실수였어
- 브라이오니가 읽었어

오, 하나님, 정말 미안해
그건 잘못 쓴 거야

그래

- 결코 읽혀져선 안 되는 거였어
- 그래

내가 읽었어야 하는 게 뭔데?

글쎄, 좀더 정중하고, 덜...

- 해부학적이고?
- 응

몇 주 동안 계속 그랬어
그러다 오늘 아침 분수 옆에서...

그런 행동은 처음이야

너한테 너무 화가 났었어, 나한테도

네가 의대에 진학해
멀리 떠나면 기쁠 줄 알았는데...

내가 얼마나 나 자신에 무지했는지...

얼마나 바보였는지

내가 무슨 말하는지 알지?

나보다 먼저 알았잖아

왜 울어?

몰라서 그래?

정확히 알아

로비

세실리아

사랑해

누가 들어왔어

세실리아

사람들이 보도에 앉아
저녁을 먹고 있었어요

네 할아버지, 할머니는 날이 더우면
사람이 헤퍼지기 쉽다고 하셨단다

이모랑 난 한여름엔 외출 금지였어

마을 주민들을 쓸데없이
자극할까 봐서 말야

어때, 씨? 날씨가 더우니
너도 헤퍼지니?

- 세상에, 너 얼굴 빨개지잖아
- 그냥 더워서 그래

롤라, 립스틱 지워, 넌 아직 어려

브라이오니, 넌 어때?
오늘 어떤 죄를 지었니?

- 잘못한 거 없어
- 쌍둥이 본 적 있어?

아까 보니 그리 행복해 보이지 않던걸요

- 뭘 안다고 그래?
- 브라이오니, 무슨 소리니?

- 이렇게 무례한 건 처음 보는구나
- 걔네들 안 불쌍해요

- 롤라한테 한 짓을 봐요
- 무슨 소리니?

잭슨과 피에로가 팔을 멍들게 했어요
찰과상이 생겼다고요

괜찮을 거예요, 제가 떼어 놓았어요

저도 영광의 상처가 생겼죠

- 쌍둥이들이 그랬니, 롤라?
- 싸움이 좀 심해졌었어요

어디 다친 덴 없지, 롤라?

브라이오니, 가서 쌍둥이들 좀 데려오렴

저녁 준비 다됐다고 해
이렇게 예의 없이 굴다니

- 왜 내가 가야 하죠?
- 브라이오니, 말 안 들으면

네 방으로 올려 보낸다

- 편지예요!
- 이리 줘!

- 도망갔어요
- 누가?

쌍둥이들

'롤라 누나가 못되게 굴고
집에 가고 싶어서 도망가요'

- '또 연극도 없어서'
- 걱정 마세요

수색대를 보내겠어요
멀리 가진 못했을 거예요

씨는 나랑 같이 가자

피에로!

잭슨!

얘들아!

잭슨!

피에로!

롤라? 괜찮아?

미안해... 미안해...

누가 이랬어?

난 봤어

- 그 사람이지?
- 응, 그 사람

롤라, 누가 이랬어?

로비였지? 로비 맞지?

- 네가 봤어?
- 네가 말한 것처럼 변태 놈이야

저녁 식사 전엔
또 어떤 일이 있었는지 알아?

서재에서 우리 언니를 공격하는 걸 봤어

내가 안 들어갔다면
무슨 짓을 했을지 모르지

- 정말 그 사람을 봤어?
- 물론이야, 분명해

나를 바닥으로 밀고선
손으로 내 눈을 가렸어

- 사실 볼 수가... 본 적이...
- 난 그를 평생 알았어

내가 본 건 그 사람이야

나는 확실하게 모르겠어

나는 알아, 그렇게 말할 거야

경찰을 불러, 의사도 필요해

- 괜찮아, 아가, 이제 괜찮다
- 로비 돌아왔어요?

본 적 없는데

누가 그랬는지 알아요

- 그럼 그를 봤니?
- 네, 봤어요

- 분명하니?
- 난 그였단 걸 알아요

그였단 걸 아는 거니? 본 거니?

- 네, 봤어요
- 네 두 눈으로?

네, 제 두 눈으로 그를 똑똑히 봤어요

잘했다, 아가

저희 오빠랑 제가 호숫가에서
그 둘을 찾았어요

다른 사람은 못 봤나요?

브라이오니가 하는 말 전부 믿지 마세요
상상력이 풍부하니까요

다들 찾아다니고 있을 때
전 아버지한테 갔어요

- 정말이에요
- 왜죠?

말해드리려고요

- 편지를 봐선 안 되는 거였어요
- 맞아

하지만 옳은 일을 한 거야

도련님, 누가 옵니다

- 자러 갈 시간이다
- 하지만...

올라가

세실리아!

이 거짓말쟁이들!

"북부 프랑스
4년 후"

내가 그랬지, '여기 멍하니 앉아서'

'죽는 걸 기다리든지 하라고'

'난 가겠어'

- 안녕하시오?
- 내가 처리할게

어쩌려는 거야?

- 우리한테 줄 게 있다는데
- 웃기고 있네

"잠깐! 음식을 가져왔소"

"빵과 설탕"

"포도주도!"

"여기서 뭘 하고 있소?"

"철수를 시작하자 탱크가 몰려왔고"

"부대에서 이탈됐어요"

"영국군이 철수한다는 게 정말이군"

"동이 트면 떠날 거예요"

"오랜 시간 싸우고 많은 전우를 잃었소"

"독일이 다시 프랑스를 점령했지"

"다시 올 겁니다"

"우리가 그들을 몰아낼 거예요"

"약속해요"

"행운을 비네"

이것 봐

불어도 하는 너 같은 귀족이
어쩌다 사병이 된 거야?

감옥에서 바로 입대하면
장교 훈련받을 자격을 안 줘

- 농담이지?
- 아냐

선택권을 줬어
감옥에 있느냐, 군대에 가느냐

난 절대 귀족이 아니란 걸 알아 둬

"6개월 전"

늦어서 미안해, 길을 잃었어

- 안녕
- 안녕

- 앉을까?
- 응, 그래

- 미안해, 잊어버렸어...
- 두 숟갈이야, 고마워

어디 사니?

발햄에 있는 조그만 아파트, 지독하지

- 집주인이 무례하고 참견쟁이야
- 넌 똑같구나

- 유니폼만 빼고
- 미안해, 30분 내로

- 병원으로 돌아가야 해
- 그건...

- 미안해
- 아냐

가족들과 연락하니?

안 한다고 했잖아

전주에 리온이 병원에 찾아온 걸
모른 척하고 지나갔어

세실리아, 넌 나한테 빚진 게 없어

로비, 내 편지 안 읽었어?

할 수만 있었다면

- 매일 널 면회 갔을 거야
- 그래, 하지만...

네가 이러는 게 단지 3년 반 전

서재에서의 짧은 기억 때문이라면

- 난 잘 모르겠어...
- 로비, 날 좀 봐

날 봐

돌아와

나에게 돌아와 줘

사랑하는 세실리아

세실리아

친구가 바닷가에 별장이 있어

다음 번 네 휴가 때 빌려준대

흰색 나무에 파란 창틀이야

- 버스가 영원히 오지 말았으면 좋겠어
- 여기

가서 여길 생각해

사랑해

"발햄
피곤하면 기네스 맥주를 마셔요"

누군진 몰라도 오늘은 배불리 먹겠군

내 사랑, 브라이오니가 어떻게
내 주소를 알아내서 편지를 썼어

놀랍게도 케임브리지에
입학하지 않았다고 해

내가 전에 일하던 병원에서
간호사 교육을 받는대

무슨 속죄하는 기분으로 그러는 것 같아

자기가 어떤 짓을 했는지
이제야 알 것 같다고 해

와서 나와 얘기하고 싶대

사랑해, 기다릴게, 돌아와 줘

"제1대대, 'a' 중대
644.5891 터너 일병"

내게 돌아와 줘

"로얄 서섹스 연대
프랑스의 영국 원정군"

돌아와, 내게 돌아와 줘

어딜 가는 거지?

군화가 싫어!

독일군을 다 합친 것보다 더 싫다고!

양말만 신고는 영국에 돌아가기 힘들걸

이봐, 친구, 이제 옷 입어야 돼

- 내가 빠지면 구해줄 거야?
- 물론이지

브라이오니!

고마워

고마워, 고마워

정말 바보 같은 짓을 했어

- 날 구해주길 바랐어
- 너 몰라?

죽을 뻔한 거?

- 오빠가 날 구했잖아
- 바보 같은 어린애!

우리 둘 다 죽을 뻔했어, 그게 재밌니?

내 목숨을 구해줘서 고마워

영원히 잊지 않을게

이야기는 계속될 수 있어

우리 이야기는 계속될 수 있어
나는 계속할 거야

독일 놈들아, 사우스 엔드에서 만나자

트라팔가 광장은 어때?
거기선 아무도 사투리 따윈 쓰지 않아

'비스켓을 넘겨줘' 라든지
'내 수류탄 좀 도' 라고는 안 해

그냥 어깨를 으쓱하지
우리도 싫어하거든, 그거라니까

프랑스에서 싸우는데
프랑스인들은 우릴 싫어해

날 장관으로 만들어 주면
내가 일 분 안에 해결하지

인도랑 아프리카가 우리 거지?

독일은 프랑스랑 벨기에랑
갖고 싶은 거 다 가지라 그래

폴란드에 가 본 적 있어?
제국주의는 땅 문제라니까

제국이 더 필요하면
이 시궁창 따위 가지라 그래

우린 우리 것 가지고 있고
그럼 다 문제없이 끝이라고

생각해봐

사랑하는 세실리아
이야기는 계속될 수 있어

내가 그날 저녁 산책 때 하려 한 이야기

동틀녘 근사하게 차려 입고
서리 파크를 가로지르면서

인생의 약속 위에 당당하게 걷던
그 사람이 다시 될 수 있어

순수한 정열로 너와 서재에서
사랑을 나눴던 그 사람이 될 수 있어

이야기는 계속될 수 있어

나 돌아가서

너를 찾고, 사랑하고

결혼하고, 부끄럼 없이 살겠어

바다 냄새가 나

세상에

- 성경에 나오는 거 같잖아
- 오, 하나님

자, 다들 여길 치우자고요

저희는 방금 도착했는데
뭘 할지 알려 주세요

- 그냥 기다려
- 배는 어딨죠?

어제 몇 대가 도착했는데
독일 공군이 다 부숴 버렸다고

'랭카스트리아' 가 격침당했을 땐
3000명을 잃었어

상부에서 공군을 투입하지 않고 있지

불명예야, 재난이라고

저는 꼭 돌아가야 합니다

이 바닷가엔 30만 명 이상이 있네, 일병
자기 차례를 기다리게

부상당하지 않은 게 다행이지
부상병은 남기라는 명령을 받았어

그만둬! 선원이랑 싸워서 뭐 하게?

옳지 않아

"린디 런던"

하나님

내 말 들리나?

난 집에 간다!

우리 영혼에서 피로를 덜어내어

정돈된 삶으로 고백하게 하소서

당신의 평화의 아름다움을

우리 욕망의 열기 사이로 숨쉬는

당신의 시원함과 청량함

감각이 무뎌지고 육체가 쉴 수 있길

지진과 바람과 불 속에서도 들리는

고요의 낮은 목소리여

이봐

마실 것 좀 찾아야겠어

그래, 얼굴이 창백해

완전히 창백한데

저기다

차 한 잔만 마셨으면 좋겠어

"숙사"

뭐 하는 거야?

나 집에 간다! 집에 간다고!

엿먹이자! 다 엿먹이자!
크고 작고 긴 놈들 다

병장, 준위, 상등병, 다 엿먹이고

그 아들 놈들도

그들과 모두 안녕이니까
그들은 숙사로 기어 들어가네

여기선 아무도 진급 못해

힘내, 친구들, 다 엿먹이세!

마이크!

힘내

기다려봐

앉지 그러니?

여긴 너무 더워요

군화를 벗으렴

돌아가야 해요, 그녀에게 약속했어요

바로잡아야 해요

그녀는 절 사랑해요, 기다리고 있어요

이봐!

기다려봐

군화는 어쨌어?

- 이봐, 괜찮은 거야?
- 최고야

저녁 식사를 바닷가에서 하는 게 좋을지
생각해봐야겠는데

- 잘 모르겠어, 여기가 아냐
- 몰라

- 여기면 되겠어
- 아냐

- 아냐, 더 가야 해
- 어디 가?

하얀 나무로 지어진 오래된 별장

파란 창틀이 달려있지

아, 그래
맞아, 우리가 거길 가는 중이지?

- 여기서 가까워
- 여기야

여기 밑이야

그래, 그래

좀 누워, 그래

이불 꼭 덮어, 따뜻하게

이것 좀 씹어, 조용하게
안 그럼 다들 달라 그럴 거야

좀 자도록 해

널 찾고

사랑하고

결혼하고

부끄럼 없이 살겠어

사랑해, 나에게 돌아와 줘

- 너무 시끄럽잖아
- 뭐?

- 뭐가?
- 계속 소리지르고 있었어

- 다른 사람들이 눈치를 준다고
- 뭐?

- 세상에, 너 아파 보여
- 여기 좀 있기로 했어

누굴 만나기로 했는데
난 언제나 그녀를 기다리게 하지

내 얘길 들어봐

볼일 보러 나갔다가 뭘 본 줄 알아?

바닷가에 사람들이 줄 서 있어

배가 돌아와서 7시에 승선이 시작된대

우리 이제 집에 가는 거야, 친구

그러니까 좀더 자, 소리는 그만 지르고

- 알겠어?
- 한마디도 안 할게

7시 전에 깨워줘, 고마워

이제 아무 말도 안 할게, 약속해

"런던
3주 전"

침상 바퀴는 줄을 맞춰서
안쪽으로 향해야 해요

방향이 잘못된 게 어제 3개더군요
누가 했는지 본인은 알죠?

오늘 담요 개는 건 누구 담당였죠?

- 저예요, 선생님
- 어디가 잘못됐는지

- 알고 있어요?
- 아니요

상표는 안쪽으로 접혀야 해요

- 네, 선생님
- 다시 해요

탤리스 간호사, 내 방으로 와요
나머지는 가도 돼요

- 이 직업이 당신에게 중요한가요?
- 아주 중요해요

어제 남자 병동으로 배치됐는데

당신 환자가 마취에서 깨자마자 찾은 건

브라이오니였어요, 그게 누구죠?

- 저예요
- 브라이오니는 없어요

당신은 탤리스 간호사예요, 알겠어요?

네, 선생님

브라이오니는 없어

BBC 방송입니다
뉴스를 전해 드리겠습니다

영국 원정군이 프랑스 동맹군과 함께

서부 전선 북부에서
필사적으로 싸우고 있습니다

연합군이 결집해 있고 사기도 높습니다

영국 공군은 동북 프랑스와 벨기에의

연합군을 지원하고 있고
적의 기찻길, 도로, 기차와 적군을

어제 여러 번 공격했습니다

고마워, 왼손으로 가위질을 못하겠어

언제나 엄마가 해줬거든

다됐어

이런

잘 자, 폰티

잘 자, 탤리스

놀라지 마! 나야

피오나, 기절할 뻔했잖아

네가 소등 후에 사라지는 곳이 여기구나

격렬한 로맨스라도 벌이나 했네

얼어 죽을 것 같아

난 런던을 사랑해

이 모든 게 폭격을 맞아 사라져 버릴까?

아니

잘 모르겠어

드러몬드 간호사에 대해서 글을 쓰니?

- 나에 대해서는?
- 가끔

- 봐도 되니?
- 안 돼, 개인적인 거라서

"'분숫가의 두 사람'
브라이오니 탤리스 작"

아무한테도 보여주지 않으면
글을 쓰는 이유가 뭐니?

- 아직 미완성이야
- 어떤 내용인데?

- 복잡해
- 그래?

그냥...

어떤 바보 같은 소녀의 이야기야
침실 창가에서

이해하지 못하는 걸 보는데
자기는 이해한다고 생각해

아마 끝마치지 못할 거야

탤리스, 넌 참 신비스러워

난 신비스러워 본 적이 없는데

- 내가 오늘 뭘 결심한 줄 아니?
- 뭔데?

난 꼭 영국 해병이랑 결혼할 거야

여기 있어요, 세실리아 탤리스

이게 그녀 주소일 거예요

감사합니다

세실리아, 제발 이 편지를
끝까지 읽어주길 바라

이 편지 받으면 알겠지만
난 성 토마스 병원에서

간호사 교육을 받고 있어

케임브리지에는 들어가지 않기로 했어

맙소사

쓸모있고 실용적인 일을 하기로 했어

신문에 군대가 전략적 철수를 한다는데

응, 봤어

후퇴의 완곡한 표현이지

아무리 힘든 일을 하고 오래 일을 해도

내가 한 일에서 도망칠 수가 없어

어떤 의미였는지

이제야 조금씩 알 것 같아

씨, 부디 만날 수 있다고 답장해 줘

"창고 1
창고 2"

동생, 브라이오니

- 그런 거야?
- 뭐가?

프랑스에 비밀 약혼자가 있다고
모두들 생각해

아니야

돌아올지조차 모른다고 상상해봐

누굴 사랑해본 적 없어

뭐? 반한 적도 없어?

10살인가 11살 때 한번 그런 적은 있어

그가 구해주나 보려고
강물에 뛰어들었었지

- 나 놀리는 거지?
- 아냐, 날 구해주더라

하지만 사랑한다고 고백하자마자
감정이 사라지던걸

비상이야

밖으로, 빨리

로비

죄송합니다

탤리스 간호사, 내 기억이 맞다면
프랑스어 조금 하죠?

학교에서 조금 배웠어요

13번 침상에 있는 군인의 손을 잡아줘요

가세요

"드디어 왔군요"

"선생님이 보내셨어요"

"말상대가 되어 드리라고"

"당신 언니 기억해요"

"언제나 다정했죠"

"지금은 뭐 해요?"

"언니도 간호사예요"

"그토록 사랑하던 사람과 결혼했나요?"

"이름을 잊었어요"

로비요?

"곧 하길 바라요"

"로비"

"맞아요"

"당신은요?"

"이름이 뭐예요?"

뤽

뤽 코네

"당신은?"

탤리스

"예쁜 이름이네요"

"이제 기억나요"

"영국 소녀"

"미요에 처음 왔을 때 생각나요?"

"나는 아버지와 함께
오븐 옆에서 일하고 있었죠"

"당신의 억양을 들었어요"

"부탁 하나 해도 돼요, 탤리스?"

"붕대가 너무 꽉 껴요"

"조금 느슨하게 해줄 수 있어요?"

"그럼요"

"제 동생 앤 기억해요?"

"여전히 드뷔시를 연주하죠"

"기억나요?"

"연주할 땐 참 심각해 보이죠"

"그리고 우리 크루아상..."

"어땠어요?"

"미요에서 가장 맛있었어요"

"그래요"

"버터의 품질 때문이에요"

"네"

"그래서 매일 왔었나요?"

"왜냐면"

"어머니께서 당신을 좋아했어요"

"어머니께서"

"우린 여름에 결혼해야 한다고 했죠"

"그래요?"

"네"

"이제 붕대 괜찮아요?"

"나를 사랑해요?"

"네"

"같이 있어주세요"

"무서워요"

- 탤리스
- 브라이오니

브라이오니라고 불러요

일어서요, 탤리스 간호사

가서 얼굴에 묻은 피를 닥아요

'해군에게 뜨거운 감사를 드립니다
육군은 지지 않습니다'

'그들의 용기는 정복되지 않았고
사기는 꺾이지 않았습니다'

'이것이 던커크의 서사시입니다'

'전쟁의 역사에 길이 남을 이름입니다'

"후방에서"

'전국 순방 일정 중에'

'엘리자베스 여왕께서
영국 남부의 초콜릿 공장을 방문합니다'

'제과계의 거물이자
영국 군대의 친구인'

'폴 마샬 씨가
약혼녀 롤라 퀸시 양과 함께'

'여왕님께 아미 아모 공장
견학을 시켜 드렸습니다'

'정말 보기 좋은 커플이군요'

'아모를 계속 주세요
우리 군대는 단 걸 좋아합니다'

두 번째, 정죄하고 간음하지 않도록

타고난 절제가 없는 자들이

그리스도 안에서 정결하게
결혼을 영위할 수 있도록

세 번째, 서로 돕고 아끼며

함께할 수 있도록

난 봤어

이 둘이 법적으로 한 몸이 되는 데

반대할 이유가 있는 사람은...

난 그였단 걸 알아요

...지금 말하든지
아니면 영원히 감추십시오

제 두 눈으로 그를 똑똑히 봤어요

간호사 언니네

오늘 애들을 시골로 보낼 거야
런던을 벗어나본 적이 없는데

좋은 가정을 만났으면 좋겠어

얘들이 말썽이나 부리지 말아야 할 텐데

가자

탤리스 양을 찾고 있어요
세실리아 탤리스요

안에 있나요?

탤리스! 나와 봐!

편지를 썼는데 답장이 없어서

할 말이 있어

- 수간호사라고?
- 그래

고마워

판사 앞에 가서 증거를 바꾸고 싶어, 씨

그렇게 부르지 마

제발 부르지 마

내가 끔찍한 일을 저지른 거 알아
용서를 기대하지도 않아

걱정 마, 용서 안 하니까

넌 신뢰 못할 목격자야
재판은 절대 다시 하지 못해

적어도 내가 한 일을
모두에게 말할 순 있어

집에 가서 엄마, 아빠
그리고 리온한테...

- 지금은 왜 안 가는 건데?
- 언니를 먼저 보고 싶었어

다들 그 얘긴 더 이상
듣고 싶어하지 않아

그 불쾌함은 이미
과거에 묻었으니까, 고마워

하지만...

늦겠어, 가볼게

실례합니다

잠을 곤히 자

- 얘 여기서 뭐 하는 거지?
- 나랑 얘기하려고 왔어

그래, 무슨 얘기?

내가 잘못한 일

로비, 로비

솔직히 말하지

네 목을 부러뜨릴까

아니면 계단 아래로
집어던질까 생각 중이야

오, 하나님

감옥이 어떤 곳인지 알아?
물론 모르겠지

말해봐
내가 갇혀 있을 걸 생각하니 즐거웠니?

- 아니야
- 하지만 아무것도 안 했잖아

- 그래
- 내가 네 사촌을 폭행했다고 믿어?

- 아니
- 그때는 믿었니?

그래, 그리고 아니기도 해

- 지금은 왜 아니라고 확신하는데?
- 컸잖아

- 컸다고?
- 난 그때 13살이었어

사리분별하려면 몇 살을 먹어야 하니?

지금 18살인가?

18살이나 돼서야
네 거짓말을 고백할 수 있었니?

길가에 버려져 죽음을 기다리는
18살 먹은 군인들도 있어

- 그거 알아?
- 그래

5년 전엔 진실 따윈 중요하지 않았잖아

내가 받은 교육에도 불구하고
너와 네 가족 모두에게

난 하인이나 마찬가지였어
언제까지나 믿을 수 없는!

널 필두로 모두 합심해서
나를 늑대 소굴에 던져 넣었어!

- 로비, 날 봐
- 하지 마!

돌아와, 돌아와 줘

나에게 돌아와

브라이오니

시간이 별로 없어

로비는 6시에 귀대 열차를 타야 해

앉아봐

우릴 위해 할 일이 있어

부모님께 가서

네가 알고 있는 걸 다 말해

네가 말했던 것이 거짓이란 걸 알려

변호사와 증언장을 작성하고

증인 앞에서 서명한 후
우리에게 보내줘, 알겠니?

응

네가 날 호숫가에서 봤다고 한
그 시점까지 있었던 모든 일들을

상세히 써서 나에게 보내줘

대니 하드먼이 그날 밤 한 일을

기억나는 대로 전부 쓰도록 해

- 하드먼?
- 그래

대니 하드먼이 그런 게 아니야

리온의 친구, 마샬이었어

그럴 리가

롤라랑 결혼했는걸
지금 결혼식에서 오는 길이야

이제 롤라는
그에게 불리한 증언을 할 수 없잖아

면죄된 거야

이런 고통을 주게 되어서
진심으로 미안해

정말, 정말 미안해

우리가 부탁한 일을 해 줘

진실만을 적어줘
변명도, 미화도, 설명도 필요 없어

그리고 우리를 내버려둬

그래, 약속할게

'잠깐만 멈춰 주세요'

네, 무슨 문제가 있나요?

'몇 분만 혼자 있고 싶어요'

'혼자...'

브라이오니 탤리스, '어톤먼트' 라는
당신의 21번째 소설 말인데...

브라이오니?

'미안해요, 잠깐 쉴 수 있나요?'

브라이오니 탤리스
당신 생일에 맞춰 며칠 후에 발간되는

신작 '어톤먼트' 얘길 해보죠

- 21번째 작품인데...
- 마지막 작품이에요

정말요? 은퇴할 건가요?

전 죽어요

의사가 혈관성 치매라더군요

작은 뇌졸중이 연속으로 일어나는 거죠

뇌가 점점 기능을 잃어가면서
실어증, 기억상실이 와요

작가에겐 치명적이죠

그래서 이 책을 쓸 수 있었어요
그래야 했어요

그래서 이게 마지막 소설입니다

이상하게도

제 첫 소설이나 마찬가지죠

전시에 성 토마스 병원에서
여러 번 습작을 했어요

어떻게 써야 할지를 몰랐죠

자전적 소설이라던데 정말인가요?

다 진짜예요, 제 이름을 비롯해
모두 실명을 사용했어요

그게 문제가 되진 않았나요?

아뇨

진실만을 쓰기로
오래 전부터 맘먹었어요

변명도, 미화도 필요 없이요

그리고...

책을 읽어보시면
왜 그런지 이해할 거예요

제가 직접 보지 못한 일들은
직접 경험한 사람들의 이야기를 들었죠

감옥의 상황, 던커크 후송작전
모두 다요

하지만 진실의 효과는 냉혹하죠

그게 더 이상
아무 의미가 없다고 생각했어요

뭐가요? 진실이요?

네, 진실이요

혹은 현실이요

사실...

전 용기가 없어서
1940년에 언니를 찾아가지 못했어요

발햄에는 간 적이 없죠

감옥이 어떤 곳인지 알아?

제가 그들에게 고백하는 장면은
허구예요

잠을 곤히 자

조작되었죠

사리분별하려면 몇 살을 먹어야 하니?

사실 일어날 수 없던 일이었어요

왜냐하면

로비 터너는 1940년 6월 1일에
브레이 듄스에서

패혈증으로 죽었어요

후송 작전의 마지막 날였죠

잘 가게, 친구

언니인 세실리아와도 못 만났어요

1940년 10월 15일에
발햄 지하철역 위의

가스와 수도관에 투하된 폭탄 때문에
죽었기 때문이죠

그래서...

언니와 로비는 그토록 원했고
누릴 권리가 있었던

둘만의 시간을 보낸 적이 없어요

저 때문에...

제가 막았기 때문이었어요

독자들이 그런 결말을 본다면

과연 희망이나 만족을
느낄 수 있겠어요?

그래서 책에서는 로비와 세실리아에게
그들이 삶에서 잃은 것을 주고 싶었어요

이것이 나약함이나 회피라고는
생각 안 해요

제 마지막 친절입니다

저는 그들에게 행복을 선사한 거예요

"어톤먼트"

Korean

England
1935

- I finished my play.
- Well done.

Have you seen Mummy?

Well, she'll be in the drawing room, I expect.

I hope you're not gonna be getting under
our feet today, Miss Briony.

We got a dinner for 10 to prepare.

- Hello, pal, I hear you're putting on a play.
- Who told you?

Jungle drums.

- Will you come and see it?
- I'm not sure that would be quite...

Why don't you let me read it?

You used to make me those beautiful
bound copies of all your stories.

- I've kept them all.
- I still want you to come.

- Let's see.
- I have to go now.

Mummy, I need you!

Stupendous. It's stupendous, darling.
Your first play.

Do you think so?
Do you think Leon will like it?

Well, of course he will.

The Trials of Arabella, by Briony Tallis.

- BRIONY: Cee.
- Yes?

What do you think it would feel like
to be someone else?

CECILIA: Cooler, I should hope.

- I'm worried about the play.
- I'm sure it's a masterpiece.

But we only have the afternoon to rehearse.
What if the twins can't act?

You have to be nice to them.
I wonder how'd you feel if your mother

had run off with Mr What's-his-name
who reads the news on the wireless?

Perhaps I should have written Leon a story.

If you write a story, you only have to
say the word "castle," and you could see

the towers and the woods
and the village below, but...

In a play, it's...

It all depends on other people.

- Cee.
- Yes?

Why don't you talk to Robbie any more?

I do.
We just move in different circles, that's all.

(WHEELBARROW RATTLING)

- Do we have to do a play?
- Why do we have to?

- It's to celebrate my brother Leon's visit.
- PIERROT: I hate plays.

- JACKSON: So do I.
- How can you hate plays?

- It's just showing off.
- You'll be in this play or you'll get a clout.

- And I'll tell the parents.
- JACKSON: You're not allowed to clout us.

We're guests in this house. And what did
the parents say we were to make ourselves?

- Well, Pierrot?
- Amenable.

- Jackson?
- Amenable.

Amenable, that's right.

Now, Briony, what's your play about?

Well, it's about how

love is all very well,
but you have to be sensible.

- I suppose you're going to be Arabella.
- Well, not necessarily.

- In that case, do you mind if I play her?
- PIERROT: Lola was in the school play.

Do say yes. It'd be the first decent thing
to happen to me in months.

Well, yes, all right.

I suppose we should start by reading it.

If you're going to be Arabella, then I'll be
the director, thank you very much.

Sorry.

I'm going to do the prologue.

"Prologue.

"This is the tale of spontaneous Arabella,

"who ran away with an extrinsic fellow.

"It grieved her parents to see their firstborn

"evanesce from her home
to go to Eastbourne."

(DOOR CREAKS)

Yes?

- Nothing. Just thought I'd watch.
- BRIONY: Rehearsals are private, I'm afraid.

You can see the play this evening.

- I'll have to work then.
- Well, I'm sorry, Danny.

JACKSON: Can we go for a swim now?
PIERROT: Yes, yes, yes!

- No, I don't really think there's time!
- PIERROT: Cecilia will let us.

I'm sure a half-hour break
would do us all good.

PIERROT: Cecilia? Cecilia!

Cecilia!

(BEE BUZZING)

(BUZZING)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

Cecilia! Cecilia, Cecilia.
Please, can we go for a swim, Cecilia?

Yes, I don't see why not.
Don't go out of your depth!

Can you do me
one of your Bolshevik roll-ups?

- CECILIA: Beautiful day.
- I suppose so. Too hot for me.

- Are you enjoying your book?
- No, not really.

It gets better.

I prefer Fielding any day.

Much more passionate.

- Leon's coming down today, did you know?
- I heard a rumour.

He's bringing a friend with him.
It's Paul Marshall, the chocolate millionaire.

- Are the flowers for him?
- Why shouldn't they be?

Leon says he's very charming.

The Old Man telephoned last night.
He says you're planning on being a doctor.

- I'm thinking about it, yes.
- Another six years of student life.

- How else do you become a doctor?
- You could get a fellowship, now,

- couldn't you? With your First?
- I don't want to teach.

I said I'd pay your father back.

That's not what I meant at all.

- Let me help with that.
- No, I'm all right, thanks.

- Take the flowers. Take the flowers.
- I'm all right. I'm all right.

Oh, you idiot.

Do you realise that's probably
the most valuable thing we own?

Not any more, it isn't.

Careful!

I'm...

(CAR HORN HONKING)

LEON: Hello, Robbie!

No need to encourage him.

Cee?

Mother?

- Where is everyone, Danny?
- I don't know, sir.

DANNY: Sir.
LEON: Gasping for a drink.

- Will you have one?
- PAUL: Rather.

- Whisky?
- Please.

- Leon!
- Here she is.

CECILIA: Oh, I've missed you.
I've been going completely doolally up here.

- This is my sister, Cecilia. Paul Marshall.
- I've heard an awful lot about you.

- Likewise.
- LEON: Where are we putting him?

In the blue room. Mother's lying down,
she's got one of her migraines.

I'm not surprised, with this heat.

It's the big room next to the nursery.

Is the Old Man staying in town?

LEON: Looks like it.
Some sort of rush on at the Ministry.

(THUDDING)

PIERROT: So aren't we doing the play?
LOLA: No.

- JACKSON: Why not?
- Don't ask me.

PIERROT: I don't like it here.

PAUL: There's always a problem
when a new brand comes about.

The remarketing, the re-packaging,
the re-shaping.

Even the re-flavouring in some cases,
or whole new technology.

I think our main challenge is whether or not
to launch the new Amo Bar.

The Army Amo. Do you see? Pass the Amo?

(PAUL CHUCKLES)

My source at the Ministry is very reliable,

I used to clean his shoes at Harrow,
informs me we have a good chance

of including it
in the standard issue ration pack.

Which means that I'd have to open
at least three more factories.

More if they bring in conscription,
which I say is bound to happen

if Herr Hitler doesn't pipe down.

He's about as likely to do that as buy shares

in Marks and Spencer's,
wouldn't you agree?

- This isn't very good.
- I make a cocktail with crushed ice,

rum and melted dark chocolate.
It's absolutely scrumptious.

- LEON: Guess who we met on the way in?
- Robbie.

- I told him to join us tonight.
- Oh, Leon, you didn't.

So, Robbie, the housekeeper's son,
whose father did a bunk 20 years ago,

gets a scholarship to the local grammar,
the Old Man puts him through Cambridge,

goes up at the same time as Cee, and
for three years she hardly speaks to him.

Wouldn't let him within a mile
of her Roedean chums.

Anyone got a cigarette?

I don't know what the hell he's doing
these days, messing about in flower beds.

As a matter of fact, he's planning on doing
a medical degree.

LEON: And the Old Man said yes to that?

Look, I really think you should go down
to the lodge and ask him not to come.

Why? Has something happened
between you?

For God's sake.

- When can we go home?
- LOLA: Soon.

We can't go home. It's a divorce.

- How dare you say that?
- Well, it's true!

LOLA: You will never, ever use that word
again! Do you understand?

- Now what are we going to do?
- I'm always asking myself that.

My name is Paul Marshall.
You must be the cousins from the north.

- What are your names?
- Pierrot.

- Jackson.
- What marvellous names.

JACKSON: Do you know our parents?

PAUL: Well, I've read
about them in the paper.

- What exactly have you read about them?
- Oh, you know. The usual sort of nonsense.

I'll thank you not to talk about this
in front of the children.

Your parents
are absolutely wonderful people,

that's quite clear, and they love you
and think about you all the time.

Jolly nice slacks.

We went to see a show
and I got them at Liberty's.

- What was the show?
- Hamlet.

Ah, yes. "To be or not to be."

I like your shoes.

Duckers in the Turl. They make
a wooden thing, shaped like your foot.

Keep it forever.

PIERROT: I'm starving. When's dinner?

Well, I might be able to help you there,
if you can guess what I do for a living.

- You've got a chocolate factory.
- Everyone knows that.

Then it wasn't a guess, was it?

There'll be one of these in every kit bag
of every soldier in the British Army.

Sugar casing, so it won't melt.

JACKSON: Why should they get free sweets?

'Cause they'll be fighting for their country.

Our daddy says
there isn't going to be a war.

Your daddy is wrong.

- Calling it the Army Amo.
- Amo, amas, amat.

Top marks.

It's boring how everything ends in "o."
"Polo" and "Aero."

- And "Oxo" and "Brillo".
- Sounds as if you don't want it.

Then I shall just have to give it
to your sister.

PAUL: Bite it.

You have to bite it.

BRIONY: The Princess was well aware
of his remorseless wickedness.

But that made it no easier to overcome
the voluminous love she felt

in her heart for Sir Romulus.
The Princess knew instinctively

that the one with red hair
was not to be trusted.

As his young ward dived again
and again to the depths of the lake,

in search of the enchanted chalice,
Sir Romulus twirled his luxuriant moustache.

Sir Romulus rode with his two companions,
northwards, drawing ever closer

to an effulgent sea.

So heroic in manner,
he appeared so valiant in word

(TYPEWRITER CLACKING)

No one could ever guess at the darkness

lurking in the black heart
of Sir Romulus Turnbull.

He was the most dangerous man
in the world.

"Dear Cecilia, I thought I should write
to apologise for my clumsy

"and inconsiderate behaviour."

(OPERA PLAYING)

"Forgive me if I seem strange but I'm..."

(CHUCKLING)

ROBBIE: Dear Cecilia, you'd be forgiven
for thinking me mad,

the way I acted this afternoon.

The truth is I feel rather lightheaded
and foolish in your presence, Cee,

and I don't think I can blame the heat.

"Will you forgive me?

"Robbie."

Off out then?

ROBBIE: Yes, Leon's asked me
to join them for dinner.

So that's why I've been polishing
silver all afternoon.

I'll think of you when I see my face
in the spoon.

You're not a bit like your father.
Not in any way.

That's because I'm all yours. I'll be late.

Your shirts are hanging upstairs.

- Son.
- Yes?

Nothing.

Briony! Is that you?

Are you all right?

Do you think you could do me a favour?

Could you run ahead
and give this to Cee? I...

- Feel a bit of a fool handing it over myself.
- All right.

Briony.

Briony!

(PANTING)

- I suppose he's what you might call eligible.
- Rather.

He certainly seems to think
he's the cat's pyjamas.

Which is odd, considering he has pubic hair
growing out of his ears.

I should imagine he'd give you
a lot of very noisy, boneheaded sons.

- He's quite a good egg, actually.
- You say that about everyone.

- Leon!
- Rummy, if it ain't my little sis!

I wrote you a play, Leon.
I wanted to do a play for you.

- The Trials Of Arabella.
- Well, there's still time.

- Doesn't have to be this evening.
- No, it's impossible.

CECILIA: Briony.
LEON: Tell you what. I'm good at voices,

you're even better,
so we'll read it out after dinner.

- Briony, did you read this letter?
- Yes, let's. That's a wonderful idea.

- Briony!
- Here we are. My choc-tail.

I insist you try it.

Wasn't there an envelope?

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Do you mind if I come in?

LOLA: I've had the most appalling evening.

The twins have been torturing me. Look.

How awful.

Chinese burns.

That's right.

They want to go home.
They think it's me that's keeping them here.

(LOLA SOBBING)

Lola.

Can I tell you something?
Something really terrible.

Yes, please.

What's the worst word
you can possibly imagine?

(BELL RINGING)

- He's a sex maniac!
- That's right.

- What's Cecilia going to do?
- I don't know.

- You ought to call the police.
- Do you think so?

He said he thought about it all day long.

All you have to do is show them the letter.

- You won't tell anyone, will you, promise?
- I promise.

Good. If he found out,
there's no knowing what he might do.

You're right.

You better tidy your face.
I've still got to change.

Thanks, Briony. You're a real brick.

(MEN CHATTERING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PANTING)

BRIONY: Cecilia!

- It was a mistake.
- Briony read it.

My God, I'm so sorry.
It was the wrong version.

Yes.

- It was never meant to be read.
- No.

(CLOCK CHIMING)

What was in the version
I was meant to read?

I don't know. It was more formal. Less...

- Anatomical?
- Yes.

It's been there for weeks,
and then this morning by the fountain...

I've never done anything like that before.

And I was so angry with you,
and with myself.

I thought if you went away to medical
school, then I'd be happy, but...

I don't know how I could have been
so ignorant about myself, so...

So stupid.

You do know what I'm talking about,
don't you?

You knew before I did.

Why are you crying?

Don't you know?

Yes, I know exactly.

(SIGHING)

(BOTH MOANING)

Robbie.

Cecilia.

I love you.

(BOTH MOANING)

(DOOR OPENING)

Someone's come in.

Cecilia!

LEON: People were sitting out
having dinner on the pavement.

It was always the view of my parents
that hot weather encouraged loose morals.

In high summer, my sister and I
were never allowed out of the house.

They thought the villagers would be
unnecessarily provoked.

What do you say, Cee? Does the hot weather
make you behave badly?

- Good heavens, you're blushing.
- It's just hot in here, that's all.

Lola, wipe that lipstick off.
You're far too young.

What about you, Briony?
What sins have you committed today?

- I've done nothing wrong.
- EMILY: Have you seen the twins recently?

They didn't look very happy
last time I saw them, poor little chaps.

- BRIONY: You know nothing about it.
- Briony. I can't imagine what's got into you.

- I've never known you to be so rude.
- BRIONY: Well, they're not poor little chaps.

- Just look what they did to Lola.
- What are you talking about?

BRIONY: Jackson and Pierrot
bruised her arm. Gave her Chinese burns.

I'm afraid she's quite right.
I had to pull them off her.

How I got my war wound.

The twins did that, Lola?

PAUL: Yes, it all turned
into a bit of a wrestle,

I'm afraid. Still, no harm done, eh, Lola?

EMILY: Would you go and find these boys,
please, Briony?

Tell them dinner's ready,
and where are their manners?

- Why do I have to go?
- Briony, you'll do as you're told,

or you'll go straight to your room.

- BRIONY: It's a letter!
- Give it to me!

BRIONY: They've run away.
EMILY: Who has?

BRIONY: The twins.

"We are going to run away because Lola
is so horrid to us and we want to go home.

- "Also, there wasn't a play."
- Don't worry.

We'll send out some search parties.
They can't have gone far.

Cee, you come with me.

LEON: Pierrot!

CECILIA: Jackson!

PAUL: Boys!

Jackson!

LEON: Pierrot!

(RUSTLING)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPING)

(LOLA SOBBING)

Lola? Are you all right?

I'm sorry. I didn't... I'm sorry.

Who was it?

I saw him.

- It was him, wasn't it?
- Yes, it was him.

Lola, who was it?

It was Robbie, wasn't it? Robbie?

- You saw him?
- Like you said, he's a sex maniac.

And you don't even know
what happened before dinner.

I caught him attacking my sister
in the library.

I don't know what he'd have done
if I hadn't come in.

- You actually saw him?
- Of course I did. Plain as day.

He pushed me to the ground.
And then he put his hands over my eyes.

- I couldn't actually... I never actually...
- Listen. I've known him

my whole life, and I saw him.

Because I couldn't say for sure.

Well, I can. And I will.

LEON: Call the police.
And she'll be needing a doctor, as well.

(LOLA SOBBING)

- It's all right, dear. It's all right now.
- CECILIA: Is Robbie back yet?

I haven't seen him.

I know who it was.

- You saw him, then?
- Yes, I saw him.

- Just as you see me?
- I know it was him.

You know it was him? Or you saw him?

- Yes, I did, I saw him.
- With your own eyes?

Yes. I saw him, I saw him with my own eyes.

EMILY: Well done, darling.

My brother and I found the two of them
down by the lake.

POLICEMAN: You didn't see anyone else?

I wouldn't necessarily believe everything
Briony tells you. She's rather fanciful.

When they went looking,
I went up to my dad's.

- I did, honest.
- POLICEMAN: Why was that?

To tell him all about it.

- I know I shouldn't have opened it.
- EMILY: No, you should not.

But at least you've done the right thing now.

(SNORING)

(TAPPING PIANO KEY)

Sir, there is someone coming.

- Time you went to bed.
- But...

Now.

(DOOR OPENING)

EMILY: Cecilia!

You liars! You liars! Liars! Liars!

(GRACE WAILING)

(HARMONICA PLAYING)

Northern France
Four years later

NETTLE: I says to him, I says, "You can sit
down there, twiddling your thumbs,

"waiting to get your head blown off,
if you want to.

"I'm off out of it."

(ROBBIE SHUSHING)

(FLOOR CREAKING)

MAN: Bonsoir monsieur. Bonsoir?
ROBBIE: (WHISPERING) Let me do this.

(MAN 1 SPEAKING FRENCH)

(ALL PANTING)

(ROBBIE SPEAKING FRENCH)

MACE: What's his game?

- He says he's got something for us.
- Fucking hell!

(MEN SPEAKING FRENCH)

Wait! We have food for you

Bread, sugar

And wine!

(SIGHING)

What are you doing here?

(MEN SPEAKING FRENCH)

When the retreat started, Panzers attacked,

and I was separated from my unit

So it's true, the English are retreating

We'll be gone at first light

We fought all those years,
lost all those dead,

now the Germans are in France again

We will come back

we will throw them out

I promise you

Good luck

NETTLE: Come on, then.

How come a toff like you, talks French
and everything, ends up a private?

Not eligible for officers' training
if you join direct from prison.

- You're pulling my tit.
- No, I'm not.

They gave me a choice.
Stay in prison or join the Army.

And for the record,
the last thing I am is a toff.

Six months earlier

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

I'm sorry I'm late, I got lost.

- Hello.
- Hello.

- Should we sit down?
- Yes, of course.

- I'm sorry, I can't remember, I...
- Two. Thank you.

Where are you living?

Tiny flat in Balham. It's ghastly.

- The landlady's rude and horribly nosy.
- You look the same.

- Apart from the uniform, of course.
- Yes, I'm sorry. I've got to go back

- to the hospital in half an hour.
- Oh, God, that...

- Sorry.
- No.

Have you been in touch with your family?

No, I told you I wouldn't.

Leon waited outside the hospital last week,
I just pushed past him.

Cee, you don't owe me anything.

Robbie, didn't you read my letters?

Had I been allowed to visit you,
had they let me every day,

- I would have been there every day.
- Yes, but...

If all we have rests on a few moments

in a library three and a half years ago,
then I'm not sure,

- I don't know if...
- Robbie, look at me.

Look at me.

(WHISPERS) Come back.

Come back to me.

ROBBIE: Dearest Cecilia.

Dearest Cecilia.

Cecilia.

A friend of mine has a cottage by the coast.

Said we can borrow it
when you're next on leave.

White clapboard
with blue-painted window frames.

- I hope this bus never comes.
- Here.

Something to think of while you're away.

I love you.

(SIGHS)

(PLANES DRONING)

Some poor sod's gonna catch a packet.

CECILIA: My darling. Briony found
my address somehow, and sent a letter.

The first surprise was
she didn't go up to Cambridge.

She's doing nurse's training
at my old hospital.

I think she may be doing this
as some kind of penance.

She says she's beginning to get the full
grasp of what she did, and what it meant.

She wants to come and talk to me.

I love you. I'll wait for you. Come back.

Come back to me.

ROBBIE: Come back. Come back to me.

Come back. Come back to me.

NETTLE: So where we going, guv?

Fucking hate those boots!

I hate them worse
than all the fucking Germans put together!

You'll have a job getting back to England
in your socks.

Come on, pal,
you should be getting dressed.

- Lf I fell in, would you save me?
- Of course.

Briony!

Thank you.

Thank you! Thank you, thank you!

ROBBIE: That's an incredibly bloody
stupid thing to do.

- BRIONY: I wanted you to save me.
- Don't you know

how easily you could have drowned?

- You saved me.
- Stupid child!

You could have killed us both.
Is that your idea of a joke?

I want to thank you for saving my life.

I will be eternally grateful to you.

ROBBIE: The story can resume.

Our story can resume. I will simply resume.

NETTLE: Jerry, come and have a go at us
in fucking South End.

Or better still, Trafalgar Square.
No one speaks the fucking lingo out here.

You can't say, "Pass the biscuit," or
"Where's me hand grenade?"

They just shrug. Because they hate us, too.
I mean, that's the point.

We fight in France
and the French fucking hate us.

Make me Home Secretary,
I'll sort this out in a fucking minute.

We got India and Africa, right?

Jerry can have France and Belgium
and wherever else they want.

Who's fucking ever been to Poland?
It's all about room, empire.

They want more empire,
give 'em this shithole, we keep ours,

and it's "Bob's your uncle"
and "Fanny's your fucking aunt"!

Think about it.

ROBBIE: Dearest Cecilia.
The story can resume.

The one I had been planning
on that evening walk.

I can become again the man
who once crossed the Surrey park

at dusk in my best suit,
swaggering on the promise of life.

The man who, with the clarity of passion,
made love to you in the library.

The story can resume.

I will return,

find you, love you,

marry you. And live without shame.

You can smell the sea.

Fuck me.

- It's like something out of the Bible.
- NETTLE: Jesus Christ.

OFFICER: Come on, get everybody
to clean this mess up now.

ROBBIE: We've just arrived, sir. Can you
tell us what we're supposed to be doing?

OFFICER: Nothing. Just wait.
ROBBIE: Where are the ships?

A few made it in yesterday,
Luftwaffe blew them to buggery.

Lost 3,000 men
when they sank the Lancastria.

High command, in its infinite wisdom,
is denying us air cover.

A disgrace, a fucking disaster.

No, look, the thing is, you see,
I'm expected back, you see.

There's over 300,000 men on this beach,
Private. You'll have to wait your turn.

Just be grateful you're not wounded.
I've orders to leave the wounded behind.

No, no, no, leave it, guv! Never trust a sailor
on dry land. You're best off out of it.

(GUN FIRING)

That's not right.

(GUN FIRING)

Christ.

MAN: Can you hear me, laddies?

I'm coming home!

MEN: (SINGING) Take from our souls
the strain and stress

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of Thy peace

Breathe through the heats of our desire

Thy coolness and Thy balm

Let sense be numb, let flesh retire

Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire

O still, small voice of calm

(PANTING)

(MEN WHOOPING)

Guv'nor.

I have to get something to drink.

You need one. You're grey.

He's gone all grey, can you see?

There. Come on.

MAN: All I want's a cup of tea now.

MAN: What the fuck you doing?

MAN: I'm coming home!
Laddie, I'm coming home!

(MEN SINGING)

Fuck 'em all! Fuck 'em all!
The long and the short and the tall

Fuck all the Sergeants and WO 1s
Fuck all the corporals

and their bastard sons

'Cause we're saying goodbye to them all
As back to their billets they crawl

You'll get no promotion
this side of the ocean

So cheer up, my lads
Fuck 'em all!

(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Mike!

Hold up, guv.

Wait here.

WOMAN: Why don't you sit down?

It's so hot in here.

Take off your boots.

I have to get back. I promised her.

To put things right.

And she loves me. She's waiting for me.

(ARTILLERY FIRING)

(EXPLOSION)

Oi!

Wait, wait, wait.

Hey, what have you done with your boots?

- Look, you're sure you're feeling all right?
- Never better.

Now I'm wondering whether the beach
really is the best place for dinner.

(BOMB EXPLODING)

- I'm not sure, I don't recognise it.
- Dunno.

- This'll do, down here.
- No.

- No, no, it's further on.
- What is?

This place I know, an old cottage
with white clapboards

and blue-painted window frames.

Aw, yes.
That's right, that's where we're going.

- It's close to here.
- We're there. This is it.

Here we are, guv. Down here.

That's all right, guv. That's right.

Get your head down. Get your head down.
There you go.

(HUMMING)

Tuck yourself in. Keep yourself warm.

Chew on a bit of this. But quiet like,
or they'll all be wanting some.

Try and get some sleep.

(SINGING)

ROBBIE: Find you.

Love you.

Marry you.

And live without shame.

I love you. Come back. Come back to me.

- NETTLE: Bit too much noise, guv'nor.
- What?

- What noise?
- You keep shouting.

- Some of the lads are getting a bit peeved.
- What?

(NETTLE SHUSHING)

- Christ. You look a bit rough.
- Thing is, I've decided to stay on for a bit.

I'm meeting someone,
and I'm always keeping her waiting.

Now, listen. Listen to me, guv'nor.

I went out for a Jimmy Riddle just now.
Guess what I saw!

They're getting themselves sorted out
down on the beach.

The boats are back, and a geezer from
the Buffs is marching us down at 7:00.

We're away. We're off home, mate.

So get some more sleep, and no more
of your bleeding shouting.

- All right?
- I won't say a word.

Wake me before 7:00, would you?
Thanks so much.

You won't hear another word
from me. Promise.

London
Three weeks earlier

Bed castors should be lined up
and pointing inwards.

I found three yesterday that weren't.
You know who you are.

Which of you were responsible
for putting away the blankets today?

- FIONA: I was, Sister.
- I don't suppose you can tell us

- what you did wrong?
- No, Sister.

Labels are folded to the inside,
are they not?

- Yes, Sister.
- Do them again.

Nurse Tallis, I'll see you in my office.
The rest of you are excused.

- Is this job at all important to you, Tallis?
- Very important, Sister.

Yesterday, you were seconded
to men's surgical.

When your patient came round from his
anaesthetic, it seems the first thing he did

was to ask for Briony.
Who might Briony be?

- Well, me, Sister.
- There is no Briony.

You are Tallis. Nurse Tallis.
Is that understood?

Yes, Sister.

There is no Briony.

MAN ON RADIO: This is the BBC
Home Service. Here is the news.

The BEF, with their French allies,
are fighting a desperate battle

in the northern zone of the Western Front.

The Allied Forces have not lost
cohesion, and their morale is high.

The RAF continues to give all the support
in its power

to the Allied armies in northeastern
France and Belgium. Railways, roads,

bridges and enemy troops have been
continuously attacked, yesterday...

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

Thanks. I never could make the scissors
work with my left hand.

Mummy always did it for me.

There, you're done.

Bother!

Night-night, Ponty.

Good night, Tallis.

Don't panic! It's only me.

Fiona, I almost jumped out of my skin.

So this is where you duck to after lights out.

I thought you might be in the middle
of some tempestuous romance.

Don't you freeze to death up here?

I love London.

Do you think all of this will be
bombed and just disappear?

No.

I don't know.

Do you write about Sister Drummond?

- Do you write about me?
- Sometimes.

- Can I look?
- I'd rather you didn't. It's private.

I don't see any point in writing a story
if you're not going to let anyone read it.

- It's not ready yet. It's unfinished.
- What's it about?

- It's complicated.
- Yes?

It's just...

It's about a young girl, a young and
foolish girl, who sees something from

her bedroom window which she doesn't
understand, but she thinks she does.

I probably won't ever finish it.

I look at you, Tallis,
and you're so mysterious.

I've never been mysterious.

- Do you know what I decided tonight?
- What?

I could never marry a man
who wasn't in the Royal Navy.

(SNIGGERING)

(BRIONY LAUGHING)

(SHUSHING)

Here we are. Cecilia Tallis.

I think this is her address.

Thank you.

BRIONY: Dear Cecilia. Please don't
throw this away without reading it.

As you'll have seen from the
notepaper, I'm here at St Thomas'

doing my nurses' training.

I decided not to take up
my place at Cambridge.

Oh, God.

I decided I wanted to make myself useful.
Do something practical.

FIONA: It says in the newspaper
the Army are making strategic withdrawals.

BRIONY: Yes, I saw that.

It's a euphemism for retreat.

No matter how hard I work,
no matter how long the hours,

I can't escape from what I did

and what it meant,

the full extent of which
I am only now beginning to grasp.

Cee, please write and tell me we can meet.

Your sister, Briony.

- FIONA: So do you?
- Do I what?

Have a secret fiance in France.
That's what everyone thinks.

No, of course not.

Imagine not knowing if he'd ever come back.

I've never been in love.

What, never? Not even a crush?

Oh, I had a crush once, when I was 10 or 11.

I jumped into a river to see
if he'd save me from drowning.

- Now you're teasing me.
- Oh, no. And he did save me.

But as soon as I told him I loved him,
the feeling sort of disappeared.

Something's happened.

NURSE: Outside, quickly.

Robbie.

Excuse me.

Nurse Tallis, you speak a little French,
if I remember rightly.

Only school French, Sister.

There's a soldier in Bed 13. Go and sit
with him for a minute. Hold his hand.

Off you go.

Here you are at last

Sister sent me

for a little chat

I remember your sister

she was always so nice

what's she doing now?

She is a nurse as well

Did she finally marry that man
she was so in love with?

I've forgotten his name

Robbie?

She will soon I hope

Robbie

yes that's right

And you?

What is your name?

Luc.

Luc Cornet.

And you?

Tallis.

That's pretty

I remember you now

the English girl

You remember your first visit to Millau?

I was working by the ovens with my father.

I heard your accent

Can you do me a little favour Tallis?

These bandages are so tight,

can you loosen them a bit, please?

Of course

You remember my younger sister, Anne?

She still plays that little Debussy piece

do you remember?

She looks so serious when she plays

And our croissants,

what did you think of them?

The most delicious in Millau

Yes.

It's the quality of the butter

Yes

Is that why you came every day?

Because you know,

my mother is very fond of you

in her opinion,

we should get married in the summer

Oh yes?

Yes

I hope that's more comfortable

Do you love me?

Yes

Can you stay a while?

I'm frightened

- Tallis.
- Briony.

Je m'appelle Briony.

SISTER: Stand up, Nurse Tallis.

Now go and wash the blood off your face.

NARRATOR: The Navy has earned our
undying gratitude. The Army is undefeated.

Courage has brought them through
unconquered, their spirit unbowed.

This is the epic of Dunkirk.

A name that will live forever
in the annals of warfare.

In the course of a comprehensive tour,

Queen Elizabeth is seen here visiting
a chocolate factory in the north of England.

The confectionary magnate
and friend of the British Army,

Mr Paul Marshall, gave the Queen a tour
of the Army Amo factory

with his lovely,
soon-to-be-wed fiancee, Miss Lola Quincey.

What a mouthwatering couple they are.

Keep the Amo coming.
Our boys have a sweet tooth.

Secondly, for a remedy against sin,
and to avoid fornication,

that such persons
as have not the gift of continence,

might marry and keep themselves
undefiled members of Christ's body.

Thirdly, it was ordained,
for the mutual society, help and comfort,

that the one ought to have the other.

I saw him.

Therefore, if any man can show
any just cause

why they may not be
lawfully joined together...

I know it was him.

...let him now speak
or forever hold his peace.

(GASPS)

I saw him. I saw him with my own eyes.

(ORGAN PLAYING)

WOMAN: Let the nursey through.

They're going down to the country today.
Never been out of London before.

I hope they get a nice family.

They don't know what they're in for
with this lot.

Come on.

I'm looking for Miss Tallis. Cecilia Tallis.

Is she in?

Tallis! Door!

I tried writing. You wouldn't answer.

I have to talk to you.

(DOOR CLOSING)

- So you're a ward sister now?
- Yes.

Thanks.

I want to go in front of a judge
and change my evidence, Cee.

Don't call me that.

Please don't call me that.

I know what I did was terrible.
I don't expect you to forgive me.

Oh, don't worry, I won't.

You're an unreliable witness.
They'll never reopen the case.

Well, at least
I could tell everyone else what I did.

I can go home and explain
to Mummy and Daddy and Leon...

- So what's stopping you?
- Well, I wanted to see you first.

They don't want to hear any more about it.

That unpleasantness is all tidied away
in the past, thank you very much.

But...

I'll be late. Better get moving.

Excuse me.

He sleeps so deeply.

- What is she doing here?
- She wanted to speak to me.

Oh, yes, what about?

The terrible thing I did.

Robbie. Darling.

(BREATHING DEEPLY)

I'll be quite honest with you.

I'm torn between breaking your neck here

and taking you
and throwing you down the stairs.

Oh, God.

Do you have any idea what it's like in jail?
Of course, you don't.

Tell me, did it give you pleasure
to think of me inside?

- No.
- But you did nothing about it.

- No.
- Do you think I assaulted your cousin?

- No.
- Did you think it then?

Yes. But yes and no.

- And what's made you so certain now?
- Growing up.

- Growing up?
- I was 13.

How old do you have to be to know
the difference between right and wrong?

What are you, 18?

Do you have to be 18 before
you can bring yourself to own up to a lie?

There are soldiers of 18, old enough
to be left to die by the side of the road,

- did you know that?
- Yes.

Five years ago,
you didn't care about telling the truth.

You, all your family, you just assumed
that for all my education,

I was still little better than a servant.
Still not to be trusted!

Thanks to you, they were able to close ranks
and throw me to the fucking wolves!

- Robbie! Look at me, look at me.
- Don't!

Come back. Come back.

Come back to me.

CECILIA: Briony.

There isn't much time.

Robbie has to report for duty at 6:00,
and he's got a train to catch.

So sit down.

There are some things
you're going to do for us.

You'll go to your parents
as soon as you can,

and you'll tell them everything
they need to know

to be convinced
that the evidence you gave was false.

You'll meet with a solicitor,
make a statement,

have it signed, witnessed,
send copies to us. Is that clear?

Yes.

You'll write a detailed letter to me
explaining everything that happened

leading up to you saying
you saw me by the lake.

Try to include whatever you can remember

of what Danny Hardman was doing
that night.

- Hardman?
- Yes.

It wasn't Danny Hardman.

It was Leon's friend, Marshall.

I don't believe you.

He's married Lola.
I've just come from their wedding.

Lola won't be able to testify
against him now.

He's immune.

I'm very, very sorry for the terrible distress
that I have caused.

I am very, very sorry.

ROBBIE: Just do as we've asked of you.

Write it all down, just the truth, no rhymes.
No embellishments, no adjectives.

And then leave us be.

I will, I promise.

BRIONY: I'm sorry.
Could we stop for a moment?

MAN: Of course. Is something the matter?

I just need a couple of minutes by myself.

... minutes by myself.

MAN: Briony Tallis, your new novel,
your twenty-first, is called Atonement. It's...

Briony?

I'm sorry. Could we stop for a moment?

Briony Tallis, I'd like to talk now
about your new novel, Atonement,

which comes out in a few days
to coincide with your birthday.

- It's your twenty-first novel...
- It's my last novel.

Oh, really? Are you retiring?

I'm dying.

My doctor tells me
I have something called vascular dementia,

which is essentially
a continuous series of tiny strokes.

Your brain closes down, gradually
you lose words, you lose your memory,

which for a writer is pretty much the point.

So that's why I could finally write the book,
I think. I had to.

And why, of course, it's my last novel.

Strangely enough,

it would be just as accurate
to call it my first novel.

I wrote several drafts as far back as my time
at St Thomas' Hospital during the War.

I just couldn't ever find the way to do it.

MAN: Because the novel is autobiographical,
is that right?

Yes, entirely. I haven't changed any names,
including my own.

And was that the problem?

No.

I had, for a very long time,
decided to tell the absolute truth.

No rhymes, no embellishments.

And I think...

You've read the book,
you'll understand why.

I got first-hand accounts of all the events
I didn't personally witness,

the conditions in prison,
the evacuation to Dunkirk, everything.

But the effect of all this honesty
was rather pitiless.

You see, I couldn't any longer imagine
what purpose would be served by it.

By what? Sorry. Served by honesty?

By honesty.

Or reality.

Because, in fact,

I was too much of a coward
to go and see my sister in June, 1940.

I never made that journey to Balham.

ROBBIE: Do you have any idea
what it's like in jail?

BRIONY: So the scene in which
I confess to them is imagined.

CECILIA: He sleeps so deeply.

BRIONY: Invented.

ROBBIE: How old do you have to be to know
the difference between right and wrong?

BRIONY: And, in fact,
could never have happened.

Because

Robbie Turner died of septicaemia
at Bray-Dunes

on June the first, 1940,

the last day of the evacuation.

Cheerio, pal.

And I was never able to put things right
with my sister, Cecilia,

because she was killed
on the 15th of October, 1940,

by the bomb that destroyed the gas
and water mains above Balham tube station.

So...

My sister and Robbie were never able
to have the time together

they both so longed for, and deserved.

And which, ever since, I've...

Ever since I've always felt I prevented.

But what sense of hope,

or satisfaction, could a reader derive
from an ending like that?

So, in the book, I wanted to give Robbie
and Cecilia what they lost out on in life.

I'd like to think
this isn't weakness or evasion,

but a final act of kindness.

I gave them their happiness.