War Horse Page #5

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What is that?

The wind.

It plays tricks in the attic.

There is no wind.

An old house creaks.

Go, close the shutters.

Shes sickly, no?

If you or any of your friends harm her,

as old as I am, I will kill you.

You know,

I was going to

give you back your pot.

But now Im going to keep it.

For soup.

We will be back in the new season.

Tell me what happened to them.

To my mother and father.

You said you would

tell me how they died,

On my birthday.

And tomorrows my birthday!

They died fighting, didnt they?

But when the soldiers come...

...you do nothing.

- You are a coward, arent you?

- Yes. Yes.

It was your parents

who were brave.

I make jams.

And youve never done

a brave thing in your life?

Maybe there are

different ways to be brave.

Did you know the French

have the best carrier pigeons?

And this could be

the difference in the war,

our messages getting through.

I dont want to hear

about the birds.

They are released at the front

and told to go home.

This is all they know.

But to get there

they must fly over a war.

Can you imagine such a thing?

Here you are flying over

so much pain and terror,

and you know

you can never look down.

You have to look forward

or youll never get home.

I ask you, What could be

braver than that?

- What is that?

- A present.

I hope you have not

bought me a disgusting dress...

...that I then have to wear like last year.

- It was disgusting?

- Yes.

I looked like an ugly nun.

Give me your hand.

Grandpre, we have no money.

When the war is over, then you can

buy me jewels and carriages.

Anything you say, my sweet one.

Anything-you-say!

You are, of course, the boss.

Its just an old thing I found...

...dont worry yourself

leave it, Ill put it back.

It was your mothers.

I hid it, so as not to encourage you.

Emilie, I want you to ride

very slowly, very carefully.

- And promise me you wont go far...

- Of course.

To the top of the hill

and straight back again.

I promise.

My hero.

Slowly... slowly...

Emilie!

Emilie!

No!

- Let go of me!

- She is my granddaughter!

Emilie, stop!

Dont hurt her, please!

Dont hurt her.

You dont need them!

There are so many others!

Please, take the bigger one

and leave the smaller one.

You are breaking

my granddaughters heart.

The war has taken

everything from everyone.

What will happen to them?

They will pull artillery

until they die...

- Franois!

- ... or until the war is over.

It will never be over!

You have your answer then.

Heiglemann...

- These are yours.

- Yes, sir.

They look strong,

should last a month or two.

You are beautiful.

Its a pity they found you.

Such a pity...

Pull together!

Halt! Halt! Stop!

Stop! Stop!

Heiglemann, bring up another one!

Heiglemann, bring up another horse!

That one!

No, no. The big black one!

Hes a good horse, sir.

But if you move him up to the heavy gun,

he will be no use at all.

Prince is already losing condition.

His leg, sir.

- You have given them names?

- Yes, sir.

You should never give a name to

anything you are certain to lose.

But, His leg is not good enough, sir.

Private, you will do as you are told.

Hook him up.

As you see, sir,

this one is stronger.

Hook him up.

Come, come, come

Halt! Halt!

Take the horses away!

Shell!

And load!

Back! Case!

Position!

And... fire!

Valuables in the bucket, lads.

If you live, youll get them back.

If you live, youll get them back.

Good lads.

Valuables in the bucket.

Fine.

Maybe its a drill, Albie.

Maybe its a drill like last time.

Love letter?

Thats my business.

I hear you and your mate

were doing bird imitations again.

You gonna write a letter to your horse?

After you find your horse,

Ive lost my needle in a haystack,

and I could use some help.

Anything valuable. Anyone who

comes back gets to share it out.

Stay here.

Remember that day me and Joey

raced you in your car?

I remember you

somersaulting through the air.

Who was that girl you were with?

There was a girl?

There was.

Dont you remember?

It was just some girl, I suppose.

I dont recall which one.

I do remember you

falling on your bum in a ditch.

You see?

Always entertaining, Narracott,

Ill give you that.

You did that?

You fell on your bum?

In the positions.

Get ready. Get ready, boys.

Be ready! Be ready!

Lets go, men!

Hold your nerve, boys. Remember,

its not too far to go. Theres a way through.

Run fast, keep your wits

about you, keep your eyes open...

...and God and the King

will keep an eye on you.

Company will fix bayonets!

Fix bayonets!

- You know what it reminds me of out there?

- What?

That bloody impossible lower field

the day me and Joey plowed it.

Best day of my life that was

and you were there.

And this here is the worst day

of my life, about to begin,

and youre here cheering me on.

Us two, always.

And him.

Once youre in no mans land,

go to the flanks.

- Stay on the flanks.

- Yes, sir.

Come on, boys, come on.

To the ladder!

Stick close to the gentry, yeah?

Thats our ticket.

We have the pluck

but they have the luck.

Come on, boys.

Keep going, keep going.

Andrew.

You, too, Narracott.

And you, too.

Come on, on your ladders, boy.

On your ladders.

In you go, in you go.

Thats it.

Listen to your sergeant!

If anybody turns back,

If any one of our boys...

...come running towards you

you take this rifle...

...and you shoot them dead.

- Do you understand?

- Yes, sir!

Do you understand me?

Do you understand

what Im telling you, son?

You take this rifle

and you shoot them dead.

Understand?

Up there, son. Up your ladder.

Up your ladder to your work!

Its good.

Andrew, its good.

Andrew!

Nobodys retreating today.

Andrew! Andrew!

Nobody is retreating today.

Just leave me. Leave me!

Youll be all right here.

Youll be safe.

Someonell come for ya.

Albert. Albert, listen...

Its all right. Its all right.

Were Devon boys, yeah?

Yeah...

Get down!

No!

Albie.

We made it.

We made it.

Andrew, this way out!

Gas! Gas! Gas!

Albie...

Hey, theres no stopping here.

Keep them moving.

Sir, theres something wrong.

This one needs to rest.

Theres no rest for them.

Move them along.

Move them along!

Please, please, please.

Stay on your feet.

No, please. No no no...

Please, please...

Stay on your feet.

Come on. Please, please...

Stay on your feet.

Theyre coming! Leave it, private!

Leave it! Come with me!

Go to hell!

Run. Run!

Run! Run!

Run!

Stand to, stand to...

Theres something moving.

What the hell is it?

It looks like a cow.

What the hell would

a cow be doing out there?

That definitely isnt a cow.

Well, what is it?

It cant be a horse. Nothing

alive could be out there.

It isnt a horse.

It isnt a horse.

Yes, its a horse.

- Its a horse.

- Yeah, its a horse.

Well, bugger me.

Its a horse.

Lads, we should call him.

How do you call a horse?

Hes caught on the wire.

Oh sod it...

What do you think youre doing?

Get back, do you hear me?

Corporal, thats an order!

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