Original subtitles

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

1770, on the eve on the American War of Independence

Pitt the Elder, Earl of Chatham returns to the House of Lords.

My Lords, in a just and necessary war...

...to maintain the rights and honor of the country,

I would strip the shirt from my back to support it.

But in a war against the British colonists in America,

unjust in its principles, impracticable in its means,

and ruinous in its consequences,

I would not contribute a single effort or a single farthing.

For we now seek to wage war...

...against our brethren and our countrymen in America,

of the same language, the same laws, the same liberties,

the same religion endeared to us by every tie that sanctifies humanity.

My Lords,

I venture to say it.

Your efforts will be forever vain and impotent!

You cannot conquer America!

Were I an American, as I am an Englishman,

while a foreign troop was landed in my country,

I would not lay down my arms!

Never.

Never.

Never.

William, this is your birthday, I take wine with you.

You heard me speak this afternoon?

Yes, Sir.

- Did I meet with your approval? - Yes indeed, Sir.

That's very gratifying, William, very gratifying.

William.

What is my name?

The Earl of Chatham, Sir.

No, no, no, William, that's but a cloak to cover my old age.

My name is your name, William Pitt.

And I bequeath it to you.

As my second son, you will go into the House of Commons as I did before you.

Yes, Sir.

There was a time when I bore the proudest title a man ever had.

It was given to me by no King,

nor did I kneel for it before any Prince or Pope.

It was the people themselves who crowned me...

William Pitt, the Great Commoner.

I would not wish you a better title.

My son,

evil days are coming to us.

There may come a time when only a single-minded man can save us.

- William. - Yes, Sir?

Are you very drunk?

- Yes, Sir. - You come to be in that state?

You shouldn't be upset by a bottle or two of port at your age.

Your conversation is intoxicating.

- It's time you went to bed. - Thank you, Sir.

- Good night to you, Sir. - Good night, my boy.

- William Pitt. - Sir?

Do not seek fame through war.

No, Sir.

Did you ever have a son, Mrs. Sparry?

No, My Lord.

Then you've missed the greatest joy and the greatest gamble in the world.

You must watch over him.

One day there may be need of him.

August 15.

Child's Christian name, please.

- Napoleon. - Napoleon.

Thank you, Signor Bonaparte.

The Earl of Chatham dies.

The war against the America is lost.

Governments come and go, the glory of England fades.

The decadence of the Court of France infects the society of Britain.

It is an age of highly polished manners and rather low behaviour

Of gay satins and miserable rags.

The aristocracy get mellow on delicate wine...

whilst the poor dead drunk on gin at a penny a pint.

Men are hanged for stealing sheep...

...whilst other grow fat on the proceeds of corruption.

The wormwood eats into the Army, the Navy and Parliament,

where the unpopular coalition government of Lord North and Charles Fox...

sticks its head ostrich-like in the sands of time...

whilst the country sprawls aimlessly on a multicoloured quilt...

...of feckless folly.

Mr. William Pitt.

What do you think of these, Mr. Pitt?

Like the cheeks of a bishop, eh, what?

Have you ever seen more magnificent specimens?

- No, Your Majesty. - No, no, of course you haven't.

When it comes to growing turnips, I'm the first farmer in Europe, eh, what?

Here, examine them for yourself. That's right, take it, weigh it, smell it.

- A remarkable vegetable, Sir. - Yes, isn't it?

Since you're on your way tomorrow, take some along with you, eh, what?

I will, Sir, it's most kind of you.

You'll be good enough to tell me how they eat, Mr. Pitt.

I will indeed, Sir.

You are very young, Mr. Pitt.

Time may be relied upon to rectify that, Sir.

Yes.

Still you're exceedingly young to be my Prime Minister.

I thank you for the honour, Sir.

I've watched your career with interest.

And my father did, as you know. I'm tired of being served by knaves and fools.

I take it you accept, eh, what?

I do, Sir.

Eh, accept... good.

Think you can form a government, eh?

I do, Sir.

Well, I hope you're right.

I've got the most confidence in you, Mr. Pitt.

In spite of your opposition to my wishes in regard to the war...

...with my rebellious American subjects.

Yes, I suppose I should call them my late American subjects now, eh, what?

I did what I felt to be my duty, Sir.

Yes, there's another point, Mr. Pitt.

You're a reformer, eh? You like to change things?

I hope we shall have no innovations in my time.

We shall restrict them to those that are necessary, Sir.

Oh, well, good night to you.

Good night, Sir.

Discuss the ministry in the morning, eh?

Yes.

There appear to be only two of us. What would you care to play?

�cart� or piquet?

I didn't come to play cards.

Very wise, William.

My life has been made hideous by bad cards and good women.

I don't know which is the more tedious.

You heard the King sent for his Seals, I suppose?

- I have. - I'm not complaining.

The royal sack suits me like a velvet cloak. I shall go to Newmarket for 48 hours.

And then?

And then?

His Majesty having discovered that no one can form a government,

will send once more for that lump of moral disease Lord North...

...and that despicable cesspool of vice Mr. Fox.

Can't do without us.

Charles.

The King has sent for me.

And I'm going to form a government.

This is a grisly hour for a joke, William.

No man was ever more in earnest, Charles.

Now don't say it.

What?

You're very young, Mr. Pitt.

But my dear Billy, Prime Minister of England at 24?

That's why I want you to join me, Charles, I need your help.

The House of Commons is rotten with corruption.

Help me to drive the money changers out, let's make a clean sweep.

Ah, the new broom.

The new broom.

Where are the bristles? Where are your followers?

Lord North and I have a large Party, we hold all the aces.

Why should we throw in our hands just because you have a king up your sleeve?

I'm not interested in your Party, Charles, only in you.

The ideas of yesterday are dead and those of today are dying.

It's being in step with the ideas of tomorrow that counts.

We are men of the future.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, William.

The House can only be influenced by those who hold a majority.

Not by one who has only recently attained his.

The infirmity of youth is curable.

The cure would take 10 years, and you'll be killed in a night by laughter.

Parliament's no place for preambulators.

Believe me, the country will prefer them to Bath chairs.

It's true that I haven't lost a continent like your colleague, Lord North,

nor forfeited a fortune I don't possess in this Mr. Brook's home of state craft.

But in spite these drawbacks you can see that I can and will govern.

William.

You didn't really expect me to support you, did you?

Sir, the state of this country has never been lower.

I believed that you were the only other man who might be able to restore her.

We are faced today, Sirs,

with what is perhaps the most extraordinary situation...

...in the whole history of this House.

His Majesty has seen fit to exercise the royal prerogative so imprudently...

as to place the affairs of this great nation into the hands of an inordinately...

ambitious young man whose youth is his only possible excuse...

...for his rashness in accepting office.

I can think of nothing more calculated to leave a...

Luckily the situation is clear to the House,

for I freely confess that for once words fail me.

I therefore move that the House...

...go into committee forthwith to enquire into the State of the Nation.

Mr. Pitt.

Order! Order!

The motion which the Right Honorable Gentleman has seen fit to put forward...

...is one which in conscience I would not feel justified to decline.

Ambitious for myself I may be.

Ambitious for the greatness and prosperity of Britain...

...I certainly am, and ever will be.

For they constitute the happiness and pride of my life.

Hear him! Hear him!

- They must be made to listen. - We are in the minority.

In Parliament, yes, but in the country, I wonder.

Whoa! Whoa!

What's wrong, Barker?

Like an infant, Sir. Broken a wheel, I think.

It's him.

Billy Pitt to be sure.

What is it?

You're not wanted. People who won't take a hint ought to be taught!

???

Eleven o'clock in a fine calm night.

Eleven o'clock...

...o'clock on a fine calm night.

Well, Dan?

Jackson!

- One. - Two!

That's better.

Thank you, that's much easier.

So you two gentleman are followers of the fancy.

I'm Dan Mendoza, Whitechapel, ex-champion of England.

That's Gentleman Jackson, the reigning champion.

If you'd care to enroll in my academy, Mr. Pitt,

I'd consider it a privilege to instruct you in the noble art.

I'll bear it in mind. It seems I must be prepared to defend myself...

...not only against the representatives of the people but the people themselves.

Surely, Sir, you don't think what happened outside had anything to do with the people.

Well, there seemed to be plenty of people about.

One of those ruffians dropped these.

I know them, Sir, and it's not likely they came by guinea pieces...

...through honest labour.

Do you mean they were paid for this?

By some of your political enemies, most likely. They're afraid of you.

But you've no enemies amongst the common folk of London, I swear it.

No?

Oh, I wondered perhaps that they considered me too young for the...

- Not a bit of it, eh, Dan? - No, it's same as in the fancy, Sir.

A game young'un is always better than a game old'un, begging your pardon, Sir.

Did you hear that, Wilberforce?

I fear that I'm about to be sick.

Henry, show the gentleman the vomitorium.

I've met with such opposition in Parliament.

I was beginning to think the whole country was against me.

Not on your life, Sir. You mustn't lose heart.

Believe me, Mr. Pitt, you're closer watched...

...than if you were the favorite for the Derby.

Make a round of the public houses, Mr. Pitt, and you'll been in no doubt about it.

I find you mighty refreshing, gentlemen.

Tell me what do you think of the state of the country?

I couldn't find proper language for it, Sir.

And you, Mr. Mendoza?

Well, it ain't what it was in your old Dad's time, is it, Sir?

No, by heaven it's not. We're held in contempt throughout Europe.

Our ships can scarce command the Channel.

We're considered a third-rate power.

The country is bankrupt.

Is that true?

Yes, Sir, and more is the pity every word of it.

How think you if I appealed to the people?

Taking my stand on peace and reform.

Will they be behind me?

They are behind you already, Sir.

Peel off their mufflers and take the fight to them, Mr. Pitt,

and I'm a Dutchman if you don't get the decision.

Thank you.

Mr. Jackson, I look towards you.

Mr. Pitt, you, not I, are the champion of England.

And I likewise bow.

The young whippersnapper's overstepped himself this time!

Just before the Easter recess too. Upset all my plans.

- That's unheard of. - Well, what's happened?

Pitt's appealed to the country!

The King's dissolving Parliament and calling a general election

A general election?

(in Irish)

Vote for me, and no rents for a month.

Oh, your worship! Let me out and you got me vote!

I stand for peace, retrenchments...

- ...and reform. - I stand for three acres and a cow for...

I stand for your interests and that of the nation at last!

Richard White voting for Fox.

- Over there on the left. - Excellent.

Pitt's name is beating Clark as well.

- Name? - Charles James Fox...

...voting for Charles James Fox.

Pitt's knocking them cold, I tell you!

The whole country's gone pit mad from land-centered voters.

I noticed that port still in the hall. Have another uncrated, will you?

You never know, I may be here long enough to drink it.

Excellent, a most lucid demonstration and the correct conclusion. Passed.

Monsieur, you have my permission to sign your thesis.

Past three o'clock in a fine, clear morning.

Past three o'clock in a fine, clear morning.

The new broom sweeps clean.

New taxes for old, new duties for old, new finance for old.

Pitt orders the rebuilding of the navy.

In the forest they hew the raw material of the fleet.

At Portsmouth, Plymouth, Rotherhithe and Chatham,

the sounds of shipwright's hammers mingle with the rattles of chains hauling timber.

The rising cities of the North learn the first lights of the Industrial Revolution.

The face of Britain changes.

Watt invents the steam engine, Cartwright the power loom, Trevithick the locomotive.

Yet Charles Fox continues to oppose every new expenditure, but Pitt holds firm.

Before him lies one vital task, the security of these Islands.

First one ship is launched.

Then another.

And another.

A trickle grows to a stream, a stream to a deluge.

Till one day in August off Spithead,

lies the whole newly-forged might of the British Navy.

George, can't we sit down now?

My dear, this is the review of all, when I review, I review.

And go on reviewing.

Two years ago the Navy wasn't worth reviewing, eh, what?

Where's Mr. Pitt, eh?

Where's Mr. Pitt?

Sir Evan, find Mr. Pitt. I must congratulate him, what?

I really must be sit down, dear. My stays are too tight

Stays?

Ask the Admirals, they'll loosen them. Sailors know all about stays. what?

George!

- Have you seen Mr. Pitt? - No, Sir.

Did you hear that?

I believe there's a kind of a function on here tonight, you know?

- No really? - Don't you think it's about time...

- ...you put in an appearence? - Oh, must I?

- I know you're a sort of matrimonial Aunt Sally... - What is this?

- William... - Ah, Mr. Pitt!

His Majesty wishes to speak to you.

See if you can persuade them to open a bottle of Blue Seal.

My dear Mr. Pitt, where have you been hiding? You know my daughters, I believe.

They were so disappointed not to see you last Thursday.

Madame, I was torn between Mr. Wilberforce's Bill for abolishing slavery...

...and your efforts to abolish boredom.

75,000 thousand, Sir.

75,000 acres and in two years? Amazing, Auckland, amazing.

Ah, Pitt, do you know what Auckland's been telling me?

They're reclaiming land in Holland. He knows a devil lot about it for a diplomat.

Should make good ambassador there, what?

I'm glad you approve of his appointment, Sir.

Approve? Of course I approve! Send me a report on the drainage delegation there.

- And watch out for the French, what? - I will, Sir.

Altogether, Sir, he should have a busy time.

By the way, I saw you just now talking to Jenny.

Dangerous clan the Gordons. Avoid them.

I'm inclined to think that you should marry in self defense.

I hope I can defend myself, Sir, without such a drastic step.

Nonsense, get the whole thing over and done with once and for all.

Take a wife, Mr. Pitt

Whose wife shall I take, Sir?

Choose some amiable creature without ambition...

...and if possible without intelligence.

Mr. Gibbon is here, Sir.

- You asked for him to be presented. - Gibbon, Gibbon?

The author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

- You were presented with 12 volumes, Sir. - Was I?

Oh yes, yes, I recollect, yes. Very well.

- Well, Mr. Pitt, think over what I said. - I will, Sir.

Must secure the succession, eh?

Mr. Gibbon, Sir.

- How much further to London - Fifty miles, sir.

I'm tired after last night.

William, I've come to the conclusion I must be an exceedingly dull dog.

- Been listening to the opposition? - No, I wasn't thinking of politics?

But there are other things in life.

- Your father found time to marry. - What's that got to do with it?

No, no, I've got too much to do just now.

- There will always be too much to do. - Oh, no... No.

Quite soon, perhaps sooner than we think...

...all our dreams may come true.

The first essential is peace.

And that we have.

Peace.

And then...

As surely as they are taking in their harvest over there,

the rest will come.

The rest will come.

The prison gates of the Bastille are down.

And liberty has entered into possession.

Twenty million people have spurned...

...at slavery and demanded freedom with an irresistible voice.

How much the greatest event it is that has ever happened in the world,

and how much the best?

We hoped and still hope that the events in France would bring her freedom.

But now men who are extreme in all but humanity are grasping at power.

And very soon we may see liberty for the many...

...used as a stalking horse to secure license for the few.

The Secretary of State.

Grenville?

France has declared war against Austria and has invaded Belgium.

We must recall Lord Auckland from the Hague.

It may become necessary to fulfill our pact with Holland.

Monsieur de Talleyrand has called upon me, Sir.

He has asked if you could grant him a personal interview.

Tell Monsieur de Talleyrand that I'll see him at 9 o'clock.

Monsieur de Talleyrand.

- Good evening, Monsieur de Talleyrand. - Good Evening, Mr. Pitt.

I trust you had a fair crossing.

The Channel between our two countries is narrow but it might with advantage be narrower.

I would that were all that divided us, Monsieur.

If there's any other gap, Your Excellency, I feel certain it can be bridged

- Please. - Thank you.

- Have you heard the news? - I have and I greatly regret it.

The conflict was forced upon France.

It was the French assembly who declared war, I believe.

As a measure of self defense.

And as a further measure your soldiers have invaded Belgium...

and are now seizing Savoy.

Would you like a little port, Monsieur de Talleyrand?

Thank you, Mr. Pitt.

We've taken Belgium merely under our protected wing.

We shall withdraw as soon as our object is achieved.

Thank you.

As for Savoy, it is scarcely a serious State.

And Holland?

Holland?

We are pledged as you are to defend that country against the Turk.

I think I may say our word is as good as our bond.

At this moment I believe your bonds are at a 60% discount.

Mr. Pitt.

If Britain and France became military allies we could dominate the world.

Why do you smile?

I was thinking of one of the sayings for which you are justly celebrated.

Oh, yes, which one?

This one.

Providence gave men the gift of speech...

...so that they might use it to conceal their thoughts.

Did I really say that?

I have been sent her quite unofficially, Mr. Pitt.

- And shall we speak unofficially? - By all means.

That is without humbug?

Humbug.

One of my favorite British words.

Please proceed, Mr. Pitt.

Your suggestion of an alliance for world domination is merely intended as a bait.

I dislike the word bait.

Shall we rather call it a feeler?

To sound our neutrality.

In the language of your elder diplomats,

to discover how much intervention is likely to be in your non-intervention.

I see.

Let me be completely frank with you.

I have already sent for our Ambassador at the Hague, Lord Auckland.

Indeed.

When he returns I shall instruct him to inform the Dutch government...

...that if Holland is attacked, Britain will at once go to her aid.

I feel confident that the independence of Holland will be respected.

Have you the same confidence, Monsieur, in the conduct of your masters in Paris?

Oh, la, la how can I say that? Nothing is permanent in Paris.

Have you noticed that when a bunch of horses gallop while they're together,

for a moment they stay amassed...

and then, as the race proceeds, one outdistances the others?

It's the same with men. What would you do if such a man arose in France?

If such a man arose I would certainly deplore it.

But I would attach myself firmly to him at the first opportunity.

- Good night, Mr. Pitt. - Good night, Monsieur de Talleyrand.

Do not seek fame through war.

# God rest ye merry, gentlemen, # # Let nothing you dismay #

# Remember Christ our Saviour # # Was born on Christmas Day #

# To save us all from Satan's power # # When we were gone astray #

# O tidings of comfort... #

Lands of fortification at Flushing are in perfect order.

Good, and Amsterdam?

The people of Amsterdam are well affected towards the government.

There are a number of Frenchmen of various denominations...

who are disposed to spread reports and...

I'm sorry, Sir, I should have warned the servants to keep the waifs away.

No, no, Auckland, they remind us that we must do everything in our power...

...to preserve the peace.

The ill wind which blew you from Holland brought certain benefits.

Did your daughter return with you?

Eleanor, oh yes, of course.

It is imperative that the Dutch should take every possible precaution...

...to guard against any sudden step by the French.

I agree, Sir.

As to the hidden menace to Amsterdam,

we can deal with that as and when it becomes necessary.

I'm sorry, Father, I know you said you weren't to be disturbed.

Good evening, Mr. Pitt.

Good evening.

It's the waifs, Father, you can't disappoint them, they've called to drink your health.

I'm afraid they'll have to drink in my absence, this year, my dear.

Nonsense, Auckland, it's customs like these that make Christmas.

Besides, we're nearly finished.

Very well, if you'll excuse me.

You must be pleased to be home, Miss Eden.

So pleased that I'm already sad at the thought of returning to the Hague.

I suppose you couldn't arrange to make my father ambassador to Kent?

At least until the tulips bloom again in Holland.

If they bloom, if they are not trampled under foot by the invader.

- It's not as bad as all that, is it? - I hope not.

Has your father's assistant, Mr. Smelleck, I believe he was called,

has he added any more languages to his repertoire?

I don't think there are any more left.

I was sorry about his three rivals.

There are drawbacks to being my father's daughter.

He might choose you a husband.

He would. But so long as I seem to be attached elsewhere, he doesn't mind.

So, from Easter to Whitsun I have to be in love with Jeff.

And from Whitsun to Midsummer it's Ernest,

and from Midsummer to Christmas it's all Hobart.

You haven't seen the children about have you?

- Eleanor, the waits are just leaving. - All right I'm coming.

Is that Hobart?

Yes.

His time is nearly up. Have you appointed his successor?

Not yet.

You will be staying over Christmas, Mr. Pitt?

Oh, yes, but not alas from Christmas to Easter.

Hello, what are you up to?

- It's a game. - Nurse isn't to know.

Is there anybody about?

I don't see anybody.

- Are you sure? - Positive

We mustn't be caught, we've lost half of our side already.

What's happened to them?

Some are dead and some are prisoners in the nursery.

- And you've got to rescue them. - Yes.

Well, let's finish.

Let's go and see if all is clear.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodbye.

See you at the Cock and Bull, Mr. Somerset

Mr. Pitt!

Nothing of the sort, I'm Chief Brown Owl, I'm trying to restore the balance of power.

Without much success apparently.

Well, what do you expect at my age?

You haven't forgotten that, have you?

Made me realize that Parliament has aged me beyond my years.

- Why don't you stay over Christmas? - Why not?

Why not until after Easter?

- There he is! - Help!

Go down the servants' staircase at the end of the corridor.

Thank you, I'll see you later, O First Lady of the Household.

I shall be waiting, O First Lord of the Treasury.

This way please, Sir.

I will inform Mr. Pitt immediately, Sir.

William, yesterday at dawn the French fleet sailed into the Scheldt...

...and their army is amassed on the frontiers of Holland.

With 90 out of our 113 sail of the line in commission..

the Navy has never been better prepared.

Good, we shall instantly assemble a naval squadron off the Downs.

They don't take our warnings seriously.

Is that surprising with Mr. Fox egging the frogs on whenever he gets to his feet?

Mr. Fox puts on his rosiest spectacles whenever he looks across the Channel.

- I hope to induce him to take them off. - I wish you success, Sir.

For my part I shall feel more at home at sea.

Unlike Mr. Fox who couldn't be more at sea at home.

Gentlemen, we shall continue to make all efforts for peace...

...and we must still hope that it may yet be maintained. Thank you gentlemen, good night.

We shall bring down to the kings as a gage of battle...

...the head of the king!

On the most groundless pretenses...

...the assembly now exercising the powers of government in France,

has declared war against His Majesty.

Under this wanton and unprovoked aggression,

His Majesty relies with confidence...

on the zealous exertions of a brave and loyal people...

...in prosecuting a just and necessary war!

A man of peace becomes a man of war.

From the stormy debate in the House to discuss the strategy of war with the Army,

to Walmer castle where he's Warden of the Cinque Ports to approve plans for the Navy.

And then far into the night at Downing Street,

unsparingly to direct the efforts of the nation towards a common goal.

His efforts are rewarded. The war goes well for England.

The British forces march on Dunquerque...

and the French are besieged in Toulon.

Citizen Bonaparte, I presume the Convention knows what it is about.

But I warned you, you will have nothing to do.

In a matter of days we shall have taken the British stronghold by assault.

At this moment our canons are preparing the way.

May I suggest, Citizen General, a measure by which our victory might be hastened?

Oh, what?

It strikes me that our artillery might perhaps be a little more effective...

...if we were to move it forward so that its fire can reach the enemy.

At the moment, Citizen General, we are out of gunshot.

Kicked out of Toulon by a little Corsican bandit, nobody ever heard of.

And now chased from Dunquerque by a rabble of ragtag and bobtail.

Well, thank heaven for the Navy.

On my soul, I could conduct the war better myself.

That many-headed monster, the British public,

will soon be crying out for victories.

Great walloping juicy victories served up with hot red gravy,

and not much longer be content with Uncle William's cold potatoes.

Oh, curse Pitt.

Fox was right, with the British driven from the Continent...

...the sweetness of victories gave way to the bitterness of defeats.

The armies of France swept across the Low Countries and invaded Italy.

Three years of war had impaired his health.

But he fought on with a single purpose against the rising tide of public opinion.

Finding rare moments of leisure at Lord Auckland's house,

on his journeys from Downing street to Walmer Castle.

One gulp and it's gone.

The taste will stay for hours unless Somerset brings something to drown it.

- You're working too hard - Working too hard?

Sitting here with you in this beautiful garden?

First time for months.

Five weeks and two days to be exact.

Only because you're on your way to Walmer.

Even there you'll be working yourself to death.

There, come on, drink it up like a good boy, please me.

That's a better reason than any other doctor could give.

Did you hear anything, Mr. Somerset?

I'm not in the habit of eavesdropping, Mrs. Carr.

Changed your habits very suddenly, haven't you?

In the course of my duties I am bound to hear a great deal whether I listen or not.

All right, Mr. Somerset, what did you hear that you didn't listen to?

Nothing.

At least nothing of any consequence. It is true that by accident...

I did hear Mr. Pitt observe that the effect would be disastrous.

Effect of what?

Having the Italians on our side, I expect.

Precisely what escaped me.

If you want my opinion, I bet he shouldn't be here the way the war's going.

He only looked in on his way home.

He's got to have some time to himself, working like a dog in Downing Street.

Trying to put everything right what our generals have done wrong.

He's entitled to an hour or two with his girl, isn't he?

Let's get the ponies and ride out from the terrace.

William, when can you come here for a real rest?

In my dreams.

When the war is won.

The fires of war need feeding.

War make men harsh.

For harsh measures. Until victory is won...

there must be no softness in my heart.

- In peacetime everything is possible. - Yes.

I beg your pardon, Sir.

I must go.

Good bye.

Mr. Pitt, look, watch me!

Hello, Johnny!

I can't look at you or I'll fall off.

You shouldn't be out in the rain, you'll get yourself coughing.

Hello, Mary has somebody called?

Mr. Grenville, with a young man name of Melvill.

You must cast off your clothes.

- Are your feet dry, Master Billy? - No, they're soaking.

- Soaking? - Soaking.

Grenville!

Nanny, I've never felt dryer in my life.

I know, a bottle of port

Hello, Grenville, what are you doing here this time of the night?

I brought a young man named Melvill with me.

What he says is almost incredible but not doubtful, mind you.

What's it all about?

He is in close touch with the moderates of the French Government.

Come and speak to him yourself, William.

- Sir. - You're an American.

Yes, Sir.

I left Paris 3 days ago. Arrived in London this morning.

Mr. Grenville informs me that you're in touch with the French moderates.

Very so, Sir. And Monsieur Talleyrand asked me to give you a message.

Is Monsieur Talleyrand in power?

He is not at present in office, but...

...so long Monsieur Talleyrand is in Paris, he is always in power.

And what was the message?

He asked me to tell you that... Gee, I hope I got this right.

That my visit like his is unofficial but without humbug.

And what do Monsieur Talleyrand...

...and the gentlemen of the French government hope to gain from your visit, Mr. Melvill?

Peace, Mr. Pitt.

Peace?

France is bankrupt and the people want it. I know it sounds crazy,

but I think I can get it in the most acceptable terms.

- You, Mr. Melvill? - Yes, Sir.

If we lost this war, Harry, which God forbid it, it'd be a judgement.

A judgement for all the dissipation and crime...

...that's been going on in this country this past 100 years.

When is the war going to be over, Your Honour?

You must ask that fellow Pitt, he's keeping the thing going.

Pitt negotiating peace with France.

Pitt negotiating peace with France.

Well, it's quite time it was over...

...with taxation soaring like one of those idiotic balloons, life hardly worth living.

Where does she come from do you think?

It is probably the Bark from the Hague.

I wonder when we shall be able to take the Channel packet?

Cross those few miles into France and go again to Paris and Brussels.

Rome, and Venice.

It may not be so very long.

I've very great hopes.

We are discussing it now.

In some stuffy room I suppose, with flies buzzing on the window panes.

I'm sure they'd make a much better peace if they negotiated in the sunlight.

For that matter under the moon.

The moon? Don't say that, the French will only ask for it.

I've dreamt of it so long I hardly dare believe it.

I've dreamt too.

Not only of peace.

Tell me.

If you tell your dreams, they never come true.

In peacetime all dreams come true.

Mr. Billy!

Mr. Billy, Mr. Melvill's here.

- Melvill! But I didn't expect him. - I'll wait here

Mr. Smith, ask Mr. Dundas to join us, will you? You can find him at Lord Auckland's, I think.

- Dundas is already in there, Master Billy. - Oh, good.

- A man has called from the landscape garden. - Yes, what of it?

- It's the third time he's called. - Oh, pay him, Smith, pay him.

- But it is a considerable sum, I... - Later, later, Smith, don't blather.

You'd better tell us the worst, Mr. Melvill, without trimmings, if you please.

In a nutshell, gentlemen, they've beaten us to it.

- Who? - The war party.

They've sent General Augereau to Paris.

He's kicked out the moderates and dissolved the Parliament.

That's not all my news, gentlemen.

There are strong reports in Paris...

that the Austrians have surrendered...

...and signed a peace with General Bonaparte at Loben.

But perhaps it's only a rumor.

No, the war party would never have acted in Paris unless their hands had been freed.

With Army men in power like Duclos, Bonaparte and Augereau,

peace is impossible.

Yes.

War parties don't seize power in order to discuss peace.

Now we're alone.

Gentlemen, you must leave at once.

Well, I always thought we'd have to come in in the end.

It's bad news, isn't it?

The peace discussions fail.

The peace discussions fail.

- Billy, may I speak with you for a moment - Yes of course

I must go against you this evening.

Why?

I can do nothing else.

I believe there is still a hope of peace...

...and while that hope remains, we should strive for it.

With the war party in power in France?

With any party in power.

I see, then you intend to support Charlie Fox?

I must.

All right, if you are convinced, I won't press you.

- You understand, Billy? - Yes, I understand.

But even an uneasy truce is preferable to the evils of war.

I want the trumpet of an angel to proclaim to the years of suffering...

that it has become their universal interest...

...as well as their moral duty to have a period of peace.

I challenge the Minister to define in one sentence, if he can,

the real aim and object of this war.

And why he still urges us to lavish our money and our blood...

...in it's support!

The French are sick of the war and so are we.

A new party is in power in France and here and now I say...

...let us meet them with reasonable overtures,

and moderation will achieve more than the most strenuous resistance.

For if this war is to continue any length of time,

God knows what the dreadful consequences may be.

The Right Honorable Gentleman opposite...

defies me to state in one sentence what is the object of this war.

I know not if I can do it in one sentence, but in one word I can tell him...

that it is security! Security against a danger.

The greatest that ever threatened the world.

It is security against a danger which in degree and extent was never equaled.

A danger which threatens all the nations of the earth.

Now we face that danger alone.

But we shall meet it undaunted.

Determined to stand or fall...

by the Laws, liberties and religion...

...of our country.

William.

We've talked over our differences before, why not now?

Why not indeed.

Well, I want you to know that I respect your convictions.

Even though you had to speak and vote against me.

You are wrong, William, I'm not sure.

I didn't vote either way.

If I may consider where you are.

Number 10 they said and Number 10 it is.

But you can't possibly...

Very well, come with me, please.

Evans, what is it?

- There's nothing, Mr. Pitt, I'll expl... - What is it, Evans?

There are two bailiffs, Sir, saying they are here to levy an execution.

Bailiffs?

- Levy an execution? - Yes, Sir.

They are suing you for a personal debt, a very considerable amount, Sir.

- There must be some mistake. - No, Sir, I fear there is no mistake.

Evans will attend to the matter, Sir.

Thank you, Evans.

You'd better come up to, Mr. Smith.

What is it all about, William?

God knows.

Mr. Smith.

How on earth did this happen?

I'm afraid Mr. Pitt has allowed his accounts to accumulate.

Yes, I believe Smith has mentioned it...

...once or twice.

- May I? - Please.

Excuse me Sir, the Duke of Witcham, my Lord Spencer...

...and Grenville and Mr. Dundas wish urgently to see you.

Show them in.

William, this is worse than I thought.

You are very deeply in debt.

Your bills alone amount to a small fortune.

And you've lent a great deal of money to your brother and cousins...

...which they've not paid back.

It's very serious.

- How serious? - Over 30.000.

Over 30,000?

How on earth did it happen?

I suppose I...

...I had other things to think about.

Read this, William.

Good night, Smith. Good night, Nanny.

General Augereau today proclaimed...

that in overthrowing the moderate government...

...he was acting as the agent of citizen General Bonaparte,

who is now named as Commander- in-Chief of the French armies.

Napoleon Bonaparte thus assumes complete naval, military and civil power...

...over the entire French Empire.

So you were right.

You call a copper. Why, after all the fellow's barely 30.

Caesar and Alexander were no older.

But the man's an upstart

Conquerors are invariably upstarts, and Bonaparte has conquered a continent.

But Mr. Pitt, are you sure he won't split France?

Nations are never split by victories, Spencer, only by defeats.

Bonaparte will unite France as never before.

The people of this country are shouting for peace. They must be made to see the truth.

Grenville, you will please call a cabinet meeting for tonight.

Tonight is very short notice, I...

My Lord Duke, we cannot hope to awaken the people to its peril unless we ourselves are alive to it!

The time for half measures and half-hearted complacencies is past!

From now on we must realize...

we are fighting a nation of armed fanatics led by an arch-fanatic!

We must work together with a single mind and single purpose.

We must put aside all personal affairs renounce leisure, family, even sleep!

To this one imperative duty.

I warn you, Bonaparte will not count the costs.

He'll climb over a million corpses to attain his ambition.

We must break him!

Or he will break us.

That is all, gentlemen.

- Your own affairs? - Do they matter now? No one depends on me.

But William, you have your own happiness to consider.

We have the future of this country to consider.

Don't make any decisions you might later regret.

- Mr. Pitt, are you all right? - Perfectly.

Leave it alone, Smith, it will probably be favoured again before morning.

- Goodness, I'll give them... - You do nothing of the sort, Mrs. Sparry.

Go to bed, go to bed!

Smith.

I have to write a very important letter.

Will you please arrange...

Will you please arrange to have it delivered without a moment's delay?

- I'll ring when it's done. - Yes, Sir.

But now as much for your sake as my own,

I'm compelled to say that I find the obstacles insurmountable.

Believe me, I have not lightly sacrified my best hopes.

Whoever may be fortunate enough to be united to you...

will be blessed into more than his full share of human happiness.

Sacrificed...

But why, Father?

Why?

Only he can answer that my child.

Today he goes to Walmer. Perhaps he'll call.

My dear Wilberforce, send this by private messenger.

May I offer you and my other loyal friends my heartfelt thanks...

for the generous manner...

...in which you and they have relieved my anxieties by settling my personal debts.

Or are we deceiving ourselves?

Barker! I told you not to stop.

I beg you pardon, Sir, I wasn't thinking.

What was I saying, Smith?

Or are we deceiving ourselves?

Bonaparte's amassing ships at Toulon simply as a blind.

He's in a position to keep us guessing.

We can only wait and see

And win the war by a display a masterly inactivity.

Gentlemen, let us create events, not bow down to them.

Here we watch Bonaparte's front door...

...while there he prepares some mischief at the back.

He thinks to pin us down behind our defenses if we submit to it.

- We shall not submit to it. - But how can we do otherwise?

By passing to the offensive, by sending a naval force to close that back door.

But that will leave us open to attack at home?

That is how Bonaparte hopes we shall argue, but we shall not be so obliging.

He thinks we would not dare, half-armed and alone,

with himself in control of all the ports from the Scheldt to Spain,

we would never dare to send the naval squadron from Britain to the Mediterranean,

so he's turned his eyes to the Mediterranean towards Malta, Sicily, Egypt and India.

Gentlemen, with all that at stake, is this the time to stay at home?

I am with you, but we've sat on our backsides long enough.

It's a fearful risk.

My dear Addington, when we are taking as many risks as Bonaparte,

I shall begin to feel a little safer.

Yes, but we've no command of the Mediterranean.

A bold leader would succeed in getting it.

All our best officers are occupied elsewhere.

The man we choose must have one object.

To intercept and destroy the enemy.

He must be capable of making great decisions.

And having made them he must not fail.

- For if he fails... - Yes, but...

But where could you find such a man?

Gentlemen.

Here are the announcements for the forthcoming week.

Before reading them I have been asked to read this.

A naval officer here present wishes to render thanks...

...to Almighty God for granting him complete recovery from a severe wound,

and for the many blessings bestowed upon him.

At eight o'clock each morning we will celebrate Holy Communion.

Nelson, Mr. Pitt? Rear Admiral Nelson?

- Surely you can't be serious. - Why not?

- There's such a thing as seniority, Mr. Pitt. - I'm more interested in merit, Sir.

But Sir William Parker and St. John are men of great merits.

And senior.

- Malcolm is the man, Mr. Pitt. - Nelson is comparatively untried.

In fact, nothing been said for him...

...but brilliant achievement and still more brilliant promise.

He's been fortunate, Sir. His methods have at times been sadly unorthodox.

It's true that when Nelson took the San Josef at St. Vincent...

he forgot to conform to Naval Tactics, that's one reason why he appeals to me.

My Lords, that is all.

Do I understand you will appoint Nelson?

He is already appointed.

He will sail on the Vanguard with the first favorable wind.

Sir John and Sir William, won't like it, you know.

We must hope to survive their displeasure.

They'll be after Nelson like a pack of hounds if he is bested by the French.

And after me, My Lord.

Sir Horatio Nelson.

Past midnight in fine clear morning.

Past 12 o'clock in a fine clear morning.

No, it's not the first Lord of the Admiralty, it's only me. Come in, Mr. Bellamy.

- Good evening, Sir. - Good Evening, Mr. Bellamy.

Put the tray on the desk. Come along now.

Come along.

Master Billy you won't just go and leave it now, will you?

Nanny, have I ever been known to leave a veal pie? Ask Mr. Bellamy.

My pies are to Mr. Pitt what frogs are to Monsieur Bonaparte.

- Good night. - Good Night, Bellamy.

Nanny, will you ask Mr. Smith to come up here, please?

In a moment.

That's right. Starving yourself to death won't help to win the war.

The First Lord.

Bonaparte has sailed from Toulon. Nelson has missed him.

You are certain?

Bonaparte left with large military forces and a powerful fleet.

For where?

We don't know.

How did it happen?

A gale dispersed our ships and damaged the Vanguard.

The French saw their chance and took it.

And Nelson?

He's made his repairs and gone and search of them.

He has the whole Mediterranean to comb.

Do you think we were wrong?

- Hm? - Do you think we were wrong?

- No. - Neither do I.

I suppose you'd better get to bed and get some rest, there's nothing else you can do.

I wish you'd take same advice for once.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Is Mr. Pitt up yet? - Hasn't even touched it.

No, I heard him go to bed 3:30, it must have been,

so I thought I'd better let him sleep on.

And I'd be obliged if you'd do the same.

I'll just see if he's awake.

Mr. Pitt!

Mrs. Sparry!

Well?

Come, come on, what is it?

We've lately been seeing engines which do much of the work that man used to do.

But if they get worn out, they can be replaced.

You were never strong, you know.

Is my life in danger?

- Today all our lives are in danger. - Come on, come on, tell me the truth.

You mean give you my opinion?

We doctors are not so confoundedly familiar with the truth as you politicians.

- Too much respect for it. - Come on, tell me.

If you take yourself in hand,

if above all you free yourself from all responsibility, you'll be all right.

Hey!

What if I don't?

Then, before long,

I shall lose a very good friend.

Oh.

I see.

- Well, we'd better have some port, hadn't we? - No more port, Billy.

No more port?

God, it is serious, isn't it?

Well, I...

I've warned you.

Walter!

I think we'll keep this to ourselves, hm?

Smith.

- Sir? - Any news?

Out with it, never mind what Sir Walter told you, what is it?

Bonaparte has landed in Egypt.

And no news of Nelson.

I do not see the Prime Minister in his accustomed bliss.

Perhaps he finds discretion the better part of valor.

Bonaparte is now in Egypt and will soon no doubt turn towards India.

How did this happen?

The author of this country's ruin is not here to tell us.

Although he himself pressed the appointment of a relatively junior officer...

...against wiser counsels of the Lords Commissioners.

And to this officer he entrusted forces...

...which were in any event inadequate to the task.

Is it to be wondered at, that Bonaparte was able to outwit that commander?

I must apologize to the Prime Minister.

I congratulate him on finding, after all, valor the better part of discretion.

I have been in opposition now nearly 14 years.

I have brought almost forty fruitless motions for peace.

Again and again I have told myself it is so bad it cannot get worse.

And each time I was wrong.

But now I solemnly tell you...

...that if this government, that minister remain in power,

there are no depths we shall not have to plumb.

Mr. Pitt.

Sirs, this message has just been handed to me.

Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson,

commanding Mediterranean squadron, reports...

that the French fleet was sighted at anchor in Aboukir Bay...

...off the mouth of the Nile on the 1st of August.

We engaged the enemy at half past five in the evening.

The battle continued through the hours of darkness.

At a quarter to ten the enemy flagship the Orient blew up, became a total loss.

By dawn the enemy had been decisively defeated.

According to the last information only two French sail the line escaped.

All right, all right, Smith. Thank you.

Smith, I'm going to bed. Good night.

Oh, Smith, Smith, I intend to sleep for at least two days. God Bless, good night.

Oh, what's that?

That, my dear, is life.

Frustrated in the East, Napoleon turns again to Europe.

Once more the war-weary armies roll back before the might of Bonaparte.

The British alone stand unscathed behind their Island ramparts,

but as time passes they too weary of the war.

Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic,

to His Majesty the King of Great Britain and Ireland.

Paris, Christmas Day, 1799.

Your Majesty,

Must this war that has ravaged Europe for five years...

...be eternal?

Are there no means of coming to an understanding?

What is it, Talleyrand?

I wish I could share your confidence in this proposal, Sir.

If it divides opinion in Britain, its object is achieved.

And Mr. Pitt?

When three quarters of the nation are shouting for peace, he must resign.

They have shouted before, but he's stayed.

This time he will bow before the storm.

But how can you tell if there will be a storm?

In Britain it snows in the summer, the people are just as unreliable.

You judge the British, Talleyrand, by the reactions of the French.

I tell you, the British are a stupid, illogical race led by a second rate politician.

If he was a general, he would know when he was defeated.

But since he doesn't, I shall fight him his own weapon.

And will allow him to choose them, Sir?

In military science, Talleyrand, there is something more important than weapons.

More important than men.

Time.

A short peace will give me that time.

Once I have built a fleet large enough to smash them at sea, the rest will follow.

Must the two most enlightened nations on earth...

...sacrifice for vain ambitions the glories of peace?

Is the Prime Minister aware...

that His Majesty has received the most cordial offer of peace...

...from the French First Consul and, if so, will he advise His Majesty to accept it?

The answer to the first part of that question is yes, the second no.

Does the minister consider it justifiable...

...to reject an appeal by the most elevated person in the French Republic?

I do.

Why must the Prime Minister assume...

...that Bonaparte is not sincere in his desire for peace?

It is not a question whether he wants peace, but what he wants peace for.

May I give notice, Sir, of my intention to bring another motion for peace?

My 44th, I think it will be.

Back to the old wrangling, Harry.

But it really is time we put the matter again to debate.

How is your gout today, Sir?

In this matter I am convinced that I represent public opinion.

And that public opinion is for peace now.

And that sooner or later public opinion will force you into signing it.

The trouble with Mr. Pitt is he's been at war so long now...

...he doesn't know peace when he sees it.

He thinks this is a private war between him and Boney.

But the French need peace as much as we do. What harm can it do?

It's like a boxer leaving the ring and letting himself get out of condition.

He doesn't fight as well when he comes back.

- You won't find Boney going out of training. - I can't see that.

Tense down five.

England wants peace! England wants peace!

- England wants peace! - We want peace for England!

Why don't you make peace now you got your chance?

Or get out and make way for a man who will!

I'm afraid he's absolutely convinced. Nothing can change his mind now.

But nobody knows anything of his reasons.

He's certain to be misunderstood.

- Hello, Evans. - Hello, Billy.

I saw the King.

I advocated a new policy but made no headway.

It was rather like trying to blow porridge through a blanket.

- If you go, Addington will take your place. - God preserve us.

There is only one course left to me, I must resign.

You are bound to be misunderstood.

The Prime Minister is the servant of public opinion...

...and I've lost the confidence of the public. I've also lost the confidence of the King.

Besides, I can tell you this now if you didn't know it before.

I'm not well, and Britain must not be governed by a sick man.

But William, it's still not too late.

It is too late.

I've just come from the King.

I offered His Majesty my resignation.

He saw fit to accept it.

Barker is here with the carriage, Sir.

Yes, I heard him. Has Mrs. Sparry left?

Yes, she will have Walmer ready for you by tomorrow.

Good. Oh...

- You'd better take the... - Yes, these came for you.

And Smith...

I cannot possibly thank you adequately.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful.

You know, Smith, that here and there I fancy I see a familiar face?

You I know.

And you.

And I think I know my valet. Hey, Hargreaves.

- But who for instance are you? - Augustus Pontifex, Sir.

What do you do?

I attend to the personal requirements of Mr. Hargreaves, Sir.

- And you? - Millicent Gray, if you please, Sir.

- And what are your duties? - I look after Mr. Pontifex, Sir.

Lucky Mr. Pontifex.

- And who is this? - I'm Basset, Sir.

I take it you've been here for some time, Basset.

I remember your father, Sir.

So do I.

- What do you do, Basset? - I'm the odd man, Sir.

Oh, no, Basset. I've been the odd man in this house.

- Good bye. - Thank you, Sir.

I want to thank you all for your help...

...during the very long time that I've been here.

Thank you very much, indeed, all of you.

Goodbye, goodbye all.

Lovely day, isn't it?

Good morning Mr. Addington.

Good morning.

Is that all?

There's just one thing more, Sir.

Yes, what is it?

The peace treaty with Britain signed this morning.

Good.

Why didn't you show it to me before?

Because if I had, Sir, you wouldn't have done any work this morning.

That's a fine way to celebrate the peace.

It's makes twice as much noise as any war.

Here's your medicine, Master Billy. Drink it up now.

Come now, there's a good boy.

Nanny.

Nanny.

I want you to take wine with me.

No, no, Mr. Billy. I'm not one for drinking wine.

- Come along now. - Especially at this time of night.

Be a good girl and drink it up to an enduring peace.

Oh, all right. As if it is was likely.

An enduring peace.

Some say it's a bad treaty.

Is it, Mr. Billy?

Terms might be worse.

I wish everything works good from it.

There's a ship going out, it's all lighted up.

It's the Channel packet.

The first in peace time.

I wonder when we shall be able to take the Channel packet again.

In peace time all dreams come true.

His Majesty's government,

whilst of course still considering the safety of this country as the first principle,

can now see its way to a substantial reduction in our naval and military expenditure.

Who knows?

Perhaps we may now dare to look forward to a time of tranquility.

To a spirit of happy harmony in the future of Europe.

Perhaps we may see along in the forges of Britain and France...

...the swords of conflict beaten into ploughs,

and so return once again to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture.

Now the march of trampling feet has ceased in France.

Perhaps we shall see the leaders of Europe,

relieved of the chaos of war, making plans for the future happiness of their people,

while the soldiers of Europe are demobilized...

and sent back to the towns, and villages and fields...

...to be united again with their wives and children in the simple joys of family life.

Such is the picture I dare to envisage today.

I have tried to live on good terms with England...

...but I am not a man of infinite patience!

Are the British tired of peace?

You are their ambassador, you should know.

My Lord, I have now an army of 480.000 men. I am ready for any enterprise!

I am ready if need be to lead an expedition against your island!

I tell you I do not bluff!

If England wants war, then war she shall have!

I therefore think it's proper to acquaint the house...

that the conduct of the French government has obliged His Majesty...

...to withdraw his Ambassador from Paris.

And the Ambassador of the French Republic has left London.

It is ordered tonight we do honor to our great leader Bonaparte!

When your flag waves over the bloodstained shores of the Thames,

the British will bless you as the glorious liberator of the English nation!

And I can assure the Honorable Member...

...that we see no cause for alarm or undue anxiety.

Is the minister then satisfied with the state of our defenses?

Does he think they are fit to withstand an invasion?

Can he deny that whole stretches of our coastline are open to attack?

I think that's an exaggeration.

I may say that the government is earnestly considering an extension of our defences.

I don't understand.

Does the minister propose to defeat Bonaparte by earnest consideration?

I must remind the house of the energetic measures already taken.

Has the minister considered taking a still more energetic measure?

By seeking the advice of Mr. Pitt?

Has he?

It's too late anyway.

The roses have done very badly but the vegetables are all right.

The country is still half asleep but it is not too late to rouse it.

- They must hear your voice, William. - They heard it for 17 years, Grenville.

And they nearly always listened to it.

At Westminster they are crying for the pilot that weathered the storm.

That's what Carring has called you. It has caught on everywhere.

They sang it the other night at the Merchant Taylor's Hall.

- How was it perceived? - With cheers by all at the table.

I've plenty to do here in Kent, you know.

William, the country is in mortal danger of an invasion now.

Addington has stuck his head into the sand.

And he's too scared to take it out again.

We need a call to arms.

And you alone can make it.

Will you speak, Billy?

Well, doctor...

You know as well as I do, Billy, I've told you before.

No more responsibility, no more politics.

You must go slow, Billy, you must go slow.

It is not enough for us to say that Bonaparte is a mad man...

...and will pay the price of his madness and folly.

We must take care that we do not pay first!

We are called to struggle for the destiny...

...not of this country alone but of the civilized world!

Once roused the spirit of this country,

and give that spirit a just and powerful direction,

and you'll see it catching from town to town, from village to village...

until soon the whole kingdom will be alight with one unquenchable flame!

Our highest exaltation ought to be that we hold out to countries...

now bending under the iron yoke of tyranny...

...in prospects of what the exertions of a free people can effect.

For the benefit of Europe, for the benefit of the world at large,

and for the honor of mankind, I say that the spirit of Bonaparte...

and the principles he cherishes must be extinguished...

...and that other principles shall prevail!

William Pitt.

You must come back.

I'm ready to serve under you in any capacity you may think useful.

How much that might have meant in the past, Charles.

It will mean something in the future.

Pitt and Fox speaking on the same side?

Today has been worthwhile if only to hear you say that.

The King will send for you.

You'll accept of course?

Very well.

Boney is busy enough.

Tents springing up like mushrooms.

His Majesty's preparing to bathe. He's now in the machine but will see you at once.

Mr. Pitt and Mr. Dundas, Sir.

Ah, urgency overcomes formality, eh?

I'm just about to take a modest dip in the sea which my doctors advised,

but it must wait. Well, Mr. Pitt?

The armies of Bonaparte are amassing along the coast, especially by Boulogne and Calais.

The shipping is concentrating in all the ports from Maas to Laurent.

Yes, just one moment and I'm with you. Albert, my wrap!

Hasten fellow, hasten, the country is being invaded. Well, Mr. Pitt?

We must take every possible step, Sir.

Bonaparte is a rogue. Take your steps, Sir, take them. What are they?

The arming of the round bulk of the whole people of Britain.

We must call for volunteers to defend every town and every village.

An excellent idea, each man to guard his own home.

Exactly, Sir, but it will cost money.

Oh.

We shall need every penny that can be raised

Every citizen must give as much as he can afford.

- Gentlemen, I can see it in your eyes. - I admit it, Sir.

- How much? - 20,000 from your pretty purse.

- 20,000 is nothing, better be 50,000. - Your Majesty is very generous.

- Proceed immediately, Mr. Pitt. - The orders are already drafted.

Issue them at once.

If that man Bonaparte's troops, dare to take a landing

I shall certainly place myself at the head of my armed subjects and repel him.

- It is now high tide, Sir. - A special high tide, eh, gentlemen?

It seems as though I should breast it.

Mr. Pitt.

I look to you to valor the spirit of our country.

I'm heartily glad to see you back in the saddle again.

To France.

So under the threat of invasion Britain awakes.

All over the country young men and old flock to join the home defense forces.

Loyal Londoners, Bath volunteers, the Highland brigades.

Old feuds are forgotten.

Charles Fox too is a private in the Chancellery volunteers.

While in Downing Street the fingers of a sick man...

...grasp all these threads in the growing web of Britain's defense.

His lamp of life is already flickering,

but he struggles on with the desperate energy of a man who has much to do...

...and little time to do it in.

Roused from sleep with a dispatch from the First Lord,

then with a little bottle of cordial confection in his pocket,

off to the House till three or four in the morning.

Scarcely up next day,

went rat-tat-tat, 20 or 30 people, one after another.

And wine and wine

The horses walking before the door from two till sunset waiting for him.

It was enough to kill a man.

It was murder.

Once Admiral Villeneuve has disposed of the British fleet, the coast is clear.

My combined fleets appear suddenly off the coast of Boulogne...

commanding the deserted Channel...

and ready to cover way for 120,000 men of my army of England...

...to plant the imperial Eagle on the Tower of London.

- Boney is bringing up more men. - Yes, Sir.

- Give the ready. - Signal sea.

To Admiralty, Charing Cross. Enemy activity increasing.

Reported more troops have arrived Calais.

There can be no doubt that Napoleon intends to combine...

...the French and Spanish fleets at present at Cadiz to prepare the way for invasion.

If you can crush them, these shores are safe for a generation.

My Lord this country already owes you a great, great debt.

We shall do our best.

Permit me, My Lord, to see you to your carriage.

Portsmouth to Admiralty, London.

HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson sailed this morning.

Give me command of the Channel for six hours and the business is settled.

The enemy are in sight, My Lord. 10 miles to east heading southern.

- Make the signal to prepare for action. - Yes, My Lord.

I wonder... I wonder if we'll hear anything tonight.

If only we could be reading about this instead of waiting for it.

Here's your supper, Mr. Billy, before you go to bed.

What is that?

Gruel.

Do you call that a supper?

If you manage to keep even that down, it'll be an improvement.

Here's your medicine, drink that first.

Good health.

You know, William, I allow myself only one hope.

To live to see the prospects of victory.

It's all I ask.

The whole of England waited for news.

Till at last a frigate arrived off Plymouth.

Partial firing continued until 4 pm.

When a victory having been reported to Admiral Lord Nelson,

he died of his wounds.

You say this is the second attack in four days?

Yes.

You must not allow no visitors whatsoever. Cancel all his appointments.

- He won't like that, Sir Walter. - I don't doubt it.

I know how anxious he was to attend the dinner at Guildhall today.

That's out of the question.

He's more than a sick man. I can't put it plainer than that.

You know what the consequences would be as well as I do.

It is to this pilot, whose courage and foresight...

...have been our salvation and indeed the salvation of the entire civilized world,

that we pay tribute today.

Mr. William Pitt.

My Lord Mayor, My Lords.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I return you many thanks for the honour you have done me.

But Europe is not to be saved by any single man.

England has saved herself by her exertions.

And will, as I trust, save Europe...

...by her example

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes