All language subtitles for The Far Pavilions (Peter Duffell, 1984) Part 4.english

Throughout that time in India,
the British were in a continual state of war

with the fiercely independent tribes
along their northwest frontier.

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

An extraordinary regiment was raised
to deal with them.

It was named...
The Corps of Guides,

and it's headquarters
were here at Mardan.

Composed entirely of native volunteers,
Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims,

and led by a handful of
specially selected British officers,

they wrote some of the
most glorious chapters

in the annals of military history.

In 1865 I had the honor
to be Commandant,

which was when
this story really began.

...Yes, yes, Ash-Baba,
we are playing a game,

that your name is Ashok,
and that you are my true son.

What is your name,
my son?

Ashok.

Yes.

[scuffle and shout]

Pelham Sahib.

What...what are you
doing here?

What the devil are you doing.
taking potshots at me?

In the moonlight
I mistook you for a blackbuck.

Where did you
get my rifle?

I can explain
that, Sahib.

My servant came to confess to me

that he'd stolen a sporting rifle,
from your tent.

He was terrified
of discovery.

In truth, I was
over-indulgent.

The fellow had
served me well in his way,

so I undertook
to return the rifle to you.

But before doing so,
I thought it best to test it.

To make sure that
it was undamaged.

Unfortunately, heh, heh, heh...

You always were a good liar.

On my heart! I swear it.

There is a proverb from
the northwest which says

a snake, a scorpion and
a shin ware have no heart to tame.

[Weak laugh]

I have a better explanation.

You were trying to kill me
using my rifle

so you could make it look
like one of your accidents.

I?

But you have been misled
by someone who wishes to ruin me.

I demand to know
who it is?

His name...is Ashok.

You have been deceived.
That boy died many years ago.

If the men you sent
to hunt him down

told you so...they lied.

I am Ashok.

Biju, I accuse you not only
of the attempted murder of Prince Jhoti,

but of hastening the death
of my mother, Sita,

by hounding us back and forth
across the state

until she died of exhaustion.

You murdered her!

But you're a sahib!

And I am Ashok.

[Reveals the brand on his chest]

Sahib. Forgive me!

[Ashton attacks Biju Ram]

You bastard!

[Fighting ensues]

[Ashton cuts the
throat of Biju Ram]

Cobra, would you say?

Clearly. He cut himself
in an attempt

to prevent the creature's venom
from reaching his heart.

Yes, indeed.

and he must be cremated
with due service.

And tomorrow his remains
shall be carefully collected

and taken to be thrown into the
sacred waters of Mother Gunga.

As there are none
of his relatives here,

his friends must take it upon
themselves to perform this pious duty.

Therefore I command Pran,
Mohan and Sen Gupta

to go together with their
servants and those of Biju Ram.

It's as only proper.

Hmm...

Do you suppose Rao Sahib
shared our suspicions?

He certainly used Biju Ram's death
to rid the camp of all his supporters.

I, for one, salute him for it.

And I... salute you, Sahib.

I found this by chance
within ten paces of the body.

I must have lost it
when we inspected the site.

Perhaps. Though, had I been asked,
I would have said

that you wore a grey shirt
with horn buttons that morning.

But, no matter.

There is in a way a certain
justice in the fact that

the double thorn from the Kika tree
leaves a mark like the bite of a Cobra.

Ha, ha, ha,

We have no more problems.

At least until
we get to Bhithor.

[State Cavalry riding out
from Bhithor Palace.]

[Wedding procession from Karidkote
arrives on plain below Bhithor.]

Rocco

Greetings to His Highness the Rana
and the people of Bhithor.

Thank you, Rao Sahib.

Your Highness, come,
let me show you the site

that has been chosen
for your camp.

It won't do I'm afraid.

But, it has been personally
selected by the Rana.

Oh, I appreciate that.

But the site is
impossible to defend,

or even to escape from.

I trust, Sahib, that
you are not suggesting...

I'm not suggesting anything.

Merely that the safety of
the Karidkote camp is my responsibility.

I cannot guarantee it here.

That is all.

My master is not accustomed
to having his decisions questioned.

Nor am I.

Pelham Sahib.

The gods know you have
proved yourself a trusty friend,

but what we have here
is something more

than the military consideration.

The whole site is
covered with the Rana's cannon.

If I am to avoid bloodshed

I may have to accept
whatever terms he cares to dictate.

Nor you, on the other hand,
dare not insult him.

He might refuse to marry
the two princesses,

and send them home
without their dowries.

If that were to happen,
I could not answer for what

Nandu might do
in his shame and rage.

Are you saying, Rao Sahib,
that I have to accept this site?

I cannot dictate
to you, Pelham Sahib.

What I am saying is,
that if you do not...

then the consequences would be
worse than anything you can imagine.

[The wedding procession moves
into the designated site.]

[The valley is surrounded
by forts.]

[Being surrounded by guns, weakens
Karidkote's negotiating position.]

[Ashton sighs]

Well, now bastard's has got
us where he wants us.

[Koda Dad] May Allah be pleased
to disprove our fears.

Amen.

Still, everyone else seems happy.
I might as well swallow my pride

and shut up.

Everything's in order, Rao Sahib.

Excellent, thank you.

What's more,
according to the Diwan

there's good shooting
in the hills.

And fish in the stream,
Your Highness, in abundance.

Allow me to applaud you
in you change of heart, Sahib.

It takes a man
to admit that he was wrong,

and at such speed.

A true sign of maturity.

This will be a much more
convenient place for you

to conduct the business in hand.

What business?

Why, the terms of the
marriage contract between

His Highness, the Rana, and the
sisters of His Highness,

the Maharaja of Karidkote.

But, they've already
been exchanged.

And, on reflection, they're
judged to be unsatisfactory.

The Council is unanimous,
that they must be renegotiated

on a more realistic scale.

[Prince Jhoti]
They worship the drinker of blood.

Let's hope they only
sacrifice goats to her.

Captain Pelham Martyn and the
representatives of Karidkote, Your Highness.

The bride's uncle
and their brother.

[Rana]
Welcome to Bhithor.

Your Highness (Jhoti),
Pelham Sahib.

[Ashton does not bow.]

We welcome, Your Highness,

and, of course you,
Pelham Sahib,

as a representative
of the British Raj,

not only on our own account,
but on behalf...of all the people of Bhithor.

We thank you for your gifts,
and we hope that ours,

like them, will mark the outset of a
joyous and fruitful union

between your noble self and the sisters
of His Highness, the Maharaja.

That is, indeed, a pious hope, and one,
which with all our heart, we share.

May the gods grant a fruitful
outcome to our negotiations.

Let us withdraw.

[Ashton] You are saying,
that you have no intention

of paying the full bride
price for the princesses.

We mean, of course, no reflection
on the merits of the Raj-kumaris.

[Diwan]
Merely, that the price was exorbitant.

[Rao Sahib]
Your ambassadors did not dispute it.

[Ashton]
Moreover, they gave a written

undertaking to pay the remainder
as soon as the princesses reached Bhithor.

[Rana]
They exceeded their authority.

[Prince Jhoti]
And you did not have us under

your guns at the time.

[Diwan]
With due allowance for youth,

I must protest at
the Prince's inference.

[Ashton]
And I withdraw it unreservedly.

You said there was
another matter.

Yes.

It touches on the
Princess Anjuli.

What of her.

You must understand

that we made a great
concession in considering

marrying an ator.
[actress or singer]

She is of... advanced years
for a junior bride,

besides being of mixed blood.

None of this was
concealed from you.

We would not dream of
imputing anything

so unworthy to a brother
ruler and a Maharaja.

[Diwan]
None the less, Rao Sahib,

as a devout Hindu,
you will understand

that the priest insist that His Highness

is very highly to be purified

for taking such a woman to wife.

[Rana]
Alas, that is so.

And our purse
is not bottomless.

After much anguish
and weighty deliberation,

with our ministers and elders,

we greatly regret
that we cannot marry

the Princess Anjuli.

[Diwan]
Unless, the price is trebled.

But you've
already taken it!

One moment.

If the extra sum,
that you demand, is paid

and the remaining half of the
bride price for the Princess Shushila is not

then you will have gained
two brides and their dowries for nothing.

You will also make a profit
on the transaction.

Well,...if you say so.

I must speak
to the Princess Anjuli.

Please arrange
it for me, Rao Sahib.

I must see her!

And alone.

You know that
is impossible, Pelham Sahib.

Besides, what
good would it do?

There is no way
that she can help us.

And to tell her what is
being said about her

would be an unkindness.

She has a right
to know how things stand.

Perhaps you are right.

I will warn her.

No. I must do it.

The negotiations
are my responsibility.

It's no good for you, Love.

You can't marry him.

even if it were safe
for you to do so.

The Rana doesn't
want you, My Heart.

He says that the bribe he accepted
from Nandu is not enough.

He demands three times
as much to wed you.

I can't authorize that.

And from what I know of Nandu,
he wouldn't agree anyway,

in which case you'd be sent
back to Karidkote

without your dowry
and in disgrace.

I cannot go back.
You know I cannot.

You will have no choice.

That's not true.

The Rana may refuse
to wed me, but he cannot

refuse to let me stay
and take care of Shu-shu,

as a waiting woman or
an aia, if need be.

Don't be a fool, Lala.

Once you're under his
roof, he'll be able to do

exactly what he
wants with you.

You'd have no status at all.
Your position would be intolerable.

I have borne that before,
and can do so again.

But, Shu-shu...

Damn, Shu-shu!

You don't know
what he's like.

He's dishonest,

and arrogant
and cruel.

He's steeped in vice.

He's obscene, I tell you.

Every word you say
is another reason

for me to stay and
help my sister.

She won't even miss you,
when she's Rani of Bhithor.

Do you carry
our child?

[Shakes her head "no"]

I'm sorry.

I, too,

more than I
can ever say.

I need you,
Heart-of-my Heart!

You know I love you
more than anyone,

much more than
life itself,

but I love her, too,

and you are wrong to say
that she does not need me.

Now, she needs me
more than ever,

and besides,...
I gave her my word.

If ever you
should need me...

you have only to send this,
and I will come.

I know.

Unless I am dead,
I will come.

I shall think about
you every hour

of every day,

and hope that
you are happy,

and be thankful
to have known you.

And I you.

Farewell, my lord

and my life.

I have been blind.

Blind.

And foolish.

And I am truly sorry
my son,

and I am much to blame

for your pain.

But, Anjuli, has made
a wise decision,

for both of you.

The best thing that
we can do now

is to make sure she
stays here as a wife,

and not as one of
her sister's waiting women.

The gods know
that is difficult enough.

As we have both
brought her so much sorrow.

You, by stealing her heart,
and making the future sadder.

and more desolate for her.

and I, by my negligence
and folly.

We must try to get a message
through to the British Resident in Ashmir.

I fear that my not
be possible.

Why?

They say that the forts
speak to each other

with small shields
of polished silver

that reflects
the light of the sun.

You shouldn't believe
everything you hear.

[Koda Dad points to
a flashing shield.]

If you try to send
a messenger through

they will hack
him to pieces.

Damn!

If we do not agree
to the Rana's terms

do you think he'd order
his cannon to fire on us?

We cannot take
that chance, Murash.

What do you suggest
we do, then, Pelham Sahib?

Move out.

When?

Tonight.

If it should come to
a fight with the Raj

we'll take the two princesses
and Prince Jhoti with a cavalry escort

and make you way out
across the hills.

And you?

I'll keep the
infantry with me,

to cover your retreat.

Make sure there are
plenty of fires lit tonight.

That should
help fool them.

If all goes off peaceably,

Rao-Sahib, you and I will visit
the Rana in the morning.

[Karibkote wedding procession
surreptitiously leaving encampment]

[Ashton] Make sure
there's as little noise as possible.

[Man]
Yes, Pelham Sahib.

[Bhithor guards discover
empty encampment at daybreak]

[Guard shouting orders]

Your Highness saw fit to man
the forts which commanded our camp.

Furthermore you caused
them to run-out the guns,

lay them and train
them at us.

The fact that they were
not fired is immaterial.

The threat itself was
tantamount to an act of war

against the party under the express
protection of the British Raj.

For which reason
I desire this meeting.

Unless, within 24 hours
you come to terms over

the arrangements for the
of both the princesses,

our terms, that is,

I hereby inform you
that I shall submit a report

of the whole incident
to my superiors

together with the
strongest possible

recommendation that the
only appropriate response

to such an act of
unprovoked aggression

is for you state to be taken over
by the government of India

and for you, yourself,
to be deposed, and sent away

to live the remainder
of you life in exile.

You cannot threaten
me, like this!

In the circumstances....
I assure you the British authorities

will accept my recommendation.

That is all
I have to say.

Your Highness...

You are a fool!

Yes, Your Highness.

Go.

Yes, yes, Your Highness.

[Heavy breathing]

Pelham Sahib!

[Diwan]
Let us not be hasty.

My patience is exhausted.

Rao Sahib.
I beg you.

Let us see, if this
unfortunate misunderstanding

cannot be resolved
by older heads.

Let it never be said that
we left any avenue unexplored.

I had hoped that there
might be a great battle, after all.

Blood-thirsty brat.

[Rao] The Rana has decreed
that this palace be regarded

as Karibkote territory
for the next six weeks.

We have to look
upon it as our home.

In effect, it is we
who are obliged to invite

the bridegroom's party
to attend the wedding.

[Jhoti] A truly thoughtful,
courteous gesture.

[Diwan] It means that you
must play the host

to our host,
according to custom.

[Ashton] Well, I hope you
don't find it too expensive.

[Rao] No question, but the
Rana is a very cunning fellow.

We could not have refused
such an invitation,

then, so we must put a
good face upon it.

[Murash] Nonetheless, perhaps
we should leave half our company

where it is.

[Jhoti] In case of further
misunderstanding.

[Rao] It would, indeed,
be a wise precaution.

Mmm.

[Ashton]
Your idea and a good one.

See to it, Murash.

I'm going on shika
with Koda Dad.

[Koda Dad]
I think the time has come

for me to retire from
the Maharaja's service

and remove to Mardan,

the better to care
for all my sons.

[Aston]
I'm not hungry.

[Koda Dad] If you do not
eat you will make yourself ill,

and then you will be
no use to anyone.

[Sighing] Oh, Father.

[Koda Dad] The path you now tread
is a hard one.

I believe it to be best
for both of you.

[Ashton] And so does Anjuli.

[Koda Dad] If Kaiu-Bai has had
the courage to chose it,... cannot you?

[Ashton] In my head I have
already done so. I have no choice.

[Koda Dad] None?

Therefore what profit
is there in trepining?

You should rather give thanks...
for that which was good.

[Wedding preparations]

If Shu-shu does not
stop crying, Pelham Sahib,

she will be the ugliest
bride in all India.

Do you suppose
the Rana will beat her?

I would, if she were my wife,
and all she could do was cry.

The Rao Sahib sends word,
that the parade has left, but unmanned.

Come on.

[Wedding parade begins]

[Purification of the Rana]

[Decoration of the Rana]

[Entrance of the brides]

Lord forgive three sins that
are due to my human limitations.

Thou art everywhere,
but I worship Thee here.

Thou art without form,
but I worship Thee in these forms.

Thou needest no praise,
yet I offer Thee these prayers and salutations.

Lord forgive three sins that
are due to my human limitations.

[Ashton]
I cannot bear it!

[Koda Dad]
I understand you, my son.

You must bear it.

Festivities last for three days.

[Ashton]
My heart is breaking, Father.

I have orders to return to my
regiment as soon as possible.

May I have your
permission to leave?

You forget, Pelham Sahib,
today is the final day

of the wedding festivities,
and at nightfall,

the brides will leave
for their husband's house.

Do I have to
witness that, too?

I must ask you
to do so.

For only then, will you have
fully discharged your duty.

Farewell, my lord,
and my life.