Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters

Captain Pellew, come in, sir.

My apologies for requiring you at such short notice.

- Not at all, my Lord. - Captain Pellew, ...

may I introduce General, le baron de Charette,

commander in chief of His Majesty King Louis's army in exile.

The general is going to invade France

and we're going to help him.

Once your ships have carried us across the Channel,

we shall raise an army of the people and march on Paris-

to restore His Most Catholic Majesty onto the throne.

May I ask, sir, how many men you expect to raise for this army?

Within a matter of days, I shall have 10,000, -

maybe 20,000 men in arms.

Then we shall move east, gathering more as we go.

Never doubt the loyalty of the people monsieur.

I understand, sir, in fact, arms have been raised-

against the rebel government before.

- Certainly, many times. - ... without any success.

Captain Pellew,

for five years I have lived in exile while traitors-

have laid waste to my country.

Well, now the nobility of France is going home;

and this time, when my countrymen fight,

we, their rightful leaders, will lead them into battle.

Can I not take it, sir, ...

that we have your support in this great venture?

Oh yes, Baron, you can depend on Captain Pellew's full support.

You have His Britannic Majesty's word on it.

- How do I look? - A most startling improvement,

if I may say so, sir.

So, with two shirts, half britches, buttons and buckles, the sum is-

11 lb. 9 shillings and three pence.

Perhaps pinchbeck instead of silver for the shoe buckles?

That would make it... shall we say, 11 lb even?

Very well, Mr. Collins.

I assure you, the baron is still a figurehead-

amongst those loyal to King Louis.

His name will provide the spark-

that sets all northern France afire.

But the Royalist force, my lord, they're nothing more than-

the remnants of a defeated army.

- A final cast of the dice, I grant you- - Indeed sir,

- and a desperate one. - You forget what is at stake, Sir Edward.

For the cost of ferrying General Charette-

and his men across the Channel, we can put an end to-

the war with France. Surely, even in your estimation, -

it's a trifling effort for a place in history.

Yes, but, if the expedition should fail, sir, -

what of the cost in lives?

Men die every day this war continues. When it's over, -

we may count costs at our leisure.

Make way! Make way!

- My lord! My lord! - Speak up, man!

- The orders... - Well?

Gone, my lord.

My lord?

He was carrying a copy of General Charette's-

plan to the First Lord.

Oh, my God!

- What if they fall into enemy hands? - Well, we do not know that.

They may be at the bottom of the Thames, the thieves drunk-

- in a tavern. - Sir, what if they're not?

His Majesty's government has decided,

and they are not in the business of changing their minds.

Should General Charette know of this?

I don't believe there's any need to trouble him.

What has passed here will remain between ourselves.

Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

However, since it would not be politic for King Louis-

to think that we might have cast his general ashore unaided,

you will remain on station after the General has disembarked.

If worse comes to worst, you can provide him-

- with a means of escape. - As you wish, sir.

Very well. You have your orders, Captain Pellew.

Carry on, sir.

- Mr. Hornblower! - Sir!

Well, don't stand there dawdling, sir. We must return-

to Plymouth as soon as possible.

Welcome aboard, sir.

A profitable meeting at the Admiralty I trust.

Quite satisfactory, Mr. Bracegirdle.

Signal the ships Dumbarton , Sophia and Catherine and-

request the attendance of their captains in one hour.

Mr. Hornblower, my compliments to the senior officers.

I will see them in my cabin in twenty minutes.

- Aye, sir. - So, Mr. Hornblower, what news?

I know no more than you, Mr. Bracegirdle.

Well, I expect we shall find out.

By the way, I think you have a splash of mud on your jacket.

You look every inch the new lieutenant, Mr. Hornblower.

Long may it remain so.

Gentlemen, the captain's compliments and he will see-

- all officers in his cabin in twenty minutes. - What is this?

Gentlemen, it appears we have a stranger in our midst.

No, no, I'm mistaken. It's Lieutenant Hornblower,

from top to toe a new man.

And not a patch in sight.

Indeed it is, acting Lieutenant Kennedy.

Gentlemen, it appears that Mr. Hornblower is now the standard-

by which we must all measure ourselves.

All right, all right, that's enough. Thank-you, Mr. Bowles.

Oi, watch it.

What do you reckon the orders will be then, eh?

- Stay here and take it easy. - Not unless the captain-

- has gone soft. - Naw, pity though.

I could just do with another month on fresh rations.

Maybe we'll be sent to the Indies, eh? How about that?

- Palm trees, sunshine. - Tropical diseases.

It could be the Med again, have another go at them Dagos.

Yeah, we could go back, give them another pasting easy. Do it-

on our own too, leave the rest of the fleet in the Channel.

Oi, Fanny Fearless, 'missed a bit...

- Where? - Behind you.

Where?

Gentlemen, as you are no doubt aware,

I have lately returned from a meeting with Admiral Hood.

Our orders are to join the ships Catherine , Dumbarton and Sophia

and convey a General Charette, together with forces comprising-

of French Royalist troops and British infantry,

to the coast of France.

- An invasion, sir? - Mr. Kennedy, four ships could hardly-

- constitute an invasion, sir. - Then what is the point, sir?

The point, Mr. Bowles, is that we are at war, sir;

and when at war, we react to an order without hesitation.

I understand, Gentlemen, that this plan may seem somewhat...

... cavalier.

However, it is the general's plan, once landed, to raise an army

with which to march on Paris and place King Louis on the throne.

That would mean an end to the war, sir.

I believe that is the intention, Mr. Bracegirdle.

Sir, are we permitted to know where the general's troops-

- will be landing? - No, our destination will remain secret-

until we set sail and then there is no chance of word-

reaching the French until we arrive. In the meantime, I want-

all dispatch in the loading of the general's men and supplies-

as soon as they arrive. Thank-you, Gentlemen.

Perhaps next week we could be toasting the downfall-

of the French Republic, sir.

Yes, Mr. Hornblower.

That is the plan, at least.

Styles, let's get those bales loaded as soon as possible

Frogs! What in the world are they doing here?

Well, what do you make of them, Horatio?

They seem a little... disorderly.

The word, "shambles" might be more appropriate.

Look out for the lobsters!

Battalions... halt!

Good morning, Gentlemen. Major Edrington, 95th Foot.

I have been told someone here can see to the embarkation-

- of my men onto the Indefatigable . - Lieutenant Hornblower.

Acting Lieutenant Kennedy, sir.

- I will see to it myself. - Excellent.

Your men look very fine, Major. Almost too good for battle.

Really? I usually find that the more able the officer, -

the better-turned out the men.

Battalions...

- At least in the army. - ... right face!

Charette! Charette!

Bloody Frogs!

- Any idea what the general's saying? - He's saying today-

is a great day. They are on a crusade-

to free their beloved France.

Together we will fight, perhaps to the death...

But it will be for the greatest cause in the world...

Every one of us...

Will be remembered by history as men who were not afraid-

to lay down their lives...

for France.

Yea! Vive le roi!

I suppose what the men lack in discipline, they make up for-

- in enthusiasm. - Major,

if you would like your personal baggage transferred-

to the jollyboat, I'll see it reaches the Indefatigable .

Very well. By the by, it might be better-

if you were to address me as, "My lord."

I am, in fact, the Earl of Edrington.

You see, Horatio, had you been rich enough to buy a commission,

as well as a new uniform,

you could have joined the army instead.

Please monsieur, I have, I think, English sufficient-

to the task before us.

Colonel, Marquis de Moncoutant.

I have been charged with conducting your troops aboard, sir.

Very good. My men are prepared.

I'm looking forward to our trip, monsieur.

I have always enjoyed the sea air.

Be careful, that is my personal baggage.

Don't drop it! Idiots!

It is yours, sir?

Indeed, Mr. Hornblower. It is mine.

Shoulder arms!

All men and supplies secured, sir.

Very good, Mr. Hornblower. Signal the convoy.

- Mr. Bowles, prepare to weigh anchor. - Aye, aye, sir.

Prepare to weigh anchor! Man the capstan!

Quiberon...

- See this? Not yours! - Not yours!

No steal-ee. Savvy? You steal-ee, get chop plenty darn vite.

- Understand? - Oldroyd! What's going on here?