The Winslow Boy is a play, based on a true incident which placed between the dates 1908-1910 England, written by British playwright Terence Rattigan. The play was later made into two films in 1948 and 1999. 1999 version was adapted by great American playwright and director David Mamet. The end of the play was little bit simplified with some additions by Mamet and he took the play one step further, perfect.
(Following text contains spoiler; if you did not see the film or the play take your own risk.
Colored texts: by Gok Yor)
After winning the legal case, Catherine and family lawyer legendary Sir Robert make their farewell speech. They have ‘special feelings’ about each other but never on the surface:
– CATHERINE: One thing puzzles me. Why are you always at such pains to prevent people… …knowing the truth about you?
– SIR ROBERT: Am l, indeed?
– CATHERINE: You know that you are. Why?
– SIR ROBERT: Who knows the truth about himself?
– CATHERINE: That is no answer.
– SIR ROBERT: My dear Miss Winslow, are you cross-examining me?
– CATHERINE: On this point. Why are you ashamed of your emotions?
– SIR ROBERT: To fight a case on emotional grounds is the surest way to lose it.
– CATHERINE: Is it?
– SIR ROBERT: Emotions cloud the issue. Cold, clear logic wins the day.
– CATHERINE: Was it cold, clear logic that made you weep today at the verdict?
– SIR ROBERT: I wept because right had been done.
– CATHERINE: Not justice?
– SIR ROBERT: No, not justice. Right. Easy to do justice. Very hard to do right. Now, I must leave the witness box. Miss Winslow, I hope I shall see you again. One day in the House of Commons. Up in the gallery.
‘Up in the gallery’ means as a spectator, only observing. Because women have no right to be elected as members of the House of Commons during the time of the conversation.
– CATHERINE: Yes. In the House of Commons, but not up in the gallery. Across the floor, one day.
– SIR ROBERT: You still pursue your feminist activities.
– CATHERINE: Oh, yes.
– SIR ROBERT: Pity. It’s a lost cause.
– CATHERINE: Do you really think so, Sir Robert? How little you know about women. Goodbye. I doubt that we shall meet again.
– SIR ROBERT: Do you really think so? How little you know about men.
In Rattigan’s original version there is only a discussion about feminism between characters, at the end of the play. Mamet has added more strong feelings in a very artistic way into his version.