Tales of the Unexpected - Roald Dahl - The Sound Machine

Have you ever imagined that cutting a flower or chopping a tree would hurt it? I remember reading somewhere that the wonderful smell of freshly cut grass is in fact, their death cry.
Makes you think doesn't it?
So here's a disturbing tale from the genius Mr Roald Dahl.
I hope you enjoy, and next time you pick a flower, listen very very carefully...
#talesoftheunexpected #roalddahl #thesoundmachine

[@stevemartin6144]

Harry Andrews.....always a great performance. Thank you!!!

[@oddnuts5764]

I remember watching this when I was young and my parents sent me to bed half way through. Taken me 39 years to find out what happened.

[@hammersteve]

Tony Smith Ahaha! 🤣🤣

[@kjell159]

So basically, all your life in between, were just the commercials up until now.

[@jagdishacharya1438]

Really we all have felt such situations in our lives. Bcuz the parents were very protective about the contents, which may effect our head towards cultural behavior for future endeavours.

[@kevinbush4300]

At what point did your parents send you to bed?

[@beachcomberbloke462]

Now i have the perfect excuse for not mowing the lawn!!

[@hanselmansell7555]

🤣👍

[@functio1]

One wonders why he didn't hear the grass screaming as he was stomping around on his lawn...

[@sharonbutt1428]

That's so funny!

[@iaw7406]

I suppose it didnt kill the grass

[@janlipley2588]

I remember seeing it too, It was intriguing and upsetting all at the same time. Can't remember how old I was, but It made an impact on me. I recall the sound of the tree being cut. I have always prayed for the spirit of the tree and the flowers i have cut ever since. I met Harry Andrews not too long after he made this and I wish I'd said how much I enjoyed his part in this episode.

[@hammersteve]

How lovely, thank you for sharing your story.

[@tomduggan51]

Thanks Steve, As you say a thought-provoking tale! Harry Andrews taking a break from starring in every British WWII epic ever made!

[@MrBenmanning]

in so many ways my fave episode of the series harry andrews is wonderful and its a very moving story

[@Sidonia-q6p]

🌿i''m 53 now and the Tales ar stil my favorite,, .. about every year i look theme up again,.. in the years more and more episode was uploaded.. i'm so glad it may stay on youtube Thank you Steve Hume for your vintage taste .. you must be a fan too

[@hammersteve]

Thank you for your lovely message. Yes I’m a massive fan!

[@moedge63]

I think the doctor always knew the plants felt pain, that's why he was reluctant to listen and tried to convince the old guy he couldn't hear anything

[@bethwasserman2949]

I used to garden at 3am in morning, people who happen to walk by would ask " who are you burying?" and I would say "nobody you know so keep walking".

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

it amazes me how people need to know other peoples business but never are interested in their actual well being. The stupid woman in this noticed his lights on in the night but never asked him if he was okay, she just put it down to being odd. But she never thought it was odd that she was awake and looking out to notice it.

[@elizabethbower2168]

Bring back the days when the doctor would call at your house because he was visiting the bus next door and then keep him chatting on your doorstep about nothing at all

[@Keithj136]

Harry Andrews is so brilliant in this, such a joy, this quality of drama and acting is not available now..........pity.

[@martinlee5604]

I think 8 out of 10 for this one, not least for the excellent production and moving music.

[@jan208]

'Operator, get me the asylum'. Something that wouldn't happen these days.

[@hammersteve]

Jan Sayah Haha 😂

[@harrybaker9044]

Just watched this episode on the sky arts channel and I'm certain they cut that line out.

[@bodegabreath4258]

As soon as I saw the roses I knew where this was going. Arthur Machen wrote a story based on this.

[@Stroheim333]

As a kid, this was our favourite episode, me and my friends. The right kind of intelligent silliness. Later I read the short story, which i find even better. It is obvious in the short story that the old man is crazy from the get go, and that he only imagine the sounds. That's the nuance an adult need to appreciate the intelligent silliness.

[@GothGuy885]

I may never garden again! 😭 that was a ghastly thought of the plants crying out in pain.... 19:14 I'm a Dr! not a tree surgeon, Dammit! [ Bones on Star Trek ]

[@architsrivastav57]

Very helpful for ISC class 12th students 🙂

[@muniraragina4342]

As many others are saying I will say the same. I saw this episode on Pakistan television when I was hardly 5 years along with my mom and brothers. I was supposed to be in bed but I always resisted. Still remember the scene where he picks the tree and says sorry. I was terrified of the scene and the rest of the story I didn't understand. Glad to find this episode unintentionally.

[@jagdishacharya1438]

Thanks for your comments. Nobody will relish your thoughts, we as sub continent citizens know the feeling of this wonderful universe.

[@tracyrobinson6570]

I remember also watching this when I was young and also being sent to bed.

[@hammersteve]

lol 😂 so many people say that ! 🆙💤

[@tyyanibbelink1289]

That vegan teacher : plants don't feel pain Me : * sends her this video *

[@hammadoolass]

A grim little tale

[@poppyfuller2695]

There is some truth in this 'Tale". I thought it was well executed....no I'm not going crazy in lockdown.

[@hammersteve]

Poppy Fuller You’re not crazy just yet! Give it another month Poppy 🤪

[@markdavidson9100]

Steve Hume thank you for these episodes I love them

[@bluecanary1note]

This might upset vegans.

[@lt7378]

Great comment. 🤣

[@levimacdonald5188]

THE house looks very similar TO THE one used in George AND Mildred

[@Dorvita]

@Stripes bahaha love it

[@mariameere5807]

I have found it Steve! My favourite episode, just happened to be the last one, I think, that I had left for another day on your channel! It’s a bit upsetting though considering I’m a vegan! Thinking that flowers feel pain when they get picked, that’s the reason I never Pick a flower I always leave it in the ground! I love getting flowers, from a flower shop, preferably bought by a man! Anyway you probably think I’m crazy after that message I left you! Still embarrassed thinking about it! LOL🧚‍♀️🌹🧚‍♀️

[@hudabaig5990]

I watching it when I study about nature conservation everyday in my class .

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

I often think that I hope plants do not have a sense of pain. But after all they were here before anything was here to harm them. All animal species came second to plants not the other way around.

[@PortraitoftheArtistasanOldDog8]

I don't think this is fiction but factual... but what will the vegans eat?! "Breatharians' all?!

[@ShynolaDaStumpt]

This reminds me of the experiences I’ve had with a Tibetan singing bowl my dad gifted me a couple years ago. That thing has connected me with something that I can’t explain in person or else mfs think I’ve lost it lmao

[@resnonverba137]

Very good, thanks.

[@hammersteve]

Res Non Verba 😀👍

[@corneliusg7493]

I watched this as a child and had to watch it again. Such a magnificent story. 💖💖💖👍👌

[@hanselmansell7555]

Thanks for these Steve they're as good as I remember them from being a kid, brilliantly bonkers!

[@BazColne]

As a writer, sending sensitive listening equipment into a graveyard and only picking up a tree squealing is missing a trick, don't you think?

[@hammersteve]

ColdWaterThrower Yes! Very smart! 💀 I know what your next story will be about now!

[@TheKazadoodle]

It 's been done.

[@H.E.L.E.N.A.]

In the text, it's a park not a graveyard. But there are references to death that didn't make it into the dialogue (the machine is described as a "coffin-box"). I guess they thought this is a good way to insert that theme into the film. I think it really adds to the story.

[@sperrin]

No, beacuse the story written is about listening to plants and trees.

[@hatednyc]

Dr Scott is a total proke. Really hate this character.

[@atinemassare]

Turns out he was right....

[@Happyheart146]

I knew the asylum was coming lol

[@Danceswithfishes]

Help me here, did the doctor at the end believe the old man? Did the doctor knew all along plants scream and all and kept it to himself? If he did not believe why go back to the tree to 'comfort' the tree?

[@naturally.niinii]

I believe when he went back to the tree and moved the branch that had destroyed the machine...the tree gave off a signal of being aware...that’s why the leaves started swaying so loudly...and the doctor just felt it and knew

[@naturally.niinii]

Also...most importantly I’m sure the doctor heard the scream of the tree and didn’t wanna believe it...he was on the fence about it but he realized it was true in the end

[@martinmarkhusband438]

The tale is true plants Don't Fear the Reaper BOC ?

[@TeamYankee2]

I saw this as a kid.. freaked me out!

[@pgbear]

This episode is one of the very best. I have watched it countless times. Harry Andrews is just amazing in this. It feels totally real. The writing is brilliant too, which is hardly surprising when you realise it was adapted by the incredible, Oscar winning writer Ronald Harwood. The music in this episode is absolutely beautiful too. It all works brilliantly.

[@hammersteve]

Great to hear this.

[@13699111]

Thank you for posting this series .

[@tomwiles5164]

Roald Dahl was known as 'farty' due to his fondness of accompanying every meal with a bowl of boiled sprouts

[@laurapavone3513]

I've recently read the story and here it cams the film

[@kjell159]

I'm the party/story pooper here: There would be no evolutionary benefit for plants to be able to experience suffering in the first place, even if they somehow, for some reason could, it wouldn't be comparable to our suffering as they lack a nervous system. Also, consuming plants directly causes way less need for plant crops, then if you were to grow crops first, in order to be able to feed them to livestock. So ironically, a plant based diet is the most plant friendly. (The old: vegans eat plants, plants have feelings too; joke.)

[@Ozymandias1]

Also a sound machine based on vacuum tubes wouldn't work with batteries. Didn't see him running an extension cord.

[@derekdoig9112]

If you try to section me, Mark, you have crossed the line, and I will section you, so help me!

[@jagdishacharya1438]

D.D. r u a tree named as Derek Doig by the P.E.T.A.

[@sharonbutt1428]

We're watching them all and so far, the turtle one (S4) is the silliest and Mrs Bixby's Mink coat (S1) is the best. Some could have better endings: like The Galloping Foxley. After Fortesque reveals he's not Foxley, one of the regular commuting comrades should have been shown to put his newspaper back into his briefcase, quickly revealing a metal plate on the side, engraved 'Foxley'. He then walks away either smug or looking guilty. Great to have them on here. Thanks!

[@hammersteve]

Great to have you here! Make sure you watch The Stinker and Parson’s Pleasure.