All language subtitles for The.Devils.Disciple.1959.ENG

The year 1777 was the one in
which the passions roused by

the breaking off of the
American colonies from England,

more by their own weight
than their own will,

boiled up to shooting point,

the shooting being
idealized in minds in England

as suppression of rebellion

and in the colonists as
the defence of liberty.

Both sides being therefore convinced that
the most high minded course for them to pursue

was to kill as many of
one another as possible.

Come on. Back
- you, gal.

Halt!

Well. We live in wonderful
time, eh, chaplain?

And therefore send this
to General Philips: I

am obliged to remove
the oxen for his cannon

because a soldier
without food is of no more

use than of artillery
without ammunition.

We shall eat his oxen, sir,
and replace them with horses.

And my compliments to Mrs. Philips. I
hope, she's... comfortable. Come on, sir.

My compliments, sir.
Everything is ready.

Ready? Everything? Nothing is
ready, Major Swindon, nothing at all!

- For the... eh... -
Hanging? - Oh, the eh...

I should be glad to have a support
of your presence this morning, sir.

Not particularly... lively business
- hanging this poor devil.

No, sir, it is not.

It is making too much of
these people to hang them.

Martyr themselfs
is what they like.

It is the one way to
achieve fame without ability.

However, as you have committed us to hanging
him: the sooner he is hanged the better.

At such a time we
must remember...

we are all made of good and evil.

Each man believes
himself to be in a right.

And that's man enemy has
the same beliefs. But when

this conflict is over we
can be sure in one thing...

justice will prevail.

God cannot be set aside.

Pastor!

What is it, Christy? It's
a matter of life and death.

Oh... I'll wait when
you finish your service.

Christy!

What is happen?

Father has been arrested,
by the army, in Springtown.

- They say he is a rebel.
- What!?

They killed uncle Peter
and they go to hang father!

I don't know what
mother will say when she

hears that I'd been
interrupted the service.

Your father is no
rebel. We all know that.

They don't. And they
won't beleive me!

He was with uncle Peter, and
you know what uncle Peter's like.

I'll go there myself and
speak with the authorities.

They'll believe me.

William Dudgeon,
will you come with us?

As relatives we are deeply shocked, but what
can we do? We might be in danger ourselfs.

- He's right, Mr. Anderson!
- Perhaps you're right.

My friends, I must leave. The
blessing of God be with you.

Amen.

After all, our families
had never been very close.

Is your mother at home?
- Yes. Oh!

She could not come to
church, she's not very well.

My wife will look after her.
Judith, go to Mrs. Dudgeon

and stay with her till
I bring her husband home.

Tell her that Christy and
I are gone to Springtown.

We'll be there within an hour.

Anthony!

You take care.

Nothing will happen to me, or to
Timothy Dudgeon. He is an innocent man.

Advance! Stand! Ho!

General Burgoyne, my name is
Parshotter, I am the minister here.

I have always preached
loyalty to the crown.

Without sufficient
eloquency, I gather.

That wretched, misguided
fellow not one of my flock, sir.

Not a Springtown man,
he's from Websterbridge.

Ah, no, no, Springtown is loyal, sir.
Non a violation to non-concord here.

In our church here we pray for king
George, and of course his armed forces.

Thank you, sir. Most
helpful. Swindon.

If you don't mind, minister.

Swindon, if you could now get
the matter for your attention.

We're good enough to do
up tents for the garrison.

It may be necessary to leave
troops here when we move up.

We already gave them one good example,
sir. There will be now no trouble here.

- I'm glad you take that view.
- Do I understand, sir, that

in your opinion there
will be further breaches...

I do not express my opinion.

I never stoop to that habit of
profane language which unfortunately

coarsens our profession. If I did, sir,
perhaps I should be able to express an opinion

of a war office that supplied me,
with a twice as many cavalry man

than I have horses and a
weight of cannon so large that

half of roads in this country
are not suited to support it.

How do you feel, sir, if we
had to confront a colonial army

in our present condition? Before we
have made contact with General Howe.

Our dragoons are on foot, sir and
our artillery not even in sight.

Count on me, General,
the British soldier

will give a good
account of himself.

And therefore, I
suppose, sir, the British

officer need not
know his business:

the British soldier will get him out
of all his blunders with the bayonet.

In future, sir, I must
ask you to be a little

less generous with
the blood of your men,

and a little more generous
with your own brains.

Swindon.

Do you at all realize,
sir, that we have

nothing standing between
us and destruction

but our own bluff and the
ignorance of these backwards men?

They are men of the same
British stock as ourselves:

six to one of us,
six to one, sir;

and half our troops are
Hessians, Brunswickers,

German dragoons, and
Indians with scalping knives.

Suppose the colonists find a
leader, what shall we do then?

Eh?

Our duty, sir, I presume.

May I ask are you writing
a melodrama, Major Swindon?

- No, sir.
- What a pity! WHAT a pity!

Now. Go on. Way back a little.
Give back there. Go on. Back.

Get them out of there!

Get your cart of the
bridge! Come on! Here! Here!

Take the reins, Christy.

They killed father, too.
Before we even got here.

Stay here, Christy.

- Who is the officer in charge here?
- Come on man, move away from me, and

it's all over.
- I want the officer.

Go about your business.

- Officer! Sir!
- Right, carry on.

- That man was from my
parish. I am his minister.

Really?
- It's gross injustice. He is innocent.

He was found guilty.
Simple as clear.

In the meantime I'll clear...
- Mr. Hawkins! - What is it?

It's that minister of yours, from
Websterbridge. He stirred up trouble.

Damn that man!

- Out of the question. The body remains.
- I cannot believe you mean it.

Anderson, don't be a fool!

Sergeant at arms,
arrest that man!

- You can't leave that body there!
- Anderson.

Indeed, Lieutenant, this man does
not understand military necessity.

He is a minister. A
minister! The man of peace!

Is he? Parshotter, you vouch
for that too, I am sure.

Ehm... Yes.

He's of Websterbridge, I've been there, that's
a small village. We don't see much of the world.

Timothy Dudgeon...

The church must support any
measures designed to save human life.

- Don't you agree, Mr. Parshotter?
- Ehm... Yes.

Will you leave man's body hanging there...? It's a warning
- to others!

- Precisely.
- You must think before you

do anything to endanger the
lifes of innocent men and women.

My flock, Mr. Anderson.

I am sure that we can vouch
for the Pastor, Lieutenant.

- Very well. Get back to your posts.
- Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.

There's nothing more to be said, my
friends. Let us all go about our business.

Halt! Halt! Stop him!
Stop him! Halt! Halt!

Come on! Come on!
There he is! Stop him!

Home at last. I thought you'll
never get back from Springtown.

Mrs. Dudgeon hardly
spoke all that time.

It's been a long day.

You must be tired.

Come straight to bed.

Who's there?

Good evening, minister.

- Allow me to present myself.
- Richard Dudgeon!

You remember me! I
thought that good people of

Websterbridge found more
convenient to forget me, eh?

Oh, my father
- you know quite well, I believe. I found him

in Springtown
- at a... loose end... In fact, he... eh...

I was there.

So you were. With a
musket in your hand?

Then you remember your
Christian duty, eh?

Ah, poor father.

Red coats did him too much credit.
He had not stomach for a rebel either.

If you cared so little for your father,
why did you risk your life for his body?

To annoy the English,
what ever reason?

If you've been caught
they would hang you too.

You think it would be
any great loss, minister?

I think a man's life is worth
saving whither it belongs to.

Would you come inside?
We'd given you some supper.

No.

You know, another Minister would ask
you to supper and treat you to a sermon.

Bury him quickly, before
the memory of his death

makes you forget that
you are a man of peace.

Your father shall have a
Christian burial, Mr. Dudgeon.

as you intended.

How like a parson. All you so eager
to be the best of his fellow men.

Save your breath, pastor,
you can't convert me!

I was fond of a good psalm
singing in a little church choir,

but I saw that the world cringed
before your Almighty only through fear.

And I made the devil's acquaint.

Yeh, I knew that he was my
natural master, captain and friend.

And I prayed secretly to
him; and he comforted me.

I promised him my soul, and swore an oath
that I would stand up for him in this world

and stand by him in the next.

That promise and that
oath made a man of me.

Tony.

Tony.

Tony, I saw someone, did you?

Tony, who was he?

Richard Dudgeon.

Here?

In Websterbridge?

What did he want?

Brought back his father's body.

Do you mean that...

Gallows?

But how?

Go to bed, Judith.

I'll tell you all
about in the morning.

But they said it
could not be taken.

He didn't ask.

There's no need to
reproach yourself.

You did everything you
could... for Mr. Dudgeon.

Judith...

After all the people break
the law of the country...

Judith, we don't seem to
understand what that fighting means.

- We don't...
- No, we don't expect to so.

Let's hope we never will.

You so long have been there.

Did you talk to him?

What did he say?

Nothing, Judith.
Nothing you want to hear.

And I to remember.

And now we commit his
body to the ground.

- Amen. -
Aye. - Amen.

This is the last will and
testament of me, Timothy Dudgeon.

And I hereby revoke all
former wills made by me

and declare...

- Who asked you here?
Good morning, mother.

Keeping up appearances
as usual. That's right.

That's right.
- Leave my house.

How do you know it's your
house until the will is read?

My dear relatives!
Sit down, sit down.

Well, all here for the feast. Even
little cinder girl. Hello Essie.

Uncle William! I haven't seen
you since you gave up drinking.

Uncle Titus, you old horse thief!

The minister! I should
have accepted your

invitation to supper
the other night.

I understand your wife has a most
ungodly allowance of good looks.

You are in the presence
of my wife, sir.

Your servant, madam: You
deserve your reputation;

but I'm sorry to see by your
expression that you're a good woman.

All the same, Pastor, I respect
you more than I did before.

- Be a shame on yourself, sir.
- Oh, I am, I am, but - proud

of my relatives. Proceed
Mr. Hawkins, proceed.

and declare: this is my real
will according to my own wish

and affection.
- For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful.

I give and bequeath to my younger son
Christopher fifty pounds to be paid him

on the day of his marriage to
Sarah Wilkins if she will have him.

How if she won't have him? She
will if I have fifty pounds.

Very good, brother.
Proceed, Mr. Hawkins.

I give and bequeath my
house at Websterbridge

and all the rest of
my property soever

to my eldest son and
heir, Richard Dudgeon.

The calf, minister,
the fatted calf.

Finally I gave and bequeath my soul into
my Maker's hands, humbly asking forgiveness

for all my sins, and hoping
that I have not done wrong

in the perplexity of my last
hour in this strange place.

- Amen.
- Amen.

My mother does not say "Amen".

He had nothing of his own. His money was the
money I brought him as my marriage portion.

And this is my reward!

Mrs. Dudgeon, I...
- You let him rob me!

Mr. Hawkins, is that true;
Do you have a rightful

legal will leaving
everything to Mrs. Dudgeon?

There is such a will.

And the new one? Is that...

Is that a proper will?

The courts will sustain
it against the other.

the courts will sustain the claim of
any man - and that man the eldest son -

against any woman, if they
can. Good day, thank you.

That's right! Eat, drink, be
merry. Maybe a last chance.

I passed the soldiers within
six miles on my way here.

What have we to
fear from that, sir?

Well, we're all
rebels; and you know it.

- Oh, no, no!
- Yes, you are.

You haven't damned King
George as I have; no one has

the courage to fight,
but you all wait

for the outcome before
you pay your taxes.

It's treason enough
for his majesty.

Treason!

Mark my words, Parson, it won't
be long before Major Swindon's

gallows for rebels wrap
around all the village green.

Wolf right in your own fold.

What for a good
shepherd do then? Eh?

Mother, where are you going?

Your mother has the sight
that she doesn't want to stay.

Mother...

My curse on you!

You cannot leave that girl there.
To live with him in the house?

Essie will come to no harm.

Essie!

Essie!

Essie!

Have you come back for something?

That child is not here
safe even if you are.

Essie!

Don't be afraid, Essie. Mrs. Anderson wants
to rescue you from the house of a devil.

Essie.

She's had enough of a
self-righteousness. Like all

little lambs all she knows
that you will stab her.

Was there anything
else, Mrs. Anderson?

I wish to go. I shan't stop you.

I can't get him out of my mind. He insulted
you: he insulted me: he insulted his mother.

Try not to upset
yourself, my dear.

Oh, I know it's wrong
to hate anybody; but -

It's worst to be indifferent.

It's worst sin of all
- not to care about the people.

I don't like Richard. I don't like
what he says and the way behaves.

There is something about him that makes
me respect him in spite of this all.

In spite of insult too.

I don't think he'd like that.

Judith.

You not so wicked, as
you think, I am sure.

They say that hate
is very close to love.

I am sure you are fonder of Richard
than you are of me, if you only knew it.

Don't say that!

All right my dear.
He's a bad man; and you

hate him as he deserves.
Shall we have our tea?

What's the matter, Judith?

You always think
the best of everyone.

I am going to change now.

Sergeant! Nail the
proclamation to the church door.

Hey, you!

Come here!

Hold it.

You better tell to
parson to read that.

Sir.

Martial law. Curfew!

The army will be
before nightfall. Here!

But, sir...

Sir, that's the man we hanged, from
Springtown! His body's buried here!

All right, sergeant, carry on.
I'll report that to Major Swindon.

What is it, Essie.

They saw the grave. Mr. Richard
brought the body. They'll hang him!

- Is he at the farm?
- I don't know where he is!

I'll find him. You go home. If
the soldiers come tell them that

Richard is gone. You understand?
Left the village alltogether.

Go home, Essie.

It was not very far from
Springtown to Websterbridge.

General Burgoyne and his army had
only to pass through the forest.

While they were all
civilized, disciplined

and well trained troops, however,

their military thinking
was no match to that of

uncivilized, indisciplined
and undrilled enemy.

And it had not occured
to them, that the Yanks

on occasion could be
mightier than they thought.

What the devil you do in idling there?
We got to get through here by the night.

- Get these men to work!
- Yes, sir!

Get those carts out of the way!
Sergeant, get your's men on their feet.

Swindon!

I hope I didn't
deafen you, my dear.

Sir?
- Major Swindon, are you professioned at all in arithmetics?

Arithmetics, sir?

If you are, sir, you will
be as aware as I am that

it is a fourth obstruction
in these many miles.

At this rate we'll be lucky
to reach Albany by Christmas.

You and your men, sir, are charged
with protection of our column.

Picked troops against a few colonial
ruffians and what is the outcome?

Trees fell at our path every
night, snipers in the...

Both together now apparently.

Get the Indians. Come on! Quick! Quick!
More, more, more! More, more, more!

The Indians will get him, sir.
Will they? Will they indeed?

From past observations, sir, they appear
to believe that any scalp is welcome.

Whig or Tory, man,
woman or child.

Unfortunately, they seem to pick
more often on those of his Majesty's

friends than his enemies, and
the snipers continue to flourish.

- What's there?
- The patrol from Websterbridge, sir.

At last. Find out how
many trees we shall have

to continue to move to
get from here to there.

I shall wait in Websterbridge
for my artillery.

I presume General Philips
can find horses enough in

Springtown even for his
requirements though they are weak.

What soup is this?

- Rattlesnake, sir.
- It's delicious.

Well, Swindon. Some
further disaster, I take it.

What is it now? Wolfs?

It's rebellion, sir.
- You don't say so.

The man, Dudgeon, he's been
buried in Websterbridge.

Taken from Springtown, as you
know, sir, and buried there.

- Against my orders!
- Deplorable!

Your orders apart, however, what
chance is that we are reaching

this place before sundown? And
what with the road? Is it clear?

Perfectly clear, sir.

Perfectly clear, isn't it?
You heard that, I think.

The sound that keeps me awake
every night since we left Canada.

They are felling them in the
daytime now, Swindon. In the daytime!

With your permission, sir, I shall
make an example at Websterbridge.

Do what you please in Websterbridge,
man, but get us there. Get us there!

Storekeeper!

Yes. We don't keep much.

You'll be lucky if
you keep anything.

Requisition order: salt, tea, sugar,
tobacco, grain. Where's the storeroom?

In back here.

- What about payment?
- Just see the paymaster. He'll pay you!

We have just nothing left.

They can't do this to us,
can they?... Mr. Hawkins!

Some is legally
surprised... Eh, Mr. Hawkins?

Just access the paymaster,
and he'll pay you.

Nice fresh paper money. Legal
tender, isn't that so, Mr. Hawkins.

Of course you can't buy anything
with it and you can't eat it,

smoke it and make tea with it but you
have no legal complaint just the same.

Isn't it so, Mr Hawkins?

One case of best
imported Indian tea.

And then what they take over:
your crutch, your livestock,

your liquer, even your wives
- it's all in the name of the law!

There is only one way
to change the law of that

sort
- get rid of the people who make them.

And that's illegal,
isn't it, Mr. Hawkins?

Mr. Hawkins has no answer.

Some of our countrymen
think they found one.

There's been some...
fighting or so they tell me.

Ha! That's no game for pious men, good
citizens, law abiding lawyers, no...

As you have so strong views, why don't
you stop talking and do something.

Me?

I've no respect for any sort of law, so
what do I care what kinds enforce them.

Reminds your home, that
it?... Eh, you've come a

long way, gentlemen?...
Long way is to go back.

Hey, corporal, how
long were you off home?

One year and four months.

That's much they gain
when they enlist...

Your wife might have lost her looks.
Poor one might even lost his wife.

All right, Corporal,
don't take me seriously.

If he did, he'd be
insulting his own wife.

Oh, british soldier's wife knows
her duty I'm sure. Oh, I'm sure.

Ah, now here's the man
you should speak to.

He wears an uniform too, in
his own way, and he has a wife

pretty enough to put him
some problems. Hey, minister.

By the way, Mr. Dudgeon,
I have a message for you.

Good evening, minister.

- Hello, Paddy.
- What message?

From Essie.

Well, deliver it. Why not? I have
nothing to hide from my friends here.

- She wants you.
- Thank you. I should be at home.

I advise you to come now.

Minister, you're not
at your pulpit here.

We had a conversation once, Mr.
Dudgeon, when I invited you in to supper.

The matter that brought us together
at that time has a reason again.

It has?

I thought it was...
buried, and done with.

It might be too late for
supper this time. Will you come?

- Your wife at home? -
Yes. - How can I refuse!

Gentlemen, I wish you the fortunes of war
- death or glory.

Take my advice
- write to her. Even the letter is something to take to bed.

Tony, I began to wonder...

He is in danger.

Oh, he's wrong. It's your
husband who is in danger.

- Tony...
- He's only trying to fright you.

The stew ready?

Take of your coat and
hang by the fire to

dry. My wife will
excuse your shirtsleeves.

The devil's disciple
under the parson's roof.

Who'd think of
looking for me here.

A hot cup of tea will keep
out the cold, Mr. Dudgeon.

- Sit down.
- Thank you.

I observe that Mrs. Anderson
is not quite as pressing...

Welcome for my husband's sake.

Hm... I know I am not
welcome for my own.

I don't think I'll break
bread here, minister.

There is something in
you that I respect, and

that makes me desire
to have you as my enemy.

I understand you very
well. On those terms,

I'll accept any man's
enmity. Please, sit down.

Oh, Mr. Anderson...

What are you doing here?

Christy, Mrs. Anderson doesn't want
the whole family to tea at once.

Mother is very ill.

- She wants to see Richard? - No. -
She wants to see the minister. - Yeah.

You go on there. I'll
catch with you later.

- Judith!
- It's stopped raining.

Give Mr. Dudgeon his tea. I'll
have mine when I come back.

Tony, must I...?

The soldiers saw the grave and they'll
be after him. You must keep him here.

- Tony...
- I know I can depend on you.

But...

Mrs. Anderson, I am
perfectly aware of your

feelings towards me. I
will not intrude on you.

No, no. Don't go:

please don't go. I...

I... I want you to stay; but
it is not because I like you.

I see.

I had rather you did go
than mistake me about that.

I hate you and disapprove of
you and my husband knows it.

If... If you are not
here when he comes back,

you think... I disobeyed
him and drove you away.

Whereas, of course, you've...
been so kind and considerate

that I, I really want to
go out of mere contrariness?

Well, erm, shall we go to
tea like a quiet respectable

couple, and wait for
your husband's return?

Ha-a, watch what I've missed, haven't
I,... the truism of domesticity.

I expect that if any stranger came in
now, he would take us for man and wife.

If you mean that you are
more my age than he is, I...

Oh, I,...

I see there is another
side to domestic bliss.

I, I'd rather be married to someone
that everyone respects than - than -

Than the devil's disciple and you
are right. But then your love helps

him to be a good man, just as
your hate helps me to be a bad one.

My husband has been
very good to you.

Can't you forgive him for being
so much better than you are?

How dare you belittle him by
putting yourself in his place?

Did I?

Yes, you did. You said that
we could,... we could...

Don't do that!

Here...

- Tea?
- Please.

Do you take sugar?
No; but plenty of milk.

Toast?

Why do you laugh?

Oh, I think you are afraid that even tea and toast
for a man of my reputation might lead you astray.

That's the worst of conducting one's
life on the very highest principles.

One false step and you have
such a long ways to fall.

Are you afraid of heights,
Mrs. Anderson? Do they keep

tempting you to throw
yourself over the precipice?

I think you find the view
down below almost irresistable.

So you take yourself and
your principles higher

and higher in the hope
to getting away from it.

Of course the higher you go the
more irresistable it becomes.

Doesn't it?... Eh?

You see! The toast is harder to
swallow then the truth!... There!

Leave me alone!
Oh, leave me alone!

Can you ever do one kind thing
for someone? All you do is just...

Sorry to disturb you, mum! Duty!

Anthony Anderson: I arrest you
in King George's name as a rebel!

- But he is not...
- Come on, parson.

Put your coat on and come along.

- But that is not...
- Sergeant... forgive me asking

what active rebellion
exactly have I committed?

That's not for me to say, sir.

But we don't arrest unless
we don't have to hang them.

You can't do this!

I leave one good thing
for someone. Sergeant,

did you ever arrest a
man of my cloth before?

Well, no sir. At least,
only an army chaplain.

Four in!

One gentleman to another, sir. Wouldn't you
like a word with your missis before you go?

The last chance.

Oh, my love. This...
This gallant gentleman has

been kind enough to allow
us a moment of leavetaking.

Yes, but...

Get your husband safely out
of harm's way. You understand?

He can't save me.
They will hang him.

And they will not spare me.

Tell him that from now on he
better give the devil its due.

I am sure the sergeant will not
believe that you love me like

a wife unless... you should
give me one kiss before I go.

I can't!

- Sergeant, quickly.
- March!

Where is Mrs. Dudgeon?

Mrs. Dudgeon is critical. Very critical.
- Where is my husband?

Mrs. Anderson! What's happened?

Oh, it's Richard,
he..., he..., he...

The scoundrel! He should be
horsewhipped. The minister's wife...

No, no!
- What he did you?

- My husband! I must see my husband.
- Yes, yes, directly...

Judith!

What happened to
you? Are you hurt?

You should not have left him in the
house with her. He is not to be trusted.

Richard?

Judith? Judith?
Judith, did he...?

No, no, you don't
understand! He did nothing!

- He's been arrested! - Arrested?
- What we are going to do?

Where they've taken him?

No... no, you mustn't
go, you mustn't go!

He said you couldn't save him. You'd
get out of harm's way, he said that

they will hang him and not spare
you. But there must be some other way.

Judith, Judith, the
man without much good,

but the least I can
do is to talk to him.

But they want you! They
will not let you see him:

they will arrest you the
moment you give your name!

Nonsense, my dear.

It's not, it's not, it's God's truth!
It was for you the soldiers came.

- For me?!
- They gave your name.

We were there together... and
soldiers thought he and I were...

He put on your coat, he
went with them, to save you!

What is in there something we can do?
Get the people at the village together?

Against the army? Do no such thing,
Mr. Anderson! Leave all alone.

- Sh-Sh... -
Yes, yes my dear.

You can't help him,
minister, but you are free.

Tony, you can't
leave Richard now!

You can lie low somewhere
till it is safe to

come back, somewhere
right clear of the village.

Tony!

Christy, help me to get out the
buggy. We'll leave your horse here.

Confound Richard!

Tony!

Tony! He's trying
to save your life!

Yes, he's put me in a
debt I can never repay.

What he thinks I can
do? What is he expecting?

I don't know, but
you must do something!

- You must save him!
- Stop hollering, girl!

Judith,... Judith, listen to me.

If you can get word to him by
pretending to be his wife, do it.

The longer he'll hold his tongue,
the more start he will give me.

- Tony, what are you going to do?
- Judith, go home.

He's gone!

He's not going to the
village! He's run away!

My God, he's not such
fool as I thought!

Mr. Hawkins!

- Mr. Hawkins!... Mr. Hawkins!
- Come in, sir!

Mr. Hawkins, they've
arrested Richard Dudgeon.

- You must go to the military.
- God, is that only what you want.

Get the horses ready.
- What minister talks?

He's no our friend of record.

Mr. Hawkins, tell them I'll give
myself up... if they release him.

I am sorry but I can't help
you. You better go yourself.

Get yourselfs down, in hurry.

You don't understand.
They thought he was me.

If I go they'll hang us
both, if you go to the...

I haven't time! Now,
will you forgive me!

You haven't time to
save a man's life?

Hawkins!

More than one good man will
die in the next 24 hours!

John, you go to the Nevilsons
and bring up their equipment.

Tom, you go to Collings Hill
and around you go to river.

So you with the rebels.

But before, in Springtown...

It was at the moment but it's all very different
- now.

Hawkins, wait...

I am fighting a war and I can't jeopardize success
for the sake of your troubles or Richard Dudgeon!

Mr. Hawkins!

Oh God! Go back to your
church, minister and pray.

No, don't you fret, mummy: he slept like a
child, and has made a rare good breakfast.

- He is in good spirits?
- Tip top!

The chaplain looked in
to see him last night; and

he won seventeen shillings
off him at a backgammon.

He spent it among us
like the gentleman he is.

- Well, my little wife.
- Richard!

Sergeant, how long do you allow a
brokenhearted husband for leave-taking?

As long as we can, sir. We
shall not disturb you till the

court sits. And General Burgoyne
has not come back yet, sir.

Gentlemanly Johnny we call him,
mum, he won't have done finding

fault with everything to least
come of half past. I know him, sir.

Is your husband safe? Is
he clear of the village?

Well, that's good.

He is no longer my husband.

He's run away.

Poor lad. They'd only
have hanged us both.

Why did you let them
take you last night?

Upon my life, Mrs.
Anderson, I don't know.

I've been asking myself
that question ever since.

It was for my sake, wasn't it?

Well, you... had a hand in it. It
must have been a little for your sake.

I can't let you. I'm
going to tell them.

Mrs. Anderson!

They'll never kill you when they
know how valiantly you have acted!

But if I don't go through with
it, where will the heroism be?

I shall simply have tricked them; and
they'll hang me anyway. Serve me right too!

Do you realize you're
going to kill yourself?

The only man I have
any right to kill.

Bless you, nobody cares for me.
My mother's last word to me was

her curse. My other relatives
will not grieve much on my account.

Ah, Essie will cry for
a day or two; but I have

provided for her: I made
my own will last night.

I will give them a few surprises.

- And I!
- You?

Am I not to care at all?

I'll give you credit for
liking me a little more

than you did, but my death
will not break your heart.

What can I do to show
you how wrong you are?

Save yourself... for my sake. I'll come
with you to... to the end of the world.

- Judith.
- Yes.

Judith, listen to me. If I said -
to please you - that I did what I did

ever so little for your sake, I
lied... as men always lie to women.

I've seen even most
worthless men can rise to

some sort of goodness
when they were in love.

That has taught me to set very little store
by the goodness that only comes out red hot.

What I did last night, I did
in cold blood, caring not half

so much for your husband, or
for you as I did for myself.

I had no motive...
and no interest:

all I can say certainly is
that when it came to the point

whether I would put another
man's neck into the noose...

I could not do it. I have been
brought up assured by the law of my

own nature; and I could not go
against it, gallows or no gallows.

I would have done the
same thing for any other

man in the place... or
any other man's wife.

You understand?

Do you really think I believe it?

Time's up, I am afraid.
Court's to take to sit.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Halt! Left! Front!

Good morning, gentlemen. Sorry
to disturb you, I am sure.

Very good of you to
spare us a few moments.

Will you preside, sir?

No, sir: I feel my own deficiencies
too keenly to presume so far.

If you will kindly allow me, I
will sit at the foot of the table.

Halt!

Right turn!

Escort, take position!

Sergeant!

Who is that woman?

Prisoner's wife, sir. She asked to
be allowed to be present; and I...

I thought that...

You thought it would be a pleasure
for her. Quite so, quite so.

Give the lady a chair; and
make her thoroughly comfortable.

Your name, sir?

You don't mean to say that you've
brought me here without knowing who I am?

As a matter of form,
sir, give your name.

As a matter of form
then, my name is Anthony

Anderson... Presbyterian
minister of this parish.

Presbyterian?

Indeed! Pray, Mr. Anderson,
what do you gentlemen believe in?

I shall be glad to explain if
time is allowed me, but I cannot

undertake to complete your
conversion in less than a fortnight.

We are not here to
discuss your views.

I stand rebuked.
- Oh, not you, sir.

Pray, don't mention it.

Any... political
views, Mr. Anderson?

I understand that that is just
what we are here to find out.

Do you mean to deny
that you are a rebel?

I am... an American.

What might expect you to think
of that speech, Mr. Anderson?

I never expect a
soldier to think.

I advise you not to
be insolent, prisoner.

Oh, you can't help yourself,
General. When you make up your

mind to hang a man, you put
yourself at a disadvantage with him.

Now, why should I be civil with you? I may
as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

You have no right to assume that the court
has made up its mind without a fair trial.

And please do not address me
as General. I am Major Swindon.

My deepest apology, sir. I thought I had the
pleasure of addressing Gentlemanly Johnny.

I believe I am
Gentlemanly Johnny, sir. My

more intimate friends
call me General Burgoyne.

You will understand, sir, I hope,
since you seem to be a gentleman

and a man of some spirit
in spite of your calling,

that if we do have the
misfortune to hang you,

we shall do so as a mere
matter of political necessity

and military duty, without
any personal ill-feeling.

Oh, that makes all the difference
in the world, of course.

How CAN you?
- Judith!

You believe me, madam, your husband is
placing us under the greatest obligation

by taking this very disagreeable
business so thoroughly

in the spirit of a gentleman.
Give Mr. Anderson a chair.

You are aware, I presume, Mr.
Anderson, of your obligation

as a subject of His Majesty
King George the Third.

I am aware, sir, that His
Majesty King George the Third is

about to hang me because I
object to Lord North's robbing me.

- That is a treasonable speech, sir.
- I meant it to be.

Now, don't you think, Mr.
Anderson, that this is rather

- if you will forgive the word
- a vulgar line to take?

Why should you cry out
robbery because of a

stamp duty and a tea duty
and so forth are drawn?

It is the essence
of your position as a

gentleman that you
pay with a good grace.

It is not the money,
General. But to be...

swindled by a pig-headed
lunatic like King George.

Chut, sir... -
Silence! - Silence!

That, now, is
another point of view.

My position does not allow of my
going into that, except in private.

But of course, Mr. Anderson,
if you are determined

to be hanged there's
nothing more to be said.

- An unusual taste!
- Shall we call witnesses?

Eh, what's the need for
witnesses? If the villagers had

listened to me, you would have
found the place barricaded,

the houses loopholed,
people in arms...

Very well, sir, we shall teach you and
your villagers a lesson they won't forget.

Do you have anything more to say?

I think you might have the decency
to treat me as a prisoner of war,

shoot me like a man instead
of hanging me like a dog.

Now there, Mr. Anderson, you talk like a
civilian, if you will excuse my saying so.

Have you any idea of the
average marksmanship of

the army of His Majesty
King George the Third?

If we make up a firing
party, what will happen?

Half of them will miss you:
and the rest will make a mess

of the business and leave you
to the provomarshal's pistol.

Whereas we can hang you in a perfectly
workmanlike and agreeable way.

Let me persuade you... to
be hanged, Mr. Anderson.

I thank you, General: that view
of the matter had not occur to me.

I withdraw my objections.
Hang me, by all means.

Will 12 o'clock suit
you, Mr. Anderson?

I shall be at your disposal.

Nothing more to
be said, gentlemen.

You can't do this without
proper trial for him!

My good lady, our only desire
is to save unpleasantness.

You don't care what you
do. You think you can

murder a man as long
as you do it in uniform.

- Tell them the truth! Tell them!
- You promised!

He's not my husband!

Gentlemen! I assure you she will
not believe that she cannot save me.

One moment, gentlemen.

One moment, Mr. Anderson.

Let me understand
you clearly, madam.

Do you mean that this gentleman
is not your husband or merely -

I wish to put this with all delicacy
- that you are not his wife?

I don't know what you mean,
but you can ask anybody in

the village, they'll tell you
that he is not my husband -

my husband has escaped and this
man took his place to save him.

Escaped! Where?

I don't know, I don't know, and
I even if I knew, I don't care!

Swindon,

might I suggest that a brief
recess might be in order.

The lady will then have a
chance to regain her composure.

And you might even find the
time to discover with a little

more accuracy who it is we
have been trying half a morning.

May I beg your pardon, sir.
Should I release the gentleman?

What? Certainly not! He's condemned
himself out of his own mouth, where he is.

The sentence remains
unchanged. The hang's at twelve.

Give a Major Swindon enough rope...
and he will always hang somebody.

Give a Hawkins the choice and he
will always like any other patriot

prefer killing orders to
saving a fellow countryman.

Cannon! What can we do?

Back, all of you. Out!

- Mr. Hawkins, woudn't it be better...
- Oh, get out!

Turn to the right!

Fire!

Come on! Come on, hey you!

Minister, you best get inside.

Yes.

Mr. Anderson, This
is most fortunatous!

The church needs more than
one poor pair of hands today.

Where do you go?

- There's no one there.
- Good.

Winnigh, get the wounded inside.

Take that bloody gunpowder.

More powder...

Mr. Anderson!

Don't come near
- there is ammunition outside, gunpowder, it's highly inflammable.

Exactly.

Mr. Anderson! You will be reminded on a
pyrissication. This kind of thing unknownly...

Return to the line! Corporal should always
set an example! Attending in company at once!

Help!

Open the door!

Quick, quick! I call
you to an action.

Hold there!

He's a rebel!

Get him!

No! Not him! Him!

Don't you fire! You'll hit me!

Masquerading for
minister in time of war!

Treason! Hold your tongue!

It will be my pleasure
to have you taken

outside, put up against
a nearest wall and shot!

Silence!

Quick!

General Burgoyne headquarters?

And who're you?

A loyal subject of King George,
giving assistance to his troops.

Look, I have important message from
General Howe for General Burgoyne.

This way, sir.

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

- Anderson!?
- After the men! Go with the rally.

- What are you waiting for?
- Yeah, go, come on.

Everything is ready,
sir for the,... Ah...

Oh... the...

It likes but two
minutes... to twelve, sir.

Thank you, time's up.

I am punctual.

I should never dream of hanging any
gentleman... by an American clock.

I really must congratulate you,
Swindon. Despite your deplorable error

and the prisoner's undoubted innocence
at the start of the proceedings,

you managed to provoke him
into guilts by the end of them.

A forensic triumph.

I am sure our country
is indebted to you.

This is not a place for
a man of your profession.

Try to control yourself and
submit to the divine will.

Sacred music...

and a clergyman to make
murder look like piety!

You talk to me of Christianity when you
are in the act of hanging your enemies.

Was there ever such
blasphemous nonsense!

Prisoner, I appeal to you, have
you any sense of decency left?

- Man that is born of woman...
- Thou shalt not kill.

I think, Mr. Brudenell, that as
the usual professional observancy

strike the prisoner as somewhat
incongruous under the circumstances,

you had better omit them
until... he can no longer be

inconvenienced by them. Does
that suit you, Mr. Anderson?

Dudgeon.
- Dudgeon.

Dudgeon is the name
well known to us.

You hanged my father,
that's what you mean?

We seem to be somewhat unfortunate
in our relations with your family.

But I assure you, Mr. Dudgeon
we are only doing this...

Because you're paid to do it.

You insolent...

Ah, I am really sorry that you
should think that, Mr. Dudgeon.

If you knew what my
commission cost me, and

what my pay is, you
would think better of me.

Escort! Four in.

Quick... march!

Carry on.

But you don't understand!
It's my husband, I...

Release my friend here!

- What the devil it is?
- Untie him!

Get back to your
post! Who're you?

- Antony Anderson.
- Indeed...

Then you are just in time to
take your place on the gallows.

I'm here to meet
General Burgoyne.

Arrest this man!

- Seize him! - My
safe-conduct. - Safe-conduct?

From General Philips
in Springtown.

What in the name of...

What is the meaning of this?

The rebels, sir
- a surprise attack. We were outnumbered.

They are holding General Philips?

We had draw us for truce.
- What?

- Monstrous!
- Take me to General Burgoyne.

Wait here.

As for the prisoner
- he was convicted on his own

account, not on yours.
And he hangs accordingly.

Carry on, Sergeant!

Carry on, I mean.

Sorry, Mr. Dudgeon,
but you see how it is.

Prisoner and escort... slow
- march!

Richard, I...

I want to pay you very
sincere apologies, sir,

for arresting this
gentleman in your place.

I... found him in your
house with the lady,

very much at home it seemed
to me and the way they carried

on ever since I could only
think that they are man and wife.

I am afraid that they may caused
you some domestic troubles, sir.

Halt!

However, in one way of course,
they will soon be disposed of.

The general has
graciously convented you.

You know the situation, General. Would
you not give the orders accordingly?

I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Anderson...
but I confess I am a little puzzled.

I understood, when we supposed to be having
you in custody and you were a clergyman...

It is in the hours of trial, sir,
that a man finds his true profession.

Now our terms that I want
to be agreed upon before

even we discuss the rest.
You stop this execution.

- I already told you, sir...
- Swindon...

I can hardly agree to one term,
Mr. Anderson, before I know

whether there is an alike to
that agreement upon the others.

I must know the full
extent of your demands.

Very well. Evacuation
of Springtown in 6 hours.

All prisoners to be returned,
all cannon to be left behind.

What?

Together with all stores,
ammunition and livestock.

What?

And immediate unconditional
release of Mr. Richard Dudgeon.

Monstrous impudence.

A little stiff, Mr. Anderson,
if you permit me say so.

You may enjoy a
temporal superiority,

but I am about to join
forces with General Howe in

Albany, then in two days I
shall have the advantage...

And the whole campaign
will be over within a week.

It may. The General
Howe's not in Albany.

What?

- General Howe is still in New York.
- You expect me to believe that?

I expect you to believe this.

Where did you get this? One
of His Majesty's dispatches.

General Howe is now still
in New York. He believes you

to be still in Springtown.
They sent it to you there.

And now you take the rope
of the... American citizen.

Stop the drum...
Release the prisoner!

Don't take too much heart, Captain
Anderson. You got only one scrummage.

You may occupy towns and win battles,
General, but you cannot conquer a nation.

We shall see.

General Howe's still in New York?

How could he disobey orders?

He received no orders, sir.

Some gentleman in London
forgot to dispatch them.

He's been leaving town for
his holiday, I understand.

So to avoid upsetting his arrangements
England will lose her American colonies;

and in a few days you and I
will be at Saratoga with 5,000

men to face 18,000 rebels
in an impregnable position.

I can't believe it!

Take it quietly, Swindon...

your friend the British soldier,
can stand up to anything...

except the British War Office.

And what will History say?

History, sir? Will
tell lies, as usual.

Mr. Dudgeon.

Escort, forward!

Don't think it's end, Judith. The only
one day was lending truth about ourselfs.

The reverend Anderson no
longer exists. It's the

Captain Anderson from
the Springtown militia.

It won't not stand in your way.

Ah, Captain Anderson!

What can I say? You...
given me my life.

Judith... I have very
little to offer you.

Even my small reputation as
a nearly well is in jeopardy,

it seems. But! I shall
do my best to get it back.

And the world is waiting
for us. Shall we go for...

Ah, Mr. Dudgeon!

Since we can't hang you perhaps you will
care to take tea with me this afternoon.

I should be delighted.

Good. At four o'clock then...
and bring Mrs. Anderson with you.

General Burgoyne surrendered
three weeks later.

The reasons for his defeat
are now matter of history...

and on that of course
it is impossible to rely.

But the rest in this
story is pure fiction.

You can safely believe
every word in it.