- 1 week ago
Ep 6: The Three Ravens. A witch weds a widowed king. Finding that his children pose a threat to her, she transforms the three boys into ravens. The girl escapes but is told she must remain silent for three years, or the boys will be trapped in raven form forever.
Starring John Hurt as the Storyteller, this tale features Miranda Richardson, Jonathan Pryce, Joely Richardson, Robert Hines, Richard Butler, Alexander Crockatt, Charlie Condou, Jeremy Stuart and Maureen Bennett.
Starring John Hurt as the Storyteller, this tale features Miranda Richardson, Jonathan Pryce, Joely Richardson, Robert Hines, Richard Butler, Alexander Crockatt, Charlie Condou, Jeremy Stuart and Maureen Bennett.
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TVTranscript
00:00When people told themselves their past with stories,
00:13explained their present with stories,
00:16foretold the future with stories,
00:20the best place by the fire was kept for the storyteller.
00:30One day in November, the queen died.
00:44Outside the palace, the leaves fell lamenting, reds and golds falling.
00:51Inside, weeping, the king, his three sons, his daughter.
00:56And the people filed slowly by to shed their own tears for the dear queen.
01:03But there was one among the mourners whose eyes were dry.
01:08There was one among the mourners whose heart was ice,
01:37whose soul was cold, whose smile was sly,
01:41whose brain raced ahead to the day when the king would want to ease his loneliness.
01:48And the witch, for which she was, fixed her dry eyes on the king and schemed.
01:56Mine, she schemed.
01:59Mine, all mine.
02:03And you may well weep.
02:08Her scheme was simple and terrible.
02:13She groaned for power, for majesty over all things,
02:18for the cold ring of gold around her head.
02:20She wanted this until the want ate away her heart and soul.
02:26So she set to work on the king.
02:30The king wouldn't marry a witch.
02:32No, the king didn't even see the witch.
02:35He didn't feel the sun on his face or the rain.
02:38Just this tug of the past, all day, all night, memories tugging on his sleeve.
02:46His poor heart, you see, was broken.
02:53But the witch could charm the skin from a snake.
02:57And she turned all her power on the king.
03:00She wound him in, inch by inch.
03:03The past tugging him one way, she patiently pulling him the other.
03:09Because, he thought, when he looked at her, he saw his wife's face.
03:14And indeed, he did.
03:16You're back, he keeps saying.
03:19She says, our little secret.
03:26That's witchery.
03:28Oh, yes.
03:29It was a spell, and it worked.
03:31I've got something wonderful to tell you.
03:34I've met someone very special.
03:39Children, we're going to be married.
03:43We're going to be happy again.
03:45I hope you'll think of me as your friend.
03:49And then, in time, perhaps, as your mother.
03:53Our mother's dead.
03:55I think we mean as a new mother, don't we?
04:00Yes.
04:01In time.
04:04Well.
04:08Try for me.
04:10Will you?
04:13Oh, yes.
04:14All hugs, all family.
04:17But witch watched and cursed them.
04:23They were her rivals and her enemies, these four grieving and bewildered children.
04:28And a canker grew in her mind because she would not share.
04:33She wanted it all.
04:35And she sowed a seed of fear in the children's lives.
04:40Stairs gave way.
04:42Horses bucked while balconies crumbled.
04:44Even the toy box was terrible.
04:46Of course, the witch herself was all honey.
04:51Always honey.
04:52But sometimes the king caught a look and worried she was also the bee.
04:59Bee.
05:00That's right.
05:01And bees sting.
05:02I hate that witch.
05:04Poor man, then.
05:05Torn in half.
05:06Enchanted by his new queen.
05:08Frightened for his children.
05:10What could he do?
05:11I said I'd take you on a special holiday.
05:12We're almost there.
05:13A forest?
05:14A magic forest.
05:15Follow the thread.
05:16Follow the thread.
05:17Follow the thread.
05:18Follow the thread.
05:19Follow the thread.
05:20Follow the thread.
05:21Follow the thread.
05:22Follow the thread.
05:23Follow the thread.
05:24Follow the thread.
05:33Hurry up.
05:34It's perfect.
05:35There's a stream.
05:36And a house.
05:37Beautiful.
05:38And sure enough, there it was, pink and perfect.
05:43And the boys larked and larked as if a great weight had lifted off them.
05:48And their sister sat by the stream and dipped her toes and missed her mother.
05:53Which he always did when she was happy.
05:55This is your secret place.
05:57No one can find you here without the thread.
06:00I'll visit you each day.
06:02You've brought us here because of her, haven't you?
06:05Our stepmother.
06:06No.
06:07Of course not.
06:08But his daughter was right.
06:11Quite right.
06:12For even as she spoke, the witch, her stepmother, sat in her tower and studied horrible spells.
06:20For the children were obstacles between her and power, growing, daily growing like clouds over her.
06:29And now she would discover where they were, clouds.
06:33And puff.
06:34Then clean away.
06:36Where have you been?
06:39I took the children on a trip.
06:40A holiday.
06:41Oh yes.
06:42Anywhere nice?
06:43Yes.
06:44Very nice.
06:45What's that you're sewing?
06:46Shirts.
06:47I'm sewing them all little shits.
06:48Aren't they sweet?
06:49That's nice.
06:50Is there love, though?
06:51Mm-hmm.
06:52What's that you're sewing?
06:53Shirts.
06:54I'm sewing them all little shits.
06:55Aren't they sweet?
06:56That's nice.
06:57Is there love, though?
06:58Mm-hmm.
06:59You're being very mysterious.
07:00Am I?
07:01What about?
07:02Her children.
07:03Our children.
07:04You want me to be their mother, but what mother can tolerate not knowing where her children have gone to?
07:16I just want them to have a secret holiday.
07:19Makes it special.
07:20Secret?
07:21Yes, of course.
07:23But what if something should happen to them?
07:26Then where would we be?
07:29What happened to you?
07:32Still let that be an end to it.
07:35If you don't want to talk about it, that's your right.
07:38They're your children.
07:39I'm just the stepmother.
07:45But the witch had no intention of letting that be an end to it.
07:50The next day, the king rode off, and she followed, stealthy as a bat, and watched him roll out the magic thread.
07:59And with sly sleight of hand, she stole it for herself.
08:04And soon she watched it wind its secret way towards the children.
08:09Shirts she carried.
08:11And a chill curse she knew by heart.
08:20Have you caught these fish yourself?
08:22How clever!
08:24How did you find us here?
08:25Where's our father?
08:26He's just coming.
08:28Look, I brought you presents.
08:30I'll be nice.
08:31And so each one by hand.
08:34I'll put them on.
08:35Then your father can see them.
08:37But how can their father see them?
08:40When this thread won't work.
08:42When this ball won't roll.
08:46Where's your sister?
08:48I miss her.
08:49She should be here.
08:51Come along, then.
08:52Your shirt.
08:55And all the while, the king stumbles, lost in the forest, and cries out...
09:00Children!
09:02Mama!
09:03Mama!
09:04Mama!
09:05Mama!
09:06Mama!
09:07Mama!
09:08Mama!
09:09Mama!
09:10Mama!
09:11Mama!
09:12Mama!
09:13Mama!
09:14Mama!
09:15Mama!
09:16Mama!
09:17Mama!
09:18Mama!
09:19Mama!
09:20Mama!
09:21Mama!
09:22Mama!
09:23Mama!
09:24Mama!
09:25Mama!
09:26Mama!
09:27Mama!
09:28Mama!
09:29Mama!
09:30Mama!
09:31Mama!
09:32and the princess runs runs for help runs for her life
09:41my daughter daughter boys boys husband husband what have you done yeah i've done nothing for
09:56what are you doing here this is my secret place where are my children oh are the children here
10:00i can't look at you please do please look at me i heard my daughter cry out to me i think you must
10:09be unwell are you sickening for something let me see let me soothe you oh no get away from me
10:15boys yes you're upset i'll have to think about this about what we can do with you
10:28and for a day and a night the princess ran stumbled fled until she dropped dropped into a dead sleep
10:37and when she woke she saw three ravens before her or perhaps she dreamt it because they spoke to her
10:46sister they seem to say we are trapped help us how how can i help you you must keep silent you
10:55must not speak to a single soul for three years three months three weeks and three days
11:01only then i shall not speak putting her finger to her lips as a sign the princess promised not to speak
11:12to a single soul for three years three months three weeks and three days
11:18the princess she couldn't speak to anyone no hello goodbye i'm hungry no what about a note she could
11:33write a note nothing if she spoke to another soul her brothers would remain ravens forever such was the
11:41power of their stepmother's spell and so the princess made her home high in the hollow of an old dead tree
11:48and was silent while weeks and weeks went by
11:52until one day a young prince far from home stumbles across a stream and in that stream
12:03he sees a handkerchief float by hello is this yours
12:07come back have you been cursed is that it can you not speak
12:15don't be frightened i won't hurt you look i'll sit quietly down here beside you
12:20see and saying that he sat beside her and took out his food and offered it to her and she was famished
12:28and had some and soon he set off talking of his past his present and his plans and all the while he's
12:35thinking what eyes all the while he's thinking to kiss that mouth and the prince came back every day
12:45for a week and the princess found she could smile again a darling smile a smile that wrapped all the
12:53way round her heart and his heart and squeezed them tight together and the prince gave up
13:00speaking too and they were content to simply sit and hug on that smile until one day he could not contain
13:10his thoughts and said them all love he said and marriage and always and ever and they kiss
13:18and that was that so she spoke not a whisper the prince set her up on his horse and they rode the
13:27long ride to his kingdom and on the way he spoke of his father the king and of his beloved mother who
13:35had died and the princess wanted to say i know she wanted to say mine too but she couldn't so she didn't
13:45and at length they were there at the gates of the palace and as proud as you please father madam i want
13:56you to meet my sweetheart his father looked down and so did his stepmother the witch the witch but she
14:06was married to the other king the other king was dead poisoned oh no the witch had a taste for kings
14:17now for countries for the princess was a thorn pricking at her ambitions the princess could not
14:23speak but she accused with her looks killer of my father the witcher of my brothers and the witch knew
14:31she must have done with her and so the battle began the good princess and the wicked witch
14:38but the prince knew nothing of this and married his sweetheart and it was true the moon was honey for
14:47them it kicked it's moving it's kicking me and not a minute it seemed before there he was
14:56a son a boy and the young mother would have given anything everything to say his name sing to him whisper
15:07but she couldn't so she didn't he has his mother's eyes oh lovely let's hope he has your voice my dear
15:18look after him won't you hug him all up little man she does of course she does
15:34what what is it where's the baby darling the princess didn't know and couldn't speak
15:52and their baby was nowhere to be found and the pain of it intolerable until one night she went to
16:00the garden and dug with her hands in the ground a small hole and bending to the earth screamed
16:07with all her heart screamed and screamed her pain into the hole until morning and it was better
16:16and looking up to the sky she saw her brothers the ravens circling above her the days pass they
16:23seem to say hold to your promise hold to your promise your father and i are so sad for you both thank
16:34you so sad well it couldn't be you you don't think the princess didn't well want the little baby perhaps
16:44she loved him she loved him of course she did stupid forget i said anything please
16:54dearest where have you been i looked everywhere
16:59what have you got on your hands what's this is it earth perhaps she's been digging a little hole
17:06what have you been digging it must pain you so much she's done i hate that witch i bet she did
17:19something to the baby no one knew or no one said and when the news came the princess was to have a
17:27second baby the joy was muted quiet and two years and two months after the princess took her vow of silence
17:37another boy was born to her and she would not let this precious son from her sight not for an instant
17:45until exhaustion overcame her and her eyes stopped fighting and closed and when she woke
17:57and now whispers were whispered in the corridors of the castle two babies disappeared what kind of
18:12mother these whispers asked who loses babies who will not speak curse they said these gossips bewitched
18:27yes
18:37you know before when my first son you know you asked and i said i said impossible but now now i don't know
18:46and i'm frightened i know i understand and she is with child again i could not bear shh don't worry
18:57when the time comes we must watch her closely we must love her very much but we must watch closely
19:05and so three months later when the baby came darling our son our beautiful little son what i should like to do is
19:15perhaps to take him with me for a day or two somewhere safe somewhere where no one will find him or harm him
19:20i told you she wouldn't of course
19:26well it's late stay by her until the morning and then we'll see stay beside her until the morning
19:32he's a lovely lovely lovely and so they sat silent their hearts full
19:45Stay by her until the morning, and then we'll see. Stay beside her until the morning.
19:51He's a lovely.
19:54A lovely.
19:55And so they sat, silent, their hearts full to bursting,
20:01watching their tiny child, its fingers like stars.
20:06And the mother prayed, and the father prayed,
20:09but the strain, the tiredness of the birth washed over them,
20:13huge waves washing over them, lulling them to sleep.
20:17And for a minute, two minutes, three, they slept.
20:23And then the prince woke.
20:30Oh, no. Oh, no!
20:34What have you done?
20:36What have you done?
20:38What's happened? What's the matter?
20:40It's horrible. I can't believe it. She's a witch.
20:43My poor babies. My poor sons.
20:46Yes. She must be burned as a witch.
20:49Tomorrow. Tomorrow she must be burned.
20:53And so it was decreed that three years, three months, three weeks, and three days,
20:58after she had taken her vow of silence,
21:01the poor, innocent princess would be burnt at the stake as a witch.
21:06Why didn't she speak? She can speak now, can't she?
21:09No. Not yet. Not until the midday.
21:15As they prepared the bonfire,
21:18the sundial in the courtyard was still far from the midday,
21:22and they came for her and tied her to the stake.
21:25And as the sundial neared the line of twelve,
21:29it was the witch herself who lit the torch
21:33and took it towards the bundles of hay and twigs.
21:36And then, and then, three ravens flew at the witch,
21:43wheeling and diving and crashing,
21:45and she dropped the torch,
21:46and in a second was nothing but dust and ashes.
21:49And her three brothers, freed from their spell,
22:04pulled their sister from the stake,
22:05and hugged her and kissed her,
22:07and now she could not speak for crying.
22:11And there was more.
22:12For now, all was restored to her,
22:20and good held sway.
22:23And the girl who kept faith
22:25and had but one face for everyone
22:26was rewarded with sons and brothers
22:30and a sweetheart and a crown.
22:34And she practiced her smile
22:36until it was perfect.
22:39Well, I thought the babies had been killed.
22:43No, the witch had cast them down a well.
22:47But the ravens knew and caught them up safe
22:50and cared for them.
22:51And so they lived happily ever...
22:53Yes, but it wasn't three years, three months,
22:56three weeks, and three whole days, was it?
22:58No, clever clogs.
23:01The princess spoke three minutes too soon.
23:05And because of that,
23:06her youngest brother kept one wing forever.
23:08But he didn't mind,
23:10and nor do I,
23:11and nor, my dear, should you.
23:15The Tale of the Three Ravens.
23:25Sit.
23:26The Tale of the Three Ravens.
23:46You