Z hold fast to the law
z of the last cold Tome
z where the earth of the truth
♪ lies thick upon the page
z and the loam of faith
♪ in the ink long fled
z from the drone of the nib flows on
♪ till the last of the first depart
♪ and the least of the past is dust
2z and the dust
2z the dust is lost
z hold fast
♪ gormenghast, ♪
Gertrude: Yah! Yah!
Come closer. What's the matter with you, boy?
I said closer. I want to talk to you.
- You never have before. - Well, I do now.
You're 17, Titus.
How are you, my friend? It's about time
you grew out of this sulk.
- Are you talking to me or the bird? - You.
That's yours.
It's yours by inheritance and right. You can't give it away.
It's yours for ever, whether you want it or not.
- Thank you, mother. - What more do you want, boy?
There isn't anything else I can give you, and if there was, I wouldn't.
I've understood that much.
Agh!
Grow up, boy!
You are no ordinary son
and you have no ordinary mother.
Look!
Turn! Look!
Look at it...
And learn to love it for what it is.
You can't love anyone or anything else.
Because there /sn't anything else.
There is only your duty to those who love you.
Think, Titus, and grow.
Soon, perhaps, we will all need you.
Mr chalk!
- Mr flay! - Come back.
Nearly time, lordship.
- Time? For what? - Won't wait much longer.
- Who won't? - Been coming in.
Watching.
- Watching steerpike, you mean? - All of you, lordship.
Him most.
Rebellion soon.
East wing.
You need me...
Make chalk Mark under lamp.
Old hall.
Mr flay, wait.
I hate gormenghast.
Oh, no, lordship! No, no, no. Can't be!
Can't be.
But I do, mr flay.
I do.
Confound you, peeledswitch!
How do you know when I'm going to appear every day?
Perhaps we're in Harmony, sir.
I'm more in Harmony with a dribble of piss!
And I've told you before, don't "sir" me in that obsequious way!
And why are you so damn clean?!
Perhaps it's this habit of washing I've gotten into, sir.
Yeah, well, dull yourself down! Take the shine off.
Quite right, sir. I'm too visible.
Not when you're wanted, whelp! I see through you!
Even when I'm invisible?
Are the north cloisters ready?
You're too dirty. You're going to have to die.
What's that, scum?!
They were dirty and I asked why.
But they're ready for you now, sir.
I might be more difficult to get rid of than you think, kitchen boy!
How long have you plotted, eh?
You will never rise further than the scum on your sink -
wash or no wash!
You stretch my Patience, grub!
And even now, I'll send you back to the filth you came from! Do you understand?
My son will replace me, not you!
- You have a son? - You didn't know about him, did you?
Nobody does. Not yet!
I'm warning you.
You be very, very careful, mr steerpike.
You do exactly what I say -
no more, no less -
or I'll skewer you, sewer slug!
This has gone on long enough.
He'll have the keys off me before I can turn round.
Yes, you have, mr secretary barquentine.
You've gone on far too long.
"Dear son..."
I'll put a stop to this
before the scum gets into the inner sanctum.
Go away!
Did I ask for a son of a bitch to visit me now?
Man: It's your hot milk...
I said, go away!
Milk! I've got better things to do than drink milk!
This'll take the shine off you, mr snakebite!
Good evening, mr secretary.
It's mr snakebite.
"Dear son..."
Son...
That's me, isn't it?
Scum like you?! A son of mine?! Never!
"Dear son, I believe it is time we were reacquainted.
"T have it in mind..."
What had you in mind, mr secretary?
Did you have it in mind that he should succeed you?
It's interesting that you realised a successor was necessary, isn't it?
But it won't any son of yours.
- Guess who it'll be. - Piss-lump!
Kitchen boy!
Traitor! It'll take more than an insect like you
to shake gormenghast!
You haven't got very long, you know?
Long enough! Help!
Help me!
Excuse me, mr secretary.
Help!
- Help me! - No-one there.
Just in case you were thinking of throwing something else.
Snakeshite!
Poisonous slug!
Shh. Shh.
Poor boy.
He'll never know now, will he?
Goodbye, mr secretary.
Thanks for all your help.
Warm today, isn't it?!
You're coming with me, you poisonous slug!
Gertrude: The boy - sneerbite.
How bad is he?
Doctor: As a toast, ladyship.
Face and hands. Could hardly speak.
I really don't see how it could have been self-inflicted.
What? Why should it have been? What are you saying?
What, I? Oh, nothing, madam!
I really have no idea why I said it.
Though steerpike ls the hero!
He tried to save the secretary
who had caught himself alight with the candle... flame.
He told me so himself before he passed out.
We will need a new secretary, doctor.
Who else but the hero, ma'am?
He's the only one who knows how to do it.
When will he be able to start?
In a matter of weeks, ladyship.
Able... but I wouldn't say pretty.
Stupid...
So stupid!
And the twins make five.
Oh, do they, indeed, mr secretary?
And what, pray, or who,
was quite so stupid?
Hmm?
Planning any work, young lordship,
or are you looking at a piece of paper handed you by doggit?
It's nothing, sir.
Well, show me this "nothing", hm?
- I'd rather not, sir. - Well, I'd rather you did, sir.
No.
- Lordship? - Sorry, sir.
I'm ashamed of you, Titus groan.
Stand up.
You're going to have to be punished.
Oh, shut up...!
I beg your pardon, lordship?
It was nothing to do with you.
Er, Titus, you will apologise to the secretary.
I will not.
Titus, I said you will apologise.
And I said I will not.
Headmaster, the next time I inspect your class,
I expect to find more discipline...
And respect!
Yes, sir.
Of course, sir.
Titus...
Sorry, sir.
I know you don't like me, lordship,
but if someone in my position can say such a thing,
I would prefer our relationship to be at least on a friendly basis.
I can understand that may not be possible,
but with all due respect, I must tell you,
if you insult me, you insult gormenghast.
Is there anything I can do to make you happier?
You can stop making me attend all these stupid ceremonies.
With respect again, lordship,
these stupid ceremonies, as you put it, are the life of the castle.
They are how our time passes.
They are how we know where we come from.
They are what we are.
And you control them.
And yet again, with the greatest respect, lordship,
I organise the various traditional rituals,
I do not control them.
I am merely a servant.
You could be making them up.
You are welcome to look for yourself.
Rites, rituals, ceremonies - I don't want them!
I'm not a performing monkey!
- We all have our duty. - And I don't want duty!
What about me?
Titus: Well I hate him!
Why? Because he does his job?
No, because of what he is! And why are you defending him?
I am not!
Why should I defend him? I never see him.
I'm not surprised. I don't know how he can see anyone with a face like that!
He can't help it!
You're so arrogant!
He saved our lives once.
In the library? That was years ago.
And he tried to save barquentine.
We need him, Titus. The whole castle needs him.
What do you care about the castle?
I hate it! Every rock and stone.
And so do you.
- I do not! - Yes, you do!
You're miserable all the time!
Who do you talk to? No-one.
All you can do is dream and what's the use of that?
Nothing.
Unless you are seeing him.
Are you?
Are you seeing steerpike behind my back?
You heard what I said.
I know I did.
Now tell me the truth.
I have to have someone to talk to, don't I?
You just said so.
You speak to mr flay, don't you?
That's secret, fuchsia.
No-one knows he's here.
You haven't told steerpike, have you?
No!
I told you, I hardly see him!
He's disgusting.
Is he? Oh, is he really?
Is that what you think, Titus?
Who are you to say that about him?
What have you done that makes you so superior?
What...?
What are you trying to say to me, fuchsia?
Perhaps I believe in equality.
No, you don't!
Then perhaps I think that...
That sometimes he is better than all of us.
You might well be right.
- He's obviously better than me! - Titus! Titus!
I didn't mean it!
This place heard no step for 200 years.
Been here... been here...
And you...
But mostly... mostly him...
Steerpike.
This is everywhere he's been...
Since barquentine died?
He killed him, lordship.
He came down chimney from old room.
Never came out of room.
I was outside there, waiting.
- He could have gone down to save him. - Respect, lordship.
Steerpike killed secretary.
Had mirrors in chimney to watch him.
We have no proof, mr flay.
And we can't just go accusing...
Don't need proof, lordship. Know it.
Followed him everywhere.
Something up there - north.
- Can't find out where he goes. - That's not proof, either!
Sees lady fuchsia, lordship.
- I know. - I'l watch her.
I don't know what to do, mr flay.
Catch him...
- Kill him. - You'll kill him?
Enemy of gormenghast, lordship.
- My lady, I'm here. - Mr steerpike?
I prefer you don't see my face.
I've prepared a room for you.
Would your ladyship come to me there?
Would she talk with me?
Her knight of the clouds will wait for ever.
I'll come.
Oh...
Flay's voice echoes: Careful, my lady...
I heard something! I heard...!
You fool!
Why did you use a candle?
Anybody could have seen you!
How dare you!
Please forgive me.
Someone has been following me.
I'm certain we're being watched.
It would be my death, your ladyship, if we were caught!
Oh, please forgive me.
Our time together is so valuable, I could not risk losing it.
I do apologise for my stupid behaviour.
Please forgive me.
This is what I prepared for you.
The chair, the tapestry - it's the best I could find.
It all belongs to my family, mr steerpike.
I decorated it for you.
There's something else.
Wait.
- Close your eyes. - I don't want to close my eyes.
Then wait. Please...
This is for you.
And with respect, it did not belong to your family.
His name's Satan.
I am very sorry, my lady.
I did not mean to speak to you like that. I only mean to protect you.
You would be punished if they knew you were meeting me.
That's not your concern.
I've written you a poem! Would you like to see it?
No...
I don't want to see any more furniture or monkeys
and certainly no poems.
My lady?
I want to see you.
Why don't you take that mask off?
Because you will be even more disgusted by me!
Why don't you let me make my own mind up about that?
Madam...
Let me see.
Please!
Take it off!
Lady fuchsia?
I must go.
I'm sorry.
Unlock the door.
See me again.
Unlock the door - please!
Don't leave me like this.
I beg you.
You are my only hope.
Let me out!
Please say you'll see me again.
- I'll come. - See me again!
I'll come again!
I've said it. I will.
Now unlock the door.
I beg you.
I know I'm a grotesque.
I know I come from nowhere...
But I love you.
Believe me.
I didn't do very well there, did I?
She won't come back, but I'll have the lovely lady, my little friend.
I promise you that.
And the whole family, too.
I'm going to make them wish they were never born...
Or at least never born where they were.
Maybe they should try the kitchens next time!
Let's go down, my little friend.
It will amuse me.
What else is there?
We'll go when it's light,
and then I can show you what I've done.
Lordship! Lordship! It's time.
- Get doctor. - The doctor, mr flay?
Bring weapons.
Meet me - grand courtyard.
I knew it! What...? What weapons do you think mr flay meant?
- I don't know. - I possess no firearms or swords.
Pokers! By the fireside, young friend. Be quick!
Yes! I knew it!
"And the twins make five!" I knew it!
The twins, two. Barquentine, three...
Nannie slagg!
The dispensary!
Poison!
You fool, prunesquallor!
Nannie slagg, four! And five?
His lordship, huh? Mad after the burning?
Does he make five? Why would he count him? Unless...
Yes.
Steerpike, young lordship.
At last!
This should be very interesting!
- The grand courtyard? Are you sure? - Of course I'm sure.
Look, doctor, here's a Mark.
- It's mr flay. It must be! - Must be!
What's he written?
"Catch me. Silence."
Stealth and speed, dear boy. Stealth and speed.
Be vigilant, dear boy, for any hieratic instruction, however small.
Ha! There!
Shh!
Oh, Satan...
I like this place.
Look around.
Why do you think I like it? Hm?
Shall I tell you?
This 1s where I was born.
Up there.
In that little room.
When I was six,
they sent me down to swelter.
Just you and me now, Satan.
Down, Satan.
Stop that noise, you idiot!
This is what I wanted to show you!
Look!
There it is! The aristocracy!
This 1s what they come to when they challenge me.
Your ladyship Clarice, your ladyship Cora.
I brought a monkey to see you!
He's so impressed, he's screaming!
Why don't we show him what we can do, hm?
Care for a dance?
Ah-ah-ah?
Shhh!
♪ I'm as mad as mad can be!
♪ Watch me get your whole family!
♪ I'm as mad as mad can be!
♪ And you two and me make three. ♪
Come, Satan!
Pearls!
Alas, poor Clarice, I knew you well.
Oris it Cora?
Goodnight, ladies.
Your servant leaves you to the mice.
Mr flay: Now...
Grub!
Put that knife down, master steerpike.
We want you to come with us.
A visit from his lordship!
That ls a privilege.
Hiding, is he?
Look to me, slug.
Look to the servant?
Look to me!
Certainly.
Oh, mr flay! Mr flay...!
Don't be frightened, my lord.
It's only a boy from the kitchens!
See you in hell, flay.
Mr flay... mr flay!
I was a coward, mr flay.
You...
Won't...
Be...
Lord...
Ship.
Why did nobody suspect?
Why did nobody tell me?
It was him. He killed all of them. He burnt the library!
I have no proof, ladyship, but it seems so.
We saw him dance.
- "Dance"?! - It was a lunatic dance.
- He certainly killed mr flay. - Flay?
A lunatic dance?
Here in gormenghast?!
Find him.
All work is suspended.
Scour the castle.
Every wing, every room, every inch.
Put a guard on all food stores.
I've no doubt the animal must eat.
Draw up your orders of search, captain. I will have him.
Ladyship.
You, poet!
If you can write, I assume you can read.
Read the tomes. You are the new secretary.
- Secretary? Ma'am, I'm... - That's what I said. Are you deaf?
Tomorrow is the day of the carvings. You will organise it.
- I am a poet! - Now you are secretary.
No sewer boy will hold gormenghast to ransom!
And bury flay. Graveyard of the select retainers.
He has earned his place. Get on with it.
Yes, ladyship.
And his lordship, what will he do?
Will he defend his right
or will he allow the vermin?
Steerpike!
"From the sunrise to the night of the moon,
"in eternal day and eternal night,
"what has been has always been
"and will always be...
- "Gormenghast." - All: Gormenghast!
"Carvers...
"Create beauty for the delectation of..."
- There! He's there! - There! On the roof!
Steerpike!
You men, take the fourth passage through to the dome!
The rest of you all up along the back wall!
Now, get out of my way, all of you! Move yourselves, come on.
It's her! It's her! It's the wild girl!
Go on! Get back to the woods!
- Stay down, lordship! - Protect yourself, lordship!
Don't let him get away!
After him!
Throw me that rope!
Where are you?!
You lost him? And the Earl? Did no-one see him leave?
Where's Titus? Where's he gone?
Damn him! Doesn't he know we're under threat? Tell me, girl!
- You know, don't you? - I love him! He's my brother!
- Where is he? - He's all I've got left!
Seal the castle, captain. No-one leaves.
Captain: All of you, outside!
It's you!
No! Don't be frightened.
I'm your friend!
I'm lord Titus! I've run away!
I was looking for you!
Please! I'm a friend!
See?
I don't want to hurt you!
I think I'm like you.
I think you're my sister.
My foster sister.
Please. I've come to find you!
I am Titus.
I've known you all my life. Please.
I've wanted to see you.
Titus!
No!
Captain: Right, just keep moving.
Families, stay together.
Up you go, lad.
Put him in his room, under guard.
She's dead. I thought you'd like to know.
She was struck by lightning.
The wild girl is dead. Can't you hear me?
You are Earl of gormenghast. What's she to you?
- I hate gormenghast! - What?!
Let him be. He is what he is.
The carvers are building boats.
They built one for you. Use it and learn how to survive.
Or perhaps you don't want to do that either?
Captain, your report.
- Mother... - Captain!
The ground-floor passageways north and south are impassable,
the carvers are quartered in the fourth hall,
the east wing is eight foot under water
- and it's still raining. - Good.
- Ladyship? - The higher the flood,
the less we'll need to search.
I don't care if we have to wait until the water's reached the last chimney.
I'll have you, mr steerpike.
Oh, no!
Help me.
I'm starving.
- Don't touch me! - Listen to me!
- Don't touch me...! - Listen to me! Please!
I did it.
I admit it. I killed flay.
You know that, don't you?
I killed your aunts.
I burnt the library. It was me!
I burnt your father's books.
I drove him mad. He killed himself because of me.
- But I did it all for you. - I hate you.
I did it all so I could be in a place where you could see me.
- I don't want to see you! - You love me.
I'm ugly and I'm disgusting and you love me.
You love me because I'm the only one who can see you.
You're so lonely, my lady.
I'm the only one who knows who you are and what you are.
- Go away from me! - I know what you dream about.
- You do not! - I do. You know I do.
- I have my family! - Your mother?
Is that a mother?
She hardly looks at you.
And do you have a real brother?
Who is he?
He's so wrapped up in himself, he can't tell.
He's even too weak to take what's given him.
Does he love you?
Does he even see who you are?
I am sorry about your father.
I didn't think that would happen to him.
I thought you were all so strong!
I thought you were much stronger than me.
I wanted to rescue you so you'd like me.
Believe me, my lady, I'm yours.
You'll never know a love like mine.
I will die for you.
Look at me!
I'm dying for you now.
But I'l win.
They can't stop me, because now I know...
I'm stronger than all of them.
For you, I am.
With you, I am.
You're so ugly.
That doesn't matter any more, does it?
I will make you my queen.
I will give you everything you need.
Yes... yes...
Everything!
Oh, fuchsia...
How dare you call me that?
I am lady fuchsia!
How dare you call me by a familiar?
- Kitchen boy! - No! Lady fuchsia!
Guard! Guard! He's here!
- The kitchen rat is here! - No, lady fuchsia!
Do not touch me! You have no right to touch me'
guard! Guard!
He's here!
The rat is here!
I could have given you everything.
Remember that!
I could have made you everything you ever dreamt of!
There! Quickly!
I love him.
No way out.
Just me.
Be careful, good sirs. This ls human cargo!
Titus! We could possibly do with a little of his lordship's vigour!
Not me, doctor. I'm of no use to anyone!
Lordship, please forgive my lowly theft!
The rain's nice, nannie.
I can pretend I'm not crying.
- No. - Lady fuchsia?
No more, thank you.
Ladyship?
Lady fuchsia!
I came over the roofs.
I've seen him. He's in a room in the south wing. He's surrounded by water.
Captain.
Would you also like to know that my sister's dead?
Titus?
They've just pulled her out of the water.
Her maid said she jumped.
The maid's outside, but you wouldn't see her.
She's still waiting, mother. She wants to tell you your daughter is dead.
Captain: Can you show us where steerpike is, lordship?
Yes, I can.
I'm going to kill him.
Captain: Guards!
I already know.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
- Titus: Captain. This one. - Right, in you go.
Down there.
Captain: Put some meat into it!
Stand aside!
- You see anything? - There's no-one here, sir.
He was there!
Look!
- Ye god! - It's him! It's steerpike!
- My lord! - Look out!
He's there!
Go in! Kill him!
From one who should have been your son!
Stop him! He's in the water!
He's there!
In the Ivy, you idiots!
- Goodbye, mother. - Titus?
Titus!
Come on!
You were lucky.
Lordship.
Welcome, Titus,
Earl of gormenghast.
He was right. He should have been your son, mother.
At least he would've appreciated it.
Secretary: And here lie the remains
of her ladyship fuchsia Anastasia Alice gwendolina marchal groan,
guardian of the south pastures,
receiver of the guild of master carvers,
daughter to sepulchrave and gertrude, sister to Titus.
- I'm leaving, mother. - There's nowhere else.
You'll tread a circle, Titus groan.
I must see for myself.
- You are the Earl... - I didn't ask to be.
And you may do as you desire.
- Mother... - He'll return, won't he, my wise one?
Everything returns.
Goodbye, mother!
Goodbye, captain.
Lordship.
Yah!