The Making of 'The Bounty' Page #5

There is a thief among us.

Yes, there is a thief on board

this ship, which is unfortunate

because you know what hardship

that means for honest men.

Last night,

my personal store of coconuts

was well up

to the top of the netting.

This morning, I - Well

I mean look for yourselves. See.

Now if the thief will declare himself,

I will punish him alone.

And then

we can forget the matter.

Sir.

Hold your tongue, Goddamn you sir!

I'm addressing the crew, Mr Christian.

Who do you think you are?

Now if the thief

will not declare himself.

I took one.

You?

I was thirsty.

I took one of your coconuts.

I thought it of no consequence.

One coconut, Mr Christian?

A dozen were taken, man.

I know nothing of a dozen.

Then, unless you're a liar

as well as a thief,

the rest were taken

by other members of your watch

who look to you

for their example do they not, sir?

- Mr Cole.

- Sir.

Impound the personal stores of

every man on Mr Christian's watch

and put them on half rations.

- Aye, aye, sir.

- Thank you. Stand down.

(Sounds of movement on deck)

That isn' t a raft,

it's a coffin.

There's a five-knot current running

between here and that island.

I'll take my chance.

You think a lot of us

haven't thought of this?

You're not the only one

to have left a woman behind.

Fletcher,

the men are ready for anything.

What are you saying, Ned?

Are you inciting me to mutiny?

If I were you,

I'd take the ship. That's all.

Why don't you, then?

I said if I were you. I'm not.

What I have to say to you is

the result of considerable reflection.

Its consequences

would be two-fold.

Firstly,

our journey will be shortened.

Which I know is a consideration

that cannot distress you.

And secondly,

upon its successful conclusion

not one of you in later years

will look back without a surge of pride.

We shall go with the winds

to Jamaica by way of Cape Horn.

You'll kill us all.

What did you say, Adams?

We tried the Horn before.

It was almost the end of us.

Damn you, man.

Don't you bloody cross me.

Mr Cole, take this man below.

And tomorrow we will assemble

to watch him receive punishment

for cowardice

and insubordination.

Mr Cole.

Take him below, sir!

You, Mr Fryer.

Give him the makings.

Sir.

Now. We set out to circumnavigate

the globe. And by God we shall do it.

To the greater glory of us all.

Is that understood?

Thank you.

Now you may dismiss.

(Murmurings among the crew)

(Knock on door)

Enter.

- Can I have a word with you?

- I'm busy. Is it important?

I think, yes.

Be brief!

William, about your decision

to go around the Horn.

William? Not sir?

Not captain? William.

I don't think the men will have it.

Oh, the men won't have it.

Are they in charge of the Bounty?

They might be if you insist.

Again. Will you repeat that, please?

The men might be in charge.

What are you threatening me with?

It's not a threat, it's a warning.

Oh. There are rumblings,

are there?

No. There is fear.

Around the Horn

is the easiest way. The better way.

And that is

how we will go. Anything more?

Don't put Adams under the lash.

He was insubordinate.

Cowardly and insubordinate.

He frightened the men.

I did not put that fear there, he did.

So he will be lashed

and we will go around the Horn.

Are you frightened to go

around the Horn, Mr Christian?

Are you a coward too, sir?

There will be no killing.

Except Bligh.

There will be no killing.

We set him adrift.

Hi. Christian's taking the ship.

Are you with us?

(Seaman) Come on, wake up.

We're taking the ship.

- Wake up.

- Mmm.

- Wake up!

- Whaa!

Shut up. Christian's taking the ship.

Christian's taking the ship.

We're taking the ship. Are you with us?

Come on.

Come on, Fryer. Wake up!

Get up! Come on, Fryer!

Mr Bligh.

Will you get up? Get up.

Get up!

On your feet.

What the hell

do you think you're doing?

Tie him.

What are you doing?

Mr Cole! Mr Cole!

Come on, get up on deck.

Mr Cole! You'll hang, for this.

Mr Nelson.

We've taken the ship.

We've taken the ship.

(Seaman) We've taken the ship.

We've got Bligh. Get on deck.

Dance. Dance.

Easy.

Dance. Dance.

You shut up. Dance. Dance.

Come on. Get going.

You're a fool, Quintel.

You'll hang for this.

- Are you in this, Norton?

- No, sir I'm not.

Shut up your trap!

Desist this madness!

Be quiet!

Have you any conception

of what you're doing?

Just shut your mouth!

Are you in this, Adams?

It's all you fault. There was

never a coward on this ship!

You're a coward, sir!

And that was your mistake!

You're a blackhearted villian, sir!

Pritchard, get over here.

Stay there, Pritchard.

Stay Pritchard, you're a man.

Get over then.

Allison, get over here!

Shut up. I'm staying here.

Let's kill the bugger now, lads.

I said leave him!

You sodding bastards!

You take you hands off him!

Let's kill him.

Take your hands off him, now!

Kill him!

Get your hands off him. Now!

Mr Christian,

I appeal to you sir.

Put aside this madness and it will be

forgotten. I give you my word.

It's too late.

Think of my family and

my friendship. Think of my wife.

I am in hell. Hell, sir! Why are you

being so damn reasonable, now?

God damn your blood

to hell with mine, sir!

God damn your blood!

Mr Christian,

get a hold of yourself!

You be quiet

or I will run you through.

Do it, Christian. Kill him!

Just shut your mouth! Shut

your mouth! I will run you through!

And then I will kill myself after.

You get him dressed now.

Get him dressed!

Bastard!

What's the matter with you all?

You be quiet!

Gun him down, damn you!

They're common criminals.

Get out of it, Cole!

You will be silent or

I will have you killed! You bastard!

You do and you will have

my blood on your hands.

Stop!

Quiet! We will get him in the boat.

Set him adrift. Get him dressed!

Will someone

give me my britches?

Pass us your watch up here then.

Come on, move yourselves.

You blackguard! Traitors!

Mr Bligh, come here, please.

If you wish to leave some

of these men on the ship,

I give you my word

they will not be harmed.

Lads. One of you will have

to come out. There's no room.

Mr Fryer,

you come up here.

(Seaman) We'll do without him.

We don't want you.

Mr Fryer. Get up here.

Stay where you are.

Or I'll blow your head off.

God damn you!

You're the scum of the earth!

Fulman. Get up here.

Come on, Fulman.

Move yourself.

Faster, man.

It will be fairly reported that you were

not part of this rabble. Thank you.

Smith bring that chest to me.

Do it now.

Get in the boat.

(Crew member laughing)

What use is that without charts?

I need the charts. Turn around.

You really think you'll be able

to command this rabble?

I'll do my best.

Well, I did my best

and I had the authority of the law.

You're a dead man, Fletcher.

(Crew members)

That's enough of that.

Get on the boat, sir.

Quickly.

You've not seen the last of me,

Ned Young. Take my word for it.

Thank you, Mr Lamb.

Or you, John Adams.

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