[birds tweeting]

[birds calling] [insects buzzing] [boy 1] careful, you're dripping juice on spider-man. [boy 2] the thing about spider-man is that he'd be useless in a place like corrigan. how do you mean? [spits] there's nothing for him to swing in between here. he needs an urban environment. that's why superman is the greatest superhero. he's all-terrain. superman? [laughs] he's the worst superhero. excuse me? superman is boring. he's invulnerable. that's why they invented kryptonite, so he has some kind of weakness.

batman, he's the best superhero, because, well, he's just a guy like me or you. he doesn't have any superpowers. he's not superhuman. he has a cape and a mask and archenemies. he's a superhero, no question. you're not listening, chuck. batman does not possess superpowers. therefore he's not super. you've lost your mind. batman is a master of martial arts. he's a detective, he's an inventor. and given that "super" only means "greater than normal," by that definition, batman can only be described as a superhero. you still here, jeffrey? go home, or your parents will think we've stolen you. i was about to leave in disgust. you have a very irritating son, mrs. bucktin. why, thank you, jeffrey. he's been spitting pips all over your tablecloth. [chuckles] oh, you little bugger. oh, charlie!

"courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." bed. merry christmas. good night. [door closes] [sighs] [panting]

[dogs barking] [tapping] [whispers] charlie. charlie. it's jasper. who? jasper jones. what are you doing here? i need your help. me? why me? come with me. i'll show you. where? hurry up, charlie. we've got to go.

[sighs] [grunts, whimpers] i'm right. didn't hurt. come on. follow me. [thinking] why would jasper jones ask for my help? he's never even spoken to me before. [whispers] jasper! where are we going? people in town say he's dangerous. but i've always wondered what he's really like. [men chattering]

[chattering continues] [woman laughs] [car door closes] [car departs] i don't know where he's taking me. or why i followed him. and i don't know how i'm gonna find my way back home.

i can trust you. right, charlie? trust me with what? [screams] shh! shh! [muffled screaming] i didn't do it! i-i swear i didn't do it. i found her. i-i found her here tonight. charlie, i need your help. help me. who is it?

it's laura. wishart? eliza's sister? yeah. [panting] i shouldn't be here. we have to tell the police. no. no, we can't. why not? because they'll see that she's been knocked around. that this is my place. that that's my rope! they're gonna say it's me. jasper, they're the police. they won't. won't they? who'd you blame first? who did you blame first? i can't tell them the truth. this is corrigan. nobody will believe me. but i thought you might. 'cause you're an outsider like me. and you're smart.

please, charlie. help me. i think i know who did it. who? mad jack lionel. you think? been walking past his place for years. sometimes i hear him calling out my name. waving like a lunatic. he's seen me with laura too. [clattering] what are you doing?

we have to hide her. jasper, we're not detectives. we can't just solve this on our own. we don't have a choice. you think i want this? nobody can know. nobody. not until we find out who did this. help me. she's still warm. please, charlie.

[grunting] grab the rock. [grunts] come on. [mrs. bucktin] charlie? charlie!

charlie! [knocking] i'm up! i'm awake! get up, or the bin gets your breakfast! [sighs] [man on radio] as the apollo 12 astronauts head back to earth from the moon... [man] you all right, charlie? you feeling a bit crook? -charlie? -i'm fine. what happened to your face? i cut myself. sleeping? -[man] looks like a shaving cut. -[scoffs] don't be ridiculous. is that what happened? [man] leave him. he's embarrassed.

i'll teach you how to do that properly later, mate. the boy's growing up, ruthie. well, if you're not eating, i suggest you head over to jeffrey's. he's been around three times already this morning. you know what i don't understand? mermaids. [woman] uh... laura. [jeffrey] chuck! -chuck! -what? mermaids. why are they considered so sexy? what are you talking about? it's because of their... their... their... their boobies? sure, but they're half a fish. you can deep-fry the lower part of their body and that would be delicious. okay, hypothetical time. would you rather have a magnetic head or fart out of your mouth? chuck? chuck! try this one. would you rather have a hat made of spiders

or have penises for fingers? so you're choosing the penis fingers, then? i'm avoiding the question entirely. it's too stupid even by your standards. -[boy] i've got the bat, man. -[coach] nice line there, son. [charlie] jeffrey, don't take the new ball. [jeffrey] no worries, chuck. [coach] yeah, good line. just need to work on the length. pitch it up. pitch it up to him. watch the footwork there! eye on the ball! -oh, fuck off, cong! -oh, shit. give it here. yeah, cheers, cong. i'll have that. actually, no, you can have it. no, cong, just take it. [boys laugh] cong, i'm giving it to you. [boy laughs] actually, you know what? you can have my shit ball. [boys laugh, jeer] [boy] good on you! [boy 2] yeah, warwick! god, he's hopeless. [warwick] why does he always show up here?

[charlie sighs] why are we at mad jack lionel's? [charlie] you think it's true? [jeffrey] what? that he murdered someone? of course it is. everybody knows. knows what? he came back from the war deranged. he got addicted to killing. that's why he worked at the abattoir. that's where it all happened. what happened? they reckon that he shot a woman and dragged her back there. they said that he hung her up and bled her out. hung her up? that's what they say. how-how do i not know this? 'cause you're an idiot. [sighs] come on.

[man on tv] ward austin! jackie weaver... [man typing] you will find out on personality squares! [sighs] [jasper] find out what you can. and don't say anything to anyone. be back as soon as i can. [phone ringing] [ruth] hello, maureen. yeah, yeah, we are...

no. no, i haven't. oh, my goodness. really? oh. that's awful. well, i mean... gwen must be beside herself. yeah, yeah, of course. no. no, i appreciate the call. yeah, thank you, maureen. yes, i will. okay. bye. charlie? -could you knock? -if you go to jeffrey's tomorrow, -i want you to stay on the street so i can see you. -why? -because i said so. -has something happened? [dog barking] not anything that's a concern of yours. but something has happened? not anything that's a concern of yours. -is someone in trouble? -yes. you, if you don't stop giving me the third degree. now, please, just do as i ask tomorrow. thank you. clean up this room.

just joking. it's pretty neat. [sighs heavily] [clearing throat loudly] [paper tearing]

[bell rings] [librarian] ah. eliza wishart. your book has come in. [eliza] thank you. [librarian] it's just under... here. [eliza] okay. [librarian] ah. here it is.

thank you. [chuckles] -[bell rings] -charlie, wait. i'll be out in a second. -[librarian] sign there. -[bell rings] [door opens, closes] [sniffing] [bell rings] breakfast at tiffany's. have you read it? me neither. i've seen the film three times, but mum won't let me buy the book. so i got mr. daglish to order it for me. i told mr. daglish breakfast at tiffany's is a book about a girl

who's famous for making omelets. i don't think he's read a book written this century. have you seen the film? audrey hepburn is perfect. she's so pretty and dignified. i wish i was holly golightly in my own apartment in manhattan. i would love that too. well, you could be paul. he lives next door. he's a writer. -that's what i want to be. -really? well, that's perfect. we can go to the new york public library together and sign a copy of your book. there's so many policemen in town. you haven't heard? heard what? it's because of my sister. what happened? -she's gone missing. -i didn't know.

do they know where she might have gone? they don't know anything. i need you to take this. quick. promise you won't read it before me, okay? okay. just keep it safe. stupid, stupid little girl! where have you been? i was meeting charlie at the library. i told dad before i left. don't tell me lies! come with me, now! -i told you to stay in the street! -calm down. don't you tell me to calm down, charles bucktin! where were you? at jeffrey's. don't...

don't lie to me! i was just at the library. [scoffs] this is your fault. this obsession with books. what did i say to you last night? i said stay in the street where i can see you. -ruth, come on, love-- -no! don't undermine me. this is important. there is a girl missing! do you understand? laura wishart, gwen's girl. no one's seen her since christmas day. anything could have happened to her. and that is why i asked you to stay close by! i didn't know. yeah, of course you didn't know. because as much as you would like to think of yourself as errol flynn, you're still a boy! [scoffs] [man on radio] ♪ the snow upon the sleigh is falling ♪ ♪ christmas in the air santa's here ♪ ♪ hear the sleigh bells ring as we ride amidst the snow ♪ ♪ sleigh bells ring loud and clear ♪ ♪ hear them ring from the depths of the valley ♪

[song continues, muffled] -[radio off] -[man] bob. hi, jude. [crowd chattering] [jeffrey] chuck, pick a card. pick a card. [whispers] just put them away. [chattering continues] [man] everyone's attention, please. quieten down. thank you. firstly, i'd like to thank you all for turning out this evening in response to what are some very concerning circumstances. as many of you are aware, laura wishart, the daughter of our shire president, pete, and his wife, gwen, has not been seen since christmas day. so tomorrow, with the assistance of the west australian police force, we will be conducting a district-wide search, and we are asking that any of you who can spare the time

to please volunteer. now, the muster point will be here at 5:30 a.m. spotter planes will be in operation and dive teams will be combing the river. furthermore, all residents who are under the age of 18 must remain in their homes after sunset. at this point, i'd like to hand over to pete wishart to say a few words. it has to be magic. i told you. good evening. it means a great deal to us to... see so many of you here tonight. it's particularly humbling to see brian and sue findlay in attendance, having tragically lost their boy danny in vietnam overnight. [crowd murmurs] now, i think i can speak for the whole town when i say that our thoughts and our prayers are with you both. at this time of year, we're all reminded of the importance of family and the value of community, but...

it's never been more clear to me than it is right now, and i just want to thank each and every one of you for all your words of compassion and support. now, if any of you have any information that might assist us in finding laura, please, just come forward. [chattering] i'm not hungry. here you go. i am. [woman] your boy doing all right, eh? stuffing his face like a pig! is your boy all right? 'cause mine isn't. mine's dead. my boy's dead! [gasps] -[porcelain shatters] -[exclaims] ma? [mother speaks foreign language] [jeffrey's mother sobs] no, no. no more, please. [man speaks foreign language]

[jeffrey's mother weeps] your mother's staying here to help pack up the hall. nobody helped mrs. lu. they just watched. [woman] thanks, susan. i'll see you tomorrow. -yes. i know. -[man] she's gonna be all right. let's get home. even the police saw what happened and miss findlay can just walk away? yes, i know. just keep it down. mrs. lu didn't hurt anyone. i know. let's talk about this when we get home. good night, peter. wesley. come on, charlie. what do you think happened? truthfully-- [clears throat] before tonight, i would have thought the most logical likelihood is that she's run away. i've taught laura for a few years now and... she's a bit remote.

wouldn't surprise me if she'd skipped town for the city, and i hope i'm right. but... but? i shouldn't be telling you this... but when they searched her room... the window was wide open and everything was a mess. there was blood on the floor and on her bed. so, i don't know. it's very concerning. which is why there's such a serious response. [kettle whistles] do they have any suspects? [whistling stops] no, not really. although, i have heard talk that they're looking for jasper jones.

wh-why? because they blame that poor kid for everything. wait. what are you working on in there? in here? well, i'm learning the bassoon. -what? -yeah, that's right. do you want to hear me play? [farting] ooh. sounds like more of a trumpet. yeah, well, like i said, i'm just learning. good night, mate.

[jasper taps on window, whispers] charlie! jasper, where have you been? what happened at the town hall? they're looking for you. i know. they've been staking out my old man's place for the past two days. can you come out? but there's a curfew on. [sighs] wait a second! [typing] come on. the lights are on. he might be home. jasper, there's no way i'm going in there. we're not going in.

just watching. it's not my brand. come on. [frogs croaking]

[gags, coughs] [chuckles] what is it? um... it's pillim's. i think it's irish. nicked it from me old man. he goes through it so fast, doesn't notice when it's missing. are you worried he'll tell the police where you are? [soft chuckle] he wouldn't have a clue. after my mum died... he just went to shit. well, when did she die? when i was real young. car crash. i don't remember her at all. i haven't even seen a photograph. but i know she's where i get my color from. her people aren't from around here.

d-did you love her? laura? we were planning to leave together. when? as soon as we could. that's why i've been gone these past couple of months. been out donnybrook way picking stone fruit. didn't get a chance to tell laura. why not? there wasn't time. i couldn't go near her house during the day. think of that. i could only ever see her when it was dark. it's like she was a dream or something.

i came back christmas night... with enough money to get us out. went straight to her window. she was gone. and then you came here. i heard her screaming. and then i found her. i never should have left. i should have stayed here. it's not your fault. enough people blame you already. someone else did this. i let her down. is that why you wrote that? what? on the tree.

what does it say? uh... -you wrote it, didn't you? -what does it say? it says "sorry." you mean you didn't write it? no. then who did? it had to be... it had to be mad jack. he's been back here. last night. what if he's here, jasper? jasper, he could be right now. he could be here. we have to go. no, charlie. wait. i'm leaving! charlie, wait! [giggles, whoops]

[car departs] [panting]

[door closes] [sighs] wait. i want to go with you. -close that door. you stay right where you are. -but why? i want to help. you can help by staying home and safe. you listen to your mother. all right, come on. come here. come here. [jasper grunting]

[officer] get inside. come here. come here. i'm going to jeffrey's. all right. [dogs barking] [man] come on, boy! come on, then! [barking continues]

[clattering] [chickens cluck] [door opens] [breathing heavily] [man] come here, you little mongrel! [loud clucking] hey!

charlie! -hi. [chuckles] -uh, hi. i just came to renew the loan on my book. -my bag. -what? actually, uh... that's not true at all. i've been waiting around here the past couple of days hoping i might see you. what? charlie, are you all right? i'm fine. completely fine. nothing. it's... is that a knife? no. i mean... i mean, yes, it is, but it's not... -did you maybe want to walk me home again? -i can't. really? i'm sorry, i have to go. [sighs]

[man talking on radio] -[cutlery clatters] -[man on radio] ...you'll have a good time. well, speaking of good times, here come the easybeats. [song plays] [ruth sighs] ♪ everybody shake ♪ [volume increases] ♪ everybody groove ♪ ♪ mmm-mmm-mmm ♪ ♪ mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm ♪ oh! ♪ oh, mama ♪ ♪ yeah, mary, mary you're on my mind ♪ ♪ the folks are gone and the place'll be mine ♪

aha! [laughs] [ruth sings along] ♪ mary, mary wanna be with you ♪ [ruth laughs, shrieks] ♪ and this is what i'm gonna do ♪ ♪ i'm gonna put a call ♪ [radio off] what happened? did they find anything? no. nothing. not even a trace. jesus christ, that poor girl. [sighs] [tapping on window]

jesus, jasper, what happened? [jasper] it was sarge. the prick kicked me in the ear. it's still ringing. sarge. i didn't think they'd ever let you go. they didn't. so, how did you get out? [chuckles] tricked one of the city coppers. told him i had to take a shit, went straight out the window. that's amazing. yeah. they'll be looking for me harder than ever now. i have to show you something. look. look, it's the same as the tree. "sorry". it says "sorry."

[whispers] what are you doing? [scoffs] jasper! [man mutters] nah, it's okay. [charlie] oh, no, no, no, no, no. my bag. -what? -he's got my bag. eliza's book. [exhales] [grunts] -it was a bug! -[man] who's there? [jasper grunts] [man] who's there? [panting] [man] hey!

aaah! [whimpers] charlie! -[man] hey! -jasper! [man] get out of here, you little bastards! [jasper] i know you did it! i know you did it! jasper? [jasper grunts] jasper? we have to go back. he did it. he killed her. i know, but you can't even stand. we have to go back. we have to. not now. what about new year's eve? when everyone's at the fireworks, we can go back then. promise? i promise. [dog barking in distance]

[car door opens] [footsteps approaching] stay here. [officer] charlie bucktin. what are you doing here? hmm? get in the car. come on. [car doors close] [whimpers] [car departs]

[ruth] oh! we didn't do anything wrong. hmm? i didn't do anything. oh! thank goodness! i thought i'd lost you! are you all right? oh, god! [sighs] get inside. [sniffles, sighs] [sniffles] come on, inside. [jeffrey] jesus, chuck. inside. are you all right? [ruth sniffles, sighs] well, where were you? we were worried about you! [officer] now... hey! [snaps fingers] you said, "we didn't do anything wrong." now, who's "we"? nobody. do you think i'm playing with you, son? hmm?

who were you with? charlie. tell the truth. eliza. [wes] wishart? yes. why? because i was worried about her. i... i just wanted to make sure she was all right. we're... we're fond of each other. [scoffs] "fond of each other"? [ruth sighs] [officer] did you ever stop to consider that maybe the last thing the wishart family needs right now is a young man prowling around their home? hmm? no, sir. i'm sorry. sorry? so am i. we're done. [sighs] 'night, romeo. [wes] we appreciate you bringing him home. [clears throat] [door closes] now, charlie, i think you need to get to bed and stay there. [ruth] what, that's it?

no wonder he thinks he can cavort around town whenever he feels like it! ruth, he's growing up. you were slipping out to go dancing with the gis at his age. that is completely irrelevant! he could have died, wesley! we don't know who's out there! i agree. but screaming at him isn't gonna reinforce the point. what's your solution? do nothing? just disappear in there and write a bloody story about it? wes bucktin, the disappearing man! you know, some of us can't just shut the door and avoid living here! oh, jesus christ! are you two ever gonna listen to me? i am fed up! fed up! now, i love you, charles bucktin, and i am glad you're alive, but tomorrow, you're gonna wish you weren't! now, get out of my sight! [shovel scraping] now. dig.

what? why? because i said so. how deep? i'll tell you when to stop. chop-chop! i didn't say you could stop.

what is this even for? i don't understand why i'm doing this. well, i don't understand you at all, charlie bucktin. one minute you're avoiding me like i'm contagious, the next you're telling people we're sneaking out at night together because we're romantically attached. you know, it's polite to ask a girl first. i can explain. um, no. excuse me. this is not on. [eliza] i just came to get something back. well, it can wait. charlie's working very hard at the moment. let him finish up, thank you. go on. does your mother know you're traipsing around town on your own? i think you should be at home right now, don't you?

[eliza exhales] right. you can stop. oh, no, you don't. -i want you to fill it in. -what? fill it in. i don't want some dirty great big hole in my backyard. if you didn't want a hole, why did you ask for it? there you are, you've learnt your lesson. now, i'm heading out, and i want this filled in by the time i get back, or you'll be doing it all again tomorrow, young man. [angry grunting] [sighs] [horn honking] -what's this? -i bought myself a car! isn't she a beauty? i don't understand, ruth. you want to s-- do you want to sell the holden? 'cause i'll need to get ernie banks to replace the crankshaft. it's stuffed! no, i don't want you to sell the holden, wesley. then...

so... who wants to come for a spin? charlie, you'll need to get cleaned up. have you filled the hole in? fine. i'll go by myself. [shovel scraping] here you are, mate. you get inside. go on. [sighs] [knocking, door opens]

jesus, dad! how are you doing? i'm tickety-boo. had a great day. why would she make me do it? i should have buried her in there. mate, you scared her last night. you're a smart kid, but what you did was colossally stupid. today was... just her way of telling you all that. and i don't blame her. so, whenever she gets back, i... think you should offer her a sincere apology. you want me to apologize? yes. you should consider yourself lucky that you've got a mother that cares about you so very much. a lot of people never get that. so, do you want me to make us some dinner? haven't i been punished enough? [chuckles] you're just like her, your mother.

you're peas in a pod, you two. [door closes] [scattered applause] [man] go, corrigan! [woman] good turnout today. it's a beautiful day. where have you been? the game's almost over. we're getting thumped! why are you padded up? i'm in next. what? i'm in next. i'm playing, officially. jeffrey lu on debut. how? david doyle rolled his ankle, so i'm in the xi. yes! so you're actually gonna bat? sure am. we need 60 runs in a hurry. jesus, jeffrey. are you nervous? no. but you should be. have you seen your girlfriend up there? so, go read her some poetry. i need to focus. this town needs a hero. come on, go!

[crowd cheers] [jeffrey] sassy time. [bat strikes ball] [crowd cheering] [man] shot! [woman] very nice. i was hoping you might be here. really? why? may i sit? what are you reading? alice's adventures in wonderland. is it good? [sighs] you know, alice really has an awful time.

she's so lost and nobody helps her. they're all so mean and selfish. sounds like charlie's adventures in corrigan. eliza's too. you know, the annoying thing is i still kind of wish you had come over. really? our house is so... empty. i'm sorry. [sobs quietly] i'm not a good person, charlie. don't say that. you're wonderful. i'm not. i'm really not. [sniffles] i might have already used it, but...

would you rather have a hat made of spiders or have penises for fingers? [sniffles] [sighs] are the spiders alive? yes, and they're poisonous and angry. [inhales, sighs] well, i'm gonna have to go with penis fingers. wise choice. you too? so, where were you really that night? [bails clatter] [umpire] that's out. [crowd cheering, applauding] [players shouting] [charlie] that's jeffrey! he's actually gonna bat. hmm?

they never pick him. this is it. this is his chance. [boy] hey, look at that. oh! [boy 2] you don't belong on this field, mate. [woman] we're going home. there's no point. [woman 2] oh, let's go home. hopeless. [woman 3] see you, marge. [charlie] look at them. they're leaving already. [boy] you don't belong here, cong. [boy 2] come on. [boy 3] come on, will. [boy 1] he shouldn't even be here. [crowd exclaiming] that's hilarious! [crowd, boys jeering] -come on, jeffrey. -[boy] go on, will. -[crowd] ooh! -[umpire] four! [man laughs] [crowd exclaiming] [applause] [boy] shot! [boy] come on, jeffrey. -[umpire] four runs. -[man] beautiful!

-[applause] -four runs. [man] unbelievable! -we can win this. -how many points do we need? runs. how many runs do we need? a lot. [crowd cheering, applauding] [man] he's seeding them like a watermelon! -[crowd cheering] -[exclaiming, laughing] -you little ripper! -well done! well done! there's two balls left. we need four to win. okay. here's what we do... no worries. he's going to do it. he's gonna beat them. -[man] take your time, son. -[boy] come on.