The Charge of the Light Brigade Page #8

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to attack Sebastopol has presented itself.

All right, captain. I'll make a note of it.

Lord Raglan can't be disturbed

while the war council's in session.

-Take it up with Sir Charles Macefield.

-Yes, Sir.

Wait.

All right. Carry on.

Yes, Sir.

My plan to withdraw the Light Brigade

is perfectly clear to all of you gentlemen.

Be good enough to issue the orders,

Sir Charles.

-Very good.

-I think that's all we have to discuss.

Papers for your signature, Sir.

These are not important.

Presently will do.

Sit down. I want you to take a dispatch.

General Headquarters,

army of the Crimea.

From His Excellency Field Marshall

the Earl of Raglan, K.C.B. commanding.

To Major General

Sir Benjamin Warrenton...

...K.C.B. number 1174.

On receipt of this order

you will withdraw the Light Brigade...

...to a point 3 kilometers southwest

of its present position.

By order.

-Light Brigade's moving back, Sir?

-Yes.

What's surprising about that?

Volonoff commands

the Russian artillery...

...on the heights above

the valley of Balaklava.

-Surat Khan's with him.

-We know that.

Don't you think the men of the 27th

ought to be given a chance to attack them?

I know how you feel.

Every British soldier would give his life

to avenge the Chukoti massacre.

But at this moment, it's impossible.

May never be another chance, Sir.

You must know that the Russians...

...have their strongest batteries

situated above the valley.

It would take at least five regiments

for the assault.

Vickers, it's suicide.

That valley, under the circumstances,

is a valley of death.

It would be worth it, Sir.

Six hundred men attacking the center

would keep them occupied...

...while the combined French, Turkish,

British forces attack Sebastopol.

Sebastopol taken,

the czar must sue for peace.

Yes, the entire Crimea situation hinges

on Sebastopol.

But this is no time to consider

personal feelings, Vickers.

Your plan is admirably daring,

but that's just it, it's too wild.

Now, I want you

to deliver this order personally...

...to the commander

of the Light Brigade.

-Is that clear?

-Yes, Sir.

Why, what's up, Vickers?

What? Nothing.

You do look rather odd, you know.

Confound you, Bentham,

mind your own business, will you?

I'm sorry. Yes, Sir.

Gentlemen, these batches are

the finest of two and a half months.

We've lost hundreds of men...

...apart from those who died

from the cold and sickness.

-It is therefore imperative that unless--

-Orders from General Headquarters.

-You will excuse me.

-His Excellency's compliments.

Thank you. Well, how are things

over at headquarters?

-They've been pretty dull here.

-I beg your pardon, Sir.

That's from the commander in chief,

it's important.

"Upon receipt of this order,

the Light Brigade will advance...

...and take the enemy position

on Balaklava Heights."

It's come at last.

-You expected it?

-For weeks, Vickers, for weeks.

You thought General Headquarters

were the only ones in the know.

I too knew that Surat Khan

was with Volonoff at Balaklava.

-The 27th, do the men know, Sir?

-No, there would be no holding them.

-Do you mind if I tell them?

-You're coming with us?

Of course, it's my regiment.

Besides, this is more

than just a fight for me.

And to me too, my boy.

You think I've been able to sleep

since that awful day at Chukoti?

And now, at last.

Would you mind

if I spoke to my brother here, Sir?

Certainly not. Orderly.

Go to Captain Vickers,

request him to come here at once.

-Yes, Sir.

-Gentlemen, we have action at last.

Come with me.

Oh, I thought Sir Benjamin sent for me.

No, I sent for you.

Take this dispatch

to General Headquarters...

...and wait there until further orders.

Wait at General Headquarters? But

I've heard the regiment's moving forward.

lf I wait at General Headquarters,

I'll be out of the fight.

You will deliver it personally

to Sir Charles Macefield, you understand?

I believe you're trying to keep me

out of this deliberately because of Elsa.

No. No, Elsa's got nothing

to do with this.

You're not in the diplomatic service now.

You're with your regiment at the front.

You'll obey my orders immediately.

If I refuse?

You'll be court-martialed.

I see. Disgraced either way.

Very well.

Bugler, sound assembly.

Men of the 27th...

...Surat Khan is on the field

with the opposing Russian forces.

The same Surat Khan who massacred

the women and children of Chukoti.

Our chance has come.

Show no mercy.

Let no power on earth stop you.

Prove to the world that no man could kill

women and children...

...and live to boast of it.

Men of the 27th,

our objective is Surat Khan!

Forward!

Thirteenth Platoon, face left.

Forward march.

Eleventh Hussars, forward walk, march.

-Captain Vickers, Sir.

-Show him in.

-Dispatch, Sir. Personal. Urgent.

-Thank you.

"And attack the Balaklava Heights."

This is insanity.

General Warrenton

is attacking the Russian artillery.

-They'll be slaughtered, all of them.

-Orderly!

I must issue orders at once...

...for the Heavy Brigade to support them.

-Let me take it, Sir.

-Take your fastest horse.

The lives of 600 men

are in your hands.

Yes, Sir.

Twenty-seventh Lancers, forward.

Eighteenth Platoon, forward.

Eighth Hussars, forward.

Seventh Hussars, forward.

-Last platoon, forward.

-Forward march!

The British light cavalry are

advancing against our position.

We'll cut them down before they cross.

No doubt, instruct battery commanders

at positions 37 and 22...

...to fire when they come within range.

Your Excellency.

They're deploying to charge.

See for yourself, Your Highness.

What a tactical blunder. Fools.

Why, they're riding to certain death.

Charge!

They're charging. What madness.

Onward, men, onward!

They've broken through

the first line of batteries.

It's unbelievable.

Stay, men! Hold your line!

Onward, men, onward!

Instruct Colonel Pratel

to prepare to counterattack.

Your Excellency.

Ready, men, forward!

-Instruct 14th Cavalry to attack.

-Your Excellency.

Gentlemen, everyone believes

the 600 went to their death...

...at an order from me.

Confounded, man,

it must have been a mistake.

I'll stake my life,

you never issued that order.

It was a magnificent blunder.

That one insane clash

turned the tide in our favor.

But there was a misunderstanding,

wasn't there?

-The orders you gave--

-Were received and carried out.

Believe me, gentlemen, I fully appreciate

what you're trying to do for me...

...and I'm sorry I have to disappoint you.

You're shielding someone.

You're a blasted fool.

God bless you.

For conspicuous gallantry...

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