Original subtitles

The South Seas, 1870.

Center of the coconut and copra trade.

Sleepy islands suddenly became prizes in a great international race.

For weeks, I'd driven south.

And now there was mutiny.

My crew, the sweepings of the Hong Kong gutters...

... wanted to turn back.

Four days without sleep.

The sea kills more slowly than a bullet.

But my luck held.

On this tiny island began the legend, the true legend, of David Dion O'Keefe.

But I was not the first white man there.

I am Alfred Tetens...

...agent of the Godeffroy Company, Hamburg, Germany.

The island had an odd name, Yap...

... but there was nothing odd about what I saw.

From that moment, Yap meant coconuts. And coconuts meant copra.

Copra, the dried meat of the coconut...

... from which an oil could be extracted worth its weight in gold.

For all you've done.

You have nothing that he wants.

Thank you.

In fact, you have nothing that any of these people want.

Interesting, eh?

There must be a million dollars in copra hanging on those trees.

Yes, all of that.

The German flag protected the Godeffroy Trading Company...

... from all competition.

So you drove your crew to mutiny...

...for copra.

Sometimes it's a little hard to get.

And you were willing to die to get it?

What are you trying to prove?

Money, power...

...this driving ambition to reach the top.

Has it ever occurred to you that everyone cannot be a king?

Why not?

I doubt if I could make you understand.

My grandfather spent his entire life, founded a new school of philosophy...

...in an effort to teach this single truth to you barbarians.

Seventy wasted years.

Johann Nicolai Tetens?

- You have read it? - Enough to disagree with him.

No matter.

You shall learn to agree.

Learn to believe.

I have a complete collection of his works.

Forty-seven volumes.

My favorite is his dissertation...

...on the relationship of man with the lower animals.

Why do I continue to live on this miserable island?

What's wrong?

Boogulroo, the head chief, has decided to see me for a few moments.

Tomorrow I shall get my consignment of copra.

Coconuts into copra.

Sometimes I wish they'd never discovered how to take the oil out of the things.

The world might be a better place without copra.

How much copra do you have in your sheds now?

Five tons.

If I'm lucky, I may have 7 when the company steamer calls.

Seven tons?

Why, there must be a thousand on this end of the island alone.

on the trees, ja.

Suppose we make a deal.

I'll act as your foreman.

You give me $5 for every ton of copra I put in your sheds.

I'll need some money when I get to Hong Kong.

I'll do better than that.

- I'll pay you $ 10 a ton. - It's a deal.

Fine. Well, make yourself at home.

I will leave this volume for your perusal while I see Boogulroo.

Herr Tetens, can I borrow your razor?

of course. You'll find it in the other room.

Thanks.

She's all dressed up today. She must have found herself a man.

These are just about ready to harvest.

Don't do that.

Why not?

This is fei, their sacred stone.

It should not be used as a nutcracker.

They leave it here untouched, and you should do the same.

It is good to see you looking so well.

You speak English.

Thanks to my good friend, Herr Tetens.

Fatumak, our medicine man, has many accomplishments.

He even makes rain during the rainy season.

Come.

Who's that?

Inifels, one of the chiefs of the island.

There is a man.

A very great man, Boogulroo. The head chief of the island.

Boogulroo has just challenged me to personal combat.

You?

I am the lone outlander here.

What did you say?

I have conceded that Boogulroo is the head chief...

...and that I am here on sufferance.

In other words, I have gracefully refused his challenge, as I do every year.

Accept it. In my name.

- But... - Maybe I'll get a few coconuts.

Boogulroo says you are a great warrior.

He asks, what favor can he do for you?

Tell him I'd like a hundred men at the coconut grove...

...in front of Herr Tetens' house tomorrow morning.

- Shall we start the show? - Whenever you're ready.

Boogulroo.

That music box came from the home of Johann Nicolai Tetens.

You wanted copra.

Inifels, this is for you.

Fatumak, all these are theirs too.

In return, I will expect them to fill our sheds with copra.

I will tell them.

That means another 100 tons by the time the steamer arrives.

I suppose it's all in knowing how to handle them.

Your gifts have been returned.

I should have told you this before, it wasn't fair of me.

But after 20 years of frustration, I wanted you to have just a taste of it.

Thanks.

Perhaps, my good friend, you can now understand...

...why there's only 5 tons of copra in my sheds.

There's nothing the world can offer that these people want.

There must be some way to make them work.

Bribery has been tried, it failed.

Force has been tried, it failed.

And now the great o'Keefe has tried, he has failed.

Fei! Fei! Fei!

What's that all about?

The men who went to quarry the fei have returned.

Fei! Fei! Fei!

Forty strong men left this island. Ten have returned.

They travel to the quarries in those frail canoes...

...across the open sea 250 miles from here.

I don't understand it.

You offer them a fortune for a few coconuts and they refuse to work...

...yet they go out and kill themselves for six pieces of stone.

I give up.

I thought you would.

I did 20 years ago.

In six weeks, the Godeffroy steamer arrived.

It would take me off the island.

Is the last of the copra aboard the steamer?

Just about.

And is Herr Weber and that other representative of the Godeffroy Company...

...gathering up the last few crumbs?

- They're both down at the shed. - Well, shall we go?

oh, I'm sorry.

I thought I gave you five gold pieces.

- And underpaid you, at that. - You gave me five.

And you were more than generous.

I shall be sorry to see you go, captain...

...but it will be a pleasure to rid the island of Herr Weber...

...and that Prussian assistant of his.

At least you won't have to see them for a year.

Would that it were 10 years.

Herr Weber.

We were just talking about you.

- Something pleasant, I suppose. - Ready, Herr Weber.

Is the last of the copra loaded?

All 12 tons.

Not enough to make our visit here worthwhile.

You're right.

Were it not that England or Spain would take this island...

...I would insist that the company close the trading post.

You do that and I'll move in.

Don't be a fool.

Come along, Friedlander.

Do you really mean you'd move in?

I just didn't want them to pick on a friend of mine.

Goodbye, Fatumak. Thank you for everything.

There are no goodbyes between friends.

This is the whale's tooth of remembrance.

Until we meet again.

I can't take this from you, Alfred.

oh, I'm not giving it to you. I'm only lending it to you.

Ready.

He will be back.

Ready?

Sure, I'd be back.

There had to be a way to make these people work.

The Godeffroy steamer brought me to Hong Kong...

... the key port of the copra trade.

A place where I was not unknown.

- Fits you quite well, captain. - Couldn't be better.

Here is your change, sir.

What about your clothes, sir?

Burn them.

No, wait.

I wanna buy the Malayan Queen. She's up for sale at �30,000.

Let me understand you.

You want the South China Bank to advance you �30,000...

...for the purpose of buying the Malayan Queen?

- That's right. - Against what security?

These. Plus my reputation.

But, captain, things aren't done this way.

It simply isn't banking.

Why not?

I could never explain it to my stockholders.

It'd cost me my job.

Beldon, I'll tell you what you do.

You keep your job.

You retain ownership of the Malayan Queen till she's paid in full.

Until then, she's your ship.

I can't run away with her.

The Godeffroy Company can.

And the Spanish Trading Company, don't forget them.

They're not going to let an independent trader cut into their territories.

- How will they stop me? - With guns.

Let me take the ship this week.

Repairs can wait till I bring my first load of copra.

- And I'll take 25 percent for my end. - Sorry, no deal.

Wait, captain.

I do have a proposition that may be of interest to you.

The Spanish Trading Company intends to plant our flag...

...on some of the key islands of the South Pacific.

The Germans have had the field long enough.

They may give you an argument.

We have the man who can take care of that.

The most feared man in the South Pacific.

Bully Hayes. You know Captain Hayes?

We've met.

Hello, Bully.

- So you want a ship. - I want a ship.

- What have you got to offer? - Copra.

From Yap?

Nice little island, ain't it? Lots of coconuts on the trees.

Lots of natives with strong backs sitting in the shade.

How you gonna get them to work?

- Let's talk about the ship. - Let's talk about the natives.

That island's good for just one thing: slaves, not copra.

If you want a ship from me, there's your cargo.

I want a ship, but I'll name the cargo.

Not in my territory.

Your territory?

Not yet, Bully, not yet.

Spread the word around, o'Keefe. Nobody's going down there but me.

Go beg yourself a rowboat.

Does the captain's tooth hurt?

No, it feels just great.

Dr. Sien Tang is a graduate of the Peking College of Dental Surgery.

He is also my uncle. Come, I shall take you to him.

Come, captain.

Now we may proceed to rebuild the tooth.

You would like gold, I presume?

How much?

one pound. The most reasonable in all Hong Kong.

What else?

Tin will cost you 13 shillings.

Not as durable or decorative, but satisfactory.

Tin, and drive it in to last.

Such bravery, admiral. Tin.

How wonderful to be a seafaring adventurer.

To cross the vast oceans and visit distant corners of the globe.

Get on with the tooth.

Unfortunately for me, the ocean is merely a sea of misty dreams.

Besides, I get seasick. Do you?

- No. - I knew it.

You're the man of action. I, the man of dreams.

Joined, we could be powerful.

- What are you talking about? - I have a ship of some 70 tons.

She rides at anchor in the roadstead. There.

You can see her from here.

A magnificent ship.

once the pride of Kao Chung, the most notorious pirate in all China.

Which one?

The Cochin China junk, just astern of the large ship.

You call that a ship?

A few strokes of paint, a pot of tar and she'll be a fine ship.

Your ship.

- What's your offer? - I will furnish crew and supplies.

- And we'll divide the profits between us. - How do you know you can trust me?

Who is there in Hong Kong that would not trust Captain o'Keefe?

A few bankers.

Men of little vision.

I have invaluable pearling charts.

Pearls?

Not interested.

Why do you suppose I want my own ship?

I know where there's a million dollars in copra. I'm going to get it.

Then by all means gather it. I'll form a company and...

No, the large companies will not permit you to cut into their trade.

But, uncle, this is Captain o'Keefe.

- Worried about Godeffroy? - Not only Godeffroy.

Bully Hayes is sailing for the Spanish Trading Company.

And no one can stand up to Hayes.

Men of little vision. Fix the tooth.

Don't be hasty, captain.

I will accept your condition.

Sien Tang, you've got yourself a partner.

Get my hat.

And I've got myself a mate.

Out of Hong Kong and south toward Yap...

... but the wind dropped down to a whisper.

Again, the old story: no food and the water going sour in the casks.

This time I couldn't afford a mutiny.

We put into a strange island for provisions.

Don't play. You've been howling for fresh water.

Get the casks and let's get under way.

- All secured, captain. - Every man got his rifle?

- Yes, captain. - Let's get under way.

Give me those mirrors.

Cover me.

Who's that big fella chief?

These boys aren't as tough as they look. Get me those water casks.

Haul away!

Throw us a line, get under way!

Yap seemed farther away than ever.

Still no supplies, and my wound getting feverish.

We were forced to try another island.

Captain David o'Keefe at your service.

Welcome to Palau.

I'm Bart Harris, trader in chief for Carruther and Sons.

My crew and I could use your help.

You look as though you need it. Come into the house.

- I have some men aboard... - of course.

Send a canoe-load of food and water out to the ship.

Lend a hand. The captain needs help.

I'm afraid I haven't been a very satisfactory host, captain.

Far from it.

Thanks to you and your daughter, I've begun to feel human again.

You were a sorry-looking bloke when you rolled in here with that ramshackle junk.

Careful, woman. Nicked me chin.

I'll never know how you got this far with that slant-eyed crew.

The Kathleen's a tough little ship.

And don't underestimate my crew. They saved my life in a scrape.

Dallie, what are you up to?

"Lancelot and Elaine."

The Idylls of the King.

Go ahead, Dalabo, read.

"High in her chamber, up a tower to the east...

...guarded..."

Dalabo has a bit of trouble with her words.

I taught her.

Let me see it.

"Up a tower to the east, guarded..."

"The sacred shield of Lancelot...

...which first she placed where morning's earliest ray might strike it...

...and awaken her with the gleam."

There are so many words I don't understand.

Perhaps we'd better go over it, page by page.

"And the new sun rose, bringing the new year."

And so King Arthur died.

I wish he hadn't.

Never mind, we can go back to the beginning again.

I'm afraid we haven't got time for another reading.

- I'll be leaving tomorrow. - Why?

I have work to do. I have to bring in the copra to get money.

Is it so important?

Men will kill to get it, Dallie. Steal, drive other men to their deaths.

It's so important that nations will go to war to get their share.

- or more than their share. - Why?

Because out of the meat of this silly - looking coconut...

...men grind an oil that's worth its weight in gold.

And I mean to get my share of that gold, Dallie.

What are you going to buy with it?

Whatever it is, you'll get it.

He's a lonely man, Dallie. You must have seen things like that before.

Yes, but...

We bring in the baby fish from the ocean and put them in these little pools.

So they grow and we can have fish whenever we like.

Don't be so proud. We have the same thing in Savannah.

Savannah. Your home?

In America.

I'm going to America when I get married.

- When does this happen? - oh, I don't know.

Papa says I mustn't wait much longer because I'm 17 already.

You are getting old. Who are you going to marry?

I don't know that either, but Papa says he'll arrange that.

I see. You have anybody in mind?

Well, I've thought about a planter, but they just plant.

Why don't you marry a captain? You can see the world.

Yes, I think I'll do that.

What happens when you get married?

Well, you get a lot of beautiful presents, lovely clothes and things like that.

And the groom, he stands around looking silly.

And then?

And then you have the ceremony...

...and then everybody gets to dance with the bride.

What's the matter? Doesn't that sound exciting?

I can't dance.

Well, we can't let you turn into an old maid because of that.

- I'll teach you to dance. - Show me.

Show me.

Give me your hand. No, this one. Put your arm around me.

Higher.

You can't dance without music.

I have a book about it. I'll bring it tomorrow.

Let's get it now.

Come on.

What a beautiful ship.

Queen of the Pacific.

once the pride of Kao Chung, number one pirate of the China Sea.

- The natives think you're a pirate. - They do?

- Do you think that? - oh, no.

You're much different from the other sailors who come to Palau.

How am I different?

You're a gentleman.

She's very strange.

Well, I've never been aboard a pirate ship before.

Have a look around. I'll get your book.

Here it is. A real authority.

A description of the dancing at President Lincoln's wedding.

oh, music!

Now we can dance.

oh, it stopped.

How does it play?

Let me do it.

I'm sorry, Dallie.

I'll take you home.

Walk down to the water.

Walk out to your waist.

- Why am I being killed? - I'm an old South Sea hand, o'Keefe.

I've taken women aboard ships myself.

You're wrong, Harris. I wanna marry her.

To save your life.

If that's what you think, you better pull that trigger.

- You do love her. - And I'll make her a good husband.

Be good to her.

I've talked with your father, Dallie.

He's consented to our marriage.

I love you, Dallie.

Will you come with me?

If it's my father's wish.

You don't love me?

I don't know.

I can understand that.

But you, in turn, must understand something about love.

It isn't always like a little spark that bursts into a great flame.

very often, love grows slowly, and that's the very best kind of love.

I'll go with you.

- Dallie. - That's the quarry.

The men from Yap.

Yes, they're very strange.

When the winds are right, they come here to quarry these round stones.

Could this be the key for which I had been looking?

The place where fei was quarried.

The stone that was worshiped on Yap.

Dallie, you can't understand, but the whole world belongs to us.

Come along.

The man who saved my life.

The whale's tooth has brought two friends together again.

I knew it would. What are you doing here?

The winds were favorable and we have come to gather the fei.

How long will you be?

oh, many weeks.

The stone is hard and our tools are poor.

The best were lost in a storm at sea.

But with what we have, we will finish the work.

Perhaps I can help you.

In fact, I know I can help you.

Come, Dallie.

Got enough powder?

More than I like to carry.

Get it into the boat and let's get under way.

Shove off!

All clear!

All clear!

All clear!

With the powder and these tools, you can do three weeks' work in hours.

You are truly a friend.

Let's see you work.

The O'Keefe luck was riding high.

First to Yap, to deliver the shipload of fei...

... and then to Hong Kong...

... to marry Dalabo in style.

This fei, there's so much of it.

A gesture of friendship. Does it surprise you?

Surprise is hardly the word for it.

- I may have one or two more. - From you, I can expect anything.

- No matter. So you came back? - I had to.

- I had to return your music box. - My music box?

Dallie.

That wasn't all you brought back, eh?

Herr Tetens...

...may I present the future Mrs. o'Keefe.

No, my darling.

Now I know why they put the music in that silly old cigar box.

Look out for him, Dallie.

Chou, get the rest of this fei ashore.

Leave it to Boogulroo.

He's ordered them to take the best piece to his village.

Wait till he hears the price.

Fatumak!

Tell Boogulroo, Inifels and the others...

...they may not take the fei until they have earned it.

I have saved many of your people...

...by bringing them here in safety in my ship.

- They are bound in honor to repay me. - And how must this be done?

When my ship and 10 sheds are filled with copra...

...their debt to me will be paid.

He says you've tricked them.

violated their way of life.

So they refuse to work?

The last word is with the chiefs. It is for them to decide.

And Boogulroo has decided.

He's refused your terms.

I tried to tell you. I gave up 20 years ago.

Maybe you quit too soon.

You're not going to destroy it?

of course not.

I can't understand it.

Then let me translate it for you. Inifels has accepted the deal.

Their old way of life was forgotten.

I kept them at it round the clock.

It meant delaying my trip to Hong Kong and my marriage to Dalabo...

... but I had to strike while the iron was hot.

For weeks, they gathered the copra, until the hold of my ship was filled.

How things have changed.

Wait till I get back from Hong Kong.

I built a storehouse for the fei where all could see it while they worked.

When they're fishing, they're playing, and especially when gathering copra.

So they'll know what they're working for.

Boogulroo may not agree with your plans.

He's calling his men to council.

Let him talk. I've got Inifels.

You'll need more than Inifels.

What will you do when the world moves in...

...to gather the harvest that you've planted?

Germany, Spain, England.

They will all want their share.

I'll handle them as they come. one by one.

Why all the presents?

They know that Dalabo will leave for Hong Kong tonight to become Mrs. o'Keefe.

What did she say?

oh, she says...

...you're a wonderful man.

I've got to learn this language.

Come along. The boys will take care of your presents.

Why are you so happy?

He's thinking of what Weber will say when the Godeffroy steamer arrives.

I wish you hadn't mentioned that.

- Why? - Because I like it here, my darling.

Are you going to leave?

I'm going to be told to leave, thanks to my good friend...

...who has shown what a bad island trader I am.

- oh, well. I suppose there's another island. - You're not going anywhere.

Stay here and run things for me till I get back.

- And when you get back? - We'll tell Godeffroy to get another agent.

Fatumak, didn't I tell you everything would work out fine?

Let us hope so.

Chou! Crack on all canvas, up anchor!

Set your course for Hong Kong.

With a fortune below decks, we sailed north for Hong Kong.

But to me, this was only the beginning.

I was already thinking of the next shipment, and the next, and the next.

This was a new world for Dalabo.

A child's fairyland.

But copra made it possible. I couldn't forget that.

Two rooms connecting, away from the racket on Queen's Road.

How would you like to sign for the first and last time as Miss Harris?

- Where do I sign? - Right there.

I have only a small single.

Your servants and the woman can find quarters down the street.

I said, two rooms connecting.

I'm afraid I haven't made myself quite clear.

- The... - only too clear.

Exactly, sir. Precisely. Two rooms connecting.

Don't be afraid, Dallie.

I'm not afraid. I'm hungry.

A few presents for the bride.

Try this for size. I got a dozen of them.

Here. Grow a couple of inches.

This is yours too.

You can see through it.

All right, boys. Put them on the bed.

out you go, all of you.

Sien Tang! Well, come on in, don't stand there.

I want you to meet the future Mrs. o'Keefe.

Dallie, this is Dr. Sien Tang, my partner.

Hello.

I'm happy that fortune has smiled upon you and my esteemed friend.

Fortune? That's not the word for it.

Try them all on, make yourself pretty.

May I say that never before in my life have I seen such sweetness and rare...

Yes, she's a beauty.

Here's the ship's manifest. It's loaded to the gunwales with copra.

I don't know what it's bringing in, but you can check.

I already know.

- lf it's the best grade, we can expect... - It's the best.

Here's a sworn statement that our company has established a post on Yap.

File it with the authorities.

Wonderful.

We should have our own company flag.

There it is.

Well!

Look what we've got here.

Well, show us the dress.

oh, no, Dallie.

You've put on the negligee.

It's all right, I'll explain it later, when we're married.

Yes, the marriage.

It will be my duty and my pleasure to arrange for the ceremony...

...as the Hong Kong representative of our company.

Suit yourself. As long as it takes place tonight.

Well, Herr Weber.

You seem to be doing very well.

You don't know how well. But you'll find out.

Don't walk so fast. My high heels.

Hang on tight, Dallie. Here we go.

Merely the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Does it please you?

Yes, but will it end before the night's over?

To be sure.

My key, quick.

out you go.

Had there been more time, the ceremony would have been more elaborate.

- Under the circumstances... - It was wonderful.

Get the ship ready. I want to sail on tomorrow's tide.

We'll have to make it an ocean honeymoon.

To be sure. There is so much to be done.

Sien Tang's a wonderful fellow, but I thought I'd never get rid of him.

Mrs. O'Keefe.

I was his wife now.

I had become part of the O'Keefe legend.

But was there really a place for me in it?

Fei, copra, dreams of empire, these things were in it.

These were the things that filled his mind on our honeymoon voyage back to Yap.

Chou!

Put over to those canoes.

It's Boogulroo. Ask him what he's doing here.

He is head chief, must earn more fei than Inifels and the others.

He knows the winds are unfavorable. Tell him that.

- He says he'll conquer the winds. - He's a fool to try.

Chou!

Put her southeast and crack it on.

Boogulroo believed that only fei gathered in the old way had any value.

In my heart, I felt he was right.

- Keep her on the south side and run close in. - It's Alfred and Fatumak.

David. Dallie.

- It's Bully Hayes. He's burnt the villages. - Bully Hayes?

Better go below, Dallie.

Chou!

- Go on. - He's killed 50, 70, I don't know how many.

This time, he's after slaves.

Got Inifels and a hundred others. The rest of them escaped into the bush.

- Where's his ship anchored? - At the far end of the bay, round the cape.

- How many men has he got? - oh, 30, 40, with guns.

- Chou. - Yes?

Arm the men. Rifles and 50 rounds of ammunition.

- Get the dory over the side. - Yes.

- Well, move! - Yes.

Chou. Take four men, cover that hut.

The rest, that one.

No matter what happens, don't fire till Bully Hayes and his men make their charge.

What about you, captain?

I'm gonna pick me a few coconuts. Now, get going.

There's the one for me.

Shut up. I don't want any talking out of you.

Hayes.

- This is the last island you'll ever sack. - Well, if it ain't the great o'Keefe.

Send some of the crew out to Hayes' ship.

Strip his cannon.

? -Put them aboard the Kathleen. - Yes, captain.

You men of Hayes' crew, I'm letting you go.

You're to leave this island and never come back.

Quiet.

Men of Yap, hear me.

The defeat of Bully Hayes will be told and retold...

...throughout the South Seas by his men.

That's why I set them free.

And each time the tale is told, the power of this island will grow and grow.

You've seen the last of scum like Bully Hayes...

...and pirates and slavers will return no more.

The wisdom of a king.

A king without a crown.

Inifels acknowledges you to be the king.

He is now speaking for the other chiefs as well.

of all the men that left with Boogulroo, only these have returned.

- They were caught in a hurricane. - What's Inifels saying?

- Telling Boogulroo that you are king. - What's Boogulroo's answer?

He says that Boogulroo has never before missed with his spear.

He says the gods are protecting you, therefore you must be their rightful king.

What shall be done with this man who has dared to attack our king?

He's to be banished to the hills with his men.

Forever.

The formalities are over. Perhaps you would like to leave.

There is nothing left but the dance of the maidens.

Alfred, take Mrs. o'Keefe home. I'll come along later.

I demand to know what this is all about.

- Tell them. - Me?

Why not? You've waited a long time. Tell them.

As you can see, there have been some changes made here.

The Godeffroy Company no longer has exclusive trading rights on this island.

Did I tell them?

- Anything else? - one thing more.

Have you confiscated the Godeffroy Company's property?

You're a bigger fool than I thought, Weber.

I believe in free trade and I like competition.

But know this:

As long as I'm king, no other flag will fly above this island.

Chou, let's go see how much copra we've got in our sheds.

So long, boys, enjoy yourselves.

very well. If he wants competition, I shall give it to him.

At Palau, where he gets his fei.

I will remain here with Friedlander.

Wait.

This belongs to you.

And now, get out.

Fatumak tells me that Weber left to take over Palau. Is that right?

- Yes. - Tell Inifels I want 50 of his warriors.

- We leave for Palau immediately. - Yes, captain.

Why didn't you tell me he left?

Because I didn't want you to go.

Not with Brenner and Friedlander still on the island.

If Weber grabs Palau, he can keep me from getting any more fei.

What difference? David, why don't you stay here?

We've more than enough to make everyone happy.

There's a million dollars in copra on this island. I intend to get it.

- But, David... - I'll be back in two days.

If Brenner gives you trouble, run him off.

- David, please... - Alfred.

Don't you know better than to stop Captain o'Keefe when he's after money?

Kakofel returned this. You'd better take it with you.

There goes our fish, off for Palau.

Herr Weber will not be at Palau.

- But... - Where are the rifles?

Come, I will show you.

And tell him I will give him many of these rifles.

They are strong magic.

They will help him regain his position as head chief.

- Who is he? - one of Inifels' men.

We must have been followed from the village.

He wants to know what you want in return.

only as much copra as he wishes to give me.

You will have your answer tomorrow night.

Boogulroo!

Chou, the German flag is flying over my fei bank.

That's why Weber tricked us off to Palau.

Stand by the halyards.

Hold it!

o'Keefe, in the name of his imperial majesty...

...I place you under arrest.

Throw down your arms.

Dallie!

- Boogulroo. - It's all right, Alfred.

We've driven them back.

Don't blame Boogulroo.

It isn't his fault.

I'll kill him and every one of his...

He's dead.

That shouldn't stop His Majesty o'Keefe.

Where did I go wrong, old man?

We all lose our way sometimes.

Where did I go wrong?

The whale that swallows the dolphin chokes and dies.

But the whale who lives without greed...

...is king of the sea.

What shall I do?

When Bully Hayes came to this island...

...you saved our people.

But only for copra.

You are our king.

Weber. He landed at the far end of the island with 60 marines.

We can't hold Boogulroo now.

Shall we...? Shall we get aboard and make sail, captain?

Fatumak, send for Boogulroo. Tell him I have asked for a truce.

He will take that as a sign of weakness.

I will meet him on the beach where the fei is stored.

- What of Inifels? - Tell him the same.

Better get your men aboard the Kathleen. She's yours if you want to leave.

I will stay.

Fatumak!

Tell Boogulroo and Inifels...

...I talked with Herr Tetens, their friend, before he died.

He taught me that a people divided cannot live.

They must no longer be divided.

They must decide between themselves and choose a new king.

- And what of you? - I will not be here.

Herr Weber will see to that.

He will take me to Germany. I will answer for the death of an officer.

They will demand your life.

Who knows?

Chou will see that you get to Hong Kong. Sien Tang will provide for you.

They have made no decision.

When you are gone, the people will still be divided...

...because of the fei.

Chou!

Clever, Captain o'Keefe.

That's right, Weber. I'm leaving this island as I found it.

Fatumak, tell the people that Boogulroo was right.

only fei gathered in the old way has any value.

Well, at least I will have the satisfaction of watching you hang.

our chiefs say, "Where are you going with our king?"

very well, Your Majesty.

- But I may return. - We'll be waiting.

[ENGLISH]

Mrs. Barham, this picture was in almost every London newspaper yesterday.

- I was sure you'd seen it. - No.

Charlie's a hero, ma'am. Our public relations office is talking now...

of holding some sort of ceremony over his grave...

building some sort of monument.

A monument?

Probably nothing more than a simple bronze plaque...

but the French have indicated they'd be willing...

to declare Charlie's grave a French national shrine.

That's depraved.

As soon as I get an extra copy of Life I'll bring it to you.

What on earth for?

This picture of Charlie is on the front cover of Life magazine.

That's shoddy.

A French national monument.

I suppose one must expect that sort of thing from the French.

But you're supposed to be his friend.

Couldn't you've done something to keep this sordid business out of the press?

We're all very disappointed in Charlie...

but he's paid his price, and there's no need to rake it up.

I don't think you have this exactly right. Charlie's a hero.

Mother?

There she is. Now don't say a word to her.

I'll tell her when I think she's well enough.

Going to work? That's very sensible of you.

I don't know how you've put up with me this long.

Don't forget that man's still here to commiserate.

This is his third condolence visit...

and he's going to say comforting things. So you'll be polite to him?

- He's just a bit sincere. - I must say I find him grotesque.

Yes. Emily, you're doing the right thing.

Bury yourself in work. We've all got to keep going.

Emily, I must warn you, Charlie's picture is in all the papers.

They're going to put up a monument on his grave.

What on earth for? All he did was die.

Dear me, we should be celebrating cancer and automobile smashups next.

He didn't just die. He sacrificed his life.

That was very pagan of him.

He was the first American to die on Omaha Beach.

Was there a contest?

Emily, why, I don't understand you.

I thought you'd be proud.

You might as well burn this along with yesterday's Daily Mail...

which I fished out of the garden fire.

We no longer take pride in death in this house, Bus.

What was admirable about Charlie was his sensation of life...

his cowardly, selfish, greedy appreciation of life...

unadorned and uncertain as it is.

I loved him very much.

I don't think I shall ever love anyone as much...

but I shall try.

Are you going back to the Navy building, Bus?

No, I have to stop by the hospital to pick the Admiral up.

Drop me at the Edgware Road. I'll take a bus from there.

I thought I saw her peering at me when I was burning those papers.

I was damn fond of Charlie.

He's one of the few really decent human beings I've ever known...

aside from being the best dog-robber in the world.

What the hell was Charlie doing on Omaha Beach anyway?

Sir?

What exactly was this movie Charlie was making on Omaha Beach?

What was Charlie doing making a movie in the first place?

He was making your movie, sir.

Yeah, you keep saying it was my movie. What do you mean, my movie?

The movie you wanted made about the demolition engineers.

I don't remember a...

Oh my God, Bus.

Was this some idea I conceived...

when I was cracking up?

And you went ahead and made it?

But I was unbalanced at the time.

I wasn't responsible. You mean that Charlie Madison...

Oh, my God.

Sir, we wanted a hero. Now we've got one.

You don't send a man to his death because you want a hero.

The whole purpose of our coming over here was...

to try to find something to catch the eye of the Committee on Military Affairs.

Remind them that the Navy is still an essential service.

We're trying to keep from being scrapped, sir.

May God forgive me. I'll never forgive myself.

If you want to catch the eye of the Joint Committee on Military Affairs...

you'll have to bury Charlie in Washington not on Omaha Beach.

Right in the middle of the Senate committee room...

and certainly no farther away than Pennsylvania Avenue.

I will not authorize funds for any monument on Omaha Beach.

We need something more immediate. Give me my jacket.

Yes, sir.

- You got my flight orders? - Yes, sir.

You leave for Washington tonight with Marv Ellender on the 2200 flight.

The only solace for any of us is that...

if Charlie were here, he'd be laughing himself silly.

All ambulatory patients over here.

You are now at the Sixth Medical Relocation Center in Southampton.

You'll all be properly taken care of in a few minutes.

All those who need immediate attention, right here.

Magazines, newspapers.

Any of you want some magazines?

Here you go. Do you want some magazines?

Life, Newsweek?

Do you want a copy of Life?

No, thank you. I've seen it already.

You and Adams lock up the shop.

I want you both in Washington by Wednesday night.

- And forget about that tomb. - Yes, sir.

Admirals Corning and Ridgeway are supposed to testify on Thursday.

I don't think they'll get to us before Monday.

- Bus, can I see you a minute? - Is something the matter?

I think you could say something's the matter.

I just got a call from the Sixth Relocation Center in Southampton.

That's where they bring the casualties from France.

They've got a Lt. Cmdr. Charles E. Madison...

ready to be released.

Would we arrange transportation for him and bring him a uniform?

I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.

- I don't know if you heard me. - I heard you. I don't get it.

- I spoke to him. He's alive. - He's practically a French national shrine.

How the hell can he be alive?

He got on the phone. Said, "Hi, Paul." I said, "Hi, Charlie."

He said, "Paul, do me a favor, call Miss Barham and tell her I'm okay."

I saw him with my own eyes.

He also said, "Tell Bus if I ever lay my hands on him...

"I'm going to belt him in his big fat stern sheets."

He's alive.

The first dead man on Omaha Beach is alive.

Boy, that's great.

200 newspapers in the US alone, the front cover of Life magazine...

every newsreel in the world, and he's alive.

- What's he mad at you for? - Not only is he alive, he's a coward.

We had a nice dead hero. Now we got a lousy live coward.

- What's wrong? - This better not be a gag!

It's no gag.

Admiral!

Sir, he's alive, damn it.

Alive? Madison?

Yes, sir.

In a relocation center in Southampton waiting to be released right now, sir.

Thank God.

That's wonderful, Bus. Wonderful!

Now we can bring your first man on Omaha Beach...

right into Room 610 of the Senate office building.

Sir?

I want Madison flown to Washington on the first plane out of Southampton.

I want him flown to Washington tomorrow.

We're going to give Charlie a parade...

right down Pennsylvania Avenue...

and to the front lawn of the White House...

where the President himself will decorate Charlie with a Navy Cross.

I'm not so sure we should involve the President in this, sir.

The President's an old Navy man.

He's sympathetic to our position throughout.

Yes, sir, but I just don't think we should go that big.

Big?

We're going to make a brass-band hero out of Charlie...

using every coarse theatricality...

the public relations office is overpaid to think up.

When I walk into that Senate office hearing on Monday or Tuesday...

I'll smile my crisp military smile at all those senators...

and then, in a perfunctory way, I'll introduce my two aides:

Capt. Ellender here, my technical advisor...

and Lt. Cmdr. Charles. E. Madison.

Gentlemen, the first American on Omaha Beach. A sailor.

That, Bus, is what is known as letting them have it in spades.

Doubled, redoubled, and vulnerable.

Sir, I'd better really tell you what happened on D-day.

Is he alive? Is that what you're saying, that he's alive?

Yes, Miss Barham, we think he is.

Oh, dear.

Miss Barham, we're almost as happy about this as you are.

Thank you, sir.

Bus, I want you to drive this young lady down to Southampton...

just as fast as you can make it.

- Yes, sir. - Get going.

- Good-bye, Harry. - Good trip, sir.

- Bus. - Yes, sir?

You were going to tell me something before about Charlie on D-day.

Nothing, sir. Have a good flight.

Don't forget I want him in Washington tomorrow.

I don't care what brass you have to throw off the plane.

I'll have him on the first flight out of Southampton.

You'd better move back there, sir.

What I didn't tell the Admiral back there...

was that Charlie Madison became the first American on Omaha Beach...

because I chased him up there with a Colt.45.

He was, in fact, running the other way...

bolting under fire, an errant act of cowardice!

Our big brass-band hero...

is a big brass-band coward!

But I didn't tell the Admiral that...

because the Navy needs a hero...

even a miserable, lousy, yellow, cowardly hero like Charlie Madison.

It's a hoax, Emily. The whole thing's a hoax.

That's my Charlie. Craven to the end.

- Spaulding. - Yo.

Clear me a space for Madison on the first flight out of Southampton.

- I'll call him from the hospital there. - Right.

Harry, I'm in the administration office right now.

I can have Madison at the airport by 1:00.

Now don't worry about it.

You just clear a place on the plane for him, that's all.

You told Grisam! What do you mean? When?

He told the public relations office.

Harry, we'll have every correspondent in London down here.

What the hell's the matter with you?

Why don't you go on through and wait for him outside?

Thank you.

You're limping, Commander.

The old wound acting up?

Where have you been?

We expected you back a week ago yesterday.

I'm sorry. I had to go to France for a few days.

It's out of season this time of year.

No one worth knowing was there, I'm sure.

Very rough element going to France these days.

Oh, Charlie.

- Careful, my leg. - Shut up. Let me hold you.

Don't you get within a cane's distance, you tried to kill me.

Come on, don't make such a big dramatic deal out of this.

I've got a plane waiting to take you to Washington.

We've got to be at the airport in half an hour.

There are 20 reporters waiting in the office...

more piling in every minute.

We'll have five minutes for photos and a few questions.

- Let me brief you on what you're to say. - I'm going to say the truth.

I don't know how much of my little hoax you know.

Enough.

Your last words said as you led the charge up the beach were:

"Okay, men, let's show them whose beach this is."

Not quite the epic stature of "We've just begun to fight."

Yeah, you know.

I'm going to tell them the truth, Bus.

I'm going to tell anyone who asks the plain, unattractive, not epic, truth.

We don't have very much time.

I'm going to tell them a deranged admiral had a demented idea for a lunatic movie...

whose only purpose was to juice up the Navy's bid for military appropriations.

And my gallant wounds were inflicted on me...

by my brother officer, the fink...

You've got a legitimate beef against me. Okay.

And that my last inspirational words...

as I led the charge away from the beach were...

"Let's get the hell out of here."

I've had a bad week, Bus.

I was in battle and I've heard the horror of it again.

I will not contribute to your wretched hoax.

I will not help you preserve the wonder of war.

I want people to know I was a coward.

I want them to know the whole shabby story about my heroism.

I don't understand you. Do you know what'll happen...

I know what'll happen.

I'll embarrass my country, dishonor my service...

disgrace my admiral, and humiliate my family...

and get thrown in the brig for a couple of years.

Then why do it?

Because it's the right thing to do.

I can't believe it.

Is this the Charlie Madison who once said:

"God save us from all the people who do the right thing...

"it's the rest of us who get our backs broken?"

Are you seriously going to destroy...

everything that means anything to you...

in a futile gesture of virtue?

You're going to put yourself in jail, are you?

- I don't care what happens to me. - How bloody brave.

But you do care what happens to me. At least you said you did.

What am I supposed to do...

whilst you sit in your prison cell for five or six years...

admiring the glisten of your own martyrdom?

Emily, I want the world to know what a fraud war is.

But war isn't a fraud, Charlie. It's very real.

At least, that's what you've always tried to tell me, isn't it?

That we shall never get rid of war by pretending it's unreal.

It's the virtue of war that's the fraud, not war itself.

It's the valor and the self-sacrifice...

and the goodness of war that needs the exposing.

Here you are being brave and self-sacrificing...

positively clanking with moral fervor, perpetuating the very things you detest...

merely to do "the right thing."

Honestly, Charlie, your conversion to morality is really quite funny.

All this time, I've been terrified of becoming Americanized...

and you, you silly ass, have turned into a bloody Englishman.

There's a matter of principle involved here.

A matter of what?

Charlie, didn't you once say:

"What's a lion doing in a man's house anyway?"

Emily, if a man knows the truth, he has to say it.

Is this the Charlie Madison who once said:

"I'm not equipped to deal with the truth.

"I let God worry about the truth.

"I just want to know the momentary fact of things."

And your idea of facts, you said...

Were you, a home, a country, a world...

and the universe. In that order.

I'm quite prepared to supply all that as my end of the deal.

What do you get out of it?

I'll settle for a Hershey bar.

Bus, there's a million of them there.

There's correspondents all over the place.

Hi, Charlie.

All right, fink, how do you want me to play it...

modest and self-effacing?

English