Original subtitles

This is a true story.

It begins in 1912,

the golden age in which the Englishman's castle is his club,

and in which to be British is clearly to be always right.

Without doubt, the Almighty is an Anglo-Saxon...

..and the Empire is a place where the sun never sets.

These are the men who built the Empire - the bulldog breed,

ruling over palm and pine.

Nothing, nothing is too far-flung for men like these,

for has not heaven conferred the privilege upon them?

"Never forget this, m'boy, or you'll never be a leader.

"Remember Kipling.

"You're about to enter the colonial service.

"Rule kindly, of course.

"No-one but the most frightful bounder will doubt your sincerity.

"But firmly too, m'boy, firmly too,

"lest the schoolchildren of the Empire

"should forget who are the boys and who are the masters."

And as the uncles talk,

the young man whose name is Arthur Grimble listens -

eager, docile, willing.

But perhaps just a little doubtful.

"One more thing," they said. "A wife.

"No Briton, wherever duty may call him,

"should be without the little woman,

"so that, side by side, they can take up the white man's burden.

"For the rest, be a man, m'boy, and be a leader.

"In other words, be British and keep the flag flying."

And after all, what more romantic honeymoon could you wish for?

Eastwards as far as ship can sail, up to the gateways of the dawn,

to the islands, the lagoons of the South Seas.

Welcome.

I'm Mrs Grimble. You must be the Resident Commissioner.

McAlister, police. Your husband? Oh, he's seeing to the mail.

Go on, clear out. Alu ese! Alu ese!

McAlister, police.

Well, how do you do, sir? Not so bad, laddie, not so bad.

Got all your luggage? Uh, well, nearly all.

Oh, my goodness.

That's not a piano, is it?

It's my husband's hobby.

Have you any objection, Mr McAlister,

to our bringing a piano?

No. None whatsoever.

Tulo!

This is Tulo, son of the headman. He's going to look after you.

Talofa, Grimble. Talofa, Mrs Grimble.

Tulo, look after the luggage, will you?

Right. We'll clear off this beach and I'll show you to your quarters.

Oh, and the old man's expecting you. Righto.

If there is one form of animal life

which fills me with unmitigated distaste, Mr Grimble,

it is the heaven-born selection from the Colonial Office.

University club with a reach-me-down future

already packed in his suitcase.

In short, sir...

..the cadet.

I note with sorrow that you have been to the right kind of school.

How's your Latin? Oh, pretty good, sir.

And your Greek? Moderate, sir.

And our knowledge of the language spoken here?

I learnt a bit on the ship coming over, sir.

Well, perhaps you have

what the Colonial Office is pleased to call 'qualities of leadership'.

Whatever that may mean.

Why, why on earth couldn't they have sent me someone

who'd knocked around a bit, someone with trading or planting experience?

5:30.

Ah!

Well, well, well.

You're here.

Have a nip? No, thanks, sir.

It's an order. Oh. Yes, please, sir.

Any whisky on the boat for me?

Uh... No, sir.

Then this, young man, is the last bottle on the island.

Have to last us to the next boat.

Three months. Good luck, sir.

Ah, I could boot you all the same, young fellow.

I was counting on some home leave.

Can't you go, sir?

Well, not until you can pull your weight.

McAlister tells me you brought a piano.

Yes, we...

Oh.

That's better. Falangi smile.

What does 'falangi' mean? That means 'heaven bursts open'.

But I didn't burst out of heaven.

Oh, it is our name for the people of the west.

They are the children of the gods.

We are? Oh, yes. Just like us.

That is why we welcome you as brothers.

Now Grimble comes.

Hello. How did it go?

I got on splendidly with the old man.

We've been having a drink or two. Or two!

He must have been glad to see you. Yes.

Yes, he's pleased to be getting some new blood, I suppose.

Anything broken? No.

They seemed to have some difficulty finding which way up the piano went.

Funny sort of first home.

Very far from anywhere.

It's beautiful.

Think I'll make a mess of it?

Morning, Grimble. Morning, sir.

This way.

Alu ese!

Talofa lava.

What does 'talofa' mean? 'Good health'.

Alu ese!

Always remember, laddie,

you're here to learn their manners, not teach them ours.

I'll try to remember.

Talofa, sir. Talofa lava.

This is yours, laddie.

Meet Fa'afetai, the office staff. Talofa.

You don't speak English?

The district officer is always tripping me up

over my legal vocabulary.

I thought you were the police officer, sir.

Well, that was yesterday. What am I today, Fa'afetai?

Um... Thursday, sir.

Sanitary inspector and public works.

As a matter of fact, sir, I'm still a little hazy about my own duties.

You see, no-one explained... Laddie, let me tell you something.

As a cadet, you're a nonentity.

As long as you remember that, you'll be alright.

A cadet washes bottles for those who are themselves only bottle-washers.

Oh.

Oh, but don't let that discourage you.

All civil servants, no matter what seniority they are,

are bottle-washers of one degree or another.

You have to learn humility.

Probably get your first lesson right now.

Sir, Kiona's daughter... Is in trouble again, no doubt.

What is it this time? Same as before?

Identical, sir. Ah, very well. Bring her in.

Everything from wet nurse to chairman of the watch committee.

Very well, then, Grimble, let's see how you'd cope with this situation.

But I-I...

No, no. Tell it to Grimble. He'll deal with it.

Mr Grimble...

It's an old trouble.

The girl has set two of our best fishermen

to fight each other for her.

Oh, I see. But wh...

Uh, well, I think, if I understand the position correctly,

that, uh, perhaps the, uh...

Talavia, stand up straight and pull yourself together.

Look, if you can't behave yourself here,

I'll have to ask your father to find ways of making you.

What do you think the solution is here, Grimble?

She's of marriageable age. Marriage, perhaps?

I don't know. If marriage is a cure for fickleness, I...

I don't know.

Fa'afetai. Fa'afetai.

What did you tell him?

That you thought it was time she got married.

That I thought?! Your first lesson, laddie - never be at a loss.

And now it's time for your second lesson.

The headman's expecting you.

Anyone at home?

I'm Grimble. What's your name?

Aoleli'i.

Oh, yes, of course. I've heard about you - 'Movement-of-Clouds'.

Is your father not back yet?

I've just been sent here for a lesson in manners.

Mind if I sit down?

Come here and I'll tell you a secret.

Oh, much nearer than that.

I've just been told never to be at a loss.

Wonderful.

What have I done wrong?

Now, you show me.

I'm just a big, clumsy falangi

with a genius for making a fool of myself.

Now, then...

Now, you're me, alright?

And I'm you.

Talofa. Have a coconut.

Oh, I see. You offer me the first sip, and I have to refuse.

And what exactly did you come here to learn, Mr Grimble?

I suppose one's either born with qualities of leadership

or one isn't.

It just happens that I'm not.

What makes you say that?

I've always suspected it. Now I have to find out 12,000 miles from home.

After three days? One day was enough.

Hmm.

You should see the look on the old man's face

every time I cross his path -

compassion, mixed with contempt.

Ever since he caught me in the headman's hut.

He...

I suppose it was rather funny.

I wish I'd been there.

I love you.

It's all so different from what I expected.

Maybe the old man's right.

Maybe they have sent the wrong man for the job,

with neither the equipment nor experience...

That's nonsense.

Well, it is nonsense, isn't it?

Yes, of course it is.

Well, of course it is.

I've been having a look at the lie of the land

and I feel pretty sure we could manage excavations

big enough for a water tank

to supply the village as well as the residency.

Now, look. I'm sure this is the right place for it.

With a few pounds of gelignite, we could...

Ah, but do you know anything about the handling of explosives, laddie?

Well, I...I know about charges. And I did a short geology course.

So you're learning, eh?

Only a month here and you've learned it pays to be a maid-of-all-work.

I thought, you see, there might be no need to tell the old...

..to tell Mr Gregory about this until I've had a go at it.

Well, it seems feasible.

That's the second time.

What the devil's going on?

Och, I'm sure it's nothing, sir.

Hmm...

About Grimble...

How long has he been with us now? Six weeks, sir.

How would you say he was shaping?

Oh, I wouldn't say he was a bad laddie, sir.

He's trying, anyway. Yes.

As a matter of fact, I was wondering about giving him a bit of a test.

Yeah?

Do you think he's up to making an arrest?

That chap Teraloa's got to be brought to trial tomorrow.

He's a tough proposition. He might be just the sort of thing.

This is going a bit far!

I really think we ought to try and find out...

As a matter of fact, sir, it...it's Grimble.

Grimble? What the devil do you mean?

Well, you weren't supposed to know about it, sir,

until he could surprise you with it.

He's using his initiative.

Oh, is that what it's called, blasting me off my veranda?

It's a water tank, sir. Hmm?

To supply the village and the residency.

Very commendable of him, no doubt, but he can do it at the proper hour.

Perhaps you'll be so good as to call him up here

and say I'd be obliged for a word with him.

Very good, sir.

Alright, off you go.

Mr Grimble!

Mr Grimble!

Mr Grimble!

Look, we'd best have no more bangs this afternoon, eh?

The old man wants to see you. But, sir, there's a...

He's on the veranda. And he doesn't like bangs during the hour of siesta.

Ye...

He's just coming.

He's...just coming, sir.

Mr Grimble!

Mr Grimble! Coming, sir.

I must congratulate you, Mr Grimble, on the accuracy of your bombardment.

Also on your use of the coconut.

An admirably ingenious adaptation of local material to your needs.

It was for your freshwater tank, sir.

Yes, so Mr McAlister informs me.

But I'd sooner continue washing in salt water -

I'd sooner not wash at all -

rather than see my house laid to the ground by your artillery, Mr Grimble.

I'm sorry, sir.

I think you'll find that you will have cause to feel sorry.

One minute, Mr Grimble.

As you're so keen to be usefully occupied,

you may go and make preparations

to effect an arrest tomorrow morning at dawn.

An arrest, sir? An arrest, sir.

Though, not your own, I'm sorry to say.

A seaman called Teraloa,

who is said to have made an unprovoked attack upon his captain

and thrown him overboard.

He's ashore at that little island over there, Oaku.

You'll proceed early in the morning,

with the dignity becoming an official of the court,

and place him under arrest.

You will select a suitable boat,

in which you will be rowed by a single native constable,

and you will produce the accused in court before me at 8am precisely.

Is that clear, Mr Grimble? Quite clear, sir.

Very well. You may go now.

It might be as well to avoid any attempt at manhandling the accused

while taking him into custody.

Yes, sir.

Is your name Teraloa?

Is your name Teraloa?

Ioe.

I have a warrant for your arrest on a charge of criminal assault.

Where do you take me?

To the Resident Commissioner's court.

How?

In that boat?

Alright. I come.

Alright, I come.

Ha ha!

The court is ready, sir.

Very good.

Very good indeed.

I told you last time,

I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour, Tiki-Tiku.

I am a man of peace and I expect others to keep the peace too.

The land belongs to my people.

The land does nothing of the sort.

And even if it did, I will not have you inciting them to force.

I do not incite.

My people are angry.

And our brave warriors, they will take all that belongs to them.

You know perfectly well what I'm talking about.

You're terrifying the people of your island with your sorcery

and you're trying to provoke bloodshed.

They only wish for justice.

In that case, the court is the place

to take your claim and settle your dispute.

My people do not need white man's help.

I'm not going to argue with you.

I've warned you this time.

If you have a complaint to make, come here and make it.

Now, go back to your island and keep the peace

and try and stop frightening and bullying other people.

Or else you'll hear from me.

It's no use.

We shall have to send someone to take charge of that island,

otherwise there's going to be trouble.

Do you want me to go, sir? No, I can't spare you here.

Let me see...

I wonder, now...

Well, well, well, Mr Grimble. So you've got here at last.

You are...

You are...37 minutes late with your prisoner, sir.

I'm sorry, sir, but unfortunately, the ship...boat in which we were...

The court is aware of all the circumstances, Mr Grimble.

The court observed them through its telescope.

I shall want to see you privately at the end of this session.

Yes, sir.

Olivia?

Olivia?

Tulo?

Yes?

Have you seen Mrs Grimble? She go to swim.

Where? Somewhere...

Oh, for heaven's sake!

Hello! Come on in, it's wonderful!

I want to talk to you. What?

Come out! I want to talk to you.

You should have come in. Do you good.

Anything wrong? We're going home.

What did you say? I said we're going home.

By the next boat.

Why? What's happened?

I've resigned. I see.

Would you like to tell me about it?

It's all quite simple. I'm no good at the job.

A fact that Gregory's been at some pains to point out for so long.

At last it's penetrating even my thick skull.

Did he tell you you were no good at the job?

He proposed to send me to some godforsaken island somewhere,

and it's perfectly obvious why.

It is? Of course.

It's a splendid way of getting me out of his hair.

Is that what he told you?

He told me some cock-and-bull story about giving me...

..added responsibility and...

..see whether I sank or swam.

And you think that's nonsense? Yes, I do.

At least I've got some pride left.

And so you resigned. Of course.

Only thing left to do. Yes, I suppose it was.

If you really are a failure, then the only thing to do

is to resign and refuse any sort of challenge.

What do you mean?

Just that I obviously didn't know you very well when I married you.

Olivia...

Olivia, look here, y...

I was under the impression that I was marrying a MAN, not a failure.

That's all I needed - my own wife turning against me.

Let me tell you something.

We've been out here a little over two months.

It's been a difficult time for you,

but it's also been a difficult time for me,

because I've had to bolster up your self-esteem

and give you back the confidence

you've always seemed on the point of losing.

I don't mind that, because in a way, I believe it's what a wife's for.

But I can't go on doing that if I'm going to share the views of Gregory and McAlister.

I see. And now you do share their views, do you?

Because you force me to. Because you tell me you're a failure.

And after all, you should know.

And because you act like a failure,

if you propose to run away at the first hint of trouble.

There are some things you don't understand.

If you think I'm to allow myself to be shoved off to some godforsaken island somewhere...

I know! I've heard it all before.

Your pride - very important, no doubt.

Yes, it is, to me!

Very well, we'll go back to England by the next boat.

But all I can say is this is not the man I married.

Well, we know where we are, don't we?

Yes. We know where we are.

I'm Grimble, the district officer.

I'm Tauvela, the island magistrate.

Mrs Grimble.

Talofa. Talofa lava.

The Commissioner sends his greetings

and said you would show us to our house.

Yes. He said it was a beautiful house.

Well, lately there have been many bad rainstorms, I'm afraid.

But he said it was a beautiful house.

It is some years since it was lived in.

I thought you were supposed to keep it in good repair.

I did not expect anyone for three months.

Mr Gregory found he could spare me earlier.

Is there nowhere else?

You are welcome to my house.

Thank you very much. We'll manage.

I must say, I think it's fantastic.

Who are these?

My son Kitiona and my daughter Leolatai.

Leolatai? What does that mean? 'Voice of the tide'.

Voice-of-the-Tide - what a beautiful name.

You will excuse me.

I must call the people to a fono.

They will be curious to meet the new falangi.

I didn't come here as an object of curiosity.

I will summon them. Tofa.

What is a 'fono'?

Village meeting.

The village orator welcomes you on behalf of us all.

The speaker is Tiki-Tiku from the neighbouring island of Aava.

He asks, "Why have you come to live with us?"

In the past, district officers came only on visits.

Tell him it is easier, living amongst you,

to become friends.

The people await your voice.

But I can't speak.

But they expect it.

But the language - I know only a few words.

You cannot disappoint them.

Talofa.

Oh, this is better than dancing!

How can people be so cruel?

You're right - they do hate us.

You don't understand.

They are not mocking him.

It is his language.

He says, "I'm sure I shall lose many friends here today

"and my husband and I are happy to be here."

So funny!

He said, "I am a happy woman."

I am a happy woman!

My name is Lofa.

- What is your name? - My name is Lofa.

- What is your name? - My name is Matomi.

Talofa. Hello.

What is your name? My name is Grimble.

My name is Grimble!

My name is Grimble!

Alu ese!

You won't get Grimble in there.

Talofa. Talofa.

Your baby is not well? Yes.

How old is he? Eight.

Eight months? Yes.

Very small for eight months. Yes.

How many have you?

Three children. Two more dead. One more comes soon.

Hello, brat. That'll do for the vicar's wife.

The magistrate's waiting.

Tofa.

Tofa. Tofa.

Tanoa.

This is the women's prison.

Empty.

Why is that? There is no crime.

Perhaps Tauvela is too much of a gentleman to send ladies to goal.

Waste of a good building.

No, no, no. It's absolutely out of the question.

But why?

It's such a beautiful prison.

And just because the women are so law-abiding, it's completely wasted.

Now, if I could hold my classes...

My dear, one doesn't, as district officer,

give away one of His Majesty's prisons

simply at the whim of one's wife.

A pity. It'd be just the thing.

The idea of a baby clinic's a good one in itself - I've always said so.

But it's perfectly impractical.

Out of the question.

We have a saying,

"When husband and wife dispute, the stick falls on the stranger."

One cannot side with both.

Tofa. Tofa soifua.

"Dear Mr Gregory..." No.

"Dear Resident Commissioner,

"My first decisive action as District Officer

"has been to close down...convert...

"..permit conversion of one of His Majesty's..."

Anyway, what do you know about babies?

Only what I've been reading up.

Preparing for the eventuality?

No, for the actuality.

Wh... You're...

You're not saying that...

I mean, you don't mean...

Yes, dear.

Well, I mean...

Well... Well, when?

Next July-ish.

Well, I...

Yahoo!

Oh, good shot.

What's going on down there?

Too many. No room.

They say, "14 days."

They say, "Let in." Too many, no room.

Fetch Tauvela.

What's going on?

One at a time, one at a time!

Be quiet!

Now, then... Now, then, you, what is it?

Ah, Talofa, Grimble. Talofa.

Talofa. What is the meaning of all this?

A wave of crime has attacked the village.

Too many. No room. Oh, go away, be quiet.

What crime?

I have the, um...

..charge sheet all in order.

Shh, shh, shh.

"Slapped her husband with a fish."

"Winked at her brother-in-law."

Are you serious about these charges?

They're all according to the law.

Talofa! Talofa.

Thank you.

She said, "May your baby be a man child."

You surely don't mean that all these young criminals are, um...

..are...

The young palms, as we say, wear a fruitful look.

They too are about to be blessed.

Is this your idea?

Well, crime must be punished, don't you think?

Too many. No room.

Shall I let them in?

Would you mind moving over? Just a little, please?

Thank you. Too many. No room.

Never mind. The overflow can keep at home.

Follow me.

I don't know what the Commissioner's going to say.

We have a saying, "News is a slow traveller between islands."

This game is played much in England?

Uh... We play a different version.

These days, you know, we play cricket with old enemies from Aava.

But for many generations, we killed each other

and took one another's land.

Then a ship came, a warship from England.

The men from the ship sent the invaders away

and gave us back our land.

There are some that still hate us.

Is he one of them?

Yes. I see.

I wondered why he was so unfriendly at the fono.

Do not let that trouble you.

The people of this island know you are a good man

and wish to understand them and live with them in happiness.

That's why we wish to adopt you.

I should be very proud of the honour.

Good.

Then by and by, I will tell you the secret of the sun god.

How he loved the serpent and gave us this mark to wear on our bodies.

And in two weeks you will come to me

and I will give you this mark to wear always,

as token that you are my adopted son.

These are two of my daughters, Sea-Wind and King's-Bundle-of-Mats.

Talofa. Talofa.

Talofa.

They have been chosen as the companions of your pain

and will comfort your arm against the stab of the tattooing comb.

Now, sit here.

Strike!

You will not feel any pain.

It is the women who will feel the pain for you.

Strike.

There is no pain whatever in this thing.

The comb is made from the shinbone of my grandfather.

Thus, you will now become one of our family.

Strike. How delicate...is the shinbone of your grandfather.

Woman, it is fitting that thou shouldst wail all the time now!

Strike.

Strike.

Strike.

Did it hurt very much? Hardly at all.

And think of what it means.

As far as I can see, it means that no man ever stops being a schoolboy.

It's much more than that.

They've accepted me, as they would their own son.

Yes, I should think so, after going through all that.

And it means, you see, that I'm not, after all, altogether a failure.

And who was it who, how long ago - six weeks?

Certainly not more than two months - wanted to resign.

Oh, alright, alright.

A good catch today, Grimble. Oh, really? I'm glad.

Look out! The canoe.

Suvi!

But this is madness. I can't let you do it.

Darling, I've got to. Now, please...

Tauvela, surely you must understand - this thing needs skill.

Grimble hasn't got the skill of your men.

It doesn't need any skill at all, only patience.

It is my duty to kill the shark so that my brother can rest.

If a man is taken by a shark,

his passage to the other world is hard

and his ghost will wander in pain.

It is necessary to recover some part of the man and bury him

so that his ghost might be at peace.

For this reason, the shark must be killed.

Grimble will only act as decoy.

He will not be asked to do the killing.

But look, if...

We do not ask Grimble to do this against his will.

If he cannot, we will understand, because he has not our skill.

Only it is usual that the two nearest in kin should do this thing.

Custom, alas, does not allow me.

And as Grimble has been adopted by me, I...

Yes, it's quite clear, and of course I'll do it.

Thank you.

But supposing the shark doesn't return?

They always return.

It will be here at dawn.

I won't fail you.

And now, if you'll leave me, I...I'd like to explain to my wife.

May you be blessed.

I...

Darling, you must see that unless I do this,

all the good will, all the work we've put in over the past months

will be undone.

People will no longer trust me.

Of course you're right. I'm sorry.

Anyway, all I've got to do is to stand still.

Not from the arm, my son.

From the feet! From the feet!

Thank you.

Oh, he is indeed a man of courage.

Courage? My goodness, I was scared stiff.

Well, there is courage in saying that.

I hope you have courage left, for another shark awaits you.

Oh, no, not again.

This time it's a human shark.

Your friend Tiki-Tiku from Aava will be at the next fono.

What does he want?

To complain about the 30-year-old injustice of a British warship?

No, he has a quarrel with a girl, Fa'alavelave, about land.

It is she who will bring the complaint.

Who's in the right?

The man is a sorcerer. Who knows?

A few little gifts before we take our leave.

It's, uh... It's nothing at all.

Thank you.

Tanoa.

Only a token. Thank you.

Oh!

Tobacco.

And that is nothing?

For the fe'e - for the fish, see!

For you, my dear.

I wish it were something better. Thank you. Thank you.

It is all I have.

It has a sweet smell.

That's nice! To choose Leolatai!

You are very kind.

I will come.

I don't understand what was the matter with her.

Not still worrying about that, are you?

No, I'm just puzzled.

What's so funny about a bottle of perfume?

Voice-of-the-Tide didn't seem to think it was very funny.

I'll never understand these people.

What did she mean, "I will come"?

I have come.

Come in.

Yes. I have come to speak.

I have come to say thank you.

I am very proud to be chosen now that you are having a baby.

I am ready.

Tell me, my dear, why did you come here?

I have come to Grimble.

I am happy, truly happy.

Only, now I will lose my sweetheart.

But tell me what's the matter.

It's quite simple, darling - just an old custom.

Voice-of-the-Tide has come to be your comforter.

My...

M-m-my comforter?

While I'm having a baby.

Apparently, I elected her myself with a traditional gift of perfume.

It's alright. It was just a mistake.

My husband doesn't need a comforter.

Do you, darling?

Certainly not.

So dry your eyes and don't worry about your sweetheart.

You mean Grimble doesn't want me?

I said certainly not.

Well, you might do it a bit more tactfully.

So you see, it's alright. Now, smile.

Tell me something.

If you hadn't had a sweetheart,

would you have felt differently about my husband?

Oh, no.

I suppose that's tactful.

But why not?

He is very kind, but...

But what?

I cannot say in front of Grimble.

Oh, Grimble won't mind.

He has such funny thin legs.

I find your behaviour in very bad taste.

But, darling, I adore your funny thin legs!

What do you want?

What do you want?

I come as a friend.

I give warning.

The falangi's wife will die in childbirth.

What did you say?

I know she will.

But I can help.

Provided I, your friend, look after your interests, hmm?

Well, my friend, I don't believe in your sorcery,

so you'd better watch your step.

He told a woman - Alufalana, in the village -

that her child would be born crippled...

..and it was so.

I have seen it.

Get out.

Get out!

We will hear the voices of the people.

Has anyone words for me?

Let us hear the girl first.

What is your name? Fa'alavelave.

You have words for me?

I speak already.

You must speak your words louder.

I speak already to Tauvela.

You must... You must speak again to me.

Someone steal my land.

You words are whispered. We came here to speak openly.

Someone steal my land.

And who is this someone?

He sits here.

Many sit there.

You must name the man you accuse.

It is Tiki-Tiku.

Tiki-Tiku.

And how did he steal your land?

He killed my father.

If he killed your father, why didn't you go to the court?

He killed my father by magic.

What really happened?

Who knows of what a sick man dies?

And do the people really believe in this sorcery rubbish, Tauvela?

Some people.

Call Tiki-Tiku.

Why have you come here from the island of Aava?

I came to claim my land.

Did you cast a spell on the father of Fa'alavelave?

Agh!

You will do well to mend your manners.

Is it wise to anger him? It's unwise to anger me.

What is your claim to this land?

Firstly, it's a claim of war.

My second claim lies with the law.

The father of Fa'alavelave gave me this land

before illness struck him down.

The first claim is nonsense. Have you looked into the second?

There is no evidence of the gift.

No witnesses? None.

The men were friends?

No. Enemies.

You're not afraid of this man, are you?

Yes, I am afraid.

I must examine the land records.

The fono is adjourned until tomorrow.

I shall give my decision then.

I am fearless!

I make lightning strike and trees fall!

Go back to Aava. Your sorcery and your ill manners offend us.

Fo'i Aava.

The people respect you today.

Tauvela, of all people.

To allow that old charlatan of a witchdoctor

to get away with it for a year - a whole year!

Doing nothing for the girl.

Well, I suppose the fear of magic is deep in their souls.

I don't care what's deep in their souls

if it interferes with other people's rights.

What are you going to do about it?

Report to the old man. I've no choice.

Seems a pity to bother him, don't you think?

Seems a pity that the native magistrate's afraid of sorcerers.

You owe a lot to Tauvela. Hmm?

He is your friend.

Time for your toddy.

Toddy, darling? No, no.

Do something for me?

Promise to give you a girl?

No.

Play.

Well, it's worse since you tried to tune it.

Manuia.

What's that? Manuia.

Boy or girl - settle for either.

The District Officer cannot attend.

The court is adjourned.

Can you go...see Gregory...

..Gregory...

..and tell him...to come...here?

This is not a curse.

The falangi doesn't believe in sorcery.

But the people of the village believe.

He wants you to send a message to the Resident Commissioner,

in case there's any trouble.

Well, what are the people of the village saying?

They say nothing yet,

but they're not happy that Grimble was not at the fono.

They are afraid of what Tiki-Tiku will do.

He can do nothing.

Many believe him.

He said that Grimble would not be at the fono

and that he has put a curse on Grimble.

Well, what can Tiki-Tiku do?

If they believe he is stronger than Grimble, they will do as he says.

Look, this is not magic.

Grimble is ill, that's all.

The people of Aava have not forgotten the battles for the land.

Respect for the white man has restrained their violence.

But if they believe Tiki-Tiku... Yes, yes, yes.

But you must go to Aava.

You must tell the people that this is not a curse, that Grimble is ill.

You must tell them the truth. But what is the truth?

You believe Tiki-Tiku?

Grimble drank this. O le a? Eh?

Grimble has been poisoned.

Do you know what the poison is?

Yes. It's a toddy fly.

If you give him some of this, he'll be alright.

Well, who did this? Tiki-Tiku.

You were right.

It wasn't the magic.

I will go to Aava and tell them.

It is the men of Aava. They believe your husband is dead.

They come to attack. Come!

Well?

Have you no words for me?

What men are these with weapons but no tongues?

Let the headman speak.

The falangi is not dead.

And if I were, would it excuse this blustering rabble?

What's that?

You want justice?

Can justice be seized by force?

They will use force. Ha! What tale is this?

They hate us.

They make plots.

They will come to Aava, take our fruitful land.

Truly the land is fruitful, where Tiki-Tiku planted such lies.

Silence.

Silence!

Blood has not been shed between these islands for a generation,

and it shall not be shed today.

You have long disputed over land.

You have grievances.

And there are those among you who lay claim to this land.

And all of you, knowing this claim to be fear,

fear attack yourselves,

so fear breeds fear.

And it is out of fear that you come here today with...

..weapons raised...

..and scowling faces.

But you are all just men - all good men, of good sense.

Can we not settle our disputes with words, not wounds?

Will you not put away these weapons?

I shall hold council with the elders of both islands.

I shall not give judgement on the disputes.

I shall listen and only advise.

Perhaps in this way, we may find the end...

..together.

They say, "How may we trust you?"

You are the friend of this island...

..not of ours.

I'm the friend of both.

My people want proof.

The men of Aava wish to know if you will spend a night amongst them.

I will bring him myself.

Not with you, Tauvela.

Nor with any man.

Alone.

Will you not be afraid?

I shall be with you tomorrow night.

I suppose you have to go.

You're not well yet, though.

King and country, you know - not to mention the old man.

Here's your net.

Here I am, about to spend a night among a hostile population,

and you worry about the mosquito net.

I'm surprised you haven't packed me a change of vest.

Thank you. What for?

Oh, just for being my wife.

I could have put it better, though.

You couldn't possibly have put it better.

That canoe has arrived.

They wait for you.

God bless.

God bless.

You cannot stay alone.

You would like to read? No, just rest.

Talofa.

Talofa. Talofa.

Talofa.

You spoke to us yesterday as a friend.

But we said, "How do we know Grimble's inward thoughts?"

"How do we know he is our true friend?

"We will seek a sign."

We said, "If he is angry with us, he will refuse to come to us alone."

"But if he comes, then we shall know he is our true friend."

And behold - you came.

Tobacco.

He put the curse of death on us.

He put the curse of death on me.

I should have been dead two days ago.

Am I dead?

You are the headman of Aava.

A wise man, a man of sound judgement.

I ask your opinion.

Am I dead?

I do not think so.

You leave me in doubt.

You are not dead.

The matter touches me closely.

Feel and make sure.

No. You are not dead.

Then there is hope for you.

Don't laugh.

You'll destroy our friend with your ridicule.

# Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves

# Britons never, never, never shall be slaves

# Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves

# Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. #

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Ah, my friend, you are home. Welcome back.

I congratulate you.

Thank you, thank you. Tell me, how is my wife?

Your wife? Oh, she is doing fine. Doing fine.

Come.

Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!

Let me out! Let me out!

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Congratulations, Grimble! Congratulations!

Aren't you rather overdoing all this?

I'm no stickler for protocol, Fa'afetai,

and I gladly forgo the red carpet,

but failing even an informal little welcome,

I'd regard the provision by Mr Grimble

of some sort of transport -

human or otherwise -

for my transmission across the shallows

as the very minimum courtesy

to which as Resident Commissioner I am entitled.

I expect Grimble is busy, sir.

I gather everything is the deuce of a mess.

War drums, sir!

You're right, young fellow. A deuce of a mess.

Uh... Going down.

Now to use the cliches of melodrama, which should appeal to you,

keep your eyes skinned and be ready to move off.

Oh, why did those confounded pen-pushers in London

have to send me a cadet?!

And what precisely is the meaning of this...orgy, Mr Grimble?

Rompings and junketings,

when your islands, I understand, are at one another's throats.

Er, may I introduce Tauvela, sir, and Matangi, the headman of Aava?

Talofa. Talofa.

Talofa.

I trust you are quite well, Mr Gregory.

Talofa. Talofa lava.

I trust you've brought us some whisky, sir.

Whisky?

No. No whisky.

Perhaps you'd better try the local stuff.

Oh.