Original subtitles

[opening theme music]

[Alan] Stick with me Eileen,

I'm going to be a millionaire.

Now imagine getting in on the ground floor,

with somebody who's going to change

the face of business in Perth.

You Sir, are you going to be

one of the lucky one's here today?

[Eileen] It's all above board isn't it?

[Alan] Eileen believe me, It is all legit.

I got payments due but nothing I can't handle.

[Kathleen] Make them wait. Better in your hand than theirs.

[Eileen] You're kissing a woman in public.

[Alan] You can't leave me Eileen.

Together we make sense.

-For the kids, for business. -[gasps]

-Ah, for business. -For us, for us.

[Diana] You're a wealthy man.

You could no doubt have your pick of women.

-So why me? -The way you cross the room,

-you glide. -[Eileen] She's the air-hostess

on our jet.

[Eileen] You flaunt her in front of me,

and then you act like it’s nothing!

Then perhaps you should think about making it up with her.

-[Alan] I do love you. -Do you?

I will be a better husband. I promise.

[Peter] With the Santos Oil and Gas deal now complete

we're in really good shape

but this is the time to expand into new areas.

Whoever wins the America's Cup

can write their own future.

We're not just going to win the America's Cup,

we're going to win it by bloody miles.

We've extended Alan a lot of credit on this dream of his.

His debt it’s mounting.

-[Alan] Do you want to win? -[cheers]

-Well let's do it. -[cheers]

[dramatic music]

-[canon fire] -[cheering]

[cheers]

[music continues]

[music fades]

-[click] -[pop music]

[engines revving]

[tires screech]

[Alan] How did it come to this?

Me, Alan Bond.

Multi-millionaire.

Being chased by some curse in a cursed ute

-through the suburbs of Perth. -[tires screeching]

Well...

[music continues]

Not everyone gets the keys to the kingdom.

But if you do,

then you need to act like a king.

-[cheers] -[screams]

[loud kiss]

We were Australian royalty

and every royal family has a princess.

[bangs]

[reporter] The reception was an extravaganza.

400 guests,

a who's who of Perth's movers and shakers

were treated to a night out few will forget.

-[Alan] Darling -[chuckles]

-[Eileen] Thank you. -[chuckles]

Where was I?

Oh it was incredible.

We stayed in these authentic Arabian tents.

-Next to us was Elizabeth Taylor -Ah great!

-and her eyes really are violet. -Really?

It's true my son has been awarded the order of Australia.

Mind you given the amount of champagne we drunk

they were more a shade of scarlet.

[laughing]

What is she saying now?

-[chuckle] -Good on you love.

[Alan] This is what winning looks like and they knew it.

Now the business elite were flying into my town

to do business with me.

Evening.

Oh, here's trouble.

-Laurie. -Hello.

-Brian. -Alan.

-Did you see my new "Monet"? -[chuckles]

-It's a "Manet". -"Monet", "Manet",

It's a French Impressionist and I own it.

[Alan] Laurie Connell.

A mongrel dog.

Wish I had of put him down here before he started biting people.

You will have to excuse me fellas.

got the American President on the line.

Ronald Regan wants my advice

on how to win the America's Cup back.

-Mr. Connell. -Oh hello, how are you?

Premiere.

-There you go Miss Bliss. -Thank you.

-Let's give her some privacy. -Thanks.

Don't you have 200 guests to entertain?

A bunch of drunk nobodies

all wanting to suck up to me.

Well I wish I was there with you.

Yeah. Me too.

Well, listen I better get back to my friends.

What friends?

[Diana] I do have some, Alan.

Here you are!

Come on Alan, you should be mingling.

Whatever business it is, it can wait.

I will just be a minute love, I've got Hong Kong on the line.

Yeah,

go ahead.

So sorry Hong Kong, you'll understand.

We're celebrating our daughter's wedding.

Yes, can you call back another time?

-[in Chinese] Zaijian. -[slam]

Come on!

[click]

Have you got your speech ready?

-No business talk alright? -Alright, Babe.

[glass clinging]

Hello everyone.

Thank you for coming here tonight.

It is my duty now to say a few words about my gorgeous princess

Now I know she can jump a horse like the wind

but she'll still take a little taming.

-[laughing] -Good one, Dad.

We are of course very pleased to

welcome, Armand into the family.

Even though he is from New York,

we don't hold that against him.

A first-rate show-jumper

and a doctor,

he knows the value of a good education

and so it is with great pride that I announce tonight

I will be building

Australia's first private university,

Bond University.

It will be my legacy.

[applause]

In the words of Napoleon,

"Greatness be nothing,

unless it be lasting".

But of course I owe all the credit to Eileen.

Put up with me for all these years

and we're still going strong, Darling.

So now, I'd like you to raise a glass

to Susanne and Armand.

[everyone] Susanne and Armand.

[applause]

[romantic music]

[Alan] People often say,

"be careful what you wish for".

I never had that problem.

I always wanted more

and Australia started to seem very small to me.

Isn't this something, Alan?

Oh, thank you. Mm.

[exclaims]

You're not meant to take two.

Oh, who says?

The lords and ladies.

-I was getting one for the queen -[chuckles]

Be all gone by the time she arrives.

I thought you didn't care about royalty.

I don't.

How do I look?

Do you reckon she'll like me?

You can charm anyone, Alan.

Even the Queen of England.

[Tiny] Not with that accent.

Congratulations

on winning with the America's cup.

Ah, thanks mate.

And cheating the way you did with that winged keel.

I was very impressed with that.

-We did not cheat. -Alan?

That's not what the Duke of Gloucester just told me.

He said the whole thing was a sham.

And Sir Angus over there was rabbiting on about

how the Dutch designed that keel for heaven's sake.

Well I can assure you that's not what happened.

Well, everyone's talking about it.

I am actually rather surprised that you're invited at all.

You know that the queen secretly hates Australians.

It's the voice, it grates.

-Actually Alan was born England. -And all that talk of republic.

I mean she just thinks you're ungrateful.

Alright you listen to me you pompous, stuck up curse,

Don't you talk to me like that.

You probably never done a bloody hard day's work in your life.

All of you! You and your bad garden parties.

I am so pleased you feel that way.

I despise these curses as well.

Tiny Rowland.

[Alan] Charming, suave,

sophisticated.

I should never have trusted the curse.

[chuckling]

Alright, good one.

I'm just here to seal the deal on a copper mine in Botswana.

But the dopey lord who owns it has forgotten to turn up.

So there we are.

So Alan, Eileen,

Call me, Red.

Ha, Red.

If you're in Antibes next month,

why don't you join me on my little launch?

Love to see you.

[herald] Ladies and gentlemen. Her majesty, The Queen.

[barking]

[pop music]

Alan.

So delighted you could make it.

Great to see you, Tiny.

-Tiny Rowland. -Diana Bliss.

Diana is a friend of my mother's.

Of course.

This is my wife, Josie.

-Lovely to meet you. -Pleasure, Josie.

And you. Come with me.

Well,

-this is very nice, Tiny. -Yes.

Who did you kill to get the number one mooring?

Well the thing is Alan,

this is reserved for the largest shareholder in Lonrho.

Since it's my company,

that's me.

The last play we went to was Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.

-Do you know the one? -Yes I do.

The man's wife comes back to haunt him after she has died.

Tiny was worried I'd do that to him.

Yes well, I'm sure Alan's worried his wife would too.

[chuckles]

So Alan,

how did you enjoy meeting our queen?

Well, she's our queen too.

Yes, she was actually very knowledgeable

about the America's Cup, asked me lots of questions.

Well that's her trick you see.

She asks questions, she looks interested.

Makes her seem well versed in any subject.

-Well, we got on well. -Yes, of course you did.

I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

At least she didn't take the curse out of me.

[chuckles]

The Royal Family take more than the curse.

The thing about them is you see

they pretend it's all about lineage and birthright but

no one asks them about their German ancestry during the war.

Unlike my family

and many others who were just tossed into internment camps

as suspected sympathizers,

not them,

not those hypocrites.

Tiny's mother died in one of those camps.

And people say the English understand irony.

[chuckles]

Well maybe I should get a castle,

become a lord,

-shove it up them. -Alan, my dear fellow,

if you really want to ingratiate

yourself with those pathetic people,

all you really need

is an obscene amount of money.

I reckon I can get that.

Don't over complicate things darling.

Your problem is you think too much.

Or not enough.

If you want to produce a play then do it.

It's not that simple, Alan. There's a lot to consider.

Most transactions come down to three things,

-time, money, and resources. -[chuckles]

-What do you need? -A play,

a theater, a director...

So find the play and the rest is easy.

-I'll pay for it.

[Eileen] Hello, Pauly, how are you?

Well thank you. Come this way.

-[coughing] -What's wrong?

We need to leave.

-We haven't had our mains yet. -I'll explain later, okay.

Can you just see this person into a taxi?

Yes, Sir.

-Come on, Darling. -You're not coming with me?

No look I promise I'll make it up to you later, okay.

Right now, I just need you to go.

But I've got a big surprise coming for you later.

-You're gonna love it. -Is everything all right?

Yeah, yeah, it’s fine. It will be fine okay.

I'll talk to you later.

This way Miss Bliss.

Ah, here they are. Perth's most beautiful.

-[chuckles] -What are you doing here?

Are you meeting someone?

Ah, only Laurie. But the curse cancelled on me.

Mind if I join you?

As long as you pay for the champagne.

-[laughs] -I see.

[soft music]

Now I told you I'd make it up to you.

Ta-da!

Well? What do you think?

Of what?

Of this place.

Upp Hall.

I bought it.

For me?

Come on, I want to show you the lake.

[laughing]

Now there is seven cottages.

Riding school, but you can't go far

because its only 400 acres.

[chuckles]

I thought Tiny said you didn't need a castle?

Ah, what does Tiny know?

This isn't about Tiny or anyone else.

And it'll be official?

You and me?

Sir Alan and Lady Bond await your company.

[laughing]

That's more like it.

[music continues]

-When can we move in? -[chuckles]

Soon, my love.

I've just got a little bit of business to sort out first

and then there'll be nothing to stop us.

[Tiny] Winnie the Pooh,

with megabucks.

-[Pippa] What? -Alan Bond.

Like you to find out everything you can about him.

Former associates, business partners,

strengths, weaknesses. You know that sort of thing.

-Really? -Behind every great fortune

lies a great crime.

He did after all beat the Americans at their own game.

I think it would be a mistake

to underestimate our Australian friend.

1985,

has been a record year.

We are now the fastest growing corporation in Australia

[applause] [cheering]

but with your support,

we can be even bigger.

Our interests are growing.

Through media, defense and mining.

We will soon be expanding to capture

a dominant stake of the Australian market

through Bond Brewing.

[applause]

No one has ever gone broke in Australia owning a brewery.

[laughs]

Thank you.

[applause]

[exciting music]

[Newsreader] In the largest corporate takeover

in Australia’s history,

Bond Corporation has bought Castle Maine Toohey’s

for 1.2 billion dollars.

Bond Corp now owns 70% of the Australian beer market.

-[Peter] Alan? -Oh, here we go.

It can wait. Go away.

What is it?

We’ve got problems.

They don’t like that you

put a Bond Brewing sign over their beloved Four X sign.

-Who doesn’t? -The entire state of Queensland.

Bugger them. It will blow over.

-What’s the second thing? -New South Wales.

Another state hates me too?

The Toohey’s publicans are threatening

to boycott if we insist they can only sell our beer.

Then give them notices to quit.

-What? -The publicans. Get rid of them.

We put our own managers in and they sell Bond beer only.

-It’s simple. -It’s a bit extreme, Al.

They won’t take it lying down.

The quality of mercy, Alan is not strained.

What the curse does that mean?

I’m not negotiating with blackmailers, Darling!

-All right. -I own the bloody pubs!

I know this game.

Good old, Bondy will give us what we want.

Why should I?

I've had to fight for everything I have, why not them?

Because it’s costing us.

Money and reputation.

Nah!

Burn the curses!

[Newsreader] Today the Bond Corporation

rescinded all licenses to New South Wales’s publicans

and issued notices to quit.

The move has been prompted by a stalemate

over whether the Alan Bond-owned hoteliers

have the right to sell only Alan Bond-owned beer.

[Reg Lynch] This is everything to us.

We’ve put our life and soul

for the past ten years into building this business

and we’ll fight Mr. Bond in the courts if we have to.

[Reporter] Not long ago, Alan Bond was a battler himself.

The Aussie who took on the might of the Americans and won.

And now he’s being painted as the villain

in a very public row.

-[Eileen] No? -[Susanne] No.

[Publican] We don’t understand why Alan Bond would do this us.

We’ve done renovations. We’ve put in a beer garden,

but he is saying it’s not worth anything.

Are you sure you will never wear this one?

No. Put it in the donations pile.

[Reporter] ...the right of the publicans to on-sell goodwill,

which traditionally under old management has been the case.

But Bond Corp is refusing

to acknowledge the publicans claims,

which will leave many hard-working men and women

with nothing.

[Joan Lynch] Quite frankly, he’s behaving like a crook.

[Reg Lynch] People don’t want to believe it is because

of the America’s Cup,

but that’s what he is.

What Alan Bond is doing to everyone.

He’s gone from hero to zero.

[ominous music]

This is wonderful.

They might be second hand, but they’re all good quality.

Thank you, Eileen. Everything helps.

Is there something troubling you?

Oh no.

Thank you Father.

Helen,

would you give me a hand to sort through some of these goodies?

-Eileen Bond? -Yes?

Think you’re better than us now, do you?

Sorry?

How could you do it to ordinary Aussies?

Kick them out on the streets?

Haven’t you got enough money?

Not rich enough?

[Eileen] Did you hear me?

Eileen, I'm having a curse.

I was shouted at, Alan.

I was abused outside my church.

I'm in the bathroom alright. A little bit of privacy.

It's not going to end well.

People think you’re being mean to the little guys.

What are you...

Listen, they’re pub owners.

All right, they’re not the little guys.

Fix it!

We’re behind you, Reg.

Yeah.

Don’t worry love.

I just spoke to the lawyer

and he thinks we’ve got a good case.

Don't worry, Love.

I have just got to pop out.

Just got to get some gas for the barbie, okay.

Well can you pick up some ice too,

because the ice machine is on the blink.

Yep.

[Joan Lynch] And the kids will be here at five.

I'll be back before then.

[keys rattling]

[ominous music]

[door squeaks]

[music continues]

[plastic rustling]

Mrs. Lynch?

I have some bad news.

[reporter] 100's turned out today

for the funeral of Reg Lynch.

A New South Wales publican

and Toohey’s license holder.

His death is widely thought to be the result

of the enormous financial pressure

and potential ruin he faced due to actions of Bond Corporation.

I told you.

[slams]

Oh, for me?

Oh, thank you, Judy.

-[Judy] It’s just a little thing -That is too much, thank you.

How about that Alan?

Hi everyone.

-I am sorry we’re late. -So sorry we're late.

-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas.

[chuckle]

-Ah, we didn’t wait. -Christmas in July.

Love it.

-[laughs] -Merry Christmas Judy.

-How are you? -Fantastic.

Do you want to put some hats on Darling?

[chuckles]

-[Mary] Okay, your turn. -[Peter] My turn.

Put that on the noggin.

-Everyone enjoying themselves? -[cheers]

[Alan] I am glad you are.

I want you to lap it up.

Not that any of you deserve it.

[soft chuckles]

You have all

been under-performing.

Every single one of you.

We’re losing millions.

The Toohey’s Castle Maine deal

has been a disaster from the beginning.

Do you have any idea how much is at stake?

The debt on that deal was always going to be...

What have you curses done for me lately?

Do I have to do everything?

Alan, I think you’re being very unfair.

What do I care what you think, Trudy?

-It’s Judy. -Whatever, vinegar boobs!

Your dumb-bum husband

has not done one thing

to warrant his executive salary.

The amount you’ve been paid,

do you know what the papers are calling it?

The golden handshake.

That’s what they’re calling it.

Alan’s too generous, that’s what they say.

But I say, oh no,

My team deserve to be paid what they’re worth

and if that means

multi-million dollar salary packages to keep them,

then so be it.

But I think all it’s done

-has made you bone bloody lazy. -[bang]

You don’t have to worry if things go sour

because you’re all getting paid a boatload.

-[clanging] -So don’t just sit back

and think you can live off the hog.

-[crashing] -I’m not the god damn hog!

[eerie silence]

[scraping]

Well come on.

Eat up before it goes cold.

-[bite] -[slam]

-[sighs] -[scrapes]

He's bought into Airship Industries.

Blimps? How quaint.

He also has gold and nickel mines worth 480 million,

over 20,000 hectares of farmland,

oil and gas interests,

a telecommunications company in Chile...

Chile, with Pinochet?

Well, it's better than blimps I suppose.

He's in discussions on property development with the Vatican

and has just bought the U.S. brewer Heileman for 1.5 billion.

Who's lending him all this money?

Everyone.

He pays above the normal rate,

but it seems to be working for him.

Well, so long as the market holds up, I suppose.

And he was named Australian of the Year.

-Oh, dear. -[chuckles]

That must have been an impressive field.

He is a strange bird isn't he?

People either love him or hate him.

You might like this.

A former associate said,

"Doing business with Alan was like rolling in mud with a pig,

except the pig loves it."

The more I hear about him

the more I like him.

[host] In the Indian Ocean

off Western Australia we begin the long process

of defending our sporting honor,

The America's Cup begins.

Psychologically, strategically and financially

Freemantle is Bond territory.

Not for nothing did he

break America’s 132 year-old hold on the cup

and he's putting big money into defending it.

It's my cursed cup!

I won it!

And you want me to fight for the right to defend the cup,

that I won?

Do you know how hard it will be to beat the Americans again?

We need to mount a single defense.

[commodore] Led by you, of course?

I'm the only one with the experience to beat the Americans

Look, in the interest of fairness...

-[slam] -Fairness isn't going to cut it!

This isn't a sport!

It's a battle of wills!

It's war on water!

I challenged four times before I won that mug

and every single time

The New York Yacht Club tried

every trick in the book to have me disqualified.

-We've heard the stories, Alan. -They're not bloody stories!

We're not New York, rest assured.

We won't be changing the rules

-or trying any dirty tricks. -That's just the point!

You should be! Don't you get it?

You need to be as two-faced

and underhanded as they are.

Don't make it hard for them! Make it cursing impossible!

Was there anything else?

-[chuckles] -Cursed amateurs the lot of you.

[Alan] Those simple minded idiots

forced me to challenge other Australian boats

for the right to defend my America's cup.

And guess what?

[commentator] The victors came in both Kookaburra crews

Kookaburra Two and Kookaburra Three.

-Getting away from... -Thank you.

Alan Bond on board the boat.

Lots of nostalgia today

at the end of a 20 million dollar

campaign for Bondy this time.

[Alan] Ah well, um,

I don't know, it's...

[Eileen] Oh, I'd be so upset if Alan didn't try again.

It's been such a huge part of our life for so many years.

It's too much fun.

Turn it off.

Can't be easy for you.

Well, it's Alan I'm worried about.

He hates to lose.

I didn't mean the race.

Well at least now we can be together.

You don't think he's going to leave Eileen, do you?

I love my son,

but Alan's always pushing see what he can get away with.

Then maybe I need to push back.

♪ But square-cut Or pear-shaped ♪

♪ These rocks Don't lose their shape ♪

♪ Cause diamonds Are a girl's best friend ♪

God it's been a while.

Talk to me Harry Winston. Tell me all about it.

♪ Diamonds are A girl's best friend ♪

[cheers] [clapping]

So how was the opera?

Oh, it was stunning.

That was the best Marilyn.

[laughing]

[eerie silence]

Angelo.

Mrs. Bond, how can I help you?

You can start by throwing that curse out!

I'm sorry I can't possibly do that,

even for you.

Don't worry about her, Red.

Just ignore her. She means nothing.

You know what.

You are so right.

You are so right.

More champagne.

[Alan] She has to sell me an airport for a million pounds.

Hey, Sue.

She's a tough old bird,

but she's not getting the better of A.B.

Oh, hey darling?

Mm...

That's a nice surprise.

Oh curse!

Do you think this is funny?

And you. What's wrong with you?

Alan is my husband. Have you no shame?

Why don't you curse off and get your own husband?

Or maybe you can't. Is that it?

-Eileen please. -Make her go!

[sighs]

Get her out of here!

Maybe it's best if you leave.

Why should I?

I'm having lunch with friends. You don't own this place.

Well, actually, I do. I bought it last week.

Oh, curse you!

[sighs]

Just give me a sec.

Sorry fellas.

Gents, if you could come this way.

[snipping] [ripping]

[sobbing] [ripping]

Don't think me ungrateful, Alan. I appreciate the trip to London,

but I know what's really going on.

The whole town knows.

I thought you'd enjoy yourself with Diana.

I've set her up with a nice apartment and...

Miss Bliss and I always have a nice time,

but you can't think shuffling her away to London

will solve anything.

Well, what do you suggest?

You know what you have to do.

You think I should break up with Diana?

-I thought you liked her? -Of course I do.

Diana has class.

But you can't string her along on false promises.

If you break up with her now,

she's still young enough to meet someone new.

Have babies.

You need to think about what's best for her for a change.

[jet engines]

Bye, bye darling.

Hello darling.

I am so looking forward to our trip.

I am so pleased you're coming.

Mum's so happy you're going to London with her.

It won't be like this forever, I promise.

You've made a lot of promises, Alan.

And I will keep them.

Okay, there is just one little thing I have to do first.

Alright?

Are we good?

[soft music]

[music crescendo]

[journalist] For more than 30 years

the Packer family have dominated Australian television

by controlling the Channel 9's in Sydney and Melbourne.

[Alan] I already owned Channel 9 in Perth and Brisbane,

Kerry Packer owned Sydney and Melbourne.

But we both knew the real worth

was in a national network.

It was either a case of...

get bigger or get out.

Our proposal.

-Don't let him set the price. -Good advice, Pete.

Now Kerry is going to want top dollar. Remember

it's only worth as much as someone is willing to pay.

Yes, yes.

Get out, quick, get out.

[Alan] Kerry knew what the meeting was for.

I was either going to sell my stations to him,

or I was going to buy his.

[exciting music]

Kerry.

Now,

how about we work out something that, ah...

suits us both?

So? What's he want?

A billion.

A billion?

Yep,

a billion.

He's gotta be joking?

It's not even worth that much.

Well, that's what he wants

and he reckons I can't get it.

-You can't. -Give me that.

Is that the banker with the biggest balls in Australia?

Yes, mate.

I need a billion dollars.

-A billion? -Yep.

Okay Alan, tell me how you'll make the deal?

Okay so it's 800 million cash,

200 million on credit.

I'll set up Bond Media,

put in the two existing stations worth 400 million,

then raise 400 million from the public in share capital,

that way we only carry

400 million of debt.

I mean really, it's a no-brainer.

Of course, I do have two other banks interested so...

[Michael Pascoe] It must have been a fascinating

stand-off between yourself and Alan Bond.

After starting television in Australia,

why is the Packer family selling it?

[Kerry Packer] Money.

[exciting music]

-Gentlemen. -Bond.

[Newsreader] Mr. Bond now controls

a truly national television network

following his purchase of Kerry Packer's

Channel 9 stations in Sydney and Melbourne.

Alan Bond has known what it's like to be broke

but in the past year the former Perth sign writer

has been the high flyer of Australian business.

I own you lot.

Got you Darryl.

Ray.

[Ray Martin] Let's ask the lady herself,

please welcome Mrs. Eileen Bond.

[applause]

It is very much a fairy tale story.

I mean there you were married at 18,

and 30 odd years later,

four children, one or two dollars.

It was a tough start though wasn't it? I mean...

he was struggling, there was no

idea at that stage that you were going to be at this point.

No, true,

except knowing Alan,

knowing what Alan was like,

you always knew something like this was going to happen.

Alan's always on the move,

always thinking about what his next big thing will be.

Things can only get better.

[ominous music]

[Newsreader] The law of gravity hit wall street today

and financial markets around the world

as stock prices plunged even more than they did

on black Tuesday...

[reporter] The Dow lost 22.6% of its value

or $500 billion dollars in one day of trading.

Not since the Great Depression of 1929

has there been such a downturn.

And there really is no end in sight.

No one seems to know if the markets have bottomed out.

[Eileen] Alan?

Alan?

Are we going broke?

I don't know.

Well, what are you doing about it?

I don't know.

Look at you. This isn't the Alan I married.

I was broke when you married me.

I'm not talking about the money.

Back then you had energy.

You weren't going to let anything,

or anyone, stand in your way.

What's changed?

Nothing has changed.

Absolutely nothing.

[gasps] [chuckles]

I need to go to London.

[exciting music]

[Alan] The smart thing to do in a bear market

is act like a bull.

Find companies with healthy assets,

feed from the carcass

and strip them to the bone.

Won’t be too long now, Mr. Bond.

-Another tea? -No thanks, Love.

[Alan] Tiny's company Lonrho had everything we needed and more.

Problem was he wasn't going to make it easy for me.

But that was part of the fun of it.

Alan, my dear fellow,

no idea you were here. How about,

why didn't you tell me, Pippa?

I do hope it hasn't been too much trouble.

Come with me.

Good things come to those who wait.

I heard you might be in a spot of trouble, old boy, is it true?

Oh it's funny.

I heard the same about you.

[chuckles]

Anything I can do to help?

Well, no offence Tiny, but

you're not getting any younger.

Thinking of...

cashing in your chips,

unloading Lonrho, are you?

Quite the opposite.

In fact I was thinking perhaps I could take

that South African diamond mine

off your hands.

That would free up a bit of cash for you, wouldn't it?

Well whatever you may have heard Tiny,

it's completely wrong.

With our recent reorganization we're in a growth phase.

I'm in the market to purchase.

-I stand corrected. -[clap]

I should have known that Alan Bond would have a plan.

[chuckles]

I like the ah...

primal African theme you have got going on here, Tiny.

It's very ah...

"King of the Jungle".

Yes well the city is a far nastier jungle

than anything Africa has to offer.

[Alan] Borrowing money is all about perception.

The more you spend,

the more you can borrow.

So, so I spent.

High-rises.

Oil.

Electricity.

Phone.

And, one of Australia's biggest companies.

And the kicker?

I bought Van Gogh's "Irises".

Only a rich and powerful man could afford to spend

49 million dollars on a single painting.

A new world record.

I didn't have a care in the world.

I have got to take this.

Yes?

[Peter] Alan its Peter.

We've got a problem.

What sort of problem?

[newsreader] Laurie Connell's Rothwell’s Bank

suspended trading today.

while angry customers demanded to know

why they were being denied access to their accounts.

[Alan] Laurie wasn't only shitting in his own backyard.

He was shitting in mine.

[Father Patrick] The church has a lot of money

tied into the Rothwell's Bank.

They're saying it could go completely belly up

and the Government can't save it.

I don't think there is anything I can do about that, Father.

It won't be good for the church

or for Bond Corp if we lose all our money.

It'll be devastating.

Leave it with me.

I have faith, my son.

[motivating music]

I am glad you listened to me for a change.

It will work out for the best.

Believe in miracles, do you?

[newsreader] Entrepreneur Alan Bond leads a consortium

of business leaders

in an effort to rescue the failing bank, Rothwell's.

In an eleventh hour mission,

Mr. Bond has injected 120 million dollars

into the bank's coffers.

I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do.

I'm doing this to help out

all the mum and dad investors out there and to help the state.

I want to emphasize,

there is nothing in this for me personally.

Thank you.

Thank you Alan.

Pleasure Father.

[Alan] The church got their money back.

And I guaranteed myself a place in heaven.

It's a debacle.

Despite everything, Rothwell's is still going under.

It's what happens when you give a crook the keys to the vault.

And when the disciples saw this,

they were indignant.

Thank you mother.

But I'm no disciple of Last-Resort-Laurie.

At least the church still got their money.

Thank God.

No blaspheming intended.

You got your assets protected?

Tied up in trusts, off-shore accounts and

subsidiary companies.

So there is nothing to stop you being with Diana is there?

Not so long ago you were advising me to cut her loose.

Life's too short not to be with the one you love.

And if you can't be with the one you love?

[dramatic music]

[lawyer] And the house reverts to the family company,

-Dallhold. -[cough]

As to my jewelry,

I leave it all to my dear friend,

Diana Bliss.

What?

They're heirlooms and she's left them to her.

[gasps]

[sobs]

Look Eileen, can we please not do this now.

Oh do what now?

You've got plenty of jewelry.

You think this is about jewelry? I don't care about any jewelry!

-I don't care about your money-- -My mother just died!

And she's got a lot to bloody answer for!

-You always hated her. -She hated me!

And you never once stood up for me.

And now, she's humiliated me from beyond the grave.

-Please stop! -I could divorce you now

for tens of millions of dollars.

And I could have you bumped off for ten grand.

Mother bequeathed it to you.

All of it.

I don't know what to say.

I'm overwhelmed,

but I'm sorry, I can't accept.

It should go to family.

Well you are family.

Listen, things are tight right now right.

If Eileen wanted to push it,

I might have to sell Bond Corp to pay her off.

The lawyers think she's entitled to half of everything.

Half of your fortune Alan, is still a fortune.

Most people can't even imagine one tenth,

a hundredth,

-of what you have. -No, that's different.

You don't miss what you've never had.

How much is enough?

How much do you really need to be happy?

I'm so close.

Close to what?

What is it that you want?

[ominous music]

I'm calling it "Operation Bligh".

You sure you want to take on Tiny Rowland?

His company's vulnerable right now.

Tiny's ready to retire.

From what I hear you'll have take Tiny Rowland out in a box.

Tiny is a pussycat.

With the right incentive, he can be persuaded.

And if we get hold of Lonrho we'll become

the second biggest brewer in the world.

Okay so get cracking.

Do it stealthily.

Small share parcels.

We don't want him to know it's us.

You're not going to like this.

[dramatic music]

[ringing]

-Hello? -Yeah g'day, Love.

Put Tiny on will you. It's Alan Bond.

It's for you. It's Mr. Bond.

-Yes? -Hey Tiny! How's it going?

Alan, I don't imagine that you meant act like an ignorant oaf.

Oh, you mean the number one birth?

That is exactly what I mean, yes.

Well, you told me yourself it's reserved

for the major shareholder of Lonrho, right?

See the thing is, Tiny,

I now own 20% of the company.

So guess what that makes me?

Pippa,

I want you to do the financials on Bond Corp.

I am going to crucify that curse.

[chuckles]

What are you looking so happy about?

I've got Tiny Rowland on the ropes.

He is all but over.

-I thought you liked him. -I do like him.

It's still fun to take his company from him.

Now that's done, we can get married.

Eileen and I are practically divorced anyway love.

What does it matter about formalities?

Because I want to have children

and I don't want people referring

to them as Alan Bond's curses.

Oh, curse, Diana, do you ever let up about this?

-Don't I make you happy? -Yes of course.

Haven't I given you everything you've ever wanted?

-Look at this place. -I know Alan,

and I'm very thankful.

You wanted to be a theater producer,

so I bankrolled your play, didn't I?

-Yes, but-- -Would you rather trade it all

for a couple of snotty nosed kids and house in the suburbs?

Yes, I would.

-Where are you going? -I've got a headache.

We've got dinner booked?

If you've got a headache take a bloody pill.

Oh that's it. Yup, yup,

pull the covers up. That'll make everything go away.

There's more to life than sleep you know.

Get up! We're going out!

You are never going to leave Eileen, are you?

There'll always be another "Tiny" to conquer,

another excuse.

All right.

Stay in bed. I am going to dinner.

If you walk out of this apartment, Alan,

-I don't want you to come back. -What's that?

You're kicking me out of my own apartment?

I was under the impression you bought it for me.

All right.

Keep it. It's yours.

Let's see how you long you last without A.B. paying the bills.

And you just remember something, Missy.

I made you.

You are nothing without me.

[soft music]

[slams]

Here you go, Sir.

Thanks, Doll.

[Alan] There I was,

a man in his kingdom.

Well I wasn't one for wallowing in the past.

I was happy to move on.

[pop music]

-[Alan] How is it going? -[party-goer] Yeah good

ah, sorry this is a singles party for the under 35's.

Hey, the age limit doesn't apply to Bondy.

-How are you going? -How are you mate?

Come on in.

-Can I get you a drink? -Ah, scotch please.

Yeah, well, they said I'd never do it,

but I showed them.

Never before in 132 years.

I've got a replica of the cup

back at my place if you want to see it?

It's actually better than the original.

[laughs]

Well, ah,

I reckon you are onto a good thing here, Richard.

You know what I think this

"Singles Party" has room for expansion.

I know what, a pool party.

We'll have it at my place.

Some advertising, get some sponsors on board.

What do you say?

-Love it mate. -[laughing]

[pop music]

Well ah, I've broken up with my girlfriend.

See how she gets along without me.

[Susanne] Honestly, Mum,

just tell him if he doesn't stop acting like a randy teenager,

that you'll divorce him.

-It's not that simple. -It is that simple.

Well um,

my marriage is,

it’s complicated.

I'm not taking marital advice from my divorced daughter,

thank you very much.

And I won’t divorce him because he deserves me.

Ah, g'day love.

You finally came to your senses hey?

[laughing]

That deal you made with Laurie Connell

has blown up in our faces.

I told you not to get involved.

They're calling it part of W. A. Inc.

-[chuckle] -You see.

You see what happens when you try and do something for a mate.

You took 15 million out of it.

The rescue package was worth 120 million.

I'm not a charity, Peter.

You should have declared it at the time.

Well there's no law that said I had to.

Actually there is.

Look, forget about that,

all right that's small chickens.

Tiny is not folding.

We might have to make a full bid on Lonrho.

You could sell Channel 9?

That is the jewel in the crown.

No, there has got to be another way.

We've got 27 million in interest repayments

on our current loans, due by the end of the week.

Come on, Alan, come and join the party.

Alright, Darling. I'll be there in just a sec.

-Don't be too long. -I won’t.

We need to get our hands on the Bell Resources cash.

Right, there's 1.2 billion dollars just sitting there.

That'd work, wouldn't it?

Good man!

Make it happen.

Try to relax, you look like curse.

"The Bond Group of Companies"

I want a copy of this sent to every bank,

every financial institution that does business with Bond.

And mark it...

a gift from Tiny.

[Jeff McMullin] You could say that Alan Bond

has been having a taxing time.

Alan Bond has built his empire

and earned a certain reputation

by being a big risk-taker.

He draws a lot of heat.

He won’t wear criticism from this man.

Britain’s Tiny Rowland.

Their takeover battle has turned into a dirty war.

Tiny Rowland was a former member of the Hitler Youth.

I find it offensive to be disparaged by someone like him.

Alan Bond claims that a report on his finances

prepared by Tiny Rowland has done him great damage.

But Tiny Rowland says that your debt level

is so serious that in fact

your corporation is technically insolvent.

Of course that document’s not true.

It’s full of lies.

The debt levels were never the debt levels

expressed in that document.

Ah, here we go.

[slams]

Tiny’s called Bond Corp

“The South Sea Bubble of Debt”.

I have read it, Peter.

That’s pure Tiny.

Nobody will believe it.

-How’s Valerie? -Oh.

You should stay for a drink.

I don’t know if my heart could handle it.

I got a wife waiting for me at home.

Haven’t we all.

[suspenseful music]

Hi, I’m Tracey Tyler.

Pleased to meet you, Tracey Tyler.

I’m Alan Bond.

Oh, I know who you are, Mr. Bond.

[sobs]

Thanks, Darling.

[slams]

[sobs]

-Hi. -[gasps]

Alan, what are you, you can’t just...

I was in the neighborhood.

It was cold out so...

Look, I wanted to show you something.

Looks like you, don’t you think?

Only younger.

-Why are you showing me this? -[slams]

I thought you’d be happy for me.

Her name’s Tracey. We’re dating.

I couldn’t be happier.

Well I’m really pleased for you, Alan.

It makes it easier for me to tell you my news.

I’m moving to Scotland.

Scotland?

-What for? -I’m getting married.

[soft music]

Who to?

No one you know.

So listen he’s coming for dinner. You can’t stay.

Yes, of course.

And Alan, I'm going to need my key back.

[music continues]

[slam]

[reporter] The rumor mill's been working overtime

this year for Alan Bond.

His considerable empire deflated by unfavorable publicity,

unfavorable credit ratings,

some unfavorable connections.

Now more than ever

the pressure is on Alan Bond

and his core business

to account their true state of affairs.

I can assure you

that Tiny Rowland’s document

is nothing but lies

and pure fiction.

Bond Corp is stronger than ever.

We’re a diverse and dynamic company,

with growth in mining, brewing...

and media

including Channel 9.

The number one network in Australia.

[applause]

The number one.

We’re on the threshold of an exciting new era.

Prudence, wisdom,

integrity

and optimism...

will guide Bond Corp

strongly into the future.

Thank you.

-[crowd] Liar! -[crowd] Boo!

Right...

[banker] You are trying to bankrupt us.

I understand. I understand. I know.

[Alan] In the words of Napoleon,

“The most essential quality of a general

is firmness of character

and resolution to conquer at any price”.

So that’s what I did.

I kept moving forward

and never looked back.

[ominous music]

I’ve heard “Sunflowers” could be up for sale.

I think I prefer it to “Irises”.

What do you think?

We’ll have to sell Channel 9.

-Very funny. -[laughs]

What’s funny?

No, you can’t do that.

I have been working my curse---

You said it was the jewel in the crown.

-[slams] Curse Alan!

Let’s hope you get what you paid for it.

[journalist] Kerry Packer

predicts the end of the Bond empire

and says he is not being greedy trying to regain the 9 Network.

Bond is reportedly selling the network

back to its previous owner

for less than half of what he sold them for.

[Kerry Packer] Of course I thought he would pay it

or I wouldn’t have sold.

[reporter] Mr. Packer commented after the deal

"You only get one Bond in your life,

-and I’ve had mine". -[chuckles]

That’s it!

-You said it Kerry! -[smacks]

There’s only one Alan Bond.

And he’s going to come back bigger and stronger than ever.

[music crescendo]

[music fades]

[smack]

Ho! Ho! Ho!

♪ Ho ho ho ♪

[screaming]

[Eileen] She's gonna catch you.

[laughing]

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

G’day mate.

Cuddles for Santa.

You been good?

Oh we will see about that.

Merry Christmas everybody.

It’s Santa.

It’s Santa.

...let’s see what we have got here.

-Has everybody been good? -[kids cheer]

All right, what have we got?

Oh, look at this big one.

Merry Christmas. Now what do you say to Santa?

Thank you.

That’s more like it!

Go off and enjoy your presents. Who else have we got?

I see a young lass over there.

What about you love, hey?

You been good this year?

Come on sweet heart hey.

Let’s come and see

what Santa has got Grandma shall we?

-[chuckles] -Come on love.

Let’s go and have a look and see what you got.

Come on. Only little things this year.

That’s the way, Sweetheart.

You sound a bit puffed, Santa.

Nah, nah it’s all good, Sweetheart it’s been long run.

You're such an idiot, Alan.

Well you won’t think Santa's an idiot in a minute Sweetheart.

Now I've heard you've been very good.

And for good people, wait there.

Ta-da!

Ha!

[chuckles]

Only the best for Grandma this year huh?

[gasps] [chuckles]

Well what do you think?

-Nice. -It's nice?

Very nice.

[chuckles] [gasps]

[gasps]

Do you love it?

Yes, yes, okay. I love it!

Did Alan do good?

Alan done good.

[reporter] Since January Bond Corps

price has tumbled from a dollar eighty.

That’s a market loss of around 300 million dollars.

[Kerry Packer] Alan Bond has gone through life

buying companies and selling them.

[reporter] Perhaps the worst news of all

came last week with Bond Corp’s failure to pay a

35 million dollar interim dividend on time.

[Kerry Packer] If you roll the dice

and double the bets every time you roll them,

eventually they come out the wrong way.

[reporter] The company blamed the delay on an over sight,

but the market wondered about possible cash flow problems.

Alright,

any good ideas?

Leave the country?

[suspenseful music]

[ringing]

[ringing]

[ringing]

[ringing]

[Tracey] What’s this?

[ringing]

[ringing]

Merry Christmas.

What? Oh!

[chuckling]

We have one hour to repay 800 million dollars.

[commentator] Looking all of her three million-dollar price tag

Drumbeat was a few tacks away from a maiden Sydney Hobart win.

Drumbeat crossed the finish line thirty miles ahead of Ragamuffin

unaware he was sailing into bad financial news last night

Alan Bond reported his biggest yachting win

since the 1983 America’s Cup.

-[laughing] -Hey.

Oh.

How about that huh?

Bond Brewing is in receivership.

[applause] [cheers]

[ominous music]

[Mrs. Beckwith] Pete?

-Pete? -[gasps]

Peter! Peter!

-Peter! -[sobbing]

Pete!

A bloody brain tumor.

I told you to relax.

[Alan] It’s a very sad time...

losing Peter Beckwith at such a young age.

He was always a stellar performer,

but I think the...

brain tumor did have effect on his decision-making in the end.

[reporter] Would you care to comment about what Alan Bond

has said about your husband?

I think it the most disgraceful thing I have ever heard my life.

There were a number of deals I left in Peter’s hands which...

unfortunately proved not to be the best option.

Are you saying it was Mr. Beckwith’s fault

the company is in a state of free fall?

Well, we are a long way from free falling.

And of course I am not one to cast blame but,

the medical reports can’t be denied.

My husband worked tirelessly for Bond Corporation.

He was always left to clean up Alan’s messes.

[reporter] And do you blame Alan for his death?

I started this company from scratch.

out of a little shop in Fremantle.

I built it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise

with interests in mining, media,

real estate,

communications, brewing,

steel, farming oh...

and I won a little thing called the America’s Cup,

for the first time in 132 years.

And now you want me out of here?

Well good-bye gentlemen.

The company I built...

is all yours.

[soft music]

[Alan] Napoleon also said,

“You must not fear death, my lads.

defy him,

and you drive him into the enemy’s ranks".

But then he lost at Waterloo.

If you owe 1.2 billion dollars of other people's money,

there's only one thing to do...

[garage door]

Drive fast!

[engines revving] [tires screeching]

I had to stave off bankruptcy.

I needed time to shuffle a few hundred million dollars around,

transfer property into trust funds,

and set up offshore accounts in the Island of Jersey.

Catch me if you can, you curse.

[tires screeching]

[rock music]

[engines revving] [tires screeching]

[laughs]

[Alan] I managed to keep the curses at bay for twelve months.

Took some ducking and weaving.

But every delay meant I could protect my future.

[Munns] Alan Bond. You've been served.

You curse!

What do you want from me? I've got nothing left.

You're not really broke, are you?

[music continues]

Hello, my love.

I want a divorce.

I'll get you a horse.

[music stops abruptly]

Alan?

The lawyer's here.

[emotional music]

Okay, Mr. Bond,

I'll leave you to it.

-Are you sure about this? -[gasps]

Yes.

I can't really see an upside.

For you.

I know that our marriage

was never going to be conventional Alan, but...

it's time.

I am who I am.

I'm still the same man you married.

I think that's the problem.

You don't regret marrying me, do you?

I could have danced with anyone, Alan.

I chose you.

[sighs]

[scratches] [dots]

I'll always love you Alan.

[soft music]

[sighs]

Red, we're here!

-Finally. -[laughs]

So good to see you.

Hello.

We're going to need some champagne.

[music continues]

-You're too late. -No it's not too late.

You're not married.

I flew all this way.

The last time you did that was to show me a photo of your...

-whatever she was. -I was a fool.

I admit it! Okay, I admit it!

No, Alan, don't.

I have changed.

I promise.

I'm not Eileen. I don't need rings.

I got my own life now.

Okay, I am good at what I do

and people like working with me and I love living in London--

I know.

Okay, I know.

And from now on,

it is going to be Diana first,

business second.

No it is Diana first, everything else second.

Alright, I divorced Eileen for you.

You're the only one...

who truly understands me.

The only one.

And I know you still love me.

I can't do this without you.

I don't want your madness in my life anymore Alan.

I'm tired.

It's too much for me.

[sighs] [sobs]

-I don't need you. -But I need you!

I love you.

[music continues]

[bailiff] Case 379.

[Williams] Mr. Bond?

Mr. Bond, please answer the question?

I have no idea.

Do the best you can, Mr. Bond.

-I... -[sighs]

I can't remember anything at all.

You received 200 million dollars

into your personal bank account

and you have no idea what you did with it?

I've suffered a stroke.

It's affected my memory, your honor.

-I'm a sick man. -And the 1.2 billion dollars

you stripped from Bell Resources?

I can't remember anything.

Did you, at any time during the 1980's

set up off shore trust accounts for your own use?

I don't recall.

What the amount or the fact that you stole it?

I take offence to that. You said that yesterday...

I suppose that's possible but I just don't remember.

I would suggest to you, Mr. Bond...

I have never seen it before.

or now you do not recall?

I can't remember anything.

Mr. Bond, does it come...

[Alan] This goes on for quite a while.

Questions and denials.

It's not a lie if you can't remember.

-[judge] Not guilty. -[smack]

I was able to convince the judge of my health issues,

even though I was bankrupt

they never got my money.

But,

that didn't stop the curses coming for me.

I was charged with unfair

inducement over the Rothwell's rescues.

-Guilty. -Fraud, over the sale

-of a Manet painting. -Guilty.

And stripping money from Bell Resources.

Technically correct,

but was that worth four years in prison?

Guilty.

Do I regret what happened?

Would I have done anything differently?

You bet.

For one thing I would have married Diana sooner.

And I would've made sure Tiny Rowland

was dead before I made a move on Lonrho.

Like rolling in mud with a pig.

I wouldn't have gotten into bed with Laurie Connell.

I would've driven a harder bargain with Kerry Packer.

[shouting] [camera shutters]

And I wouldn't have got caught.

Now of course, other people failed me

on many of these points,

many of these aspects

of business ethics.

[plane engine]

[cheers] [clapping]

[soft music]

Hey love.

[reporter] Alan what is next, Alan?

Look, please, I ask you to...

just, respect my privacy and let me adjust to a quiet life.

-Thank you. Thank you. -[reporter] What about business?

I don't think I'll ever be running a business again.

I just going to take it easy,

walk the dog,

go for a swim and

spend time with the wife.

[reporter] Have you heard from Eileen?

Do you have any regrets

Alan? Has it changed you Alan?

[Angelo] Welcome back Mr. Bond.

G'day, Angelo, good to see you mate.

[clapping]

This is great, Love.

Oh, you deserve a bit of a treat, Darling.

Good on you.

[soft music]

[sighs]

[ringing]

-Just hang on a sec. -[ringing]

It’s South Africa.

About the diamond mine.

I better take it.

-Alan-- -I won't be long.

Hello.

Yes, it is.

[music continues]

Okay put him on.

What?

You think I should have changed?

-[chuckles] -This isn't some fairly tale.

But don't worry,

all that bad stuff happened in the 80's.

It'll never happened again.

Anyway I better take this.

Can't leave a deal hanging.

Alan Bond.

[rock music]

[Alan] I have always been criticized

for thinking too far into the future.

Not having my feet on the ground.

[reporter] Mr. Bond.

[Eileen] Well I would like to keep it at home

and Alan would like to keep it in the office but

we'll have to see who will win out.

[Diana] Well I married Alan for the man.

I didn't marry the situation.

[suspenseful music]

[closing theme music]