Original subtitles

MAN: Char! Char! (WHIP CRACKS )

MAN: Char!

(Sighs)

(Groans) What?

It's six o'clock.

What's the rush?

I have an appointment, an urgent one, in half an hour.

Would you mind getting dressed?

Are you always as charming as this?

I have an urgent appointment to keep.

(Pointedly) Would you mind getting dressed?

( THUMPING )

( THUMPING CONTINUES )

Ha!

Who in God's name are you? And who might I ask are you?

(Stammers) I...I'm terribly sorry.

...I thought you were my wife.

I can assure you that I am not.

And seeing this is how you behave, I am not at all sorry.

Sir, will you kindly explain yourself?

I'm Captain Rory McBryde, late of His Majesty's navy.

I don't think we've met.

I'm terribly sorry, Captain McBryde.

I had been led to believe that my wife may be with you.

I'm Martin Cameron, landowner.

I'm sorry we've met under these circumstances.

So am I, dammit.

I'm not used to this sort of humiliation.

Would you kindly take your leave?

Indeed, sir. Uh, madam.

I'm most truly sorry.

( GUNSHOT)

( ROLLICKING MUSIC)

( HORSES SNORT)

(Plays gentle tune)

For seven generations, the Frasers have been seafarers, Mrs Shortland.

The only one to break the tradition has been my brother, uh, Duncan.

I'm ashamed to confess, Mrs Shortland,

but I've chosen to settle here in the colony.

Why be ashamed of that?

I think Sydney's a wonderful town. Don't you think so, Captain?

I shall be very sorry to leave it.

The colony has a vigour which I find pleasing,

but Eliza is missing the mists of her native Scotland

and our young son, who is, um, staying with her mother.

And is this your last voyage?? It is. It is.

I've sailed many ships over many seas

but the rigours of command are proving too much.

Age and ill health are catching up with me.

Il health? Nothing too serious I hope, Captain.

Serious enough.

Gout, tropical fever, cramps of the stomach, arms and legs,

and on occasions, my bunions are crippling.

Yet, Eliza's been a godsend.

These long voyages would've been unbearable

if it hadn't been for her tender ministrations.

Ah, Fraser! Mrs Fraser, Mrs Shortland.

I wonder if I could have a word with you.

Oh... (Clears throat) Excuse me.

Ladies.

Now, what is it McBryde? I need your help.

I want to get out of this hellhole.

Can you take me as guest on your voyage to London?

I'm damned if I will!

You squander your money gambling,

you philander among the colony's womenfolk,

you've had your captain's certificate revoked

for throwing an official into the bay...

I berth my ships where I like, not where some petty official tells me.

You're reckless and irresponsible. Damned if I'll have you on my ship.

Besides, he came to no harm. Didn't even catch a cold.

Come on, as a fellow sea captain, you owe it to me.

I owe you nothing, McBryde. It's all your own fault.

You can't expect me to be sorry for you.

I served under you for three years as first mate.

Three years of faithful service.

The worst three years I ever spent at sea.

Pig-headed, stubborn, careless - I don't know how you became a master.

Oh, enough of this, Fraser.

As a fellow sea captain and a friend, will you help me get to London?

( LIVELY MUSIC)

Fair breeze, Mr Brown. Indeed, sir.

Legend has you as a man of action, Captain.

But I remember you discussing

the work of Wordsworth with admirable sensibility.

Ah, yes, Wordsworth.

“When oft upon my couch I lie...”

“In vacant or in pensive mood.

“They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude.”

He is paying you too much attention, Eliza.

Brown's noticing. The crew are noticing.

And / am noticing.

You're imagining it, James. I'm not imagining it.

You know what the man's like.

You're placing your reputation in jeopardy.

Nonsense. We have a common interest in poetry.

Shush, shush, poetry. (Laughs quietly)

The only poetry McBryde's ever read

are those lurid penny ballads sold in the backstreets of Portsmouth.

Sit down and eat your meal, James.

You're beginning to make me angry.

And a very good evening to you both.

(Sniffs) I say, something smells wonderful. What is it?

Turnips.

Ah, it's a long time since you ate turnips, Fraser.

Lamb, I'll warrant, or pork. Pork.

Ah, see? I was right.

Lamb and pork are the only two meats we have on board.

So what else could you be but right?

James, will you please try to be civil?

Otherwise I shall take my food and eat in my cabin.

No, I don't agree with you.

I don't agree with you in the slightest.

But Fraser, the great circle system

has revolutionised the whole of maritime practice.

I can't for the life of me understand why you aren't using it.

I've been using the Euclidean system for the last 35 years.

I have no intention of changing now.

But the great circle method was introduced over seven years ago.

It's far more accurate and...

And what?

...and...

And...what?

...safe.

I had been wondering just how long it would take you to get to that.

What?

You know damn well what I'm talking about.

Alright, now you've brought it up I may as well be honest -

if you'd been using the great circle system

you would never have run your last ship aground.

McBryde!

We have been sailing now for only five days.

As far as I'm concerned, it's five days too long.

As of this moment

you are no longer travelling to London aboard this ship.

I'm about to tell Brown to change course

and steer for the penal colony at Moreton Bay

where you can wait for another ship

whose captain is ignorant or stupid or both

takes you the rest of the way.

But James...

You'll be quiet or I'll put you off too.

(GULLS CRY)

( OMINOUS MUSIC )

SOLDIER: Move on, you dogs.

Go on. Move it, now. Move it.

Come on, now.

Go on. Go on. Go on.

Welcome, scum.

Come on. Pick up your chains.

Go on, you. Go on.

What is your name, convict?

Uh, Graham, sir. John Graham.

Have him flogged, Sergeant, then deliver him to my quarters.

What is your name, convict?

David Bracefell, sir.

Have him flogged, Sergeant, then deliver him to my quarters.

I am Captain Fyans.

Her Majesty has seen fit to appoint me commandant of Moreton Bay.

Within a day you will hate me. Within a week you will wish me dead.

I do not like my work.

I'm gentle by nature - gentle and refined.

But I'm also conscientious.

And as society expects me to exact its price on you for your sins...

.1 will exact it.

Let them witness the floggings, Sergeant.

(Plays drumroll)

The convict Graham and the convict Bracefell are to be punished.

They will each receive 10 lashes from Mr Figg.

(Gasps)

( WHIP CRACKS ) (Gasps)

(Gasps) Argh.

Bad?

(Gasps) Is it bad?

( WHIP CRACKS )

The pain - is it bad?

(Gasps) Bad? Of course it's...

( WHIP CRACKS )

...it's bad.

Buck up. What?

( WHIP CRACKS ) (Gasps)

Buck up. Only two to go.

Good.

( WHIP CRACKS ) (Grunts)

Last one. Good.

Argh.

Now it's my turn.

Good.

I see you've been here before, Graham.

Uh, yes, sir. Uh, years ago. Much bigger now, of course.

Really gone ahead. Hmm.

David Bracefell, deserted ship, Port Jackson.

Why did you do that, Bracefell?

Your record shows that you've already passed your mate's certificate

and had excellent prospects for an early command.

I fell in love with a young girl in Sydney, sir.

Oh, and you couldn't bear to leave her.

No, sir.

How very noble.

Bracefell, I'm appointing you my personal orderly.

The last prisoner to fill that position proved unsatisfactory.

I'm sure we'll have no trouble with you.

Sergeant, show convict Bracefell to his quarters.

Graham, I'm looking for a reliable man

to let me know what the prisoners are discussing amongst themselves.

I feel it makes me understand them a little better.

Do you follow me?

Of course, sir. Of course.

If you discharge your duties satisfactorily,

your sentence will be reduced considerably.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

You may find yourself flogged now and again for no apparent reason.

But don't take any of fence.

It's...it's just a little trick of mine

to keep your fellow prisoners from suspecting you.

You follow me?

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

( KNOCK AT DOOR ) Come in.

Captain, there's a brigantine approaching the quay.

A brigantine?

How intriguing.

So, you're leaving the ship, Captain?

Yes, I've heard so much about Moreton Bay

I thought I should stop off and see it, take the next boat.

If you'll accept me as a guest. Of course.

But we never know when the next ship's coming.

You may be here for some time.

If the hospitality this evening

is any indication of what I might expect in the future

then a long stay would be no hardship.

Well said. Wine, Captain?

Thank you.

And this is your last voyage, Captain Fraser?

That is correct, Captain Fyans.

A toast to it. Wine, Graham.

Safe voyage.

By God, Fraser, watch the reefs north of here.

We had a ship through here four years ago that ran straight into them.

The captain was an idiot who couldn't read his charts properly.

Nevertheless, it pays to be careful.

(Clears throat)

If you don't mind, Captain Fyans,

I think I shall retire.

Eliza.

I think I'll finish my meal, James.

I've arranged for you and Mrs Fraser to have adjoining rooms.

The married quarters are taken up by my officers and their wives.

That will be fine.

Eliza has begun to complain about my snoring,

so perhaps it's just as well.

No, no, no. Don't get up.

I'll ask a guard to direct me.

Did I say something out of place?

Ahh.

Hey, give it over.

Anything that's going, half of it's mine, right?

That's the rule. What rule?

My rule.

What happened to you?

Oh, well, what's it look like? I was beaten up.

What, by the soldiers?

No, by the prisoners.

Oh? What did they do that for? Oh, how should I know?

He was bashed because he's Fyans's new spy.

Fyans's spy? Hah.

That's absolute and utter rubbish. Nah!

Every time Fyans... (Belches) ..gets a new batch of prisoners in,

he gets somebody to spy for him and somebody to warm his bed for him.

(Laughs)

And you don't look much like Fyans's bed boy.

(Laughs)

Bed boy?

(Laughs)

Um...

Is, um...

Is Captain Fyans a...a bit funny?

Oh, he's a regular scream.

(Laughs loudly) My God, what a faux pas, as the French would say.

Your husband was the captain who hit the reef?!

What a faux pas, McBryde.

I don't blame you for getting off the ship.

My dear lady, I do hope you get to London safely.

(Both laugh)

I don't find it all that amusing, Captain.

My husband and some of the crew

nearly lost their lives in that shipwreck.

You're right. You're right. My remarks were in very poor taste.

Graham, wine!

A toast!

To Mrs Fraser - if not the first,

then certainly the most beautiful lady

ever to grace the shores of Moreton Bay.

No, no.

Not enough.

The most beautiful lady to grace the shores of this colony.

I'll drink to that!

(Sighs)

Come on, McBryde, why so sad?

The most beautiful woman to grace the shores of this colony

and tomorrow she sails.

She sails. Rory, you're embarrassing me.

( GENTLE FLUTE MELODY )

I think we all appreciate you have a fine carrot there, Bracefell.

Would you mind putting it on a plate?

The sergeant will show you to your quarters.

If you want anything, don't hesitate to call the guard.

Goodnight, McBryde. Goodnight.

Goodnight, dear lady. Goodnight, Captain.

The moon and the stars -

nature compensates for man's bestiality.

( GENTLE MUSIC )

(Murmurs) Eliza...

Move on, Sergeant. We'll be with you shortly.

(Whispers) Eliza, do you realise we may never meet again?

Yes, I do.

Are you sad?

Yes, Rory, I am.

Very, very sad.

I have my faults, and one of them, no doubt,

is to tamper with the affections of women.

But in God's name, Eliza, you're not one of them.

Rory, the sergeant's waiting. Well, damn the sergeant.

In all these weeks we've not so much as kissed.

Let me come to you tonight, please. Rory.

This world owes us one night's happiness.

Please, please, we'll be noticed.

Oh, you must say yes.

You must.

Yes. Yes.

Wait an hour or so until everyone's asleep.

And for God's sake, don't stand loitering in the corridor.

James is just next door.

(Sighs)

My love.

Lead on, Sergeant.

Goodnight, Captain.

Thank you, Sergeant.

(Bracefell grunts)

I can't seem to get it off, sir. (Laughs)

My fault, Bracefell.

I played a little trick on you. I flexed my toes.

Try now.

Not a very amusing trick, I'm afraid,

but one is driven to any kind of diversion in this hellhole.

Yes, sir.

Uh, will there be anything else, sir?

Yes, there will, Bracefell.

I like my bed warmed. I can't stand cold sheets.

Oh, um...

Uh, how do I do that, sir? How?

Get into the bed, of course. How do you think?

In it? In it!

Good God, man, don't you understand English?

Take your clothes off, get into bed and call me when it's warm.

Uh, I'd rather not, sir.

My God! I'm not going to have trouble with you too, am 1?

Do you know what happened to my last orderly?

He had the skin flayed off his back.

I'm not a naturally vindictive man, Bracefell.

Don't force me to be unpleasant.

Now, for the last time, take off your clothes and get in that bed

and tell me when it's warm.

Do you know, Bracefell, you remind me terribly much of myself at your age.

Spirit. Yes, I had spirit.

And love. Yes, I was in love.

Oh, it's a cruel world, Bracefell.

It's a cruel world, as you'll soon find out.

How's the bed? Warm? Yes, sir. Can I get out now?

Stay where you are, Bracefell, dear boy.

I want to check you're not telling me a lie.

Bracefell?

( TENSE MUSIC )

Come on, my little chicken, don't be shy.

Speaking of chickens, the cook says

there's some lovely cold lamb in the kitchen

if you'd care for something with your cocoa.

Sergeant, my orderly has made off.

Scour the compound. He must be here somewhere.

Yes, sir.

SOLDIER 1: He's not in there. SOLDIER 2: Bloody wild goose chase.

Rory! Thank God.

Shh, don't say anything.

There seems to be some sort of disturbance in the compound.

Shh! Don't talk. I'll listen and see if James is still snoring.

FYANS: Any sign of him, Sergeant? Not down there, sir.

Take your men past the main gate. Right, sir.

Rory, this is wrong.

It shouldn't be like this.

( PLAYFUL MUSIC)

SOLDIER: Come on, over this way!

(Sighs)

Oh, dammit, I shouldn't have drunk so much.

(Sighs contentedly)

I never in a million years dreamt that it could be like this.

Never.

Do you make all your conquests feel like I do? Hmm?

You're not nearly as broad across the shoulders as I'd imagined.

Do you pad them?

Hmm?

Rory?

Don't be offended.

You're still very beautiful.

Rory, please don't be offended.

Please, Mrs Fraser, don't. Please. They'll hang me.

Please.

Even if you do escape the compound,

there's nothing but bush for hundreds of miles.

I'll have a better chance out there than I will in here.

(Laughs) Oh, my God.

I have made love to a man I don't even know

and that man is in fear of his life.

May the Lord save us from further misfortune.

Quick!

( LIGHT-HEARTED MUSIC)

Eliza, it's me, Rory.

(Sighs amorously) Eliza.

Oh, Eliza.

Eliza, my love.

Rory.

You don't know how long I've waited for this moment.

Me too. It's just that... I'm so very, very tired.

It may take years but, by God, we'll meet again.

By God, we will.

This night will give me strength.

I'm so tired. Then let my passion awake you.

Rory?

What's the matter, Rory? (Sighs)

Too much drink, that's all that's the matter.

(Sighs) Oh, well, never mind.

Let's just hug each other. Hug each other?!

MY... (Quietly) My dear, Eliza,

I'm the greatest lover in the colony.

Oh, damn that drink.

Damn, damn.

Damn!

Damn.

(Captain Fraser snores loudly)

(Mutters to self)

Damn them. (Mutters)

Damn.

Damn! (Sighs)

( KNOCK AT DOOR ) FRASER: Eliza!

Damn!

Who is it?

It's me. James.

Come in, James. The door's not locked.

What on earth is going on out there? I don't know.

Perhaps the soldiers patrol like this every night.

Damn keen, that's all I can say.

Woke me up.

They are noisy. Yes.

(Clears throat)

Eliza, this is going to be hard for me to say, but...

...I'm sorry.

No, no, no, no Hmm?

I've...I've been behaving very badly towards you lately.

But now that the cause has been removed,

...I think things will be different.

What cause, James?

Well, that damned, insolent, conceited, know-it-all,

swaggering, loudmouthed boor, McBryde.

You must admit, he's an utterly tiresome wretch, Eliza.

You must admit that.

Well, he...does have his weaknesses.

Eliza...

...things will be normal again.

I feel they're normal already.

Oh, Eliza, it's been too long since we embraced!

No, James, not tonight. I'm...so very tired.

What do you mean you can't find him? He can't have escaped!

We've looked everywhere, sir.

My God, what have I been given in place of soldiers? Barrow-boys?!

I want every soldier out of bed and thrown into the search,

or by God, I'll have those stripes off your arm

if you don't catch him by morning.

Sir!

(Yells) Right! Bennett, McPherson, Law, get over here on the double!

It's not often I feel like this, but when I do, you reject me.

I know, James, dear. But I'm very tired and so are you.

But... We've got a hectic day.

Eliza! James.

Damned inconsiderate of her.

Hmm!

McBRYDE: I'll fix him! I'll fix that old fool one day!

I must say, Eliza, you didn't exactly stand up for me.

Oh, well, I had to say something, Rory.

Well, at least he's gone.

Oh, Eliza! Oh!

Rory! No, no! Ooh, you must go. It's too dangerous!

You must go! You must! But Eliza!

This is our last night together!

It certainly is! And it's ended right now.

Oh!

(Sighs)

And now... what am I going to do about you?

Soldier!

Psst!

Who goes there?

Anyone there?

Oh!

It's you, Mrs Fraser. Yes. I couldn't sleep.

I decided to take a walk, but there's such a commotion.

Bad night for a walk, missus. Convict's escaped.

Oh, my goodness! Really?!

Oh! Could I see inside your sentry box?

I've always wanted to see inside a sentry box.

It's beautiful! Aye.

SOLDIER: He's got to be around here somewhere.

I don't know.

This, uh, convict who's escaped,

is he dangerous?

Not to one of His Majesty"s army, ma'am.

I must confess, I feel very safe standing next to you, soldier.

Thank you. What is your name?

Bruce, ma'am. Bruce.

Bruce Mclver.

Oh, what a charming name!

What a charming face.

Oh. Do you mind me speaking so frankly?

No, ma'am. Not at all.

Uh...Bruce,

do you know what I would like more than anything else in the world?

Ma'am?

I would like you to kiss me.

Now?

While I'm on duty?

Yes! I've wanted it from the moment I first saw you.

Didn't you notice me looking at you?

Actually I...1 did.

Kiss me!

Bruce!

Oh!

( SPLASH! )

Oh, Bruce!

You are a real man!

Thank you!

Thank...thank you, ma'am.

Oh, just one thing, soldier.

Don't mention this to anyone.

My husband is a violent and insanely jealous man.

Mclver!

Oh, it's you, Sergeant.

Has anyone been this way?

No, sir. No-one.

There's been no-one come past this way, sir. Absolutely no-one!

Captain, Mrs Fraser, I'm obliged to wish you a prosperous future.

I hope we meet again.

Thank you, Captain.

Perhaps we will.

Hmm.

What of the young orderly, Captain?

Bracefell? Will you send your men after him?

Perhaps, Mrs Fraser, but my feeling is

he'll be back as soon as the pangs of hunger start to bite.

There's nothing out there but hell swamps of heat,

pestilence, reptiles and murderous savages.

It's a cursed land we're in.

What else can you expect of a country that hangs upside down

on the nether end of creation?

Even the Dutch wouldn't take it.

But what will happen to him if he returns, Captain?

He'll be made sorry for his misdeeds, Mrs Fraser.

Very sorry.

Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Fyans.

Not at all.

Better luck with the reef this time.

Yes, well, I'm an experienced sailor, Fyans.

I learn by my mistakes.

( SOLEMN TRUMPET SOLO )

(INTENSE PERCUSSION )

( SHIP CREAKS )

( DISCORDANT MUSIC)

About 150 miles north of Moreton Bay, Captain.

Look, I say we put ashore.

We're near out of fresh water, the boat's leaking

and we're being burnt by the sun!

There are cannibals on that shore, Darge. Cannibals.

Do you think I'm mad?

Would I put ashore amongst cannibals?

The natives are not cannibals. I know!

You want us beheaded and roasted on a spit, Darge? Is that what you want?

You don't put ashore soon, Captain, you'll have cannibals in your boat.

That's no way to speak to your captain.

I'm telling you, Brown,

a few more days like this, we'll be drawing lots.

Stop that!

What do you mean, “drawing lots"?

Don't listen to them, Mrs Fraser.

But what do you mean? Draw lots?

(Laughs) It's an old seafaring custom

among shipwrecked sailors with no food, ma'am.

They draw lots.

Him what loses gets ate.

Stop that, Youlden! Stop it!

Do you think we're demonic heathens? Stop it!

With all due respect, Captain,

we're making little headway against this breeze.

It might be wise to put ashore till the wind changes.

We can look for water, caulk the hole.

We're starting to ship a lot of water, Captain.

Oh.

Very well.

We'll put ashore at the nearest freshwater stream.

No-one is to leave the beach, do you understand? No-one!

Brown will take charge of the musket.

Then we'll put to sea again when the wind changes to the south.

We've waited three days for the wind to change, Captain.

It could blow up the coast for a year!

We are not travelling overland, Darge. I've told you that twice.

We have a gun, sir.

We could stick close to the shore, shoot game.

The boat's leaking like a sieve. We are not going overland!

There are savages in that jungle. Savages! And we have one musket!

Well, we haven't seen any savages, sir.

And I'm getting bloody tired of sitting here on this beach.

We're staying till the wind changes, Youlden.

I'll thank you not to speak to your captain so insolently.

Well, damn you!

I'm tired of eating ship's rations

when we could be going to Moreton Bay.

Where are these damn savages he keeps talking about? Where are they?

( BIRD SHRIEKS )

( WIND WHISTLES, CRICKETS CHIRP )

No bloodshed, Bob. We'll hang if there's bloodshed.

We'll hang anyway.

Not if there's none but us to tell what happened.

There'll be no killing.

Once we get the gun, they can come with us if they want.

I won't object to Mrs Fraser coming. Shut up!

There'll be no killing!

( TENSE, DESOLATE MUSIC )

James?

James? (Groans)

Brown may need a rest. Oh, yes.

(Groans)

( TENSE MUSIC )

Brown!

(Groans)

(Gasps) Oh!

(Screams) Aargh!

Eliza.

Eliza! Quick!

(Puffs) Oh! Oh, Eliza. You go on.

(Whispers) James, don't be silly.

Go on! James, don't be silly.

No, leave. Leave me.

Come on, James. Quick. Oh! (Groans)

(Sighs)

( HAMMERING )

Oh, they'll hang, Eliza.

Every manjack of them.

The mutinous curs.

(Men speak Aboriginal language)

Whoo!

(Calls to other men)

(Speaks to others in Aboriginal language)

Cannibals!

I knew it!

I knew it, Eliza.

Oh, my God!

Keep calm, James.

It's quite alright.

Keep calm.

Oh, Eliza.

(Calls others)

(Struggles) Oh, huh!

Eliza! Eliza! Eliza!

If...if they should kill me... James!

...I would like you to... Don't be ridiculous!

They only want your coat.

(Talks to others)

(All chatter excitedly)

(Angrily) Get off me or I'll bloody...

(Men speak excitedly in Aboriginal language)

(Men holler in Aboriginal language)

Stop that, you savage! Stop it!

It's quite alright, James. He only wants my dress.

Stand back, you damned heathen!

My wife is not to be subjected to those sort of...

(Blubbers in fright) ..indignities! (Aboriginal men laugh)

(Aboriginal men continue laughing)

Eliza, stay with me! Eliza!

(Men speak Aboriginal language)

(Women speak Aboriginal language)

(Women continue speaking Aboriginal language)

(All speak at once)

What sort of bloody country is this?

There are no animals anywhere...

( DRAMATIC MUSIC )

Ohhh!

(Women speak Aboriginal language)

(Man speaks Aboriginal language) Yes.

(Man speaks Aboriginal language) What?

(Groans)

It's just too absurd.

(Man speaks Aboriginal language)

Oh, splendid, yes.

Very good, very good.

Oh.

(Women speak Aboriginal language)

Oooh!