MrsTurner!
What are you doing?!
Double-checking.
You're treble-checking
what I've double-checked.
I'm confiscating this list,
One thing left to be done
is for you to get yourself ready.
Clare and Richard are late with
the flowers. Get ready, please.
'Young fellow, what are you doing? '
We're not going to let her bully us,
are we, Flora?
Cats! Well, at least
they don't get married
and make their mothers
wear ridiculous hats.
What are you doing in
your dressing gown?!
It all looks wonderful.
I think I will decide on that.
No-one will notice weeds, they're
going to be too busy looking at me!
Now go and get ready. I can't!
I can't find my glasses!
Try looking in your handbag.
Is Jack ready?
Is your father ready?!
Tea, do you want any?
Coming! Yeah, coming.
You'll outshine that sister of yours.
Your father will be great.
Yeah, he will be.
He's waited for this day.
We've talked about
this day for so long.
And now, the final touch.
I'm not cut out for this
mother-of-the-bride business.
I look like that madwoman
patient of yours that pestered you.
Wore those gigantic hats.
I saw her once hatless,
she had hair like the Eiffel Tower.
Oh, Jack,
really, please!
Keep control! Oh!
I'm sorry, darling.
We'll get through today,
and Sophie will make us proud.
She always has.
Clare and Richard are here at last.
And they're bickering as usual.
Have it your way. I'll carry these
but I left them especially for you.
Where are you going to put those?
I know where I'd like to put them.
I think they'll fit better up yours.
Where is everyone?
Where's Mrs Savery?
She's within hearing distance.
I'll help this poor man
unload some of his burden.
I wonder if they need help with Jack.
They can manage.
Are the cars ready?
CHURCH BELLS RING
Don't you make a lovely couple?
Have you got your speech?
You've asked me twice.
Yes, I've got my speech.
I don't know which is beginning
to wilt, mother or the hat.
Daddy, yours is slipping.
MUSIC: "I Don't Feel Like Dancing"
by Scissor Sisters
# So I play along when I hear
that favourite song
# I'm gonna be the one
who gets it right.
# But I don't feel like dancin'... #
We've had the church wedding
and the ground hasn't
opened up and swallowed us.
I'm working on it.
Ah, excuse me,
I have this dance with Edward.
Might convert him.
She'll never change, will she?
Not a chance.
Have you spoken to Jack?
How do you think he looks?
You're as good a doctor as I am,
Anne. What do you think?
He's completely immobile, he doesn't
sleep, he's suffering terribly,
he can barely...
The doctor in me tells me...
That it's a dreadful way to die.
It's...
Can I say something awful?
We both know you have to be
damned unlucky to go like this
and we are doctors,
so if it scares us,
how can I blame people for
not going anywhere near him?
Not even you.
My wonderful husband
reduced to this.
Richard, go and talk to him, please.
Hello, old friend.
Actually, Anne...
Excuse me.
She's coming.
Darling, I'll be back in a moment.
# But I don't feel like dancin'
No sir, no dancin' today
# Don't feel like dancin', dancin'
Even if I find nothin' better to do
# Don't feel like dancin'... #
Smile, everyone! Hurry up, Sophie!
Well done. Come on! Mind the tree!
Over here! Mind, Flora!
Jack, mind the cat!
That damn cat has a mind of its own.
Of course she has, she's my cat!
Let me take that.
OK.
Anne, where are you?
Mummy?
Daddy's looking for you.
Edward's going to do his speech.
He's been working on it for ages.
Oh, dear. Is it very long?
I thought it was perfect
but Sophie cut it.
Good for Sophie.
Before I make a toast
to the bride and groom,
I ask you to raise your glasses
to the man who should be delivering
this speech... Our wonderful father.
He's been a tower of strength to
Sophie, to Jessica, to myself and
to our mother, all through our
lives, and he continues to be so.
He makes you all welcome
to our house on this great day
and so I ask you to salute
our parents...
To Dr Jack Turner
and Dr Anne Turner.
Jack and Anne.
Guess who's last to leave.
Clare and Richard
are having a nightcap.
Why don't you go and see them off?
I can manage here.
Oh, thank you, darling.
My wife has just made the profound
observation that nature knows best.
I'm pointing out she is,
as usual, talking rot.
And you'll take his side,
You'll stick together.
You doctors always do.
Well, I know we're not allowed
to help people die peacefully
but we can watch
them die of starvation!
Hypocrisy annoys me, Clare.
It's been a long day.
We'd best be going.
No, no, no. Drink
the champagne, finish it. Enjoy it.
Enjoy everything while you can.
We had such plans, Jack
and myself, when he retired.
A new life... Oh, Clare,
take that expression off your face!
You're looking sympathetic,
it doesn't suit you.
You look like a nun with halitosis.
Well, thank you very much!
If you're not careful,
I'll come and breathe all over you!
Oh, get me a last glass
of something - anything!
That'll do. Get that down you.
Cheers. Cheers.
Mmm!
Did you put poison in this glass?!
No, I merely looked at it.
I want to see you drink it.
Come to an end.
Life as we have known it.
I wanted to be
happy in our retirement.
I am angry he got ill,
we had better things to do than die!
Damn it! Damn it!
We'd better go.
Right, has everyone
done four handfuls?
Sophie, you have, Jessica
has, I have... I've done three.
Well, do a fourth.
Think I've found something.
Look at this.
Must be a screw from the coffin.
If anybody says a word about
your father having a screw loose...
Mrs Turner, would you be angry
if I gave these a rub with a brush?
Why would I be angry?
Well, people are strange
when it comes to dying.
It's hard to let go of who we love
and all they had about them.
Do you believe in ghosts?
It's not the dead put the
wind up me, it's the living.
No, no superstitions,
I don't entertain them.
I'm glad you're bearing up.
Doctor Turner is a very big loss.
You know what has to be done and you
do it, and more power to you, I say.
Oh, Jesus,
I poison you with compliments!
Come on, back to work, both of us!
Oh...
Damnation!
Ooh!
Diana?
Could you get me a couple of
plasters or something? Look at this.
Tripped for no good reason.
There you are.
What would I do without you?
TELEPHONE RINGS
See you later. Surgery?
So you have a fair idea
of the tests we'll need?
Yes, and I'll do them all.
Well, I'll arrange... I have no
doubts about it. It's what I want.
Having a child...
Have you got children?
Three.
My mother's very ill.
A stroke. A whole series
of small ones then a whammer.
She whispered something
to me after the first.
She said, "Love your children. "
Your mother sounds very wise.
Edward.
Edward?
Thank you for all this.
How could I manage?
I love it, you know I do.
Makes a pleasant change
from the office in London...
What's the matter?
Are you all right?
Oh, don't take any notice.
It's the house,
so quiet without Daddy.
SHE SOBS
Would it devastate you
if I were to sell it?
Oh, snap me out of this, Edward,
I'm being maudlin!
I should do something to help, hard
work! What do you want me to do?
I'd like you to go back
in the kitchen and make
a cup of tea, please,
because in the garden
you are Genghis Khan.
Really!
It was his children drove
Genghis Khan to destruction! Ha!
And I sympathise!
How was she? 'She seems very
emotional all the time. '
Never know if she's going
to bite your head off, laugh or cry.
She's still in mourning, Edward.
Has she mentioned selling the house?
No, I'm not selling it.
I wasn't being serious.
Edward that worried
about losing his garden?
He's worried about you grieving.
Well, why can't he speak out?
Why send you?
He didn't. I came myself.
I expect Jessica as well.
Are you all on a mission?
Why are you so touchy?
This has come out of the blue.
What has?
Selling the house, moving.
I said I'm not! It's just... Oh,
it's just such a big house
to maintain.
There are always things going wrong.
The lights keep blowing.
Have to get an electrician in.
It's just one thing after another...
And I've had a few nasty falls.
It's probably nothing,
just me being careless, I expect.
You must go to the doctor!
Sophie, I've been practising
medicine for thirty years.
I don't need advice!
Say something.
And have you bite my head off?
You're tearing up
plants, Mother, stop it!
They're my ruddy plants to tear up!
Say nothing to your
brother and sister.
Then you'll go to a doctor.
Promise?
Of course.
But I break promises,
it's part of my charm.
I think I've found the problem!
Mrs Turner, are you there?
See what he wants.
I'll take these upstairs.
Coming!
Don't tell me this
is going to be a big job.
Mrs Turner!
Jesus Christ, Mrs Turner!
We'll have to lift her!
Don't move a muscle of her!
We'll have to fetch a doctor.
Well, get a move on!
I'll stay with her.
What is the matter
with you, Mrs Turner?
Oh, is there much blood?
Don't you worry about that.
Is the laundry ruined?
All that ironing for nothing.
I'll give you a hand...
Just you stay put!
One move and I'll give you laundry.
What is happening to me?
What is happening?
SHE SOBS
Jack, Sophie, Edward, Jessica.
Jessica, Edward, Sophie, Jack.
Help me, help me,
help me, help me.
Worst diagnosis I could have had.
You would agree with that,
I presume? Yes.
The odds of this happening twice
in one family must be
many millions to one.
So...
a bomb going off
slowly but surely inside my body,
and there is nothing to be done,
is there?
You could lie to me, Richard.
You could comfort me.
I know you too well not to,
Dr Turner.
Yeah.
Thank you for sparing me nothing,
I do prefer that.
Courage, boys, courage.
Richard, it's me.
I'm at the surgery.
I might appreciate
that lift home. Thanks.
Still taking it all in...
the news.
One thing to ask. Fire away.
Any point in more tests?
Any hope they could be wrong?
Well, there's always hope, Anne.
Have you said anything
to the children?
Well, what will they be able to do?
You need to tell them.
Would you like me to break the news?
I'm happy to do it.
Then one of us is.
More tests, then?
Let battle commence.
PSP.
Progressive supranuclear palsy.
Are you going to say nothing?
Better ask me what it bloody
is while I can still answer you.
Is it... is it like daddy's?
Worse.
This can't happen twice. It has.
It can't.
It can't, they must be wrong.
No... they're not wrong, Sophie.
What are the symptoms?
Can't speak. Can't swallow,
fed by tube.
Can't see.
May not be able to even blink.
I'm already prone to uncontrollable
fits of laughter, tears, rage,
for no reason. Falling backwards...
that's how it's even worse
than what killed your father,
to put it bluntly.
That is PSP.
That is what I have.
It's rotten bad luck.
What are we going to do?
I've made up my mind.
I don't want to hear this. I would
like you to respect my decision.
What have you decided?
Suicide.
What have you just said?
Would you be so kind as to repeat
what you have just said?
No, I wouldn't, Sophie.
Why not?
clearly. How else would you like
me to tell you? Morse code?
Bush telegraph? Smoke signals?
I think the world's gone mad.
I feel remarkably sane.
That makes one of us.
What's has made you decide?
It's been decided for me, Edward.
How has it? The disease, Jessica,
that's what's decided it.
We can't allow you to kill yourself.
Allow me?
I can't, mum.
None of the three of us can.
Excuse me. Mother, please,
you must discuss this.
No discussion. Don't be so
damn selfish. Listen to me.
She's just had dreadful news.
So have we, Edward. Come on.
Please don't let this happen.
Please.
Will you read this?
Do you see what it is?
Times and dates and days
What do they mean? You'll know
I've already fallen down the stairs,
well, here are the rest
of those memorable occasions
when I could no longer control
myself. They are a record
of each time I've fallen,
or dropped what I was holding,
or was helpless.
That is my list.
Look at the length of it.
This is already happening so often.
Is this what you want for me?
We just want you to live.
So do I, Jessica.
We want to help you.
We'll all help you.
All right. Tell me.
Mention palliative care,
though, and I'll turn violent.
Perhaps you'll lock me
in the bedroom?
Face it, did the same thing
to your poor father.
You did the very best for him.
That's why we ask you to let us
do the same for you.
Be there for you.
What do you want me to do?
You could move into a house
you can cope with.
Single storey. A bungalow?
Dear, dear, you'd put me
in a bungalow.
It makes sense, mother.
Don't dazzle me with sense, Sophie,
it was never your strong point.
A bungalow! Bungalow!
Perhaps if I keep saying it I might
resist the temptation to emigrate.
I hear Eastbourne's lively.
I wonder if it's full of bungalows!
She makes it sound like we're
putting her in the workhouse.
I heard that! You were meant to!
I knew it. Looks like a Scout hut.
It's less than a mile from home.
It might just as well be Edinburgh.
The cat will hate it.
It's not perfect, but then, what is?
I'm sorry.
cried in front of everyone in the
town by now, it's ridiculous.
I'm either crying
or losing my rag completely.
Sophie, you should tell
me to pull myself together.
Really should.
It's low maintenance.
All on one level, obviously.
No stairs to fall down.
I'll ignore that cheap remark.
Really warm,
not in the least bit drafty.
It does have potential.
Am I in the company
of two estate agents?
We're trying our best.
I do appreciate that.
You will make it bearable.
Here is where I have to manage,
then so be it.
We can bring things from home.
Yes, we can.
We'll be absolutely fine.
Edward, the garden. We'll have a
look, see what we can do with that.
It's the garden I'll
miss most about the house.
Me, who couldn't grow a daisy!
Cheer up, Edward,
you can do anything with a garden.
Come spring, who knows?
Might be thriving.
We'll need to make up a
rota - who stays when.
No, I don't
think that's going to work.
Look. What?
Look at her.
She doesn't want to live here.
She doesn't want to live.
Well, I want her to.
And so do you.
And we will help her.
Mrs Turner,
are you not frozen in that garden?
The year's turning quickly.
Come inside to the heat.
We're a right pair, Flora.
You really shouldn't go outside.
I know that, you know, but it's a
waste of breath telling you.
Yes, it is, I'm afraid.
Are you still going
to the coffee shop?
Clare has insisted.
I daren't cross her.
Here we go. Coffee looks dreadful.
Don't let me eat any of that cake.
Why did you buy it? Temptation.
I must resist. I must be good.
Oh, such willpower!
Share it. Oh, I daren't,
putting in weight as it is.
You must get back
on the tennis courts.
Shall I use this as a racket?
Really, Clare, my tennis days
are over. You needn't tell me.
I'm now partnered with
that dreadful Mrs Phelps.
You know, I pointed her out to you
one day - very tall woman,
voice like a parrot.
Vaguely resembles the
Duke of Edinburgh, yes.
Perfect! Slightly more hair.
Oh, God, Anne! What's going on?
And you can stop staring.
It's none of your bloody business.
Want to go home. Get me home.
Yes, of course, go home.
Just stay there.
Shall I give you a
hand into the house?
You do and I'll wallop
you with this stick.
That's the spirit! Mrs Savery.
You can lean on me if you like.
Thank you.
Sophie rang. She's coming down.
No, not today.
Not today, no.
Right, well, that's me
done and dusted.
Yes, I've left the money.
Collected, thank you.
Are you sure you have everything?
The medication - you
know exactly how much?
Thank you, Mrs Savery.
Shall I phone Sophie? No.
Thank you.
So I won't. Till tomorrow, then.
Tomorrow.
Damn! That article's useful.
Import...
I'm not a doctor any more.
I can't practise any more.
It's gone.
What is to become of us, Flora?
No more cat food, eh?
I won't even be able
to open the ruddy can.
We might starve to death, darling.
Come on,
come on.
That's it.
I thought it was all so well
planned out but it's not,
is it, little one?
It's not.
Oh.
It's now
or
never, Flora.
PHONE MESSAGE: So no need to call,
having an early night.
Not that early, surely.
PHONE RINGS
PHONE CONTINUES TO RING
Where are you, Mother?
Is she all right, Mrs Savery?
Why would she tell me not to come?
When?
OK.
CAT MIAOWS
I can't pick you up, darling.
I might fall
and I'm so ruddy tired.
I really am.
Edward, it's me,
I'm coming to get you.
PHONE RINGS
PHONE RINGING
PHONE STOPS RINGING
PHONE RINGS AGAIN
I can't just leave work. No,
look, I don't care how busy you are.
Give me an hour at least.
No, Jessica. Something's wrong.
What is it?
Be ready in ten minutes. Edward!
PHONE RINGS
PHONE STILL RINGING
PHONE STOPS RINGING
Jessica, come on, now!
I can't.
Mother?
Mother?
Jessica!
Oh, I want to die.
Oh, let me die...
Let me die.
It's all right. It's all right.
If I were a dog,
I'd put myself down.
I want to die.
Help me.
Should we call an ambulance?
Shhh.
Do you think we should wake her?
I don't think we should.
Why don't you get some sleep?
I can stay and watch her.
We have to face what's happened.
What exactly it means. Can't it wait?
I don't think it can.
I'm going to call Richard.
Just let her rest.
It'll be what she needs.
You'll have to spend a
few days looking after her.
Well, one of you will. Are
you surprised she's done it, Richard?
I'm surprised at
the way she's tried.
What do you mean?
It's not easy to kill
yourself with these.
They have built-in antidotes.
Did she not know that?
Maybe she was forgetful.
Maybe she was desperate.
We can never leave her alone again.
We can't be here morning,
noon and night, the three of us.
If we have to, we have to,
because this is a cry for help.
It isn't, Jessica.
You can't want her to die.
Jessica, it's not a question of
whether she lives or dies,
it's a question of making a choice
between a good death
and a bad death.
Do you want her to suffer or
not to suffer?
That's the choice she has to make.
So do we.
I quite understand you're all
furious with me,
causing such a fuss.
None of us are furious.
How could we be?
Did you want us to find you dead?
Why do what you did?
Why put yourself through all this?
There are people worse off.
Not when this disease
is finished with me.
I want to die.
I ask you not to stop me.
Don't ask that.
Do you know what you're saying?
I'd thought of a thousand
ways to tell the three of you,
but I don't know how to do it.
I've heard of this...
Oh... I can't think of the word,
my mind isn't entirely clear.
It's an organisation in Switzerland.
Based there.
What do they do?
They'd let you die if you want to.
They have the decency to do that.
Sophie, will you phone them for me?
I hate talking on the phone now.
I came across them when
your father was ill.
I wish to follow it up now.
At least talk to them
about what I can do.
Is this some kind of euthanasia?
Assisted dying.
You administer the drug yourself.
No!
Absolutely no.
I have no choice, Jessica.
I know what's coming.
I'm not afraid of dying.
But I am afraid of going through
what your father suffered.
Do you want me to end like that?
I'm sorry for all the bad news.
You cannot know
how sorry I am
for so many things.
But one thing I am not sorry for.
I have wonderful children.
And I need you now.
I need all three of you.
We're here.
Always.
So, you're asking me to phone
this Swiss organisation,
make a little appointment, and then
pack you off to Zurich
where you will die?
That's all I have to do, is it?
You do not know if I wish to
terminate my mother's life.
Stop being the blue-eyed boy, Edward!
Say something.
The disease is beating me.
It will only beat us if we let it.
If we can fight...
I am fighting a different battle.
I'll stand by you.
You could be prosecuted.
You could lose everything
you've worked for.
I don't give a damn about that.
You should.
I'll do what I decide and
I decide to be with you.
You do know what it
is I'm going to do?
Yes, Mother.
And no-one else can know.
You win.
Don't bully me, Sophie.
Just give me time.
I don't know how much time we have.
Jessica.
I'll look after her.
Yes, yes, I understand.
Provide a birth or a
marriage certificate, yes.
Meet your physician.
You do discuss
medical alternatives.
Tell them about Daddy.
Am I right in understanding
you only operate in Switzerland?
Tell them what he suffered.
And the waiting time?
What we saw him go through.
Control is with the
patient until the very end.
Thank you very much.
Why didn't you tell them about Daddy?
Can we meet them in London?
No. Not allowed to by law.
Mother needs to write a letter,
why she wants the arrangements,
depending on how unbearable...
how... unbearable...
how unbearable...
She's not really going
to do this, is she?
I've now passed through
stages one and two
of progressive supra-nuclear palsy.
The third stage has well begun.
I have difficulty eating,
I cough and choke, I cannot read
or watch the news or television.
My past career as a doctor
is now a dream.
I can barely support
myself on my two legs.
I suffer from complete loss of
power.
Can you make out what I'm saying?
Yes, I can, Mother.
Complete loss of power in my arms,
my bladder,
my whole body.
I soon won't be able
to close my mouth.
I need help dressing.
I need help living.
And if I don't take this path
that your organisation offers me,
I will soon be unable to
physically say enough.
Enough, please, enough.
It's all right, Mother.
No, it isn't, Sophie!
I can't even talk to
these people in my own country.
What kind of ludicrous law
would turn us into criminals?
They want to jail the dying,
why don't they turn the Houses of
Parliament into a prison,
and leave us all there to rot,
powerless and helpless, if
that's how they want to keep us?
I also suffer from
increased impatience
and am extremely irritable,
as my family will tell you.
My excuse is my symptoms.
They might say otherwise.
Well, now we have that
in writing, Mother.
And now guess how I'm
really going to annoy you.
You know who you agreed
to play chess with tonight?
Oh, Clare.
I can't play chess any more.
She's insisting.
That woman is a ferret!
Are you letting me win?
That is the easiest game
of chess we've ever played.
You know me better than that.
I hate losing.
Oh, the world's worst, that's true.
I never give in.
You're cut from the
same cloth, aren't you?
I'm well aware you've got
a hard fight ahead of you.
Getting through this
bugger of an illness.
You're going to need your wits
about you to stay on top of it
and there's no better
woman to cope with that.
Are you paying me a compliment?
Why?
Perhaps it's because you're a
friend I revere.
Well, for the first
time in your life,
you have shocked me into silence.
I do worry about you
and I worry about the children
and it's not the disease
that bothers me most, it's
what you might do about it.
Something silly,
something
that can't be undone
and that will damage others even more
than you.
You know everything,
don't you, Clare?
Richard didn't need to tell. I
had to look into Jessica's face.
Have you any idea
what your children are suffering?
You can tell me to mind
my own business
but, please, Anne,
never try that again.
I'm asking you that
and I ask you something else as well,
which I'm nervous to even suggest.
May I pray for you?
Of course, yes,
if it helps you.
I want it to help YOU.
You do, I'm sure, and if it does,
I'll be the first to let you know
but we each have our
own way of doing things.
We will, as ever,
beg to differ and respect that.
I am not going to lie to you, Clare.
I know you've tried it once but
if you're going to tell me why
you choose suicide, don't.
I don't think I could cope with that,
Anne. I don't need you to explain.
Right you are, but I
do want to explain.
I think people will
want to know why.
It might be my way of
explaining to myself.
I'm actually thinking of
approaching the TV news people.
You'd go on television?
Have you taken leave of your senses?
You're going to show off
on television?
Showing off? In this condition?
Anne, this is all wrong.
This is selfish and typical.
You've always been a spoilt woman.
Jack spoilt you,
your children spoilt you,
everyone running around at your
command. Well, this is going too far.
This is seriously what you intend?
You think it's clever?
It's cruel. It's cruel and stupid,
stupid and thoughtless and don't you
dare try to convince me otherwise!
Clare, you don't know
and you forget what Jack suffered.
No, you're forgetting what more
people than you suffer
and they have the courage to face it
without putting their children
through what you're putting yours
through.
Do you know what I think you are?
I think you're a coward.
And Jack would agree with me.
You've gone far enough.
Well, I'll go one step further.
I think you planned this suicide from
the first minute you heard.
Moving house and putting your
children's concerns above yours
and letting them look after you.
It's all an act, my girl,
fooling everybody but not
fooling me, not any longer.
You knew all along what you
were going to do and you lied.
You're a coward
beyond doubt, also a liar.
Because the likes of you
can't take the truth.
You would know the truth any longer.
You're the liar.
The liar is looking at me.
You believe what you like, Clare,
but it is not what I believe
and that's what frightens you.
I am willing to stand alone.
You have never done so. I do so now.
Well, then I leave you there.
I will never see you again.
No, you won't,
and I'm not afraid of that.
YOU are afraid, Clare.
I am not.
I'm not afraid!
DOOR SLAMS
Courage.
If a doctor was to help you die
here in Britain, it would be a crime.
Then the law...
The law must be changed.
A terminally ill person should
be able to die if they so choose,
before their lives
become unbearable.
Or at least know
they have that option.
So it's true is it, that of those who
are approved for this procedure,
Iess than a third actually see it
through?
Yes,
people just like
to know it's an option.
It relieves them of their suffering.
And to me, as a doctor,
that is a fundamental
duty of medicine.
And what would you say to those who
fear that a change in the law
would undermine
the trust between doctor and patient?
It sets us on a slippery slope.
Well, people will say that,
but in countries
where the law has changed,
there is not a shred of evidence
to support that view.
None at all.
Some people watching this interview,
Anne, might argue that you are in
sufficiently good health
to stop you committing suicide.
Well, I might look like
I'm all right, but I'm not.
I've been through
their rigorous procedures.
They know
and I know what is happening.
The symptoms are getting worse
and if I don't go soon,
the time will come when I will not
be able to travel,
when I will not be able to get the
medical assistance I need to die.
So you're saying that you've
made your choice? I have.
That is my right
and that is at the root
of all I believe in.
Doctor Turner, thank you very much.
Thank you.
Is he finished?
You will respect my wishes?
We'll show nothing until... I'm dead.
I think that's the word you're
looking for.
One, two, three.
Oh, they actually worked!
Oh, look at that
lovely, gorgeous gem.
Oh, Mum, that's beautiful.
Let's hear the riddle then. What's
black and white and red all over?
Oh, a newspaper.
A self-harming nun with a machete.
What?
Are children reading these?
No, I think that's appalling.
Sophie, go and get the box.
I'm sure it said family crackers.
Yes, I got it in the supermarket.
Just complain, Mother.
I will. What part of a lady
should not move when she's dancing?
Her shoulders. I remember
when I was a girl. Her bowels.
Her b...! (LAUGHS)
That's disgusting.
There's a moral decline in society.
These cracker jokes are a symptom...
Yes, I...
You should complain, Mummy, you're
always complaining about something.
I do not always complain.
ALL: Oh!
You should be ashamed of yourselves!
We're innocent, Anne. We told
them not to. What have they done?
They wrote the riddles themselves.
To shock you.
Oh, you are the end.
You really are. How could you
play tricks on your poor mother?
Easily!
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Ready, steady... Go!
HUBBUB OF GAME
You were quiet during the meal.
I didn't know what to say.
I still don't.
Thank you for welcoming
me into this family.
Look after Sophie.
There is nothing in that
regard you need worry about.
Would you do something for your
horribly demanding mother-in-law?
I would not mind coffee.
Probably shouldn't but I'm going to.
My pleasure.
# The bells are ringing
# Ding, dong, verily the sky
# Is riv'n with angels singing
# Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria
# Hosanna in excelsis... #
It's all in one breath.
# Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o... #
What are you thinking about?
Can I get you anything?
Kedar is getting me coffee.
But there is something, Sophie.
What?
I think it's time
to book the flights.
Soon.
A short stay in Switzerland.
I was saying to your mother,
Sophie, you get mighty deals if
you leave off travelling
till the middle of January.
That's why we're
going now, Mrs Savery.
You'll have a ball.
The four of you.
No skiing, I'm warning.
I want to mind no broken bones.
I promise. And no worries about the
house. I'll keep it safe and snug.
It will be here waiting for you.
I will leave it in your
good hands, Mrs Savery.
How can I thank you enough?
SHE CHOKES
Listen to her. She's just like
myself, always getting nervous
about getting on a plane. She
shouldn't be, should she, Jessica?
She shouldn't. Packing's complete.
Do you want me to double-check?
I trust you, Mrs Savery.
Don't you worry about the cat.
I'll feed the bold Flora.
I wouldn't be allowed to forget.
She's a very bossy creature.
Now look after your mother,
the three of you - and bring her
back safe or you'll answer to me.
Well, I better get going home.
Safe journey
and I'll be seeing you soon.
Goodbye, Mrs Savery.
Is there something
else I have to tell you?
No, my head's like a sieve.
I can't remember.
Safe journey. Goodbye.
The letters are all printed.
Everything's prepared.
We have enough cat food?
A feast of it.
Have you seen Flora?
She's on your chair. I'll
just go and see if she's all right.
Well, old girl.
You'll have to look
after them all for me now.
Thank you, Flora.
Beautiful, wise cat.
DOORBELL RINGS
The car's here.
What are you looking for?
My guide book to Zurich.
I know it's in here somewhere.
Sophie has one.
Well, I have my own.
Like to know where I'm going.
Where are they?
Meeting the TV crew.
They flew in this morning.
I must spring clean this
handbag, I really must.
So, it's happening then.
Mmm.
Right, let's see Zurich.
How is Edward
managing to remain so calm?
He's no more calm than we are.
He can't imagine life without her.
I keep wondering what it'll
be like, what will happen.
Can you guess what
I'm thinking of doing?
Marrying Stephen.
Oh, that's excellent news.
We must celebrate.
Can I give you something?
I want you to have my wedding ring.
Take it off my finger when I die and
put it on Stephen's.
I'm so glad for you both.
Yes, do marry.
Waste not, want not.
I always did insist on recycling.
You do know how much
I'd want you to be there?
I love you so much.
I can't imagine a better mother.
That was a lovely
thing to say, Edward.
Good luck to you both.
Two sons, what fun!
Right, food everyone.
You must all be famished.
So glad you're here, Edward.
All of you.
Hold my hand on the gallows.
Yes. Only my mother.
Oh, very good, Edward.
That's right.
That's it.
We should say something.
Is "Cheers" appropriate?
It's always appropriate.
Cheers. Cheers.
To Jack.
To Daddy.
Sophie.
Edward.
Jessica.
To Mummy. To Mummy.
I think it's terrible that
people have to come and die
in a foreign country.
Anne, can I just
ask you one last question?
Is there anything anyone could say to
you this morning
to make you change your mind?
No, nothing at all.
Thank you. Thank you.
'The procedure will take place
in our organisation's apartment. '
A trained volunteer will assist you.
He will have to video you taking
the medicine which I will prescribe.
Yes, I understand.
And your children will be with you?
To the end, yes.
It's what they want.
Is it what you want, Dr Turner?
I thought it was.
I thought I knew for sure.
Though now I know something I didn't
before coming here.
What is that?
I've broken their hearts.
By dying?
By dying.
You are honest.
And your children,
they are honest too?
They are, yes.
Then they are where they want to be -
with you.
Practical matters.
Is the taste horribly bitter?
It will be, yes. Does it ever fail?
No, Dr Turner, it never fails.
It is a strange thing you do today.
It does require courage.
You have it.
Dr Turner, I am Carsten.
Please come this way. Thank you.
I'll let you have some time alone.
Thank you.
This rum chocolate is very good.
I think I might try a white one.
I'm not so keen on that.
Which one's the rum one?
The blue one. Blue.
OK. Please excuse me, I need a
word alone with your mother.
This is what you really want?
Yes.
I do appreciate your kindness.
I'm not crying for myself,
I'm crying for my children.
I do hope they're going
to be all right.
# Glory to thee,
my God, this night... #
I have no regrets whatsoever.
That's my children.
# Keep me, O keep me, king of kings
# Beneath thine own almighty wings
# Glory to thee,
my God, this night
# For all the blessings of the light
# Keep me, oh keep me,
king of kings
# Beneath thine
own almighty wings. #
It's time.
Come here.
Now...
Look after each other.
This is the barbiturate.
The law requires I
record this conversation.
Dr Turner, you know if you
swallow this, you will die.
You do understand this fully?
The law requires I hear you answer.
I know perfectly well what
will happen, yes.
You understand the whole procedure?
I understand fully.
Oh, it's bitter.
Oh, I feel woozy now.
Into the bed. Yes.
She must stay upright in order to
let the drug travel quickly
through the body. I must insist.
Can she not sit even?
She can, but she
can't lie down just yet.
SHE BREATHES NOISILY
I love you so much.
I love you, Mummy.
You know you've been
a wonderful mother.
Sleep well.
Sleep well.
Mummy?
Mummy?
Is she dead?
THEY SOB
Polizei.
'Our mother died a short while ago. '
We're relieved she's
not suffering any more.
She was ready to go and that
makes it easier for us.
We respect her choice but we
will miss her very, very much.
"Forgive me for not telling you
in advance of my intentions,
"for not saying goodbye properly.
"Because the law in the UK is
not supportive, I have had extra
"complications which have required
a certain degree of secrecy.
"I hope I have spared you some of
the pain and grief
"which those very few people
in the know have experienced.
"My life has been wonderful
and varied.
"I have always
recognised how fortunate I am.
"Thank you for your friendship,
love and support.
"Yours, Anne. "