Original subtitles

(Man speaks Aboriginal language)

What?

How dare you, sir? I'm a British sea captain.

I'm damned if I'll be ordered about by a savage.

(Man speaks Aboriginal language)

(Groans) (Aboriginal men laugh)

(Aboriginal men continue laughing)

(Baby whimpers)

It's alright now.

It's alright. (Baby cries)

Come on. Come on. It's alright.

(Babies cry)

(Men speak Aboriginal language)

Slaves. That's all we are, Eliza - slaves.

Working all day and separated from each other at night-time.

Still, we're alive.

And we have food. You call this food?

You must try and eat, James.

We're going to need all the strength we've got.

(INSECTS CHIRP )

You all agree, then?

Bobby?

Take it, Bobby.

Take it.

No... Not me.

No.

We all took our chances, Bobby.

You're a dead man.

(Men sing in Aboriginal language)

James, you must do something.

I think Euenmundi's trying to marry me.

Marry you? That savage?

(Men continue singing in Aboriginal language)

(Woman speaks Aboriginal language) No!

James! James!

Look, I'm married. I'm married already.

Don't you understand? I'm Captain Fraser's wife!

No!

(Men finish song)

(Men speak Aboriginal language)

(INSECT CHIRPS )

(Speaks Aboriginal language)

Stop it, sir! Stop it! In the King's name, stop it!

(Grunts)

( COMMOTION )

David!

(Men speak Aboriginal language)

Haven't these damn savages

got any respect for marriage, Bracefell, hmm?

Oh, yes, sir, they have. A lot.

The trouble is nobody realised that you and Mrs Fraser were married.

What did they think I was? Her brother?

Her father.

(Clears throat)

( BIRDS CAW, EERIE MUSIC)

(Grunts)

(Men grunt)

(Grunts)

(Grunts)

(Grunts)

(Shoots rifle)

I'm not waiting around to have my throat cut in my sleep

by the likes of you, Jimmy Youlden.

( EERIE MUSIC)

(Pants)

( EERIE MUSIC INTENSIFIES )

And how did you escape the massacre, Darge?

I was ahead of the rest of the party when the blacks attacked, sir.

Oh, bad show.

We'll have to teach those damn savages a lesson one day.

Is this your gun, Darge?

Yes, sir. Yes.

And Captain Fraser, Brown, the rest of the crew,

they were all armed when the massacre occurred?

Yes, sir. They were, sir.

They were simply overwhelmed by sheer numbers, sir.

You're a liar, Darge.

This is Captain Fraser's personal weapon.

I've seen it in his cabin.

Are you sure of that, McBryde?

It has a horsehead motif carved in the stock.

I think we'll have the truth, Mr Darge,

or, by heaven, I'll have it beaten out of you word by word.

But they may very well still be alive, the Frasers and Brown.

Let me lead an expedition out there.

It'll bring fame and honour to Moreton Bay if they're rescued.

It would bring more fame and honour to their rescuer.

Perhaps. But I'm not interested in personal glory.

Nor ll.

But duty demands that I lead this expedition myself.

( DOGS BARK IN THE DISTANCE )

( COMMOTION IN THE DISTANCE )

Come in.

What's going on?

Lieutenant Otter has discovered his wife in Captain McBryde's room, sir.

He's quite upset.

McBryde! When are we going to get rid of that man?

You are a guest here, sir! How dare you!

If you feel some wrong has been done you,

stop shouting about it and ask for satisfaction.

I'll be only too willing to oblige.

Orderly!

Fetch me my duelling pistols.

We'll have this out right here and now.

NO! Harold! (Sobs)

Well, you might shriek, my good lady.

I'm one of the most feared duellists in the colony.

But if there's one thing I can't stand, it's snivelling husbands.

Harold, no! No...

(Continues sobbing)

12 paces apart.

Fire at the drop of this handkerchief.

Can he shoot?

Uh, well, he's the best shot in the regiment, sir.

Dammit, Otter!

I can't have your blood on my hands. The list is too long already.

Apologise, and we"ll call the whole thing off.

Pride prevents you, eh?

Oh, well. Dammit, I like a man with pride.

Graham will collect the pistols and we"ll go back to bed.

McBryde!

Still determined, eh?

Very well. Put those pistols away!

I insist that you let events take their course, sir.

It's a matter of honour.

Any further trouble from you, McBryde,

and I'll clap you in irons until the ship arrives.

Otter, back to your quarters immediately.

( TRIBE CHATTERS IN ABORIGINAL LANGUAGE )

Bracefell?

Bracefell, you've got to get us out of here.

Bracefell, listen to me!

You must take Eliza and I back to Moreton Bay.

We can't stand this life much longer.

Even if the crew get back to Moreton Bay,

they'll never tell Fyans we're alive.

Bracefell, you are our only hope.

I'm not going any nearer Moreton Bay than this, Captain.

If Fyans's men caught me, they'd flog me until I'd die.

We'll...we'll speak for you, lad.

If...if you do this for us, we'll speak for you.

You...may even get a pardon.

(Scoffs and laughs)

(Snores)

( FORLORN MUSIC)

David?

David?

Eliza?

I'd like to talk to you.

(RUSTLING )

It's alright, Eliza.

When I feel I've learned enough from the natives to get us there,

I'll take you both to within sight of Moreton Bay.

(Sighs) Thank you, David.

I thought you probably would.

Is...is that why you came?

Partly.

(Sighs)

(Sighs)

The nights are getting colder.

These hides are warm, aren't they?

( WATER SPLASHES )

You wouldn't take my advice, would you?

Oh, no.

I could have sailed you up in a rigged whaleboat

and avoided all this.

Get those boots up out of the mud, you idiot!

You've ruined one pair already.

Oh, no. You had to go overland. I know why too.

I know damn well why!

You thought that if I sailed up,

it might look like I were the leader of the expedition.

We're paying for it, aren't we? A useless effort!

Lieutenant!

Scrub and muck. We're paying for it now.

I'm sorry, sir. Something came over me.

McBRYDE: We've done our duty, we've made our point.

For God's sake, let's at least have the sense to turn back

before these damned leeches drain our last drop of blood.

The Captain and Eliza are dead.

There can be no doubt of it.

I'm sorry, but someone's got to see...they're dead.

( EERIE MUSIC)

MAN: Get some fresh water.

( EERIE MUSIC)

John!

Oh, my God! Spare me, sir!

I've nothing against black people! Nothing!

John, it's me...Davey Bracefell.

Bracefell? By Christ, Davey! You scared the wits out of me!

Quiet, John!

What's happened to you? Never mind about that. Just listen.

Tell Fyans he can hunt for as long as he likes - he won't find me.

But if he's willing to grant me a pardon,

I can supply him with something he'd be pleased to have.

We're not out here chasing you, Davey.

We're looking for Captain Fraser and Eliza.

Their ship was wrecked and...

Yeah. Yes, I know that. And I know where they are.

They're alive? Yeah.

They're alive. They're living with the blacks, same as me.

Tell Fyans that if he'll guarantee me a pardon

and swear to it in front of three other men,

then I'll fetch Fraser and Eliza for him.

You'll bring them here? I can have them here by tomorrow.

I've learned the language of the blacks, how to hunt, travel.

So tell Fyans what I've told you

and come back here with his decision before dark.

Oh, and John, make sure you come by yourself.

Because if he tries to trap me,

I'll be off into the bush and I won't be back.

Alright, Davey, lad. I'll do that.

I'll do that.

( MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)

Oh, blast. Another heart.

Why didn't you tell me about this before?

There's nothing in your records about an escape.

Well, thankfully, that was crossed from my record when I returned.

How long were you away? Six months, sir.

How'd you stay alive? I lived with the blacks, sir.

I learned their language and how to hunt and travel.

With the savages? That's remarkable.

And what's this got to do with our return to Moreton Bay?

Well, I thought perhaps it might be worthwhile

staying here for a day or so, uh...

...while I went out and tried to make contact with the blacks

to find out if they've heard or seen anything.

Worthwhile? Of course it would be worthwhile!

And I'll be damn pleased, Graham, if you find out anything.

Damn pleased.

Thank you, sir. That's worth more to me than a pardon.

I'll tell you what, Graham.

If you locate the Frasers, I'll give you a pardon.

A pardon? My God.

Locate the Frasers and you shall have your freedom.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Uh...you remember the convict David Bracefell, sir?

Yes, I do.

Perhaps I can find out something of him.

If you locate Bracefell as well as the Frasers,

you can have 10 guineas to go with your freedom, Graham.

And that's a promise.

I'll do my very best, sir.

( MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)

BRACEFELL: Well?

Ah, there you are.

Well, Davey, my lad, your troubles are over.

If you can bring Fraser and Eliza back here,

you'll get your freedom on the spot.

Did he swear to it in front of the others?

He did, he did.

Why are you carrying that load on your back?

I'm coming with you.

Fyans thought I should bring food and clothes for the Frasers.

Alright. If we hurry, we should get to them before daybreak.

(Snores)

Captain? Captain Fraser? (Grunts)

It's alright, sir. It's alright, it's me...Bracefell.

( TRIUMPHANT MUSIC )

(Both laugh)

The rest of the rescue party had given up

but I convinced them to allow me to strike into the bush alone.

I found Bracefell at the edge of the natives' camp.

Thank God for your fortitude, Graham.

Oh, well, you've been an ill-used man, sir.

I'm glad to help you.

“Ill-used"? What do you mean “ill-used”?

Oh, nothing, sir. Nothing.

David... after we get back to Sydney...

...would you still want me?

But Eliza... In two days time, you'll be free.

You'll be a pardoned man.

GRAHAM: I shouldn't have spoken, sir. I'm sorry.

Tell me, Graham, what are you referring to?

I'd rather not say, sir. The man's degenerate.

What man?

Openly and loudly boasting of a liaison with your wife.

Eliza, leaving your husband would be enough to ruin you,

but...taking up with a pardoned convict...

I can't live with him any longer, David.

We could go to New Zealand. No-one would know.

(Sighs) Do you still want me?

Oh, yes, dammit, I do!

We'll go to New Zealand.

McBryde...openly boasting? He's with the rescue party.

Drunk most of the time, and telling disgusting...

God, I thought you meant Bracefell. Bracefell?

McBryde? Openly boasting.

They'll pay.

Both of them.

If only I had a pistol...

( TENSE MUSIC )

There it is.

Hands above your head, Bracefell. You're coming down with us.

James, David's to be pardoned! Pardoned? Ha!

Move on ahead, you blaggard, or I'll shoot you on the spot!

Graham!

(All cheer) GRAHAM: Put me down!

ALL: Hooray!

Bracefell!

Sergeant, manacle that man.

Captain Fyans, what is the meaning of this?

The meaning of what, dear lady?

David Bracefell was offered a pardon! Why has he been taken away?

Pardon? I offered him no pardon, damn the man.

It's John Graham here who has the pardon.

John Graham? But it was Bracefell who saved us!

Bracefell? What do you mean, my good lady?

Take no notice of her, Captain. She's infatuated with the wretch.

They took advantage of my helplessness

to conduct an open and illicit affair up there in the wilderness.

An affair with a convict? Eliza! What's happened to your standards?

And what of yours, sir?

It's not enough for you to seduce the wife

of a man who offers to help you?

No! You spread it around in drunken detail!

Captain Fyans, you promised David Bracefell a pardon.

I may be an adulterer but I'm not a gossip.

Retract your statement immediately.

You are mistaken. Please try to calm down.

I will retract nothing!

You're a liar, an adulterer and a blaggard!

Retract that statement or I'll have satisfaction.

You'll have satisfaction in any case!

What's going on here? Very well, then.

Pistols at 20 paces? Nonsense, I'll have none of this!

No duelling under my command!

We're not under your command, Captain!

This is something that must be settled once and for all!

Sunrise! Sunrise.

( SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(Shouts) Halt, or I'll fire!

Run! Run!

Run!

My information is that they're both reasonable shots, sir.

I can't risk Fraser being killed.

God, I'll get a knighthood if I get him back to Moreton Bay.

There's only one way, Graham.

We must dispatch McBryde before morning.

It must look accidental.

But how?

Sir, the convict Bracefell has escaped!

Shall I wake the troop for pursuit?

You will indeed, Sergeant. And I...

Captain.

Just a minute, Sergeant.

Don't do anything for a minute. Just step outside.

What's your point, Graham?

Bracefell is a small fish, sir.

Perhaps we can use his disappearance to advantage.

You're absolutely right.

Any woman who fraternises with the convicts

is not worth risking our lives over.

I couldn't agree more, but we"ll have to go through with it.

Pride demands it.

Mmm. Yes, of course. Of course.

Mind you, there's a chance we'll both miss.

Mmm.

I think there's every chance we'll both miss.

In fact, we'll make sure we both miss. (Laughs)

By yards! (Laughs heartily)

Done.

(Both laugh heartily)

I knew we'd come to terms.

Have another drink.

( UNSETTLING MUSIC )

(Men mutter)

(Fraser laughs heartily)

(McBryde laughs)

Oh, my God, sir! Aboriginals! We're being overrun!

(Cries in pain)

(Gasps in pain)

(Fraser cries in agony)

( ROLLICKING MUSIC)

What's your hurry, young Jimmy?

They found the woman who went down with the 'Stirling Castle'.

The Captain's wife? Where?

Are you staying long in Sydney, Eliza?

No, I'm desperate. I can't wait to see John, my son.

He'll be seven on Thursday.

Where's he living?

Parramatta, with my brother and sister-in-law.

He came out from England when they heard news of the wreck.

(Man shouts)

Ladies and gentlemen,

your money back if the giant is any shorter than 9ft and 1.5 inches!

There's no giant in there! The roof's too low!

He is sitting down. He is sitting down.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I implore you not to miss out.

He's no shorter than 9ft and...

I've no wish to be personal, Eliza, but are you short of, uh, finance?

SPRUIKER: The tallest man ever seen...

Yes, Rory, I am.

John! (Laughs)

Oh!

Mmm!

(Laughs)

As James's brother, I am legally entrusted with the boy's care.

But if I am not sure that you can provide for him adequately

then I cannot let you have him.

We're only thinking of the welfare of the boy, Eliza.

Believe me, I know how you must feel,

but the boy's interests must be paramount.

When this unfortunate attention

that you're receiving at the hands of the press

has abated,

then perhaps you will marry again and establish yourself as secure.

Until that time, the boy remains with us.

And if I were not to marry again...

...what sum of money would you consider necessary

for me to “adequately provide” for my boy?

Money? (Laughs cynically)

Where would you have access to money, Eliza?

( PUPPETS SQUEAK) (Children laugh)

(Crowd cheers)

Ladies and gentlemen!

Sixpence!

Sixpence is all you need

to hear the widow of the late Captain James Fraser

tell from her own lips

the story of the most incredible,

the most celebrated shipwreck of our time.

I could do nothing,

as day after day, I watched the savages consume the crew,

one after another.

Did they boil them first, miss?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

First, my poor husband, Captain Fraser...

Did they scream when they was put in the water, miss?

Terribly.

Questions at the end, please. Let Mrs Fraser continue.

Then Brown, then the crew.

I thought at first that I was to be last.

But no.

An even worse fate was in store for me.

(Audience gasps)

The tribe began preparing for some sort of ceremony,

the purpose of which I did not at first comprehend.

Until, with a sickening jolt,

I realised that I was to be forcibly married...

(Audience gasps)

...to the cannibal chief.

(Audience gasps loudly)

After a ceremony lasting three days and three nights,

I was borne to the chieftain's tent, there to await him.

Through a chink in the wall, I saw him striding towards me -

huge, black, powerful and menacing!

And in his eyes, I saw a fire...

...that would brook no resistance.

Was he naked, miss?

(Women titter)

Questions at the end, please!

Although there was nothing but the vast reaches of the forest around me,

I took my courage in my hands and fled.

Alas, e'er I had gone 50 paces, he saw me and gave chase.

Nearer and nearer he drew,

and just as I had begun to give up all hope of rescue,

out from the reaches of the forest stepped...

...Captain Rory McBryde!

What arrant nonsense, madam! This is disgraceful!

You are imposing on the public in @ most indefensible manner!

Who are you, sir?

Rory McBryde was nothing but a dissolute rake

without the courage of a fieldmouse!

The only cannibalism during the whole incident

was perpetrated by members of the crew on each other!

How dare you impose on the public in this way?! How dare you?!

Who are you, sir?

By what right do you dispute with Mrs Fraser

the events which took place on Great Sandy Island last year?

I have lived in that area.

You have? Were you present when those events took place?

Oh, my God.

(Audience gasps)

What is your name, sir?

My name is Green. Alexander Green.

I first heard of the story

when I was shipwrecked amongst the Aboriginals of Moreton Bay.

Shipwrecked? Moreton Bay?

Yes, I spent some weeks in that area

before being rescued by an American whaling ship.

Liar! I know who you are.

You're the convicted felon David Bracefell.

You have the wrong man, I assure you. My name is Green.

Eliza.

Eliza, why are you telling this ridiculous story?

( POIGNANT MUSIC )

(Softly) David! David!

(Both gasp)

Oh, Eliza!

( TENSE MUSIC )

(Crowd gasps)

( ROLLICKING MUSIC)

(Crowd gasps)

Go on, man! Show him what you're made of.

Hit him! Get into him there!

Not me!

( SMACK! )

(Crowd cheers and applauds)

McBRYDE: He's no more a sea captain than I'm the Lord Chancellor.

He's an escaped convict from Moreton Bay.

Constable, arrest this man Green,

or Bracefell or whatever he calls himself,

and we shall test the truth of these allegations

at the next sitting of the court.

Thank you, Your Worship.

The scoundrel has gained some sort of influence

over poor Captain Fraser's widow.

I felt I should bring his deception to the court's attention.

I'm glad you did, Captain McBryde.

I've been trying to trace you for some time.

Martin Cameron, landowner and magistrate.

I trust you remember me.

Of course. Good.

Then you will appreciate

we have a small matter of honour to settle.

I'll send my seconds around this afternoon

that you may choose place and weapons.

I trust you will be able to make yourself available

by dawn tomorrow morning.

(Calls) Johnny!

Johnny!

(INTRIGUING MUSIC )

(John gasps)

(Soldier yells) Stop!

DRIVER: To hell with you!

(Soldier shouts)

(Driver shouts)

Arggh!

SOLDIER 2: Look out!

Yah! Yah! Get up! Get up!

Get up! Get up!

(Grunts)

Stop.

Stop the coach.

Arggh!

Arggh! Arggh! Ooh! Ow!

Stop. Stop the coach.

Arggh! Oh!

Aaaaarggh!

Unfurl the topsail and catch that westerly, Mr Roberts.

Set course for Auckland.

Mitchell, escort Mrs Fraser and her son to the far-end cabin, will you?

Oh, uh, your brother has moved in there, sir.

My brother?

Well, yes, sir. He came on board an hour ago.

I'd better see him, then.

Come on, Johnny.

McBRYDE: Ah, Eliza.

Rory!

Alexander, I've decided to accompany you after all.

I hope you don't mind another passenger.

Would you mind leaving us, Mitchell?

I'd like to talk to my brother.

What's this about, McBryde?

I've come to apologise.

I've been in love myself.

Rory, why are you here?

To wish you godspeed and happiness. (Laughs cynically)

1, uh, do have a little proposition, as a matter of fact, to put to you.

I don't know if you're aware of this, Eliza,

but the story of your rescue is the sensation of London.

Oh! The newspapers are full of it.

If we set up our sideshow in Hyde Park,

we could all make a fortune.

You can't be serious.

I've never been more serious in my whole life.

(Eliza laughs) Now, I've worked out an itinerary.

Just two months in London,

and then a short tour of the north.

I absolutely promise you

the whole engagement will not last longer than three months.

(Eliza and David laugh)

But there's more. I estimate the profits will be...

(Eliza laughs)

( ROLLICKING MUSIC)