Breaker Morant Page #8

It's better than a one-way trip to

kingdom come, isn't it? George, come here.

Let's plunder the champagne.

-Come on.

-I'm fine!

To freedom and Australia.

Freedom and Australia!

To freedom, Australia and horses.

Freedom, Australia and horses.

Freedom, Australia, horses and women!

Live every day as if

it were going to be your last.

One day, you're sure to be right.

Can l have a word with you?

We'll be home in time

for the Melbourne Cup.

Don't count your bridges.

What do you mean by that?

You said yourself...

I wouldn't be too certain

of this verdict, Harry.

No.

And what about you?

Your trial is coming up soon, isn't it?

They don't want me.

Intelligence service,

Kitchener's staff, and all that.

No, it wouldn't go down very well.

But a wild, simple fellow like Handcock,

and a black sheep.

-We won't be missed.

-That's right.

I can have a horse standing by for you.

Some of the guards are sympathetic.

And where would I go?

Lorenzo Marques. Portuguese territory.

Take a boat and see the world.

I've seen it.

Escort!

Halt!

Right turn.

Mr. Witton, sir.

Right turn, quick march.

George Ramsdale Witton,

you have been found guilty of murder

and sentenced to death.

Lord Kitchener has been pleased

to commute your sentence

to penal servitude for life.

Escort. Halt.

Mr. Morant, sir.

Left turn.

Quick march.

Harry Harbord Morant,

you have been found guilty of murder

and sentenced to death.

Sir.

Shot, tomorrow morning.

Mr. Handcock, sir.

About turn.

Quick march.

-Peter?

-Same as Morant.

Escort, halt.

Can l help you, sir?

-I wish to see Lord Kitchener.

-I'm afraid that's not possible.

-Do you have an appointment, sir?

-I don't need an appointment.

I demand to see him straightaway.

The death warrants have been signed.

There's nothing you can do.

Let me see Lord Kitchener, sir.

The trial was a bloody sham.

Two members of the court

recommended mercy

for Handcock and Morant as well as Witton.

In which case,

the casting vote belonged to the President,

Lieutenant Colonel Denny.

Lord Kitchener's been called away

for a few days.

Out on the veldt somewhere.

Quite un-contactable.

I want a stay of execution.

So that l can send a telegram to the King

and to the Australian Prime Minister.

The sentence has been approved

by Whitehall

and the Australian government has

expressed its support of our decision.

Forget it, Major. It's a sideshow of the war.

I have some good news.

There's hope of a peace conference

in a couple of months.

Soon we can all go home.

Could have had the decency

to measure us first.

Don't suppose they've had

many complaints.

I'm going to find out the grand secret.

I'll face my God

with the firm belief I obeyed my orders

and served my king as I thought best.

If I overstepped my duty,

I can only ask my people

and country for forgiveness.

Take care of my little son at all costs.

No matter what I may have done,

you and he were the source

of my greatest joy.

"The night's a trifle chilly

"and the stars are very bright

"A heavy dew is falling

"but the tent is rigged aright

"You may rest your bones till morning

"then if you chance to wake

"Give me a call about the time

that daylight starts to break"

Harry!

-Peter!

-See you in hell, mate.

-Goodbye, George.

-Why did they do it to us, Harry?

They have to apologize

for their damn war, George.

They're trying to end it now,

so they need scapegoats!

Scapegoats to the bloody Empire!

Cheer up.

Look as though you're going to a funeral.

-Harry...

-It's all right, Major.

I've had a good run.

There's nothing for me in England anymore.

And back in Australia,

they do say that

if you need a couple of stiff brandies

before you climb up on

a wild horse,

you're finished.

Would you make sure

they're posted for me, please?

And see that this gets published.

We poets do crave immortality, you know.

Thank you.

You want the padre?

No, thank you. l'm a pagan.

-And you?

-What's a pagan?

It's somebody who doesn't believe

there's a divine being

dispensing justice to mankind.

I'm a pagan, too.

There is an epitaph l'd like.

Matthew 10:
36.

All right, gentlemen.

Peter, this is what comes

of empire building.

Matthew 10:
36?

"And a man's foes shall be

they of his own household."

"It really ain't the place nor time

to reel off rhyming diction

"But yet we'll write a final rhyme

While waiting crucifixion!

"For we bequeath a parting tip

Of sound advice for such men

"Who come across in transport ships

To polish off the Dutchmen!

"If you encounter any Boers

You really must not loot 'em

"And if you wish to leave these shores

For pity's sake don't shoot 'em!

"Let's toss a bumper down our throat

Before we pass to Heaven

"And toast:
'the trim-set petticoat

"'We leave behind in Devon"'

Aim!

Shoot straight, you bastards!

Don't make a mess of it!

Fire!

Order

arms!

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