The Charge of the Light Brigade

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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.

Oh, you know what to do. Carry on.

Give me the gun, quick.

-Sorry, Sir.

-What, of all the impertinence...

-That vulture--

-Happens to be a royal falcon.

Almost certainly belonging

to His Highness Surat Khan, Sir.

Oh, forgive me.

They look alike in the distance, Sir.

-Quite a natural mistake to make.

-Well, a devilish awkward one.

Hardly an ingratiating way

for a home-government man...

...to present himself on a delicate mission

to the Surat Khan.

Oh, I don't know, Sir.

After all, you might have missed him.

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 marksmen it has ever been

my good fortune to entertain, 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 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'm 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.

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 the tiger

in long grass any day.

They're man-eaters, you know.

Only a savage

would prefer this sort of thing.

-Says who?

-Quite so, Vickers.

Your Highness, I meant, of course--

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.

-I trust you'll accept my apologies.

-Oh, please, please, please.

Gentlemen, let us go into dinner.

By the way, Sir Humphrey...

...you would do me the honor if you

and your gentlemen...

...would join me tomorrow

in a leopard hunt.

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 pounds a year with grace.

Great Scott, Vickers.

Nobody but the home government

was 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.

Besides, I've come

to know the khan pretty well.

Then you must know the situation

has been a devilish delicate one.

However, I'm 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.

Thank you. Splendid.

Missed him by a hair, Sir. Bad luck.

-Fine shot, Sir.

-Excellent marksmanship, Sir.

-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, goodbye, darling.

-Goodbye, dear.

You 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--

How silly.

A responsible lady of my years

is perfectly safe anywhere.

Yes, I suppose so.

Well...

-Elsa, I'm 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.

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 try 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 him.

We must tell him when he gets here.

I must tell him, it's my responsibility.

When he knows how we feel,

he won't stand in our way.

-Suppose 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.

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

hinges on Lohara...

...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'd have to transfer Woodward...

...because I'm afraid he's too well on

in years for an active command.

With the Surat Khan

just across the Suristan border...

...in the position to make the approach

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