All language subtitles for Young.Winston.1972.WEB-DL.x264-RARBG-eng

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

(PEOPLE ROARING)

(PLANE ENGINES RUMBLING)

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

(BELLS RINGING)

(SIREN BLARING)

(GUNFIRE ECHOING)

(EXPLOSION RUMBLING)

(ALARM CHIRPING)

(HORSES APPROACHING)

CAPTAIN:
Who's that bloody
fool on the gray?

ADJUTANT: Someone who
wants to be noticed,
I should imagine.

He'll be noticed.
Get his head blown off.

(HORSES SNUFFLING)

OLD WINSTON: My Early Life
by Winston Spencer Churchill.

(BUGLE SOUNDING)

On the 16th of
September, 1897,

at the age of 22,

I found myself taking
part in a punitive
expedition

of the Malakand
Field Force

on the North-West
Frontier of India.

In a sense, I had arranged
for my participation
in this action myself.

YOUNG WINSTON:
August 5th, 1897.

A letter to General
Sir Bindon Blood.

"Sir, I do hope you
will not be annoyed

"if I remind you that
you once promised me

"that when you had
your next command,

"you would try to
find a place for me."

BINDON BLOOD:
Very difficult,
no vacancies.

Come up as
a correspondent.

Will try to fit
you in. Blood.

YOUNG WINSTON:
Now, which of
these gallant chaps

will lead me to
something really
exciting?

An adventure
I can write about.

That column there?
Or that one?

It's all a lottery,
isn't it? Just luck.

God, I hope
I'm lucky today.

The joke of it all is that
I never really wanted to
be a soldier.

No, politics, parliament.
That's my arena.

But how am I
to get there?

I have no reputation,
no family in the government,

and worst of all,
no money.

OLD WINSTON:
Ah, money!

My darling mother
wrote to me often on
that tiresome subject.

LADY JENNIE:
Really, Winston,

you are simply
irresponsible about money.

I am sending the man
the £11 he asks,

but why will you write
checks when you have
no money in the bank?

Actually, in America,
you know, it's illegal,

and they sentence people
to long terms in jail
for doing it.

My dear,
do be careful

and do write
when you can.

Please, please,
don't take any
unnecessary risks.

Your loving mother,
Jennie Randolph Churchill.

Who's that bloody fool
on the gray?

ADJUTANT: Can't tell.

Someone who wants
to get noticed,
I should imagine.

He'll be noticed.
Get his head blown off.

(BUGLE SOUNDING)

(MAN SHOUTING)

Sir!

Lieutenant Churchill,
sir, 4th Hussars.

Although, actually
I'm here as
a correspondent,

The Pioneer and
Daily Telegraph.

Ah, I wonder,
if you're going to
that village up there,

would you mind awfully
if I came along with you?

Ah, yes, Churchill,
4th Hussars.

Actually we don't care
much for correspondents
out here, Churchill,

or white horses either.
Where'd you get him?

Uh, in the auction
last week, sir,
at Malakand Pass.

Previous owner killed?

I believe so, yes, sir.

Didn't that
teach you anything?

Sir?

Well, come along
if you like, but
keep out of the way.

Thank you very much, sir.

Oh, one more thing.
We do try to bring
our wounded back.

These chaps can be
very nasty,

but as you're only
an onlooker, I can't
guarantee anything,

understood?
Yes, sir.

(SNAPPING FINGERS)

(SPEAKING IN HINDI)

Thank you very
much, sir.

YOUNG WINSTON:
The truth is,
I'm not at all brave.

In fact, the truth is
I've often felt myself
a coward,

especially at school.

But if I could win
a reputation for
courage and daring,

if I could be
mentioned in dispatches,

that would help me
to get started
in politics.

In short, I need medals,

lots and lots of medals.

And I have to learn
so much and there's
so little time.

I have to read all
the books I should
have read before.

I must become
my own university.

And I must overcome
my speech impediment
when I speak in public.

The Spanish ships
I cannot shee... See.

For they are not
in shight... Sight!
Damn.

MAN: Pull back.

SIKH SOLDIER:
Everybody gone, sir.

All gone, sir.

Very well then.
Carry on.

ADJUTANT: Carry on.

Number three section,
follow me.

YOUNG WINSTON:
Wouldn't you know it!

All this way for nothing.

Talk about rotten luck.

(SOLDIER SHOUTING IN HINDI)

(FIRE WHOOSHING)

(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN HINDI)

(COUGHING)

Right, we'll
start back now.

Keep a dozen men,
Willy, and cover us

till we get halfway down,
will you? And then
we'll cover you.

Right.

Come along, Mr. Cartlidge,
we're going back now.

Very well, sir.
Come along, now,
bring them down.

(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN HINDI)

YOUNG WINSTON:
Not bad at that.

Could be worth
200 or 300 words.

(MAN SHOUTING IN ARABIC)

(GUNS FIRING)

OFFICER: Get back!
Get back!

(GUNS FIRING)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING IN HINDI)

Willy! Come on,
get out of there.

Come down!
We'll cover you.
Fall back!

Fall back!

(GUN FIRING)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING IN HINDI)

SIKH SOLDIER: No, sahib,
leave me! Oh, sahib,
you're hurting me.

(GROANING)
Sahib, let me go!
Oh, please, on my knees,

I am begging you!

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

(GUN CLICKING)

Come on, you idiot!
Get out of it!
Get out of it!

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

BINDON BLOOD:
And to conclude
these dispatches,

the General in the field
wishes to mention
and commend

the courage of
Lieutenant W. L. S. Churchill

who made himself useful
at a critical moment.

(BUGLE SOUNDING)

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING)

(RIFLE COCKING)

(RIFLE FIRING)

OLD WINSTON: And thereupon,
I sat down and wrote a book,

and the literary critics
were most kind to me.

CRITIC: If General Kitchener
should ever find time

to read Mr. Winston
Churchill's new book,
The Malakand Field Force,

it is fascinating to
imagine the great warrior's
reaction to it.

The book is excellent
for a first effort,

but perhaps its title
should have been,

Some Helpful Hints
For Generals From
A Young Lieutenant.

MAN: Hurry up.
The train is
about to leave.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

OLD WINSTON: For some
reason unknown to me,

I have always been
charged with being
unpunctual.

But then,
in my lifetime,

I have constantly
been accused of
many wicked things.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

Perhaps I paid for
all those sins,

real or imaginary,
in advance,

for, when I was but seven,

I was cast out
of my happy home

and sent away to school.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

And I left behind me
all who were dear to me,

especially my nurse,
Mrs. Everest.

Winnie, bye-bye!

OLD WINSTON:
Who looked after me...
Bye-bye, Winnie.

...and tended
all my wants,

and to whom I poured
out all my troubles.

And for some reason
I cannot now remember,

I called her "Woomany."

And when I went away,
I think I missed her
most of all.

YOUNG WINSTON: Dearest Mother.
My white horse has been
a marvelous investment.

Everyone noticed me.

The news here is that
Kitchener is going to fight
the dervishes in the Sudan.

Mother darling,
you must use all
your influence and charm

to get me into his command.

OLD WINSTON: My American
mother always seemed to me
a fairy princess,

a radiant being,

possessed of limitless
riches and power.

She shone for me
like the evening star.

I loved her dearly,

but at a distance.

(BELL CHIMING)

Nevertheless,
it was my father
who was the greatest

and most powerful influence
on my early life.

He was the second son
of the Duke of Marlborough

and a Tory member
of the House of Commons.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Unfortunately, if my
mother had little time
for me in those days,

(LADY JENNIE LAUGHING)
I saw of and spoke to
my father even less.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

He numbered
among his friends

some of the most
important men in
Parliament,

and indeed,
in all England.

Men like Lord Salisbury,
the leader of the Tory Party,

which was then
in opposition.

His nephew, Arthur Balfour
and Joseph Chamberlain.

And even I knew
that one day,

when the people came to
their senses and swept
the Conservatives

back into power,
it would be
these men who,

and together with my father,
would form the government.

No Lord Rothschild?

Are none of your Jewish
friends to be with us
today, Randolph?

No. I didn't think
it would be fair
to them.

You know how easily
bored they are.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(TRAIN RUMBLING)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

Winston.

Thank you, sir.

Now, we enter this
in your name.

So...

And then you can purchase
anything you like from
the school shop.

Up to the limit of
your credit, of course.

I'm afraid Winston
doesn't quite understand
about money yet.

We shall teach him.

This young man will be
very happy here,
Lady Randolph, I assure you.

I'm certain he will.

But you'll take tea,
Lady Randolph?

Oh, I am afraid I can't.
I shall miss my train.

Another time perhaps,
when I come again.

(BELL RINGING)

You will be
good, darling,

and you will write,
won't you?

Yes, Mama.

(DOOR CLOSING)

And so, young Churchill,
here we are.

Come along.

Yes, sir.

HEADMASTER: I'm going
to tell you something

I shall want you
to remember always.

Your school days are
the most important days
of your life.

How you get on here
will determine precisely

how you'll get on
in the world.

Succeed here and you
will succeed as a man.

Fail here,

and you will be a failure
to the end of your days.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.
Good.

Your father is
a great man.

Be like him
in all things.

Now, you wait here while
I see about getting you
settled in.

Have you had
any Latin?

Latin? No, sir.

Hmm. While I am gone,

learn this.

This, on the
right-hand page.

When I return,

we shall see how well
you have done.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Mensa a table,
mensa o table,

mensam a table,
mensae of a table,

(DOOR OPENING)
mensae to a table,
mensa from a table...

They are ready for you.
Come along.

Now then,
have you learnt it?

I think I can
say it, sir.

Then please do so.

Mensa a table.
Mensa o table.

Mensam a table.
Mensae of a table.

Mensae to or
for a table.

Mensa by, with or
from a table.

(CHUCKLES) Very good.
Come along.

Excuse me, sir,
but what does
it mean?

It means what it says,
mensa, a table.

Mensa is a noun of
the first declension.

There are five declensions.
You have learnt the singular
of the first declension.

Yes, sir.

But what does it mean?

I have told you.
Mensa in Latin
means a table.

But it means
"O table" too, sir.

And what does
"O table" mean?

Mensa, o table,
is the vocative case.

"O table."

You would use that
in addressing a table,
in invoking a table.

You would use it in
speaking to a table.

But I never do, sir.

Churchill, in this school,
if you are impertinent,

you will be punished,
and punished, let me
tell you, very severely.

Come along.

"McSweeney, P. J. M. W.

"He exhibits rather
too relaxed an attitude

"towards the disciplines
of academic life."

(EXCLAIMS)

Stand forward,
McSweeney.

Mr. McSweeney,
I shall be obliged,

if, after this assembly,
you will take your
customary step

through my study door.

WINNIE: Dear Mama,
I hope you are well.

I am very happy at school.

I do wish you could come
and visit me one day soon.

HEADMASTER: "...he gabbles
his translations

"and is dirty with
his written work."

Step forward,
Stuart MacKenzie.

May, A. C. W.,
stand forward.

Mr. May, Mr. Belcher
tells me in this report
that you suppose

noise to be an effective
camouflage for inattention.

You will shortly give me
your attention in the study,

where we will explore
your capacity for
making noise.

Mr. May, you're first.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(CANE RAPPING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

LABOUCHERE: ...which is,
in my view, essential.

Oh, come, come,
it really is time
the honorable member

stopped trying to
introduce bogus bills...

MEMBERS: Hear, Hear!
...in order to prevent
action on bona fide ones.

(MEMBERS SHOUTING)

LABOUCHERE: Mr. Speaker!
Mr. Speaker, I protest!

Those words should
be taken down!

MEMBERS: Hear, Hear!

Mr. Speaker, I agree,
I wholeheartedly agree!

Those words
should be taken down.

Will the gentlemen of
the press please take
these words down?

It really is time

the honorable member
stopped trying to
introduce bogus bills!

(MEMBERS LAUGHING)

(CANE RAPPING)

WINNIE: Dear Papa,
how are you? I am well.

HEADMASTER: Mr. Churchill.
I am very happy at school.

I had a nice birthday.
Thank you ever so much
for the present.

I know you're
ever so busy,

but it would be ever
so nice if you could
come one Sunday.

(DOOR CLOSING)

(CANE RAPPING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

OLD WINSTON:
When the next
election came,

my mother added
an American flavor
to the proceedings.

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

WOMAN: Mind your skirt,
dearie.

(DOORBELL TINKLING)

BUTCHER: Good morning.
Good morning.

Good morning.

Are we new in the
neighborhood, ma'am?

I must say,
I don't recall
the pleasure.

Well, you've come to
the right place to save
a bit of money.

Never hurts to do
a little shopping
yourself,

I always say, and
learn your way about,
in effect, ma'am.

What can I do
for you, ma'am?

Actually, I want to talk
to you about the election.

My husband, Lord Randolph
Churchill, is standing
for this constituency

and I'm helping him
to get elected.

Oh, uh, ma'am,

in this constituency,
in effect, we vote
as we please

and we don't like
people coming round
asking us for our votes.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Furthermore, I never
discuss politics
with women,

even ladies, ma'am,
begging your pardon,
in effect.

But I want your vote.

How am I to get it
if I don't ask for it?

BUTCHER: Indeed.
Well, that's a point.

Quite so. You have
a point there, ma'am.

It is a point,
but it is of no use.

I am a lifelong liberal.

Besides, I don't hold
with lordships lolling
about the House of Commons.

No. Horses for
courses, I say.

Lords for lords, commons in
the Commons, in effect.

But my husband doesn't
loll. He never lolls!

He works very hard.

That's why he isn't here
and I am in his place,
in effect.

Oh, and what time,
may I ask,

does his lordship
arise in the morning?

Most days about 11:00.

You see, the House
sits at night,
sometimes very late.

(STUTTERING) He stays
in bed till 11:00?

Well, I'm sorry,
ma'am, I could
never vote for a man

who lies abed till 11:00.

And that is the end
of it, ma'am. Good day.

Good day.

(DOORBELL TINKLING)

Just a moment!

(CHUCKLES) Doesn't get
out of bed till 11:00,
does he?

Well, ma'am,
looking at you now,

it's a wonder to me
he bothers to get out
at all.

(CHUCKLING)

Good day to
you, ma'am.
(CHUCKLES) Oh.

(DOOR OPENING)

LADY JENNIE:
Good evening.
Welcome home, my lady.

Thank you, Evans, Betty.
My lady.

Is Lord Randolph in?

No, my lady.
Oh. Where's Everest?

I'm here, Lady Randolph.
If I might speak to you.

Now, please.

(MOANING SOFTLY)

When did this happen?
Have you called
the doctor?

We shall be taking him
out of that place,
won't we, m'lady?

INTERVIEWER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Lord Randolph Churchill,

Secretary of State
for India.

Lord Randolph, many people
give you the major credit

for the return of
the Conservative
Party to power,

yet there is a rumor
that recently you tended
your resignation

to the Prime Minister,
Lord Salisbury.

I trust I am not here
to exchange gossip

or to encourage rumor.

INTERVIEWER: But you
will not deny that
there is friction

between yourself
and Lord Salisbury?

I refuse to discuss
that any further.

To put an end to it,
let me say that I have

never run away from
a fight when I believed
it necessary.

But I am,
and always will be,
loyal to the Tory Party.

Mind you,

some of my friends
in my own party have
a great lesson to learn.

The Tory Party will
never remain in power

until it gains
the confidence of
the minorities

and the working classes,

because the working classes
are quite determined to
govern themselves.

Ah, yes, your theory
of Tory democracy.

It is said that there
are few who take it
seriously.

Really?

Yes. After all,
as an aristocrat,

it's difficult to accept
you as an advocate of
democracy.

Many people think
you use it as a device

to make yourself
Prime Minister in
Lord Salisbury's place.

Do you?

Not at all!

Good.
Uh, recently you
have expressed

strong views on
the state of the
Irish question.

Ah, well, the
Irish question.

That, I'm afraid,
will never be solved.

Quite. Now,
Lord Randolph,

on a more
personal note.

You and Lady Randolph,
the former American
heiress,

Jennie Jerome,
are leaders of society.

Your racehorses
are most successful,

you entertain lavishly
and His Royal Highness,
the Prince of Wales,

attends your
dinners frequently,

and Lady Randolph and you

are identified with
all that is new
and fashionable.

Your splendid home here
in Connaught Place

is one of the few
to have electric lighting.

How do you find it?

Do you prefer
it to gas?

(CLICKS TONGUE)

Well, it's all rather
up-to-date, I suppose.

That thing in the cellar,
I think you call it
the dynamo,

is rather noisy.

The lights
will keep going out,
always at the wrong times.

No, I don't think
that electric light
will ever replace gas

at least, not in
private houses.

(CHUCKLES) No, no.

I believe, Lord Randolph,
you have a son?

What? Yes,
actually, two.

Two sons.
Winston and Jack.

No doubt they're very
proud of their father.

Oh.

(CHUCKLES)

That thought had
never occurred to me.

(BELL RINGING)

OLD WINSTON:
I had scarcely passed
my 12th birthday

when I entered the
inhospitable regions
of examinations,

through which for
the next seven years

I was destined to journey.

These examinations were
a great trial to me.

I should have liked to be
asked to say what I knew.

They always contrived
to ask what I did not know.

This sort of treatment
had only one result.

I did not do well
in examinations.

(WATCH CLICKS)

Begin.

OLD WINSTON:
This was especially true

of my entrance
examination to Harrow.

I wrote my name
at the top of the page,

I wrote the number
of the question.

One.

And after much reflection,
I put a bracket around it.

But thereafter,
I could not think of
anything connected with it

that was either
relevant or true.

Incidentally, there
arrived from nowhere
in particular a blot

and several smudges.

I gazed for two whole hours
at this sad spectacle.

Then, merciful ushers
collected my piece
of foolscap

with all the others
and carried it up to
the Headmaster's table.

Whose is this?

Blond-haired boy
in the second row, sir.

OLD WINSTON:
It was from these

slender indications
of scholarship
that Mr. Welldon,

the Headmaster,
drew the conclusion

that I was worthy to
pass into Harrow.

It is very much
to his credit.

It showed that he was a man

capable of looking
beneath the surface.

A man not dependent
upon paper manifestations.

I have always had
the greatest regard
for him.

Happy Christmas,
Lord Randolph.

Thank you.
And to you,
my boy.

Well, Mr. Buckle,
a visit from me to
The Times at this hour

must be somewhat
of a surprise to you.

Oh, The Times has learnt
never to be surprised by
Lord Randolph Churchill.

Then perhaps this
will surprise you.

This is a letter from you
to the Prime Minister.

That is correct.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

But it's a letter of
resignation from the Cabinet.

That is also correct.

Lord Randolph.

You have taken me into
your confidence by
showing me this letter.

I ask you...

(SIGHS)

I beg you not to send it
to Lord Salisbury.

I already have.
That's a copy.

Then I urge you
to withdraw it.

That's not possible.

Lord Randolph, once before
you threatened to resign and
the Prime Minister retreated.

This time he will stand firm.

Really?

Forgive me if I seem
to be taking a liberty,

but for you to resign now,
to leave the government
at this time,

on this issue of the
budgets for the Army and
Navy would be a tragic error.

You must not do it.

I have no choice.
I'm pledged to economy
up to my eyes.

I gave my word.

How can I accept this
flagrant misuse of
public money?

May I say that
public money has
been wasted before

and the nation
has survived?

As I understand it,
every one of your
colleagues

in the Cabinet is willing
to accept this bill.

Then why do you feel it
necessary to resign?

Because in addition
to being Leader of
the House of Commons,

I'm also Chancellor
of the Exchequer.

I am responsible for
the country's money.

Why resign? In protest?

The country will
not be grateful.

After all,
isn't this a matter
of national defense?

Withdraw this resignation
at once, now!

The Prime Minister
has already accepted it.

I have his letter here.

Mr. Buckle,
I came to you,

rather than
any other editor,

in the hope that you,
of all people, would
give me your support.

I see.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

The Times has criticized
the government when we have
thought it necessary,

but we will not lend a hand
toward bringing it down.

Hmm.

(CHUCKLES)

Will you at least publish

both my letter and the
Prime Minister's reply?

No.

Both letters are
private communications

between you
and Lord Salisbury.

To publish his letter,
I would have to have the
Prime Minister's permission.

That you will never get.

I presume I shall see
the news in tomorrow's
edition of The Times?

Yes, tomorrow.

LADY JENNIE:
Randolph! Randolph!

Randolph!

Randolph.

Quite a surprise
for you.

It is true?
It must be.

It's in The Times,
isn't it?

(DOORBELL TINKLING)

Last night you knew.
You knew then and
you didn't tell me.

When you said
you were going
to the club,

you were going
to The Times.

I saw no reason to
spoil your evening.

But you've worked so hard.

Yes, I'm very tired.
Why don't we take
a holiday?

We've arranged to be
home at Christmas.
We have engagements.

Mr. Moore, my lord.

Oh, dear, yes.
Show him in, will you?

Good morning, Lady Randolph.
Good morning,
Mr. Moore.

Lord Randolph?
Yes, it's quite
true, Moore.

Now be a good fellow,
have a cup of coffee
with us.

No, thank you, I...

I just came to tell you
that if I can ever serve
you in a private capacity,

I would be honored.

Very kind of you.

Do sit down.

Thank you, no.
I really must go.

I'll see you
to the door.

I'll see myself out,
Lady Randolph.

In all my 20 years
in Her Majesty's
government,

I have never served
a more able or more
brilliant minister.

He has flung himself
from the top of
the ladder

and he will never
reach it again.

(DOOR CLOSES)
Winston, hurry up.

OLD WINSTON:
The devoted Mr. Moore

had a heart attack
and died shortly
thereafter.

I can see my father now

in a somewhat different light
than I did in those days.

I have long since
passed the age
when he died

and I understand very clearly
the suicidal nature
of his resignation.

My mother remained,
as always,

loyal and steadfast.

(CHOIR SINGING)

(CHOIR HUMMING)

BOY: "And 'Stanley!'
was the cry.

"A light on
Marmion's visage spread,

"and fired his glazing
eye, with dying hand
above his head,

"he shook the
fragment of his blade

"and shouted, 'Victory!
Charge, Chester, charge!
On, Stanley, on!'

"Were the last words
of Marmion."

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

YOUNG WINSTON:
"Dearest Mother and Father,
two weeks from Monday,

"there is to be
prize-giving in
the Speech Room.

"I have memorized
600 lines from Macaulay's
Lays of Ancient Rome

"and if I can get
a 1,000 lines by heart,

"which I will do,
I'm bound to
get a prize.

"So will you please
both come down?

"Everyone will be there

"and it would make me so
happy if you were there
to see me win a prize.

"You have never been down
to see me at Harrow,

"either of you,
and this would be
a perfect time.

"So, dearest Mummy
and Papa, please,
please, please,

"do, do, do come.
Your loving son,
Winston S. Churchill."

YOUNG WINSTON:
"And under that
great battle,

"The earth with
blood was red,

"And like the Pomptine
fog at morn,

"The dust hung overheard

"And louder still,
and louder,

"Rose from the
darkened field

"The braying of
the war-horns

"The clang of sword
and shield..."

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

Oh, Dr. Roose.
Do come in.

DR. ROOSE: Thank you.
He is better,
isn't he?

Oh. Do sit down,
I shan't be a moment.

Will you have
a cup of coffee
with me?

Lady Randolph,
I should like you
to meet Dr. Buzzard,

whom I have consulted.

But I thought
he was getting better?

I am sorry to have to
tell you, madam, that
your husband is very ill.

You must, I fear,
prepare yourself
for the worst.

Dr. Buzzard...

We agreed to be frank
with Lady Randolph,
did we not?

DR. ROOSE: Frank, yes,
but I see no necessity
to be brutal.

What is it?
What are you
talking about?

Lady Randolph,

it is my sad duty
to tell you

that Lord Randolph
is suffering from
an incurable disease,

from which,
at the most,

he will die within
five or six years.
Stop!

What are you telling me?

You are talking about
a man who is only
38 years old!

Lady Randolph,
please believe this is
extremely painful for us.

Do sit down.

May we?

Lady Randolph,
I am a specialist

and what I have to tell
you is, I am sorry to say,
beyond question.

But what is the cure?

There is no cure.

(SIGHING)

But what is it?
Why don't you tell me?

Let us call it
an inflammation
of the brain.

In the years to come,
although he will seem
to recover,

although he will seem
from time to time
to be perfectly normal,

in fact, he will
deteriorate consistently.

He will suffer paralysis
in his limbs

and his speech
will become impaired,
as will his mind.

There will be
periods of violence.

I'm sorry, believe me,
but it is necessary
for you to know.

Is it true?

It can't be.

It isn't true,
is it?

Yes.

Yes, I'm afraid it is.

(CRYING)

Oh, my God! Randolph.

(SIGHS)

Does he know?

No. And in our opinion,
he should never know.

Lady Randolph.

Yes?

(LADY JENNIE CRYING)

How recently have you had
physical relations
with your husband?

Why do you ask?

Forgive me,
but it is a matter
of some importance.

I beg you.

(MUMBLES)

Not for
a considerable period.

If it is necessary
for you to know,

perhaps not for...

...a considerable time.

Thank God.
DR. BUZZARD: (SIGHS)
Yes, thank God.

Neither you,
nor the two boys
are in any way affected.

But I'm afraid there
must be no further
physical relations

between you and
your husband ever again.

(DOOR OPENING)

YOUNG WINSTON:
Good morning, Mother.
Good morning, Father.

(DOOR CLOSING)

LADY JENNIE:
Good morning, Winston.

(CUTLERY CLANKING)

Winston!

Go to your room
and stay there

until you learn how to behave
in a civilized manner!

Yes, Father.

Don't you think
that was a little
excessive?

His manners are atrocious!

I know.

But most boys are ugly
and tiresome at his age.

To the best of my memory,

I was always
fairly presentable,

and I do not recall
grunting at table
like a pig on heat.

Randolph, we haven't
seen much of Winston
this past year,

and he does worship you.

You were right, of course,

but you were a bit harsh.

Nonsense.

You don't really
think that, do you?

Well, if you ever
spoke to me like that,

I'd feel as if you
didn't care about me at all.

Of course.

Perhaps I should
have a chat with him.

Oh, that would be nice.

Yes, I think I'll do it now.

Why don't you finish
your breakfast?

No. Now would be best.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Father.

I'm awfully
sorry, Father.

I'll be better.
I promise you, truly.

I'm sure you will be.

We won't talk
about it anymore.

Thank you, Father.

You know, Winston,

the world of politics
can be very
difficult sometimes,

and I have my share
of problems these days.

Things I do are misjudged

and things I say
are often distorted.

Perhaps that's why
I'm so often bad-tempered.

Oh, no, Father,
you're a great man.

Everyone knows that.

Everyone knows Lord Salisbury
treated you very badly,

and you'll show him!
All of them.

Thank you.

Thank you, my boy.

Anyway,

I think older people
aren't always
particularly considerate

to younger people,
to children.

They forget what
it was like when
they were children.

And sometimes
when they're
bad-tempered,

they speak more harshly
than they think they are
or mean to.

Yes, I know, Father.

Well, I think there
have been times
when I've done that.

Perhaps this morning.

But I would never
wish you to feel

that I don't care
for you very much,

because I do.

Thank you, Papa.
I mean, Father.

I say, Winston,

your collection has become
most impressive, hasn't it?

You're rather short
of artillery, aren't you?

Yes, Father,

only five field guns.

Yes, well...

Now that's not
really enough...

OLD WINSTON: It was one of
the three or four long

intimate conversations
with him which are all
I can boast.

He spoke in the most wonderful
and captivating manner.

And when he inspected
my troops,

he displayed such a knowledge
of military affairs that
it would have astounded me,

had I not already been aware
of his breadth of mind.

Winston,

when you grow up,
would you like to
go into the Army?

Would you like
me to, Father?

No, it's what you
would like that counts.

Well...

I'm awfully good
at history,

especially about
wars and battles
and generals and...

Yes, Father, I'd like to,
very much. Very much.

Good.

We'll talk about
that again later.

There's an army class
at Harrow, isn't there?

I'll have a chat
with Welldon,
see what he thinks.

Yes.

Goodbye, Winston.
Goodbye, Father.

Woomany! Woomany!

What is it,
for heaven's sake?

Father talked to me!
He talked to me
for the longest time,

and he was so kind!
And I'm going into the Army!

The Army?

The Army?

LORD RANDOLPH: Jennie,
he's our son, but we mustn't
blind ourselves, must we?

He's no scholar.

Can you imagine him
qualifying for the Bar

or cutting any kind of
figure in politics?

So, unless you see him
in the Church...

Now, you see,
the Army's
all that's left.

I think
it's an inspiration.

We'll have to get him
into Sandhurst.

And that, of course, means
passing the examination.

(SIGHING) The Army...

Well, that's three
or four years off,
anyway, isn't it?

OLD WINSTON: Unfortunately,
it took not one,

but three examinations
to get me into Sandhurst.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

Did my letter come, Father?

I've been accepted.
I passed!

You seem very pleased
with yourself, Winston.

I'm afraid I don't share
your satisfaction.

But I passed.

Yes, you passed.

There are two ways of passing
an examination, Winston,

one that does you credit
and one that does not.

As usual, you have
chosen the latter,

seventh from the bottom
of the entire class.

But I did pass.

Yes, you passed.

But you failed
to get into the Infantry.

You merely scraped
into the Cavalry,

which everybody
knows is the mark
of a third-rate pass.

Now that will cost me
an extra £200 a year
to get you a horse.

And this, after all those
months of cramming,

and all the trouble
I went to with
the Duke of Cambridge

to get you
into 60th Rifles,

one of the finest regiments
in the British Army.

But I only failed
the Infantry
by 18 marks, Father.

I'm sorry.

Sorry?

You are sorry?

Winston, how many times
have I heard that word
from you before?

You've had every
possible advantage.

Your mother and I have
done everything possible

to make life
easy for you.

Remember how you
behaved at Eton?

Eton? You mean
at Harrow, Father.
Your reports

have been nothing but
an embarrassment to me.

"Untidy, slovenly,
bad, lazy..."

You're my greatest
disappointment.

You lie, you shirk,
you boast!

You care nothing
for anyone but
yourself, Winston.

Ever since you were
a child, you've been
a problem to me.

Nothing but trouble
and heartache.

What's to become
of you, boy?

No! You're no longer
a boy, you're 20!

You'll be 21
in November.
No, Father, I'm 19.

Don't interrupt me,
Winston! Please!

Winston,

if you do not
change your ways
at Sandhurst,

if you do not face up
to your responsibilities

like a man,

if you don't
buckle down, Winston,

I can accept no further
responsibility for you

after your 21st birthday.

If you don't change,

you'll become just another

public school failure,
a social wastrel

living out a shabby
and a miserable life
to the end of your days.

Do you understand me,
Winston?

Yes, Father.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Your Honor, sir.

OLD WINSTON: Nevertheless,

once I became
a gentleman cadet,

I acquired a new status
in my father's eyes.

And when I was on leave,

I was sometimes allowed
to go about with him.

I dearly loved these outings.

I had no idea that he had
less than 18 months to live.

Lord Randolph.
General.

Good afternoon, sir.

This your boy?
Yes, Winston.

Winston, you have
the privilege of meeting
General Bindon Blood.

How do you do, sir?

Sandhurst, eh?
Good, good.

See you in India
one day. All right?

I hope so, sir.

I'd like to serve
under you some day, sir.

I mean, in the field, sir.

You like a bit of
gunpowder, do you?

Good, good.

Well, young fellow,
you do well at Sandhurst,

and if ever
there's another war,
which I doubt, worse luck,

I'll find a place for you.

Give you my word.

Ambition is a good thing
in a young man, Winston,

but one mustn't be
too pushy, you know.

Yes, Father.

LORD RANDOLPH: Hello, Joe.

CHAMBERLAIN: Randolph.

I was going to write to you
to congratulate you on this
young man's maiden speech.

Excellent, Austen,
excellent.

Made a fine impression
on the House.

Thank you, sir.

You should be
very proud of him, Joe.

Yes, I thought it was
a reasonable effort.

You've grown, Winston.
Be an officer soon, eh?

I hope so, sir.

Father, I've been thinking.
Yes?

Well, Arthur Balfour
is Lord Salisbury's nephew.

They're very close
and he helps
Lord Salisbury a lot.

And now that Austen
Chamberlain is an M.P.,

he must be a great help
to his father.

I was just wondering,
I mean, when
I have some leave,

couldn't I help
your secretary?

I mean, you were your
father's secretary
for a while, and...

They fancy Rosebery's
gelding in this race.

He's a handsome
enough fellow.

The breeding's there
but there's something
lacking in the stamina,

you know... Character.

No, I don't see him
winning the race.

LORD RANDOLPH:
It was not so long ago...

Excuse me. Excuse me. Hello.
...in the terms
of the calendar...

Hello, how are you?
...honorable
members may recall

I made
a previous statement.

A previous statement

made by me
on a previous occasion.

Honorable members
may recall.

And so I repeat,

if I may...

On that... On that...

On that occasion...

(COUGHS)

On that occasion...

Honorable members
may recall, I...

Her Majesty's government...

Her Majesty's government

are spending huge
amounts of money

on Army and Naval operations.

They are doing so...

They are...

They are doing so without
regard to the pledges
they made to the country.

Without regard...

They are doing so without
regard to the pledges
they made to the country.

Without regard

to the will or voice
of Parliament.

That's what I said.

Must have had a reason.

Come along,
old friend.

OLD WINSTON:
He was only 46.

Had he lived another
four or five years,

he could not have done
without me.

But all my dreams of
comradeship with him,

of entering Parliament
at his side

and in his support were ended.

We buried him near Blenheim,

where both he and I were born.

His friend,
Lord Rosebery wrote of him

"He was human,
eminently human,

"full of faults,
as he himself knew,

"but not base nor
unpardonable faults.

"Pugnacious, outrageous,
fitful, petulant,

"but eminently
lovable and winning."

Not a bad epitaph at that,

nor one I should mind
having for myself.

Now, there remained for me
only to pursue his aims

and vindicate his memory.

MAN 1: Parade,

present arms!

(BAND PLAYING)

MAN 2: Color parties, halt!

MAN 1: Parade, shoulder arms!

(BAND PLAYING)

OLD WINSTON: I passed out
of Sandhurst with honors,

eighth out of 150.

I mention this
only because it shows

that I could learn,
quickly enough,
the things that mattered.

QUEEN VICTORIA: Victoria,
by the grace of God,

Queen, defender of the faith,

Empress of India

to our trusty and
well beloved Winston
Leonard Spencer Churchill.

Gentleman, greeting.

We, reposing especial
trust and confidence

in your loyalty, courage
and good conduct,

constitute and appoint
you to be an officer
in our Land Forces

with the rank
of Second Lieutenant.

OLD WINSTON:
Four months later,
I lost the one person

who had never failed me.

Elizabeth, Elizabeth,

it's Winston.

Do come in.

(SOFTLY) Winston?

What a good boy you are

to come and see
your old Everest.

Ooh! You've grown.

It's the Army.

Do you think
they'd take me?

I'm afraid I'm not
much good anymore.

Oh, you'll get better,
Woomany, you'll see.

I was thinking
this afternoon
about your father.

Do you know
what he did?

When I retired,
I gave him my savings,

and he made
a special trip
to the city

to talk to Lord Rothschild
about investing them for me.

Now, wasn't that kind?

And he, with so many
cares of his own.

Oh, they were cruel to him.

Lord Salisbury,

that Arthur Balfour
and Mr. Chamberlain.

Supposed to be
his friends.

Broke his heart.

You're wet.

You're soaked through.
It's raining.

You came in the rain?

You must take that off,
you'll catch cold.
No, it's all right.

No, no, you must
take that jacket off
and you must dry it.

Please, dearie...
All right, Woomany,
in just a moment.

Your boots
aren't damp, are they?

No. No, they're dry.

Oh, good.

That's what gives you
toothache, you know,

sitting in damp boots.

I know.

Are you enjoying
the Cavalry, dearie?

Very much, Woomany.
Very much.

SERGEANT MAJOR:
Next! Arms up!

List!

Arms up! Next!

Walk on! Outward turn.

Both lines outward circle!

Sit up! Look up!
Two forward! One!

Back to the riding position!

One, two, three, four!

And one, and two,
and three, and four!

Up! Down the center!

Walk on!

Come along,
Mr. Churchill, sir.

You'll have to do
better than that if
you want to go to India.

YOUNG WINSTON: Mother darling,
India has nothing
more to offer me.

And now that you,
unfortunately, have lost
most of our money

in that American
stock market swindle,

I really must go
to the Sudan with Kitchener.

I could write another book
or sell some articles.

So, please, please,
talk to everyone you can.

By the way, I have met
the most beautiful girl
I have ever seen.

Her name is Pamela Plowden.

We are going to do
a tour of Hyderabad
tomorrow on an elephant.

You have to ride
on an elephant,

because if you walk about,

the natives have a habit
of spitting at you

and crowding you
into the gutter.

Mother darling,
you won't forget about
Kitchener, will you?

LADY JENNIE:
Darling, as you asked, I have
written to General Kitchener

and I should be
getting his reply soon.

You will be pleased
to learn, I know,

that the Prince of Wales
is reading your book.

I cannot resist writing
you these few lines

to congratulate you
on the success
of your book.

Everyone is reading it.

But your dear mother
tells me you are thinking
of resigning your commission,

and standing
for Parliament.

I hope you will not do so.

You have plenty
of time before you.

Make your name
and your friends
in the Army.

And now, to Sir Ian Hamilton,

Lord Roberts, Lord Curzon,

Sir Evelyn Wood,
Lord Cromer,

the Prince of Wales,

the Prime Minister and
Lady Randolph Churchill,

say that I insist
on the privilege

of selecting
my own officers.

Say, as I've already
said not once but
many times before,

I have no room
for Churchill. None.

Say that...
Just arrived, sir.

Say that time
grows short

and I have a great
many more important
things to think about,

and that the matter
is closed, finally,
definitely and forever.

And I don't want to
hear anymore about it.

Uh... You'll dress
that up, of course.
MAN: Certainly, sir.

INTERVIEWER:
Lady Randolph Churchill,

widow of
Lord Randolph Churchill,

formerly Miss Jennie Jerome
of New York and Paris.

You play, if I may
say so, Lady Randolph,
most beautifully.

It has been said
that you could appear

on the professional
concert stage if you desired,

and you've given us
ample proof of that skill.

Thank you.

It has also been said,
no doubt with malice,

that you interest yourself
a great deal in your son,
Winston's affairs

and in his advancement.

I should be a most
unnatural mother
if I didn't.

Of course.

But there are
those who find
an interesting contrast

between your efforts
on his behalf now

and your neglect of him
when he was a child.

Neglect?

But that was
never the case.

That is vicious and hurtful.

My son never lacked
a mother's love.

Naturally,
when he was a child
he went off to school,

the very best of schools.

At home, he had
my attention and
a marvelous nanny,

who was with us
almost from the time
he was born.

Naturally, I was,
at the same time,

devoted to my
husband's career
as any wife would be.

I see.

You do, on occasion,

entertain or act as hostess
for the Prince of Wales.

His Royal Highness
finds you charming,
gracious, amusing...

You are at liberty
to think so.

But if you are insinuating
the slightest impropriety...

Not at all,
dear lady, not at all.

Please be calm.

I am perfectly calm.

Then we can proceed.

You are aware,
of course, that your
name has been linked

with another
royal personage,

Count Charles Kinsky,
the well-known sportsman.

I don't know what
you mean by "linked."

We are friends.

We have been friends
for many years.

Yes, friends. Exactly.

Friends.

Yet at one time,
there was gossip,
malicious, of course,

that your marriage
to Lord Randolph was,

shall we say,
pro forma,

and that in the event
of a divorce,

you and Count Kinsky...
There was never
a possibility of a divorce.

But you and Count Kinsky
are still friends.
Yes.

Charles was married
shortly before
my husband died.

Three weeks before,
in his own country,
in Austria.

He has remained there
ever since.

He has great
responsibilities there.

One last question.

What precisely
was the nature of your
husband's last illness?

It is well-known.

It was caused by overwork.

Ah, yes,
but the symptoms

were most curious,
were they not?

I don't know what you mean.

But surely you
were aware of your
husband's symptoms?

I think this has
gone far enough.

But this is of
great interest
to the public.

Is it?

Why should it be?

Why should it be
of any concern to
what you call the public?

The public is everyone,

and the public
has a right to know.

Why? What right?

I don't know anything
about such a right.

I only know about the right
to some decent privacy!

Oh, come, come,
Lady Randolph,
we live in modern times.

Surely the word syphilis
need hold no terrors for us?

Are you content?

Have you heard?

We've had a death.

Young Chapman,
21st Lancers.

BAKER: Really? Pity.
Mmm.

Just when he was going
out to the Sudan, too.

Yes.

So we have
a vacancy, don't we?

Yes. You know,
I was wondering...

What?

What about
young Churchill?
Are you mad?

Well, why not?

Well, firstly,
if the General twigged,

he'd have our
balls for breakfast.

And secondly, why?

Surely, you don't
have any use for that
little publicity hunter?

None at all. But his
mother's a smasher.

Yes, I know.

(LAUGHING)
I say, you dog.

Do you know her?
No.

But I'd give anything
to meet her.

Come on,
what do you say, hmm?

There's not a chance
in the world
the old boy will ever...

(HORSE WHINNYING)

MAN 1: War Office
to Lieutenant Churchill.

You will proceed
to the 21st Lancers
at your own expense.

In the event of injury
to yourself or your horse,

no charge will be made
against Army funds.

Sign here, please.
Three copies.

MAN 2: I say, Churchill,

we at the Psychical Research
Society have an interesting
experiment in mind,

which, as a journalist,
should interest you, too.

If you should,
unfortunately, get killed,

will you try to
communicate with us?

FINN: Squadron, halt!

Uh, Chapman!

I say, Chapman.
Chapman, are you deaf?

Oh, sorry, sir.
It's Churchill, sir.

Oh, yes,
of course, Churchill.

Chapman's the one
who's dead. Mmm.
Sorry about that.

What condition's
your horse in?

First-rate, sir. Not tired,
if that's what you mean.

Oh, good. Now, you're
the one who wants to
see a show, aren't you?

Well, report up forward
to Colonel Martin,

he'll tell you
what to do.

Yes, sir.

Thank you very much, sir.

Oh, and, Chapman...
I mean, Churchill,

my compliments
to the Colonel.
Yes, of course, sir.

Sir, Lieutenant Chapman,
uh, Churchill.

Sorry, sir. Um...

Lieutenant Churchill
reporting from
Major Finn, sir.

Come with me.
Sir.

Is your horse
reasonably fresh?
Yes, sir.

I've a message
I want you to deliver,

but I want you to
see the situation
for yourself,

so that you can describe
what you've seen.

Sir.

Now, our estimate is
something approaching
close on 60,000

and though it may not
seem like it, they're
coming on pretty fast.

I want you to report
on what I've told you
and what you've seen,

personally to
General Kitchener.

Oh, God.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I mean, yes, sir.

Are you all right,
Chapman?

Yes, sir.

YOUNG WINSTON:
What do I say?

Lieutenant Churchill
reporting to
General Kitchener?

He'll kill me.

He'll send me home.

He'll have me
court-martialed.

He'll skin me alive
before the entire Army.

I'll be ruined.

Oh, my God.

Oh, well...
I died for my country.

(BAND PLAYING)

Sir, I've come with a report
from the 21st Lancers.

The Dervish army
is advancing

between yourself and
the city of Omdurman.

Colonel Martin
estimates their strength
in the region of 60,000.

I saw them
40 minutes ago.
They're moving rapidly.

They're moving
rapidly, you say?
Yes, sir.

How long do you
think I've got?

I would say an hour, sir.

Possibly an hour and a half.

YOUNG WINSTON:
An hour and a half
should be about right.

I hope.

(HORSES WHINNYING)

(INDISTINCT YELLING)

(MEN SHOUTING IN ARABIC)

Fire!

OFFICER:
They're breaking, sir.
They're breaking!

(SCREAMING)

OLD WINSTON:
During the mopping up
operation the next day,

I took part in what was
destined to become

the last full charge ever
of British cavalry.

(GUNS FIRING IN DISTANCE)

Sound the trot.

Sound troop to the right.

Sound the charge!

Charge!

Charge!

Charge!

(HORSES WHINNYING)

Charge!

(FIRING)

(LOUD CLAMORING)

Bloody hell!

(GUNS FIRING)

(MEN SHOUTING)

INTERVIEWER:
Mr. Winston Churchill.

War correspondent,
author, recently
resigned from the Army,

and candidate for Parliament
for Oldham at the age of 23.

Twenty-four, actually,
in November.

Thank you,
Mr. Churchill.

There is gossip
that you were
detested in the Army,

where it is said
that you were known
as a medal hunter,

a publicity seeker
and a social climber,

pushing, aggressive
and scheming.

Forgive me, I'm sorry.

I was wondering why
a certain kind of person

always seems to believe
the worst about me.

At Sandhurst, for example,

I was accused
of being everything

from a horse thief
to a homosexual,

and I had to sue
for libel and win

to prove my innocence
on both counts.

As to what you've just said,

I'm sorry to hear it.

I thought I had served
my country faithfully,

at some danger to myself.
Yes.

Some officers have stated
that your criticism
of General Kitchener,

in your new book,
The River War,
was inexcusable.

Have you read the book?
No.

Then perhaps
you should read it.

My statements concerning
his atrocious treatment

of enemy wounded
were entirely factual.

As to our victory,

although the enemy
had superior numbers,

they were no match
for a modern army.

I see.

Your father also
had a weakness

for offending people,
did he not?

I wouldn't call it a weakness.

I would describe it
as his strength.

And I would attribute it
to the strength
of his convictions.

My father
was a brilliant man.

He had no time for fools.

Yes.
Actually, you were not
very well acquainted

with your father,
were you?

Not as well as I should
have liked to have been.

However, solitary trees,
if they grow at all,

grow strong.

Indeed.
Something you've read?

No. Something
I have written

in my new book,
The River War.

You really should read it,

there are some
good things in it.

Reverting to your
father's enemies,

do you imagine
they will welcome
you into politics?

I don't know what
you mean by enemies.

Oh, come now!
Lord Salisbury,

who kept him
out of government.

Mr. Balfour,
who supported
Lord Salisbury,

Mr. Chamberlain,
who destroyed your
father's last chance

of returning to power.
And the others.

They were never enemies.

They may have disagreed
at times,

but that's the nature
of politics, isn't it?

Lord Salisbury's been
very kind to me.

I dedicated my book to him.

Then you feel you
have no cause to fight for
in your father's name?

No wrong to right,
no vendetta to keep alive?

Vendetta?

That's an Italian word,
isn't it?

Nothing like that in England,
is there? Hmm.

Why are you so friendly
with David Lloyd George,
who is a Liberal?

I like people.
People who can
help you?

A young man starting out
in life needs help.

But don't you think
that in these times

politics has little room
for wealthy and privileged
young men?

I am not wealthy.

I live on what I earn,

and I support my mother
and my younger brother.

But why exactly do you wish
to stand for Parliament,
Mr. Churchill?

To serve my country.

And to advance yourself?

Yes. Is there anything
wrong in that?

Is there anything
right in it?

Who are you to aspire
to the greatest Parliament
in the world?

What do you have to offer
other than your ego
and your ambitions?

Only myself.

I believe in myself.

I believe in my destiny.

Really?

Have you consulted
a fortuneteller recently?

As a matter of fact, I have.

She agrees with me.

Is it a crime to be 24?

No, no, not at all.

What would you
like me to do?

Play games?
Be seen but not heard?

Close my eyes and ears?
Be a child forever?

Must we always be
ruled by old men?

Doesn't every old man
in politics

betray the wonderful
things he believed in
when he was young?

And by doing that
betray his country?

It think there is room
for a young man,

many young men
in government.

If I could,

I would say this
to young men
all over the world.

Come on, you are needed
more than ever now.

You must take your places
in life's fighting line.

Twenty to twenty-five,
those are the years.

Don't be content
with things as they are.

Yes, you will make mistakes,

but as long as you
are generous and true,
you cannot hurt the world,

nor even seriously
distress her.

She was made to be wooed
and won by youth!

She has lived
and thrived only by
repeated subjugations.

Well...

Something else
you have written?

No.

No, it's something
I am going to write,
I think.

Really?

In your autobiography,
no doubt.

Yes.

Yes, I think I will
write an autobiography
someday.

I think I'll have something
to write about.

Yes.

Well...

MAN:
The Oldham Evening Chronicle.

Young Mr. Winston
Churchill's first attempt

to enter politics
has met with defeat.

He has left for South Africa
as a correspondent

to write about our war
with the Boers.

OLD WINSTON:
In South Africa,

I had the good luck
to encounter
a Captain Aylmer Haldane,

whom I had met in India

and who had
befriended me there.

He invited me to go out
on a reconnaissance with him

in an armored train.

Going back?

This is as far as
our orders take us.

Seems quiet enough.

Let's go and have
a spot of breakfast,
shall we?

(RINGS BELL)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

You know, Haldane,
I've been thinking.

After the Malakand
Field Force,

I went on to
the Tirah expedition,
do you remember?

Yes.

Well, I never did get
my medal for that.

Now, if you were to write
to the War Office...

A medal for the Tirah?

Winston,
don't you ever relax?

I can't.
I'm almost 25.

(MAN SCREAMING)

(EXPLOSION)
Look out!

(GUN FIRING)
On the left!
Carry on, Sergeant!

SERGEANT: Enemy left.

(EXPLOSION)

(YELLING)

HALDANE: Now, lads, take aim.
Take aim.

Brakes!

(FIRING CONTINUES)

HALDANE: Come on, lads,
on your feet, on your feet!

(GROANING)

HALDANE: Get up!
Take posts.

WINSTON: Haldane!
We're off the rails!

Shall I go up front
and see what I can do?

Good idea.

Turret right.

SOLDIER: On target.
OFFICER: Shoot!

Hey!
Where are you going?

I'm civilian.
I don't get paid
for being shot at.

Come back here.

Come here.
Let go!

Let go!

Listen, you've got
more chance of
being hit if you run.

Now listen to me,
I'm a soldier.

No one ever gets shot
twice on the same day,
that's a fact.

Now you get back in there.

It's the safest place
there is.

And when this is over
you'll get a medal.

That's a promise.

Come on,
I'll go with you.

Can this engine
still run?

Well, it might.

But the track's blocked,
we can't move.

Unless we get uncoupled
from that truck
in front of us...

Come on, get in.

And get it over
on its side.
I see.

And there's no way of
doing that!

We can try.

Is there an officer here?

Yes! What is it?

We have to uncouple
that truck there

and push it over
on its side.

Sergeant,
bring a dozen men.

SERGEANT: Very good, sir.

Who was that? A Boer?

Worse than that.
He's crazy.

Come on.
Give him a hand.

Heave it up
from underneath.
Right.

It's moving.

Come on!
Out you come! Outside!

Come on out, you men.

Get up! Come on,
move yourselves.

You men, over here.

Right, come on.
Get your shoulders
under here.

OFFICER: Come on, men.
Come on, boys.

Come on there, heave!

Come on, heave.

Heave!

Under that, come on.

Come on.

Hold it! Hold it!

Keep it up!
Hold it up!

Heave! Get it over!

Heave!

Push it!

All right, take cover.

Come on.

Did it, by God!

You didn't get it
off the track.

You said all we had to do
was get it uncoupled
and push it over.

Anyway, it was too heavy
to get it off the track.

Well, I'll have to
ram it off now.

Well, ram it off!

I don't know if
the engine will run.

Well, try it.

(STEAM WHOOSHING)

Good. Now go ahead.

Well, I'll have to
back her up first.

Well, bloody well
back her up, you idiot!

Well, you don't
have to get excited.

Get out of the way!
Get out of the way!

(STEAM ENGINE STARTING)

Right, now go ahead.

And you keep shoveling.
Yes, sir.

We could go off the rails,
you know.

Go on!

Here...
Sorry. But go on!

Oh, Christ!

Haldane!

Haldane!

Move, fusilier.
Move, move, move.

The track
up ahead's clear

but we can't
get back to you.

And anyway,
the couplings
are smashed.

Yes, I know,
I know, I know.

Can we load the wounded
on to the engine?

Yes!

Well, that's something,
I suppose.

The rest of us
will have to go on foot.

Thanks very much, Winston,
I'll remember this.

So shall I.

Wounded! Onto...
Onto the engine.

The rest of us
will go on foot,
using it as cover.

Come on, hurry! Run!

Wounded on the engine.
Get the wounded
on to the engine.

(SHOUTS)

(SHOUTS)

Moving along,
move along.

All right?

I think so.

All right, go ahead.

Go ahead.
As slow as you can.

(ENGINE HISSING)

Slow down, Winston.

Slow down.

Slow down.
You're getting
ahead of them.

All right, all right.

(GUN FIRING)

Winston! Slower!

Slow down,
you damn fool.

HALDANE: For God's sake!
Winston!

Hey, slow down.
Oh, shut up!

Slow down,
you damned idiot!

I can't, you silly ass!
We're on a downgrade!

I'll kill you.

I can't help it,
the brakes are gone.

(SCREECHING)

Now what?
I must go back
and get Haldane.

Back there?
What do I do?

You wait.

You wait 10 minutes

and then if you
don't see us coming,
you can go.

(MUTTERS)

(YELLING)

(TELEGRAPH BEEPING)

MAN: Pretoria,
we have captured
Lord Churchill,

who claims to be
a war correspondent.

But from our intelligence

we know that
he was responsible

for one part of the
armored train getting away.

WINSTON: Sir, I am
a special correspondent.

I was unarmed and I took
no part in the fighting
when I was captured.

I respectfully submit
that I should be released
as soon as possible.

MAN: On no account
is he to be released for
the duration of the war.

WINSTON: I've been
watching you two.

You're working
on an escape.

You're out of
your mind.
I'm not.

But I will be if you
won't take me with you.

Never.
Be quiet, Brockie.

We can't use you,
Winston.

You don't know
the country.

You don't know
the language.

If we got separated,
you wouldn't have
a chance.

Anyway, you'd be
the first to be
missed from here.

BROCKIE: Play.

Haldane,
I'm going mad in here.

And tomorrow's my birthday.

Congratulations.

Shut up,
you don't understand.

I'll be 25.

I can't stay
cooped up in here
for the rest of the war.

Please, Haldane!

You said you'd remember
what I did that day.

Do you remember now?

I wouldn't have been caught
if I hadn't gone back for you.

No.

HALDANE:
Do shut up, Brockie.

I can't think.

What's for dinner
tonight?

Any idea?

They're too close.

You're afraid.

See for yourself.

I'll go and look, too.

Oh, no, no...

OLD WINSTON: It was maddening.

And besides,
normally there was only
one guard on duty here.

The thought
crossed my mind
that we were suspected.

Suddenly I felt
it was now or never,

and the impulse was
too overpowering to resist.

But how was I
to inform my comrades?

Then I heard
a heavenly sound.

(FLUSHING)

Psst!

Psst!

Who's there?

(SOFTLY) It's Churchill.
Keep quiet.

Churchill?
Where are you?

What are you doing
out there?

Never mind.

Just go and tell
Haldane and Brockie
right away.

Oh, I get it.
Good show.

(TELEGRAPH BEEPING)

ENGLISH REPORTER: London,
The Morning Post.

Our special correspondent,
Winston Churchill,

who distinguished himself
before his capture,

has, in a fashion
as yet undisclosed,
escaped.

MAN 1:
Johannesburg.

A reward of £25 is offered

for the capture
of Winston Churchill,
dead or alive.

MAN 2: Pretoria.

Although
Mr. Churchill's escape
was cleverly executed,

there is little chance
of his being able
to cross the border.

When he is recaptured,
it is probable
that he will be shot.

(DOGS BARKING)

(MAN CHATTERING)

(SPEAKING IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

My name is Dr. Bentinck.

I've had an accident.

(SPEAKING IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(DOOR UNLOCKING)

Now, what did you say?

Are you English?
Never mind.

What do you want?

Well, I've had
an accident, I...

(LAUGHING)
I fell off a train.

Well, the truth is,
I'm afraid I'm lost.

All right. Come in.

(GUN COCKING)

Now then,
I think you'd better
tell me the real truth.

I think so, too.

My name is
Winston Churchill,

a correspondent
from The Morning Post.

I escaped from Pretoria
last night

and I'm making for
the border.

I have £75.

Will you help me?

By God, it's lucky
you came here.

It's the only house
for 20 miles

where you wouldn't
be handed in.

My name's Howard.
I'm British.

I'm the manager
of this mine.

There are three more of us
keeping the place going.

The Boers keep an eye on us.
There were some here
this afternoon.

Looking for you.

Then perhaps
I'd better go.

Nonsense.

We'll just have to
be extremely careful.

Have a drink,
Mr. Churchill.

Thank you,
Mr. Howard.

HOWARD: This is
our engine man,
Mr. Dewsnap.

Stay with him for
a moment, will you,

while I get the
food and blankets.
Are the others ready?

Waiting down below, sir.

(SIGHING)

I know who you are.

You're young Winston
bloody Churchill.

Don't worry,
I'm from Oldham,
you see.

Me wife writes
to me regular.

She told me
how you got beat
at last election.

Don't worry, lad,

you'll get all their
votes next time.

HOWARD: (SOFTLY)
Right, come on now,
watch your step here.

Don't trip over
the tracks.

Round the other side.

I couldn't bring
much food.

The housemaids
are all Boers.
Can't take the risk.

Take one of these, lad.

(WHISTLING)

Ever been down
a coalmine before?

I think you'll find it
an experience.

Not very comfortable,
I'm afraid,

but you mustn't move
away from here,
whatever happens.

I'll try to bring you
some more food tomorrow.

You will be all right,
won't you?

Of course.
It's very cozy.
Just like home.

(HOWARD LAUGHING)

Oh, Mr. Howard, gentlemen,
thank you very much.

My pleasure.

LORD RANDOLPH: You've been
shamefully careless
with this watch, Winston.

The repair bill
was very expensive.

If you can't
take proper care
of a fine watch,

you don't deserve
to have one.

YOUNG WINSTON: Yes, Father.

OLD WINSTON:
I remained underground
for three days and nights

while the brave Mr. Howard
planned how to spirit me

across the border
to Portuguese East Africa

from whence
I could take ship
to British territory.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(MEN CHATTERING)

Psst.

Thank you, Mr. Dewsnap.

(TELEGRAPH BEEPING)

MAN 1: Pretoria. Mr. Winston
Churchill has given himself
up.

MAN 2:
Johannesburg.

It is announced here
that Winston Churchill
has been recaptured

dressed as a woman.

MAN 1: Pretoria.

Although Mr. Churchill
is still at liberty,

there is no doubt
that he will soon be
a prisoner again.

MAN 2:
Johannesburg.

It is reported
that Mr. Churchill
has been captured,

disguised as a policeman.

MAN 3: Rome.
So far as is known,

Mr. Winston Churchill
is still at liberty.

The entire world watches
the progress of his escape.

MAN 4: Paris.

There is no confirmation
that Mr. Churchill
has been captured.

At the same time, however,
no one knows his whereabouts
or if he is alive and well.

OLD WINSTON:
I was not yet aware

that I had leapt
from a latrine
into world celebrity.

MAN 5: London.

Young Mr. Winston Churchill
continues to give the Boers
a run for their money.

Everyone in Britain
is cheering him on.

MAN 6: New York.

Winston Churchill,
who is American
on his mother's side,

is still free.
The whole world
is praying for him.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I'm free.

(GUN FIRING)

I'm free.

I'm Winston Bloody Churchill
and I'm free!

(CROWD CHEERING)

Ladies and gentlemen,

the man who,
after his daring escape,

rejoined the Army
of his country,

distinguished himself
again and again in battle,

helped to free
his fellow officers

from the very same prison
he escaped from.

I give you...

(CROWD CHEERING)

Ladies...

Ladies and gentlemen
of Oldham.

Friends...

I promised
Mr. Daniel Dewsnap,

without whose
wonderful help

I should not
be here tonight,

that the first time
I returned to Oldham

I would give his love
to his wife.

She's here!
She's right here!

(ALL APPLAUDING)

OLD WINSTON: Thus,
at my second attempt,

the Tory electors of Oldham
sent me victorious

into the mother
of Parliaments.

MAN: The Times.

In raising his amendment
against the government's bill
on military expenditure,

young Mr. Winston Churchill,
in his first major speech,

seems bent,
after one short and
promising year in the House,

on repeating the most
disastrous mistake of
his father's career.

(SIGHING)

I don't understand.

I wish
I could understand.

Does it really matter?

Yes, it does matter.
It matters very much to me.

I never understood
your father when
he did what he did,

throwing his life away.

And now you're
doing the same thing.

Only this time
I know in advance.

You're being dramatic.
I'm not throwing my life away.

But you are,
my darling.

Everything you've
worked so hard for.

I've had a note
from Arthur Balfour.

No, thank you.

He says the Prime Minister
is very angry with you.

Winston, you can't attack
the three most important men
in your party,

in the government,
and think that they'll
forgive and forget.

You'll be finished
after tonight.

We'll see.

Oh, Winston.

It isn't Pamela, is it?
Because if it is...

Pamela?
Oh, of course not.

Of course,
I loved Pamela.
I still do.

I'll never love
another woman.

But she had every right
and reason to marry an earl.

A belted earl,
as you Americans say.

I do wish you weren't
so friendly with Lloyd George.

Such an odious little man.

He has the most
annoying way of
looking at women.

I'm sorry, darling,
I must go.

Sign for me,
will you, please?

Winston...

For my sake...

I'm begging you,
don't move your amendment.

Don't speak tonight.
Please.

Good evening.
Good evening.

Are you prepared
to face the savage beasts

who even now
are lying in wait
for you?

As prepared
as I'll ever be.

WOMAN: Excuse me, sir.

Oh, I'll deal
with this, Mother.

I intend to
escort your son
to the arena.

You are very kind.
Winston speaks
of you often.

Oh, we are great
friends, I trust,

despite our
political differences.

Your presence in
the House tonight

makes it
a special occasion.

I am sure it will inspire
all the speakers.

And are you
speaking tonight?

No, no,
I shall be listening
with great interest

to your son.

Well, now, Winston,
I said I would
escort you,

so let us go.

I hope one day
to escort him

to the other side
of the floor.

Heaven forbid.

(CHUCKLES)

Lovely lady,
your mother.

Has she talked you
out of it?

No.

They'll have your head.

Lord Salisbury
never forgets,
as you should know.

Well, there'll always
be room for you
in the Liberal Party.

Why don't you
quit the Tories
and come over to us?

Never.

Good luck.

Excuse me.

To a thorough,
sweeping

and almost revolutionary
reconstruction of the Army.

We have failed to
rise to the hopes
of the country.

ALL: Hear, Hear!

SIR CHARLES DILKE:
Is there any
competent authority

who really believes
that the right
honorable gentleman

has made the best
of his opportunities?

ALL: Hear, hear!

Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!

(MEMBERS MURMURING)

Mr. Churchill.

Mr. Speaker,

I stand here tonight
to plead the cause
of economy.

It may be at
some other time

and under other
circumstances,

I may take a directly
opposite position

but tonight I speak
on behalf of military
economy and retrenchment.

MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

The Secretary of State
for War

is asking,
indeed demanding,

a great deal of money.

I do not think
he should have it.

MEMBERS: (SOFTLY) Hear, hear.

WINSTON: I say it humbly,

but with, I hope,
becoming pride

no one has a better right
to this position than I have,

for it is a cause
I have inherited,

and it is a cause
for which the late
Lord Randolph Churchill

made the greatest sacrifice
of any minister
of modern times.

I am glad
the House has allowed me,

after an interval
of 15 years,

to lift again
the tattered flag

that I found lying
on a stricken field.

(MEMBERS MURMURING)

It is quite recent history.

Lord Randolph was
Chancellor of the Exchequer,

Lord Salisbury
was Prime Minister
as he is now.

And on this same issue
of economy

Lord Randolph Churchill
went down forever.

But wise words, sir,

stand the test of time

and his words were wise.

MEMBERS: Hear, hear.

I have frequently
been surprised,

since I have been
in this House,

to hear with what composure

and how glibly members,
and even ministers,

talk of a European war.

I say, sir,
we must not regard
modern war

as a kind of game
in which we may
take a hand

and with good luck
and good management,

play adroitly
for an evening,

and when we have
had enough

come safely home
with our winnings.

MEMBERS: Hear, hear.

WINSTON: Oh, no, sir.

It is no longer a game.

A European war
cannot be anything

but a cruel
and heartrending struggle

which, if we are ever
to enjoy the bitter fruits
of victory,

must demand,
perhaps for years,

the whole manhood
of the nation,

the entire suspension of
peaceful industries,

and the concentrating
to only one end

of every vital agency
in the community.

MEMBERS: Hear, hear.

Ah, yes.

It may be that
the human race
is doomed

never to learn
from its mistakes.

We are the only animals
on this globe

who periodically set out
to slaughter each other
for the best,

the noblest and
the most inescapable
of reasons.

We know better
but we do it
again and again,

in generation
after generation.

It may be that
our empire, too,
is doomed,

like all those that
have gone before it.

To continue to spill
and waste its best blood
on foreign soil,

no matter what we say
or do in this place,

or think or believe
or have learned
from history.

But, thank God,

for us there is still
such a thing as moral force.

And in spite of
every calumny and lie,

it is known that
upon the whole,

and it is upon the whole
that such things
must be judged,

British influence
is a healthy and
a kindly influence.

And so I say, sir,

at this particular
moment in history,

we would make
a fatal bargain

if we allow the moral force

which this country
has for so long exerted,

to become diminished
or perhaps destroyed

for the sake of
the costly, trumpery,

dangerous military playthings

upon which the
Secretary of State for War
has set his heart.

MEMBERS: (LOUDLY)
Hear, hear!

MAN 1: The Times.

Mr. Winston Churchill's
outburst brought forth
some cheers,

but not, it should be noted,
from his own party.

Congratulations!
Thank you very much.

MAN 2: The Morning Post.
London.

Mr. Winston Churchill
last night served notice

that there is a young lion
loose in the House

and the lion
has sharp claws.

Well, well. Hmm.

I deeply suspect
what you've done tonight

and yet I have
to believe

you were completely
sincere and very brave.

You know, Churchill,

you're a child of your class
and you may never outgrow it.

But you've
got something.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I looked for you but,
well, I couldn't find you.

I thought
you might be here.

Well...

Do you think I still
have a career?

We shall have to wait
and see, won't we?

Hmm.

How do you feel?

Tired.

Tired, but free.

It's odd. I feel free.

Oh, sorry, darling.
A brandy?

No.

I don't know.

It's like when I escaped.

When I first knew
I was really free.

It's odd.

Oh, Mother...

I saw a girl tonight.

Tall, fair-haired.

Rather lovely, I thought.

Dressed in pale yellow,
I think.

You didn't see anyone
like that in the gallery,
did you?

Yes. There was
one young woman

who more or less
fits that description.

Oh?

Well, you know everyone.
You wouldn't...

Well, yes,
as a matter of fact, I do.

You must mean
Clementine Hozier.

Your uncle Jack Leslie
almost dropped her
in the font

when she was christened.

Oh! Did he now?

Yes.

OLD WINSTON: It was an end
and a beginning.

My darling mother continued
on her headlong, headstrong,

but always gallant
and courageous way,

whilst seven years later,

Clementine Hozier and I
were married

and lived happily ever
afterwards.