(Birds singing)
- Afternoon, Parker. - Good afternoon, sir.
General Faversham is waiting for you on the terrace.
- Dr Sutton, sir. - You've had a long journey, Doctor.
It's worth the journey to join old comrades.
- Are they all coming? - Same crowd, a year older.
- Sit down, help yourself. - Thank you.
Well, what's the news from London?
Haven't you heard? Gordon's dead, murdered in Khartoum.
That's no news to me.
I said that would happen years ago, when Gordon was first sent to Egypt.
He wasn't hard enough.
They wanted someone like you out there.
Just what I was going to say meself.
First time for 100 years there isn't a Faversham in the army
and look at the mess they make!
I'm too old and the boy's too young.
Me own fault for not marrying sooner.
You remember the boy, he's 15 years old today.
I'm going to let him dine with us tonight.
- Oh, good. - I can tell you, I'm worried about him.
- Oh? - I can't understand the boy.
I sent him to the best army school in England,
always tell him about his famous ancestors
and I found him this morning reading a poetry book!
Shelley, of all people!
I want you to help me lick this boy into shape - make him hard.
(General chatter)
Gentlemen, the Crimea!
- Old comrades! - (All) Old comrades!
Arnold, Raglan...
(Sighing and coughing)
Crimea, by Jove. War was war in those days.
And men were men, no room for weaklings.
Balaclava, for instance. You fellows remember the positions.
Now...
Here, these nuts were the Russians.
Guns, guns, guns.
On the right, the British infantry,
the Thin Red Line.
There was the commander in chief,
and here was l, at the head of the old 68th.
The right was impassable, the left was blocked,
behind us was the commander in chief.
I realised the position in a flash.
I said, "The 68th will move forward."
One of my subalterns came to me, shaking. Absolutely shaking.
I said, "What's wrong, Travers?" "I'm afraid to face those guns, sir."
I said, "Would you rather face me?"
Hmpf! He took one look at my face and off he went.
Later, he was shot to pieces at the head of his men,
as a soldier should be, eh?
I quite agree. I can tolerate nerves before a battle
but I can't stand cowardice.
I recall a soldier at Inkerman facing a charging Cossack.
I saw a man fumble with his musket, then turn and run.
The Cossack's lance went straight through his neck.
Best thing that could've happened. Remember Wilmington?
- (Faversham) Who? - Fine old service family.
Father killed at Inkerman, grandfather blown up under Nelson,
an uncle scalped by Indians. A splendid record.
(Faversham) What happened?
He was ordered to gallop through the lines with a message.
Paralysed with funk, couldn't move.
General sent his adjutant - killed before he'd gone 50 yards.
Sent his ADC - head blown off.
Then he took the message himself, lost his arm.
- Ruined his cricket. - Oh, yes, I remember.
He disgraced his family, his father disowned him.
Hung about a year or two, then blew his brains out.
He had the courage to blow his brains out.
Courage? Last spark of decency, that's all.
There's no place in England for a coward.
Harry, past 11.
Time you were in your bed.
No, no - sit ye down, my boy, sit ye down.
It's his birthday and we've not drunk his health.
A toast to Harry, and may he prove the bravest of the Favershams.
(All) To Harry!
- Thank you. - (Laughing) That's right, boy.
- Good night, Father. - Good night, Harry.
- Good night, gentlemen. - (All) Good night, my boy.
(Dr Sutton) Harry?
You don't remember me.
I remember you, though, when you were about so long.
I was doctor in your father's regiment in the Crimea.
I knew your mother too, she was my friend.
I'd like you to think of me as your friend too.
If ever you should need me, here's my card.
It's not much use to anybody nowadays
but if ever you feel the need, write to me. Come and see me.
That's very kind of you, sir. Thank you.
- Good night, sir. - Good night, Harry.
(Man) Section! Left! Wheel!
Stand at...ease!
Ten years ago, General Gordon was murdered in Khartoum
and the British Army was withdrawn into Egypt without punishing the crime.
Today, the Royal North Surrey Regiment
is under orders to join Sir Herbert Kitchener's army
- for the reconquest of the Sudan. - (Cheering)
What's Egypt like, John?
- Principally sand, sweat and sunstroke. - Lovely. When do we start?
- Can't say. - Not before Thursday?
No, it took them 10 years to decide, we'll be lucky to start in a month.
Then I'll give you these. Mr Harry Faversham, Capt John Durrance
- and one for Fat-face Willoughby. - What's all this?
An invitation to the Burroughs family beanfeast,
with string band, strawberry ices and hired waiters.
My sister's coming of age. Ethne's 21 so Father's letting himself go.
- Champagne? - Gallons.
- Oysters? - In June?
I had them at my coming out. I had the sense to be born in March.
Father will be terrific.
He's written four speeches, been rehearsing them in the bathroom.
"My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, officers of my old regiment,
"this is an occasion for double rejoicing.
"I can announce not only my daughter's coming of age
"but also her engagement to the son of my old comrade in arms,
"Mr Harry Faversham of the Royal North Surrey Regiment."
- What, him? - Our own Harry Faversham.
- This is very sudden. - It's been planned for months.
- Good luck, Harry. - Thanks.
Good luck, Harry.
- Thanks, John. - (Willoughby) What about Egypt?
You can't take her. When the dervishes catch you,
they cut off your nose and hang you upside-down.
All the money falls out of your pockets.
I'll see you at dinner.
- Oh. Did I frighten the poor lamb? - Shouldn't be surprised.
What's come over him? Can't take a joke.
Never takes a drink, moons about all day, reads poetry all night.
If that's love, give me indigestion.
Oh. Time to get changed. So long.
So long.
I'm sorry. I was a fool to make a joke of it like that, I know how you feel.
That's all right, Peter. It was for her to decide.
I wish it had been you all the same.
See you at mess.
After all, there are plenty of other girls.
Plenty. For other men.
Many years ago, I fought in the Crimea,
beside that very gallant soldier, General Faversham,
whose death last year was such a loss to us.
(All) Hear, hear.
Tonight I am proud to announce the engagement of my daughter
to Harry Faversham, my dear old friend's only son.
(All) Bravo!
10 years ago, when Harry was a boy, I raised my glass in his honour
with the toast "May he prove the bravest of all the Favershams."
Harry Faversham, coupled with the name of my daughter Ethne.
(All) To Harry! Good luck, Harry!
The company is now dismissed,
the business of dancing will now commence.
(Murmurs of approval, music begins)
(All chattering)
(Upbeat waltz)
Well, Colonel, you're off on this Egyptian affair, eh?
Of course, it's only a minor campaign. It'll do you a world of good.
- The army's too soft nowadays. - You mean not hard enough?
Of course! Now, the Crimea.
Ah! War was war in those days and men were men.
Let me tell you what happened at Balaclava.
- You remember the positions, Doctor. - Only too well.
I was over there, on the extreme left.
Here were the Russian batteries, behind the nuts. Guns, guns, guns.
On the right, the British infantry - the Thin Red Line.
- I suppose they didn't get much to eat. - What are you talking about?
You said they were so thin.
- The line, I meant! Not the men. - Oh.
Here was the commander in chief.
And here was l, at the head of the old 68th.
- Sorry Father dragged Egypt into it. - Tired of Egypt already?
We have it for breakfast and lunch, the honour of the regiment for supper.
He understands you're marrying me and not the regiment?
He's not quite sure about that.
Are you quite sure?
When we're old and creaking with rheumatism,
we shall think back to this night.
- Ethne, you'll never creak. - We'll creak with the best of them,
and through the creaks will come the sound of this dance music,
and the light of the moon and the scent of the flowers.
This is a solemn occasion, Harry. A memory is being born tonight.
A memory that will stand the test of all the years.
Moments like this are better than memories.
The memories will be the best,
because they'll be out of reach of uncertainty and care.
Memories just float about on their own, with no shadows upon them.
Dance music, the moon and evening primroses, that's all.
(Dancers applauding)
You're not going to rob me of my solitary dance, Ethne?
I'm sorry, it's my fault. Is this your dance?
- It's just started. - I too have a partner waiting. Excuse me.
It wasn't his fault, it was mine. I talk too much.
- Shall we dance? - It's a polka.
- Don't you like a polka? - Bit jerky, isn't it?
Like saying goodbye in Morse code.
- I'm sorry. - There's no need.
- It's terribly hard to explain. - There's nothing to explain.
You don't expect a girl to write out a catalogue,
points why I love Mr A and don't love Mr B.
It's only Mr B who puzzles out the points against him.
You never saw such an impressive list. Reasons why Ethne doesn't love John.
- Reason one... - Don't, John.
I put down about 40. Reason 41 was "she loves the other man".
- So I crossed the rest out. - Thank you.
With you to help him, he'll have a splendid career.
You'll enjoy helping him?
- I hope I shall be able to. - You will, you'll be very happy.
And I think I shall always love you.
Oh, John, dear...
- I'm so sorry. - Rubbish, I shall be all right.
You shan't be sorry for anything tonight. Come and dance that polka.
Faversham? See what he wants, Lubbock.
He wants to see you privately, sir.
Oh, very well.
(Door closes)
Well, Faversham?
I want you to accept this, sir.
- What is it? - I am resigning my commission.
Resigning your commission? What do you mean?
I mean just that, sir.
I don't understand.
I should've done this months ago.
I accepted a commission for my father's sake,
because all his family have been soldiers.
When he died my duty towards him was done.
Your duty towards him?!
Have you no duty towards your country?
Go and lie down in a dark room, my boy. You'll be all right in the morning.
I've made up my mind, sir.
Faversham, if you do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.
I'm sorry, sir, I've made up my mind.
You're shirking your duty, sir! I refuse to accept your resignation.
I am within my rights to resign, you cannot refuse.
I never thought I should live to see a Faversham play the coward.
- May I go, sir? - Yes. Go.
- The officers... - Well?!
..are waiting, sir.
(Relieved whistle)
- Gentlemen, final orders have arrived. - (Murmuring)
The regiment leaves on Thursday.
We march to Portsmouth and embark at midday.
I've just received this telegram from General Kitchener.
"Glad to welcome your regiment to my command."
- That's very nice, isn't it? - Gentlemen.
There will be one change in regimental orders for the 15th.
Mr Faversham has seen fit to send in his papers
on the eve of his regiment sailing for active service.
His place will be taken by Mr Parker, who was to have remained at the depot.
- Congratulations. - Glad you're coming with us.
(Crowd cheering)
- Well, I must be off. - Goodbye, John.
- Goodbye. - Good luck to you.
- You'll keep an eye on young Peter? - I will, sir. Both eyes.
There's a luvvie ducks. What's she crying for?
There. Well, goodbye, Aggie. Take care of your ma.
(Baby crying)
- Goodbye, Fred. - Goodbye, luvvie. Don't take on, now.
I'm all right. The kids will miss you.
- Goodbye, my boy. - Goodbye, Father.
- The dogs are going to miss you. - Yes, sir.
(All singing) Should auld acquaintance be forgot
In the days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
(Ship's horn)
Harry!
What's happened? Peter left last night, Father went to see you all off.
It's cancelled? You're not going after all?
They've gone. The regiment sailed this morning.
- But I haven't gone with them. - I don't understand.
We've discussed it so often.
The futility of this idiotic Egyptian adventure,
the madness of it all, the ghastly waste of time that we can never have again.
- What have you done, Harry? - I've resigned my commission.
I should've done it sooner, long ago.
It's released me from the life of an impostor.
That's all a man is if he fails to be true to his beliefs.
I believe in our happiness,
in the work to be done here to save an estate from ruin.
To save those people neglected by my family
because they preferred glory in India, China and Africa.
(Knock at door)
Excuse me, miss. This package has just arrived for Mr Faversham,
addressed in your care and marked "urgent".
Thank you.
Mr Thomas Willoughby...
Mr Peter Burroughs...
Captain John Durrance.
They had a fine sendoff, Ethne.
I went aboard and had lunch with them before they sailed.
Peter has a cabin with Durrance and Willoughby.
I'm glad they're together.
- Father... - Yes, it was a wonderful sight,
the vessel steaming into the channel and everyone cheering...
May I speak to you a moment, sir?
It was cruel to send these.
Cruel, but just.
That's what you think, isn't it?
You needn't tell me, Ethne, I can see it clearly in your eyes.
We agreed always to be honest with each other, to keep no secrets.
When you did this...
did you believe that I should be proud of you?
I thought you'd understand.
We've talked of these things and we've always understood each other.
I know, Harry, we've talked and dreamed of things we'd do if we were free.
Some people are born free,
they can do as they like without consequences.
But you were not born free and nor was I.
We were born into a tradition,
a code we must obey even if we do not believe.
We must obey because the pride and happiness of those around us
depends upon our obedience.
I quite understand.
There should be four feathers here.
We agreed always to be honest with each other.
Give it to me.
(Reveille)
Come on!
Brigade! Attention!
Shoulder...arms!
Present...arms!
(Military band begins)
Shoulder...arms!
(Horses whinnying)
- You've served here before. - Abu Klea, sir.
Then you know what to expect.
- And you too? - I've been out here ever since, sir.
- Married? - Yes, sir.
- Children? - Four, sir. When I left home.
- Harry Faversham? - Hello, Doctor.
What's happened? I thought your regiment had gone?
Yes, they've gone. Like the guards have gone tonight.
Years ago, I gave you my card. Do you remember?
- Yes, Doctor, I remember. - In case you ever needed any help.
Come along, we'll have a quiet supper at my club,
it's just across the park - the Naval And Military.
No, not there, if you don't mind, Doctor.
- Let's go to my rooms. - Very well.
You left the army because your duty to your home
was greater than your duty towards a crowd of African peasants?
There's nothing dishonourable in that.
If that's all, if that's the whole truth, these feathers are an insult
to be treated with the contempt they deserve.
If that were all, I'd have burnt them and you'd never have known.
But you know that it's not all.
Just as Ethne knew.
(Distant cheering, military drumming)
I was told a ghastly story when I was a boy - you were there.
An officer who failed to carry a message through fear,
an officer disgraced and hounded out of society,
who shot himself in a back room because his life was ruined.
That story haunted me.
Many a man is haunted by some fear.
It was more than fear. My father believed me to be a coward.
His belief turned fear into reality. I knew if ever put in the same position
I'd behave like that man and meet the same end.
I am a coward, Doctor.
If I'd not been a soldier, I might have concealed it all my life.
But to be a soldier and a coward
is to be a menace to the men whose lives are in your hands.
When orders came for Egypt I knew fate was closing in round me,
just as it closed round that other man.
I fought against it,
I believed in all the reasons I gave for shirking my job.
I deceived myself, but I didn't deceive my friends.
The men who sent me these feathers knew me better than I knew myself.
The man who tries to cheat fate is more than a coward, he's a fool as well!
You're wrong there, Harry.
I never met a fool who had the imagination to be a coward.
If I thought you were a coward, I should take this with me.
Fight you for it if necessary.
It's because I know you've no intention of using it on yourself
that I leave it here.
Harry, is there anything I can do?
- Yes, there is something you can do. - Yes?
I shall be leaving England tomorrow.
I shall write to you from time to time, just to tell you that I'm alive.
If you don't hear from me for a year...
you'll know that I'm dead.
If that happens, I'd like you to go to Ethne
and tell her that at least I tried to put right
the shame and humiliation I caused her.
Can you tell me where you're going?
Egypt.
(General chatter)
(Speaking Arabic)
- Dr Harraz? - Yes.
I've come from England, from an old friend of yours - Dr Sutton.
I remember him, I served with him in the hospital in India. How is he?
- Well. He sends you his greetings. - What may I do for you?
I need to reach General Kitchener's army,
I want your help to disguise me as a native.
- You speak Arabic? - No.
- You have some native tongue? - No.
The army is 400 miles away, across enemy lands.
How then can a doctor help you, except to certify you as mad?
I know of the Sangali tribe, who revolted against the Khalifa.
In revenge, the Khalifa cut out their tongues and branded them.
- You know the brand? - All men know the brand of the Sangali.
Then you understand why I am here.
You will miss your tongue in many ways.
I will keep my tongue - no one will look for it if I am branded.
I can stain your skin
but I cannot imitate a scar that would escape detection.
- That I understand. - Is your mission of such importance?
May I stay in your house until the wound has healed?
(Harry yelping in pain)
You are a brave man.
- Ah, Durrance. - Told to report, sir.
I've spoken to Kitchener. You know the situation.
The ships must get up the Nile, it's the only feasible route to Omdurman,
but the Khalifa are blocking the river and we can't get through the gorge.
The Khalifa must be drawn away by some sort of bluff, into the desert.
- Yes, sir. - If a brigade appeared on his flank,
he'd have to face it, leaving the river unguarded.
Yes, sir.
General Kitchener can't spare a regiment or a brigade,
but he can spare a company.
Number 5 Company of the Royal North Surreys.
Thank you, sir.
Number 1 Section, quick march!
- Number 2 Section, quick march! - Number 3 Section, quick march!
Number 4 Section, quick march!
(Bugle)
(Military drumming)
(Speaking Arabic)
Who is this man?
(Continues) How much did he overhear?
(Grunts unintelligibly)
Sangali.
(Continue speaking in Arabic)
That was a very bad performance.
No Sangali would enter a room with the self-assurance of an Englishman.
- Why was he in such a funk? - He is terrified of betrayal.
- Oh, I see. - I have no such fears
but I should be more comfortable if you'd tell me why all this -
the wandering, the disguise.
In England, four people each gave me a white feather. They must take them back.
A mad race, the English.
Oh, not so mad. A white feather is the mark of a coward.
Ah, I see. Then why worry? Be a coward and be happy.
No, Doctor. I have been a coward and I wasn't happy.
Did he bring any news?
Yes, the North Surrey Regiment has left Abu Hamed.
Crossing the desert you could meet at the Nile, near the 5th Cataract.
Part of the army is going up by boat.
They will be hauled up the Cataract by native labour.
There is your chance.
(Chanting)
(Native choral singing)
(Native singing, slow drumbeats)
(Singing, whip cracking)
(Native chattering intensifies)
(Native singing continues)
(Native singing fades)
- All right, Sergeant? - All correct, sir.
We've enough scarecrows to look like the whole army.
That should work, the men can rest.
But the moment we're spotted, we'll have no time to admire the view.
- No, sir. - Take the men back to the camp.
Very good, sir.
(Locusts fluttering)
(Speaking Arabic)
Your watch, no fuzzies round here.
- I'm gonna have a word with the captain. - Right ho, Sarge.
Blimey!
Two men! At the double!
Put down your rifles! Come on, give me a hand.
Shouldn't we start back to camp?
His orders were to stay until we see dervishes, and we ain't seen none.
- We need ice for the back of his neck. - And a saucy nurse to slap it on!
(All chattering)
- Can you see anything? - No.
I can't make it out. He said he'd be back by dawn at the latest.
Perhaps he's spotted a covey of dervishes.
No, if he had he'd be back in no time.
(Native singing and drumming)
(Calls out in native tongue)
(Men on horseback whooping)
(Speaking Arabic)
Kitchener?
(Shouts orders in Arabic)
(All shouting)
(Whooping and shouting)
- Who's there? - Corporal Evans, sir.
- How long have I been lying here? - Since this time yesterday, sir.
- What's the time now? - About 3 o'clock, sir.
Call Sergeant Brown the moment it's daylight.
But it's light now, sir, it's afternoon.
What?
- Call Sergeant Brown. - Yes, sir.
- Sergeant Brown, the captain wants you. - All right.
- Sergeant Brown here, sir. - Come in, come in.
No sign of dervishes yet, sir.
Strike the camp immediately, I spotted dervish yesterday.
Very good, sir. Corporal Clark, call in your men!
Hughes, bring the captain's horse. Double there.
- Ready to march off, sir. - Sergeant, come here, don't go away.
- I want you to help me to my horse. - Very good, sir.
Attention!
Flower and Bardell strike the tent, put it on the mule and follow behind.
Section at ease, quick march.
(Camels braying)
(Durrance) Take me to my tent. (Brown) Very good, sir.
(Burroughs) Glad to see you back, sir.
Spotted a dervish, so I stayed to keep watch.
They saw us all right, so that's half our work done.
Sergeant, give the men food and see they get to sleep.
Willoughby, Parker, put those fires out and double the sentries.
No immediate danger but we must keep on alert from now on.
(Both) Yes, sir.
- Brown, put your fire out. - Bill, give us a hand!
Simper, Curtis, Gamble - bring your equipment.
Peter, I got a touch of the sun out there yesterday.
Hard luck, old boy. I had sunstroke when I was a kid at school.
- How did it affect you? - Gave me a devil of a headache.
You look a bit done in. You need a good rest.
We're not in a healthy spot here. Things may get a good deal worse.
I'm feeling groggy, I'm going in to rest now.
- Will you look after things here tonight? - Yes, of course.
- Shall I help you in? - No, I'll be all right in the morning.
(Sobbing quietly)
(All chattering)
- Seen anything? - No, sir.
- Keep your eyes open. - Very good, sir.