Original subtitles

At the beginning of the 20th century,

Emir Abdulaziz bin Saud returned to Riyadh

from exile in Kuwait,

eager to recover his lands in the Nedj.

These lands had been usurped with the help of the Ottomans

by the house of Rashid.

Immediately, after the First World War,

the territories of the middle east were carved up by the victorious allies

who sought to keep Arabia divided.

Abdulaziz and his loyal warriors reconquered his lands

expelling both the Rashidi and the Ottoman armies.

This was the dawn of the unification of Arabia

and the holy city of Mecca was open to all Muslims.

This is where our story begins.

Where's the prince?

He has a high fever.

Nothing too sick.

The prince has malaria.

But I can't be certain he'll reach England.

I won't make. I won't make it.

I was as strong as my father and brothers,

tell him. Tell him yourself.

You’re strong.

You have got his blood and your brother’s sword.

Tell my father, I died in

Allah’s service.

Come on, Marzouq, hurry. Run, Marzouq, hurry up.

Congratulations.

Allah be praised, a great future awaits this child.

I bring news!

I bring news for you! I have good news!

Emir Abdulaziz has had a third son!

Tarfa had her child! Tarfa had her child!

I bring good news, I bring good news!

God be thanked, God be thanked!

News at last, news at last!

Emir Abdulaziz has had a third son, God be praised!

It’s a boy! Emir Abdulaziz has had a third son!

Emir Abdulaziz has had a third son!

A brother to princess Turki and Saudi.

I have good news, I have good news!

Emir Al Saud has a new son!

Faisal.

Faisal.

Faisal.

Your highness, the quinine will make you feel better.

Your servant hasn't left you aside for a single moment.

He is not my servant.

He is my brother, my middle brother.

Will he recover?

His body is fighting the fever.

He’s stronger than he looks.

There's a good chance, yes.

I hope you are correct.

The destiny of our country depends on this mission.

Never again shall the Ottomans and Rashidis invade our lands.

Thank God.

Here is your son. God willing.

Where is Faisal’s mother?

Resting. She is weak. She had a difficult labor.

Welcome back.

Tarfa.

How are you?

I hope you are not ill.

I’m fine.

I gave you a boy.

There is no God

but Him, the All-Mighty.

One more, Mayor, with your sons.

Turki, Saud, come and have your picture taken.

Turki and Saud, our country will be in good hands.

Faisal, smile.

Say, Abdulaziz.

Abdulaziz!

Now your fame will travel all the continents.

Won't it, Philby?

Indeed.

Let me see.

Your son, Faisal, he was not in the photograph.

Philby's recently returned from Lahore

and says, you have the complete support of the British government in India.

They believe the days of the Ottomans in Arabia are numbered.

And they recognize you as the only Emir capable of bringing unity

to the Arabian Peninsula, ruling in the interests of all.

They want to recognize you as king of Arabia.

Silence.

Let him speak.

But London has yet to be persuaded.

They will continue to support Sharif Hussein.

However, the British government will continue their support

by supplying the necessary ammunition

and equipment to defend yourselves.

I am sorry, Emir.

Divide and rule, that is their strategy.

I apologize, adviser Nian was born in Constantinople,

you know the Turkish people can be a little hot-blooded.

Let's go for lunch.

Let us go and eat.

Such bad news won't break our friendship.

So, is it true that there will be war in Europe?

I fear so. The European tribal chiefs don't trust each other

despite the fact that some of them are related by blood or marriages.

In Arabia, only Allah and the prophets are more important than the family,

where kings should sit down together, drink tea,

solve their issues, just as we do.

Come on, Turki. You can do it, Turki!

Good fight, you are a champion, my brother.

Turki!

Fight with me!

Here.

If you unsheathe it, killing will follow.

Blood will be shed.

Power shouldn’t be used to wage war and kill others.

It should be used to protect our people.

True power lies in keeping your sword sheathed,

not in anything else.

All I ask is to fight by my father’s side.

And make him proud, like you do.

The poet Imru’l Qays

had to wait many long years to win his father’s favor.

Yet,

although a thousand years have gone by,

we remember his poem.

Do you remember the poem that our father sang?

I do.

“When we rode our thoroughbred horses…”

“All the enemy warriors fled…”

“Like scattered meteors in a night of lurking wolves”.

“We were brave and true fighters”.

Listen, Faisal.

If you wish to be as strong as the hawk,

your dignity must climb higher, like the hawk’s.

Have the eyes of the hawk,

and be wise.

Only then you will know the real strength.

You alone do we worship and implore for help.

Guide us in the right path,

the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your blessings,

those who have incurred Your displeasure

and those who have not gone astray.

Tell me about Surah Al-Asr.

Speak, Faisal.

The Surah says we are not lost if we have Faith.

What do we need?

To be generous,

fair and fearful of God.

What else?

Strong and brave.

Follow me!

To the well!

Who is going to dare jump this time?

Who is brave enough to climb up?

Faisal!

Faisal! Faisal!

Faisal!

Faisal.

I’ll go in alone.

My lord and father.

May God have mercy upon his soul.

What none achieved in battle,

the poison of sickness has accomplished.

I wish I were lying here.

He was a brave man, one of your best warriors, my lord.

Turki would want you to have it.

Now you will ride with us to conquer Mecca.

The time has come.

We’ll approach from the South

and surprise the enemy by the oasis.

You, the Ikhwan, will arrive from the West and wait for us.

We shall attack Sharif Hussein at noon.

Why, wait?

We can finish them off.

You will wait for my order to attack.

Is that clear?

Excuse me.

Ibn Luwai!

Our victory will open the way to Mecca.

We shall follow the Emir’s order.

Men, attack!

You had to wait for my orders! I couldn’t hold my men.

We have to unite the country through peace, not killing.

Don’t expect a wolf to change.

British guns.

They’re arming both sides.

Divide and rule.

Who is this? We found him this morning.

Let him go.

Philby.

What are you doing here?

I missed the desert.

I heard captain Shakespeare was shot in Jarrab.

He's a good man.

Very loyal. He believed in you, Emir.

He wanted to fight by your side.

He paid the price dearly with his own life.

Have you also come to fight alongside with us, Philby?

No, no. I've come to talk.

I hope the purpose of this gift isn't sweet and bad news.

I'm sorry, Emir

but the British government requested you postpone your plans to conquer Mecca

and return to Riyadh.

I've raised a huge army,

traveled many miles across the desert,

now we are one day away from Mecca,

expect me to just turn back?

No, no. Not me, Lord Curzon,

the secretary of state of the foreign office and my superior,

a very powerful man.

Lord Curzon.

Yes, I keep telling him, you're the only one of capable of unifying Arabia. But

no, it's all his fault.

Colonel Lawrence, he's hypnotized a lot of them

Curzon, Churchill and the Prime Minister, Lloyd George.

And he supports your enemy.

He's made her saying all sorts of promises which the British government won't keep,

or can't keep.

The Balfour declaration has reversed all previous promises for the Arab people.

Oil?

Yes, it's true.

According to rumors, there are ample deposits of oil near the red sea,

precisely, in the domains of Hussein.

And without oil, the British navy cannot sail.

The fleet has switched from coal to oil.

You're very well informed.

Only the holy cities matter.

Mecca must be open to all Muslims.

But let's see if peace can be achieved by other means.

We postpone the military campaign to Mecca and return to Riyadh.

Don't you think our city is beautiful?

No, it's glorious.

I had the choice of living here in London, well, it wouldn't be easy.

Your wife and son might have a different opinion.

You know what, Emir,

the people of England know nothing of the virtues of

this land or the Ibn Saud family.

Lawrence has made your enemies famous.

He's photographed and formed over.

He's invited to garden parties and palaces and political conferences.

I want to put the name of Ibn Saud on the lips of every Englishman.

It's designed to tell me, Philby.

I think the time has come for you to come to England.

You'll get to know Curzon,

Churchill, and the king.

You'll be able to explain directly to the British people what's happening here.

I just answered the military expedition to Mecca.

If I leave now, the enemy will attack us immediately.

Sit down.

Then let Saud go,

a dashing prince. Everybody in London will want a piece of him.

Saud must stay here.

When do you think the visit should take place?

Well, the sooner, the better.

And Faisal will go.

Faisal.

Please, excuse me, Emir, but

Faisal has no experience.

Faisal's my son.

He's a man already.

I'll have my adviser,

You said the sooner, the better, did you not?

You have seen

the terrible consequences

of a battle.

Yes, father.

You will now taste diplomacy.

Its flavor is even more bitter.

This rifle is the pride of the British Empire.

But you, my sons, are my pride.

You’ll be the first Al Saud to set foot in England.

I shall not disappoint you, father.

My son, Faisal.

I look into your eyes and I see courage and wisdom.

But do not forget,

our one and only goal is Mecca.

Remember, if you succeed,

you will have achieved more than any victory in the battlefield.

I once had a dream.

I remember it as clearly as the night sky.

I was with my father and Turki.

Our horses charged against the enemy.

The noise of clashing swords and firing rifles was deafening.

When it was over,

I got off my camel and climbed on a hill.

And then…

What?

I woke up from the deepest dream ever,

feeling very calm and at peace.

The fighting was over.

Last night, I had a nightmare.

I dreamt that the ship was being destroyed in a storm

that was good.

Why?

At least, I wouldn't be able to humiliate

my father in front of the king of England.

Your fever is turning you into a fool.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness.

And others have greatness thrust upon them.

Are you ready to carry on with your studies, your highness?

Your highness, you're looking very well today.

Thank you.

May I see your painting?

Oh, yes.

You're very talented.

Your highness, Shakespeare is waiting for you.

Can you please stop all that noise?

Enjin, relax, I'm sure that this will end.

Yes. Well, I'm glad you think so.

Come on. His royal highness is almost here.

You promised a huge crowd to greet the delegation,

where is everyone?

There's still time.

The king.

Home at last.

All we need now is a little sunshine.

The mighty British navy,

but never forget,

it was only with our help that the allies were victorious.

Ah, gentlemen…

And.

…and ladies.

Thank you all for coming.

You have the privilege of witnessing a historic moment.

Finally, please excuse me.

So, Montague, I thought you wouldn't arrive on time.

Where's lord Curzon?

At the races, sorry, Philby.

Ah, guess what we need.

The ship has docked.

Little lord of Arabia

Your royal highness,

welcome to Great Britain.

Most respectful greetings on behalf of my father Abdulaziz, Emir of Nedj.

Very good to see you, this is wonderful.

Your highness, allow me to introduce the Mayor of Plymouth.

Prince Faisal.

Sir Henry Stokes of the royal household.

Do you think this is the way to receive a prince?

Your highness, allow me to introduce Sir Montague Smythe of the foreign office.

Your highness, on behalf of his majesty's government,

welcome to Great Britain.

When I crossed central Arabia,

over 600 miles of desert,

I went entirely unmolested

and received hospitality from every quarter.

Because I traveled on the authority of his father.

I consider him a friend and this country is lucky to count him as an ally.

But the prince is very young.

Well, indeed. But in Arabia, at his age, he's already a man.

You seen that sword,

doesn't carry it for sure, believe me.

He's a great warrior like his father, Al Saud.

There are just too many people here.

Did they fight with Lawrence?

Al Saud have nothing to do with Lawrence’s rabble.

They've fought and defeated the ottomans on their own without help.

But with British guns and British support.

That may be,

Al Saud didn't need a jumped up archaeologist to tell him what to do.

The Emir Al Saud is his own man.

The young prince who terrified the Turks.

That's good.

Your highness, shall we mark the occasion with a photograph?

Could you please get closer?

Your highness, could you please

turn your shoulder a fraction this way?

English tea, your highness.

From India.

So, it is Indian.

Where is Lord Curzon?

It is a pity he couldn't be here to greet his highness.

Yes, indeed. I'm afraid Lord Curzon had a meeting at the cabinet office.

He's probably still there.

But nobody's here.

Is this a royal welcome?

I know. I know it's not what I was expecting either.

As with many things in England, I suppose we must blame the weather.

Please trust me. I've spent weeks planning all the fine details,

you need to have no concern.

I'll have a word with Montague now.

What the hell is going on, Montague?

This reception is an insult, the delegation traveled weeks to be here.

You got your wish, Philby.

An official visit to the United Kingdom for the Al Saud family,

some people in Whitehall might think sending a child is a total waste of time.

Doing Whitehall?

But I'm sure you'll make a success of it.

Right.

Something wrong?

Nothing important.

Look, the cars are waiting for us.

Welcome to the Victoria, Sir.

Good afternoon. Welcome to Queen Victoria.

So, he is the young prince.

Correct, and he's rather tired.

Surprised, he didn't come on his camel.

Faisal.

We made it, England.

You misplaced my mirror.

As usual.

What is all that noise?

Come on, dear.

What's the problem? They were praying.

Well, I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Philby.

But they can't pray here, this is a hotel not a mosque.

They're disturbing our guests.

Don't you pray before going to bed?

It's not the same.

Yes, it is. Of course, not. All that murmuring and chanting.

They must leave before midday.

They are guests of his majesty's government and his majesty himself.

In that case, I suggest you speak to his majesty.

What do you think this says for British hospitality, hmm?

In Arabia, a guest is treated as a member of the family.

I expect them to be gone by midday, excuse me.

Ah, your highness.

Is there something wrong?

No, everything's all right. Did you sleep well, your highness?

Is this man removing us?

No, it's all a misunderstanding.

You should be staying in a much better hotel, we'll have a new one.

May we speak in private?

Yeah, of course.

His highness is concerned about the absence of any news from Lord Curzon.

Your highness, Lord Curzon will receive you,

he personally gave me his word.

But what for the time being, he has other priorities.

I have the impression that we won't be meeting Lord Curzon

or Churchill or the king.

Imagine what your father would say.

Our prince Faisal, son of Abdulaziz Al Saud

arrives on a visit to Great Britain.

You see you're already becoming famous.

King George will be reading this over his breakfast.

His majesty will think you are here for a holiday.

A holiday? He thinks I'm here to amuse myself?

What we need to do is capture the attention

or the imagination of the British public,

tour the country, be seen, build up support,

then the British government cannot ignore you.

You'll be taken seriously and listened to with respect and given your due.

We must ensure that your highness

is right there.

That's where your highness should be.

What good are all these photographs when I go home and face my father?

Three months in England and not a word for Lord Curzon

while our enemy declares himself king.

The bitch are playing us for fools.

Sometimes, I think Philby organize this whole visit for himself.

Come in.

Good news, your highness.

Has Lord Curzon finally agreed to meet us?

No, but the King of England has.

Remember, your highness?

Yes, no politics, just small talk.

But how can I ignore the fact that Sharif Hussein has declared himself king.

The British haven't recognized him.

Yet.

I'm sure his highness's presence here is one reason why.

We just have to play our cards right.

Your enemy is 3000 miles away,

and you have an audience with King George.

Let's enjoy the advantage.

Remember, you're not just a prince,

you are a warrior too and have nothing to fear.

Prine Faisal Ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud Ahmed Ibn Sunyan -and Mr. St John Philby, your majesty.

In the name of Allah, the merciful, the benevolent,

my father Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman extends his warmest

and most sincere greetings to your majesty.

He thanks your majesty for the support and close friendship

of the United Kingdom

and looks forward to many more years of friendship.

Gift from the Nedj’s for his majesty.

It's quite magnificent.

The gold is from India, your majesty.

Oh, really? I'm curious.

There are no gold mines in the Nedj.

The gold is imported through Bahrain and Kuwait.

You've been making quite a name for yourself.

The warrior prince

made a habit of appearing in my morning newspaper

in many different places.

I have seen many wonders.

You've even driven a motorcar.

Yes, your majesty. That was a great day.

Well, don't get into a car with my son, the prince of Wales.

He's a rotten driver.

With our blessing, for your father.

I don't mean to be rude but you're terribly young.

I am 14.

I mean too young to be a warrior.

In Nedj, we learn to fight at an early age.

Is that so?

Our customs oblige us.

Well, at your age, my brothers were dressing up as pirates.

Pirates?

His, you know, highway men of the seas, swords,

eye patches, and cutlasses, was a birthday party favorite.

And how do you celebrate your birthday?

Oh, the date of your birth.

That is not something we celebrate.

My mother neither.

She's always complaining about getting old.

You've made a great ally of his father, I hear, under travels.

I consider myself lucky to call him a friend, your majesty.

Emir Abdulaziz Al Saud commands enormous respect across Arabia.

He's a true king, worthy of our trust and support.

Of course, my loyalty is to the crown, your majesty.

141 Philbyns have served in the armed forces.

There is no more constant family in England.

Well, keep up the good work.

We must make the young prince feel at home, one of us.

Victoria's sponge cake,

the secret is to add buttercream to the jam.

Have you actually fought in a battle?

Yes, I rode alongside my father and brothers.

We surprised a great arm with a lightning strike

and finished them off.

Finish them off? Goodness!

And how many warriors were there?

Two thousand.

And how many of you?

About three hundred.

And you're all on horseback?

No, on camelback, my father leading.

Would you like some more tea?

Yes, please.

I think I'm getting used to the taste.

I will be all right. Thank you.

Princess Mary, do you know Lord Curzon?

Yes, a little bit.

Why do you ask?

Well, in my country, the decisions were made by the king,

but here…

Here, it's Lord Curzon.

Everything you've heard is true.

He's a very powerful man, have you met?

No, if I return to Arabia without meeting Lord Curzon,

I could never face my father again.

You should come to the meet.

The meet?

Yes, there are fox hunts up and down the country called meets.

I hunt and so does Lord Curzon.

You are at an English hunt,

if your father could see you now.

Have Lord Curzon arrived yet?

Not yet. I'm sure he's on his way, he never misses the meet.

Yeah, there's someone who'd like to say hello.

My son, him.

Your highness, it is a great honor to meet you.

The honor is mine.

Come on.

You have a catapult?

Here, your highness, could you show me how to use it?

It would be my pleasure.

Find me a good walnut or a dead stone.

He's been asking so many questions about you.

Look at your young Arabian.

This is Marmaduke, your highness, ride him well.

Let's take that off, shall we?

Careful, Philby.

My, he's riding bareback.

Well, very daring.

I won't find any man here going bareback.

Pick up ascent.

Let’s go.

Well done.

Marmaduke, you’re smart.

Prince Faisal!

You were right.

Of course. I’m more worried about poor Marmaduke.

He'll be fine.

Where's the fox?

The fox got away.

My goodness, you're hurt.

Just relax, I won't kill you.

I'm a trained nurse.

I work at a hospital in London.

Your father allows that?

Yes, my father's very pleased.

We girls,

we princesses aren't supposed to get our hands dirty.

But you changed everything.

Princess Mary, why are you so kind to me?

Well,

I know how it is to create the respect and affection of your father.

Have you lost anyone close to you?

Yes, my little brother, John,

died last year.

He's the same age as you.

He was no normal prince because of his health.

Because he was different, they hid him away.

I think about him a lot.

I also lost a dear brother, I think of him too.

Right. Well,

let's see if Lord Curzon's arrived, just like the fox.

Possible to catch.

I must admit, Philby, I'm rather impressed by your young prince.

Seems to be right at home here.

Which is just what we want.

If Lord Curzon doesn't receive him soon, he'll be going home,

to his real home.

Not too soon, I hope.

I’m sorry gentleman, I just heard that Lord Curzon won't be coming today.

He is lunching at checkers with the prime minister

and Lawrence.

In fact, I have to join them there for a briefing, please, excuse me.

Damn it, Montague.

This might just be a game to you but lives are at stake here.

If we don't support Al Saud, there'll be a war across Arabia.

This is no game for me, I can assure you.

I'm most concerned.

This morning, we learned that Sharif Hussein has conquered Hijaz, sorry, philby.

That's our land. You see, it's war again.

The British government strongly condemns the incursion.

Incursion? It is an invasion.

Which we shall do our utmost reverse.

You know what the problem is Ahmed,

they think there's oil in the Hijaz. But what if they're wrong?

What if there's oil in the East of Arabia, in the Nedj,

then Al Saud will be your best friend.

Your cynicism doesn't become you, Philby.

The fact is Arabia is an irrelevance.

The priority of the British government is protecting the Suez canal.

So, they can ship the oil from Mesopotamia.

That means keeping Palestine under our control.

Palestine is the priority.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Think for yourself, Montague, stop toeing the party line.

Careful, Philby.

This obsession of yours has gone too far.

People are talking in Whitehall,

whose side are you really on here.

It's Lawrence, isn't it?

He's the one driving Arabian policy.

Curzon thinks he's touched by greatness and so does most of England.

Lawrence is no friend of the Arabs.

He's loyal only to himself. His Arab revolt was nothing but a self-serving stunt.

And how about you, Philby? Who do you speak for

other than yourself?

I speak for the millions of warded

who lost their lives in a pointless conflict to preserve the

imperial ambitions of the great powers

including my two brothers.

Something the matter?

Yes, your highness.

There is Sharif Hussein has taken us here.

My country is at war.

I have to do something to help my father.

I cannot fail him now.

And he won't.

Prince Faisal, I have an idea.

My brother, David, the Prince of Wales is hosting a private dinner next week,

important men sitting around changing the world.

Now I know for certain,

the Lord Curzon has accepted.

You could come as my guest.

None of them know more about your country than you do.

How do I look?

Like a king.

We will get to meet some great men tonight.

Don't you think it is time we return to the Nedj?

I am sure your father is raising a big army to the…

We should be there with him.

The British say, politics shouldn't be discussed over dinner.

And it's almost dinner time.

I think the British have a habit of talking about everything

except those things that really matter.

In any case, we are not British.

Be careful this evening, your highness.

The British are very clever at making you feel part of the club,

one of them,

to stop you and your father causing trouble for them.

Are you saying, Princess Mary should not be trusted? She invited us.

All I'm saying is be on your guard.

Good evening, your highness.

Welcome to St. James's palace.

Good evening.

Mr. Boylan. Mr. Boylan will show you to the servant's quarters.

Come this way, your highness.

Prince Faisal. My dear Faisal, come with me.

My brother is so eager to meet you. David!

Oh, Prince Faisal.

How splendid to meet you.

My sister has told me so much. Heard all about the meet.

You cut quite a dash.

It's a day I will never forget.

I bet.

Now, what will you have to drink?

Homemade lemonade, rather good.

So, I must admit I prefer something a little stronger.

You sure I can't tempt you.

Come on now. Let's move on.

Don't encourage him to come to.

Now, Lord Curzon hasn't arrived yet, but Winston Churchill has.

Just go over here.

Your highness, your reputation pursuits you.

Winston.

You're a great horseman and warrior I'm told.

Princess Mary's too kind.

I passed out of Sandhurst as a cavalry officer.

When you're on a great horse,

it's the best seat you'll ever have.

I couldn't put it better myself.

Tell me about Arabia, I want to hear everything.

He’s secretary of state for war, Winston Churchill.

Yes, it was Churchill's decision to switch the fleet from coal to oil

when he was First Lord of the Admiralty,

complete egoist.

He's the duke of Marlborough.

But he's nobody's fault, very independent-minded.

Damn back.

Good evening. Is it? - One moment darling.

Blasted pills.

Time to meet the prince.

Lord Curzon.

Princess Mary, always a pleasure.

Lady Curzon. My goodness, that necklace is beautiful.

Has our young prince arrived?

Yes, of course.

We'll have to tear him away from Winston.

They've become very firm friends already.

Your father is known as a man of courage, a great leader.

I am honored to be his son.

Yes, being the son of a great man has its burdens.

My father, Lord Randolph,

did you know what he once called me?

Idle, useless and unprofitable.

I'm sorry to interrupt, gentlemen.

My esteemed foreign secretary.

Lord Curzon, Prince Faisal Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Lord Curzon, it's a great honor to meet you.

No, no, no. The honor is mine, Prince Faisal.

I can only apologize

about the length of time it's taken to finally bring us together.

It seems that you have a gift of making friends.

Bless us, o lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive

from thy bounty through Christ, our lord.

Amen.

Your royal highness, forgive me.

Lawrence.

He's always late, does it deliberately I'm sure.

My lecturer at the rds overran horribly.

You're in great demand.

I tell you what really slows it down,

everyone wanting to have their photograph taken with you, it's most tiresome.

Ah, Philby, old man, long time no see.

I trust the foreign office is making full use of your talents.

Lawrence.

And you must be Prince Faisal.

Not finding England too chilly, I trust.

On the contrary, the weather is most clement.

Spoken like a true Englishman.

Mark my words, there is a revolt brewing in Mesopotamia.

We must honor the promise of self-government

as laid out in the Anglo-French declaration.

Wouldn't you agree, Philby?

I would, absolutely.

And we must let Faisal Hussein govern Mesopotamia.

He is in my estimation, the finest Arab leader since Saladin.

If I may?

No man commands more respect across Arabia

than Prince Faisal's father Abdulaziz Al Saud.

This I learned when Saud rode right into the heart of Hussein's territory.

You may wonder how I could enter the kingdom of the Hijaz unannounced

with no invitation,

like the sun in the sky as old Hussein protested.

Because I traveled on the authority of Al Saud.

We have no greater friend in the whole of Arabia.

What do you say, Prince Faisal?

Is it true? Could your father,

the Emir, one day be king of all Arabia?

I thought an Englishman never discussed politics over the dinner table.

How's the restoration going, podium?

Never buy a castle, Montague.

Gertrude bell is most persuasive on the matter, you must read a report.

He’s keep avoiding me.

Wait till he's drunk his first whiskey.

Your master has asked for mint tea,

would you be kind enough to show us how it is made?

Of course.

Over there.

How is the dinner going?

All good.

You simply don't have the resources to maintain control of Mesopotamia.

Day after day, week after week,

there's a continuance of this wasteful, miserable,

sporadic warfare.

Yeah, yeah.

Probably not a single friend in the press upon the subject,

cradle of civilization and they can't affording.

Doesn't this remind you of being at home?

The men discussing affairs of state.

I feel most at home.

Before you leave for Arabia, you must come to my club as my guest,

the food there is excellent.

I would like that very much, Lord Curzon.

But I hope we can have another meeting first

in private.

High time you went back to the desert.

What the bloody hell? You did that on purpose.

No, it was an accident.

Marzouq, apologize, do something.

I apologize most sincerely, he's still learning.

Splendid evening, your highness. Yes.

But not as good food as at the Lyse palace.

Maybe.

Please, excuse me.

Where's Marzouq?

He's in stables.

Marzouq.

I have failed you.

No, we are brothers.

And between us, not a drop of water must come.

Forgive me.

Remember when we arrived in Plymouth,

saw the huge ship,

the might of the British navy.

British navy.

I felt so small, so I know

why should the British listen to me?

A boy from the desert.

Because you are Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Am I really?

You are a prince amongst men.

Tell me something. Was it an accident when you spilled the tea over Montagu?

No. I never liked that man.

We're going home.

We are lost.

No, we are going back to our real home,

Arabia.

Nearly four months in England and all Lord Curzon

has offered is lunch at his club.

We must leave.

If the British won't support us, we must try and resolve our problems

at the conference in Versailles.

Perhaps, French policy is more sympathetic to the problems of the Arab people.

If you leave without a commitment from the British government,

your father's position will be greatly weakened.

And whose fault will that be for bring us here?

The future of Arabia will be decided at the conference of Versailles

or on the battlefield.

Your highness, if you go,

it will destroy your father's relationship with Great Britain.

Your highness, we must leave.

Your father needs you at his side.

Damn it.

Montagu is downstairs.

Montagu.

Ah, good morning, Philby.

God, give me strength.

It's on.

What is?

A formal meeting. Lord Curzon wants to see Prince Faisal.

This is what we've been waiting for.

A proper meeting?

Yes. Montagu says, Curzon was most impressed by your highness.

He thinks you're a young man with a very promising future.

This is just a trick.

It's a trap to help Sharif Hussein.

Ahmad, that's an insult to Prince Faisal.

He's proved himself most worthy of Lord Curzon's respect.

Divide and rule, Faisal.

They have divided Arabia, and now they want to divide your family

and turn you into their puppet,

their very own English gentleman of the desert.

Stop.

Your highness.

My father warned me that diplomacy is more bitter than battle.

The decision is mine.

And I have decided

that we stay.

Lord Curzon is a very astute man.

Perhaps, it is better if I do the talking.

What's in the newspaper?

Churchill says the treasury is running out of money and can no longer

afford expensive foreign commitments.

Please, read it.

It's gratuitous that after all the struggles of war,

just when we want to get together our slender military resources

and re-establish our finances,

we should feel compelled to go on pouring armies and treasure

into these thankless deserts.

Your highness, gentlemen.

Lord Curzon has asked to see Prince Faisal alone.

I hope that doesn't present any problems.

No problems at all.

Good. Good.

Excellent. Please, come through.

Minister, Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Faisal.

Very glad to see you again, Lord Curzon.

This is my pleasure.

Our last meeting ended rather abruptly.

My apologies. Please sit down.

Montagu got these especially for you.

I hope these are not too sweet and the bad news.

No, no, certainly not, sir.

I believe the red ones are very good.

Isn't that right, Montagu?

Yes, indeed. Strawberry.

Abdulaziz Al Saud, your father,

is a great warrior.

He's a great man.

Yes, quite.

A most wise man as he demonstrated

when he retreated from Mecca.

It was the right decision but we are concerned

that he's about to make a mistake,

a grave mistake and go to war

with Sharif Hussein.

I'm not sure that your father can see the bigger picture,

but I have every confidence that you do,

you're a very bright young man.

The bigger picture?

The long-term friendship with Great Britain.

Have you not felt welcome here?

Most welcome.

And have you not made friends? I have.

And seen for yourself, the wonders

of the civilized world.

The civilized world! Oh, yes. It has taught me a great deal.

Well.

But I have learned too what real friendship is about.

Friendship is about respect.

Friendship based on superiority is no friendship at all.

My father respects all Muslims and his allies

and can be trusted to keep his word,

but he will not stand by while his land is being invaded.

He will fight back. Right now, he is gathering a great army.

We are sending a peacekeeping force.

Your father must not retaliate.

That would be most foolish,

to have one army armed with British weapons fighting another army armed

with British weapons. Divide and rule.

Young man.

Surely, it is in the interest of Great Britain to have a

strong united Arabia,

can you afford otherwise?

Do you want to spend years getting bogged down in the internal affairs

of a thankless desert?

Think of the expense.

Let Hussein and his sons govern Mesopotamia and Transjordan,

if they have enough support.

But leave Arabia to my father. He is the only true leader.

Your highness, did it go well?

He gave me this.

Prince Faisal.

Is it true Prince Faisal is going home to fight Sharif Hussein?

You'll be at war with the British Empire?

The sands of Arabia are going to be turned red with the blood of good people.

Because British government policy is determined not by friendship or respect,

but oil. Print that.

Your highness,

you have a visitor.

A visitor?

Please come with me.

Just the prince, I'm afraid, sir. Your highness.

Princess Mary.

How did it go? I'm so eager to find out. I don't know,

Lord Curzon is so cunning. He's just like…

Fox.

…just like a fox.

Princess Mary,

thank you for your friendship. I'm going to miss you.

I'm going to miss you.

Life will be far more boring without you.

There's something I need to say.

Yes, what is it? I'm not a warrior.

I was trying to make myself sound brave.

You thought, I believed you.

I got brothers, you know.

Voila!

What is that?

It's a birthday cake.

In this country, we celebrate the date of our birth

with a cake,

candles for every year.

So, this is a small gift to remember our friendship in our funny ways.

I wish someday I had the opportunity to return your hospitality.

Better ones have a saying in my country.

“You are dear to me like the apple of my eye,

oh, my camel.

You are as dear to me as my health, oh, my camel,

how sweet are my ears, the sound of your bells, oh, my camel.”

Are you calling me a camel? No

Your royal highness, Prince Faisal,

my apologies for the interruption.

Well, what is it?

Lord Curzon asks that his highness does not return

to Arabia

before the foreign secretary has had an opportunity to discuss

your situation in detail

with the prime minister

and the king.

Welcome back. Thank you, father.

It was God’s wish that you returned safe and sound.

I bring a letter from the English King

to the Sultan of Nedj.

Go ahead, read it.

Dear Sultan of Nedj,

I am entrusting this letter to your son,

Prince Faisal

with whom I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted.

It marks what I hope will be the beginning of a very

fruitful relationship between our two kingdoms

following the unanimous decision by my government

to formally recognize you

the Emir of Nedj.

You were our best ambassador.

You have brought us more honor than fifty victories.

Your brother Turki would be very proud.