The Charge of the Light Brigade

How do you fellows manage to look so comfortably, Vickers?

We may look it, sir, but we're not.

They say the first 40 years are about the hardest up here on the frontier.

After that, you get used to it.

Really?

Troop, halt!

Excuse me, sir.

What's the matter, Pearson?

One of the lead horses of the supply cart has broken a leg, sir.

You know what to do. Carry on.

Give me the gun.

Sorry, sir.

Well, of all the impertinence. That vulture...

Happens to be a royal falcon, almost certainly

Belonging to his highness Surat Khan, sir.

Oh. Oh. Oh. Forgive me.

I don't know. They look pretty much alike in the distance, sir.

A quite a natural mistake to make.

A devilish awkward one. Hardly an ingratiating way for a home government man

to present himself in a delicate mission to the Surat Khan.

Oh, I don't know, sir. After all, you might have missed him.

Oh? Oh, yes, yes.

Troop, walk march.

His Highness is awaiting you.

His Highness Surat Khan, Amir of Suristan,

offers a prayer of gratitude

that you have been preserved in your journey

and places his household and all in it

at the disposal of the illustrious envoy

of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.

May I extend her Majesty's warmest greetings,

Amir Sahib?

Permit me to present Captain Geoffrey Vickers,

Cornet James Randall,

Cornet Charles Barclay,

Cornet Lawrence Pearson

Of the 27th lancers.

Vickers...

It's good to see the face of an old friend again.

One of the best marksman it has ever been my good fortune

to entertain, you know, Sir Humphrey.

Your own hunting skill, Amir Sahib,

compels me to deplore my poor marksmanship.

You British...

So adept at diplomatic graces

that even my own race bows to your finesse.

Gentlemen...

I would be inconsiderate, indeed,

to insist on any lengthy court formalities.

Shall we dispense with them?

Delighted.

You're welcome, Vickers.

Thank you, your Highness.

I regret as deeply as you, Sir Humphrey,

that so far the negotiations should have proven

so barren of results.

While it is regrettable,

we must remember that the treaty

by which your foster father received annually

a sum of money from my government

for his extraordinary services

ceased automatically to exist on the occasion of his death.

For myself, I shall do my humble best to accept with grace

this sudden withdrawal of financial support.

And may I not add further

that my government looks forward hopefully

to continued friendship with its neighbors,

the tribes of Suristan?

Of course, I shall endeavor to convince the Nawabs and maliks of Suristan

that the action of the British government

is not to be construed as unfriendly,

calm their natural resentment,

and curb any active reprisals they might so easily contemplate.

I am confident that your Highness' praiseworthy efforts

will be rewarded with success.

Let us hope that your confidence is justified.

You know, Sir Humphrey,

confidence is an admirable quality.

We so seldom appreciate it fully...

until it is withdrawn.

You know, the first time I was in Bengal,

I saw a falcon break a lamb's back. Beastly birds.

Yes, I think I'll send one back to my family.

Just the thing for a mayfair drawing room.

Ancient sport of kings...falconry.

The appeal lies in its cruelty.

I'd take a potshot against a tiger in long grass any day.

They're man-Eaters, you know.

Only a savage would prefer this sort of thing.

Ahem. Quite so. Quite so, Vickers.

Why, your Highness, I meant, of course...

No, no, no, no. I daresay you're perfectly justified.

However, the Suristanis are an ancient race of people.

They cannot so easily forget their ancient tribal ways of life.

Thank you, sir. I trust you'll accept my apology.

Oh, please, please, please.

Boris.

Gentlemen, let us go in to dinner.

Uh, by the way, Sir Humphrey,

You would do me the honor if you and your gentlemen

were to join me tomorrow morning

at a leopard hunt I've arranged.

We start at sunrise, the traditional hour.

Fine fellow... the Khan.

There's a man who can take a loss with good grace.

Yes. I don't think I could lose £150,000 a year with grace.

Great Scott, Vickers!

Nobody but the home government

were supposed to know anything

of the real reason behind this diplomatic visit of mine.

Sorry, sir, but up here on the frontier,

there aren't many secrets an officer in my position

doesn't get to know sooner or later.

Besides, I've come to know the Khan pretty well.

Then you must know the situation has been a devilish, delicate one.

However, I am quite confident

that he won't trifle with our friendship.

Besides, the man's a gentleman.

Anyone can see that.

Yes, of course, sir.

Yes.

Anyone can see that.

You have the honor, Sir Humphrey.

The Khan wants you to take first shot, Sir.

Huh? Oh. Oh. Thank you. Splendid.

Missed him by a hair, sir. Bad luck.

Fine shot, sir.

Excellent marksmanship, sir.

Sahib.

Are you hurt, your Highness?

No, not at all.

Brilliant shot, Vickers.

It was worthy of you.

It was a lucky one.

I shall never forget it.

My gratitude will be eternal.

Well, good-bye, darling.

Good-bye, dear.

Now, remember, you simply must be back early

if we're to be ready for the Governor general's ball tonight.

Oh, the ball, yes. I suppose you feel quite capable

Of taking care of yourself among all these...

Oh, how silly.

A responsible Lady of my years is perfectly safe anywhere.

Yes, I suppose so.

Well...good-bye.

Good-bye.

Elsa, i'm so glad you were able to come.

Your message said it was urgent.

It is.

What's the matter?

My brother arrives in Calcutta today.

How do you know?

Word came through from headquarters last night.

Now you'll understand why it was so urgent for me to see you.

Geoffrey's coming here.

Elsa, there's something I must know.

You do love me, don't you?

Oh, Perry.

I know we both tried to be loyal to Geoffrey

by hiding our real feelings,

but now he's coming back, and we can't go on pretending.

You do love me, don't you?

Oh, Perry, I've tried so hard not to, but I do love you.

I knew it.

But i'm still engaged to Geoffrey.

We must tell him the moment he gets here.

I mean, I must tell him. It's my responsibility.

And when he knows how we feel, he won't stand in our way.

But supposing he doesn't understand.

He will. Darling, I know him better than anyone.

I've got to tell him. It's the only decent thing to do.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

I must be getting back now.

Father will be worrying about me.

Yes. You're right. Will I see you tonight at the ball?

Yes, Perry... tonight.

It's only now that the strategic importance of the situation

Becomes apparent.

The safety of the northwest frontier hinges on Lohara,

Which is the base for the three advance garrisons,

Of which Chukoti is the most important.

Therefore, two of our ablest officers

Must command at Lohara and Chukoti.

I've had to transfer woodward

Because i'm afraid he's too well on in years for an active command.

You see, with Surat Khan just across the Suristan border

In a position to make the approach to the pass uncomfortable,

I feel confident that with you, Campbell, at Chukoti

And you, Warrenton, at Lohara,

We should be able to handle any aggressive complication that may arise.

Captain Vickers, sir.

Yes, sir. Oh, show him in.

Just a moment.

Captain Vickers, 27th lancers, reporting for duty, sir.

Been expecting you, Vickers.

The war office is sending you on a very important mission.

Oh, splendid, sir.

You're going on an expedition to buy cavalry horses