Original subtitles

Pippy, stand tall.

Remainder, guard shun.

Quick march.

Turn to right degrees.

Right, ho.

But Val are you sure he said that?

I still can't believe he's done anything so idiotic.

Well, for heaven's sake find out and do something about it.

All right, Val.

Don't worry, I'll do what I can.

Goodbye.

Sergeant Frazier, if anyone wants me,

I'll be in Major Carrington's office at 24 battery.

He's not there, ma'am.

He's riding at Sand Down today.

I know.

If he doesn't pull off the Gold Cup on Peter Pan,

we'll have to pawn the new switchboard.

Who drew Peter Pan in the sweep stake anyway?

Pa, drab old people.

I heard him telling Captain Roarke.

I wasn't listening, I was just taking the line.

Crayshott Barrack's.

Left.

Good morning, Bombardier.

Is Sergeant Owen about? - He's inside, ma'am.

Shall I fetch him? - Never mind, I'll go.

Morning ma'am.

Well, the Major's got a nice day for it, isn't he?

Me - Yes.

Anything wrong ma'am?

Sergeant Owen, you keep the keys for the battery safe,

don't you?

Yes, ma'am.

Do happen to know how much money should be in it?

Yes, ma'am, I do.

Would you mind counting it now?

Well, I--

It's important for Major Carrington that we should know.

We ma'am?

Yes, Sergeant.

Right.

How much is missing?

125 pounds, ma'am.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Sergeant, I just spotted the Adjutant coming this way.

It looks like he's paying calls.

Thanks.

I must go.

Owen, if it's about the money-- - Don't you worry, ma'am.

Captain Graham, I thought you'd be at the race meeting today.

I'm afraid I have some work to do.

Well, you probably saved yourself a lot of money.

Sergeant Owen?

I'll have a word with you.

Jim.

Hello.

Whatever's happened?

You look like a ghost.

We've got to warn Copper.

Warn him, what about?

Well, I'm afraid he's done something terribly foolish.

Can we get to him at Sandown?

I mean to speak to him.

We might just make the last race.

He won't have left before then.

What's wrong anyway?

Are you refusing to open this safe, Sergeant?

I've no right to open it, sir, without the Major's permission.

I'm acting for Colonel Henniker.

You know that.

I'm sorry, sir, but Major Carrington's

my commanding officer.

Give me that key.

That's an order.

I'm sorry, sir.

Very well.

You give me no choice.

Change of jockey in the next race

for number seven.

Number seven will be ridden by Major C-O-P Carrington.

Larry.

Hello Allison.

So you made it after all.

I thought old Henniker was keeping you in.

What do you think of your boy Copper

running away with the gold cup?

He won?

Did he not.

Did himself a bit of good, too. - Where is he?

I must speak to him. - Can't.

He's out on the course.

He'll be riding this race, too.

Yes, and I call it pushing his luck.

It's Copper.

I heard about the Major, ma'am.

He's not badly hurt, is he?

No, he'll be back in barracks tonight.

Put this in the safe for him will you?

I can't, ma'am.

I haven't got the keys anymore.

I'm under open arrest.

Owen.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

But the Colonel knows all about it.

What did the Colonel say?

Not much yet.

Colonel Henniker, wanted

on the telephone, please.

John.

Take that call for me, would you?

Certainly Colonel.

Good evening, Adam.

Is Major Carrington back yet? - No, ma'am.

I've just been up to his room.

I hear he's left the hospital.

If you do see him, you might--

no, never mind, thank you Adam.

Good night, ma'am.

Excuse me, sir.

Good evening.

Might I have a word with you, sir?

Can't it wait till morning?

No, sir.

My office is the proper place for business.

- Well, just only one moment, sir-- - Forgive me.

Major Carrington's back, Colonel.

He's on his way to his quarters.

Shall I tell him you want to see him?

There's no hurry.

Thanks.

Captain Graham, I have an idea that what

you want to talk to me about doesn't directly concern you.

Not directly, sir.

In that case, it can wait till morning.

Introduce a tele recording

of some of this afternoon's racing at Sandown Park.

Why didn't you stay and watch the television?

Good evening to you.

Thank you, I don't think I will.

Sandown and the very big crowd--

Good night, sir.

Gathered there to watch some splendid racing.

Good night, Captain Graham.

The main event on the card

was the race for the Royal Artillery Gold Cup

for which there were 22 runners.

Some like Fairy Glade and Phantom

with a number of victories to their credit and some,

like the actual winner Peter Pan, ridden by Major Copper

Carrington who confounded the experts,

as you will see for yourselves.

So now for the film.

They're coming into line very well indeed.

Peter Pan is taking his place on the outside.

And they're off.

It's a very good start and Farnham's gone to the front

now with Fairy Glade and Peter Pan closer--

War hero, V.C. charged with fraud.

Well, it makes fine reading, doesn't it?

You know, Copper, I still think you ought to plug

this game of right business.

Now, listen to this.

Chapter 6, paragraph 26.

Oh, no, Jim. That's not our line.

If we'd wanted a legal quibble, we should have hired a lawyer.

Well, I still think we should have.

Why?

I'm the only person who knows what really happened.

Why pay somebody else to tell them?

That'll be brass.

Yes?

Major Carrington, please.

Court's opening, sir. - Thank you, sergeant.

I'm sorry you got stuck with court orderly, Sgt. Crane.

I'm afraid that's a rotten job.

That's all right, sir.

I only wish there was something I could do to help, sir.

Well, here goes.

I feel quite naked without a belt. Oh, Jim, got your fun?

Why?

You'd be a pretty foolish looking escort

if I decided to run for it.

Come on, Copper, we can't keep them waiting.

I don't know why not.

One things certain, they can't start without me.

Hold it please.

Wait.

Major, let me get a full-face picture please.

One that-- please.

Boys, give way.

Orders by an Lieutenant General,

Sir Wilfred Nicholas Blunt, dated 25th of April, London.

The detail of officers, as mentioned below,

will assemble at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Crayshott

on the 12th day of May, for the purpose

of trying by general court martial, the accused person

named in the margin.

Brigadier A.S. Meadmore, commander

of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order

is appointed president.

Members, Lt. Colonel B.R. Reeve, a military cross

Royal Artillery.

Sir.

Lt. Colonel T.B Huxford, member of the British Empire

of the Royal Tank Regiment.

Yes, sir.

Major R. E. Panton, Distinguish Conduct Medal

of the Parachute Regiment.

Yes, sir.

Major A.T.M Broke-Smith of the 11th Hussars.

Yes, sir.

Mr. A. Tester-Terry, that is myself,

is appointed Judge Advocate.

Major Carrington, do you object to be tried

by me as president or by any of the officers

whose names you had read over?

No, sir.

Can you tell me where they're holding this court martial?

Yes, that building over there with the pillars in front.

Thanks.

The witnesses will now withdraw.

Major Carrington, have your rights

under the rules of procedure been fully explained to you?

Yes, sir.

I understand that you have chosen

to conduct your own defense?

You realize you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage

by not engaging counsel?

I'd rather have it this way, sir.

I simply want to tell the court what happened

and then leave the rest to them.

That seems quite a sensible thing to do.

Are you major Charles Owen Paul Carrington, Victoria Cross

Distinguished Service Order, Royal Artillery, an officer

of the regular forces?

Yes, sir.

You are charged with--

first charge under section 17 of the Army Act,

when concerned in the care of public property

fraudulently misapplying the same.

Hello cookie.

The JA has started.

You can't go in yet.

The glue can go in anywhere.

Are you guilty or not guilty

of the first charge against you, which you have heard read?

Not guilty, sir.

Second charge under section

15-1 of the on the Army Act, representing

yourself without leave.

You got Carrington, Walter?

Yes, I've got Carrington and the president.

You've got the girl yet?

Which girl?

Captain Graham, the little number in khaki

they found in his bedroom.

Third and last charge,

under section 40 of the Army Act conduct to the prejudice

of good order and military discipline in that

you, at Crayshott on the 7th of April

improperly entertained an officer of the Women's Royal

Army Corps to which Captain A.L. Graham in your bedroom

in a military barracks.

Are you guilty or not guilty of the third charge against you,

which you have heard read?

Not guilty, sir.

Oh, yes, of course.

Major Carrington you may be seated.

Thank you.

Does the prosecutor propose to make an opening address?

Yes, sir.

May it please the court, it will not be necessary

for me to detain you long.

Of the three charges, the first is the only one

on which I shall dwell.

Out to April the 7th this year, the accused

was in command of the 24th heavy anti-aircraft battery.

You will hear the evidence of the pay Sergeant of the battery

that shortly before noon, on April 6th,

the sum of 140 pounds odd was drawn

from the bank for payment of a draft due to leave for a broad

that afternoon.

You will hear the evidence of Mr. D.A. Ashwell of Lloyd's

Bank, Crayshott, that on the morning of April

the 7th the accused, whose bank account was overdrawn,

paid in, in person the sum of 100 pounds in one pound

notes and asked that this amount should be

transferred immediately to the account

of his wife in a London bank.

And there is, as so often where fraud

is alleged, no direct evidence.

No one saw the accused take this money from the battery safe.

But it will, I think, be quite clear to you

when you have heard the evidence that these 125 pound notes were

the same notes, which were drawn for payment

of the draft on the previous day and lodged in the battery safe.

I ah-- I turn now to the other two charges.

In ah-- in the second charge, that of absence without leave,

you will hear the evidence of the accused commanding officer,

who expressly refused Major Carrington

leave of absence to ride in the Royal Artillery meeting.

And you will hear that the accused did so absent

himself for that very purpose.

Touching the third charge, Colonel Henniker

had issued a regimental order, which you may think

was a very legitimate and reasonable order that officers

were not to entertain members of the Women's Royal Army Corps

in their single quarters in barracks.

The evidence will show that the accused disregarded this order.

Eh, that's all I propose to say at this stage.

With the court's permission, I will

now proceed to call evidence.

Call Sergeant Day.

Sir.

Quick march.

Halt. Right turn.

Take the book in your right hand

and repeat the oath after me.

I swear by Almighty God.

I swear by almighty God that the--

Evidence--

Evidence I about to give before this court

to be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

You are number 962473, Sgt. Owen of the 24th heavy anti-aircraft

battery Royal Artillery?

No sir.

I beg your pardon?

Bombardier Owen, sir.

What?

He's down on my list as the Sergeant.

Sir.

You're down on list of witnesses as Sergeant Owen.

- Yes, sir. - Oh, I see.

And when this summary was taken you were a Sergeant

and now you're a Bombardier, is that correct?

Yes, that's quite correct, sir.

You are pay sergeant or pay bombardier

of the 24th heavy anti-aircraft battery?

No, sir.

No?

Bombardier Owen, we will take this in stages.

On the 6th of April this year, were

you pay sergeant of the 24th heavy anti-aircraft battery?

Yes sir.

Thank you.

And on that date was the battery commanded by the accused, Major

Carrington? - Yes.

Do you see Major Carrington in court?

Yes, sir.

On the afternoon of the 6th of April,

was a draft due to leave the battery for overseas?

Yes, sir.

Was the draft paid that day?

- No, sir. - Why not?

Their move was postponed, sir.

What happened to the money, which had be drawn.

I put it in the battery safe, sir.

So, there was, for the moment, more money

than usual in the battery safe?

Yes, sir.

Who had the key?

I did, sir.

Do you always keep the key of the battery safe?

- Yes, sir. - Is that usual?

I couldn't say, sir.

Highly unusual and strictly against regulations.

Well sir, the Major always said

that he was more likely to lose the key than I

was to pinch the cash, sir.

Was the key continuously in your possession

from noon on the 6th of April until, say, noon on the 7th?

News.

No, sir.

What happened to it?

Ah, don't look around at the accused please.

Just answer my question.

The Major borrowed it, sir.

To the court, please, not to me.

The major, you mean the accused, borrowed the key of the safe

from you?

Yes, sir.

When did he borrow it?

Just after dinner, sir, that afternoon, the 6th.

- Did he give it back to you? - Yes, sir.

What time was that?

About 9:30 the following morning,

sir, just before he left Sandown.

Now we pass on to ah, some two hours later.

Did Captain Graham of the Women's Royal Army Corps

come to the battery office to speak to you?

She came to the battery office, sir.

And spoke to you?

Yes, sir.

In consequence of what she said,

did you have in the office safe and check the money in it?

Yes, sir.

I won't ask you any more about that money at the moment.

But did shortly after that, did the Adjutant

come to the office?

Yes, sir.

Did he ask you for the key of the safe?

Yes, sir.

One moment, please.

I don't know your name.

I'm speaking to your escort, Major Carrington.

Mitchell, sir.

Major Mitchell, you're Major Carrington's escort.

Your duties are to restrain him from flight

and to suppress any attempts at violence on his part.

You're not there to assist in his defense.

I'm sorry, sir.

Would

You say the adjutant asked

you for the key of the safe. - Yes, sir.

- Did you give it to him? - No, sir.

Why not?

I was responsible to my battery commander

for the contents of the safe, sir.

Did the Adjutant tell you that he had Colonel Henniker's

authority to open the safe?

Yes, but I was responsible to my battery commander,

not to the Colonel, sir. - Yes, well, what happened then?

When, sir?

When you refused to give the key to the Adjutant?

Well, sir, there was a few words passed

and I found meself under arrest.

Does that explain the missing strike Bombardier Owen?

That's right, sir.

Did the Adjutant eventually open the safe?

- Yes, sir. - How?

With a duplicate key, which, in our regiment,

is kept in the regimental office to fit all the battery

safes, which was news to me.

May I interrupt, sir?

Certainly.

Are we going to hear more about this regimental key

the battery safe?

May I say something about that, sir?

Certainly.

I can assure the court that key is not important.

I'm not going to deny that this money was missing.

And I'm certainly not going to suggest

that the Adjutant took it.

With respect, sir, that is not the point at issue.

Whatever the accused may choose to admit,

the prosecution must still show that the money

was in the safe at one time and then found to be missing.

And for that, we need the evidence about the key.

I quite agree.

We can't rely on a casual admission

by the accused to establish the prosecution's case.

We'll take that evidence.

If you please, sir.

Now, Bombardier Owen--

One moment please.

Mr. Tester-Terry I have some views on this point.

Yes, sir.

I would like to discuss them with you more privately.

Court orderly?

Clear the court.

One moment, Bombardier Owen?

Sir?

Please remember that you are giving evidence.

You must not discuss this case with anyone

during the adjournment.

Very good, sir.

Right turn.

Quick march.

It seems I must remind you, Mr. Terry,

that there is only one president at his court martial.

Your decision to hear the evidence about the key

was taken without reference to me.

But surely the judge advocate is

responsible for guiding the court on purely legal points.

Responsible to the president, Mr. Terry.

And he takes no decisions.

Now, shall we both glance through the summary

and see whether all this evidence about the key

is really necessary?

Eh, may we smoke, sir?

Certainly.

Pretty casual trusting a pay sergeant

with a key of the safe.

I expect we've all done it sometime.

Depends on the pay sergeant.

May I borrow one of these?

Hardly worth lighting a pipe.

Thanks very much.

I was pay sergeant once.

No one trusted me with the key of the safe.

He just said it depends on the pay sergeant, old boy.

Alison.

You can't come in here.

I'm in.

But you mustn't be.

You're supposed to be on the other side.

If they find you in here, they'll shoot the lot of us.

No one saw me come in.

Look, Alison, they'll only think we're

cooking up something.

Well, so I am.

I've come to ask Copper what he wants me to say.

That's wonderful from a prosecution witness.

Just stick to facts.

Don't try and think of any helpful answers.

That should be easy for her.

She's a very unconvincing liar. - Is she?

Haven't you noticed?

No.

So either I never heard her tell a or else she's

not so unconvincing, which?

By the way, did you warn the other witnesses

what time they'd be wanted? - Yes, sir.

Yes I did. - Good.

Hello, Winston, hello.

By the way, I told Colonel Henniker we wouldn't

want him now till after lunch.

He seemed a bit disappointed.

Oh, why?

Oh, he can't wait to get into that witness box.

He's a queer bloke.

What makes you say that?

Well, I mean, this lot can't stand him.

Look at that 3rd charge.

Just because the poor girl got into a flap

and went to Carrington's room.

Henniker ought to have known there was nothing in that,

not on Carrington's side.

Everyone else does.

Have you've been gossiping about this case in the mess?

Who me?

Good, Lord, no, I'm a blooming oyster, you know I am.

But I don't stop them talking to me.

Here, Winston, stop it.

I, they, I suppose you mean that blond you sat next to

at dinner last night.

Yes, what do you think of her?

Just your sort, eh, Gordon?

I'll say, what a shape, even a uniform.

This regiment can pick'em.

Yes, I stood her a glass of port.

Do you know what she told me? - No.

That Carrington and the Colonel

had the best of six rounds in Carrington's room that night,

that Henniker had a beautiful black eye next morning,

a real shiner.

Hm, you do get hold of some wonderful stories.

Yes, I-- I sometimes think intelligence

might be my real line.

Are we going to see the CO who keeps keys

to fit all the battery safes?

Sir?

Is that a common habit in the Royal

Regiment of Artillery, Colonel?

Never heard of it in my life before.

This chaps like that commands all the batteries

from the regimental office.

Oh, you know him, do you?

And what's he like?

Well, Henniker?

Proper bastard in my opinion.

Colonel Reeve?

Sir?

That was a most improper remark.

Yes, sir.

It was ah-- I'm sorry.

I don't agree anyway.

I was at the Staff College with Henniker.

We thought he was quite outstanding.

Staff College--

Gentlemen, I really must ask you not

to allow your personal opinion of a witness

to influence your judgement of this evidence.

Do you mean, sir, that even if you've known a man for 20

years, you should assess his evidence only on what you've

seen of him in the witness box?

Most certainly.

That's the official, Panton, so I'll refrain from comment.

Do I gather you don't agree?

I want the right answer, that's all.

Carrington's whole future depends on the decision

of this court, a true verdict.

That's all that matters.

He'll want all the help he can get.

We're not calling any witnesses about him.

What do you mean?

Isn't Valerie giving evidence?

No.

Why not?

A wife can give evidence, can't she?

She's not up to it.

Is she ill again?

Not again, still.

Well, then lets ask for an adjournment until she's well.

They'd have to grant it.

Look, I don't want Val brought down here.

I just don't want her let in for all this.

Besides, what good could she do?

She can only quote facts and figures,

tell them about the fatal gap between our income

and our expenses.

I can do that.

Show them your bank book, I suppose.

Well, it's all down there.

Do you really think that a lot of figures in a bank book

mean anything compared to seeing your wife in court?

You know they don't.

Jim?

I've said what I think.

Copper, it's not a lot to ask her.

Just to come down and tell them herself what will

these last two years have been for her, for both of you.

Well, why is that so much better than my

telling them that she practically

had a nervous breakdown as a result of it?

Because inside two minutes, if she put her mind to it,

she'd have that court eating out of her hand.

Now, look, they're going to acquit me because they believe

I didn't steal his money not because they'd

fallen for my wife.

Anyway, she's not giving evidence

because she's not up to it.

If she can stand on her two feet, she ought to come.

And so she would if I insisted.

But you can't drag a woman into court.

Can't you?

I'm being dragged.

I was ordered to attend.

I know.

And I'm terribly sorry about that.

But that's the prosecution.

They can't order Val to attend.

No, but you can.

Look, this is very nice of you and all that.

But do you really think it's quite your business?

Well, do you?

Yes, yes I do.

Does that surprise you?

You can't expect your friends not to care how this goes.

Anyway, I'm in it now.

It's much too late to tell me to keep out.

Once this is over, I'll stand down.

I know my place.

But just for the moment, and what

with one thing and another, I think this is my business.

So do I. I am sorry.

Are

You going to tell them that Valerie phoned that morning

and demanded the money by return of post?

Yes, of course.

And that she threatened to commit

suicide if she didn't get it?

No.

Two minutes ago you were asking me to tell them everything.

Not that side of it.

But that-- that's the side to tell them.

You needn't blame her, Cooper.

No one wants you to do that.

She'd got some bills she couldn't pay.

And she was desperate.

Anyone can get desperate.

All right, don't.

Don't lift a finger.

Don't even try.

Stand up in court in a nice military manner

and answer their questions in a nice military way.

And then start looking for a nice civilian job.

Because that's what you're going to need.

Major Carrington, Major Mitchell, sir.

Court's reassembling.

Thank you, Sergeant.

You must get out of here.

No wait.

We have to go in first.

Just give us a couple minutes and the hall will be clear

All right.

Copper, I'm sorry I spoke like that.

Ready?

Yes.

Now, Bombardier Owen, you've told the court that

on the morning of April the 7th, the accused borrowed

the key of the safe from you.

Well, sir, when I said borrowed--

With the exception of that one occasion,

was the key of the safe ever out of your possession?

My wasn't, sir, but the duplicate key was

in the regimental office all that time,

at least I suppose it was.

To set your mind at rest, Bombardier Owen,

it was under lock and key.

Now, cast your mind back to the evening of that day.

Did Captain Graham return to the office

bringing with her some money?

I don't know, sir.

What you mean you don't know?

Did she or didn't she?

Captain Graham returned to the office

bringing with her an envelope, which she asked

me to put in the safe, sir.

Didn't she tell you what was in the envelope?

No, sir.

What did she tell you?

I beg pardon, sir.

Am I supposed to say what Captain Graham said to me?

I don't think he should answer that question, Major Monsel.

Bombardier Owen evidently remembers

that what the girl said to the soldier isn't evidence.

Heh.

Well, I'll ah--

put it another way then.

Did Captain Graham give you the envelope?

- Well, no, sir. - Oh.

Come on Bombardier Owen, we want

to extract this tooth by tooth.

What did she do with it?

Nothing, sir, because I told her the balloon had gone up

and it was too late.

You told Captain Graham

it was too late meaning that the money had already been missed?

Yes, sir.

Please speak up so that the court can hear your answer.

Is that what you meant to tell Captain Graham,

that the money had already been missed?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

That is all.

Do you wish to cross-examine the witness, Major Carrington?

Yes, please.

Oh, Bombardier Owen?

Yes, sir?

Can you say when I first joined 24 battery?

Yes, sir, June the 10th 1952, sir.

I can produce the posting order, sir.

But I assure you Bombardier Owen is quite infallible.

We'll take the bombardier's word for it.

Thank you, sir.

In the course of your--

in the course of your duties, did you

help me to press various claims for money

due me from the pay master?

Yes, sir.

Ca--

Sergeant, close that window.

Now, Bombardier Owen, can you quote the total amount,

which I'd claimed?

Yes,

Sir, 207 pounds, three in forms.

Can you say what this money was due

for, just the main headings.

Yes, sir, disturbance allowance for three moves in 11

months between July 1951 and June '52, command pay non-com

for just over five months in 1952,

compensation for loss of kit and HMT Vanessa in August 1950,

and seven minor items, sir.

Can you say how many letters we wrote

between us about all this?

Yes, sir, there was 33 proper letters, sir,

not counting the 14 reminders.

I'm afraid you put in a lot of overtime

on my private affairs, Bombardier Owen.

I never minded that, sir.

I'd like to produce them, sir, they're

copies from the battery.

Exhibits H--

Exhibits H one to 33.

These books signed by the president

and attached to the proceedings.

Go on please.

Did the paymaster ever admit liability

for of any part of our claim?

Yes, sir.

One of those letters dated February the 12th

admits our claims for 180 pounds 8 in forms, sir.

- Did they pay on that date? - No, sir.

The letter said they'd not yet verified

the part to order posting it to Hong Kong in 1950, sir.

So they sat on the lot.

One more question, Bombardier Owen.

On the 7th of April, when you and Captain Graham

found that this money was missing,

you did your best to cover up the loss.

Well, sir--

That was very friendly of you both.

Would you please tell the court, had I asked you to do that?

No, sir, you hadn't.

You weren't even there.

We did it on our own, sir.

Thank you Bombardier Owen that's all.

Thank you, sir.

Do you wish to re-examine Major Monsel?

No thank you, sir.

Have you any questions, sir?

No thank you.

Any questions from the court?

No, sir.

Very well, Bombardier Owen, you may stand down.

Call Captain Graham, please.

Right turn.

Quick march.

Sergeant?

Sir?

What is your name?

Sgt. Crane, sir.

Well, Sgt. Crane, could you please refrain

from making quite such a clatter in the course of your duties?

Yes, sir.

Very sorry, sir.

It's quite possible to be smart without stamping

a barbaric habit introduced in quite recent times

by Her Majesty's Foot Guards.

One small point Major Monsel.

Do you think your overworked assistant

could arrange a supply of drinking water from me?

Oh, certainly, sir.

Would you mind?

Yes, sir.

Take the book in your right hand

and repeat the oath after me.

- Oh, Sergeant. - Sir?

Our president's thirsty.

Can you get him something to drink?

Sir?

Oh, just water.

Yes, sir, right away, sir.

Earlier that day, you had a telephone call from Mrs.

Carrington who was in London. - Yes, sir.

As a result of that telephone conversation, what did you do?

I went to Major Carrington's battery office.

One moment please, this telephone call, I realize,

of course, that we can't get from Captain Graham

what Mrs. Carrington said, but I presume

we shall hear more later.

That is not for the prosecutor to say, sir.

I'm not calling my wife, sir.

She's not well enough to give evidence.

Can I help you?

I was looking for the court martial room.

Oh, I'll show you.

I was just going it myself.

Oh, are you a member of the court?

Nothing so grand, I'm afraid.

I'm just the prosecutor's assistant.

Oh.

Are you a friend Major Carrington' s?

I'm his wife.

You were saying, Captain Graham?

One moment, please.

Sgt. Crane.

Sir?

Steady the glass with the left hand.

Thank you.

Captain Graham, you say you went

to Major Carrington's office.

What did you do there?

I saw the pay sergeant and asked him

to check the cash in the safe.

- Did he find the cash correct? - No, sir.

There was 125 pounds missing.

And what did you do then?

I went away and got 125 pounds.

I was going to--

No please.

You went away and got 125 pounds.

Where from?

From my battery commander, Major Holt.

He was holding some money for Major Carrington.

I see.

So you got this money from Major Holt. And then?

- I - took it back to 24 battery

meaning to put it in the safe.

But the money had already been missed.

It had?

Now, Captain Graham, later that same evening the accused--

the accused came out of hospital and returned to the mess.

Did you see him on his return?

Yes.

Where did you see him?

In his room.

The accused was then occupying

single quarters in the mess?

Yes, sir.

Captain Graham, you know the regimental order

against officers entertaining members

of the Women's Royal Army Corps in their single quarters.

Major Carrington wasn't entertaining me.

He didn't ask me to go see him.

I went.

I had to talk to him.

Did he ask you to leave?

Yes, at once.

He told me I had no right to be there.

And he begged me to go away.

But he made no effort to compel you to leave.

Compel me?

He didn't should for help if that's what you mean.

One moment please.

Major Carrington.

You told me just now you weren't asking your wife to give

evidence because she was ill.

That's right, sir.

I got the impression that but for that you

would have called her.

Yes, sir.

Is that your wife who has just come into court?

Yes, sir.

If you do mean to call her as a witness,

she shouldn't be in court.

My husband doesn't mean to call me as a witness.

Can I take that as quite definite, Major Carrington?

Well, if there's any doubt, why not discuss it with your wife

during the next adjournment?

Very well, sir.

In that case Mrs. Carrington, I must ask you to withdraw.

Sgt. Crane show Mrs. Carrington where she can wait.

Go on, please, Major Monsel.

Captain Graham, you say you went to the accused's

room to talk to him.

What did you want to say?

I wanted to tell him what has happened

and what I'd done about the money.

And I wanted to tell him that Colonel

Henniker was out to get him.

Captain Graham.

I'm sorry, sir.

The prosecutor asked me what I said to Major Carrington.

And I told him.

Here you are, ma'am.

Thank you.

The major shouldn't be long.

Would you like a fire, ma'am?

Oh, no, no.

But I wonder if you could get me some cigarettes.

I know I've run out.

Take these, ma'am, just to go along with.

But what about you?

Oh, I'll be all right until lunchtime.

You're not allowed to smoke in there anyway.

You-- you must let me pay for them.

Oh, no, please, there's only one or two in here and I--

I'd rather not.

Very well.

Thank you, Sergeant.

How long were you in the accused's quarters that night?

About half an hour, I think, until Colonel Henniker came in.

And what happened then?

Well, he came in.

He burst in.

He didn't even knock.

I think he hoped he might surprise

us in bed or something.

Captain Graham, by now you know better than to make

a remark like that.

Colonel Henniker was very rude to me, sir, he said

some quite outrageous things.

I think must regard that as one

of the risks of your profession, Captain Graham.

Just tell the court what happened.

I can't, sir.

He and Major Carrington started an argument

and I left the room.

As a matter of fact, I was sent out of the room.

Thank you, Captain Graham.

That is all.

Captain Graham, on the 7th of April when you found that I'd

taken 125 pounds from my battery safe,

you went to a lot of trouble to put it back.

Yes.

Please don't think I'm not grateful.

But had I asked you to do that?

No, you haven't.

You didn't know anything of what I was doing.

Thank you.

Now you say that when you came to my room that night,

I told you that I had taken this money.

Yes.

Had you ever heard me say that I might do that?

Yes.

But I hadn't believed you.

Will you please tell the court about that conversation?

It was the day before in the morning about 11 o'clock.

I met you coming out of Colonel Henniker's office.

And you said you'd had another row with him about the money

the government owed you.

Go on.

You said he wasn't doing a thing to back up your claim

and you were sick of waiting.

You said you told him that.

And you told him that you were going to take the money out

of the battery safe.

You're quite sure, I mean, that I told Colonel Henniker

I was going to take that money?

Perfectly sure.

Thank you.

Oh, there's one more question.

The court has heard that I was riding

in the Royal Artillery meeting.

Can you say whether I was riding my own horses?

I know you weren't.

You don't own any horses nowadays.

I'm sorry, sir, I just wanted to correct the impression

that I was careering around Sandown Park

on my own expensive animals.

We take your point, Major Carrington.

Thank you, Captain Graham, that's all.

Major Monsel?

Ah, no thank you, sir.

Any question sir?

No thank you.

Captain Graham, you may go.

Will ah-- will you take Major Holt now, sir?

I think we might if that suits you, sir.

Just as your like, Mr. Terry.

We could take Major Holt or we could take luncheon.

As you please, sir.

Luncheon I think.

The court is adjourned.

We'll resume at 2:15.

Hello.

Hello Val.

Hello.

You are a surprise.

I didn't even know you were up and about.

Darling, you haven't been keeping in touch.

I crawled out of bed the day before yesterday.

Well, how are you?

Where are the handcuffs?

Well, they trust Jim to look after me.

Hm, that's nice for you both. How goes it, Jim?

In court?

Well, we just finished Alison's evidence

and adjourned for lunch.

Did Alison do her stuff?

Well, she's pretty good.

Sorry they wouldn't let you stop and see the show.

You really oughtn't have come at all.

Everyone else thought I ought to.

Everyone meaning your father?

Well, you did say you didn't want me to come down.

I told him that.

I certainly didn't want him to force you to come.

Nobody forced me.

He just said he thought it would look better.

I thought you might pleased to see me.

Of course, I am.

Just wish the circumstances were different.

So do I.

Well, now that you are here, how do

you feel about giving evidence?

But you said you didn't want me to.

I didn't think you were fit.

I'm not.

If you'd like, I'll produce a doctor's certificate.

That won't be necessary.

What sort of evidence do you mean anyway?

What about?

Well, nothing personal or difficult,

just give them the facts of life about the Army.

Tell them about the gap between what they paid us

and what they forced us to spend.

But you can tell them that.

He's not so eloquent on the subject as you are.

I've heard you.

Good heavens, you don't need eloquence,

just give them the figures.

Tell them what six months in a furnished flat in Singapore

did to our war savings, that a year in a hotel in Hong

Kong with a wife and two children

cost, well, just twice as much as they paid us.

Tell them the whole thing half killed me.

That's the stuff.

That's what we want you to say.

But why can't Copper say it?

I don't look right.

I don't look as if anything had half killed me.

Well, I'm sorry, Copper, but I can't.

Oh, I know it--it's futile and wicked of me.

But I can't.

Val, it wouldn't take 10 minutes.

It wouldn't take five. You've seen the court.

Leave it, Jim.

Look, Val, let me explain.

Leave it.

All right.

Well, I expect you can do without me.

I'll go and see what they're doing about our food.

Oh, by the way, I saw Nora Holt as we came out of court.

He said we'll do lunch with them, Val,

if you haven't fixed anything else.

I couldn't face anyone.

Why not?

What have you done?

I suppose you think I ought to run around telling

everyone what fun it all is.

No.

That would be overdoing it.

Well, Jim, all right.

Tell Nora I'd love to come.

And, well, say I'll be over in 10 minutes.

Right.

And honestly you couldn't think less of me than I do.

I think the whole thing has been very hard on you.

I'm sorry about that, Val.

Oh, Copper.

Now what's the matter with me?

You're just not well yet, that's all.

Well, anyone else would take it and pull themselves

together somehow or other.

Why can't I?

Oh, I'd give evidence if I could, of course I would.

But I know when the moment came, I'd just run out on you.

You wouldn't want that to happen.

No.

How are the boys?

I think you ought to write to them.

I don't know what to say.

Yes, it's very unfair isn't it?

They shouldn't be made to feel responsible,

especially for a stepfather.

Val, look, I know I promised I'd keep you out of the thing

as far as possible.

But you must realize, I shall have to tell

the court why I took the money.

And I shall have to refer to your telephone call and ah--

and to the letter.

Do you mean you're going to put the whole blame on me?

No, no, no, no.

My whole case is that the pay master owed us

money, which he wouldn't pay.

In the end, and through no fault of our own, we got to the point

where we couldn't wait any longer.

But can't you just say you were being pressed for money

for the boys school bill?

Pressed so hard I had to take the money that same day?

So you are going to say that it was what

I said that made you do it.

I won't put it that way.

Would it be so unfair if I did?

Well, yes of course it would.

I was frantic when I made that phone call.

I didn't know what I was saying.

Well, of course, I'd never kill myself.

How could I leave the boys?

I told you that in my letter.

Yeah, but your letter didn't arrive until afterwards.

And I didn't feel inclined to take the risk.

You must see if you won't go in the box,

I shall have to refer the letter.

But that letter was private.

Any letter is private.

You've no right to read it all out in public.

Read it all out in public?

You really think I'd do that?

Do you remember the sort of things you said in this letter?

Oh, tear it up please.

If that letter gets read out in court, I think I'll die.

Promise you won't let them see it.

Look, all I'm going to do is, I'm going to tell them

that you rang me up and said you had to have

the money within 24 hours.

I shall explain that you were ill

and you made some dire threats.

Oh.

If they insist on confirmation,

then I'll read a few sentences, that's all.

I can't stand it.

I can stand our private affairs being read out

in court for everyone to hear.

Oh, now isn't it a little late to be so sensitive?

At the moment, I don't have any private affairs.

I'm not allowed to have. - But I do.

I'm not in the dark. I didn't take any money.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have said that.

Look, there's one thing you have to understand.

I haven't done anything that I'm ashamed of.

And I have got quite a case, you know.

What's going to happen?

Tell me honestly.

I'm going to get off, of course.

They can't make this charge stick.

I took the money openly.

I told Henniker I was going to take it, remember?

Then I took it.

And whatever that was, it wasn't fraudulent.

Well, suppose you do get off, what do we do?

There's only one thing to do.

Pick ourselves up and start again.

In the Army?

Yes, of course.

Copper give up the Army.

Val, it's the only thing I know.

It's the only thing I want to do.

But why?

Look at the Army and how it is.

Look at the things they do to you.

I know.

Well, go on, tell me, what's the attraction?

Oh, left turn, right turn in a barrack's square.

Oh no, more to it than that.

It's something that I can do and that people like Henniker

can never do, no matter what dizzy heights they reach.

You'll certainly never reach any dizzy heights after this.

Won't you always be the man who pinched the cash

and got away with it and wasn't there

something about another woman?

Well, nobody's taking that third charge serious,

not even the prosecution.

It's lucky for you that I'm not, isn't it?

Allison, huh, that'd be the last straw.

Oh, well, Nora will be wondering what's happened to me.

Val, when this is over, what about us?

We go on as we are I suppose.

No, not as we are, not apart.

After all this, they're bound to move me.

And somehow I'll get married quarters

and in quarters we could live.

No Copper, we shouldn't stand a chance, not in the Army.

What you're saying is that you're prepared to live

with me when things are easy.

But you're not prepared to make an effort when they're not.

I suppose so, I dare say that's it.

Perhaps if you wanted a post-war Army career,

well, you married the wrong woman.

I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.

You will come back, won't you?

I mean this afternoon, not to give evidence,

just to be around, you know.

All right, I'll come back.

Sugar, sir?

- No thank you. - May we smoke, sir?

Certainly.

May I?

Sorry, old boy.

I really will buy some tomorrow.

If we're here tomorrow, which I sincerely hope not.

That doesn't depend on us, I'm afraid.

Well, I'd like to get away today if I can.

I'm quite ready to sit late if necessary.

Thank you.

What's your hurry Broke-Smith?

Don't tell me they make the cavalry work

at this time of year.

Oh, Lord, no.

We finished the point of buoyancy's.

And we've got nothing until Askar.

How do you like this idea of paying yourself out

of impressed when the pay master is slow in dealing

with your claims?

Well, it's original anyway.

Can you call it fraudulent misapplications,

sir, if you've given fair warning

of what you are going to do?

Quite possibly not.

But we don't know yet that he did give warning.

He told the Graham girl he'd warned the Colonel.

So she says.

You don't think he told anyone else.

We don't know that either.

Well, it would be in character anyway.

Carrington wouldn't sneak the money out of the safe, never.

Flying off the handle and taking it as a gesture of defiance,

that's something different.

Am I wrong, Mr. Terry, or are you looking a little cynical?

It's possible.

I've never served on a jury.

Until I joined the Judge Advocate's branch,

I'd never heard a case discussed in closed court.

And you find it a painful experience?

In a way, yes.

As an advocate, one labored long hours over one's brief,

marshalled the evidence, presented it this way or that

and ended with an impassioned address.

Why?

To what purpose?

I know now that any juryman in any court

is moved solely by his personal prejudices modified

by whether or not he likes the look at the witness in the box.

Gentlemen, we seem to have destroyed

Mr. Terry's faith in the law.

Oh, not at all.

I believe that in spite of their methods,

almost every court, especially perhaps a court martial,

reaches a just and proper verdict in the end.

Let's hope we shant be the court to disappoint you.

I feel quite sure you won't.

Major Monsel?

I was looking for you.

I'm just on my way across.

May I walk with you?

Please.

What can I do for you?

I was wondering if I might be allowed

to leave the barracks this afternoon, go into Crayshott.

Question

I'm sorry.

The moment I let you go, some new point would come up

and the president would want to recall you.

Is it very urgent, your reason for wanting to go?

To be quite honest, I just wanted to get away.

I find this harrowing.

Yes, I'm sure you do.

No one's enjoying it.

Don't let them throw him out.

You know very well that doesn't rest with me.

Not in theory, no.

Not in any way.

It's for the court to decide when

they've heard the evidence.

But you can't want to see him chucked out.

I don't.

My duty as prosecutor is simply to behave impartially

and to bring the whole of the transaction before the court.

Do you know the whole of the transaction?

Not yet.

I've only heard one side of it.

Not even that.

Just the bare bones of one small bit of one side of it.

Oh, I know he behaved like an idiot.

So does he.

But he's not like that really.

If you want to know what he's really worth,

just stop any one of those men and ask them.

Captain Graham, you're wasting your talents.

It's the court you should attack, not me.

Are you coming in?

No.

If I can do anything with you, I'll go back to my office

and try and get some useful work done.

Anyway, thanks for rejecting my advances so nicely.

An unusual experience for you, I'm sure.

If ah-- if there's anything else?

No thanks.

Right.

Oh yes.

Yes?

I'm supposed to set an example in barracks.

When you were asking our commanding officer what

happened in Major Carrington's room that night,

would you get him to make it clear

that the accused and I were not covered up in bed together?

Now, that's a reasonable request.

All right, I'll do that.

Thank you.

Oh, Captain Graham?

Yes?

One question.

Yes?

You said this morning that Major

Carrington he warned Colonel Henniker

he was going to take the money.

Did Major Carrington say that?

Yes.

Are you quite sure that?

Perfectly sure.

What started the trouble between Major

Carrington and his Colonel.

Jealousy.

You?

Good heavens, no, not a woman, nothing so reasonable.

What was Colonel Henniker doing during the war?

Yes, that's more like it.

Anti-aircraft command, a whole contest.

Hm, he never got overseas?

No.

Woolwich, Chatham, and all stations

to Dover never out of touch with the southern railway.

Well, you don't blame him for that, do you?

Me?

I blame him for everything.

I'm sorry Colonel.

Have you been waiting for me?

I just came to find out what time I'd be wanted.

Well, sir, you'll be the last my witnesses.

I should say 3 o'clock or um 10 to might be safer.

I'll be outside the courtroom at a quarter to 3:00.

All going smoothly?

Yes, I think so.

Oh, one point came out this morning.

Oh, what was that?

A witness gave evidence that Carrington

told you beforehand he meant to take the money

from the battery safe.

It's a point of some importance.

I see. Why?

He still took that money.

Yes.

But if he gave you prior warning,

it alters the whole character of the defense.

Really?

If a bank clerk helps himself out of a till and says,

oh, but I told the manager.

Ah, if the bank owed him money.

You mean he'd get away with it?

No. I don't say that.

But obviously, still thinking of your bank clerk,

it's one thing to take the money sort of viciously

but quite another if he takes it openly

after a dispute with a manager over the bank's debt to him.

Which witness said this or shouldn't I ask?

Captain Graham.

Oh, I see.

Did she hear Carrington tell me?

No, she heard it from him.

Isn't that hearsay?

No, it came from the accused.

Well, I suppose it's a line of defense.

You know, Colonel, this case worries me.

I find the defense out of character in an officer

with Carrington's background.

Background?

What background?

You're not dazzled by his V.C. are you?

I wouldn't say so.

Well, that's the real trouble, the blaze

of adulation that surrounds the V.C.

for the rest of his service.

I don't say it's his fault. But Carrington's spoiled.

Anything he wants, he feels he has a right to.

If he wants leave, he takes it.

If he wants to ask a woman up to his quarters,

he ignores all orders against it.

Background or no background, he was short of money

so he helped himself.

As simple as that?

He just throws away his career and his pension for 125 pounds?

Oh, no.

If he won at Sandown, he meant to slip the money back.

If he lost, well, he'd get away with it somehow,

something would turn up.

Someone would rally around and help.

He's got plenty of friends.

Look, here, Carrington's whole reputation was made outside

to bookie in 10 minutes.

He took over the gun layer seat on a 25-pounder

from a wounded Lance Bombardier and knocked out

five German tanks.

Well, that's more than most of us could do.

Very few of us get the chance.

Look, I don't underrate what he did.

But I didn't want a gun layer here.

I didn't even want a war hero.

I wanted a battery commander for a highly technical unit.

And they gave me Carrington.

Still, he's not being tried for inefficiency, is he?

No.

You're entitled to impute inefficiency as a reason

for refusing his leave.

That was my reason, of course, and my only one.

Well, a quarter to 3:00 then.

Yes, please.

You'll be prepared to answer that question

if it's put to you?

Which question?

Oh, about whether he confided his intentions in me

or not, certainly.

Of course, Henniker's hated my guts since the moment I joined.

Well, to be honest, you never wasted much tact on him.

That's why we're here.

Come in.

Excuse me, sir.

I thought you better have this.

Oh, the accused doesn't wear a belt.

I know, sir. but for afterwards.

Alan, you're an incurable optimist.

Nice piece of leather, this.

Belonged to my father.

Isn't it time Val got back?

Yes, if she wants to be here when the court reopens.

Well, there's Henniker now strutting

across the square on his way to torment the regiment office.

Good, Lord, he's showing Sgt. Connolly

how to salute in front of the recruit squad he's

supposed to be instructing.

I can't look.

You ought to be able to do better than that.

Don't you know how to keep your wrist straight?

Like this, see?

Now let's see you do it.

And again.

That's better.

Now get on with it.

Squad will move to the right.

Right turn.

By the left, quick march.

Goodbye Larry.

Thank you so much.

Bye now.

Excuse me, is Captain Graham here?

Oh, Ca--

- Hello Val. - Oh, Allison.

I wonder if you could help me?

Well, I can try.

Well, I told Copper I would come back this afternoon.

But I can't face it just hanging around.

I can understand that.

How can I help?

Well, would you tell him?

If you could say it so that he'll understand.

You see, if I go now, I could catch the 2:50.

Have you called a taxi?

No, I thought perhaps that you might drive me to the station.

They won't let me leave the barracks.

We'll fix you up somehow.

I'm just going up to transport.

Oh, thank you.

Come on, then.

Ah, Mrs. Carrington, just the person I'm looking for.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Ah, who are you?

The name's Evans, Morning Globe.

What do you want, Mr. Evans? Have

Just a word with Mrs. Carrington.

Nothing to worry, though, we shan't publish

anything you don't like.

We don't want you to publish anything at all.

But your husband is a public figure.

They're taking a great deal of interest in his case.

You can hear the whole story in court.

I've never covered a case yet, Captain Graham, in which

the court heard half the story.

Take your own evidence, for instance, the moment you began

to interest me, you stopped.

Now this fight, this fight in Major Carrington's bedroom

on the night he was arrested, I want to hear more about that.

What fight?

The fight between your husband and Colonel Henniker.

What was it about? Who was it about?

I'm afraid you've been misinformed, Mr. Evans.

There was no fight.

Captain Graham, are you trying to tell me

the Colonel Henniker got his black eye over swing door

and Major Carrington barked his knuckles

on shutting the window.

I'm not trying to tell you anything.

All right, all right, perhaps it happened that way.

But ah-- I don't think so.

And ah--nor does the mess waiter nor

does Colonel Henniker's driver.

You-- your train, Val, you'll be late.

But why haven't I heard about this fight?

You haven't heard about it?

You haven't heard about it because there wasn't one.

Mr. Evans, you've no right to go round--

All right, maybe I was wrong.

Maybe there wasn't a fight.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Carrington, I must have got it wrong.

Yes, yes, perhaps--

perhaps you must have.

I'll phone you in London, Val, the moment we hear anything.

Oh, yes, please do.

You'll have to hurry now.

All right then.

Yes, goodbye Alison.

Bye.

And thank you.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry if I asked the right question at the wrong time.

And what did you do then?

Then I went up to Major Carrington's quarters

where I found Captain Graham.

And the accused?

Yes.

The accused was in bed.

Was he still suffering from the effects

of his fall at Sandown?

I suppose so.

When you entered the room, what was Captain Graham doing?

She was sitting in a chair.

In a chair by the bed?

No, by the window.

Was she in uniform?

Yes.

Was she fully dressed?

Yes.

Was there anything in their attitude or demeanor

to suggest that they'd been behaving improperly in any way?

No.

What happened then?

Well, I pointed out to the accused

that in having Captain Graham in his room,

he was directly disobeying my order.

And I asked for an explanation.

Did he give any explanation?

No.

Go on, please.

Well, he seemed to resent

my presence in his quarters.

He became rather truculent.

In the end, I ordered Captain Graham to leave the room.

And I put Major Carrington under arrest.

Thank you, Colonel Henniker, that is all.

Do you wish to cross-examine Major Carrington?

Yes please, sir.

One moment, Major Carrington.

Sgt. Crane?

Sir.

It's a dog, sir.

I'm glad we agree.

Please silence it.

Very good, sir.

Sgt. Crane is improving.

Now then, Major Carrington.

Colonel Henniker, let's start with a simple question.

Can you explain why you dislike me so much?

Do you mean personally or as a battery commander?

Personally.

I don't admit that I do dislike you personally.

But I've never given the matter much thought.

No?

Well, I think you'll admit, we've never get on very well.

Oh, certainly.

We have very different views about our Army duties,

for instance.

Yes, we had indeed.

Let's see how and why.

Now we agree that on the 28th of March,

you told me that you proposed holding

a training exercise of my battery staff

on the 7th of April.

I did.

Your battery staff needed training.

So badly that it couldn't have waited one more day?

Hadn't you known for at least six

weeks that I was riding at Sandown on the 7th of April?

Isn't that rather an odd way of putting it?

Had you applied for leave?

No, rather stupid of me.

Perhaps I hadn't.

Do you know how many officers out of your regiment

attended that race meeting?

I have no idea.

I'll tell you, 18, 18 out of 34.

You know as well as I do it's a regimental custom.

You know how many applied for leave officially?

I'll tell you, not one of them.

My two fellow battery commanders Holt and Mitchell both went.

Did they ask for leave?

I knew they were going.

My question was, did they ask for leave?

And my answer was not officially.

But I knew they were going.

But you didn't know I was, is that what you mean?

Yes.

Do you remember a guest night

towards the end of February when we dines

the new Garrison commander?

Yes.

We sat one on either side of him, didn't we?

Yes.

And discussed at some length my chances of winning

the Gold Cup on Peter Pan.

I don't remember.

You should, you joined in.

I can call the Garrison commander, you know.

I don't remember discussing it.

It's not likely that I would remember.

It's not a subject that would interest me much.

Let's try another line.

As a bachelor, do you dine in the mess fairly often?

Yes, more often than not.

Were you dining in regularly

in the weeks before the Royal Artillery meeting?

Probably.

I can prove that you were.

I can also call four officers who'll repeat conversations

they had with you during that time about my chances

in the Gold Cup.

I don't want to waste the time of the court.

But if you force me to call them, I'll call them.

Now, do you still say that as late as the 28th of March

you hadn't heard that I was riding

in the Royal Artillery meeting?

Oh, I may have heard.

I probably did.

But I still say, it made no impression on me.

The moment you told me, officially,

that you meant to ride, I told you that you couldn't.

And I told you why.

A training exercise for my battery stuff

arranged 10 days before the meeting

for the one purpose of stopping me riding.

No, for the very legitimate purpose of increasing

the efficiency of your battery.

I shall ask the court to accept my explanation.

Mine doesn't suit your case, I admit.

Mine doesn't twist the facts.

Gentlemen.

I'm sorry, sir.

Colonel Henniker, you started that.

Your remark was provocative.

I'm sorry, sir.

Major Carrington, the court will protect you from innuendo.

You can put away your gun.

Thank you, sir.

Well, let's go on to the third charge, the one about Captain

Graham's visit to my quarters.

She's told us herself why she came to my room that night.

Can you say why you came?

Why I came to your room?

At 10 P.M., yes, please.

Well, you didn't report your return

from hospital that evening.

I only heard, more or less, by chance that you were back.

What time did you hear that?

At about 9 o'clock in the mess.

But you didn't come to my room until 10, why?

I didn't mean to come at all that night.

I had plenty to say to you.

But I decided it was better left until morning.

What made you change your mind?

I had reason to believe that Captain

Graham had gone to your room.

What made you think that?

I saw her going upstairs towards the officers quarters.

Well, why not say so?

What time was that?

About quarter past 9, I should say.

A quarter past 9.

So you waited 45 minutes before you followed her.

Why?

I was hoping she'd come down again

and that I could overlook the matter.

You were hoping that you would overlook a breach of discipline

by me?

I mustn't spoil that one.

Let's take the remaining charge, the one about the money.

Here I admit, I behaved very foolishly.

I gave you a magnificent opening.

And you took full advantage of it.

Is that remark in order, sir?

No.

Major Carrington, I don't want hamper your cross-examination.

But if you can't--

I'm sorry, sir.

Colonel Henniker, this charge of fraudulent misapplication,

let's go back to the 6th of April last at about 11 o'clock.

Did I come to your office then to talk

to you about my finances?

Yes.

Did I tell you that I was unable to meet my debts?

Yes.

Did we discuss the money

which the government owed me?

Yes, a subject we'd often discussed before.

Yes, we certainly had.

And when I asked you if the pay master had

acknowledged my last letter, did you tell

me that you hadn't sent it on?

Yes.

I thought it a bad letter, rude and exaggerated.

You didn't say that when I showed it to you.

No, I re-read it later.

I see.

Well, did you refuse that morning, once more,

to take urgent action?

I refused to ring up the war office

or to send a series of personal telegrams, which

was your other suggestion.

I pointed out that all reasonable steps had

already been taken by my staff.

Did I tell you I was desperate that morning,

that things had come to a head?

You told me, at some length, about your stepson's school

bills and your wife's break down in health.

You appeared to blame me for all that.

Certainly not, but as my commanding officer

it was your job to help me.

I had to press my claim through you.

And I was doing what I could.

The pay master was slow.

But that's nothing new.

I pointed out that you should have known there'd be a delay

and managed your affairs accordingly.

Managed my affairs accordingly.

Colonel Henniker, for the last four years

I've been kicked around the world, never

more than six months in any one station,

never given government married quarters,

paying through the nose of furnished rooms and hotels,

never knowing--

Major, Carrington I don't want to keep interrupting you.

But you'll have an opportunity to give your evidence later.

I'm sorry, sir.

Let's say we had one more tow about the money.

Now I come to a vital point.

To me, the one point in this whole case that really matters.

When you told me that you were unwilling, or unable, to take

any further steps on my behalf, I told you that I intended

to help myself out of funds.

Do you remember my saying that?

No.

Or anything like that?

Nothing at all like that.

When I read your evidence in the summary,

I noticed you hadn't mentioned that.

I thought perhaps you'd overlooked it

or didn't think it was important.

I didn't think you might might've

forgotten it altogether.

I still don't think so.

You never said any such thing.

I'll repeat my very words.

I said, if they won't pay me, I'll pay myself out of funds

and see what they say to that.

You don't remember that?

No.

Then you won't remember you answer.

I naturally don't.

I'll remind you.

You said, then I shall have great pleasure

in seeing you court-martialed.

Now, did I make that up?

Did I?

No.

Those were your exact words, weren't they?

As far as I can remember, yes.

Then how is it you don't remember what I said?

You're quoting me in the wrong context.

What do you mean by that?

You told me you were going to Sandown the next day

with or without my permission.

And I said that if you did, I'd have you court-martialed.

That speech of yours was in answer

to my threat to take the money.

Do you deny that?

I do.

Let's start again.

The draft that was originally supposed

to leave that day didn't come only from my battery, did it?

No.

No, it was made up equally from the three batteries.

Exactly.

But on the morning of the 7th, you sent the adjutant

to my battery office to check to see that the money to pay

that draft was still there.

I did.

Did you send them to the 47th battery?

No.

Did you send them to the 21st battery?

No.

Then why to the 24th if you deny that I told you

I was going to take the money.

Why to my battery, and my battery only?

Was it my--my criminal record?

No.

Or my criminal appearance?

No.

Then can you tell the court what

made you pick on my battery, and my battery only?

Certainly.

Because only the morning before you told me

you had no money at all.

And yet that same evening in the mess,

I heard you were placing a sizable bet

on yourself to win at Sandown.

I was rather anxious to find out where you'd

got the money to bet with.

I still want to know what made you think the money

came out of my battery safe.

That is a difficult question to answer, isn't it?

Can I help you?

You weren't afraid the money wasn't there.

Because I told you I was going to take it.

And you knew damn well it wasn't there.

But you were afraid that unless you did something

pretty quickly, I might win at Sandown and put the money back.

Is that a question?

No, but this is.

Do you still say that I didn't tell you

I was going to take the money?

I do.

Then I only have one more question.

How do you like knowing that I know you're lying?

You don't have to answer that.

Thank you, that's all.

Do you wish to re-examine, Major Monsel?

No, thank you, sir.

Any questions, sir?

No thank you.

No.

Thank you, Colonel Henniker.

Well, that concludes the case for the prosecution, sir.

Thank you, Major Monsel.

Ahem.

Major Carrington, the time has come

for you to make your defense.

You have heard what the prosecution say.

And you may make your reply in one of several ways.

You may, if you wish, but only if you wish,

give evidence upon oath--

That's what I want, sir.

One moment please.

Or you may make a statement not on oath.

But I am bound to warn you that it

does not carry the same weight.

Lastly, bearing in mind that it is for the prosecution

to prove your guilt and not for you to prove your innocence,

you may remain silent.

Are you sure you understand?

Yes, sir.

I want to give evidence on oath.

And do you intend to call any other witnesses?

Only one, sir.

I Intend to call my wife.

That train's gone.

The station master swears she wasn't on it.

Well, she must've missed it.

You said she was late starting out.

Well, then why isn't she at the station now?

There's another one in 20 minutes.

I can't understand her just going

off without saying a word.

She told Alison.

What do we do now?

You can demand a further adjournment until we find her.

Shall I ring around and then leave a message in case

she's gone some other way? - Would you?

Kensington 4591.

I'll settle with you later.

My girl's on the switchboard, I think the government

can stand you that.

Val, thank heavens you've come back.

We're going to be all right.

What on earth-- but-- but Val what happened?

I thought you said--

I changed my mind on the way to the station.

You've heard about the adjournment?

Oh, yes.

I went to the courtroom first.

Will you give evidence?

You did promise you wouldn't call me.

I know. But things have changed.

You see, when Henniker came out with a flat lie,

he gave us an opening we can't afford to miss.

What do you want me to say?

Just tell the court the truth.

What about?

Tell them what I said when I rang

you up and told you that I'd sent you the 100 pounds.

That you'd taken the money from the battery safe?

Yes, and that I told Henniker I was going to take it.

And he threatened to have me court-martialed if I did.

That's all I want from you, Val.

We've got to convince the court that Henniker's lying.

Cooper, did you and Henniker have a fight that night?

Of a sort, yes.

So you did.

What about?

Well, among other items, he said some things about Alison

that I didn't very much like.

So I called him a liar and a dirty minded snooper.

And he didn't very much like that.

Go one, tell me what happened.

Well, then he sort of slapped at me.

And I lost my temper and knocked him down.

it wasn't much of a fight, really.

It wouldn't have filled the rabbit outward hall.

And you were there?

Yes.

Some people have all the luck.

I wish I'd seen it.

What was it he said about you?

Oh, you know the sort of things he'd say.

He thought he had stumbled in on an amorous scene?

Oh, no.

Even Henniker couldn't have thought that.

He started up again about the time he got stranded on our way

back from Manorbier.

Did I hear about that?

Yes, you heard about that, in February,

remember, on our way back from the command

conference when we got snowbound and spent the night in the pub.

Oh yes, I remember.

But I don't see the connection.

Well, you wouldn't.

But Henniker thought he did.

Copper, we better get back.

We're holding things up.

Yes.

Do you want to go over to the mess for tea?

I haven't given my evidence yet. - Oh, no.

I'll wait here with Alison.

I-- I'll take Val to my quarters.

She'll be more comfortable there.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Thank you for coming back.

Hey, your hands are like ice.

You sure you're all right?

I'm fine.

Nothing to worry about.

It won't take more than two or three minutes,

even if they cross-examine.

Oh.

Force of habit.

By the way, don't talk to me, talk to the old boy in the wig.

Coming Val?

Yes.

I took this money.

But I took it openly after saying I was going to take it.

I took it to advertise a grievance.

Openly to advertise a grievance.

Well, Major Carrington, let's see if you did.

After your interview with Colonel Henniker

that morning, you went back to your office,

borrowed the key of the safe from Bombardier Owen,

and took out 125 pounds?

Yes.

Did ah-- anyone see you take it?

No.

Did you tell Bombardier Owen you'd taken it?

No.

Not even when you gave him back the key?

Not even then.

Did you tell any of your fellow officers you'd taken it?

I didn't tell Bombardier Owen or anyone else

that I was having a row with my commanding officer.

Because I didn't want to stir up feelings against him.

That would seem to me to me to be rather cheap.

Well, surely that does you credit Major Carrington.

But for someone who wanted to advertise a grievance,

don't you think you were being remarkably,

reticent, even secretive?

Well, once I told Colonel Henniker

I was going to take the money.

The court has heard Colonel Henniker deny that.

I also told Captain Graham.

She doesn't deny it.

You told her you'd had a row with him.

Wasn't that cheap?

Yes, I think it was.

Hm, this um--

advertising, when was it going to start?

When were you going to tell anyone you'd taking this money?

As soon as the order to pay the draft came through,

I was going to ring up the regimental office

and tell Colonel Henniker that the cupboard was bare.

I was rather looking forward to that.

And meanwhile you said nothing to anyone.

Except my wife.

Sorry I've been so long, Val.

I've organized tea.

It'll be here in a moment.

Giving evidence is nothing, Val.

It certainly won't be for you.

They know you've been ill.

They'll be telling themselves no matter what they do,

they mustn't upset you.

Come in.

Oh, thank you so much.

Tell me, how did you and Copper happen to go to bier?

We were ordered to go to this conference.

Just you two?

No, five of us went.

It was Copper and Larry and I and Jock

Mckenzie and Colonel Henniker.

Did you all get stranded?

No.

Sugar?

No, thank you.

We were on the way back.

It was snowing.

The other three were ahead in the Colonel's car and Copper

and I were in his and the driver, of course.

Please go on.

Well, going up one of those Welsh hills,

the car started to cough.

Then it stopped, nothing on earth would start it again.

So we had to go backwards downhill

until we got to the bottom.

Fortunately, there was a village, or at least a pub.

Fortunately.

Well, when it got dark, it was still snowing.

The driver was still tinkering with the car.

So we all stayed the night.

Where was that?

A little place called Polgethle.

Oh, yes.

Tremarthen Arms.

Don't ever go there.

The landlord doesn't like visitors.

No?

I said my bed was damp.

So in revenge they put me into a room with a bat in it.

The bat came to life when I went to bed.

Between us, we knocked over the paraffin

lamp and most of the furniture.

Well, Copper had to come and rescue me.

Did he get rid of the bat?

Yes, by that time, he had to get rid of the landlord too.

And then we went back to bed?

Yes.

To his own bed?

Val, what's wrong with you?

Did you really think I wouldn't know

the moment I saw you together?

There's nothing to know.

You're all on edge or you wouldn't--

I'll tell you what happened that night.

It'll save you the trouble of lying about it.

Val, let's stop this.

I'll stop it when I get the truth.

Until then, I refuse to go into that courtroom.

You can't do that to him.

Tell Copper I've gone back to London.

Tell him why.

All right.

We did spend that night together.

But only that night.

And that's all there was to it.

He'll tell you it began there and ended there.

And it did. It led nowhere.

It never could have led anywhere.

Copper loves you.

He always has.

And I suppose he always will.

He certainly doesn't love me.

Nor you him, I suppose.

Oh, yes.

I love him.

But that needn't worry you.

He'd never have known it if you hadn't left him.

So-- so it's all my fault.

It's no one's fault. It's the way things are.

Heaven knows, I'd change them if I could.

Come in.

Excuse me, ma'am.

They're asking for Mrs. Carrington.

Thank you.

Val.

You won't hold it against him, will you?

And don't stay away from him again

until he's so lonely and miserable

he doesn't care what happens.

You won't do that, will you?

Val.

I swear by Almighty God.

I swear by Almighty God.

That the evidence, which I shall give before this court.

That the evidence, which I will give before this court.

Shall be the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth.

Shall be the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth.

Sgt. Crane?

Sir?

Get Mrs. Carrington a chair.

By the table.

- All right? - Yes.

I

Won't keep you long. I just wanted--

One moment, Major Carrington, we have to establish

the identity of the witness.

Oh, yes, I'm sorry, sir.

You are Mrs. Valerie Diana Carrington and my wife,

aren't you?

I am.

On the 6th of April last, where were you?

London.

To the court, Val.

In London.

Did you get a telephone call from me

that afternoon about 3 o'clock?

Yes.

Can you remember what it was all about?

Yes, I think so.

Can you told the court, quite shortly,

what we said which other?

About the money, you mean?

Yes, start with the money.

You said you just told your barrack to send me 100 pounds.

Yes.

I think I asked you where you got it, didn't I?

Yes you did.

You said you had taken it from the battery safe.

Go on.

I-- I didn't believe you.

I think I told you, you were mad.

Yes you did. What did I say?

I don't remember.

I know I told you to go and put it back at once.

I begged you to.

Yes.

You said you wouldn't.

Yes.

Yes, Val, then what did I say?

Did I mention Colonel Henniker?

We talked for some time.

Oh, yes.

Do you remember what I said about Colonel Henniker?

Val, try to think.

This is important.

Didn't I tell you I'd had a difference of opinion

with Colonel Henniker?

No, really, sir.

We can't have that.

You mustn't lead the witness, Major Carrington.

Did we talk about Colonel Henniker?

No.

I don't think we mentioned him.

What's this, Val?

I don't think so.

I can't remember.

You can't remember what?

I can't remember what it is you wanted me to say.

I simply want you to tell the truth about what I said.

Is that so difficult?

I am telling the truth.

Are you telling this court on oath

that you don't remember one word I said about my row

with Colonel Henniker?

No.

I don't.

Do you know what you are doing?

Yes.

And I still don't remember.

That's all, sir. no more questions.

Do you wish to cross-examine, Major Monsel?

No, sir.

Mrs. Carrington, ahem, your husband

has told this court, upon oath, that he warned Colonel

Henniker that he meant to take the money

from his battery safe.

And he called you with apparent confidence

to support that statement.

Please put right out of your mind

any discussion you may have had with him about your evidence.

But are you sure he did not tell you on the telephone

that he had said that to Colonel Henniker?

Quite sure.

Any questions?

May I re-examine, sir?

On the question of what you told your wife?

Yes, sir.

Certainly.

That same day, and presumably a short time

after, we spoke together on the telephone, you sat down

and you wrote me a letter.

Yes.

In this letter, among other things,

you referred to the money I sent you.

Yes, I acknowledged it.

You also referred to the row I had with Colonel Henniker.

What row?

The row I had with Colonel Henniker when I told him I

was going to take the money out of the safe.

I didn't mention Colonel Henniker or your row with him.

How could I when I didn't know anything about it?

Major Carrington, are you producing that letter?

I'm just going to quote part of it.

If you're going to quote from the letter,

it must be produced for the inspection of the court.

I doubt if my wife would think that fair.

Major Carrington, is that all?

Yes, sir, that's all.

Questions?

Thank you, Mrs. Carrington, that's all.

Val.

Hold it, please.

Thank you.

And finally gentlemen, I remind

you that I am your adviser on matters

of procedure and the law.

But you, and you alone, are judges of the facts.

And now, sir, I' leave you to your deliberations.

Court orderly, step forward.

Well, gentlemen?

If we find Carrington guilty of a charge involving fraud,

sir, he'll have to be dismissed or cashiered, won't he?

Or sent to prison.

That is for us to decide if and when we find him guilty.

At the moment, we're considering the verdict.

And the question of what sentence may follow

should not affect our decision in any way.

It shouldn't be difficult for them to decide who to believe,

unless they're deaf, dumb, blind, and stupid.

Well, Henniker may get away with murder in the witness box.

But he's not going to get away with trying

to teach me how to salute in the middle of the barrack square.

That's right, Sarge, you sort him out.

Then you'll have two stripes just like us.

They wanted to send someone tomorrow.

But I said Friday would be better or next week.

I suggested Monday subject your approval.

What'd you say?

Well, I firmly believe that Carrington did warn Henniker

he was going to take the money.

Colonel Henniker swears he didn't.

And you believe him?

Yes, why should he lie?

Why on earth should he? What's he get out of it?

Ah, may I?

I should have all that was obvious.

It's the old story of the backroom boy

versus the regimental officer.

Anyone who had fighting in the late contest

starts off on the wrong foot with Henniker.

Carrington V.C. Would make him see red.

His popularity with the troops would make him see redder.

Do you seriously think he'd go so far as to perjure himself?

No need to call it perjury.

By this time, his version is probably

the only one he believes.

Well,

I don't mind calling it perjury.

Look, we found Carrington guilty of absence without leave

and improperly entertaining the girl, at least

you've all found him guilty.

I didn't.

But I still say that no sane and balanced commanding officer

would have put up a man like Carrington

for court martial on those two charges.

And that's why I don't believe one

word he says about this one.

In other words, you're saying, well, I don't care what he did.

I don't like his commanding officer.

He was beastly about some racing so I'll vote not guilty.

Well, put it that way if it amuses you.

Well, that's nonsense.

The Colonel had to put him up for court martial.

He couldn't do anything else.

Look, Carrington said he had good reason to take the money.

Well, who hasn't?

Who hasn't been swindled and sat down by the blasted treasury

ever since he joined the service?

I know I have.

But I haven't paid myself back out of the safe, not yet.

Carrington's story doesn't hold water anywhere.

Look at that extra 25 lbs.

He says he took 100 to send to his fie and 25 pounds

to bet with.

That was an afterthought, a spit

in the eye for the pay master.

An afterthought?

25 pounds was just about what he needed to let him put

the whole lot back if he won.

Does that sound like an afterthought?

We'll go on talking as if he sat down weeks

before and worked all this out.

He didn't.

He was in trouble over money.

He was in trouble over his wife.

He had a flaming row with Henniker.

And he went up in smoke.

I'm not saying he wasn't a fool.

But I'm certain he isn't a thief.

Here, here.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, the more you talk, the more you wonder.

Major Carrington has admitted taking the money.

The prosecution claims that he took

it secretly and dishonestly.

If you believe that, then he is guilty of fraudulent

misapplication as charged.

Carrington says he took it openly as a gesture

to advertise his wrongs.

If you believe that, then he is not guilty.

It's as simple as that.

Now, I should like to review the testimony of the wife.

Can I come in?

Do.

Anything happened yet?

No, nothing.

Copper, I must talk to you.

Do you mind, Jim?

Well, don't run away, Copper.

I'll be outside.

She found out us, didn't she?

Yes.

I did my best.

But she knew.

There was no way to warn you.

Copper, what if it goes against you?

I don't know.

What about Valerie?

Val and I are through.

How can you say that when you were

willing to chuck away your whole career just to save her face?

That wasn't to save her face.

Then why?

Why did you do it?

Because I'm no good at saying why or why not.

Within this whole business, tearing up that letter,

it's the one thing I did which I'm

quite sure I'll never regret.

It was like paying off a debt, something I owed.

To Val?

Yes.

For not being the man the newspapers

told her I was when we married, the gallant V.C.

with a brilliant career ahead of him in the Army?

And for not being someone who could take

the place of the only man she ever really did

love, the one who was killed before he

had time to disappoint her.

Copper.

Oh, I'm not blaming Val.

She never pretended.

She even warned me.

So now all I have to do is to stop

thinking that I can't live without her

and prove to myself that I can.

After all, I've had plenty of practice lately.

Copper, I'm not forgetting that I

made most of the running.

But would you have spent that night with me if you'd

still been in love with her?

Oh, I'm not as innocent as that sounds.

Lot's would, I know.

But not you.

At least I've never thought so.

I must go out on duty.

Copper, down here in Polgethle you said, there

was no future in it for us.

No.

I said an affair wasn't good enough for you.

That's not the same thing.

That's what I hoped you said.

I-- I'll be late.

But he could have proved his wife was

lying by producing the letter.

But he didn't produce it.

He tore it up.

Yes, because he didn't want to show her up

for what she is, a liar and a--

That's romantic nonsense, my dear chap.

You're just making that up.

People who behave like that nowadays.

Not enough of them, I grant you.

When they stop together, it'll be a bad day for the world.

And we can all start running for the nearest shelter.

Your guess may be right.

It's quite possible that Carrington's decision

reflects great credit on him.

But I don't think he can escape its consequences.

Listen to this from the manual.

The members of court's martial must remember

that their finding must be based upon the evidence

given before them.

The word evidence is in italics.

Now, a letter that is not produced is not evidence.

And I am sure that any court of law, and a court martial

is a court of law, which decided that the accused could have

proved his case but didn't, and yet acquitted him

is on very dangerous ground.

We've sworn to try Carrington without partiality,

favor, or affection.

Let's be sure we do it.

And now, remembering that in a court martial,

a majority verdict is sufficient.

I'll take your votes.

Guilty or not guilty of the charge

of fraudulent misapplication?

Major Broke-Smith?

Not guilty, sir.

Major Panton?

Guilty, sir.

- Colonel Huxford? - Guilty, sir.

General Reeve?

Not guilty, sir.

Then the verdict depends upon my vote.

Major Charles Owen Paul Carrington, Victoria Cross,

Distinguished Service Order, Royal Artillery, the court

find that you are guilty of the first charge,

guilty of the second charge, and are guilty of the third charge.

These findings are subject to confirmation.

You better have this, Jim.

It's better than that thing of yours.

You'll still want it.

What for?

Fancy dress?

Nonsense.

The sentence has to be confirmed.

How did it go?

What happened to him?

What did he get?

OK?

Was it a reprimand or what?

Well, what did he get?

Dismissed to service.

Dismissed?

Well, hold out.

Well, it's all very find and large.

But they should have some of us up their for witnesses.

- Quite right. - Here you are, Fred.

Thanks mate.

Well, I never though I'd live to see the day when

I felt sorry for an officer.

Of course he didn't stand a chance,

not after that bee of a wife of his

told them he never mentioned Henniker's name on the phone

that morning. - Go ahead caller.

Well, couldn't they tell she was lying?

Courts can't tell anything.

They have to be told.

Your London call, Captain Fisher.

Well, I could have told them.

Crayshott Barracks.

One moment, please.

Told them what?

I put that call through for Major Carrington

and I heard him.

Wire Office Field, sir, go ahead.

Heard him what?

Well, say that he'd told Colonel Henniker

he was going to take money.

Smitty.

Well, I wasn't listening.

I was just checking the line.

Do you realize what you're saying?

I just came along to see if there was anything I could do.

I don't think so. But thank you for coming.

Copper, you're going to fight this, aren't you?

Fight it?

Appeal against their verdict and the sentence.

Oh, it's a waste of time.

From what they heard in that court,

they were bound to find me guilty and kick me out.

But if you appeal, they'll have

another look at the evidence.

Yes and the appeal court might easily

have more sense than this one.

I can't think of one reason why they should.

Oh, let's forget about the whole thing.

No Copper.

That's not good enough. - Why not?

Because when this thing started,

you said you were glad.

Because you thought the case might do some good.

- Did I? - Yes.

It was to advertise a grievance.

That's what you said in court. - Well, why complain?

I advertised it, didn't I?

It just so happens this is one of those times

that advertising didn't pay.

And that's to be the end of it?

Honestly, I don't know.

Copper, please.

All I want you to do is to say you won't give up.

And that even if they do confirm the sentence,

you will go on fighting.

Let's talk about it some other time.

Captain Graham?

Excuse me, ma'am.

What is it, Rosa?

Could I have a word with you a moment?

- Now? - It's important, ma'am.

I think you should hear what Private Smith's just told me.

Beg pardon, sir.

I know you don't want me just now.

But some of the battery's asked me to come

and have a word with you, sir.

Oh, that's all right, Owen.

Well, sir, they'd like to know that there's not

one last john recruit that don't know

better than that court martial.

Matter of fact, there's a movement afoot

to let the Colonel know what they

think of him for starting it.

Well, for heaven's sake, stop that.

I know, sir, the Sergeant Major trod on that.

But there's nothing to prevent me from telling you

what I think.

Of all the damn idiotic mess-ups I've ever come across

in 12 years Army service, and that's

plenty, that verdict and that sentence

just about tops the lot.

Well, that's what they think, sir.

And that's what they'd like to know.

That's all, sir.

Well, thank you, Sgt. Owen--

Bombardier Owen.

Gunner Owen, sir.

What?

Well, that's what it will be.

I met the adjutant on the way over.

And we had a word or two on the lines I've just told you about.

Owen--

I know, sir.

I'm under open arrest again.

But don't you worry.

I'll have me money's worth this time.

Good luck, sir.

It's the Major.

Well?

All right.

I'll lodge my appeal.