Hornblower: Retribution

Ah, Collins. Morning, Hammond.

- Sir Edward.

- A black day for us all.

Particularly the officers of the Renown.

HAMMOND:
Not to mention Captain Sawyer.

Hardly the circumstances either of us

would have chosen

to reacquaint ourselves with Mr Hornblower.

No, they're not.

Still, the guilty must be punished.

If indeed they are guilty, Captain Hammond,

which is yet to be established.

All rise.

This court is now in session.

(Bangs gavel)

Officers of His Majesty's ship Renown.

It is charged that you did forcibly remove

Captain James Sawyer

from his lawful command,

and, in breach of the Articles of War

laid down by King George ll,

did commit... the act of mutiny.

(Cannonfire)

At least we are safely out of range.

For the time being, sir.

I tell you, gentlemen,

another five minutes under fire...

I would not like to guess.

- Quick as you can with that, Matthews.

- Seven down, four to go.

- You'd think it's a bride's wedding dress.

- No harm in giving them a decent send-off.

I only hope a cheery soul will do

this for me when my time comes.

Come along, man! The sooner you're done

the sooner we sail for Jamaica.

Am I not right, Mr Hornblower?

Indeed, sir.

Sergeant! Get the men below decks!

Sir, how is the captain?

A little better.

Untie me.

Untie your captain at once!

You're not yourself, sir.

I know you.

Either come in or go out, Mr Wellard.

Don't just stand there like

a startled rabbit.

Mr Buckland's compliments, sir...

Very well.

I shall be back within the hour, sir.

Another dozen and you'll coo like a dove.

I'm not your whipping boy now... sir.

Wellard.

BUCKLAND:
.. in the sure and certain knowledge

of the resurrection,

we commit the body of these men to the deep.

James McNeal.

Matthew Chandler.

We pray also for the speedy recovery

of our captain James Sawyer.

- Hypocrite.

- Who said that?

Who said that?

And we pray for a swiff passage to Jamaica,

where we may dock safely at Kingston

and put this tragedy behind us.

Amen.

ALL:
Amen.

I wouldn't sail up the Thames in

a river boat with this crew.

I don't see we have much

choice in the matter.

No? Well, let me tell you at times like

this, it's every man for himself.

But, sir, if we sail behind the fort

round the bay here,

there is a good landing beach.

We can attack the fort overland

where they least expect us.

Then, with the fort in our hands,

we could bottle up

the Spanish ships in the bay.

Impossible. We sail for Kingston.

Dawn tomorrow. Mr Bush?

We've tried to fulfil our orders.

We've clearly failed.

That's the point, sir. The last thing

they'd expect is a further assault.

With respect, sir, we can't afford a delay.

When, according to your scheme,

should we launch this attack?

Tonight, sir. Under the cover of darkness.

A matter of hours affer the last attack.

The virtue of surprise.

You're a man in a hurry, Mr Hornblower.

But I fear this is a venture too far.

Morale is fragile enough as it is.

Mr Bush?

It goes against the grain to give up, sir.

But maybe you're right.

There is another matter, sir.

When we reach Kingston we will face trial.

We have nothing to fear from any trial.

We acted for the good of the ship.

Captain Sawyer would have sunk every man

aboard if we four hadn't had our wits about us.

Besides, we've got the good doctor's

endorsement. From his own lips.

"Unfit for command. "

So...

So, so.

A little cabal muttering together.

Damn it. Pass the word for Dr Clive.

One of you had his dirty hands on my back.

I'll remember.

I'll remember.

Dr Clive.

Sir.

Can you do nothing for him?

What exactly did you have in mind,

Mr Buckland?

PELLEW:
Was the captain well, or no?

Yes, sir.

Which?

He was indisposed, sir.

Temporarily.

Affer his fall into the hold.

"Unfit to command. "

- A bold choice of words.

- Aye, sir.

And, if I may say so, not worth a farthing.

Really?

My consent was given only under duress, sir.

(Whispers) Oh, my God. He's killed us all.

What do you mean by duress?

Someone forced you?

Did they put a gun to your head?

Come on, man. Did they or did they not?

Not a gun as such.

We were under fire, sir.

And in the heat of battle...

The decision was taken

to detain the captain.

That is correct, sir.

And who, might I ask, took that decision?

It was Lieutenant Hornblower, sir.

Surely Mr Buckland was the senior officer.

Why did he not give the order?

With respect,

I think that is a question for Mr Buckland.

KENNED Y:
Acting captain.

I tell you, Horatio,

never was a man more aptly named.

He plays a part, and he

doesn't even believe it.

No more do I.

Archie, we have already lost one captain.

Yes. Yes, I know.

But we could be halfway to the fort by now.

- If only Mr Bush...

- If only?

Ah. Forgive me.

The virtue of surprise, Mr Kennedy.

Which, if I'm not mistaken, Mr Hornblower,

was the essence of your proposal.

- That was the plan, yes.

- And a fine plan. I commend you.

But... Sir?

I made an error of judgment earlier,

which we must now seek to repair together.

And in haste.

Yes. For I see if we do nothing,

we shall hang.

When?

Tonight. Are you in?

You know the penalty for desertion?

They hang you.

So what? If I stay aboard this ship

I'll get a knife in my back.

I've made too many enemies. We both have.

Well?

Do you think I could leave my captain

at the mercy of those... lieutenants?

What's going on?

I'll call that a yes, then, shall I?

Oi! Where do you think you're going?

Cartridges and powder. A musket a man.

Come on. Cop hold of these. Quickly!

I wondered where you'd got to.

I can't leave him.

Sawyer?

The man can't remember his own name.

I haven't sailed with him all these years

to leave him now.

I'll get to Kingston,

and see them hang for what they did to him.

This is goodbye, then?

Something to remember me by.

PELLEW:
The captain injured,

the crew deserting in droves,

and yet Mr Buckland

chose to press on with his mission.

Indeed, sir. With our full support, sir.

- May I ask why?

- It was our duty, sir.

Duty.

Duty to whom?

To our captain, sir, while he was...

Indisposed. Yes.

A happy day for James Sawyer

when you four gentlemen came aboard.

Thank you, sir.

(Chuckles)

You speak of duty, Mr Hornblower.

And I would speak to you of ambition.

For a man of your years

you have risen smartly through the ranks.

Certainly I hold myself fortunate

in my position, sir.

Mm-hm. And hungry to climb higher,

I dare say.

Not unless my service should warrant it.

Come, sir. We can hardly condemn a man

for proving his ability.

Nor do I wish to, Commodore.

But how offen can a young man shine

on a slow voyage far-

from the front line of battle

unless he spies an opportunity?

A vulnerable captain.

A First Lieutenant preoccupied with

the burden thrust upon him.

A chance to leapfrog the chain of command.

- Sir, I protest...

- I apologise, sir.

I merely put the question.

What would this young man do

if he was hungry enough?

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