Original subtitles

[solemn music playing]

[narrator] Around 20,000 Boer militia from the two independent Boer Republics,

the Transvaal and the Orange Free State,

are left fighting against 340,000 trained British soldiers.

Yet, the might of the British army

cannot bring the tenacious Boers to their knees.

The British Commander, Lord Kitchener,

orders the burning of all Boer farms.

Livestock and water supplies are poisoned and destroyed,

and all women and children are placed in concentration camps,

to force the Boer militia to surrender.

Thousands died in Lord Kitchener's camps.

This has the opposite effect on the Boers that Kitchener had hoped for.

Boers from the neighboring British Cape Colony rise up,

and more than 12,000 Cape rebels

take up arms against the British crown throughout the war.

The punishment for their high treason is severe.

In most cases, the death penalty.

But still, they fight on.

Just think,

we thought we'd never have a child...

God has blessed us.

He has.

He knew you were meant to be a father,

a farmer...

not a soldier.

Anna.

What am I going to tell your son

if you don't come back?

"Your father chose the war over us"?

I'm sorry, Willem.

Where is the nearest camp?

The Brits are about 80 miles towards Kimberley.

We can't stay here for too long.

Japie may be my brother, but he isn't the world's best scout.

Even if I do say so myself.

I'm not talking about the British camps.

Where is the nearest concentration camp?

Norvalspont. Why?

How much ammunition do you have?

Willem, I have almost nothing left.

Then you better shoot to kill.

Willem...

Willem.

[Willem] Hyah!

Come on, Willem...

Willem.

Damn, Willem!

[horses neighing]

[birds chirping]

[gunshot]

There we go! All right, I'm gonna step and see.

Hang on, it's still moving.

Oi, I'm telling you, it's still moving.

It don't count if you shoot it up close.

Bastards!

Willem, please, this is crazy!

Let's go speak to Commandant Veldsman and get a few more men.

You know what his answer will be...

Can we at least find more ammunition somewhere?

Where?

I don't know.

Somewhere.

See to the guards on the eastern and western side.

Leave the two yellow bellies at the bottom to me.

Willem, if they catch you, they will kill you.

Without my wife and child, I'm already dead.

Willem!

Give them hell.

Shoot to kill.

Lord...

please spare us today.

[cocks gun]

[intense music playing]

Who's this now?

[music intensifies]

Oh, my God!

They're attacking!

The Boers are attacking!

-[gunshot] -[gasps]

[soldiers clamoring]

Ah!

He's coming down the back!

Anna!

Anna Morkel!

Anna Wilhelmina Morkel!

Willem!

Anna!

Maryke... Where's Anna?

[horse whinnies]

[groaning]

[gunshot]

Willem!

[baby crying]

Willem.

Take your son!

Where is Anna?

Just take him and go.

Maryke...

Maryke... Where's Anna?

She's dead.

Run!

Get out of here.

[baby screaming]

Willem!

Willem!

[sergeant] Close in on him.

[crying softly]

[groans]

No, no, no.

-[bird flies away] -Don't move--

an inch.

I'm so sorry, Father.

Did you manage to finish him, at least?

Oh.

Well, better luck next time?

Katherine, how long have I been here?

-Three years, Father. -That's right, three years now.

Three years...

during which time I have looked under every rock,

scoured every blade of grass on this damned island,

in search of the elusive Saint Helena plover.

He did seem rather large for a plover, don't you think, Father?

The wirebird, as he is fondly called by the local populace,

is, in fact, so scarce, he is found in one location,

and one location only, across the entire globe.

And that is this island.

That is why they named the little fellow their national bird,

and even introduced him onto their Coat of Arms.

[sighs]

With the podians' stay on this island,

our naval fleet introduced a rather lovely breed of rat

that feasts on the eggs of this poor creature.

And since then, it has assumed almost mythical proportions.

The Boer camps were the final nail in the coffin.

So, the chances of there being a next time are rather slim, my dear.

I was only trying to get a better look, Father.

I know.

I'm just being cantankerous, because it was the final picture of my book.

-Perhaps I could-- -Father.

I thought you told them the island couldn't handle any more.

[Sterndale] I did, but [sighs]

who listens to an old civil servant?

Best we go down there

and show these poor souls at least two friendly faces

before they enter the camps.

[steamship whistling]

The English have used this deserted rock as a prison for centuries.

Napoleon,

the King of the Zulus,

and now the Boers.

The only way to escape is in a coffin.

Just ask Napoleon.

All right, listen up.

Line up on starboard, come on.

-Come on, get up. -Move it, move it.

No more than ten men per boat.

Anyone caught trying to make a swim for it will be shot.

[soldier] Forward!

Pull!

Pull!

Come on, move it, move it, move it.

Don't have bloody all night, come on.

Shake a leg.

Now, clear the area as quick as you can,

line up, five men take this to the Corporal.

-Now, prisoners from the Republic... -Come on.

...that used to be known as Transvaal, line up on my left.

And prisoners from the Republic that used to be known as the Orange Free State,

line up on the right.

-Not used to be. Still is. -All right, shut up.

Won't listen to anybody that does not show us respect.

You will do what I bloody well tell you to do.

And I sure as hell won't listen to a short, fat English sergeant.

[sergeant] Hey, what did you say?

Stop laughing!

You will bloody well tell me what you said!

I'm a commandant of Transvaal Republic.

Let it go, Gideon.

I said I won't take any orders from short, little, fat English Sergeants.

You listen to me.

[shouting] You are a prisoner of war of the British Army,

and you'll bloody well do what I tell you to do.

Are we clear?

Make me.

Sergeant!

Sir.

-Step away from the Kommandant. -Yes, sir.

I must apologize on behalf of the Sergeant.

Sometimes my men lack the necessary skills...

or rank

in dealing with someone of your standing.

I'm Colonel Swannell.

Kommandant Scheepers.

Of the Republican Army.

Everyone knows we don't have an army.

We're just normal farmers fighting for our freedom.

Right.

Militia...

In which case,

he has no rank.

[groaning]

Sergeant, let me explain to you what you're dealing with here.

A bunch of ogres

who've been left on their own in the wilderness to rule themselves for far too long.

So backward and inbred.

Their primitive gray matter has festered a decay in their minds, called Republics.

Now the only reason that they've been able to build these ramshackled Republics,

is that the good Lord, in a moment of distraction,

decided to give them an abundance of minerals.

Gold, diamonds, unmatched in all the Empire.

Lesson learned, Sergeant.

Thank God, the Queen in her infinite wisdom,

decided to intervene,

and save South Africa from the Boers.

Now, lick the Sergeant's boots.

Oh, let me give you a hand with that.

[groans]

I said, lick this Sergeant's boots!

Lick them.

Can you taste it?

Civilization.

-Take him away. -Yes, sir.

Come on.

[Swannell] Now...

is there anyone else that I can assist?

-Sergeant. -Yes, sir?

There is one thing, Colonel.

All right, you bloody shut--

What are you doing, Willem?

Yes?

Do you Australians shoot the sheep before or after you have your way with them?

Maybe during.

That way, you can keep them busy while you shoot them in their heads from behind.

[scoffing]

[Sterndale] Colonel Swannell.

We will not have that

while I am still Governor on this island.

May I remind you, Governor Sterndale,

that this island is under martial law.

[Sterndale] And may I remind you, Colonel Swannell,

that martial law does not allow summary execution without fair trial.

Take him away to the camp along with the rest of the men.

All right, sir.

[sergeant] All right, you heard the man. Let's go.

This island...

I've got more rats in my camp than you've got people on this island.

Ever wonder why the Queen gave you such a prestigious post?

Mrs. Grenthall.

It's Miss Sterndale.

Yes, of course. My apologies.

Why do you let him talk to you like that, Father?

That was either very brave or very stupid.

I can't make up me mind which.

I don't speak to you Britishers.

You can call me many things,

but don't be calling me British.

[groaning]

Almost there.

[soldier] Get a move on, you lazy bastards.

Come on.

This is Stonewood camp.

This is not a prisoner of war camp,

as you're not prisoners of war.

This is an internment camp for traitors.

It's for bastards like you,

that took up arms against their own Queen and country.

Traitors do not share the same rights

as the subjects of the Boer Republics.

You will be subject to the rules and regulations

set forth by Colonel Swannell.

-That is total-- -Keep your mouth shut, old man.

Colonel Swannell has ordered orientation exercises for the rest of the day...

and you will be denied rations this evening.

You got these two gobshites to thank for that.

Try any of that bullshit with me, boy,

I'll break your jaw.

Double time, Private.

Let's see what these bastards are made of.

[private] Right. Time to get civilized, boys.

Time to get a push out of you, little boy.

When your hut is unlocked each morning,

you will receive bread and water rations for the rest of the day.

You will then march to Stonewood quarry

and labor will commence at 6:00 a.m. sharp.

You'll return to camp at 9:00 p.m.

[sarcastically] Oh, good. Union hours.

You stick to the rules, and life here will be splendid.

[shouting marching slogans]

[splashing]

Look at them poor bastards, Corporal.

Thought them boys were made of shit and cement.

It seems they are, sir.

Well, just have to keep squeezing 'em till the shit runs out.

Come on, you lazy lot.

[clamoring]

Come on, move it.

[clamoring]

Stop shirking, you bastard.

Come on. Go on, you little girl, move.

There will be no contact with prisoners from other camps

nor civilians.

[soldier] Come on, move it, you bastards.

I can't anymore.

Get that man up.

You can.

Don't think about the pain.

Push through it.

I said get that man up, you lazy bastard.

Get him up!

[groaning]

Get up!

[soldier] Keep going!

[soldier] Move.

Keep moving. Go!

Water.

Are they really not giving us any food?

Now you'll be seated in the center facing them.

Eat!

Oi, turn around.

I said turn around!

Please, Sergeant.

Turn around!

Please, give them my food.

Right. Eat, you bastards.

He said, "Eat"!

Water.

Please, God, water...

[sergeant] Where-- where you going, boy?

You heard me. Sit down.

[shouting] I said sit down, boy.

-Take him. -Get off.

Come on, move it.

Get up.

[tumbler clattering]

Bastard!

Take these two as well.

-Colonel's orders. -Yes, Sergeant.

-Move. -Right.

Get up, you ruddy oaf.

Come on, let's go.

Right. Eat up.

And your new friends will sleep where they sit tonight.

That man will die.

He's not a man.

He's a Boer.

[door shuts]

Are you... thirsty?

Oh, yeah.

I spent a couple of years in the war fighting in the Eastern Transvaal.

And in that time, I grew to despise your people.

I took great pleasure in wiping as many of you off the face of the earth as possible.

[choking]

It would have been a lot more

if we didn't have to deal with the spineless, bureaucratic bastards

like Governor Sterndale.

He, uh,

takes pity on the lower species like you.

[shuddering]

But I have no such qualms

about putting a bullet in the head of the runt of the litter.

So, at first,

you can understand I was quite disappointed

that I couldn't shoot you this afternoon.

[sighs]

But then, it dawned on me,

that that is exactly what you want.

So I'm gonna keep you alive,

so that I can break you.

And then, and only then,

will I put you out of your misery.

And if I do it myself?

[chuckling] I'm guessing you won't.

Pride.

Pride is the downfall of you people.

So...

you'll... stay alive,

and try to be courageous like the stupid bastards in the ground next to you.

And then-- And then, one morning, suddenly you'll wake up,

and you'll realize where you are.

You'll realize you've lost your country.

You'll understand the Boer nation has been exterminated.

Then... you will know

that we've won.

-Lock it up. -Yes, sir.

Put these on. When you're finished, you can eat.

[clattering]

He's gone.

[soldier] Oi!

I don't know what he's saying.

He needs water.

Fetch some.

You must never...

You must never give up.

[shoveling]

Hey.

I said, do you have any pounds on you?

No.

Are you sure?

Because if you do, you can eat well tonight.

Or drink.

Smoke... anything.

It just depends on how much you have.

I have nothing.

It's hard to believe.

Everyone knows you have to smuggle something in if you're captured.

Even the children know that.

I have nothing.

In any case, I wouldn't know where to hide it.

There are lots of holes the Brits don't like digging in.

What camp is that?

That's Deadwood.

A Transvaler camp.

It looks different to ours.

Life is good there.

They can do whatever they want.

What are they playing?

That's rugby.

The Brits' favorite sport.

Rugby's the only thing those bastards ever gave the world that's worth a damn.

You see, you have to be a bloody spy to think like that.

[clamoring]

Willem Morkel.

It was a brave thing you did last night.

I should have left him.

I just gave him false hope.

At least you tried.

We're already dead.

We just don't realize it yet.

Phil Blignaut, from Bloemfontein.

Pleased to meet you.

You must excuse Daniel.

He went to war

and took both his boys with him.

His own brother betrayed him to the English.

When they were caught,

he had to watch his boys get executed.

His wife blames him for their deaths.

You know...

you can fight against your enemy,

but you can't fight your own people.

How far do you think one can swim?

Not far enough.

One day in the quarry and now you think you're tough?

I'm not a child.

I've been fighting for more than a year.

Just listen to this child.

You're not the first one to think about swimming to the boats.

Do you know what happened to the arseholes who tried?

They're buried in the shallow graves near the coffins.

Take your stuff and go.

Here comes the arsehole with his puppets.

Let's go.

The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment's rugby sport.

Besides destroying the Boers, it's the Colonel's biggest pleasure.

He specifically brought in Lieutenant Butler to lead his team.

He plays for England.

Brilliant player.

-You know him? -No.

But our paths have crossed.

Few years back, when he was a school boy,

I was training a rival school in Tipperary, at Scots College.

He single-handedly destroyed us on that day.

Excellent player.

And he knows it.

Top-scoring player for the British on their tours.

Then Daniel should know him.

Who?

Daniel. He played for South Africa against the British in '96.

He just learnt the game because

he was trained at Victoria College

whilst playing against the British.

It's different than being a spy.

Daniel.

Have you ever played against Butler?

He should start a team. Teach the men how to play.

And I've always said the Boers would be a force to be reckoned with

if they played rugby.

When I played that game, I still believed the British were men.

Not monsters.

I would rather die than touch a rugby ball again.

[whistle blowing]

[sergeant shouting] Get back to work.

All right, come on. Let's go.

Get on with it.

Pick up your feet. Get off your arses.

Oi, you there. Get up.

Come on, lads. Move along.

Oi, kick it here.

[man] Yeah, kick it over. Let's see if you can reach.

Let's see if you can even make a connection on it.

All right.

Back to training, lads.

Prisoners seem to be in need of some exercise, Sergeant.

Right you are, sir.

Great. Let's see you line up with some rocks.

Thanks a lot.

[soldier] Come on, stop.

I said stop!

[gunshot]

[soldier] Get up.

[man groaning]

[man panting]

Lieutenant Butler.

-Sir? -Fetch your revolver.

Yes, sir.

[suspenseful music]

Sir.

On my order.

Sir?

Is there a problem, Butler?

A prisoner tried to escape.

Yes, sir.

Run.

He can't shoot me.

Or do it where he's standing. You can take your chances.

Makes no difference to me.

But--

Ten, nine, eight,

seven, Lieutenant,

six, five...

two, one.

[gunshots]

[exhales]

Let's work on those rocks, shall we?

[grave music plays]

We'll never survive without meat.

That's why the men look for worms under the rocks.

[crying]

Wynand, what's going on?

Keep quiet.

Oi, what's going on over there?

[Wynand continues crying]

Get him out of here before Lieutenant Butler arrives.

-Shut up. -Just shut up.

Please, keep quiet.

-Oi. -What's going on over there?

I said keep your mouth shut, little boy.

Shut up!

Get up!

Get him up. Get off me.

-Get him up, now! -Yes, sir.

Get him up.

Wynand...

Shut up!

[Wynand continues crying]

Shut up!

[Wynand screaming]

Here comes the Governor's weekly bit of charity.

[Wynand continues crying]

"Love is kind and is not jealous.

Love does not brag and is not arrogant."

[Wynand's screaming continues]

"Love does not act unbecomingly.

It does not seek its own.

Is not provoked.

It does not take into account a wrong suffered.

Love does not rejoi--"

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness,

but rejoices with truth.

Love never fails."

Great and everlasting being

To be feared

Punish me not in anger

You really do have a way with words, Katherine.

They are not my words.

I thought you might join us

for the game against Deadwood camp, tomorrow afternoon.

You said this kind of treatment would stop!

"Treatment"? It's only a game of rugby.

I'm not talking about the rugby!

I'm talking about that man I heard screaming

from that box buried in the ground back there.

It's not my decision. The Colonel has given his orders.

You looked me in the eye and you promised me

that these prisoners would be treated with dignity

and respect.

-Now, Katherine, I-- -You tell your Colonel, these are men, not animals.

They are human beings with rights,

who'll one day look back and only remember the horrors of the British Empire

inflicted upon them.

This will stop now.

Or I swear to you, I shall write to Lord Chamberlain myself.

I shall write to the Queen if I have to,

and demand that heads roll for these barbaric acts,

including yours.

-Katherine, please-- -Don't...

call me Katherine.

[rats squeaking]

That was a mighty kick you gave that ball today.

There's nothing to it.

It's like kicking pine cones at the river.

I was serious today.

You boys will make great rugby players.

You're mentally strong.

Built like brick shithouses, you could run circles around the English.

You want to get this lot to play together?

A sport is a way of doing that.

All they need is a common enemy, and who better than the English?

My friend, you seem to have learned nothing about the Boers in your time with them.

They're the most stubborn nation on earth.

We cannot stand together.

Never have. Never will.

This war is once again proof of that.

The Irish, my friend,

they've been oppressed by the English more than 700 years,

and we still fight amongst ourselves, trust me.

I understand the Boers.

But, if you give them someone to look up to...

And that won't be me.

Speak to Daniel Malherbe. He's your rugby man.

I wish I could.

But he's got even more of a death wish than you.

At least you still have some fight left in your bones.

Now listen to me, Irishman.

You know nothing about me. Nor does anyone else here.

And I want to keep it that way, understand?

-Their rights? -Yes, sir.

I tried to explain that they have no rights, sir, but she, uh,

she didn't give me a chance.

Said she'd report our... "misconduct" was the word she used.

Stupid bloody suffrages.

It's a disease, I think.

Tea from China.

Sugar from the Caribbean.

Perfect examples of civilization,

yet impossible without war or slavery.

that the Stonewood prisoners may compete in the Trafalgar Day celebrations this weekend.

That'll keep her out of our hair for a while.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, Lieutenant.

Best we keep the official facts straight

about yesterday's little, uh, shooting incident.

Wouldn't want to see you face a commission because of an inaccurate report.

Yes, sir.

Are you boys ready for this afternoon, then?

Of course, sir.

But I-- I actually feel we need stronger warm-up games

if we hope to put one over Colonel McGuire's team in the quarters next month.

Playing against the Boer team may seem trivial to our men,

but let's not underestimate the impact of

a crushing defeat will have on the prisoners.

-See to it. -Yes, sir.

[man] Right, come on, lads.

[grunting]

[Finn] That's their job...

To move the ball as far up the field as possible

before the opposition team's forward stop it.

[grunting]

And it's a matter of digging in and digging out with your feet.

We don't care.

Keep quiet.

Just remember.

[players grunting]

You said there are nine forwards who can ruck and scrum,

and then the half-back can pass the ball up.

Yes, but it's only after the ruck is formed

that you can compete for the ball by pushing others.

And no hands in the ruck.

It's only after the ball comes out of the ruck

can the half-back take it and pass it to one of the four three-quarters

or the fallback.

Now it's just a matter of beating the defense.

[all] Oof!

And scoring an easy try.

[cheering]

Just remember,

two short whistles.

I don't think this is a good idea.

Relax. It's going to work. You'll see.

-Yes! -[whistle blows]

Well done, Butler.

[applause]

[whistle blows]

That bloody Brit ran right over that Boer.

He just couldn't get a proper hold on him, that's all.

They were just lucky.

He is aiming too high.

Take out a man's legs and he's got nowhere to go.

That's right.

But he wouldn't know that because nobody's told him how to play the game.

[whistle blows]

[whistle blows]

[clamoring]

[laughing]

The man's got a gift for the game.

Scrum men, scrum.

Come on!

[clamoring]

Are they allowed to do that?

Not at all.

The Boers are never going to win

if they also have to play against the umpire.

Referee.

[clamoring]

Tackle that man!

[whistle blows]

[clamoring]

Take the gap!

Stop him.

[cheering]

Stop him.

[whistle blows]

[cheers and applause]

[whistle blows]

[Finn] You could smile, at least.

It's just one try.

At least it's a start, huh?

Come on!

[Finn] Look at the face of the lad over there. [laughing]

[whistling softly]

Wynand!

[tense music playing]

[sergeant] All right, you lot, move down towards the coffins.

Now, come on, move, move, move.

Keep going, move.

Come on, move.

Move it.

Get up.

Get up. Get up.

Untie his hands.

You may join the rest.

[whispers] Go on.

Just because you betrayed your friend

does not mean that you will escape punishment.

Turn around.

He said turn around!

[grave music playing]

What if we defeat you?

Would you let the boy go?

What?

What if a team of prisoners from this camp defeat your rugby team?

Would you spare the boy's life?

Now why would I do something like that?

'Cause if we lose, I will take his bullet.

Willem!

If you lose,

you both take a bullet.

And if we win, you spare our lives.

No.

A life for a life, Mr. Morkel.

If you win, I will spare his life.

Either way, you're a dead man.

You were, the moment you stepped onto this island.

Accepted.

But you must give us time to practice.

After you've completed your labor for the day,

you may practice.

You have one month to prepare.

Best you start to gather your team.

Take him away.

Move.

Don't play.

Please don't play.

Leave me alone.

It was my mistake.

Please don't let him play.

Right.

You got an hour's practice before lock up.

You better pull your finger out.

Why did you do that?

He's going to shoot you both.

Not if we win... then the boy will live.

If we win?

We don't even have a bloody team.

Did you see how the English played today?

Yes, I did.

And I think we can beat them.

How?

Finn is going to help us.

We also have Daniel.

Who better to have in a team?

You will play, won't you?

We will lose.

And I don't want more blood on my hands.

You're on your own.

I can run. I run very fast.

What have you done?

You said we could win.

Yeah, with a team and practice. And a ball.

But mostly, we need a team.

And more than a handful of rotting prisoners from which to choose it.

I will play.

But, uh, I can't English speak.

Can hear it a bit.

So you'll have to explain slowly how this game works.

We need at least 15 players with different skills.

There's hardly 30 in the camp, but it looks like none of them want to play, anyway.

And even if they did, I've no idea what they can do!

What about the sports day?

What are you talking about?

Saturday.

We're allowed to take part.

You can see what the men...

What the men on the day can do.

Don't be ridiculous! We need rugby players.

No, no, no, hold on.

He's got a point.

If I could at least get an idea, I mean, that'd be a start.

Of course, that doesn't mean they're going to play.

I'll focus on getting them here.

You focus on training them.

[Finn] Yeah, that's all very well and good.

We're still up against a bloody good team,

with a star player in their ranks, in case you've forgotten.

Leave me alone!

I don't belong here. This is Stonewood.

Get in there, you bloody baboon.

Stupid bloody bastards!

Welcome to your new home.

Compliments of the Colonel.

I stay in Daywood camp, okay?

Not here! I'm a Transvaler.

Well, maybe you should have left the ball on the ground.

Rather play dead.

I don't belong with a bunch of rotten prisoners!

What are you looking at?

Have you never seen a real Boer?

Wouldn't start digging my grave anytime soon if I were you.

[guard] Come on, move.

[patriotic music plays]

[cheering]

What's this?

That's called "Pull Down Horse".

It's real popular here.

[Finn] Not exactly fiends for rules?

But you need powerful men.

Forwards, for dragging.

I thought you might need someone to help with...

and to find things for you.

Guess we can't let the young man die without a fight.

You should be careful.

People might think you care.

[all cheering]

Yeah!

His name is Os le Grange.

Yeah!

He'll do.

And this?

Longtom Van Tonder.

[grunting]

Longtom can jump!

And pull!

[all cheering]

Gawie! Gawie!

If you win, I'll get you biltong and milk tart from town.

[all cheering]

[man] Good fight!

[grunts]

[groans]

That I call a Randfontein lullaby.

Bit rough around the edges.

[singing]

Let us close our eyes.

Dear Father,

although we are trapped in the chains of our mortal sin,

we ask that--

We ask that you lead us to your salvation,

for only you are the light.

Amen.

[all] Amen.

Right, you lot. Dismissed.

Excuse me. Excuse me, sir.

Have I offended you in some way?

Or don't you understand our language?

-Maybe someone-- -I understand your language.

Then why don't you sing or pray with the other men?

Excuse me, sir, I'm talking to you.

I'm going to speak my best English so you can understand me very well.

You can attack my country, burn our farms,

murder my people and put us in camps,

but you will not tell me what to do with my soul, understand?

I'm not telling you.

I'm merely concerned for you.

[scoffs]

You cut up our hearts and then you try to stop them bleeding with your little prayers,

so God won't punish you for your sins.

I'm not!

God doesn't care about anything, lady.

In fact, God doesn't even exist.

Well, of course, God exists.

You--

You just can't see Him right now through your sorrow.

My sorrow?

My wife and my son was murdered by the English and God did nothing to punish you.

In fact, he mocks every single man in this camp

by allowing an Englishwoman to come and talk to us about our souls!

You talk of punishment?

My husband shot himself in the head because of what was expected of him in war.

Good.

Now lose everything else as well,

and you might begin to understand how we feel.

[crying softly]

Thank you.

I didn't know if you would turn up.

Many of the men agree with Daniel,

but we respect you for what you did.

We will listen to what you have to say,

but it doesn't mean we're going to play.

Are you scared of the British?

No.

But we will not be responsible for a child's death.

I'm sorry.

I know.

Win or lose, we've already lost you.

And if we win, the boy lives.

We all saw those Brits play.

And except for him, none of us have ever played rugby.

What's your name?

Longtom Van Tonder.

Where from?

Stellenbosch.

What do you do?

Student.

And you?

Me?

Everyone knows me.

Tell us anyway.

Gawie Mentz.

Farmer from Graff Reinet.

Os le Grange.

Doctor from Upington.

You?

Eddie Mijnhardt.

Policeman from Pretoria.

And you?

Phil Blignaut.

Teacher from Bloemfontein.

So, not a single soldier amongst you.

Yet, you never thought twice about taking up arms

against the largest military power in the world.

Do you know what?

We almost won.

Why?

Because we never give up.

Especially not when they

want to murder another child of ours.

So...

Any man who won't play,

leave now.

As long as I can thrash a few Brits, I'll play...

What do we train with?

Is that supposed to be a ball?

You've a long way to go before you've earned the right to touch a real ball.

Right! Form two lines.

Come on, you mangy spiders.

Before I kick your dingle-berries back up into your giblets.

Didn't you hear me?

I said form two lines.

Right.

First thing we're going to practice is passing. Give me the ball.

Okay. Let's get started.

Oh, well done. Well done. It was great. Next. Go.

Keep going. That's it.

No! Leave the ball on the ground.

But why?

'Cause that's the way the game is played

and it's not up to the likes of you to change it.

Leave the ball on the ground, dribble it forward,

form the ruck and the half-back will take the ball

and give it out to the backline.

-Got it? -What's a ruck?

Just dribble the bloody ball. Next. Go.

Keep low.

Open your arms as he comes to you. Come. Take it low.

Take it low. Command, next.

[grunting]

[Finn] That's the third time now.

I don't have to tell you again.

-Right, keep your eye on the man. -Right.

[Finn] Huh?

Next.

Go.

I believe the prisoners of Stonewood camp

have challenged your team to a rugby game, Lieutenant.

Yes, it's quite amusing, actually.

One of their men tried to escape, and, uh--

Thought the game of rugby might take their mind off the matter for a while.

It's important to boost the morale of the prisoners.

Well, I must say, that's rather sporting of you, Colonel.

I'm not sure that I would like to take on a bunch of big, burly Boers at rugby.

Especially knowing that they were intent on a bit of revenge.

Which is why some men go to war and the others stay at home with the women.

Prisoners of the Deadwood team learned the hard way.

It would only be a fool to put any money on the Stonewood team.

£100.

In favor of the Boers.

£100 it is, then.

Good.

Now, if you will excuse me, Father,

I seem to have lost my appetite.

Madam.

Lose this game and I'll send you off to war.

Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

♪ God save our gracious king ♪

[singing in distance]

Well, keep going. I'm telling you lot. Open your gobs

and bloody well sing.

-[singing in distance] -Now sing, you bastards!

[singing continues]

Drive hard and move over the ball.

Ready?

Ouch, no, please.

Heads out. Heads out. That's it. All right.

[grunting]

And the half-back takes the ball and gets it out the backline.

What's a half-back?

[whispers] That's you.

-[screams] -Now get that bloody ball out of the line!

It doesn't help that God blessed you with the legs but not the hands, huh?

[grunts and shrieks]

Watch the bloody ball!

Give it to me. Come on, again.

[grunting]

Yeah!

I got it.

[laughing]

Great, huh?

Now you're watching the ball, huh?

Try watching the opposition. Give me the ball.

Get up.

[Finn] Come on, again.

I've heard you're quite a resourceful man?

-Sergeant. -Sir.

Right. Bring your rocks.

[singing indistinctly]

Lads, tuck that rock tight up under your arm.

That's it. Good lad.

You need more men in the back line.

You only need eight forwards.

So play a forward in the backline to give you more options.

That's it. That's it. Not bad. Not bad.

Next.

Go.

Come on, nice and easy. Nice and easy.

-Oh, for God's sake! -But why?

Why can't we pick it up?

Because that's the way the bloody game is played.

Again!

Switch it off.

Still got 20 minutes, sir.

I said switch it off, Sergeant.

Sir.

[Finn] Nicely.

Who said you could stop?

But the light is off.

But you can still feel the ball, can't you?

-[clapping] -Come on, let's go.

That's it. You can go forward nice and easy. That's it.

[Finn] Go. That's it.

Quicker. You need to come around quicker.

The defense will read us like an open book.

But we scored the try, sir.

Still, that won't save, Butler.

-Yes, sir. -Come on, one more time. Come on.

[grunting]

Why don't you fall back into the backline there?

Where must I stand?

Uh, how fast are you?

Slow, Master Finn.

What else can you do?

[grunting]

[triumphant music plays]

[clatters]

That'll do.

Nice, Greyling.

[laughing]

[whistling]

[grunting]

[Finn whispers] That's it. Again.

Sir, Colonel says that--

They're never gonna sing.

Not one bloody word.

Hope he realizes that.

-Excuse me, sir? -Never mind.

Go on.

[men singing indistinctly]

Let JJ play in the back of the scrum

so he can pop into the backline when the ball comes out.

Forwards in the backline?

Ah, nobody plays like that.

Only way you win the English

is by surprising attack.

Yeah, but it'll just weaken our forwards.

You seem to forget what you have in your team, Mr. Finn.

[singing]

Well, at least they're singing.

[whistling]

Well,

I think you've earned the right to play with a real ball, at last.

[sniffing]

Just outside a concentration camp in Middelburg

I watched two English soldiers

shoot a young springbok

quietly standing by its mother's carcass.

That beautiful African animal

that only knows the veld and its freedom.

In two or three simple strides

it could easily have escaped the soldier's guns,

but it didn't.

It stayed with its mother.

Instinctively loyal

until the end.

Every team needs a name

and I am proud to be part of this one.

Ready? Bind.

And scrum.

[all grunting]

Scrum them!

[cheering]

[whooping]

[singing]

[whooping and cheering]

Well done, guys!

[grave music playing]

[sighs]

[Finn] You need your rest. Now, go to bed.

Do you think we can win?

If you don't go to bed right now,

I'm going to get up and strangle you myself.

It's a strange thing.

Knowing when you're going to die.

Didn't bother me at first.

But the more I see the outcry in the men's eyes, the more afraid I become.

[sighs]

There's nothing wrong with fear.

Fear is just a reminder that there's something worth fighting for.

Why do you fight?

I mean, it's not even your country.

I don't know.

I seem to have lost track along the way.

At first, it was just pure hate.

As if killing young British soldiers could change history.

And then I realized, it was just me I was fighting all along.

Now it's time to go home.

Take the fight to them, where it really counts.

[Finn] Why do you fight?

I'm a farmer.

I know the ground.

I live from it. I live in it.

For centuries, my people's blood has been spilled on that land...

building what we have.

And I will defend it with the last drop of blood in my veins.

[Finn] Now,

get some sleep.

[sighs heavily]

[dramatic music playing]

Keep your mouth shut, boy.

Get up.

Sir.

Standing here for only ten minutes,

I've counted six rats already.

They really are becoming quite a problem for us.

If only we could capture them,

we could drown them all in the ocean.

Ah, well...

I suppose one is better than none.

[music intensifies]

What the hell?

Let me go!

Get up!

You can't do this!

Let me go!

Sing for me now, boy.

[footsteps approaching]

Patrol found his body in the bay this morning.

We have warned you so many times about trying to swim out to the boats.

I suppose you only learn through experience.

It was in their hut, sir.

[clicks tongue]

You all know the rules about contraband in the camp, gentlemen.

[gunshots]

I must say,

I am really looking forward to this afternoon.

If you boys don't think that you're up to it,

we could always settle the matter between

Mr. Morkel, the boy, and myself, right now.

You don't touch that boy till the game is over.

[Swannell whistling]

[melancholy music plays]

[music intensifies]

Where's your father?

I don't know.

♪

[grunts]

Smithy and Seals clubbed together...

Got you these.

Good luck to you.

Where do you need me?

Thank you.

Yeah!

[applause]

[Finn] All together, come on!

Come on!

Katherine.

You all know why we're here.

Excuse me.

Katherine Sterndale.

Willem Morkel.

I'm so sorry...

for everything.

Would you be so kind as to lead us in prayer?

No.

You should pray for your men.

Ma'am.

Lord...

I turned my back on you,

on my family, and myself.

But now I turn back to you,

and I am on my knees.

Not for myself, but for that boy.

Be the fire in our spirits and the steel in our bones,

and lead us to a righteous victory.

Amen.

[cheering]

This is it!

Remember, watch the ball, watch the man.

[blows whistle]

Mine!

Go, Longtom.

Get your head in there.

Scrum!

Push them.

The ball's out.

Watch the man!

Tackle him!

[whistle blows]

Shit.

Come on.

Keep your eye on the man, Phil.

You see how quick they play.

Don't let that break your concentration.

-[whistle blows] -[applause]

Keep your eyes on the man.

Come on.

Come on, guys.

[whistle blows]

[clamoring]

[grunting]

Drive it!

[music intensifies]

-[groaning] -[whistle blows]

Come on, guys.

Get it together, men.

[Finn] Come on, lads, you've got to get up and play!

-[applause] -[whistle blows]

[Finn] Come on, lads, lift up your heads. Come on!

It's not over yet.

[clamoring]

Push, men, push!

Foul!

That's a bloody penalty!

I'll beat you to a bloody pulp!

Leave him.

[clamoring]

The ball is out!

No, come on!

-[whooping] -[whistle blows]

[panting]

What the bloody hell is going on out there?

Huh? You're playing like a bunch of bloody schoolboys.

Everything that we have practiced has gone to shit.

The English are reading you like an open book!

Because we're playing their way and not our way.

What do you mean "your way"?

We're not English.

And as long as we play like the English,

we don't stand a chance.

We are Boers.

And from now on,

we're going to play this game the way we understand it.

Springbokken!

Yah!

What do you think?

Yeah.

It's out of my hands.

[music intensifies]

[whistle blows]

[clamoring]

Now they're playing nicely.

Push them.

Push them!

[soaring music]

Yeah, go on, go on!

[Boers cheering]

Yes!

But the forward picked up the ball.

It was at the scrum. There's nothing in the rule book that says they can't do it.

But we don't play like that.

Clearly they do.

[chuckles]

[Boers cheering]

[whistle blows]

Come in on the right.

Push.

Come on, referee!

Come on!

Go Gawie!

[whistle blows]

Play nicely.

[laughs]

[chuckles softly]

Push them.

[clamoring]

[cheering]

[applause]

Sit down!

That's number two.

It's looking good, Englishman,

the scoreboard.

[whistle blows]

[cheering]

[soaring music]

[whistle blows]

[screaming]

How much longer?

Not long now.

-[groaning] -[whistle blows]

What in God's name are you doing, you bloody fool!

With all due respect, sir, we are doing our best to win this game.

This is not a game, Lieutenant. This is war!

I swear to God, if you lose--

Throw everything at them!

[grunting]

Push them, men, push!

[shouting] Come on, guys.

Push!

Gawie, he's yours.

He's yours, Gawie!

Stop him.

[groans]

Yes!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[grunting]

[inspirational music plays]

Blow the bloody whistle!

[heartbeat thumping]

[music resumes]

[blows whistle]

[Boers cheering]

[triumphant music]

Yes!

[cheering]

Guards.

[ominous music playing]

[cheering stops]

[shouting] Sergeant!

March these men back to camp.

Drill them till dawn.

If anyone falls behind, shoot them.

Bring the boy.

Move. Move. Move.

Move.

Colonel Swannell.

What do you intend to do with these men?

[Swannell] Arrest this woman.

Don't you touch me! This man is a murderer and needs to be stopped!

Gag her!

[Katherine] How could you live with yourself? They're people!

Colonel, that's enough!

[shouting] Shut up!

-Stand him over there. -Move.

Move.

Form a firing squad.

Our deal was, if we win,

you save the boy's life.

He was caught as a spy.

[shouting] Now form a bloody firing squad. This is an order!

[Katherine crying]

Raise your rifles.

We had a deal.

You take me.

Take them both.

[music intensifies]

And me.

And me.

Make it three, you bastard.

[groans]

-Shoot them all. -[Katherine] No!

[shouting] Now!

[grave music plays]

[shouting] Fire!

[shouting] I said fire!

[gunshot]

Stand down.

Lower those rifles.

Who the hell are you?

This is Colonel Paget.

And you, sir, are relieved of your duties.

And you are under arrest.

On whose authority?

His Majesty.

I may not serve him with a sword, Colonel,

but I still serve him with a pen.

[Swannell] And on what grounds?

[Sterndale] Murder.

And several charges of conduct

unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.

You have no proof.

[Butler] Yes, you do.

And I'm sure I'm not alone.

[triumphant music]

[tense music playing]

[gunshot]

[screams]

[gasping]

[cocks rifle]

Lock him up.

Take these two murdering bastards as well.

Move. Come on, move.

[soldier] Move.

Release the boy.

Madam.

I will be closing Stonewood

and your men will be integrated in the other camps.

A bit of advice, however.

One battle does not win a war.

Stay in shape...

for the re-match.

[chuckling]

Good luck.

We'll win again.

I don't mean for the match.

For when you return home.

[chuckling]

[all cheering]

[excited chatter]

[laughing]

[narrator] On the 31st of May 1902,

peace was declared.

Last boat of prisoners returned to South Africa from Saint Helena

five months later.

Most of the men returned to nothing.

More than 26,000 women and children died in the concentration camps.

In 1906, the first Springbok team,

led by Paul Roos,

toured the British Islands for the first time.

They won 27 out of their 29 games.

England would only beat the Springboks again 68 years later.

[inspirational music plays]

♪

♪

♪

♪

[slow instrumental music playing]

♪

♪

♪