All language subtitles for The Far Pavilions 2

[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.

[Having discharged the
bitter duty of seeing]

[the love of his life
married to the]

[dissolute Rana of Bhithor,
Ash made the long]

[journey north,]
back to Mardan.

[Meanwhile, across the
frontier in Afghanistan,]

[war had broken out again,]

[and the Guides were on active service.]

Charge!

[Cannons firing]

[Sabers clashing]

[Bugles blaring]

[Wally views the devastation]

[and the dead]

Permission to fall out, sir.

I say to you all...

Well done!

Carry on, Mr. Hamilton.

Dismiss the men to quarters,
and see to the wounded.

Wigram's dead.

Yes, I know.

And 26 others,
apart from the wounded.

All the same, Wally,
you've put up a fine show.

We shall just have to hope,
that the political wallahs

make sure such
sacrifice is not wasted.

Well, Major Cavagnari
will see to that.

There's not another man alive
that knows the Afghan mind better.

Major Cavagnari, I'm in
no position to accept

a British mission in Kabul.

What the devil do you
think this war was all about, man?

I cannot guarantee
its safety.

You're talking about
your own capital.

But you don't
understand.

My country is
deeply divided.

I, myself, am not yet
established as Amir.

Very few of my troops have
actually experienced defeat

at the hands
of the British.

They will see no reason
why I should permit you

to establish a permanent
British mission in Kabul.

I'm not here to bandy words,
Yakub Khan.

Either you accept it,
and get you people to do so,

or we shall
go to war again.

And this time we won't stop

until we've annexed
Afghanistan for good.

And at that point, you put
our own puppet on the throne.

That's why I wanted
to talk to you alone.

It's a case of
heads, we win,

tails, you lose.

Never mind about
being humiliated.

If you want to remain
Amir of Afghanistan

you go out there

you smile

you sign

and you make damn sure
that when our British mission

is established in Kabul,
it doesn't come to any harm.

How did you
manage it, sir?

Waded in like some
second class head man.

It seems to agree with him.

Like he has
when you head the British mission

Yours very truly.

It's all arranged
with the Viceroy.

the KCSI into the bargain.

Major, Sir, Louis Cavagnari.

How d'you like
the sound of that, eh Jenkins?

Very well, sir.

My congratulations!

Hmm.

Is that damn
Conjuruity?

I believe so.

We'll get along famous
now that it's all settled.

You'll see.

Well, you're going to have
to get used to

being bearer to a
lieutenant again, Gul Bas.

They did not let you retain
the rank of captain, then?

No.

Nor the pay either.

They should have done,
after all you achieved in Bhithor.

And I managed to miss the war.

Well, well.

Thank you, Gul Bas.

[Knocking]

Come in.

Wally!

It's good to see you.

It's good to see you, too.

And congratulations,
by the way.

On what?

Oh, come on.

You of all people,
cannot be offhand

about having won the
supreme award for valor.

No, I'm not.

But to tell you the truth,
I'm a bit down in the dumps, I mean.

What with Wigram
being killed, and everything.

Still, let's hear about you
Val Chevyhoff.

Did you fall in love
with the princesses?

As a matter of fact,
I did.

And was the sentiment
reciprocated?

Yes, it was actually.

I do believe you're serious.

We were, Wally.

Very.

And it didn't work out?

No.

I'm sorry.

But it couldn't
really, could it?

You've just
joined the majority.

I had hoped you'd
be less prejudiced.

What me, an Irishman?

Do you want to
tell me what happened?

I saw her married, didn't I?

To an old man,
she didn't want.

And who didn't
want her.

Yes, well.

What can I say?

Not a lot, obviously.

I see I'm going to
have to cheer you up.

Did you know that
Cavagnari has

asked me to command
his escort?

It's the chance
of a lifetime, Ash.

And it's another long step
towards my field marshal�s battle.

Not that I'm counting any
chickens before they are hatched.

If you've got any sense,
you'll pray that this particular

clutch turns out
to be addled.

What d'you mean
by that?

Don't you read anything
but poetry, Wally?

You know I do.

Well, then you ought to know
that we're exactly the same

position we that were in at
the end of the first Afghan war.

After an enormous waste of blood,

we've left every part of Afghanistan
bristling with our enemies.

That's why this mission
ought to be called off.

Well, it's too
late for that!

Put stone,
delayed, then,

long enough for us to convince
the Amir and his people

that we do not intend to take over
their country as we took over India.

Oh, rot!

The Amir's agreed
to accept the mission.

Under duress.

And if you think his people
have accepted, you're wrong.

Then, they'll have
to lump it, won't they?

Come on, once we're
there, we'll win them round.

Cavagnari will twist
them around his little finger.

I've been there, Wally,

and I think you'll find
the Afghan far less susceptible

to Cavagnari's charm
than you seem to be.

They view our present
withdrawal as a retreat.

so why should
they let us set up a

permanent mission
in Kabul?

Wigram used to say
he wouldn't be in your shoes

for anything in the world.

Because you didn't
know where you belonged.

I think he was wrong.

I think you've taken sides.

And it isn't us
that you've chosen.

There's no point
in my saying anything else, is there?

You can say what you want,

you won't get me to turn
to down command of the escort

if I'm lucky enough
to be offered it.

That bloody medal's
gone to your head.

Go to hell!

When did this happen?

Oh, I was promoted Resaidar
in the field at the battle of Fatehabad.

You must be very proud.

Almost as proud
as our father.

Have the members
of the escort been selected, yet?

Not officially.

Well, don't do anything stupid,
like volunteering for it, will you?

We, your friends,
are no longer boys.

We are grown men, who
can make up their own minds.

Zarin.

Zarin.

So long, Sahib.

'Farewell, my lord,

'and my life.'

[The Palace of Bhithor]

A present for me?
Where is it, Highness?

Take me to him, now!
Quickly!

It is not right that Shushila Rani
should be so indulged.

Thank the gods for permitting
her to find happiness in a marriage,

which she sought to avoid,
and dreaded so greatly.

All the less reason for her to cause
you to be treated in this way.

Confined in these
two wretched rooms.

Your dowry,

and even your
trousseau taken away.

That's not Shu-shu's fault.

Your Highness summoned me?

Oh, I did?
I wonder why.

The message was
that you had a present for me.

Oh, ha, ha.

It's only a little trinket.

A mere bauble.

Show it to me!

But of course.

Here.

It is beautiful

Don't be impatient.

What do I get
in its stead?

My thanks.

For this?

My grateful thanks?

Oh. Hm.

I do believe
you're teasing me.

Perhaps......a kiss?

That might do....

...for a start.

It is said that the eunuchs, who
wish to make trouble between you,

whisper to her that the Rana
admired tall women, such as you.

Because they're more like boys.

And this allows to jealousy.

This is not her doing,
I tell you.

She knows I want nothing
less than to please the Rana.

Besides, she loves him.

I do not think so.

You've never
understood her.

No, it's you who have
never understood her.

Truly, I do not believe that
Shushila-Bai love anyone

but Shushila-Bai.

Or ever has.

You are wrong,
and I'll hear no more of this.

Now go.

As you please.

I must ask you
to accept my resignation.

All right, Victor.

Right you are, sir.

Sit down, Ash.

Thank you, sir.

Cigar?

No, thank you.

I have to
ask you, why?

Well, who was it that wrote if a man
cannot keep pace with his companions,

perhaps it is because
he hears a different drummer.

Let him step to
the music he hears.

I haven't the
remotest idea.

Neither have I.

Anyway, sir, I think
that time has come for me.

I'm grateful to for
being so frank with me,

but I can't say
I'm entirely surprised.

What'll you do?

Take up where my
father left off, I imagine.

Wander about a bit, and
eventually produce some tome

on even less familiar
dialects of Hindustan.

In two volumes?

Ideally.

Very well.

If your mind's made up,
I won't attempt to alter it.

I'll accept you resignation,
and I'll see that there're

difficulties are put in the way
of your leaving the Army.

Thank you, sir.

In return...

I would ask you...
to do something for me.

Or rather.....
for the regiment.

Well, of course, sir,
if I can.

Will you adopt
native disguise?

And go to Kabul,
as an intelligence agent,

for the Escort of Guides?

Provided, of course, that this infernal
British mission becomes a reality.

Can't you get
that stopped?

I'll do what I can, but I
doubt it'll be enough.

Of course, if the mission
is abandoned

I'll let you know
straight away.

And you can regard yourself
as a civilian from that moment.

And if it isn't abandoned, sir?

Then I would ask you to remain in
Kabul as long as the Guides are there.

You can lodge with one
of our pensioners.

Serdan Nachman Khan,
he's 100% reliable.

As soon as the escort is
relieved by another regiment

you are free to go.

Will you do that?

[Escort of Guides
arrive in Kabul]

Look at them.

They're like a bunch
of children on a school treat

crowding up
for a slice of the cake.

Since we're outnumbered
even by the ruffians lining the route

there's not assembly the great
big comfort to me.

Suppose we turn
out to be the cake!

[Bugle call]

This should serve our
purpose well enough.

Please be so good as to
establish our presence, Mr. Hamilton.

Yes, sir.

[Escort entering compound]

Company.....halt!

Company.....halt.

Dismiss the mean, sergeant.

Infantry....dismissed!

Well,....what did you expect?

The Russians, when they came,
numbered many more,

and they wore rich furs
and great boots of leather.

It was, indeed, a great
Timasha, but this...

this was a poor show.

For many of those
who watched were saying,

how is it possible that a
government which could not

afford to send a proper embassy

will be able to pay the Amir
soldiers all they are owed.

But, where did they get
that idea, Nachban Khan?

There was no mention
of that in the treaty.

Was there not?

Myself, I can only tell you that,
half Kabul believes that Cavagnari

is here to finance all that
his soldiers need from the Amir,

and that is the reason
they were dismayed by

how small a train
he has brought with him.

and at once began to doubt
if it was true,

that he had come
laden with riches.

Well, now that we are here,
I hope your people

won't find us quite so
trepacious ogres as they feared.

That is my wish, also.

I assure you that I,
personally, and all

the members of my mission
will do everything we can

to foster the most
cordial relations

between our two
great nations...

eh, our two great,
and need I say

proudly independent
nations.

[Clock chimes]

Asper Seuce would've done
us rather well on this occasion

don't you think, Jenkins?

Indeed, sir.

This place give me
the creeps, Rosie.

If those chaps up there
decide to pick us off

they can do it
as soon as wink.

Minutes to Plenipotentiary:
Kabul to Viceroy Simla,

Had interview with Amir,
and exchanged presents.

All well.

Splendid.
Send it off.

I'd be less worried
if Sir. Louis hadn�t said

that if his death resulted
in the frontier line being changed

he'd die a happy man.

This place is indefensible.
I must talk to him.

Circulate the pork, Mr. Killy.

Sir.

Sir. Louis, I must advise
you to ask the Amir to provide

us with alternate
accommodation.

As to the question,

it would be grossly
discourteous to the Amir.

I'm bound to say, sir,
that there's precious

little anyone can do
to make it safe against attack.

Any attempt to do so
would be just as grave

an insult to our hosts.

Sir.

Tell him Jenkins.

The point Sir. Louis seeks
to establish is that it would

take an army to
guarantee our safety.

Precisely.

I didn't remon so as
not to provoke the Afghans.

Our only alternative
is to trust our hosts.

In the circumstances,
it's no bad thing that the

residency should be so
accessible.

Let people walk in and out.

Our first duty is to establish
friendly relations.

And I want no one
turned away,

and nothing done that may suggest

in any way that we wish
to keep you at arms length.

Gita?

Rani Sempa?

Who are you?

My name is Permila Dehbi.

I'm sorry to have
to tell you,

that the Dai Gita has met
with an accident.

Oh, no.

Take me to her.

You will only
distress yourself.

It is not a pretty sight.

Take me to
the senior Rani.

I am sorry Rani-saba.

I wish to see her now.

That may be,
but the senior Rani

does not wish
to see you.

[Door closes]

[Bugle call]

Forward!

If the Russians should
decide to occupy Kabul,

this is the way
they would come.

Lieutenant Pelham Martyn, sir.

So you're the romantic
character, that young Mr. Hamilton

here has been
telling me about.

I take it you know of
Sgt. Major Kelly?

Should do.

I patched you up
the last time you

came back from
one of these jaunts.

Yes, of course.
Hello, Rosie.

And Mr. Jenkins, my
secretary and political advisor.

I don't think
I've had the pleasure.

I think you should know
that the Harati regiments

are back, and are
on the rampage.

Ho, ho, ho.

Curs bark, they don't bite.

Oh, they bite
all right, sir.

Particularly when
they believe you have

their arrears of pay.

Even if I had the funds,
I'm hanged if I'm going

to pay Her Majesty's enemies.

You're liable to be
hanged, if you don't sir.

Oh, they could only
kill four or five of us,

and our deaths
would be avenged.

I suppose being natives,
the 77 men comprising

your escort don't count.

You mustn�t let me
detain you from your duty,

to inform Mr. Hamilton
of any intelligence that

you have managed
to gleam.

Sir.

An opinionated young man,
but a brave one.

To be a spy takes
a lonely sort of courage.

Good lord, yes.

Mind you, he was always
apt to fly off the handle

as far as the
natives were concerned,

but that's his upbringing.

There could be
something in what he says.

I mean, if the Afghan
army is really looking to us

for its arrears of pay....

It's in for a shock!

That's it
and all about it.

[Native speech]

[Nachman Khan]
They have been told,

they can only have one month's pay.

They mean to take the remainder.

Telegram from
the Viceroy, sir.

'You are hereby authorized
to pay the Amir's troops,

'should you judge
this advisable.'

I'm damned if I do!

Avadar!

Leave that gate open.

Let them come in.

Sir!

No one fires
unless I give the order.

[Guard]
Open the gate!

[Crowd roars outside]

[Continuous roaring]

Dear God, please
don't let them open fire!

Habuda, make sure none
of your men fire

unless I give the order.

Yes, sir.

I want six men.

Sir!

Sergeant, dress your
men along here.

[Native speech]

[Rebels roar]

[Rebels enter
demanding pay]

Are you sure it's
a good idea, sir,

to go out there
and speak to them?

Certainly. They're not
likely to leave until I do.

We really cannot put
up with this ridiculous

home disturbance
any longer.

There sounds to be
an awful lot of them, sir.

What hells that
got to do with it.

My topien, Maldeen.

But, sir, if
you go out...

My dear boy,
I'm really not in my dotage.

What have you
all come here for?

What is it you want?

Here, you.

You seem to be
the ring leader.

Step forward.

What is the meaning
of this shameful gaturau,

and how dare you
come battering

at the doors
of an officer

who's a guest
of your Amir,

and under His
Highness's protection

[Native speech]

He says the Amir
won't pay them, sir,

and they want
the money from us.

[Crowd roaring]

I grieve for you.

But what you ask
is impossible.

I cannot interfere
between you and your ruler.

I have not the
power to do so,

and it would not
become me to attempt it.

I'm sorry.

[Angry response]

Barbarians.
Not a jot of discipline.

Get back!

That's good, fellows.
Back!

Back!

Hamilton Sahib!

There's fighting
in the horse lines.

[Crowd becomes angry]

[Fighting begins]

[Crowd begins to
attack Escort Guides]

[First gunshot]

Steady men.

Volley fire.

Aim atop their heads.

Fire!

[Fighting subsides]

They're going, sir!

Only to rearm
and regroup, I'm afraid.

Right, we'll have those
gates closed now, Sergeant.

Yes, Sahib!

That foraging party
back yet?

No, Sahib!

[Gate closes solidly]

I think, Jenkins, I'd better
send a message to the Amir.

It's high time he detailed
some responsible person

to control this rubble.

[Preparing message]

[Escort Guides
await trouble]

[Medical center
prepares for wounded]

Hamilton Sahib, messenger
has returned.

Let him in, Sergeant.

[Open gate command]

A message from
the Amir, Sahib.

Take it to
Cavagnari Sahib.

Sahib.

"As God wills, I am
making preparations."

Making preparations!
Good God!

Is that all he
has to say?

[ The Amir] My gisbut is bad.

What can Allah
ask of me?

Your tears
won't help them.

[Cries of returning
rebel army]

[Escort prepares
for attack]

[Battering ram]

Volley fire!

Fire!

Fall back!

Fall back!

Volley fire!

Fire!

Fall back!

Volley fire!

Fire!

Back to
form double line.

Double time!

[Indiscriminate gunfire]

[Escort falls back]

[Escort falls back]

[Drawing sabers]

[Hand to hand
fighting]

[Escort retreats into
building and closes gate]

[Foraging party
returning]

Halt!

Pelham Sahib!

Come quickly,
they're mobbing the Residency.

[Native commands]

[Rebels press attack]

[Cavagnari hit]

Are you all right, sir?

What?
Who's that, Jenkins?

Oh, only a scratch.

But it makes my
head swims like the devil.

You don't need
Kelly, sir?

No, of course not.

He's got far more
important things to do.

See if you can find
me a clean shirt,

will you Jenkins?

See if you can fold these
wounds up for me, will you?

Yew!

Oh!

Jenkins!

Bring up brigade!

[Aston brings in
Reserve brigade]

[Ashton shoots his
way into the foray]

Give them covering fire!

No, Pelham Martyn.

Ash!

Thank God
you're here.

Drop it and get
your men up here.

If Cavagnari were
to agree to pay them

there's still time.

Don't be daft, Ash!

You know what these beggars
are like once their blood's up!

Easy does it, sir.

Easy does it.

I'm done for,
you know, Kelly,

Aw, no sir, sir.

Jenkins?

Sir.

Oh, there you are.

You will let my wife
know, won't you?

Yes sir.

Cavagnari's dead, Hamilton.

What the bloody hell's
the Amir doing?

He's not alone, knows,

but if there's anything useful,
he'd best do it a bit quick.

They seem to have
gone very quiet.

I have no supplies left.

No lint, no drugs,
no bandages.

Hamilton Sahib.

Look there!

[Cannons rolling
into the compound]

What are we going
to do now, sir?

We're going
to have to take them.

Organize covering fire.

No!

I'm coming with you.

No, Ash.

I must have
one line officer here.

You game, Kelly?

Of course.

Come, then.

Jenkins, load these up.

[Calling soldier]

[Door blasted open]

[Rebels attack]

[Escort Guides soldiers
attack to capture cannon]

Pull!

Back, back.

[Rebels overcome
and counterattack]

[Guides close door]

[Amir] There's nothing
I can do.

Nothing.

If I go out there.

They will kill me!

It is better that you
should die,

than disgrace Islam.

There is neither hem,
nor fringe, nor border

to the mercy
of Allah.

We're going to have
to have another bash

at those cannon.

What!

You can't go again!

It's been grand
having you here, Ash,

but I'll thank you to remember
who's commanding the Escort.

You don't have to prove
you're a hero, Wally.

I want six volunteers.

Sahib.

It's the duty of all of us
to defend this Residency

to the last.

You must choose the men
to go with you.

You keep the rabble amused,

and we'll have a go
at spiking the guns.

How's that for
and idea?

Nearly a daft
as you are.

God bless you, too.

Be ready men.

"The golden evening
brightens in the west."

Charge!

[Ashton is hit]

[Entire Corps of Guides
Escort wiped out]

[Later, Nachman Khan
searches]

Sahib?

Sahib.

Sahib!

Sahib, let's go!

Let's go, Sahib!

Ah.

Let's go before
the mob returns.

I have a duty
to perform, first.

[Ash places Wally
on the cannon]

[This must be a
ceremonial burial]

"Soon, soon to faithful
warriors come to their rest."

[From the hymn,
For All The Saints]

[As the British sought revenge]

[for the massacre of
Cavagnari and his mission,]

[Ash, having fulfilled his
last duty to the Guides,]

[journeyed back to Mardan.]

Welcome home,
Pelham Sahib.

Thank you, Gul Bas.

[Koda Dad greets Ash]

[Ash greets Gobind Das,
the doctor]

I'm on my way to Bhithor
with my servant, Manilal,

at the urgent request
of Shushila Rani.

Has something
happened to Anjuli?

Not as far as we know.

Shushila Rani sent word that she is
worried about her husband's health.

My master Rao Sahib felt she
must have been dunched.

Is he seriously ill, then?

Who can tell?

He's known to have
had heart trouble.

But, uh, I bring you
a letter from Rao Sahib.

[Ash's voice:]
He's anxious about his nieces.

The eunuch who writes
on their behalf says nothing,

that they are
well and happy.

Yet we hear traveler's
tales, that Daigita,

who served Anjuli Rani
since birth, is dead.

But surely, Her Highness
would have mentioned

that, had she been free
to write, as she would.

[Rao Sahib's voice:]
wherefore this summons

for Gobind is an
answer to prayer,

as he will be able to
learn how is with

His Highness's sisters.

I have instructed him
to devise some means

of passing on
any news to you.

I would not trouble
you with this,

had I not known that
you, too, would wish

to satisfy yourself
that all is well.

If it is not,
send word.

Do you know what
is written here?

The Rao Sahib did me
the honor of reading

it to me before
he sealed it.

Well, I can tell by your
face that this is not all.

No.

We have learned that
his wives will be burned

with him according
to custom.

But, suttee's
against the law!

My master says you
will know what the law

means in Bhithor.

When the previous Rana
died, 14 women, wives and

concubines followed
him into the flames.

The wits say at this time,
only two women were burned,

there being no concubines,
but only catamites.

It's an ugly jest!

Yet, even the jesters
believe that the Ranis

will become suttee
for the honor of Bhithor.

When they burn, they will
stand, as it were, as a symbol

or a substitute for
all those widows who

shrunk from doing so,
or were prevented

by their relatives,
or by your laws.

I'll alert the
authorities here.

You get back, and let
us know the moment

the Ranis condition
takes a turn for the worse.

How?

For I shall not be allowed
out in that case.

I will show you how.

Now, you put the
message in there,

and release the carrier
pigeon. It will return.

We will find a way of
hiding it in your saddle bags.

Well, of course I can't send
a squadron into Bhithor

to serve the flag.

In all my life's work doing
such things.

I'd expect orders
from the GMC.

But, even then, it's such
a hot potato, I'd have to wait

for confirmation from
Camp Cutter.

I mean, it's not even if you
were still in the regiments.

The answer, young man,
is no.

The Rana of Bhithor is quite
enough of a handful as it is.

And you want me to get
the political officer

to shake a stick at them
on the strength of some

tittle tattle in the
women's quarters?

Frankly, the police wouldn't
touch it with a barge pole.

This is 1879, you know.

The laws against suttee have been
enforced for more than 40 years.

His Highness the Maharajah
of Karibkote?

The political site?

The honorable, the agent of the
governor general of Rajputana?

But sir, I cannot send
these... telegrams.

They are not secret things.

And these.......
not even in secret code.

They'll cause much
gossip and scandal.

And what if this
Rana should not die?

There'll be charges of
misrepresentation and libel,

and getting into all
hot water boiling.

No, no, no, no.

I'll be losing my job.

Pelham Sahib, Pelham Sahib.
The carrier pigeon's returned.

The Rana is dying.
I shall have to go to Bhithor.

That would not be wise.

Before I can get anyone
to act, I must have proof

that they mean for
the Ranis to become suttee.

Then, we must
come with you.

Aw, don't be silly.

All couple of bloody Pathans?

You'll stick out like
a sore thumb in Bhithor.

Besides, there are people
there who'd remember

you from the wedding.

How much better will
they remember you, Sahib?

We have discussed this
possibility and are agreed.

Either we go come you,
or you do not go, my son.

Very well.

I must have ridden
past this place

a hundred times
without seeing it.

Mark it well, for it is
not easy to find

again from this side.

I will remain here
until you return,

for you may need to leave
in haste by the same route.

It is the only one
that is unguarded.

Huh. Always assuming
we can get into the city.

You had better
leave me those rifles.

If the rumors are true,
the people of Bhithor

are more than ever
suspicious of strangers.

[Native language farewell]

Good evening, Hakim.

Well?

The Rana will
have died tonight.

Then I must see
the Diwan, at once.

You do not understand the
temper and the disposition

of these people.

All they want
is a barbaric spectacle.

It is true that to look on the
face of a queen and see her die,

is something that few will see
more than once in a lifetime.

Huh. A great damasha.

To many it may,
indeed, seem so,

but you were reared
as one of us long enough to know

that to others, maybe to all,

it could be a holy occasion,

one that bestows merit
on everyone who is present.

Therefore, on both counts,
the people of Bhithor

will be enraged if anyone
attempts to prevent it.

I shall tell the Diwan
that if the Ranis burn,

The Raj will send a
political sahib

and a regiment from
Ajmere to arrest him.

He will not believe you.

The Diwan will know
very well, that you are

not an accredited
spokesman for the Raj.

Had you been, you
would not have

entered Bhithor secretly,
like a thief and in disguise.

You will only throw your
life away to no avail.

Now listen, you must
get us into the Rung Mahal.

You, Manilal, a fellow hakim
and his servant.

Kings are not permitted
to die alone and in peace.

Tonight, there well be
more guards and wakeful

people in the palace
then ever before.

I will let you know when
I have worked out

a plan that will succeed.

Gul Bas, you will come with me
to the funeral grounds tomorrow.

This is where the fire
will be, Gul Bas.

That's probably for the purdah
women who want to sit and watch.

The Diwan's wife and
daughters, I dare say.

They'll get an excellent
view from there!

Pelham Sahib.....
It would not be possible.

We could never get
away from here

even if we cut our way
through the crowds.

There is not way out,
except back through the city.

Well, now I know.

Ha, ha, ha.

I'm glad you can
still laugh, Sahib.

Well, why not?

It's a relief to know
where I stand.

They say drowning's quite
pleasant once you stop struggling.

Come on, lets eat.
I'm starving.

You know, Gul Bas.

There is a saying
in England,

that a cat may
look at a king.

I must tell you.

On the wedding procession
I came to love one of the brides.

Anjuli Bai

To love her, Gul Bas,

beyond reason.

I can't believe that.

Nobody knew.

I saw her married
and came away,

leaving my heart
in her keeping.

Now you know
why I had to come here,

and why I cannot leave.

I'm sorry, Sahib.

I did not mean to insult
you or the Rani Sahib, either.

My father lost his
heart once,

to my mother.

After she died, he was never
more than the shell of a man.

But he could not more
prevent my mother's death

than you can
prevent the Ranis.

I can

and will save her
from death by burning.

Leave me, Gul Bas.

Yes, sir.

[The Rana dies and
gongs sound]

[Religious chants]

Oh, Shushu.

How dare you come into
my presence showing

no sign of grief.

I hoped to comfort yours.

Now that our husband
is dead I can meet with you again.

It was not my husband
who had you banished.

It was I.

I cannot find it in my
heart to believe that, Shushu.

When I fell in love with
my husband, I could

not endure the thought
that you too were his wife.

It was I who had you
starved and humiliated.

But, why, Shushu?

Why?

So you would
become old and ugly.

And if the Rana should
remember your existence,

he would turn away
from you in disgust.

That is what Gita said,
that you were jealous of me.

But you had no
reason to be, Shushu.

Don't you think it's your
pain to make be suffer so?

I kept my promise.

I came to Bhithor with you
because you were afraid

of becoming suttee.

I intend to die
on my husband's pyre.

And I will accompany you.

I will be with
you, Shushu.

Never!

You will not be permitted
to defile the Rana's ashes.

For being no true wife,
it is not fitting that you

should share the
honor of becoming suttee.

Besides, I have made other
arrangements for you.

[Chants]

God be praised!
Thank god we found you.

You shouldn't have come.

My mind's made up.

We have learned that
Senior Rani has ordained

that the Anjuli Rani
will be spared the fire

if she would visit the ceremony.

What!

Who is that?

Look!

What shall we do?

Get her out!

[Funeral procession]

[Continous religious chants]

[Both Ranis under guard]

Ashok!

Come on, Juli.

You can't help her now.

All you will do is
hurt yourself, by

watching a sight that
will haunt you the

rest of your life.

I cannot leave her.

But, my dear love!

Now we have
a chance!

I came her to shoot you out
unless you become suttee.

Then do the
same for her.

No.

Please, Ashok, let her
die quickly and without pain.

We shall all die a death
worse than Shushila

if they hear where
the shot comes from.

It will not be heard
above the noise.

I beg you.

Just because that little
bitch spared you from the fire?

Ashok, you fool.

She only spared me
because she had ordered

that the last thing
that I should ever see

would be the flames uniting
her body with the Rana's.

Afterwards, my eyes were
to be put out with hot irons.

My God.

And yet you would risk
our happiness to put her

out of her misery.

Yes.

We loved each other once.

And I pity her.

[Chanting in background]

Cut me a gat, Gul Bas.

[Shushila, the wife of
the dead Rana]

[Jewelry must not burn
with the dead wife]

[Wife chanting]

She's not afraid.

Not yet.

It's still early a game.

No, not a game.

A part she is playing.

[Wife continues to chant]

Now!

Quickly, before she
starts to be afraid.

Not yet.

It's too quiet.

[Wife speaks command]

[Crowd chants loudly
after fire starts]

As soon as
I fire, we go.

[Gunshot]

[Crowd chants loudly]

They will send more
men after us.

That is a good place
to stop them, up there.

You ride on
with Her Highness.

That's crazy. There's going
to be more than one come.

The only chance we have is to
hold them off until nightfall.

There is a ruined temple
across the plain

take Her Highness there.

Look after her, Gul Bas.

Yes, Pelham Sahib.
She will be safe with me.

I will be with
you tonight.

What are you
doing, Hakim?

I, too, will stay.

But, you cannot
fire a rifle.

No, but I can load
them for you.

Ha, ha, then put the
horses in a safe place first.

Right.

Take care, my love.

Your servant, Manilal,
was a brave man, Hakim.

He gave us time.

Is this a good place for me
to work, Master of Horse?

Yes, Hakim.

That is good.

I usually work
to save lives.

Are they loaded, Hakim?

Yes.

I'll take the leader.
You bring down the second man.

You must reload
as fast as possible, Hakim.

Now, what?

[Remaining guards
attacking on foot]

Hakim!

Behind you!

Five!

[Hakim is hit]

[Remaining guards retreat]

[Hakim is dead]

We finally beat them
off, did we not?

[Koda Dad is
also hit]

Oh, Father.

There is not more
to be done, my son.

They will not return
until dawn, now.

Go and leave me here.

I will account
for a few, I think.

[Koda Dad coughs]

Do you remember how,
as a boy, Zarin loved this.

Will you give it
to him for me?

Nay. To moan thus is
to question the wisdom of God.

For it is written in the book,
that all who live on earth

are doomed to die.

Tell Zarin.

Tell Zarin Kahn to set
aside his sorrow,

and be thankful that so many
good years upon this earth,

be granted to one
who is now in paradise.

[Coughs]

Put my rifle in my hands,
that I may take a few

more pittori with me.

Or, at least, delay
them till morning comes.

[Cough]

And, uh,

she is not of your race,

but I think that

she is a good woman,

and if, as I believe,

you, Ashok,

Pelhan Sahib,

may share in beautifying
that third person,

your true self.

Now go.

My son.

Pelham Sahib.

[A terrible price has
been paid for her rescue]

Your father?

Oh, my love.

I love you with
all my heart.

I think I always have.

You must know
that, now.

All my life, I've been
searching for my true self.

With you I know
who I am.

And once you
are my wife.

Ashok.

You know you are
the husband of my heart.

What more do
you need?

Nothing.