The voice you hear is not my speaking voice,
but my mind's voice.
I have not spoken since I was six years old.
No-one knows why. Not even me.
SCOTLAND 1852
My father says it is a dark talent,
and the day I take it into my head to stop breathing will be my last.
Today, he married me to a man I've not yet met.
Soon, my daughter and I shall join him in his own country.
My husband said my muteness does not bother him.
He writes, and hark this, God loves dumb creatures, so why not he?
Were good he had God's patience...
...for silence affects everyone in the end.
The strange thing is I don't think myself silent.
That is because of my piano.
I shall miss it on the journey.
Take her hand, come on.
You're with me.
I've got the lady.
I think you've got it.
You go ahead.
Paddington Station.
Over here, my lovely!
Alright, lads, unbutton your muftis.
Piss like a tom.
Come on!
On the count of three!
Jesus Christ, whose bloody coffin is this?
Christ, it's heavy!
Fuck them! We'll just leave them behind. It's what they fucking want.
A pox on you!
Oh, I like that. Very good.
Leave them and be lynched for the pleasure?
It's a bit rough out there.
Could be they can't get through to you in this weather.
Do you have things for shelter?
She says, "Thank you. "
Does your mother prefer to come on with us to Nelson?
She says no.
She says she'd rather be boiled alive by natives
than get back in your stinking tub.
You be damn fortuned I don't smack your puppy gob, young missy!
Damned lucky!
We're all ready now, sir.
Mother, watch out!
The hens! Are they alright? Here.
Look, I'm a very big moth.
Will it catch fire?
I'm not gonna call him Papa. I'm not gonna call him anything.
I'm not even gonna look at him.
Are we stopping?
Shall we stop?
We must get on.
Hmm?
Miss McGrath? Alisdair Stewart.
You'll have to wake yourself. I've got men here to carry your things.
Well, I see you've got a good many boxes.
I'd like to know what's in each...
Can you hear me?
Well, that's good. Yes, that's good.
What's in this one?
You're small. I never thought you'd be small.
And this one?
It's very large.
What's in it, then, a bedstead? It's my mother's piano.
Baines, tell them to carry in pairs. Take all the boxes, table and, uh...
...suitcases.
What do you think?
She looks tired.
She's stunted, that's one thing.
And the big case?
No, no. Just the trunks and the boxes as I explained.
No, it can't come now. It must. She wants it to come.
Yes, and so do I. But there are too few of us here to carry it now.
Too heavy!
What, you mean you don't want your clothing or your kitchenware to come?
Is that what you mean?
We can't leave the piano!
Look, let's not discuss this any further.
I'm very pleased that you arrived safely.
Mother wants to know if they can come back directly for it.
Could I apologise for the delay, which I regret...
After they've taken the other things.
Might I suggest that you prepare yourself for a difficult journey?
The bush will tear clothing and the mud is very deep in places.
What do they think they're doing? We haven't time for this.
Baines!
What's the matter? Why are they stopping?
That's the way to the burial grounds. It's tapu.
We came down this way. I'm sure we did.
They want more money. They're trying to make two days out of it.
No.
No, they know another track to the side of this.
Septimus, now take that off!
Take that off!
Watch your feet! Mind your feet!
Septimus! Please stop it!
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop, please! Or you'll tear it!
Oh, the tag is broken.
Septimus, now stop!
You'll tear it. Be careful.
Arm down.
If you cannot have a ceremony together,
you'll have at least a photograph.
Careful. The lace is most fragile.
My real father was a famous German composer.
They met when my mother was an opera singer in Luxembourg.
Why?
I want to be in the photograph.
Going to leave the cloth here?
No, no. It is just to keep the chair dry.
I almost slipped on the planks. They've gotten very greasy.
Give the lady a chair.
Pull the tarpaulin.
I am sorry it rained. We have not light enough inside.
Shall I hold the umbrella on this side or t'other?
On the t'other! Move over.
Can you take this, please?
And sitting...
Uh...
Very still.
And where did they get married?
In an enormous forest with real fairies as bridesmaids,
each holding a little elf's hand.
No, I tell a lie. It was in a small country church in the mountains.
Which mountains are those, dear? The Pyrenees.
Oh. I've never been there.
Mother used to sing the songs in German
and her voice would echo across the valleys.
That was before the accident. And what happened?
One day, when my mother and father were singing together in the forest,
a great storm blew up out of nowhere.
But so passionate was their singing that they did not notice
nor did they stop as the rain began to fall.
And when their voices rose for the final bars of the duet,
a great bolt of lightning came out of the sky and struck my father,
and then he lit up like a torch.
And at the same moment my father was struck dead,
my mother was struck dumb.
She never spoke another word.
Oh, dear!
Not another word?
Well, from the shock. Yes.
It would be. Terrible.
Terrible.
Terrible. Oh.
Terrible, terrible.
Yeah, there...
Dear?
Sorry.
Um, I have to go away for some days.
There's some Maori land I'm interested in which I may buy very reasonably.
Well, I hope you'll spend the time to get settled in
and perhaps... in some ways...
...we could start again.
Alright?
I'm not able to read.
Please take us back to the beach where we landed.
I am sorry. I can't do that.
I don't have the time.
Goodbye.
I can't take you there.
I can't do it.
Whoa, whoa!
Mamma! Mamma, watch me! Watch!
Mamma! Mamma!
Hello there. Hello.
Well, you've stopped combing your hair, which is a good thing.
It was looking overdone.
You see, these are the slits that the heads will go through.
Show him, Nessie. They'll be dead. Slits.
The Reverend's going to use animal blood.
No doubt it'll be very dramatic.
It'll be very dramatic. Tea!
Morag...
...what would you think if someone were to play a kitchen table...
...like it were a piano?
Like it were a piano?
It's strange, isn't it? I mean, it's not a piano.
It's... doesn't make any sound.
Biscuits!
No, no sound.
I mean, I knew she was mute, but now I'm thinking...
...perhaps it's more than that.
I'm wondering if she's not brain-affected.
Shush!
No sound at all? Well, no. It was a table.
Well, she was very violent with the gown. She tore off a chunk of lace.
If I hadn't been there to see it,
I'd have sworn she'd have used her teeth and wiped her feet on it.
Wiped her feet on it.
Well, it hasn't come to anything yet. It's simply a concern, that's all.
Yes.
Yes, of course. A concern.
There's something to be said for silence.
Indeed. Cotton.
And with time, I'm sure she'll become... affectionate.
Certainly, there's nothing so easy to like as a pet.
And they're quite silent.
# And when they were down, they were down
# And when they were only halfway up, they were neither up or down
# The grand old Duke of York He had 10,000 men
# He marched them up and up and then he marched them down again. #
Those 80 acres across the stream, what do you think of them?
I don't have any money. What are you on about?
I'd like to make a swap.
What for? The piano.
What, the piano on the beach?
It's not marshy, is it?
No.
Oh, Baines, the music lover. I never would have thought.
Hidden talents, George.
I'd have to get lessons. It wouldn't be much use without them.
Yes, I suppose you would.
Well, Ada can play. I have it in a letter that she plays very well.
She's been playing since she was five or six.
What on?
Well, on... on your piano. That's the swap.
What does she say?
She says it's her piano and she won't have him touch it!
He's an oaf. He can't read! He's ignorant!
He wants to improve himself, and you'll be able to play it.
Teach him how to look after it!
You can't go on like this!
We're a family now. We all make sacrifices, and so will you!
You will teach him, and I will see to it!
Oh. A Broadwood!
Oh, a fine instrument!
I've not seen one here,
nor in New South Wales where I've tuned some 200.
Yes, they like their pianos there.
Scent?
Hmm. And salt, of course.
Mother says she can't stand to teach piano with it all out of tune.
So, I'm to do scales.
I hope you've scrubbed your hands.
Oh, it's in tune.
It's in tune.
I was teaching!
Mother would like to see what you can play.
I'd rather not play.
I want to listen, and learn that way.
Everyone has to practise.
I just want to listen.
Lovely.
Oh, but tell me again.
Was he your teacher?
How did you speak to him?
What happened? Why didn't you get married?
Shall I kiss you goodnight?
Get out! You need a bath!
Out! Bad dog!
Move! Go on!
Bad bloody dog!
Move it!
Ada, wait. Wait.
Do you know how to bargain?
There's a way you could have your piano back.
Do you want it back?
You want it back?
You see...
...I'd like us to make a deal.
There's things I'd...
...like to do while you play.
If you let me, you can earn it back.
What do you think? One visit for every key.
Your dress?
Skirt?
For every black one?
That's a lot less. Half.
Alright, alright. Then the black keys.
Poor baby!
What horrid little person put you in the rain
and shoved you with a stick?
Hmm, baby? Huh?
Huh?
You're alright with moi.
Scissors.
Thank you.
Nessie! Put that down and come and put your hand out.
Oh, no. Use Mr Stewart.
Nessie, please! No, no. Go on, Nessie.
Alright, Mary, come along. Down here.
Come on, girl. Get a move on. Oh, alright, then!
Down here. Put out your hand.
Now...
No, no. Put out your hand. Here.
Now...
Aahh!
Look, look! You're being attacked.
No, come on, come on. There you go.
And with the blood, it will be a very good effect.
Here, Flynn!
Here, Flynn. Here, Flynn. Flynn!
Flynn, Flynn! Here, Flynn. Bad boy!
Heel, boy. Bad, bad boy!
Flynn! Flynn, don't be trouble.
Flynn? Flynn!
I want to speak to my mother.
I don't want to be outside. I want to watch.
I'll be very quiet!
I won't look at him!
Be very careful. Careful.
I hardly need to give one to you, but here you are, anyway.
Don't be late.
You will see that there are two times.
And since you are accompanying a performer,
you will need to make the earlier time.
Wait!
How are the lessons going?
He's getting on alright, then, is he?
She seems quietened down.
Is she more affectionate?
Ah, well. Slowly, slowly.
Lift your skirt.
Lift it higher.
Higher.
Higher!
Lift it higher.
You no worry, Bainey.
I save you.
I have a wife. I save her too!
Where's your wife?
My wife?
Oh, she has a life of her own, in Hull, England.
Must be ugly... for you to run away.
You need another wife.
Undo your dress.
I want to see your arms.
Play.
Two keys.
I shall listen hard at rehearsal
because I live too far to come often.
Which sign is the word 'rehearsal'?
I can't imagine a fate worse than being dumb.
To be deaf.
Oh, aye. Deaf too. Terrible! Awful!
Actually, to tell you the whole truth,
Mother says most people speak rubbish
and it's not worth the listen.
Well, that is a strong opinion.
Aye. It's unholy.
What do they say? Are they selling?
Offer the blankets for half the land.
12.
Eugh!
Offer the guns, Baines. Offer the guns.
What do they want the land for? They don't do anything with it.
They don't cultivate it, they don't burn it back. Nothing.
I mean, how do they even know that it's theirs?
Um...
Thought I might as well mark it out, you know, as we agreed.
Yes, why not?
Well, Ada says you're doing well with the piano.
I'd like to come and hear you play.
What do you play? Nothing just yet.
No?
Oh!
Oh.
Ada, four keys.
Why five? I just want to lie.
Alright, alright... five.
# In the month of May
# The angels were sweetly singing
# A young man on his deathbed lay
# For love of Barbara Allen. #
Alright, take it easy.
Mind that hole, now. Steady.
Hang on now. There you go.
You there... I'll dress you.
Will you marry me next week?
That's the way.
Come on, come on! We're running late!
If you haven't got your lip colour on, line up behind Rose, please.
You all been to the lavatory? Yes!
Why don't we drink to Myrtle?
I want no running on the stage!
They're bringing in extra chairs!
Do not touch the blood in it!
Look who's here, hmm? The musical Mr Baines.
Whoa. What are you going to play for us tonight?
'Twinkle, Twinkle', eh, George?
How about a little tinkle-tinkle, George?
Excuse me.
Perhaps you would you turn the pages for Nessie?
She's playing for the children.
I'm in costume.
I'm very pleased you've taken up the piano.
Now, where's this song?
Hello!
George, excuse me, how about 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'?
Baa-aaa.
Or a polka? Come on, George, what's it to be, hmm?
Fools.
Come on, George. Move along.
Ladies and gentlemen, could you take your seats, please?
We're about to begin.
Ohhhh!
# Early in the month of May
# The angels were sweetly singing
# A young man on his deathbed lay
# For love of Barbara Allen
# Out of there sprung a red rose full
# And out of it a briar
# Then they flew up to the high church wall
# Till they could go no higher
# And then they came in a true love's lock
# Red roses and sweet briar. #
And so the young maid came upon each
and all of Bluebeard's missing wives.
Their severed heads still bleeding,
their eyes still crying!
Slow down, Nessie, slow down.
But hush!
Who comes?
I am home early, my sweet wife!
Where art thou?
Oh! Husband!
What a surprise! Yes, wife!
A surprise, indeed.
So now you know my secret. No! No!
You, the youngest...
...and sweetest...
...of all my wives...
No! ... must be prepared...
...to die!
No! No! Wait!
I shall not wait!
No!
Bare your neck!
So the ladies would be quite alright.
I'd like to introduce you.
This is Mrs Williams,
this is Mrs Parsons, this...
This is Mrs Reid, this is Miss Palmer,
and this is Miss Kerr.
It's very... very nice.
Hmm.
Do what you like.
Play what you like.
I want to lie together without clothes on.
How many would that be?
Yes. 10 keys.
What the clock say, Mr Stewart?
Mr Stewart.
Mmm. Mmm.
Never behave like that. Never nowhere.
You're greatly shamed! You've shamed these trunks.
I know why Mr Baines can't play the piano.
You missed some here.
She never gives him a turn. She just plays what she pleases.
And sometimes she doesn't play at all.
When's the next lesson?
Tomorrow.
I have given the piano back to you.
I've had enough.
The arrangement...
...is making you a whore and me wretched.
I want you to care for me...
...but you can't.
It's yours. Leave.
Go on, go.
Stop right there!
This isn't yours. What are you doing with the piano? Hmm?
He's given it to us.
Put that down. Put it down!
You're very cunning, Ada. I've seen through you.
I'm not going to lose the land this way. Stay there!
Hori George don't wanna see nobody. He's sick.
You got the Tupeka for Hira?
No.
Baines.
Baines... Baines, look.
I don't think you should've given up the piano.
I'll make sure that you're properly taught
with, you know, music written on sheets and so on.
I don't want to learn.
You don't want to learn? No.
What does this do to our bargain? I mean...
I can't afford the piano if you mean me to pay.
No, no payment. I have given it back.
I'm not sure that I want it myself.
It was more to your wife that I gave it.
Oh...
Oh, I see.
Well... I expect she will appreciate it.
This is all I have.
Bring that back!
Is it alright?
Why don't you play something?
What will I play?
Play a jig.
Do I know any jigs? Play a song, then.
Why won't she play? We get the thing back, she just wanders off.
Well, keep playing.
Wait! Wait!
Why?! Why can't I?
I shan't practise and I don't care!
Blast and damn! Bugger her!
Bloody... bloody... Bugger her!
Let her fall face down in boiling, bloody mud!
Let a mad dog bite her till she bleeds!
Where's your mother? Where's she gone?
TO HELL!
So, what brings you here?
Did you leave something?
I've not found anything.
Does he know something?
The piano was not harmed?
It arrived safely?
Would you like to sit?
I am going to sit.
Ada...
Ada.
I am unhappy...
...because I... want you...
...because my mind has seized on you and can think of nothing else.
This is why I suffer.
I...
I'm sick with longing.
I don't eat. I don't sleep.
So, if you've come with no feeling for me...
...then go.
Go.
Get out.
Leave!
What?
Whisper it.
Now you are going I am miserable.
Why is that?
Ada, I need to know, what will you do? Will you come again?
Wait.
I don't know what you're thinking.
Does this mean something to you?
I already miss you.
Ada...
...do you love me?
Come tomorrow. If you are serious, come tomorrow.
Mamma, stay still!
Stay still!
Mmm. Mmm.
Mamma! Mamma!
They're playing your piano!
Mamma!
Here, Papa.
You shouldn't have gone up there, should you?
I don't like it, and nor does Papa.
We can play cards if you like.
She's asleep. Look.
One night she was found in her nightgown on the road to London.
Grandpa said her feet were cut so badly, she couldn't walk for a week.
Ada.
Alisdair, is it because of our play?
Have the natives aggressed you?
Well, I have to say, you have done the wrong thing here.
You have put the latch on the outside, you see.
Now when you close the door,
it will be the Maoris that lock you in, you see.
With the latch on that side, you are quite trapped.
Quite trapped.
We have just come from George Baines'
and they have taken him over.
It is no wonder he is leaving.
He got in too deep with the natives.
They sit on his floor as proud as kings but without a...
Shred of manners.
He's quite altered.
As if they have been trying some native witchcraft on him.
Well, tomorrow or the day after, he'll be gone.
So Baines is packing up?
Well, he's nothing to pack, but he's leaving. And it is just as well.
Nessie has foolishly grown an affection for him.
We have had some tears.
Stop it! Stop!
STOP!
I am quite frightened of the way back.
We must leave in good light. We will be safe?
Oh, yes, if you leave now, I'm sure of it.
Nessie, hold this.
You know, I am thinking of the piano.
She does not play the piano as we do, Nessie. Up! Up!
No. She is a strange creature. And her playing is strange.
Like a mood that passes into you.
Up!
Now, your playing is plain and true and that is what I like.
To have a sound creep inside you is not at all pleasant.
What's that?
It's a pigeon, Auntie.
I should have waited.
I want to touch you.
Why can't I touch you?
Don't you like me?
Come on, Lucky! Who's gonna be my friend?
I'm coming to fetch you!
We must... get on.
I've decided to...
...trust you to stay here.
You won't see Baines?
Good.
Perhaps with time... you might come to like me.
Stop complaining, I said.
And be quiet.
You'll just have to be naked
until I finish washing and drying your clothes.
I don't mind if you're cold. Be quiet!
No, we're not supposed to visit him.
What?!
# The grand old Duke of York He had 10,000 men
# He marched them up to the top of the hill
# And marched them down again
# And when they're up, they're up
# And when they're down, they're down
# And when they're only halfway up
# They're neither up nor down
# The grand old Duke of York... #
Crooked, Mr Stewart.
Crooked.
Mother wanted me to give this to Mr Baines.
I thought maybe it was not the proper thing to do.
Shall I open it? No. Give it to me.
Ohhh!
Why? I trusted you!
Oooh!
I trusted you! I trusted you!
Do you hear?!
Why do you make me hurt you?!
We could be happy.
You have made me angry! Speak!
You lied to me! You will answer for this.
Speak or not, you will answer for this!
Do you love him?!
Do you?!
Is it him you love?! No, she says... no!
Mother!
Mamma!
You give this to Baines.
Tell him if he ever tries to see her again, I'll take off another
and another and another.
Mamma! Run!
What has happened?
Hush, hush.
What is it?
You're not to see her! He'll chop her up!
What happened?
Tell me.
Tell me!
Where is she?
Ssh! Quiet down! Quiet down! Where is she?!
He chopped it off!
What did she tell him? What did she tell him?
Oh.
I am going to crush his skull!
NO! NO! NO!
He'll chop them off!
You pushed me too hard. You cannot send love to him.
You cannot do that.
Just even... even to think about it makes me very angry.
I meant to love you.
I clipped your wing, that's all.
# We will be together
# You will see it will be better... #
Are you hot? My sweet love bird.
Are you feeling better?
What?
Oh, look at you.
It's your face.
I've had that face in my head, hating it.
But now I'm here seeing it...
...it's nothing.
You have your marks. You look at me through your eyes, yes.
You're even afraid of me.
Get up.
Baines...
...has Ada ever spoken to you?
You mean in signs?
No. Words.
Have you ever heard words?
No. Not words.
You never thought you heard words?
I heard it here. I heard her voice. There in my head.
I watched her lips. They didn't make the words.
But, yet, the harder I listened...
...the clearer I heard her.
You punished her wrongly. It was me, my fault.
She said...
...I'm afraid of my will.
"Of what it might do. It is so strange and strong. "
She said...
..."I have to go. Let me go.
"Let Baines take me away. Let him try and save me. "
I wish her gone. I wish you gone.
I want to wake up and...
...and find that this...
...was all a dream.
That's what I want.
It was a terrible shock. Aye, it was.
Oh, dear.
No. She needs it. She must have it.
What did she say?
She said, "Throw the piano overboard. "
It's quite safe. They are managing.
She doesn't want it. She says it's spoiled!
I've been given the key. I'll have it mended.
Please, Ada. Ada!
You will regret it. It's your piano, I want you to have it.
She doesn't want it! Ada, sit down! Sit down!
Throw it over! Sit down!
Alright, we'll throw it over.
Ahhh!
What a death.
What a chance.
What a surprise.
My will has chosen life.
Still, it has had me spooked, and many others besides.
I teach piano now in Nelson.
George has fashioned me a metal fingertip.
I'm quite the town freak, which satisfies.
I am learning to speak.
My sound is still so bad I feel ashamed.
I practise only when I am alone and it is dark.
At night I think of my piano in its ocean grave.
And sometimes of myself floating above it.
Down there, everything is so still and silent
that it lulls me to sleep.
It is a weird lullaby, and so it is...
It is mine.
"There is a silence
where hath been no sound.
"There is a silence where no sound may be.
"In the cold grave under the deep deep sea.